Sweet Sarah Joy

Our Sarah Joy will be 6 years old on Saturday (December 22).  I can hardly believe it!  She has always brought such joy to our lives, she has a sparky little personality and a wonderful sense of humor.  This year she has grown so much and we are so proud of her.

She has gotten into gymnastics and loves it!  It is a wonderful match for her and she is doing really well in it.

Her gymnastics teacher has a big Christmas party each year where the kids get to show their parents what they are learning -  and Santa watches too!  

Sarah the green nosed reindeer!

In school she is learning to read and loves math, science, history...all of it!  I love seeing her grasp concepts and grow in her learning.  She is a joy to teach and I am so blessed to be her mommy and teacher!

Doing school in her Halloween costume (with the worlds largest pencil!)

Sarah and Joshua have a special connection - Sarah and babies have a special connection!  She loves babies and does really well with them, they always seem to respond to her as well.  She still loves horses and cowgirls stuff but has moved beyond only wearing jeans and white t-shirts (although jeans are still her fav!).

The thing I love most about Sarah is her sensitivity to other's feelings and thoughts and her sensitivity to the spirit.  She is quick to think of others before herself and is quick to love.  Our prayer for you dear Sarah is that you will always keep that sensitivity and use it to God's glory.  You are a beautiful girl who is blossoming and growing into the lady God has made you to be.   May you always seek Him and continue to love others!

We love you and our family would not be the same without  you, our sweet little Christmas baby!!

The Nutcracker!

Elizabeth was in the Colorado Dance Theater's production of The Nutcracker.  She was SO excited to get to be involved in it this year after watching her cousins and Aunt in it a couple of years!  It is a beautifully done ballet and it makes me proud of the dance program that she is involved in.  There are a lot of very talented people here!  Elizabeth was a parrot.  (One thing I love about this production is that they have made parts in it to include the younger dance students)  She and 9 other girls were one of the magical acts that Herr Drosselmeyer entertains the party guests with.  All the girls did a great job, worked hard at all the practices, and became friends, another fun part of being in it!
I asked Elizabeth for a few of her thoughts and here is what she said...

My favorite part was dancing in it.

My least favorite part was that two people threw up in the dressing room!

Do you think you want to be in it again? YES!

Which part do you think would be the most fun?  Clara


Unfortunately we can't take any pictures during the show so I don't have any on stage pictures, but captured some cute back stage ones and some at the rehearsals of our little star!

Being silly after Friday's performance!

Rehearsals and friends!

Entertaining herself backstage after her part was over

We are all pretty worn out today and Elizabeth is not feeling great, but we are taking it easy and enjoying the fact that our schoolwork can wait until tomorrow (or be done on the couch!)

A good book in a comfy spot makes anyone feel better!

So proud of my sweet girl!

Until next time!

Definitely time...

Perhaps I should just say that I will put a new post up every new season!  Life is busy and full these days so blogging seems to be last on the list.


However, with Christmas coming and so many fun things planned I wanted to get a few thoughts and pictures up before then. It was definitely time for an update!

So what have we been up to?
School....
The girls are doing great with school.  We have found a rhythm that works for us, realizing that every day is a bit different with the help of Joshua, but enjoying learning lots of new things.  Sarah is beginning to read and grow in her confidence with that.  Elizabeth continues to read whatever she can and loves math!
We have loved our Five in a Row curriculum, reading stories, learning about different cultures and ideas.  It fills us with excitement and we love learning together.  Joshua is such a trooper and wants to be involved in whatever we are doing as well.
The girls love their Friday school and have enjoyed art, music, and PE as well as science and all sorts of other great classes.  Elizabeth is taking piano this year and is loving that.  Sarah is very interested in art and gets to have lots of experiences with different mediums.

Science with dad!

Church...
This fall we have been on what we call a "church adventure!"  We have been visiting different churches in Greeley seeing what is happening in the body of Christ.  It has been very interesting and we are so proud of the kids.  They have been so willing to try a different place each week and have been eager to see what the next one will be like.  Our hope is to find a home church that fits our family right now, so we are seeking the Lord in this adventure and asking him to give us peace and wisdom about where to be right now.

Friends...
We are so thankful for our friends!  We have gotten to have some fun times with friends this fall.  The Colorado Ballet, the pumpkin patch, and just being together.

At the Colorado Ballet!

Other Activities...
Elizabeth is involved in ballet and is also in the local production of the Nutcracker.  She is loving being involved in this group and is so excited for the performance this weekend.
Sarah is loving gymnastics!  She has a natural bounce and energy that does well for her in gymnastics.
Joshua gets to watch his sisters in each of these practices and has done a great job of hanging out and watching.  He has made friends while waiting on his sisters as well.

Elizabeth at Nutcracker Rehearsal with some of her friends!

So where does that leave us as we head into the holiday season?
Whew, busy and a bit tired but so excited.  Wendy, my dear friend I met while in the Philippines, will be here for Christmas!  We love having her here, she is like a sister to me and we are kindred spirits!
Nate has a big project that he is a part of over Christmas break, so he will not have the luxury of a real restful Christmas but we are so thankful for his job and the projects that keep him at UNC.

The kids and I are reading from the gospel of Luke these next few weeks.  Reading about the coming Messiah, the birth of Christ, the amazing joy that this season holds.  My prayer for us all is that we will stop each and every day and think on Christ's love for us...not just during this Christmas season, but every day.  He loves you, I hope you know that!!

Signs of Autumn

The kids...

I have so many pictures of the kids lately and with the end of school and the fun of summer it seems like a good time to reflect on our precious ones.  So, with that in mind I decided to write a little about each kiddo, what they are up to, what they enjoy.  We are so proud of them and love them to pieces.  Being a mommy is the greatest gift to me and I love my job!  Enjoy a little picture of our kiddos and perhaps they will bring you joy as well!