Megan and Hannah turn 4 years old

I can't believe it. They have turned four. They are such little ladies each with their own unique personalities. At first they both wanted to wear princess dresses, then Megan decided that she wanted to wear a "t-shirt and jeans." They party was a great success and the girls and their friends had fun. For some reason this party was easy, even though its two days after Christmas. Maybe its my new outlook on life, maybe its just LUCK!

Christmas 2008

Christmas is finally here and gone. It has been so much fun and joy for me, and also it has been filled with great sadness, but not for myself but some special people in my life who mean very much to me and their struggles.

The holiday season is a time when we all reflect that there are others that do not have as many nice things as us, they may be homeless or need food or money. This year I have felt blessed and even when times have been hard for me, I continue to remember that I am so blessed and not because I have the basics, but because I have a healthy, loving family, husband and beautiful children and life is generally good. All of us struggle, but this holiday season our family has learned the meaning of counting our blessings and I intend to extend this counting for all the days of my life.

Life is too short to be mad or hurt, life is too short to worry and fret and life is too short to not understand that children are only young once and life is just too short to not be thankful for what I have. My children are happy and healthy, my family is healthy. I have watched several times this holiday season when this has not been so for others and I have stood by helpless to help them, and I decided that the best way to help them is to life my life the best that I can. This holiday season I have become a better person, not because I got something new, but because I remembered something old, love. I love my family and I have felt this love, but I tell Austin to wait because I have to take care of something first, I stay mad at Jason when maybe I don't need to, I tell Austin or the girls I am too tired to read you a book, and now I am going to try to be better mother, sister, wife and friend each day. I have watched two families that are super close to me, go through near death of a small child and death of a parent.

I am sorry, but none of us can really know what that feels like until its us. But I can say, thank God that wasn't my child or my family member. But it made me REALLY think- what if it was? What would be important to me and what would I care about? I think that this was my lesson to learn as I have taken too many things for granted. I will not any longer.

I wish that all of you had a wonderful holiday season, I also wish that you will be grateful for what you have and be happy with it. Who knows how long it will be there!

Children grow up quickly, hearts always heal, people pass through this life and life seems to go on, even as if nothing has occurred.

Until we talk again, all my love

Jeddi

Thanksgiving visit to Sarahs

I have so many things to be thankful for... Most of all surviving 14 hours in the car with all of us! ( 7 hrs down and 7 hrs back up) We went to my sisters for the Thanksgiving holiday. It was a great time. We arrived just in time to eat some great food and visit. We stayed two nights and the kids had a great time together. It was good to see everyone. I tried to have the kids take a picture together, but it turned out only ok. There was always at least one not looking or smiling. So glad we weren't at a real picture studio. Jeremiah was the best and he is the youngest! Maybe next time. We are thinking of going down to visit every other year, its hard to be gone and try to get ready for the busisest month of the year. We are glad that we went and we really enjoyed ourselves. I am excited to catch up with everyone and see those Christmas cards! Look for yours soon

Jeddi:)

Soccer Season Ends

Austin got his long awaited trophy at the end of soccer season. They had a party at Laguna's Awesome Party Place and all the kids had alot of fun. Austin enjoyed soccer this season as did all of us. Soon there will be spring and baseball, but for now we are off of activities. I am so GLAD!

Halloween

Halloween turned out to be pretty fun. We had a ton of events, halloween parties, pumpkin patch, church parties, carving pumpkins and trick-or-treating! Megan was a frog, Hannah was a princess and Austin was a skeleton. So Austin and Hannah both want to be vampires next year and Megan wants to be a frog.:) I told her that frog costume probably wouldn't fit so we'll see next year. Then she wanted to be a fish. Good thing I know how to sew and have a year to go.

Hannah and Megan get BIG GIRL Beds

I almost cried when I tucked the girls in last night to thier new twin beds. No more cribs and baby stuff. They grow up too fast! Hannah and Megan LOVE the beds and already have climbed and jumped on them to break them in.

Megan's surgery

Megan got her "bump" taken out this week. It was SOO hard for Jason and I to wait for our tiny little baby in the waiting room! She did GREAT and even smiled at the nurse when she woke up. She left groggy and swaying, but she is doing good. She ripped her steri strip off on the first day and was bummed she has to stay out of the sun, but all in all she is a trooper. She looks alot more like Hannah now.....You can hardly see the scar. Now thats its done swelling and bruising, its super hard to see!

Chicago