Happy 2015! So Long 2014!

Happy 2015!  So long 2014!

Actually 2014 was such a good year for us!  It passed much faster than I wanted. There was a lot of new...

Family News

Our family has gained a lot and experienced a lot of change.  We have a new sister in-law, Morgan.  She is a blessing to our family.  It’s apparent that she loves Jeremy, Alex, and Race!  What an answer to prayer. 

        We have a brand new nephew and one on the way!  Jarrod Emory Burgess, Jeb, arrived not long after his big brother, Bennie, turned one in September.  Matt and Whitney are taking on the challenge of such a close age, and don’t seem to have to beg for the grandparents to help when they need it.  I am thrilled that Collins will have such close boy cousins get into mischief with, of course when we aren’t looking.    Finn is on the way as soon as Dan and Leann get travel approval to go get him from China!  They will spend two weeks there with him and then bring him home to his FOREVER family!  We are all anxiously waiting for him.  I will be so relieved to know that he will begin… to feel strong bonds, relationships that are steadfast, a relationship with God and learn about Jesus.  There are so many things that he will have the opportunity to begin once he is with us, and I am so glad to be a part of it.  I’m sure that the only expectation that we are allowed is, it will be an awesome experience for all of us.  God will do the hard stuff.

By the way…

        Oh and our house is still on the market! We love our house and what we have made of it, but it is time for more room, and maybe no stairs! Since Charlie Kate has fallen down our stairs once and another set of stairs once, we feel the need for stairs to be in someone else’s house, not ours.  

The new dynamic and Charlie Kate                                            

 The first seven months of Collins’ life have been fast forwarded.  I think that what people have been telling me about time speeding up once you have kids is true.  I am getting to witness sibling love from a perfect seat.  Charlie Kate is very vocal with her actions of her love for Collins.  She has taken on several responsibilities and is helping take care of him every chance she gets.  Now that he is a giggle box , Charlie Kate loves making him laugh.  Collins looks at her as if he is seeing her for the first time.  He is in awe of her when she is playing, when she is singing, or even sitting still.  She is very entertaining to us too.  She sings, Let It GO, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Jesus Loves Me, Down in My Heart.  There might be other in the rotation from time to time, but those are her favorites.  The discipline is the hardest and my least favorite..  The reward from consistency, the use of a time-out, and occasional “spank-spank” is good.  She is learning boundaries and appropriate behaviors for different circumstances, but IT IS A CHALLENGE on a daily basis! Woo!  On some days she is lucky that she is so cute! ha!  This kid loves anything considered to be a treat or special snack.  So, now she wants a special juice, or special treat every day.  We are trying to teach her what “special” means. 

…Then you have Collins

Collins is sitting up so strong, crawling, and slightly pulling up.  He is a strong little boy, and happy all of the time…Almost all the time. Ha!  He is only unhappy when he is sleepy, wants to cuddle, or hungry.  He is so so so ticklish and laughs so hard when you get his belly or chin.  He still likes to be semi swaddled to sleep, but always gets out of it by the end of the night or nap.  He likes the minkie dot material on his bumpers, and cuddles with it.  He laughs at himself at his reflection and loves his car mirror.  He just talks and talks to the mirror and Charlie Kate the whole ride around town..  He is FUN!  We all like him

Dear Charlie Kate and Collins,

        This has been the Merriest of Christmases that we have ever had!  We can only look forward to the next one and the days to come and hope to cherish each moment with you.  Your laughs make our faces hurt with smiles.  Your faces are the most beautiful because of your sweet soul that beams through every expression.  Your love for each other is what we have prayed for, and what we continue to pray.  We are so proud of how you are growing and becoming you. Your personalities are delicious and we are glad for the challenges you bring to us because it means that you are still ours!

Happy NEW Year!

Love, Mommy and Daddy