em•brace

I have heard about this really cute idea to pick a word to describe your upcoming year. After a couple days of thinking I have decided to go with embrace. I just think it is such a lovely word.

I am looking foward to embracing many things this year: friends, family, our marriage, our new home, our new jobs, new opportunities, and my faith. It is so exciting to have a growing appreciation for all of the above.

I love the various definitions embrace, but I think my most favorite is the first. I do love a good hug.

Now go on, think of a word for your new year. And please share! I would love to hear them.

 

unconditional love

"Dogs truly are one of the greatest gifts that God ever gave us. They give us unconditional love just as God does and remind us daily that we too can love this way if we choose."

I know you have all heard it and maybe you have experienced this yourself, but I cannot help but love my little innocent looking furball.

 

Cooper has been sick the last couple of days and to this I say, "BOOOOO!". Hopefully he will be feeling better soon. In the meantime I cannot wait to get home and snuggle with my Buhba.

Do it anyway...

I read this quote by Mother Theresa this morning and thought it was pretty special. I hope you don't mind me sharing it with you.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.



Meagen and Zander Sleepover!

This past weekend Meagen and Zander came to stay with us. We had a lot of fun together. Saturday afternoon we went to the Children's Museum at the Coralridge Mall. Here are some pictures from our trip!

Meagen and I in a hot air balloon.

Meagen and Nate building rockets!

Meagen gets ready to launch the rocket.

Going shopping.

All worn out!

We had a great time with the kids. Luckily they are very well behaved. Although I wonder what people thought of Nate and I with a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old who kept referring to us as "you guys".

Berger Holidays

Here are some pictures from the Berger holidays. I love the feeling of being at "home" and spending time with my family!

Thanksgiving

 One of Zander's typical faces.

 Deep in thought.

 Playtime with Grandpa!

 Meagen and Zander playing together.

 Meagen and Grandpa.

 Enjoying a ride from 'Horsey' aka Grandpa!

 LOVE my parents' big couch that can fit lots of people!

Christmas

 Time to open presents!

 Our first married Christmas as well as our first with Cooper!

 Zander was having a great time in his new tent and tunnel!

 Aunt Lisa had to prove she could still fit through one.

 Grandma and Meagen frosting/sprinkling cookies for the family. Yummy!

 Sibling love!

 Yay for having such an awesome sister!

 Mother and daughters. :)

 The Berger girls!

 Having a good time with Aunt Lisa!

 Grandpa and Grandma with their grandkids.

As always we had a great time on the holidays with my family. Lot's of food, games, and laughter. I would not have it any other way.

Long Overdue...

Wow! This post is LONG overdue. Here are some picture from the holidays with the Lueth family. Always a great time with lots of good food!

Thanksgiving

 Nate and his nephew Jase.

 Is that Easton or is it a turkey?

 Beautiful Miss Taryn.

 Taryn with what appears to be a not so happy turkey, but what turkey would be on Thanksgiving?

Christmas

 Cooper and Chloe are ready for the cold!

 Ben and Jase taking a minute to catch up on some local news.

 Christina and Taryn.

 It looks like Jase likes his monkey pillow pet. :)

  Taryn poses with her new hat.

 Brody poses with his new vest!

 Tessa is all smiles for her mom.

 The dogs are exhausted from all the gift opening!

Taryn is such a doll. She took time model different outfits for us that she had gotten as gifts. She is such a girly-girl and I LOVE it!

We had a great Thanksgiving and Christmas with the Lueth family! I hope you enjoyed the pictures!