Motherhood

So, I love being a mother. It is something I have always wanted to be. As wonderful as it is to achieve one's life goal, it is sooooooooooo hard. This week seemed especially hard, but that might be because I had strep throat and that is the worst kind of sick I can get. I can handle non-epidural births, but give me strep throat and I want to die! Seriously, that uvula thing that hangs in the back of your throat was stuck to my tonsil because it was so swollen. I couldn't eat and I could barely drink. I am actually planning on having my tonsils removed soon because they cause me so many problems. I digress.
Where was I? Oh yeah, motherhood is wonderful and hard. It is truly a refiner's fire. I am constantly doing self-assessments and finding myself completely lacking and deciding I'll just keep doing my best and hope it's good enough. Occasionally, something happens and I'll think, "I totally got that one right." But most of the time, it is me on my knees praying that I'll have children that grow up to know how much I love them despite my lack of perfection.
As I write this, my three boys are starting a three-day, parent-free weekend at Gigi and Papa's and baby girl is napping. I was sitting here and didn't know what to do with myself. There were no noses to wipe, snacks to prepare, Legos to build, quarrels to break up, tears to dry, clothes to fold (oh, there are clothes to fold, but I don't wanna)... I have only been boys-free for two hours and I MISS them already. 
So, as hard as motherhood can be, I wouldn't want any other life and I know how blessed I am to have the life I have. There was a time in my life when I had very little hope of ever being this happy.  Now, despite the lack of sleep, graying hair, and non-existent "me" time, I feel like the luckiest gal in the world.

Merry Christmas from our Krause Haus to Yours-2013

Merry Christmas dear friends and family. Christmas is a very special time of year as it allows us to slow down and focus on Jesus Christ and all He has done for us. At least, I try to slow down. I really hate shopping so I do my best to be finished Christmas shopping before December even begins. We enjoyed fun, family activities without rushing around to stores and getting caught up in all of that. Seriously, I saw news footage this year of people beating one another up over hot items! What?!
Christmas has lasted all month as I have emphasized "Jesus Christ being the Light of Christmas." We participated in various light and Christ themed activities and scripture study. Hopefully the children were touched a little bit. I know it increased my testimony of the Savior.
During 2013 we welcomed some exciting change in our family. Here's a quick update by family member.

Miriam

Miriam joined our family on February 11. Like her brothers, she came about 3 weeks early. Andrea was thrilled by that because being pregnant is hard work. Miriam is such a wonderful addition to our family. She is a social butterfly and loves people. She loves to people watch and snuggle, especially with Mommy. As Miriam enjoys her first Christmas, she is crawling around and getting into everything! She loves the kitchen cupboards and Christmas tree.

Landon

Landon is enjoying his third Christmas. He loves to hang out with Mommy and share his sweet smile with friends and family. Landon is our party animal. He loves to go, go, go and hates sleeping. This year he became a little man and learned to go potty by himself. He also got to enjoy the living room camping trip and became a big brother this year.

Grayson

Grayson had a big year! He goes to school now. He is in a little 2-day preschool program with 7 other boys. His only complaint is that he doesn't go to school every day or get homework (like Ethan)! Grayson loves to work. He is always fixing my fence and lawning the mow (his version of mowing the law; do not correct him, it is so cute.). Grayson is enjoying his fourth Christmas.

Ethan

Ethan is a great big brother. He also started Kindergarten this year. He loves school and is learning to read. It is so exciting that he can read. A whole new world has opened up to him! Ethan is a huge help to Mommy. He makes his own bed, empties the dishwasher, feeds the dog, and helps clean the bathrooms. Most of the time he doesn't even complain about it. Ethan is enjoying his 6th Christmas and we can't believe it!

Jared and Andrea

Jared and Andrea are loving life together. Honestly, it is amazing that we are celebrating our 10th Christmas together this year. It is hard to believe that 10 years ago when we were so young and spry, that we'd be celebrating Christmas with four sweet children. We are truly blessed. Jared continues to work at Symantec. A job that has truly been a blessing to our family. Andrea decided not to return to a paid working position after Miriam's birth. It was a big, scary step to step out of the workforce completely. It is also one of the best decisions we ever made for our family.

We hope this Christmas finds you healthy, happy, and hopeful. All our love, Jared, Andrea, Ethan, Grayson, Landon, and Miriam

He's a Fake!

