Look what Brandon and I got for Christmas!

Santa will never be the same:)

School's out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Daddy's out of school for 2 whole weeks!!!! What should we do his very first day home? I know, spend a whole morning trashing the kitchen making Christmas goodies. Yay!

We had a ball with the girls making Christmas yummies yesterday morning. Some items were edible in the end...some were not:)

Mommy was especially brilliant this year as she gave each girl their OWN red icing, green icing and sprinkles. You know, setting them up for success by eliminating things to fight over.

Check out the concentration.

Aubrey's finished product.

Adelynne's finished product.

I realize they look like they've eaten a small animal, but really, they've just been eating cookies.
This was taken right after Adie declared herself the cookie monster, and Aubrey followed it up with, "I'm the sprinkle monster."

It was a fun day!

Sweet smiles

I've told several of you that Nolan has been smiling more and more. (The reason we are so excited about this? See blog post "Well visits" from the month of October.) I am sure you thought I was lying because I haven't been able to document it. Every time we turn on the camera, he's gets serious. But not today! Enjoy!

A few things about my husband

On the eve of our 6 year anniversary (Holy Cow!), I'm reflecting on how great my husband is. Here are a few things about him that I love.

1. His desire to do right and please the Lord...even when he's struggling.

2. His work ethic. The dude has 3 jobs!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. What a great dad he is. I know that sounds cliche, but really... He's a bather, reader, hugger, kisser, ready to kiss boo boo's, singer, jungle gym and so on. You couldn't have a more "hands on dad." And he doesn't do it because I ask him or because he "has" to, but rather, because he wants to.

4. That he loves me. He once told me that he found the "new" Megan more attractive that the "old" Megan because the "old" Megan hadn't given him his girls (this was before Nolan was born).

5. He's a great friend. If I'm struggling, frustrated, sad, etc, I go to Brandon first. He's my very best friend. He's willing to tell me when I'm wrong (brave man). He's honest with me. He's a listener. He lets me talk:)

6. He's a great husband. I've always felt loved, safe, and taken care of. He has always put me first. He's a provider and a leader. He's an encourager.

7. His sense of humor! He's hilarious! We've never been short of laughter since we've been together.

8. That he'll try anything I cook, even when he's sure he won't like it.

9. That he can admit when he's been wrong.

10. That he eats popcorn almost every night:)

11. The way he hugs me.

12. His smell.

13. His smile.

Although there have been hard times, sad times, & mad times, there have also been many happy times, exciting times, funny times...it's been the best 6 years of my life. Happy anniversary! I love you Brandon!

6 months!

Nolan Levi hit the 6 month birthday milestone on Thursday the 18th. Brandon and I have a hard time believing it. He's such a sweet cuddly little thing. We feel as though our family is complete with him and love him so much. Brandon has to tell me to quit kissing him sometimes because he's afraid I'll give him a hickey! he he So what if I do?

Nolan

After Nolan's surgery on Tuesday, he was a little groggy and fussy. He had some pain reliever at 7:30pm that night and managed to sleep really well that night. He got up at 8am yesterday and was a peach. He was totally back to normal...smiling, happy, not fussy, kicking etc. He still has had no pain meds since the day of surgery. I can't even begin to tell you how happy we are! Nothing like knowing your baby isn't in pain! We so appreciate all of you prayers for him and for us.

A big THANKS to grandma Susan for taking 2 days off work to watch the ladies. They had a ball!

Happy birthday Adelynne!

2 years ago yesterday (I'm delayed in writing this one day b/c of Nolan's surgery), I was a large, "in charge," miserable mess. I had spent the day begging Dr. Knutson to just induce me. I remember thinking that I couldn't take it another day. We had planned on attending the Living Christmas Tree at Kossuth with both sets of our parents and Aubrey. So, with no indication of a baby arriving, we all got dressed up for the LCT. I remember when everyone arrived at our house to leave, my mom told me how beautiful I looked. "Yeah right," I said, as I rolled my eyes. We headed to Kossuth where every person I saw said, "Why are you here?" Good question! I suppose we went in order to distract this grouchy old momma to be. We sat down and began listening to the music, and about a 1/2 hour into it, I thought, "Eeewww, that felt different!" I looked at Brandon and told him I was going to go walk around the lobby. By the time the show was over, I was sure I was in labor. Pastor Whipple approached me and said, "What are you doing?" I said, "I think I'm going to have this baby tonight!" He looked at his watch and said, "You'd better go do it, I'm going to bed soon." I told Brandon to get his parents (we rode with them) because I wanted to go home and call the Dr. We ordered pizza, put Aubrey to bed, called the Dr., and Brandon continued to just sit and visit with his parents. Finally, I came out with our bags and said, "Ok, I'm really hurting, it's time to go buddy!" By the time we got to the hospital, I was at 7 cm. Wow! Labor was quick and uneventful, and delivery was as well. Adelynne Noelle arrived at 3:58am! When she came out my nurse said, "I can't wait to weigh her!" And with good reason, that sweet little baby girl was 9 pounds 5 ounces! I thought she looked like Aubrey only with darker hair.

