Trot to Adopt

This morning we ran/walked in a 1 mile "Fun Run" sponsored by Trot to Adopt.  This race is held annually and raises funds for 4 local families who are in the process of adopting children - some domestically and some internationally.  We didn't personally know any of the families this year, but this was a great way to lend our support to them.  

Clara and Ainsley were so excited about "running" the race with Daddy.  They both did great, with only some occasional breaks, and Madeline rode along with me in the stroller.  Fun (and cold!) morning and a great fundraiser!

Big girls running

Ainsley at the finish line

Post-race with Mommy

Post-race nutrition! :)

2013

Well, the new year got off to a slow start here.  The girls got sick just before Christmas and 18 days later, I feel like we are finally creeping out of it.  Clara was the sickest of all - with a course of steroids and 2 rounds of antibiotic for her.  She spent almost a week on the couch looking like this...

Poor thing had a rough time of it, but she learned a few new tricks with all of her downtime - there's a new "shoe-tying sheriff" in town!  She was super excited to learn to tie a bow and was immediately ready to go out and buy a new pair of shoes with laces to tie!

We did have a chance to briefly ring in the new year at our neighbor's home...on London time (7 pm) of course!  We had all the makings of a proper New Year's party...the "ball" drop, balloons, and lots of bubbly!  :)

Looking forward to all 2013 will bring!

Year in Review!

So, it's been quite a while since my last post.  Busy with the girls, Ed, school, work, life....all good things...but I do hope to be a little more attentive to the blog this year!

The Lord's faithfulness to us this past year has been sweet - through joys and sorrows the Lord has remained unchanging and for that I am grateful.

Here are some of my favorite memories from 2012...

Ainsley is the funniest...

So, Ainsley has been quite the funny girl recently.  She always has a little twinkle in her eye, but recently she has had me laughing more than usual.  A little sampling from today...

Me - Ainsley, are you excited about school this morning?
Ainsley's response - No, I'm afraid I might have to learn something.

Tonight, after we were reading bedtime stories, we talked about her day at school.  She was recapping the day and telling me who had been good or bad.  One little boy in her class has quite the reputation for some unkind behavior, and she was telling me about an incident today...

Ainsley - "G" snatched from some of us today.  That was unkind...
Me - Yes, it was.  Would you ever snatch from a friend like that?
Ainsley - No, I would never snatch at school like that.  I would only snatch at home!

True, true!  :)  I'm so loving watching her little personality blossom - what a gift!

Princess Madeline

Spotted my sweet Madeline reading on the sofa this morning, with a princess crown on, of course!  Thanks, Aunt Dawn!

First day of preschool!

Little Miss Ainsley also started preschool last week!  She will be going 3 mornings a week and loves having a "big girl" backpack and "big girl" teachers.  :)  Praying for a fun year for her!

Silly

Serious

With Kade, her sweet neighbor and best bud! 

First day of kindergarten!

So, the first day of school has officially arrived!  Over the past year, we have been praying about our school decisions for Clara, and although I am still unsure about next year, I am thrilled that we decided to keep her at Wesley this year.  She has 2 great teachers, loved her first week, and is still home in the afternoons and Fridays - yay!

She was extremely excited to get to school, although she did tell me as I dropped her off, "You know that I would rather be at home with you, don't you, mommy?"  Sweet girl...