28 Weeks

Our beautiful baby #4 has hit a big milestone - the 3rd trimester. My belly is getting rounder and tighter each and every week, but I am loving every second of it. The movements of an elbow poking out or a heel kicking my side is a sweet reminder that I will be missing this time when it's gone...so I will count it as a blessing. My body is changing and things are happening quickly around me so much so that it is so thrilling to our whole family that in just 12 short weeks we will have a little newborn in our home. A baby to hold, kiss, cuddle, and train. Our walk-in closet has a new dresser filled with a few creme outfits, cozy blankets, and a changing pad laying on top. Jason and I are getting in the full swing of things in order to be ready to care for this next treasure. As that time draws near, we have picked out baby names and are day-dreaming about our life changing once again with a tiny one in our home. Sleepless nights, tighter schedules, and taking it one step at a time in survival mode when necessary. Every time Jason and I have a baby, we feel blessed beyond belief and pray that we can raise all of our children to be amazing people who completely fear the Lord as He guides us through each and every step. Holton is now pointing to my belly and saying "baby!" Laylie and Rael talk about how they will help take care of their newest sibling and look forward to finding out if they have a brother or a sister. Thank you God for such a sweet gift! We feel so excited as April draws closer and closer.

The Best Days in Colorado

Laylie and I spent 5 days in Colorado visiting our close friends the Clarks. It was such a special time for Laylie and I to be together, and she was the greatest travel partner! Together we walked through the airport, hand-in-hand, navigating our way to the gate. On the plane we read magazines while snuggling in our tight plane seats, and when we arrived we got to hanging out with one another and our dearest friends. We had the best days spending each moment with the 6 Clark kids and the mamas soaked up our much needed friendship time. Kacy and I laughed lots, encouraged each other, gave each other Godly advice and sat on the couch together sipping hot tea and one time eating a whole Costco chocolate cake. I feel God has blessed me beyond measure with this friendship with my sweet friend and having so many memories throughout a decade of time makes it that much more special. From marriage to becoming home-school moms to having many small children, it is such a blessing to walk through life with her. While in Colorado, we had so much fun going on adventures to the mall with our girls, swimming at the indoor pool, watching Laylie help feed all of their farm animals, playing in the snow, going to a country Rodeo in Denver and even watching a movie in their perfectly cozy home. Laylie and I enjoyed seeing snow fall for a couple days and we really got to experience what winter days look like somewhere other than the little bit of rain we get in California. We really enjoyed and treasured all the time we got with their 6 kids. We are already missing our friends dearly and are looking forward to the next time the families will get together. Until then, we will keep remembering how joyful it was spending 5 days with them and how special of a time Laylie and I got to have just the two of us.

Jason had lots of fun with the two little ones keeping busy while mom was away...

Christmas Break

During Christmas break Rael and Laylie had the honor of going on a special date with Uncle Tim and Aunt Lindsay. They had a picnic lunch at the beach and went to the Birch Aquarium where they got to see so many awesome sea creatures. They had so much fun and we are truly blessed that they have such an incredible Aunt and Uncle to make memories with and be loved on.

We also got to visit Legoland with our friends the Watts and the Lains. All the kids ran around the park and enjoyed the rides. It's hard to get back to school when home days are so relaxing and fun events like these are a joy.

Cheers to a WONDERFUL year for 2017!