Stages...

We move through stages in our lives from beginning to end. This stage of life for us is all sorts of things. 

Fun. Crazy. Boring. Exciting. Happy. Tiring. Changing. Predictable. UNpredictable. Fullfilling. Perfect. 

Emersyn is perhaps at one of my MOST favorite stages for a little tiny human. The stage where she can sit up, play, laugh, interact, giggle, and NOT MOVE. :)

Radley is in the stage, admittedly, that sometimes drives me crazy. The EVERYTHING is silly stage. The I can make a game out of anything stage. The I don't want to listen stage. The I want to do it MY way stage. The I'm a little boy and everything is rough tough real stuff stage. 

But, he's also in a stage that I wouldn't miss for all the tea in China (I feel like Moms say stuff like that). The stage where he is a ball of energy. The stage where he finds comfort in Momma and Dad. The stage where he tries so hard to do something and looks to us for encouragement. The stage where the first thing he does in the morning is go give "sister" kisses. The stage of being potty trained! The stage of just loving life to the fullest. 

 Yes, life is just full of stages. It's a new stage for Ryan and I (who clearly are never in pictures anymore). A stage of balancing schedules. A stage of seeing each other from 6am-8am and 8:30pm-bedtime. A stage of catching kisses in the hall. A stage of date nights. A stage of learning. A stage of sharing. A stage of not buying ourselves new clothes so Emmy and Radley can have it all. A stage of learning about stages... 

...like teething. And walking. And running. And talking. And writing. And crying. And just enjoying each of these moments that pass us by in an instant. 

Of seeing Emmy in the same shirt that I wore when I was a baby. 

Of watching my kids grow up together. Happy. Healthy. 

Yes, friends. Life is full of stages. Stages that come and go and ones that we must hold on to. In our memories and in our hearts. So that when all the stages pass us by, we have something that stays with us forever. 

I ask that you each take a moment to say a prayer for Ryan and his mom, Fely. The surgery prior to Christmas exposed two more tumors on her liver which means that the cancer has spread. She is currently deciding on treatment options and we are here to support her in this new stage of her life. We feel your support and love and she will, too. For right now, she is holding on to the stage of being a "Lola" with grace and with love for these precious babies that bring her joy and a reason to fight for that next stage to come.

Christmas in Pictures...

Twas the night before Christmas at the King's home

We gathered for a picture before Santa would roam

Down through our chimney and into the house

It's true what they, say, he's as quiet as a mouse

Then early the next morning, the house began to rise

To Christmas magic full of surprise

Santa filled stockings and filled them "too much"

For on the couch spilled out all sorts of fun stuff

Overboard, Santa went on two little ones

A train, trike and bicycle will bring tons of fun

And Alfie showed up so he could he supervise

And he wanted to see the smiles in Radley's eyes

Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus, Happy Birthday to you

Thanks for all the blessings and wonderful things that you do

Goodies galore! Where do we start?!?

It's almost too much for these little one's hearts

We quickly dug in to all of the loot

Have you ever seen anyone so cute?

We needed a small break to let it all soak in

Then it was time for presents, let the FUN begin!

Toys, books, cards and games

My kids just aren't loved... isn't it a shame?!?! ;)

Christmas reminds us about each special gift

And really flies by much too swift

It's a day to be silly with our new dinosaur

And hours and hours of a little boy's "ROAR!"

It's about those moments that fill us with joy

Like going on a hunt to find your new toy

It's about big surprises and little ones, too

To show those you love just how much they mean to you

It's about family tradition we cherish so dear

And each sacred moment that we hold near

It's about family and friendships and laughter and smiles

And giving thanks to heaven all the while

It's making things special for the ones that you love

And mostly about the blessings sent from above

Our Christmas was special, yes it is true

Hope you that had a wonderful Christmas, too!!!

Happy New Year...

So, we've been busy and I just haven't found the time to update in the past week or so. Forgive me?

The holidays are over and even through all the crazy travels, unplanned events, and good and bad moments... I can say that the real reason for the season definitely shined through!

I'll use this week to play "catch up" more for my own memories and less because I actually think that anyone is just dying to know what the Kings did for Christmas (Ok... you're dying to know...) and hopefully display some of that Holiday Magic that we experienced.

2011 began with us in Sherman this year visiting Ryan's mom and stepdad. Fely is still recovering from her surgery but she did get to go home sooner than we thought which is a blessing. We made them homemade pizzas and just watched the kids play and Radley make a mess. We headed back to the hotel around 9pm because the kids were getting cranky and everyone was out by 9:30pm! :) What a bunch of geezers, huh?

It was a relaxing weekend and just what the doctor ordered for Fely. She just lights up around Radley and Emmy and I'm glad that we could provide some positive energy for her. Our days were spent coloring, playing hide and seek, napping, eating, visiting and we even managed to squeeze a movie in there, too! (Go see Tangled... presh. us.)

Although we were sad to leave, we were all very happy to be home and get back in our routine! Man, my kids like a routine (wonder where they get that from?!?). I took one last day off today to play catch up around here and it may just be my favorite day of this entire break! :)

Hope the New Year brings many blessings to each of you!