Happy Holidays 2005

What an amazing year!

It is unbelievable, to me, that we are already upon the holiday season and another new year. This past year we have been blessed with much love, happiness, and awesome changes in our family.

At the tail end of last year we announced that we would be adding to our family and were able to announce that our addition would be a boy. That was our big holiday surprise last year, and no, there won't be one like that this year or the years to come.

The first few months of this year were spent getting "ready" for the boy. Most of the preparation really involved getting the girls' ready for their new brother. The girls' were promoted to their big girl bedroom, where they helped pick out all the decor. The transition went fairly smoothly for them. It appeared that the transition was much harder on the Moms'! The girls' also got to attend a sibling’s class at the hospital to learn all about being awesome sisters to their new baby brother.

On April 26th, Spencer Rylan entered our lives and thus began our life as a family of five. He's a very happy baby and has blended in rather nicely. His sisters' absolutely adore their baby brother, and so do his Moms'. In his early months of life, Abby was highly interested in assisting with his care and being Mommy's helper. Now that he's mobile and interactive, Ellie's become more involved in his life. They both love to hold him, even though he is nearly as big as they are. They love to cuddle and kiss him incessantly. At nearly 8 months old he is mobile and curious, a dangerous combination.

Our girls', Abby & Ellie, are now 3 1/2 years old. In May they were interviewed to become mentor students for a pre-school program designed for kids with various delays. The girls' were accepted and we were all very proud and excited. Their school year began in August. They go to school 4 days a week for 3 hours each day and are in separate classes. They truly love going to school! They love having their own teachers; they each have 3 full-time teachers and 1 part-time teacher. They love having their own friends; each class has about 10 students. Then they love re-connecting with each other at the end of their school day.

Outside of school, the girls' are really into imaginative play. It is awesome to sit back and take it all in. Both are princess girls' through and through. They love to play dress up and dance to music. When I get home from work odds are that the girls' are either wearing dress up clothes or no clothes. Their other favorite activity seems to be relocating items throughout the house. It is no longer surprising to find their "friends" in the refrigerator or pots and pans throughout the house. They've even taken to putting their baby doll bottles in the refrigerator. If you can't find something, just ask them. They may be able to tell you where it is, or maybe not. When weather permits, they love to go outside and ride their bikes. Another favorite outdoor activity involves hunting for bunny poop in our flower garden. Yes, I said bunny poop.

Carie continues to be an awesome SAHM. She says she continues to enjoy the opportunity of staying home with our kids. I love that the kids' are able to be with her. Now that the girls' are in school, Carie has added chauffer to her list of responsibilities. Carie's day is busy and steady as she attempts to keep up with our 3. I don't know how she does it!

Carie has also been quite involved with several classes and committees with our Church. We pray that the hard work of the Marriage Policy Task Force comes to fruition and that the council moves towards policies that are in line with the needs of the congregation.

Another one of Carie's endeavors was becoming certified as a Mobile Notary. While we are still in the learning curve of this business, it appears that this could be a perfect opportunity to earn some extra funds while not requiring a significant amount of time. That is our hopes for 2006. It was either this or a money tree, and well, we haven't yet figured out the species of the money tree.

I continue to work as an IS Project Manager and am approaching 5 years of service. I continue to enjoy what I am doing. Most of all I enjoy working for my boss and with my co-workers. They are a great group of folks. My focus on my career has definitely taken a back seat over the past 3 1/2 years as I devote myself to my family. I definitely enjoyed my maternity leave this past year!

To keep up with us throughout the year, visit our blog. Or, if you are in our neck of the woods stop on by.

Peace,
Sonya, Carie, Abby, Ellie & Spencer