We went to our Church Christmas party last night. The theme was Pioneer Christmas and the festivities were held outdoors. Unfortunately, the chance of rain came through and we went running for the indoors twice as we were pelted with torrential rains. Fortunately, this is Florida so the rain didn't last long. Bonus, it didn't even dampen the fires so we got to eat S'mores! It was quite an adventure. The children even got to ride on a Handcart Hayride. It was really a lot of fun and the food was delicious!

Picture this full of hay bales and happy children, being pulled by grown men around the parking lot. So fun, nothing like the real experience Mormon pioneers had as they crossed the plains. I'm grateful my children experienced the carefree version of the handcart.

Santa even put in an appearance. I was surprised my children even cared because they often shun Santa at other events. Ethan and Grayson both sat on his lap and happily told what they want for Christmas. Landon urged me to sit on his lap and settled for talking to him from about 10 feet away.
After Ethan hopped off he came over to me and whisper yelled, "He's a fake." I privately explained that the real Santa was busy getting ready for Christmas. The Santa at our party was one of his helpers. I asked him not to spoil the fun for the younger children. In the car on the way home, Jared asked Grayson about Santa. He also exclaimed that Santa was a fake. Uh-oh. Jared asked him what made him think Santa was a fake. To which Grayson replied, "He was wearing Sketchers!" Bwahahahahaha. Can't put much past that boy.

Really?

Is my baby really 10 months old? Really? How did that even happen? I must learn how to stop time. We love our sweet girl.

 

Here are some new things Miriam has accomplished this month.

• Two bottom teeth have finally arrived!
• She does this super cute thing with her tongue. Well, basically, she just sticks her tongue out and curls it up. Almost touches her nose. It's hilarious.
• Crawling! She had been doing a modified booty scoot and roll around the house, but now she's discovered crawling. She can pull to her knees and I saw her try for standing, but I think we've got another month before that is mastered.
• Expanding diet. Miriam is experimenting with new foods and textures. She is starting to "chew" food, so I am happy to give her some new things like Cheerios, chicken, and teething biscuits. She also loves ice cream.
• Taking a group bath. Miriam is stable enough now and can hold her own with her bros in the tub. It makes life so much easier on us and elicits many anatomy questions.
• Wearing 18 month clothes and looking super cute.
• New car seat. No longer hauling Miriam around in the baby carrier. It just got too heavy. Her weight alone is too heavy. Seriously, 23 pounds! I've got arms of steel.
• Only nursing twice a day (morning and night). Gets a bottle mid-day. This is a mixed bag for me. Happy to start weaning so I can be Andrea and not the Dairy Queen. Sad because I am possibly weaning my last time ever. Tear.

Reading and Writing

I have to tell you, it is an amazing thing to watch your child learn to read and write. These two skills imbue an individual with so much power. That probably sounds like a line from "Super Why!", but it is so true. I love that Ethan now has this power and can use it for good. Like writing a birthday card to his good friend, Max.

 

 Another perk is that I can now put a note in his lunchbox! I used to love the notes my mom put in my lunchbox. Ahhh, the memories.

Fun with Gigi and Papa

My mom wanted a Christmas card photo with her, Dad, and all the grandchildren (7 total). Unfortunately, because 7 children (and their parents) were involved that didn't happen. Instead, they took a photo with the Gillespie's and with us and will put two photos on this year's Christmas card. We did our best to get a good photo. Mostly, we just had fun playing at the park with Gigi and Papa--two of our most favorite people in the world!

 Not sure which shot my mom will choose, but these are my two favorites. (I love how Grayson and Miriam are looking at each other below.)

 

 Climbing a tree!

 

 Driving a jeep!

 

Swinging with Papa. (Sorry about the bald spot shot, but I love how she is so cute and excited to get her Papa in this shot.)

Someone Put a Penny in the Old Man's Hat

Christmas is coming! One of my most favorite traditions is putting up Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. This year didn't disappoint. I finished Miriam's stocking up, we bought a beautiful tree, and spent the morning making our humble abode festive. The boys are more and more into it every year. I love that part the most! We added a movie in the theater to our tradition this year (until Miriam's bigger, she and I will sit it out). The boys went to see Frozen. I think Jared liked it most of all.

