The big number 5

I have said it over and over. I cannot believe our little boy is 5 years old. Where did the time go? We had a great week celebrating Blake and his big birthday. We decided to go all out and have a family party with friends from church for a total of 31 people. Praise the Lord the weather was perfect so the kids played outside, played Mario Kart in the garage and had a great time :-) I am so thankful for Blake and who he is. He has such a kind heart, he is loving, friendly, compassionate, structured, likes to know what's right and wrong and once he knows the truth there is no changing his mind from it. I know he is going to be an amazing little guy who loves God and I know God has big plans for him.

Celebrating at Preschool

So happy Great Grandpa Nieter could come visit us!

Blake & Grandpa in a serious game of basketball

Birthday tradition of breakfast in bed

Alli enjoying Chuck-e-cheese games

Blake at Chuck-e-cheese

Actual birthday lunch at Chick-fil-a

It's Party Time!!! Thanks to Bobble & MawMaw for the incredible Mario Kart cake!

Mario Kart competition in the garage

Mario Kart Cake

Mushroom Cupcakes

One happy boy!!!

Poppy, Mimi, Blake & Grandpa

Love this picture of my day pushing Alli fast in the car.

Great Grandpa with the kids

Busy...busy

Sorry for the delay in a new blog post. I tell you life gets busy so quickly and next thing you know the weeks have past. We have had a good February overall. Brent, Alli  and I have been fighting colds and sinus issues off and on. Blake is the healthiest one of the bunch right now. Things are plugging along here. Blake is loving preschool. He is doing great with writing his name. He addressed all his valentines to his 12 classmates. It took us all week but we got it done with very few tears from Blake or mommy :-) Alli is up to her normal tricks of running through life while literally bouncing off the walls. Her spunk cracks us up on a daily basis. She has started posing now for pictures which usually entails her hands on her hips :-) It is so funny! Brent and I laugh about how much our kids are like us in certain ways and how much they differ. Blake is definitely like me. First he looks more like me but in personality he needs to know the plan, be prepared for what's coming, doesn't like changes and wakes up very slowly in the morning. Both of us usually don't say a word until we have been awake for at least 15 min. Then there is Alli who has her own personality showing off, making faces etc but looks like Brent and wakes up 100% ready to go just like her daddy. She comes out in the morning almost dancing she is so awake. I am so thankful for both of these precious kiddos who are so different but bring so much joy and uniqueness to this house. Life would be boring without them!

Blake's angry bird valentines addressed all by Blake!

Daddy helping Blake with his craft at preschool

Blake & Gavin at Gavin's 1st bday party

Rachel & Alli

Alli posing!

Poppy made Allison this beautiful hope chest for Christmas! (I forgot to get a picture of them with it till now)

Finally some peace

Sorry it has been awhile since my last post. This week my thoughts have been pretty consumed with making decisions about Blake and our family next year. As I said in previous posts, I know that God is in control and will ultimately lead us in the right direction but that doesn't stop my brain from working overtime trying to figure out that plan sooner rather than later :-) Since I am one who likes to process, I am prone to obsessing about things, constantly thinking over the pros and cons, making lists, talking other peoples ears off about what they think, etc. Even though I spent all week doing this, I will say that I also spent a lot of time in prayer because when I found myself obsessing, I would pray for God's will to be revealed and for me to let go of the control. Sometimes that is all we can do!
    Well through all the ups and downs this week, I am happy to say that I have finally found some peace. Yesterday we sent Blake's kindergarten registration in to his current preschool. Right now he attends a church preschool program that also has one kindergarten class. This was one of our options we have been praying about and even though I had some reservations, as of right now Brent and I both feel comfortable with him staying there another year to complete kindergarten. The benefits of this option is that it is so close to our house, it is a morning program running until noon, it's affordable and a Christian environment that Blake is familiar with and has friends who will be moving up with him. Because there is only one class we needed to register Blake this week if we wanted to hold a spot. At this point, I am feeling really good about our decision. I know God can still change things but just knowing that we have a direction lifts a huge weight off my shoulders. Even though Blake has been in preschool for two years now and I have joked for years about the excitement of him going off to school, I am really nervous about letting my little boy into this world away from my protection for an extended time. Again I know it's a control issue and I am sure this is only the beginning with the kids but I am so thankful that God has given me the peace needed for today! I am so thankful to serve an all powerful, loving, personal God who cares about every detail of our lives.   

Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. 

Sunny days

Crazy weather here in our part of town. Last weekend snow and then today's high temperature is in the upper 70's. The sun is out and my soul literally feels warmer and happier after just a few minutes of sitting in the sun, having it hit my face. Thank you Lord for the beautiful sunshine and how happy it makes me and the kids to be out in the fresh air!

Blake's family portrait: (L to R)  Blake, Alli, Daddy & Mommy

Snow Day = Happy Kids

I think the pictures say it all :-) This was Alli's first time playing in the snow and she loved it!

Big Decisions

    I have never been a huge fan of making big decisions. Truthfully, I really don't like making any decisions no matter how big or little they are. Of course I blame this on being the baby of the family and having most decisions made for me. However, now I am a parent which means decisions big or small are left up to me and Brent to make.
     So we are embarking on one of those big decisions in life regarding Blake. He is ready to enter kindergarten next year and we are in the process of deciding where he should go to school. I was experiencing some major anxiety about this because I want to make the right decision for him. It is one thing to make a choice that affects me but this decision affects Blake, his learning, his circle of influence and friends etc. We are his parents, responsible to protect him, raise him and give him the best that we can and so the anxiety rises! Thanks to some wise counsel, I have a plan :-) First I am going to visit each school that is an option for Blake to attend. I will visit the school, talk with some of the teachers and pray that the Holy Spirit gives me a clear direction. I have listed the pros and cons to each school. I know what certain benefits are versus the possible negatives. I will gain as much information as possible and then pray. Pray hard!!! Pray that God will reveal His perfect will for Blake's life. Again, it is so hard making these decisions that affect Blake and his upbringing but I know that God knows and loves Blake even more than I do. He knows what Blake needs for k5, I just need to discern what God wants. So as I visit 2 schools today I pray for divine direction that God's will be made known and remind myself of these truths so that the anxiety lessens and all that remains is faith!

Phil. 4:6-7 Do not be anxious for about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Speakeasy

Yesterday Brent's class had their annual speakeasy at school. It's where all the kids dress up in 1920's attire, dance the Charleston, and have snacks to mimic the forbidden parties that took place during Prohibition. Brent goes all out and decorates the class room with lights and streamers. It really is a fun day so I decided to join in this year and take the kids. Of course we couldn't look out of place so we dressed up too. Allison had the time of her life dancing and showing off for the students. Unfortunately Blake was very shy and sat in the corner for most of the day but overall we had a great time!

Alli breaking out the dance moves!