What a Wonderful Year it Has Been

"We prayed for this child..."

And God answered our prayers!

It is hard to believe that a year has gone by! I remember when we found out that we were having another baby, we were first absolutely stunned! And then we were so excited and nervous to be having two babies under the age of 2, we thought, how are we ever going to do this? God blessed us with Elijah a year ago today on July 24, 2012 at 6:22p.m.  I remember sitting in labor and delivery just waiting to be rolled back into surgery, not able to even comprehend how I was just going to go in the OR and come out with a brand new baby boy.  A son, to love and to care for and to raise. It's such a wild feeling that I will never ever forget or really even be able to put into words. So different from your first baby because you know what to expect in a way yet you have no idea what is going to happen and how things will play out. The day Elijah arrived, my world changed.  I was truley living my childhood dream of being a wife, having a home and having babies- PLUERAL. Wow, so surreal that it has happened. This year has been so wonderful and I have learned so much about the world of parenting. I've learned how to juggle two children with two completely different needs and wants. I've learned to get two babies ready to go out and about. Grocery shopping was a nightmare at first, I literally dreaded it. As time went on we got our groove down a bit, not to say that we didn't have hiccups along the way. Doing anything with two kids is a lot of work. I used to think it was so simple when it was just Malakai and I. I can't imagine having 3 or more!  I can understand why people wait a few years in between kids!  I can't tell you how many times I've been ready to go, and then by the time I get the kids ready and loaded in the car I'm dripping with sweat. Does this ever happen to other parents? 
 Chad and I have been reading a great book by Dr. James Dobson called "Bringing Up Boys." It has taught us so much and has really giving us a bit of a roadmap on how we want to raise our children. Something that has come out of reading it and just our general research on schooling is that we have decided to homeschool Kai. At least for pre-school next year to see how it goes. We aren't putting a bunch of pressure on the situation if it doesn't work out for us but it is what we feel in our hearts is best for our family. I am hoping that I can homeschool both kids at least through 2nd grade, if not all of elementary. What a task! I would have never thought I was going to be homeschooling but I am super excited to start this September and see how it goes. We have a great curriculum we are trying and I'm praying that Malakai is able to enjoy it and learn something while we are at it. 

The thing that has impacted me the most this year is the fact that you have to open and willing to try new things and really have some self reflecting throughout the weeks and months to "check ourselves" and make sure we are setting goals and meeting them. And most importantly, knowing that life is ever-changing and you have to be OK with just going with the flow and being flexible. And having a positive heart while being flexible. How's that for a challenge? So as my family wraps up a special day, I am overwhelmed with the privelege I have of raising these two boys and being called their Mommy. Thank you God for these gifts in my life. If we all remembered this more often it would make our days so much easier. Help us remember this God,and help us to live it!