Christmas Festivities

Myla's school program

Christmas Eve before going to Great's

Myla at Great's house

Brynlee and her new baby

It's hard to believe that December has come and it is almost time to start the new year. What a month of blessings. I know I'm a little behind, well a lot behind but I wanted to share our December with you.

The month started off with day care and school programs. Myla came home singing in preparation for her big moment. She really got into the performance. Myla sure loved to sing and dance for everyone!

We had a few Christmas parties in there with work friends and then a few get togethers with friends. After all the programs it was time to start in with Christmas celebrations. Five of them to exact.

First Christmas~

Our first Christmas was at my grandpa's house. Our girls call him "Great." So we had a house full with a lot of yummy food. We ate and opened presents. It was time to get the girls ready for bed so Santa could come. Before going to bed we opened one last gift from Grammie and Papa. It was our Christmas jammies.

Second Christmas~

We woke up to a white Christmas. Christmas morning at our house was a blast. My parents, grandpa and Aunt Gayla and Uncle Ben came to spend the morning with us. Everyone wore their jammies and Santa had made a stop to our house. The girls were excited! Brynlee would open a present and then want to play for awhile before opening another. Brynlee got a new stroller and baby. Myla asked Santa for a Barbie house. She was so happy when she saw it.

The girls Christmas morning

Girls sitting in their new cop car

Third Christmas~

Hudson and Myla

On the road to Spearman we went after our morning of Christmas fun. It was a wet snowy drive. We got to Spearman to have more fun. Myla and Brynlee had fun with their cousins. When we got back home Myla said, "I had fun with my brothers." She hasn't figured out the lingo yet. None the less she had a blast. 

Fourth Christmas~

We have been blessed with many wonderful friends over the years. We were able to spend an evening with the Wright's and their family. We opened more presents and spent time hanging out. The girls had fun as usual. 

Myla, Brynlee, Ashton, Darby and Catyn

Fifth Christmas~

Our bonus family came in from Maryland a couple days after Christmas. That has been a blessing. We are so happy to have them in our family. Aunt Michelle couldn't make it but we were able to Skype with here while we had Christmas present time. The girls have really taken up with Grandma Wanda and Grandpa Ralph. They played tea party, babies and what ever else they could talk them into playing. 

Great, Papa, Grandma Wanda, Grandpa Ralph and the Girls

As I look back on this last month it really sums up our year and how blessed we are. We have wonderful friends and family. We have a bonus family that we have had the pleasure of spending time with. This year has brought laughter and so many joys. Our girls light up our world and make each day a gift. Thanks to all who have helped make our Christmas a truly joyous time and 2012 a blessed year.

Happy New Year from our family to yours!

Baby Steps~

Brynlee has started walking. This is exciting but in the same breath sad. My baby isn't a baby anymore. Let me guess, I'm not the only mom in the world who has had that feeling. One day you are anticipating their arrival and you blink and they start school, go off to college and someday married. I'm not trying to get ahead of myself by an means. Brynlee is just walking not walking down the aisle but sometimes life just goes so quickly.

As a mother I finally somewhat understand when God talks about time being like a blink of an eye. Life goes so quickly. Watching her walk across the room makes me stop and think. Am I stopping to take notice of everything around me or so busy that a week, month or even years have passed before stopping to take things in? As she walks, she is careful. She's mindful of every step she takes. She doesn't run. If she gets in to big of a hurry and doesn't take her time she falls. Aren't we all like that in someway? We sometimes get ahead of ourselves and take off to fast. Sometimes it is when we take on to much or are to tired. Sometimes we don't even realize we are trying to run instead of walk slowly and carefully, mindful or every step.

As I said in a previous post I had some goals this year. One of them was to live for today. Maybe watching those baby steps is a reminder to take those small steps towards a goal. Knowing that kids grow everyday, makes me realize how important this goal is. Tomorrow will worry about its self and we can't change yesterday. What are we left with? Today! Praise the Lord I have been given another day on this Earth. Maybe small mindful steps are what is needed to get to this goal. 

Live for today~ You are the only you the world will meet so make the most of you and share your goodness with those around you. 

Goodbye summer...

 A summer filled with joy~

What a fun and fabulous summer this has been. Tomorrow is the last day of no agenda, no alarm clocks and naps. As I look back at the summer I can't help but smile. We celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, time with friends and family, and days at the pool.

 

For many summer may just be another season, but for me it is a time I'm thankful to spend with my family and friends. I can remember my first job after college and I had to work all summer. It was not fun. I remember whining to Landon that it stinks not being off in the summer and for all the holidays. That's a feeling don't think I would have have forgotten. But as a few years passed I had gotten used to working year round. Once I started teaching, I had forgot what it was like to be off in the summer. Oh, but I quickly remembered!

