Christmas was a blessed time!

I can't believe Christmas came and went so quickly. It has been a whirl-win here at our home. We are adapting to being "outnumbered"... well sort of adapting!! It has been hectic at times having a 4 year old, 2 1/2 year old and a newborn. I wouldn't change it for the world but it is a challenge.

While my family visited us at the begining of December, we cut a fresh Christmas tree down and have enjoyed it so much. As of today.. it is still very much alive and we haven't had many needles fall off at all. We enjoyed having my family here so much... it was a very sad time when they had to leave. We all had a good cry over it. We miss them already!

The boys were very excited and surprised when they awoke on Christmas morning to find their stocking full of gifts and presents under the tree. They came right into our room to tell us that Santa had come and he ate the cookies and drank the milk they left for him on Christmas Eve. Ohhh the wonder and excitement that comes with being a young child during Christmas. It is such a joy and makes my heart smile.

Breelyn is finally here!!!

We welcomed the newest member, Breelyn Kaye Carlson, to our family on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 10:27pm. She weighed in at 6 pounds, 14 ounces and is 18.5 inches long. A very petite little thing! After being admitted to the hospital at 8:30pm, she was born only 2 short hours later. I say short but PAINFUL that is until the epidural. Yes... even though it was a quick one... there is always time for an epidural. Her brothers, Aden and Deegan are delighted with her arrival. They just can't get enough of her. Deegan comes in every morning and asks "where's the baby?"

While Janin and I were at the hospital, the boys had the privilege of spending time with aunt Tami and uncle Lawrence. I don't know who enjoyed the time together more... the boys or Tami and Lawrence. What a blessing that they were able and willing to care for our boys in our absence. We all love and appreciate them so much.

My parents arrived from Bend, Oregon on Saturday, December 6th. Aden and Deegan have been on cloud 9 with grandma and papa here to play and spend quality time. Again what a blessing to have them here until the 18th of this month. I have missed them like nobodies business. My brother Ryan, Katie and their daughter, Eden are set to arrive tomorrow to spend a full week here with us. We are thrilled and elated. My other brother Tyler will be here this coming Saturday as well. We are so excited to have our family here during Christmas to celebrate two very special births. The birth of our daughter and even more importantly, the birth of Christ, our Savior.

Another week gone by...

It seems the older we get, the faster time goes by. I can't believe Friday is already coming to an end. We started the week off Monday with Aden going to work with Daddy. He has been asking for a while to go to work with his dad. Monday was a good day because daddy didn't have any meetings. So they got up together and got their shirts and ties on and away they went. Mom came a few hours later to rescue daddy at work. Aden said it was fun to help daddy draw some buildings on the computer. Wednesday, I had another doctor's appt. Everything is going well. 75% effacement and a "loose 1cm dilated", she said she couldn't really call it 2cm yet. I was a little disappointed. Its a bitter sweet situation. You want to savor the last bit of pregnancy because then labor and a newborn follow but at the same time you want to get back to feeling like yourself again. It will all happen soon enough!! Today the boys and myself went to a Amish town called Jamesport, Missouri with my sister-in-law, Tami and my nephew Lee's girlfriend, Emily. It was a bit cold and muddy but neat. We had a nice lunch and met some awesome people at the restaurant. Nothing better than meeting good hearted people while enjoying some home-cookin!!

A night out with adults...

We were blessed with a night out with adults for Janin's birthday. Yep... he is 35 years old!! Crazy to think we have been together for over 6 years now! Anyways, we went to a Japanese steak house with several friends and Rance (Janin's brother) and Brylie his wife. It was fun to get some adult time to visit and laugh. I like to go to these places because you get to enjoy them cooking the food in front of you and you get to try so many different things. Thanks to my sister-in-law, Tami and brother-in-law, Lawrence for entertaining the boys. Aden and Deegan love to spend time with them.

Cooler weather has set in...

The weekend is always hectic and busy, especially these days. We are trying to frantically finish our basement before our daughter is born. We need a extra bedroom and bathroom for when our family comes to visit next month and it needed to be done anyways. Aden has enjoyed working and building with his daddy every night. Mommy is tired and ready to be done already.

With the weather getting cooler now and the time change, the boys time playing outside is quite a bit less. We have to invent fun activities to do like cooking with mommy in the kitchen and lots and lots of playdough time. Aden is loving going to school 2 days a week. Deegan enjoys taking Aden in school and spending alone time with mom.

We are looking forward to the birth of our daughter, Breelyn, in the next few weeks. The holidays are going to be a very blessed time for our family. My family, (mom, dad, Tyler, Ryan and his fiance Katie and their daughter Eden) will all be visiting the middle of Decemeber. The Lord has been so good to our family and we give Him all the glory.