In the last 2 years, Adelynne has been through nothing but transitions...2 moves (and all the junk that goes with them), daddy's new job, mommy being pregnant and really sick!, a new baby brother.... She's developed this sweet little persona, and an amazing vocabulary. She's a comedian who is always looking for something to get into, she's a lover, a fighter (man you don't want to make her mad), she does EVERYTHING Aubrey does, has named her baby doll "Nolan Levi," and really loves her papaw Dave and papaw Scott. She loves books, going bye-bye, and bouncing on beds. We love her so much and couldn't imagine life without her. Happy birthday our Christmas baby!

Nolan's surgery went well, just as planned today. He's a little groggy and fussy, but all went well. We were home by noon. We apprecaite everyone's prayers and thoughts!

Preschool Christmas Party

Aubrey's Christmas party at school was last Thursday. Brandon took a half day so that I could go and be with her. I was in charge of the craft. The kids made snowflake Christmas cards. Aubrey thought it was pretty cool that mommy was the "teacher."

The kids also got to decorate Christmas cookies with icing, sprinkles, red hots and chocolate chips. They were able to eat one with hot chocolate and also got to take a cookie home. I will tell you that later I caught Aubrey with her mouth on the end of her icing tube...I think she wanted to make sure no icing got wasted.

The kiddos then had a book enchange. I thought this was such a great idea.

Miss Traci and Miss Joann helped the kids make these cute plates for their parents. I cried! :) I think it's beautiful!

Nolan's surgery

The house is quiet. I am up early this morning. I've been able to shower, eat breakfast, get ready for my day, and most importantly, spend time in God's word and in prayer. It's been a whirlwind of a week and weekend. We got to spend some great time with family this weekend as everyone was here for my grandpa's funeral and burial. While we are all sad to no longer have him here, this weekend was a great reminder of the example he has set for our family as well as a legacy in Christ we all desire to continue. I read about the birth of Jesus this morning in Matthew and found a few things that really stuck out to me. #1 When Joseph found out Mary was expecting, knowing that he wasn't the one who "contributed," he planned to divorce her quietly. But, in a dream an angel told him to not be afraid because the baby was of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:24 says, "When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded him..." Without question, grumbling, complaining...he obeyed. Wow! #2 It never ceases to amaze me that someone (God), would give up his child, for me! Also, knowing, that he would grow up and be tortured and killed. Someone loved me that much...amazing. I'm grateful!


We've had and still have a lot going on right now that Satan is using to distract me from Christ. 3 specific things I prayed for this morning, #1 That my aunts and family would have peace today as they head back into their lives after losing my grandpa, #2 That God would heal Nolan of this developmental delay, and #3 That God would protect him during his surgery tomorrow.





Nolan's surgery (if you are unaware, see August blog posts) will be at the Riley Children's Hospital downtown at 8:15am. Brandon and I have to have him there at 6:45am. We were told his surgery will take about an hour and a half and the recovery will be about the same time. He will come home that day as well. The nurse also told me that all nursing babies will be taken straight to their momma's as soon as they wake from anesthesia. We know that Nolan couldn't be at a better hospital and he couldn't have a better doctor working on him. We also know that he's in God's hands, the great healer and physician, and I couldn't feel better about that. We would covet your prayers for Nolan, and also for Brandon and I, that God would give us peace.

It's this time of year, that we focus on the birth of Jesus. And the birth of Jesus is so special in so many ways, but today I am thankful he was born, because that also means that he died for the sins of this world. Last night, my grandpa, John Freeland, took his last breaths here on this earth, but because of the birth and sacrifice of Jesus, my grandpa is now sitting at His feet.