I let Grayson choose his clothes today. He is wearing a hoodie, another hat on top of that, a tie, and a backpack. He is hilarious.

 

 

Action shots of tree decorating!

 

 

 

Thanksgiving!

For the month of November, we filled up a jar with our blessings written on colorful paper strips. (Later strung them up and used them as a garland for our Christmas tree.) There are so many things we are grateful for, but a few things made the jar multiple times: Miriam (everyone in our family adores her), Family, and Jesus Christ. As a mom, I love that the things that were often shared were the things that I strive daily to emphasize as important. I think they really are getting it.
My family means everything to me. I often find myself just soaking in my little ones and tearing up with the joy I feel to be their mom. (To be completely candid, I also have days I want to eat ice cream for dinner and go to bed at 7.) With Stacey and Joe in Winter Garden and Kevin and Melissa visiting from Atlanta, we were able to be with both the Hesson's (dessert and Logan/Tony birthday fun) and the Krause's (dinner) on Thanksgiving day. We had quite the feast and enjoyed splendid company. We truly have so much to be grateful for.

 Thanksgiving Fun with Cousins

 

 Grayson wanted to wear this on Thanksgiving. I love him, but I told him no.

 

 $1 Mustache fun provided by the local Dollar Tree.

(Tony's is the real deal!)

Happy Birthday, Uncle Tony!
Note: Didn't get a photo of Grayson in his, but he LOVED it. He even went to sleep with it on that night. He was extremely disappointed to find it had come off in the night and lost its stickiness.

 

 

 Happy Birthday, Logan!

 

Sweet Lyla

Reptile Invasion

We live in Florida. So life is full of green, humidity, and animals. It is especially full of reptiles. Even though we live within Orlando city limits, there is no lack of wildlife in our little neighborhood. I have posted before about raccoons, turtles, birds. Now it is time to post about reptiles. They are invading my house! With cooler weather, they are seeking warmth, and I'm opening windows to let in fresh air. This is the perfect combination for an invasion to occur. I don't fear these critters, but I definitely DO NOT want to touch them!

We found a small, black garden snake living in our utility room. He was too quick and hid under the fridge, so no picture. However, he is getting comfy here because he shed his skin. I think he's planning to stay.

On the same day, Grayson refused to take his rest until I evicted the lizard from his room. I got a cup and paper plate to trap the lizard (let's call him Larry) and release him back outside. In my efforts to sneak up on Larry, he sought refuge in the corner under Miriam's crib. Laying on my stomach, I tried shooing him out with the plate so I could trap him in the cup. He jumped! Right at my face! (I had flashbacks to the praying mantis that attacked my camera.) Luckily, he landed in the cup and not my face. Score!

Here is a photo of a Larry lookalike.

I also included a photo of a lizard showing off his handkerchief. Seeing this reminds me of my nana. She had a poem. "Lizard, lizard. Show me your red handkerchief before I kill you." This is really hilarious because it doesn't rhyme and it's so violent. She was the sweetest woman in the world with a sweet, Southern voice. The memory of hearing her say this makes me smile from ear to ear.

Cousins!

This Thanksgiving reminded us of the many things we are grateful for. One thing we are particularly grateful for are our cousins! Now that Lyla and Logan and Noah have moved to Winter Garden we see cousins much more regularly. Nathan and Kaitlyn were able to visit for Thanksgiving (we missed Kalia and Hunter) and we enjoyed being with them so much. We really didn't want them to leave!
Growing up my cousins were a huge part of my life. They were definitely my first friends. I love my cousins so much and love that my children now get to enjoy their own cousins.

Soccer Fun

 



 Kaitlyn and Miriam. Kaitlyn was one earlier in November. The girls are about 3 months apart.

 Nathan, Kaitlyn, Landon, Miriam, Grayson, and Ethan.

Had a lot of trouble getting a shot of all of them looking at the camera at the same time.

 Carousel at Bass Pro Shop!

 Bass at Bass Pro Shop

 

Having fun with trucks, bows and arrows, and art (And Lyla, Logan, and Noah) at Bass Pro Shop.

 

 S'mores with Krause Cousins.

 

 Living room camping with Nathan. Our first sleepover was so fun!

  (I thought Landon was particularly cute in these two.)