Promotion Sunday

This past Sunday, June 1st, was promotion Sunday for our sweet Natalee Grace. She was so excited to get to go upstairs in the children's ministry program at Central. I love seeing that look of excitement on her face and in her eyes. She was especially excited because two of her best friends, Lincoln and Madison, are up there. She couldn't wait to get her hands on the two of them! She now will go upstairs for Sunday School and will then come in to "big church" (is there a real name for this?!) with us, through the communion and tithing portion and is then released to go to back upstairs for children's worship. I know all mommy's say in disbelief, "I just can't believe how big she is getting!" That is exactly what I was saying as she waved goodbye from the church pew and held Lincoln's hand to walk out of church. Her golden brown ringlets, dimpled cheeks and sweet brown eyes were beaming with pride as she marched on out, into the big world of the "upstairs." As tears gathered in my eyes, I couldn't help but just reminisce on her first time to be dropped off in the church nursery. I think this year will be year full of tear-filled eyes, as so many milestones will be met. She is now old enough for VBS this summer and will also start official preschool in September. I just can't help but look into her big brown eyes and remember her as a baby. Four years have flown by and I know the rest will too. I am so proud of the little lady she is becoming. God is definitely at work in her little heart and He has blessed me immensely.
PS. I made the little dress she is wearing and am super proud of it! This darling mermaid fabric was purchased at JoAnns and Natalee is over the moon about it. :)

 

 

-Krystole

Memorial Day 2014

We were very excited to have an extra day to our weekend with our daddy being home. He has recently started a new job (no more long drives out to Boys Ranch!) and this was his first time to get to be off. We enjoyed a nice family weekend, nothing too special. A lot of time was spent outside, including a fun trip to the zoo. On Monday, zoo admission is free, so that was an added bonus. We also had my brother and his fiancé and our great friends Chris and Kaylee over for a cookout and game playing. I am sad that I didn't think to snap any pictures of the cookout! Here are a few pictures from our Memorial Day weekend. Thank you to all who served, past, present and future. This day is really all about you and we appreciate your service and dedication.

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Krystole

Graduation Weekend

So, my baby brother was pinned on Friday, May 9th, in paramedicine. I am  SO proud of him! He has worked so hard an has so many degrees! He continues to work as an EMT in Dalhart, 2 days (24 hour shifts) a week. He now lives here in Amarillo and just bought a house with his soon-to-be wife in July. I am so excited for them and this new journey! She has officially moved here as well (she was in Lubbock) and has gotten a job as a pediatric nurse at BSA. We started this crazy weekend off with Drew's pinning in Amarillo and ended it in Austin, for my sister's graduation. Yea, tons of driving! Here are a few pictures from Drew's pinning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the pinning ceremony was over, we got in the car and loaded up for the long drive to Austin. Yes, it was 9:30 at night. We had plans to drive at least to Abilene and to then get up the next morning and finish the drive to Austin, in time for a graduation party that they were throwing for my sister. We rolled in to Abilene around 3am to find out that EVERY hotel was booked. How does that even happen? Oh yes, now I know, because it just so happens that graduations everywhere kinda take place at the end of May. Oops. Travel fail. So, we get on our phones and start calling the next towns to see just how much farther we will have to go before we can call in a night. We found a hotel and it was only an additional 45 minute drive or so. It was a long day and we were all happy to be some place that had a comfy bed. No, really, that hotel had the best bed I had ever slept in!
The morning came, all to soon, and we were off to finish the 2 hour-ish drive to Andrea's parents house. We made it, just a little late and were welcomed with tons of fajitas, friends and family. It was great. For those of you who don't know, I have just been reunited with my sister (it is a beautiful adoption story) about 3 years ago. So, we got to meet all of her family, friends and see where she grew up. It was so special! To top it off, it was also her birthday AND Mother's Day, just like the day she was given up for adoption. What is the likelihood that 30 something years pass by and the first birthday we get to take part in, is set up exactly like her real "birth" day? God is so good. His love is definitely shown throughout the whole story. Anyway, so graduations, birthdays, mother's day, it was a weekend to remember, for sure. Here are a few pictures from Andrea's graduation, who by the way, graduated with her Bachelors in Nursing. I am surrounded by the medical field!

