2013

Its a new year and I am out of room on this blog to post pictures.  I need to buy some more storage and figure out how that works so until then, I write for the sake of our family journal.

Another year has passed and as always, I can say, it was a big one.  New babies, milestone birthdays & wonderful time spent with family.  As I look back on this year, I can say with joy, we have everything that we need. Being thankful for this fullness is not enough. As this year closes and another one begins, our goal is to find ways to fulfill the needs of others.  I hope that this time next year, our photo album is filled with new experiences, ones that have shaped and changed us.

This was the 1st year that we did not split our holiday time between family.  Thanksgiving was with Matt's family and Christmas was with mine.  It was a hard decision to make but ultimately, it was a good one.

Thanksgiving at the Campbell's is wonderful because we park ourselves at Matt's parent's house and everyone comes to us.  We got to spend time with William and although the babies are not old enough to really play with each other, its still amazing to watch them with each other.  I know they are going to be good friends, if Lydia learns that grabbing his face is not an appropriate form of affection.  Matt's parents have kept all of his Micro Machines from when he was a kid.  Tiny cars, trucks, planes, and all the accouterments that go along.  Evan is in heaven down in that basement.  He stays down there forever and loves to play.  We are just so lucky to have such a wonderful family who loves us and loves our kids.  Jan set up a family photo shoot (shot by Ryan's sister, Kari) and it was amazing.  Pictures that we will have forever.

Christmas came quickly and we headed to Orlando.  Most of the family came down also and it was so much fun.  Just like the Christmas' we had growing up.  A noisy house filled with so many ppl that we love, cooking food, putting together new christmas gifts...it was perfection.  I hope that can happen more often.  We spent Christmas Eve at SeaWorld and I think Matt was even more excited than the boys.  It was his 1st time so the boys had to show them around.  Alex wants to touch and feed every animal he can.  Evan loves to sit in the stroller and study the map.  So combined, there is not an aspect of SeaWorld that is taken for granted.  It was just a great way to spend Christmas.  We just really missed Ryen.

I think we are gearing up for a crazy beginning of 2013.  Matt is in the process of looking for a new job and a new location.  We are ready to move on.  Lydia turns 1 in a couple months and we are hoping to celebrate with family.

Love

I do not love you because you are beautiful.

I do not love you because you are made of my DNA or have my nose.

I do not love you because you make me laugh.

I do not love you because you love me.

I love you because I know you and you are the most incredible creation I have ever seen.

I love you because when I met you, you knew nothing.  Every day I watch you learn, make connections, test, touch, listen, observe. All of these things, every step you progress, every word we exchange, it connects us.  Every kiss or hug, every time you reach for me, every time I give something of myself to you, our hearts are knitted more tightly together.

I love you because your life is my life.

I love you because there is nothing I would not do for you.

There is nothing I would not do for you because I love you.

You are mine and I am yours.