2014 ended up to be SO much different than I expected.
In January, I made resolutions to eat better, exercise more and have more time for me. I went on a 21 day sugar detox which started me off on the right foot.
On February 4th, I joined It Works! I was so excited for this adventure and felt like this was a great step in doing something just for me! It did not start out quite how I envisioned; we were busy with a school fundraiser and all of us were so sick! I can remember hanging decorations for the event thinking all I wanted to do was go home to lay in bed.
February 11th was the day that changed my life. I woke up early for an annual visit with my obgyn. I remember telling Nic I felt nauseous that morning. I was still so sick and had pulled a rib muscle from all of the coughing and could hardly sit up on the table while I was talking to the doctor. She wrote me a prescription for cough medicine and one for a different birth control, saying, "you can't take either of these if you are pregnant." I laughed and said, "no way in hell I could be." Well, that pregnancy test proved me wrong!! I'll never forget that feeling. Shock, sadness, anxiety, panic, loneliness, guilt... All at once.
The next 9 months were difficult for me- physically, mentally and emotionally.
The past 3 months have been even harder! I have a lot of guilt that I can't possibly give everyone the attention they need and deserve. Nic travels more for work and being home with all four kids is not easy.
But my heart is in a different place. A better place. My life might not be easy right now, but it's exactly where I want it to be. I am truly blessed. ❤️
Kaden in 2014:
Favorite part of 1st grade: "We get to be more powerful than kindergarten." He likes writing and art the best. He loves his teacher and said this about her: "I noticed that not only is Mrs. Robles nice and kind, she is also really funny."
Favorite school project: snow globes
BFFs: Philip, Gage, Will, Mikey, Aakash, Jaxon
Girlfriend: Lainey. "She's kind."
Favorite part of baseball: catcher because he likes to wear all the gear
Favorite part of basketball: "It's easier than baseball because all you have to is shoot!"
Favorite part of being a big brother: "I get to have more fun with them."
Cam: "He's my pal."
Ryane: "Helping her out when Cam is making her mad."
Avery: "I really like to hold him because I don't really get to hold Cam and Ryane anymore."
When Kaden grows up he wants to be a baseball player and an artist.
Kaden has changed a lot in 2014. He went from a preppy little guy wanting to dress like his daddy, to a kid who wants to be just like his friends. He wears only athletic gear now, a baseball rope necklace (like the pro players) and a hat backwards. He has matured a little at school and doesn't get into trouble as much this year. Reading has started to click and Kaden is doing well learning his spelling words each week. Kaden is more interested in math and science at school and excels there. Although at times he has an attitude like a teenager, he still loves to be a helper and loves to hear what a great job he's doing. He loves to play with his neighborhood friends and he will run over to their houses to play after school. Between that and practices for baseball or basketball, Kaden is really busy!
Cam in 2014
Favorite part of pre-k: snack time (crackers). Upon further questioning he said "going to the art museum."
Favorite school project: drawing pumpkins
BFFs: Philip. "When we go to swimming, Philip needed to buckle something on his backpack but he kept walking so I helped him."
Girlfriend: Ella "she's berry {very} nice."
Favorite part of being a brother: "taking care of Avery."
Kaden: "letting him have my tatoo."
Ryane: "she's funny."
Avery: "I take care of him."
When Cam grows up he wants to be a "dult {adult} that cooks."
Cam has also changed a lot this year. He took the prize for being the most difficult child to being the easiest by a landslide. Although he still can throw a mean tantrum, those moments are few and far between. He's really sweet and sensitive and can get his feelings hurt really easily. Cam cares a lot for Ryane and Avery and is a great big brother. I love listening to his conversations with Ryane. The two of them play really nicely together. And Cam loves Avery. He will bring him a stuffed animal to look at and will sit next to him and talk to him for awhile. Cam loves school this year and has grown a lot. Last year you could hardly get him to hold a pencil, and this year he loves to write and draw. After I had Avery I started dropping Cam off in the carpool line. Now he requests that I do carpool and his teachers say how proud of himself he is when he walks in on his own. Cam is funny but he doesn't understand sarcasm or joking too well. He's adorable and we love his cute little personality!
Ryane in 2014
Busy. And that's actually an understatement. I told Nic that I can't watch her all the time because she needs an eye on her every second of the day... And I need to blink!! She's two and acts like it- one minute she is happy and the next minute she's on the floor beside herself crying. And she's got a temper too!! Ryane has a very funny personality and she says the cutest things. I think Ryane is very smart and I don't think there's any comparison between her and the boys at the same age. Ryane loves music and knows the words to every song. She is starting to like to dance too! She's my little light and definitely makes things brighter around here. Ryane definitely rules the roost around here with her brothers and she has her daddy wrapped around her finger as well. "She's sun and rain. She's fire and ice. A little crazy but it's nice."
Avery in 2014
He's my heart. He's the sweetest baby I've ever had and is happy just to be talked to. He's much more easy going than any of the other kids were and even fell asleep the other day playing on his play mat in the middle of our crazy kitchen! He has started giggling which melts my heart. I was worried about what his place would be in our family but it didn't take long to realize! I'm in love with this sweet boy!
Nic in 2014
I'm lucky to have Nic in my life. He's definitely my rock and is be lying if I said I didn't need him every day. He's pretty impressive in my opinion! He ran an ultra marathon in September (40 miles) and I'm sure is planning more for this year. He loves his job as a Sales Manager and he's great at what he does. He works really hard- from waking up early to run, getting the kids their breakfasts, and working all day, to then coming home to the chaos of our lives... He puts up with a lot all the way around. I hope he knows how appreciated he is!!
Here's to a happy and healthy 2015!