Andrea with her parents, Debbie and Monty.

 

Andrea with her husband (Jason) and three children, Kelson, Jacee and Bear.

 

Myself, Andrea and Drew.

 

Almost a picture of all of us! My husband and twin boys stayed behind in Amarillo.
It would have been too much driving in too little of time for them.

 

Andrea and my Mom.

 

Andrea, with the mom who gave her life and the mom who raised her.
Mother's Day 2014

 

Yep, this pretty much sums us up.

 

Siblings.

We are blessed.

-Krystole

 



Interview #4

So, Natalee is four! I decided last year that I would interview her and start ask her the same questions every year, to see how her answers would differ from that of the previous year. I will write them how she said them, because I want to remember her lisp. :) You can look back on her three year old interview if you'd like (Interview #3) and here are her new answers:

 

 

 

What is your favorite show? Elsa
What is your favorite color? Pink
What is your favorite food? Alfredo Noodles
How old are you? Four
What does mommy do? Be's the bosth (boss) of me and cleans up the kitchen. Plays with me.
What does daddy do? Plays with me. Goes to work. Takes me to the grocery store. (He ran errands the day before I did this interview and took her with him. He doesn't usually go to the grocery store, although he rocks like that and has done this several times and doesn't mind going.)
What do brothers do? Play in my room and play with me
Where do you live? Austin St, 29th
What is your favorite fruit? Peaches and apples
What is your favorite song? Jesus loves me
What is you favorite drink? Grape Juice
What is you name? Natalee Grace Gwuver (Glover)
What is your mommy's name? Krystole Nickole
What is your daddy's name? Jeremy
What are you brothers' names? Barrett and Aiden
Who are your friends? Lincoln, Madison, Brooklyn, Evie
What is your favorite thing to do? Play barbies and babies and play dough
What do you want to be when you grow up? Elsa or a Princess
What is your favorite toy? Clarice the Reindeer
What is your favorite game? Candyland
What is your favorite snack? Apples, Fruit
What is your favorite animal? Ponies
Who is your best friend? Madison (Lodholm)
What is your favorite cereal? Dora Cereal
What is your favorite thing to do outside? Swind and jump on the trampoline
What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
What do you take to bed? Gracie (babydoll), Clarice and my ladybug blankies
What do you love for breakfast? Bagels
What do you love for lunch? Sandwiches
When is your birthday? December twenty-ninfth (29th)

So, there you have it. My sweet girl is growing up.
-Krystole

Our little lady is FOUR!

Natalee Grace,

 You are four and your mommy is still in denial. You are one of the highlights to each and every one of my days. You, four years ago today, gave me the most important title of "mommy." I love that I get to wake up to you every day and tuck you in each evening, if I beat your daddy to it. You have given us so much joy and we are so thankful to God for you.

We made sure to kick off your 4th birthday in true party colors. While you were sleeping, daddy and I snuck in and hung streamers and balloons all over your room and threw some balloons on the floor as well. We were trying so hard to not wake you up and were so excited to hear your response when you woke the next morning. We were successful and you snoozed right through the decorating. :) When you woke, you ran to our room, exclaiming, "Someone decorated for my birthday!! Was it you? Did you do that? When?!" We loved that you loved it. You are so special to us and we love to show you that you are.

 

 

 

Daddy went to The Donut Stop and brought you back a pink one. We enjoyed talking about what being a four year old would mean and what new things you may be able to do this next year. Mommy also made you a ladybug shirt that you got to open and wear to church. You were super proud and love all things ladybug.

 

 

 

Off to church we went and you loved all of the extra hugs and birthday wishes that you received while there. After church, we let you pick a restaurant to go to and you picked Fazzolis. You LOVE alfredo. :) We rounded up a few friends from church who could also join in on the birthday celebration. You got to sit at the "kid table" and felt SO proud. You ordered alfredo, with the long noodles (your words) and ate every last bite.

 

 

 

We ended your day with a trip to the bakery to get a cupcake. You, of course, picked a pink one with sprinkles and a strawberry on top. We stuck candles in both your donut this morning and your cupcake this evening. We love our little December baby and are so blessed by you, daily.

