CHRISTmas Letter 2011

This is the letter I sent along with our Christmas card this year.  Enjoy!!

Hello Dear Friends and Family,

We hope this finds all of you well, happy & blessed!  I’m going to change it up a little so….this will not follow the typical Christmas letter format you’ve been used to.  Trust me when I say change is good! This year has been extraordinary in many ways.  Halle is growing by leaps and bounds and still the light of our lives. This silly little girl never ceases to amaze Aaron and I with her singing, dancing, quick wit and sweet spirit.  She is such a gift!  She started Pre-School/Day Care at the Gingerbread House this year two days a week and absolutely loves it!  She loves her teachers and is always talking about all her little friends there.  Not long ago, Halle had her first sleepover with her Grammie & Titi (April’s sister) and a few short weeks ago she stayed over at Papa & Nana’s, of course, she loved it so much she didn’t want to come home.

I know most of you know our struggles with infertility that led us to adoption and our sweet Halle girl.  In July, Aaron and I were ecstatic to find out I was pregnant and due in March.  We approached this new journey very cautiously, with lots and lots of prayer.  Having three previous miscarriages will do that to you.  As I neared the second trimester we felt like we could finally breathe and enjoy the precious life Jesus was knitting together in my womb.  I began to experience some complications at a few days shy of nineteen weeks that led to Doctor’s appointments, unexpected ultrasounds and a trip to the University of Washington Medical Center.  It was then we learned our precious gift was a little boy, who we chose to name Elliott Aamodt. We do not know why, but these complications, unfortunately, caused my cervix to open up early and Elliott was born on October 13, almost five months too soon. You may not think extraordinary is a word to describe what we have experienced.  I would ask you to re-think that.  Our Jesus gave us a precious, unforgettable gift in the form of our little, tiny 10.4 oz boy that was just 9 ½” long.  From the moment Elliott was conceived our Jesus knew the plans He had for him.  Plans for greatness.  Plans to teach others about His love.  As Aaron and I reflect on the days following Elliott’s birth, one word always comes to mind faithful. Our Jesus has been so, so faithful.  We have grown so much spiritually because of Elliott. I have become bold and courageous to share my faith, for it is the only reason I have made it through this trial. Without our Jesus we would not be able to live this life without our son.  We know without a shadow of a doubt where our son is.  We know we will see him one day.  We also know that Jesus does not promise us a world without trials and tribulations. “Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV 

This Christmas finds us loving our Jesus more and more everyday.  We are finding such joy in seeing Halle’s love for this season and trying to remind her daily that Jesus is truly the reason for the season. We pray you will experience Jesus this CHRISTmas as you never have before!

Blessings,

April for all three of us J

I have kept our blog updated through this time and would love for you all to follow our continued journey there.  You can find it here:  www.aaronandapril.blogspot.com

Prayers Answered

I have waited an incredible amount of time for one of these to be placed on my fridge.  I consider these a "stamp of Mommy approval".  When I was in High School and Middle School for that matter I taught the 2-3 year old Sunday School class at my church.  Later after I graduated from High School I taught Pre-School for two years....I so envied those Mommy's receiving their treasured artwork from their son or daughter.  I could not wait for the day I would be a Mommy and have artwork to put on my fridge.  My road to motherhood has been ever so long and quite bumpy at times, but...when my girl brings home these treasures I melt.  I will display these proudly for all to see.  Yes, my fridge may look messy and I might need to buy more magnets, but...my heart is full and Halle is so very excited when she gets to see these everyday.  

This Thursday Halle had her very first Christmas Program at our church.  Of course, with all the kids it was so hard to see our girl.  Yes, I was that Mommy that grabbed her camera to trek to the other side of the church just to get a better view.  I'm so glad I did.  I will tell you it was hard to hold the camera, take pictures and control the tears from flowing.  Little kids in Christmas Programs have always made me emotional....now that I have my own little girl in the mix I was even more so.  WOW.  Our Jesus is so faithful.  Sometimes, it felt like I would never have a Christmas Program to attend as a Mommy.  When she was singing those songs and doing every.single.motion. my heart was bursting with pride for my little girl.  AND...she's pretty cute if I do say so myself.  I was so glad the dress her Foster Mommy made her last year still fit.  It was perfect.  And yesterday Halle wanted to do the very same thing all.over.again.  I love that girl!

