South Dakota Trip

The day after Christmas we left for South Dakota.  Our good friend own a hunting lodge up there and we went to visit them.  To say it was fun is an understatement.  It was a blast and so relaxing and peaceful, even with the kiddos.  Jeff got to go pheasant hunting and caught 2 birds.  We went all over there property in a covered 4 wheeler and saw deer, eagles and pheasant.  Their property is amazing.  There wasn't much snow while we were there, but the kiddos really enjoyed playing in the snow!  We are so blessed by Todd and Jamie and so thankful for their friendship and mentorship in our lives! 

Big changes in jobs

December 23 was a big day for me.  It was my last day working at Washington University School of Medicine.  I have been there for the last 7 years and in medical oncology for the last 4.  I grew very close to many people to the point that I called them my work family.  We worked together, went through joys and struggles together and so much more.  Jeff and I have been planning for me to stay home with the kiddos full time for the last year and I had a countdown going that I thought would never get here.  I can remember when it was over 100 days and I was like, December 23 will never get here.  Then it came and it was bittersweet turning in my badge for the last time.  I will definitely miss the people, but not the job.  Today is 1/15/15 and many people ask me how is being a stay at home mom and I honestly feel like I have just gotten into the swing of things.  Cale just went back to school last week and everything was just such a rush and busy over the holidays.  I can say that so far I am enjoying it.  I honestly feel like a calmer person.  I don't feel so stressed in having to cram everything in on the days that I am off.  It's really nice!  I know there will be struggles with staying home and that some days won't be easy, but I am so glad to be starting this new journey and excited to see the new avenues it opens for our family. 

I'm also excited to see where Jeff goes this year with being a certified life coach and starting to do speaking engagements.  He is so talented and has such a love for people that I just see these 2 doors opening more and more in the next few years.  Can't wait to see where God takes us!!!!

December happenings

December was fast and a blast!  Lots of fun with family and friends
Here are some pics from the month

Wild Zoo lights

 

Waiting for Santa to arrive on the Amtrak at Kirkwood Station

Bowling!

Taekwondo and more taekwondo

Hanging with our friend Darnisha, we love her!

We took the kids to see Circus Flora and St L Symphony

 

Hard at work making gingerbread train

These girls melt my heart, time with Erin and Kara

Christmas morning

Lego buidling and more lego building

Washington University holiday party

Cale's Christmas party at school

Aiden's holiday program at preschool

Cale's Birthday

Cale turned 6 this year.  This is what we love about our boy:
He is kind, creative, intuitive, smart, sensitive, tender hearted, passionate,thoughtful, funny, goofy, serious, imaginative, and a thinker.  Cale is doing really well.  He is learning his leaders and site words well at school and his creativity and imagination just amaze me!  He loves legos and he can take a lego set and the instructions and put them together by himself.  He also creates new things by himself, comes up with storylines and plots for his characters and is creative in his drawings.  He is just growing up way too fast!!!  That is for sure!!!  He wanted to go to Bounce U for his birthday and it was a blast!  Cale, we love you beyond belief kiddo!  Now will you please stop growing up so fast!!!