heading into the new year.

We are heading into the new year like…

christmas morning.

It was a very merry Christmas! The most magical one, yet.

Santa Claus came, we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, ate a delicious homemade breakfast feast, got dressed and headed to the Bryants for brunch, more presents, and quality family time. At the end of the day we were all exhausted, but our hearts were full. Merry Christmas!

christmas eve.

We were on our own as a family of four on Christmas Eve. We started the morning off baking cookies for Santa Claus and ended it at church for Highlands Christmas. Well, technically John ended it at the Emergency Vet with Sybie and I ended it playing Santa by my lonesome and watching "It's a Wonderful Life."

While our night didn't play out like we had envisioned, one thing is for certain:

Jesus is our Constant. He is our Hope. He is our Light. He is the Reason.

Merry Christmas Eve.

playgroup party.

On the day of Brooks' birthday, we spent the morning at the Black's house with our playgroup for our annual Christmas party. The kiddos made salt dough ornaments, played hard, snacked, and even got a visit from Santa Claus! 

We are so thankful for this group of friends and love every opportunity we are able to get together. They are the cutest ever-growing bunch in town!

brooks: four years.

Our Brooks is FOUR! He is sweet, smart, obedient, well-mannered, silly, and imaginative. His big loves are his mama, monster trucks, puzzles, his bike, Paw Patrol, and being outside. He prefers solo play, but adores his cousin Bennett and best friends, Gray and Webb. He is thriving at school. His teachers say that he is a leader (slightly shocked) and a rule follower (not surprised). He is an early riser, old soul at heart. He is my one-of-a kind! 

John Brooks, the day you came into our lives, my heart burst into a million pieces. And it continues to burst daily with the love and kindness that you show your family and others. A perfect example of this is during Mommy and Daddy's prayer for you this morning, you pulled my hand to your lips and kissed it. You tell me that you love me too many times to count throughout the day. It's a reminder of our Savior's love and I pray that you hold fast to this selfless kind of love. I adore you to the moon sweetest boy. Happy Birthday!

gingerbread house.

This season, we added "Gingerbread House Decorating" to our holiday to-do list. 

I'm pretty sure these two consumed 54% of the candy in the process, but they sure had fun and it turned out so cute! I love these little elves.

huntin', fishin', and lovin' every day.

This year, we let Brooks pick the theme of his birthday party and he came up with a "Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Every Day" party. It's his favorite song, always on repeat, so it was a no-brainer! 

We held the party at our house, a few days before B's actual birthday. He invited his entire class, best friends, and family. We had a great turnout! There was a "Ring Toss" where the kiddos tossed rings onto the antlers of one of John's deer heads, a "Fishing Hole" where they used handmade fishing poles to fish for burlap fish with magnets in them, and a "Bait Shop" where they could fill up tackle boxes with candy to take home. It was a bitter morning, but the fire pit kept everyone toasty. The kids had fun roasting hot dogs over the open flame. We also had baked beans, potato chips, trail mix, and hot apple cider. We had the best time celebrating our buddy. We are so thankful for everyone who braved the cold to make Brooks feel so loved! Hooray for FOUR years with our sweetest boy!

glimpse.

At my 12 week check-up, I was sent to Ultrasound after my appointment with Dr. Stradtman. I have another hematoma this go-around (I had one with Ann Bennett, as well) so she wanted to check to see if the clot has gotten bigger, smaller, or completely disappeared. I have not experienced any spotting or bleeding, so I was hopeful it had absorbed into my body. Unfortunately, it grew just a tad, which means no heavy lifting for me, but the good news is I was able to catch another glimpse of our healthy little bean!

Since this is most likely our last baby, I wanted to give a little update on my pregnancy, thus far. For Number Three's memory's sake and my own.

First, we are not finding out the gender again. It was the sweetest surprise with Ann Bennett and we want to relive that moment with this baby. At this point, I have absolutely no clue or inkling if I am carrying a boy or a girl.

My pregnancy symptoms have been the most similar to my pregnancy with Ann Bennett. From about weeks 7-9 I was ill, but never threw up (other than a bout with the stomach bug). I didn't have any specific food aversions, but no food during those 2 weeks sounded good to me.

I have been EXHAUSTED. Like, lay down on the couch at 1:00 p.m. and don't get up until after John gets home, tired.  I don't think the kids are to blame this time. I think it's from growing this baby! Not to mention, I have battled strep throat and the stomach bug twice during this pregnancy so far. Talk about a weakened immune system!

Thankfully, I have been able to keep up with my workout routine other than a few alterations, due to my hematoma. As of my 12 week appointment, I have not gained any weight, but that's sure to change soon!

Right now, I'm just trucking along feeling ever so thankful for this precious life. I'm eager to check in on the babe in four weeks!

parade life.

The tradition lives on! The Homewood Christmas Parade was everything we had hoped for and more. Well, except for Sissy B...

She didn't get the memo about that parade life.

the one.

"Oh, Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, Such pleasure do you bring me!"

We found THE ONE! 'Tis the Season!

thanksgiving 2016.

We have so much to be thankful for this year. One thing that I am specifically grateful for is the chance to spend Thanksgiving with my family at my parent's new house. We don't get to see them often, so when we do we don't take our time with them for granted…nor the location.

Brooks finally got enough courage to ride his "big boy bike" on his own a few days before we departed for Greensboro. Overnight, he blossomed from a weary two-wheeler to a pro. My parent's neighborhood is the best place to ride bikes and it was the perfect opportunity for B to practice and make perfect—and that he did as soon as we arrived! We enjoyed the beautiful and unseasonably warm weather with a lot of walks and peddling. Sweet Sybie girl enjoyed the great outdoors, too!

Thanksgiving afternoon, my brother and his family drove over from Lawrenceville for the feast. My Gram joined us, as well. Mom cooked up a delicious meal, as always. It never disappoints! Other than the full bellies, the highlight was sharing our good news about Baby Bryant #3 with the family! 

During our visit, we were able to get into the Christmas spirit. We went to the Lighting of the Lake at the Ritz one night for cookies and hot chocolate and to see the gingerbread house and the arrival of Santa (on a firetruck)!

We also went to Lake Club with our cousins for more cookies and hot chocolate, Christmas crafts, and to sit on Santa's lap. Luckily there was a wait because when we first arrived, Brooks was adamant about not sitting on the jolly man in the red suit's lap, but he eventually warmed up! 

It was a Christmas miracle! 

And, of course, thanks to Mom and Dad, I was able to get a little R&R during our visit. It was good for my soul!

It was a happy Thanksgiving, indeed.