This summer we celebrated 7 years of marriage. We went to Chicago with wonderful friends. We even went to a game at Wrigley Field and had a blast. Brynlee celebrated her 1st birthday and is trying to walk. Myla is running and trying to learn to swim. Well, she's come a long way since last summer. She will at least get in and not panic, still not getting her face wet. All moments this momma would have missed if I wasn't blessed with the best job.

As Thursday quickly approaches, I will remind myself of the good times we have had over the last few months and be thankful that I get to be home with my kids when I can. Each year people set goals. Maybe this is supposed to be done on January 1 but my year runs a little different and I like to set goals when I start back to work. It's like a fresh start. Goals come from different places for all of us. My goals aren't to lose weight or be the fastest runner, not saying I don't need to do any of those but my goals are little different. So here are a few of the goals I have these next few months...

Be more patient~ life doesn't have to be so rushed, take time to just soak it in.

Be more thankful~ busyness often takes away from the blessings that are right in front of us, so take time to be thankful in the little things

Smile~ even when life gets crazy and the girls are being 1 and 3, just smile because these moments are the ones that will last a lifetime and we can't get them back

Live for today~ God doesn't promise us tomorrow and we can't live in the past. Make the most of everyday. Call a friend who may need a word of encouragement, be kind to a stranger and hold your loved ones whenever possible. 

Maybe you have similar goals or haven't thought about some. Whatever you do, do it with a smile and a happy heart. Be blessed~

God's Timing is Perfect~

Brynlee, Mom, Faith, Dad, Grandma Wanda, Aunt Michelle,
Myla, me, & Grandpa Ralph

Bonus Family~

It's hard to believe that four days have passed and we have had to say good-bye, for now. We have had a blessed weekend with laughs, tears, joys, and a lot of catching up. 

God is seldom early but always right on time. 

We have opened a new chapter in our life book this weekend. It is one that is not complete but just the beginning. It was wonderful to see how awesome God is and there is no doubt in my mind that God has the perfect plan for our life, even when we don't always understand. It was a privilege to watch it all unfold. God has blessed us with a bonus family. As my mom says, "they aren't new family because they have always been there so they are our bonus family." 

The time spent together was good. If felt like we had known each other for a long time and were trying to catch up. The girls fell in love with them and enjoyed playing with them. Myla asked tonight when they were coming to grammie and papa's to eat. So I think it was a successful meeting for the girls. What an awesome journey we have begun and memories that have been made. I can't wait to see everyone again and write more in this chapter. 

"The Lord will work out his plans for my life-- for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever." Psalms 138:8

Opposites Attract~

Brynlee at her 1st birthday

People talk about their children all the time and the things that they do, they way the are, and funny stories. I'm no different. It's amazing how many of my stories these days are about the girls. What did we talk about before kids? I guess everyone else's kids. I love the fact that my girls are so different. I think their first birthdays show how opposite they are.

Brynlee is a little more free-spirited then Myla. Myla likes order, a routine and things in place. Yet the two have a bond like no other. Myla can walk into a room and Byrnlee's face lights up.
There really is something magical about a bond between sisters. Story after story of their differences could be posted for everyone to see. But one way that will they are alike is their love of life. All smiles, squeals and giggles. They brighten our world and those who they meet.

Myla at her 1st birthday

Our Journey...

My Family: me, Brynlee, Myla & Landon

Welcome to The Four Swan's blog. Life is a journey and everyday brings something new to that journey. Sometimes it's chasing two little girls, a husband or life as a teacher. No matter what goes on in life, I wouldn't trade it. Life can get crazy, hectic and overwhelming but this is our journey and I'm blessed beyond measure. Maybe you can find inspiration or relate for whatever reason you are reading, I'm glad you are joining us on this adventure.

A little bit about us...

I am a first grade teacher and working on my master's degree to become a reading specialist. My family is my joy. The love of my life, Landon, is the best husband and daddy a girl could ask for. He is a police officer and loves to play golf. Every once in a while we get to play together, not as much after having little ones. Myla is getting ready to start pre-k. She asks everyday if it's time to start school. She is a very smart little girl and has such a tender heart. Brynlee is a little ball of energy. She is constantly on the go and is a little ornery. Her sister can make her laugh like no one else. Brynlee is more free-spirited than Myla. Unless God has a different plan, our family is complete.

One of the verses we remind ourselves of often is, "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Myla

Brylnee

A big moment...

My dad was adopted as a baby. His parents were wonderful and he was given the best life he could've hoped for. Recently he received a call that would forever change his life.  A call from his birth mom! She had found him after all these years. Today, we get to meet her and his sister. God always has a plan for us and His plan is perfect. The timing couldn't have been more perfect and what a blessing. It will be an exciting day and one that we will not forget. I'll give an update of our family filled weekend.

My dad and me

My mom and me