I'll always remember being not much older than Aubrey and him pulling me around a woods on a sled. He liked to remind me of this often, as he thought it was so funny that I never even attempted to get off and walk with him. Why would I, it was so much easier just "taking a ride?" He would always tell me, "wire bite," because out at the old farmhouse was an electric fence. When I touched it, I looked at him and said, "wire bite grandpa." I'll always remember walking into his bedroom in the winter and it feeling 30 degrees, because he loved to sleep with the windows open...yes...in the winter! I will even remember when he would refuse to wear his hearing aids during a family meal, and would interrupt a conversation because he couldn't hear what was going on. I used to find it annoying, but, will now miss it. When all the family was home together, many times, we would all go and see a movie together. Grandpa never went, because he didn't want to fund liberal Hollywood. I loved sitting on his lap and singing "The Animal Fair." A silly song that he even taught Aubrey...special. I loved listening to him play hymns on the piano. I loved how much he loved Brandon and enjoyed talking baseball with him. Brandon and I both enjoyed listening to his stories about his professional baseball days. We both found it rather amusing that when we would ask him about Babe Ruth (grandpa caught for him in an exhibition game), he would tell us what a bum he was because he was a "drinker, smoker and a womanizer." I can't even begin to explain how much he enjoyed watching our kids and loved getting pictures of them in the mail.

Mostly, I will carry with me, what an example of a true follower of Christ he was. He was in no ways, a perfect man, and he would be the first to tell you of his mistakes. But, growing up, I always knew where my grandpa stood in his relationship with the Lord. He was a typical "old person" in the fact that he liked only hymns and thought church should be a certain way, but always, wanted to give Jesus the glory.

We were told Monday, he had only hours, but he didn't pass until Wednesday night. The last of his 5 daughters arrived Wednesday afternoon. I had the privilege of sitting with the 5 sisters, listening to them tell stories about him and giggle and sing hymns to him. He was able to have all of them together again and enjoy all their voices and then just before midnight, he took his final breaths. What a peaceful way to enter the gates of heaven, with your children singing!

My heart aches this morning, as I think of how much I loved him. But, I am so thankful, that because of the birth of Christ and what that means, I know he's being reunited with my grandma and they are sitting at the Savior's feet, together!

Christmas came early

Grandma Ellen got Nolan this bedside mobile that he absolutely loves. Thanks grandma Ellen!It's become a very popular attraction at our house:)

Snug as a bug in a rug!

Nolan was pretty tired after church yesterday. Don't you wish someone would bundle you up like this and carry you around when it's cold? I do:)

It's party time!

One thing (there are many) that I find special about Adelynne is when she was born...she's our Christmas baby! How special is that! I think it's so cool that she "almost" has the same birthday as Jesus. I remember being at the end of my pregnancy with her and Sue Whipple told me to remember that Mary was experiencing the same things I was at about the same time many years ago. I thought that was so neat. It's just a precious time of year. I am sure that as she gets older and becomes particular about her birthday, she won't like it because it's so close to Christmas...you know, birthday presents in Christmas paper, and I know everyone has a hard time knowing what to get her because in a few weeks they are supposed to get her Christmas presents too. With all that being said, we intend to have her party early (her birthday is 12/16) every year so that she feels like we separate her birthday from Christmas...just for her.

She loves the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, so that was the theme of the party.

Earlier the sweet little birthday girl climbed to the top of our recliner and fell face first onto the hardwood. The result was this busted lip. Poor thing.

Adelynne got a really neat Little People carriage. She loves it! Thanks grandma Ellen and Papaw Dave!

She also enjoyed loving on grandma Susan and papaw Scott. They hate it! ;)

Mommy's always up for a good squeeze too!
We are to thankful for this little girl! Happy 2nd birthday Adelynne!

We found it!

The perfect tree! The Paschal's began decorating for Christmas this past Saturday morning. We hung the stockings, and took inventory of what we might need from the store. After naps, we packed up and headed to the tree farm. Everyone enjoyed the "tree picking" experience (even Nolan, after he learned that being cuddled up with mommy wasn't so bad:). We then headed home and the kiddos had supper while daddy got the tree in the stand. While daddy bathed the girls, mommy got lights on the tree. And while mommy nursed the baby, daddy and the girls decorated the tree. Whew! Who knew that even the simplest of tasks could be so complicated and required strategy (mommy and daddy really thought all of this through:).

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...


Aubrey making the best use of the tissue paper that had been used to wrap our ornaments in all year...

Our Christmas baby hanging window stickers in her room!

Mommy and her babies before the tree hunt began.

A family picture (yes, Nolan is there, he's strapped to me). I asked the sweet guy who cut our tree down to take it:)

True to what we know about Aubrey, she was happy just being able to "pick flowers."

Mommy's sweet little boy...

Adie was super excited to be "on the hunt" for our tree.

The finished product. "Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches!"

On Sunday, we decided to take some family pictures. I'm only posting a few, as they are coming soon in your Christmas card:)

Thanks for the dresses Grandma Ellen!

Sweetest little candy cane I've ever seen!