Another big gap

So, again it's been a long time since I posted anything. Sometimes I just figure I'll wait till I get some more pictures to post, and other times I think about it and get busy.

Anyway, the new year has started off great and I can't believe it's already the 21st of January! I had my small group start up again, programming for the jr. and sr. high started up again last week, and we have been getting back to our normal routine. The holidays bring about a lot of fun and travel, but sometimes it's hard to get back into "real" life.

The Edge and XStream (our student programming) started off with a bang and we are excited to see where the semester takes us. Drew started staying home with a sitter during this time and it makes it a lot easier for mommy! A couple of girls who work in the church nursery are watching him and it's been awesome! They love him so much, so it puts my mind completely at ease!

Speaking of Drew, he is completely infatuated with the Wiggles. Fortunately I like them as well! He always wants to watch them and has begun learning some of the dances and animal sounds--it's so cute! The good thing is that he doesn't just sit down and watch....he'll watch for a bit and then play, dance with them, then play. So, I don't feel bad for having it on because he isn't planted in front of the tv and he is learning a lot! Much to Kyle's excitment Drew seems to be running to him more for comfort. He seems to want as well during the snuggly times and actually gets upset sometimes when Kyle leaves. Kyle is convinced he is becoming a "daddy's boy". It is so cute!

Well, I better go for now...Drew should be waking up from his nap soon and I need to take advantage of the last minutes before the little feet start running again!

The long awaited Christmas pictures...

Okay all...here they are...Drew's second Christmas!

Here is Drew and Mommy opening a present.

Drew and Daddy and his Caterpillar Trucks.

A cute Christmas boy!!

Here he is playing with his track and making the car noises...can you tell by his tongue!?

Drew and his Christmas donuts!

Christmas fun at Mamaw and Papaw's!

Christmas fun at Grandma and Grandpa's!

Drew found Bear's pin at Mamaw and Papaw's.

Kyle had just told Drew to pick up the football and smile. Isn't he a ham!!!

I know, I know

Okay, so this time it has been even longer since I have posted. Maybe it's because of the busyness of the time, but now a new year is upon us. I don't like to admit that I have resolutions, but I do. They are acutally resolutions that I have had for a long time. Sometimes I feel as if it is a constent battle. Well, onto some more exctiting things...

Drew completely scored this Christmas. He has more toys than we know what to do with! We did get our Christmas decorations down today so that gives more space for Drew's stuff.

I will hopefully get some cute Christmas pictures up soon and then I will take pictures of our house and how full it is!

I hope that everyone has a great year and that God continues to bless you!!

Something new

So, I haven't written in awhile. Maybe it's because I have had no pictures to post. I suppose I should take a picture of the whiteness outside! It is snowing again today and has been all day long. Who knows how much more we will get? I think snow is pretty and lovely, but it makes traveling so much harder. It's harder too when you have to carry your son around because you don't want him to walk around it it, fall down, and getting soaking wet. So, I will continue to carry him till it gets better out! I hate that the snow sometimes dictates what we can and can't do because it can be dangerous to drive in. Anyway, enough about the snow!

Drew LOVES to open the doors around our house and it has caused more problems than good. He likes to get the broom and mop out, which is very cute until he almost takes your head off because it's hard to manuever for a one year old. He can also get in the bathroom closet which is where the plunger is kept. Yeah, gross, I know! He also likes to climb on the kitchen chairs, which he is very proud of himself for, but luckily hasn't fallen off yet.

We have been super busy lately, but I think it's a good thing. We all still have colds, but it's winter, what do you expect? Last night we went to a Milwaukee Wave game. Its major league indoor soccer and I usually don't care for soccer all that much, but the indoor is very intense. Drew did a great job and had a lot of fun watching, running, and dancing. He DOES NOT like the Wave mascot and holds onto us for dear life when he is around. It's very funny! We are going to another game on New Year's Eve and will take pictures then. Hope everyone's December is going well!

Silly Mommy, Funny Drew

Wednesday nights are usually are crazy nights because we have The Edge and XStream. They are our teenage programs at church. So, we usually don't get home till a little after 9 which is past Drew's bedtime. Last night he fell asleep on the way home and stayed asleep till I was getting his jammies on him. While I was taking off his shirt, he woke up. No big deal, I was then able to fill his humidifier and read to him! I did just that and then as usual laid him down, covered him up, and turned on his musical turtle. I went about my nightly duties of picking up somethings and going over some stuff from The Edge. All while Drew is playing away in his crib! It is so cute listening to him talk and play! So after awhile the "playing" had stopped and it was quiet in there so I waited a bit longer before going back in. I just wanted to make sure he was covered up since he had been wondering about the crib. As I walk in and approach his crib his little head pops up....HE'S NOT ASLEEP.....shoot silly mommy I should have waited! But I am kinda glad I didn't (here comes the funny Drew part) he had unzipped his entire sleeper!!! It was so funny! He looked so cute! So, after a little bit more hassle and some snuggle time he finally drifted off to sleep! He has a little cold back (as do mom and dad), so pray we get better soon! Love to all!

One of Life's Hard Ones

Tonight is going to be a hard one for the Turner family and another very special family. Last Tuesday a student in the ministry lost his battle with mitochoniral disease. His name is Zach and he is one of the most amazing young men I will ever meet. He had an impact on Kyle and I the day we met him. It was his first day as a 7th grader (two years ago) in the junior high programming. Everyone was introducing themselves and Zach said, "I am Zachary Ryan Juhlmann, the one and only." So, from then on out we called him "The One and Only". He sure was! Tonight is the visitation and funeral...it will be Kyle's first. Please pray for the Juhlmann family because even though they know that Zach isn't in pain and he is hanging out with Jesus (and his little bro who passed away two years ago from the same thing) it is still unfathomable to lose a child. I can't even imagine.

As usual in these situations you learn something. I have been reminded that we are all God's children. My little boy does not belong to me...he is God's child. God has just given him to me to take care of. I have been reminded that even though he may be whiny, cranky, tired, teething, and pusing all of my buttons he is still here and God wants me to take care of him to the best of my ability. God has renewed me as a mother that he has given me this precious boy to take care of and he is here!

A huge thanks to Zach for making such an impact on so many lives and to his family remember that the ULTIMATE Father is taking good care of him now and you will be reunited someday.

To God, thank you for giving me this amazing gift of Drew to take care of and raise to know and love You. Please help me remember what an incredible responsiblity it is!

Kyle, I am very proud of you!

Although a hard day..."It's Just Another Day in Paradise"

Lots of love to you all!

P.S. Here is a link to Zach's family's website http://www.caringbridge.org/wi/zachsam/

Here Comes Santa Claus

So, we went last night to the mall to see Santa. Last year Drew did unusually well when we went to see St. Nick, so I was hoping that the easy tradition would continue. He did great in line (which was very short) and we were showing him Santa and having him wave at Santa. Then it happened....Kyle went to put Drew on Santa's lap, Drew took one look at him and lost it. He was reaching his little arms up to us like, "HELP ME". So, after one more try we decided to have a family Christmas picture this year! Unfortunately I couldn't even get Drew's plug out of his mouth...every time I tried he would cry. So here is our family picture with Santa and the plug!