2009 You Were Good To Us

I feel like we blinked and this year has come and gone. I started the year very pregnant and having no idea how I would ever love another baby the way I love Tanner. On 2-20 we welcomed Peyton into our hearts and I realized that it is possible to be head over heals for both my kids.
I am happy to say that I am ending this year 60 lbs lighter than I started it. Chasing after 2 busy kids sure helped with that. It has been a great year and here are some highlights looking back.

January: An amazing trip to Clear Lake with our dear friends the Tompkins. Tanner moved into a new room with a big boy bed. I finished my church job at MVCC.

February: Welcoming our little girl and got used to being a family of 4.

March: Tanner turned 2. I loved my maternity leave and being a mommy of .

April: We welcomed Karis Jade Howerton into our family. Karis and Peyton are 2 months apart.
May: I went back to work a few days a week to finish out the school year.

June: Finished up the school year and moved classrooms. Kipp had knee surgery.

July: I felt like super mom taking 2 kids to the beach several time each week. We had a great summer.

August: Went to vistit my brother in Washington and had a great time. Peyton started to crawl.

September: My mom and I moved down to Kindergarten from 1st grade. It was a big adjustment. I am still sharing a contract so I am working 1/2 time and home with the kids the rest of the time.

October: Tanner was a dragon and Peyton was Piglet for Halloween.

November: Had Thanksgiving with all the Howertons-Michael and his fam were down for a week, and had Thanksgiving with The Lyons. We have so much to be thankful for.

December: We went on a winter vacation with our college friends to Flagstaff. My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Peyton got her two front teeth for Christmas. Now she has 4 teeth. She is pulling up on things and standing on her own. I feel like walking is just around the corner. We get to spend New Years with Kipp's sister, Kelle!

I am truly blown away by this life I get to live. I am so blessed to have close relationships with my nieces, nephews, brothers, sister-in-laws, parents and in-laws. I love spending time with my family. I am blessed to have a husband who loves me and his kids with all his heart. I love that I can work part time and spend so much quality time with my beautiful children. Tanner is a great big brother and as Peyton gets older I love watching them play and laugh together. Being a mom is what I have always wanted to be and I feel like it is better than I ever thought possible.

My hope for the new year is more of the same...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!