 

At 4 years of age you can;
-count to 50
-write your name
-swing by yourself
-sing any song
-recognize all letters
-drink from a cup
-make your bed
-play together with friends
-use your imagination
-color in the lines, mostly
-recite the directions on how to get to our house (we put it to a song)
-dance the best ballet
-play board games (you love candyland and hi-ho cherrio)
-jump on the trampoline
-recite your address
-recite your birth date
-sit still long enough to go to the movie theater
-put your shoes on the right feet
-wash your body in the tub
-play with your brothers
-eat with a spoon or a fork with all foods
-recite the days of the week
-recite the months of the year
-suck your thumb (while holding your ladybug blanket)
-use your manners

I am sure there is much more. You are one smart cookie. I love you so much, baby doll and cannot wait to see what the next year holds for you, my dear.
-Mommy

Three no more!

Well, she has done it! Her 4th birthday will be in the morning. Four seems SO big. Of course, I say that every year, with every number. Every year, I have taken a picture of me rocking her the night before her birthday. I cry every time. I love looking at the four pictures of this pose that I have and remembering all of the rocking that has taken place. No, we don't rock every night like we used to, that has now been replaced with sitting on her toddler bed, reading bedtime stories, but the cuddling is still there. I love her. So, here is the newest picture to add to the ever growing collage...and one of us kissing, because I needed three year old smooches one. last. time.

Happy last night as a three year old, sweet girl. When you wake in the morning, FOUR will be here and I am sure your mommy will cry again.

 

-Krystole

Realization

I have wanted to be a stay at home mom since the minute I found out I was pregnant. Some people know what they want to be when they grow up and pursue those dreams in a college degree and a career. That is awesome. I have always wanted to be a mom. After two years of school and a degree in early childhood development, I still knew I just wanted to be a mom. The day I made the choice to stay at home was the best day of my life. I have never been more satisfied with a decision. I felt so fulfilled. So happy. So excited to start on this new journey with my almost 2 year old daughter. We were going to make so many memories. Bake so many cookies. Play way too much dress up and blow too many bubbles. Heaven on earth. Now, a year and a half later, and a set of twin boys added to my plate, I often feel those dreams slipping away. When I first thought about being a stay at home mom, I pictured countless hours just watching Natalee, soaking in every moment of her golden brown hair, dirty hands and sweet little voice. I dreamed about the craft projects we would do, the parks we would play at, the service projects we would be involved in and the play groups we would attend. Don't get me wrong, we have our fair share of all of these things, but not like I had imagined it would be. I was slapped in the face. I awoke to the pressure all moms have. I was made aware to all the work that needed to be done. I realized the "competition" that exists in the realm of a stay at home mom. My dream slowly turned into a nightmare. I realized that society told me I needed to be a 50's wife. You know; "house perfect-dinner made-red lipstick and heels kind of wife." I have never in my life worn red lipstick and my cooking is definitely no Betty Crocker. My house needed to be clean and perfect all day, every day. I needed to have the clothes washed and hung and put away before my husband got home. Dinner needed to be gourmet, organic and delicious all at the same time. What did this mean? It meant I had a choice. I could either fall into the trap of society's way of thinking or I could continue to do the best I could with what I had and not be fake. Who really likes fake?
There is no time to BE with your children with this constant need for perfection running through your head. Your children will not remember that you put on make-up everyday or that you vacuumed every Tuesday. They will remember the tickle fights, pretend play, and camping trips. So much of my time is spent managing my home, running errands, changing diapers, feeding babies and going to play groups and ballet, I wonder how much time I really have spent with my children by the end of the day. Yes, I realize I am around my children all the time, but am I just going from place to place and chore to chore? Did I stop and take a moment for some quality time? Did I make them feel special?
Today I will play with my children. Today I will read a book. Today I will not worry about the perfection of my house. Today I will be a great mommy. Today I will not worry about the Joneses. Who are they anyway? I encourage you  to put down that scrubber, remote or red lipstick and do the same. As we all know, they grow so fast, and my dirty house will still be there tomorrow, but my "babies" won't.

Krystole