February Family Update

February was full of snow here!  Lots of snow, cancelled school, and days at home :)  We made the most of it.  I keep reminding myself that Grace will be starting kindergarten in a year and a half and I won't get to be with her during the day anymore!  Wesley on the other hand, PHEW!  Haha...he is quite the handful.  He has started climbing on everything and he really likes to scream.  He'll scream for no apparent reason and for many other reasons that drive us completely nuts.  I tried spraying him with water to make him stop, but he just laughed.  We'll continue to work with him and his near terrible-two behaviors.

Wesley tries to jump.  Just watch...I can't even...SO cute!

Barnes and Noble has a great kids section!  There is a train table, little people chairs, and lots of books.  We will definitely be going there again soon.

Jimmy and his college buddies (plus Nick this year!) get together every year in different locations.  This year it was Winston-Salem.  We hosted everyone and it was so good to see the guys.

Duck, Duck, GOOSE!  It's so heartwarming watching other people love your children well!

The kids and I went to Rock Hill for a day and night to visit aunt Cindy and uncle Linton while the guys were all at our house.  My mom and dad came up for the day to visit.  While Wesley napped at the house with my dad and uncle, the ladies went to a chocolate festival!

Wesley loves their water fountain

We spent a Saturday night in Rock Hill.  Sunday morning around 2 a.m. I heard screaming and crying coming from the bathroom.  Yep, it was Grace.  She literally puked from both ends from 2 a.m. until dinner time it seemed like.  Just when we thought she might be better, she would get sick again.  I made a pad for her on the floor in the room with me and we planned to stay Sunday night just to be safe.  Monday morning she was better, but still really weak.  Jimmy called to say two of his buddies got sick after returning to Pennsylvania from our house.  Both of the guys slept in Grace's room, so that's why we think they got sick.  I also received a call Monday morning that my mom had gotten sick.  The same morning, my uncle Linton had to leave work early because he wasn't feeling well and then my aunt Cindy got sick the next day.  Grace literally spread it to almost everyone she came into contact with.  We returned home only to spread the sickness to Jimmy.  By the grace of God, neither Wesley nor I got sick...it was miraculous for sure.  It took Grace many days to fully recuperate and just as many days to wash everything in our house and sanitize.  Praising God for healthy bodies this month!

Post-Snow days=cancelled school BUT the mall was open!

Ellory, Savannah Jane, and Grace met a few friend to eat lunch with at the mall.

Wesley and Lorelei...our little loves!

Rachel, one of my good friends, has been so incredibly helpful to us!  I had some training institutes for work and she let me drop the kids off to play with her little ones.  These four love each other!

We had to pull this bad boy out of the closet.  Grace was having a hard time following directions...it was bad...but now it's much better!  I had forgotten about this chart and it really is effective.

Another post-snow day fun trip!  Jump N Fun with the Windleys and Orsborn crews.

The Children's Museum is always a fun getaway as well.  We are so thankful memere and pepere gifted us a membership for Christmas.

I went to a church consignment sale and saw this adorable set of kid golf clubs,  They are PINK and were $25, which is a steal.  I jokingly texted Jimmy a picture of them and he responded, "BUY THEM!".

Jimmy's grandpa and my papa both loved golf.  While I was never able to really play or learn much about golf from my papa (he passed away when I was in elementary school), Jimmy was able to talk a lot about golf with his grandpa.  Jimmy loves golf and looks forward to taking the kids one day.  Grace's swing isn't too shabby for an almost 4 year old!

This is our dog cage.  These are our children.  They put themselves in there...I promise!

Jimmy took Grace to their first daddy-daughter dance.  Precious.

Fort time!

Grace pushing Wesley in her baby stroller.  And then it broke.  Just kidding!  I sure was expecting those wheels to bust right off the sides.

We gave Grace a few things for Valentine's Day which included two card games: Crazy 8's and Old Maid.  I used to LOVE playing Old Maid.  Grace loves playing both of these games and it quite competitive...

Sweet girl.  She doesn't really nap anymore but she does have rest time each day.  This day I took her to Wal-Mart with me during nap time while the boys were at home.  She laid on the couch for a few minutes and was OUT.

We've been working on handwriting skills and scissor skills.

Wesley: Like I said, he's crazy.  We love him so much and he can be quite the sweetheart, but the boy is off the chain!  I fear him turning two.  Wesley is starting to say more and more.  I think he learns a lot from observing/listening to his sister.  It's amazing what he catches on to...the good and the bad, haha.  

Grace: We did have to pull the behavior chart out this month, but it was mainly to help mommy and daddy be more patient with Grace.  It has helped all of us.  Grace is a fantastic helper, like always, and is quite creative.  Funny story: I was reading the story about Adam and Eve from the garden when they ate fruit and tried to then hide from God in the bushes.  A day later we were all driving home from church and we got back to the discussion about hiding from God.  Jimmy and I were explaining to Grace that no one can hide from God.  Grace stated, "Yes you can."  "Really?" we asked.  "Where would you hide from God, Grace?"  Without hesitation she replied, "in the bushes!". LOL.  This girl.  

Kristen: February has been my least favorite month of the year, haha.  There has been a lot going on at work and grad school was going well until this past week.  My laptop crashed when I was working on a major assignment.  I know, I know...I should have had everything backed up, but I didn't.  Some things were, but not the project I was working on.  Lesson learned.  Anyways, I finished everything and turned it all in as the deadline is TODAY.  I am reminded daily that His mercies are new each day and I need not to be anxious about anything...however, I'm human!  I will say that I am glad it's March, which is my birthday month in case you were wondering!

Jimmy: Jimmy just finished CT and it wasn't that bad at all.  He has already begun PEDS anesthesia for his next rotation.  Jimmy has decided to apply for a regional fellowship position at Baptist (where he currently works), so hopefully he will get accepted!  That would be an additional year of training...when will it end??? :)