Happy 2008!

I realized that when I looked at the date of our last posting, that it had been almost a month. Life has really gone into fast forward for me lately. I look back at this past year and wonder "what was I thinking?" I realized at one point I was working 3 jobs, have the three kids, a marriage, and took on a new cat! The cat was the easiest part. Never have I been so glad that I married my best friend. With the amount of work and stress that we have been under this past year, if I wasn't, I don't think I would be a functional human being. Gary keeps the humor, love and center to my world.
The kids are growing up so quickly.
Brendan is LOVING kindergarten. He is learning to read, do math, and write like a champ. He played soccer this year and is looking forward to another season soon. He is well liked in his class and has YET to get an "unhappy" report from his teachers. His energy continues and he LOVES people. It's funny how when he was in the 2 and 1/2 year class, I would meet these parents and they would say, "oh! YOU'RE Brendan's mom! We hear about him ALL the time at home." I used to get nervous about what this meant, but I think I understand better now, he is just a social bug. He gets to know people and makes friends quickly. He really is growing up! His appetite also continues to amaze and scare me. I may need to hang on to those 3 jobs to pay for the food bills when he becomes a teenager!
Cecelia is in school and doing well. She picks up everything Brendan brings home, school wise. She is almost as tall and heavy as Brendan. Most times they could pass for twins. From the day she was 6 months old, I knew she was going to be a challenge...in a good way. She is stubborn and headstrong, but loves twice as deeply. She is much more reserved than Brendan and is our home body. I wonder how that will translate to when she is older. She loves to have her friends, but she has her 2. She likes what is familiar. She is beautiful and has a VERY funny sense of humor around those she is comfortable with. She scares me with how smart she is sometimes. We are going through some tough lessons with her right now, but I know that she will be an amazing woman some day.
Teddy! What can I say about him that I haven't already. He is just so stinkin' cute and fun. He makes me and Gary laugh at LEAST 10 times a day. Even at night, when he wakes us up, at 1am....he makes me giggle. (then I get annoyed about 45 minutes later when we're all still not asleep). He is so happy and loves to have fun. We had an angel of a friend come and stay with me one night while Gary was on his ski trip. She offered to keep the kids at home while I went to church and ran Children's ministry. When I came home, the kids were in love with her, and she with them. Apparently though, she went and told her husband that Teddy was so much fun and cute that he made her want another one!! (she already has to boys in high school and middle school...) He really is just a neat kid and I can't WAIT to get to see what he is going to turn out like. He has such a great personality now, I know that it will only get more fun as he learns to talk and interact more.
Gary is my hero and I love him so much. He is doing really well with the new church. My respect and awe of him only deepened when I took on the job of interim Children's minister and now get to work with him at the church. He keeps me sane in these very insane times. I don't know how he does it, but he does. I realize all the time how blessed we are to have the marriage, the kids, the jobs, the house and extended family and friends that we do. I work with people all the time who have none of those things and have nowhere to turn. It makes me wonder how I got to be so lucky. I thank God every day for all of it. Even when my children have me questioning every decision I ever made, I know that through God all things are possible (even parenting 3 young children!)
As I mentioned, life has been hectic, crazy, insane, tiring, busy, wonderful, funny, joyous, loving, amazing, and full. I wouldn't change a thing...well, except maybe more sleep!
Happy 2008! I am looking forward to what this New year brings with friends and family. I love you all and miss you as much. I hope we get more opportunities to share together. XOXOXO- The Wieders.