Dear Family and Friends,
Happy 2009! 2008 was a busy year for us. Actually, it was a pretty ordinary year until about June when the movers showed up at our house and packed everything we owned into wood crates. We left San Diego only a few days after H finished kindergarten and headed off on almost a month of traveling before setting foot in Honolulu, Hawaii in mid-July. Here are a few of the highlights from our year…
In May, B finally had the opportunity to visit the Embry-Riddle campus in Daytona Beach, FL when she walked across the stage and accepted her Master’s Degree. It was a moment she’ll never forget! We also got to visit lots of family in south Georgia and relax a little. H learned how to kneeboard on Uncle R’s boat, and the kids even got to sit in a real fire truck at Meme and Grandaddy’s. C’s favorite part was riding on and driving (with Daddy’s help of course) Grandaddy’s tractor. It was a great trip!
In June, we flew to Alabama to visit Grandma and Papa, B’s parents. We drove all over the state to see lots of old friends and even went up to Indiana for our B's family reunion. It was wonderful to see and meet so many from her family. We also went to the Creation Museum in Cincinnati (awesome – check it out!) and to A Day Out with Thomas where we rode on a train pulled by Thomas!
Then in July we flew to Hawaii with three kids and two cats, and spent the next 11 days in 3 hotels (actually we couldn’t count if we wanted to the number of different places we stayed during the year!). Thankfully we moved into housing on day 12 and finally had a bed to sleep on about 2 weeks later when those same wood crates showed up at our new driveway (unfortunately many things didn’t look the same as they did when they were packed in San Diego)! D began his new job at the Chapel. Five months later his job keeps him very busy, but he gets to be home most nights to tuck the kids in bed. Such a blessing compared to the few nights he was home in 2007!
So then in September, our “baby” S turned two! She blows us away with her silly jokes and laughter. Her favorite thing to do is balance on Daddy’s hands as he lifts her high in the air (I can’t believe I don’t have a picture of this!). She seems to love the look of shock and fear on people’s faces. About the time she turned two, we discovered that we were having two more! An 8 week ultrasound confirmed what my friend Stacy already knew – we were having twins (she has twins too)! Talk about shock! Now at 26 weeks, we know they are fraternal boys and both are growing well. We’ve also learned that God is serious when He says He will bless you beyond all that you can ask or imagine! Now we just have to decide on names!
The next couple of months were spent trying to find a fit here in Hawaii, finish unpacking, homeschool H and try to make it through the day without a migraine or vomiting – all which proved to be challenging! H loves homeschooling, and it really has been a blessing to us. Sure, some days are harder than others, but I love the relationships that have developed between the kids as well as getting to spend quality time with her myself. The years are slipping by so fast. Sometimes I think if I blink she’ll be headed off to college.
We just finished December. C turned 4 and looks like such a big boy now. It’s funny to watch him turning into a small version of D – complete with scrapes from jumping off things and his sense of humor. B’s parents as well as her sister and brother-in-law came for a visit too. We did so much around the island, but by far the favorites were the kids’ presents from Aunt H and Uncle P. Aunt H took H on a dolphin encounter, and P took C for a helicopter ride! They both are still talking about it!
We had been planning a trip back to San Diego (H desperately wants to go snowboarding!) in January, but the doctor put an end to B’s overseas travel. We don’t have too many plans for next year. The twins will probably arrive around the beginning of April (hopefully no sooner or no later!) and traveling with 3 kids and 2 babies just sounds overwhelming now. I’m sure we’ll get the hang of it before too long! And while we don’t have much room, we do have a sofa sleeper (as well as the floor and sleeping bags!) and would welcome any of you for a visit. We wish you all a wonderful new year!
In May, B finally had the opportunity to visit the Embry-Riddle campus in Daytona Beach, FL when she walked across the stage and accepted her Master’s Degree. It was a moment she’ll never forget! We also got to visit lots of family in south Georgia and relax a little. H learned how to kneeboard on Uncle R’s boat, and the kids even got to sit in a real fire truck at Meme and Grandaddy’s. C’s favorite part was riding on and driving (with Daddy’s help of course) Grandaddy’s tractor. It was a great trip!
In June, we flew to Alabama to visit Grandma and Papa, B’s parents. We drove all over the state to see lots of old friends and even went up to Indiana for our B's family reunion. It was wonderful to see and meet so many from her family. We also went to the Creation Museum in Cincinnati (awesome – check it out!) and to A Day Out with Thomas where we rode on a train pulled by Thomas!
Then in July we flew to Hawaii with three kids and two cats, and spent the next 11 days in 3 hotels (actually we couldn’t count if we wanted to the number of different places we stayed during the year!). Thankfully we moved into housing on day 12 and finally had a bed to sleep on about 2 weeks later when those same wood crates showed up at our new driveway (unfortunately many things didn’t look the same as they did when they were packed in San Diego)! D began his new job at the Chapel. Five months later his job keeps him very busy, but he gets to be home most nights to tuck the kids in bed. Such a blessing compared to the few nights he was home in 2007!
So then in September, our “baby” S turned two! She blows us away with her silly jokes and laughter. Her favorite thing to do is balance on Daddy’s hands as he lifts her high in the air (I can’t believe I don’t have a picture of this!). She seems to love the look of shock and fear on people’s faces. About the time she turned two, we discovered that we were having two more! An 8 week ultrasound confirmed what my friend Stacy already knew – we were having twins (she has twins too)! Talk about shock! Now at 26 weeks, we know they are fraternal boys and both are growing well. We’ve also learned that God is serious when He says He will bless you beyond all that you can ask or imagine! Now we just have to decide on names!
The next couple of months were spent trying to find a fit here in Hawaii, finish unpacking, homeschool H and try to make it through the day without a migraine or vomiting – all which proved to be challenging! H loves homeschooling, and it really has been a blessing to us. Sure, some days are harder than others, but I love the relationships that have developed between the kids as well as getting to spend quality time with her myself. The years are slipping by so fast. Sometimes I think if I blink she’ll be headed off to college.
We just finished December. C turned 4 and looks like such a big boy now. It’s funny to watch him turning into a small version of D – complete with scrapes from jumping off things and his sense of humor. B’s parents as well as her sister and brother-in-law came for a visit too. We did so much around the island, but by far the favorites were the kids’ presents from Aunt H and Uncle P. Aunt H took H on a dolphin encounter, and P took C for a helicopter ride! They both are still talking about it!
We had been planning a trip back to San Diego (H desperately wants to go snowboarding!) in January, but the doctor put an end to B’s overseas travel. We don’t have too many plans for next year. The twins will probably arrive around the beginning of April (hopefully no sooner or no later!) and traveling with 3 kids and 2 babies just sounds overwhelming now. I’m sure we’ll get the hang of it before too long! And while we don’t have much room, we do have a sofa sleeper (as well as the floor and sleeping bags!) and would welcome any of you for a visit. We wish you all a wonderful new year!
January 08 - Building a fort
H snowboarding at Big Bear in January
H and C camping with Daddy in April
Spring pics by our friend Susie - we miss you Susie!
B's graduation in May
C and D riding a tractor at Meme and Grandaddy's in May
A Day out with Thomas in June
4 generations taken at our family reunion in June (left to right - B's Grandpa with S, B's Dad with C, and B with H)
2 comments:
Wow the kiddos seem to get bigger and bigger everytime you post pictures. I so want to come see you once the twins come! Hopefully we can make that happen. If not this summer then next spring when Scott gets back! Miss you guys!
love your updates, Brandy :) MIss you guys!
Post a Comment