The year we learned to be a family of 5 all under one roof.
There were times when I blogged well. And the fall where I barely blogged at all. Times where I loved well. And times when I barely loved at all. Goodness, 2013 stretched me in new ways. And all of us actually. There was less worldwide traveling excitement and much more sweeping the floor, picking ourselves up off the floor from all the emotions, and teaching three kids to love each other and love God more. Still an important adventure.
So without further ado . . . here is the year 2013 - partly in review and some new stuff too. How's that for rhyming?!?!
Karina learned to trust us and love her new family.
We had a big snow storm.
Addyson and Braden turned 4.
And we partied.
Karina learned to walk.
We celebrated Easter.
She loved to read to the kids. And to cook and share. She shared God's love through her cooking with more people that you can imagine. She was determined and had a great laugh; all of which I miss greatly.
We were silly . . .
and goofy . . .
and just plain cute.
We cooked . . .
and worked . . .
and played . . .
and cried . . .
together.
We were ornery . .
We farmed.
celebrated,
laughed,
and cried some more.
found some time to hang out . . .
and relax.
Had a flood.
A little family vacation.
Celebrated 4.5 x 2.
And sent our first two to preschool.
Did lots of pretending - even pretended to get married.
did some wrestling.
Got some cats.
Made some big messes a.k.a. playing
Lost a cat . . . and loved on the one that was left. Learned that I'm a sucker for what my kids love even if I'm allergic.
And said goodbye to my Grandma Nightingale.
After battling cancer for over 30 years (she was first diagnosed before I was even born) God gave her rest from the battle and took her home. She was a fighter who loved the Lord; she was one of the bravest, humblest people I have ever known. One of the very easiest to talk to and never made me feel less than good enough. I sure miss her dearly. And I was a bit jealous that she got to celebrate Christmas with Jesus this year instead of making green punch and talking with us. But I am so thankful that she is in heaven where cancer can never bother her again.
Daddy enjoyed his daughters and playing dressup
We dressed up for Halloween.
our two princesses -
and the fireman
Karina had a complete blast!!
All three kids grew and grew and grew.
We celebrated Thanksgiving.
The boys enjoyed their bowls of Thanksgiving mix.
It was time to decorate for Christmas!!
And for the first time the whole family helped with the whole tree. It was fun.
church Christmas program - Karina's first
And Addyson's and Braden's first school Christmas program
Braden's first deer hunting trip
loving on Fritzy the kitty
and each other
celebrating Christmas with family
eating Christmas cookies using my Grandma Dyck's cookie cutters that made the Christmas cookies I enjoyed as a kid
Celebrating Christmas Day with just the 5 of us
Singing happy birthday to Jesus
Karina called it Happy Day - that's what you get when you combine Happy Gotcha Day and Happy Birthday Jesus. She went ahead and dubbed her birthday the same. They certainly were Happy Days!!!
Whew. What a year. What a wonderful, heartbreaking, tiring, inspring, teaching, growing year that God brought us through. Looking back and looking forward to all He has to teach us in the coming year. Excited at the possibilities and in awe of His faithfulness. Overwhelmingly thankful that He came to rescue us. And that He will not leave us as orphans but one of these years He will come back for us.
Happy New Year to you and yours from the Vogts!!!!
