Last post of 2006

I know that I will be writing 2006 on everything for many months to come. I'm just that way. I don't like change. Well... I guess I do to an extent. If it is my idea then yea I am all over change and ready to dig in but when it comes to change that just happens in life then I drag my feet.

I have taken a blog break for no reason and when I sat down tonight I thought about all the things that have happened in the past weeks since I have blogged and suddenly none of them seemed crucial or too important to not wait a few days. Don't get me wrong I have some great things to share but they can wait.

Tonight I want to focus on my family.

I have an incredible husband that is getting a much deserved break. I call it a vacation but it is just a break between seasons. Now it is quiet and we are loving it. He has done nothing for a few days and he is in heaven. Actually "nothing" has included changing diapers more often and helping around the house. But I know he would rather be here than outside somewhere. Cameron is so incredible that in his little bit of time off he graciously volunteered to be a parent volunteer for Gracie's field trip. Now I didn't fully disclose all his duties while on the field trip so he went into the event a little blind but he did a great job lending a extra set of hands for little ones to hold on to while we were at the mall visiting Santa and Dollar Tree shopping. Gracelyn was on cloud nine that he was there and kept telling her teachers that her Daddy was coming. What a great man to realize that holding 4-5 year-olds hands was more important than getting a few more zzzzzz's while we were at school.

My daughter is 4 years and 5 months. She is ready to say 4 1/2 but I told her she had to wait another month. She is just a hoot. I am shocked that she is as smart as she is. She is where she needs to be as far as school stuff. She can write her name and knows all her colors, numbers, and working on the majority of her alphabet so she is just right where she needs to be. But she is so smart in her thinking and reasoning skills. Gracelyn loves to draw and paint and when you ask her what she is making she gets a little offended that you don't know right away. We are getting creative in asking what she is doing so as not to offend her so much. She pouts like a normal little girl who doesn't get her way and that is when we just have to turn our heads and laugh. It isn't funny all the time and we recognize the manipulation but it is funny that she is changing. She is such a girly-girl and can't wait to be a mom. We have talked non-stop about how she has to get married and then she can be a mommy. She has it all planned out. She got some new babies for Christmas and she calls them her kids. Very mommy like. She asked if she could be Cannon's 2nd mommy. Poor guy he is really in for it. Gracelyn asks him all the time who he loves more. Good thing he can't answer just yet because I might get my feelings hurt.

Cannon is 16 1/2 months old. WOW! Seems like I just had him last week. You know the old time flying thing. Well... it is so true. We are definitely having fun. He was in the room with me when I was putting the new baby bed together. He just sat and watched me. I wish I knew what he was thinking. He has no idea that his little world is about to be rocked but as much as we are looking forward to a new baby we are still focused on the fact that Cannon is a baby as well. Hence why we opted for another baby bed instead of moving him out of his and putting him in a regular bed. It worked out perfect. I want to enjoy my two babies for as long as possible and if keeping him in a crib is the ticket then I will take it! :) Cannon just jabbers and jabbers until we think we can make out what he is saying. We make it up but it is fun just the same. He is just so darn cute is all I can say!

Baby Melban (NOPE~NO NAME YET) is doing great. I get to have another sonogram on Wednesday to get an estimated weight on the little guy. It gives us another chance to see him and just maybe get confirmation that he is a HE. The last two sonos he has been breach and his little rear has been so far down in my pelvis that we couldn't see anything. I think he has flipped so hopefully we can see for sure what is going on. I have been having some signs of things progressing that I didn't have quit so early with the other two so I am getting my ducks all lined out and ready to go just in case this little guy decides to make an early debut. We are ecstatic that God has given us another opportunity to have a baby.

The rest of my family~well what can I say? My extended family is just wonderful.

Mom and Dad gave us an extra special gift for Christmas. They had their picture made professionally. Can you say shocked??? We were in awe that they did it and it was just wonderful. They are on my entertainment center and I just smile every time I look up there. I love the support and encouragement they provide for Cameron and I and it makes me proud to say they are mine!

My sister and her family are just precious and growing. Tyler, Keely, Maggie and Marlee are all super sweet kids and I love that the twins are getting more mobile. My sister on the other hand is running all over the place trying to keep up but it is funny to hear all her stories of the girls. The big kids are big helpers so that is a huge plus!

Cameron's parents and sister are all busy with Bella. She is just a pure angel in our lives. I know that Nana-B and Papa are loving her being with them everyday and they are soaking up the time they have together. Kassie is preparing for some college classes while she is here and and hopefully will start subbing at KU with me. Jerry is scheduled to come home in February for 2 weeks and I know the countdown has begun. I want each of you to say a prayer for our troops. Jerry is important to our family and his safety along with all the troops is my greatest concern. I am proud of him and his commitment to the Army. What a true American but in the same breath I do pause and pray for God's protection on all the soldiers over there.

Most importantly I want to praise my heavenly Father! He is my one and true light of salvation and glory. What an awesome year he has provided for me. He made provisions for me that I didn't deserve and has never looked back. I am called to praise him and I do so proudly. I proudly shout I am a CHRISTIAN. I proudly shout that my GOD is GOOD. I proudly shout that I don't deserve his mercy but got it anyways. Each day he lays his grace upon me. Each day I do something to disappoint him I'm sure but I do recognize that he is mighty and good and faithful. Praise God from whom all blessing flow. Without God this past year would not have been the wonderful year that it was. He did amazing things in my life and I am certain that he will be faithful in 2007.

I challenge you to think of all the things that God has done for you in the past week, month, season, year and give thanks. Give thanks for his faithfulness. Give thanks for his mercy. Give thanks for his grace. Give thanks for his love and comfort. My family is just one of about a million things that is wonderful in my life. For that I am thankful!

God Bless you and Happy New Year!
Keri