Wordless Wednesday -- Christmas...with a Three Year Old

We love how Halle is really understanding Christmas this year.  You should know the kitty, yarn & random toys are no longer in our tree!

Happy Easter

We had a lot of fun coloring eggs...can't you tell??

CHRISTmas Celebration

PHEW!  Christmas is over and long gone, but...I'm way behind.  So...here is a bit of our Christmas in pictures.  It was busy, but...so much FUN...I LOVE hanging out with family and being exactly that FAMILY!  Check out Hal's so super cute dress...her Foster Mom, Mary Lynne made it especially for her.  AND...you may see a trend here...Halle loves DOGS.  It was so fun to see Christmas through Halle's two-year old eyes this year.  She is getting it!!

 Halle, Jada & Maya -- Gienger gathering Christmas Eve

 Halle and her Jessie -- Christmas Eve

 Halle & Grammie -- Christmas Eve

 Our little family 

 Our Ragamuffin on Christmas Morning

 Opening her stocking with Mommy

 Presents from Mommy & Daddy

 Christmas hug for Grammie...Christmas Morning

 Halle & Roxy...Pals...

 A little iPod fun with Daddy

 Chillin' with her cousin Bryce

Benner Grandkids: Bryce, Eden, Kai, Hayden & Halle

We missed you Andrade!

Santa....or NOT?!

Would you do me a favor?  Read this post.  My friend Dena says this so well.  There is no Santa at our house and he will never be here.  For Christmas is about JESUS!  HIS birth......the wisemen, shepherds, Mary and Joseph....and singing "Away in a Manger".

Easter Egg Hunt -- NCCTK Style!

I just had to share this picture of Halle from today. She went on her VERY FIRST Easter Egg Hunt at church today and did GREAT....we snuck in her in actually, she was supposed to be two. 18 months is close enough isn't it? She's as tall as some two year olds. Yes, I know she has her binky in. It was a binky kind of day. Too bad I lost that binky today....oh well. Our home is well stocked. But, seriously, isn't she super cute? And she picked up the eggs all by herself. We counted as we went....and I called out the colors to her. I'm always trying to make things a learning experience for her. Inside every egg, you guessed it, chocolate! She got to have some tonight....she's just like her Mama! She loves chocolate...she kept asking, "Bite, bite, bite".....Yep....just like me!!

Happy Valentine's Day....

from Halle Grace....what a difference a year makes.....

Last year...same hair bows.....same little brown girl....

This year...more hair....same hairbows.....lots of smiles!!!

The day after CHRISTmas....

The day after Christmas is spent with Aaron's family! We eat, open gifts and let the kids play! This year we also got together with Aaron's extended family and we took a picture of the great-grandkids that were there...they are sitting on the very same fireplace that many years ago Aaron and all his cousins sat on. It may seem like A LOT of great-grandkids, but....at least five or more weren't there. Aaron's Dad comes from a big family....and it's lots of fun to see all those people we don't see very often. I made Eden & Hayden tutu's and Hayden is modeling one in the pictures...Halle got a baby buggy from Nana and Papa and she LOVES it...just not when she can't get tables, chairs and people out of the way or...doesn't turn the corner very well.

Reading with her Nana...

Seriously, this was one of about 5 shots...and it's as good as it gets!

All the great-grandkids...Elijah, Jayden, Tate (on Eden's lap), Eden, Hayden, Kai, Bryce and Halle...she's the brown one....hehehe!

CHRISTmas Day 2009

This probably my most favorite day! I so love hanging out in my sweats with my family....eating my Mom's yummy food...the prime rib was GREAT Mom...you just have to be patient...breakfast casserole...and I made sticky buns for the first time. I think they will be the NEW tradition. We open stockings and then presents. Followed by a day of just relaxing....ohhhhhh....so much fun! Halle got some fun stuff...a stuffed chicken from Great Grammie Carla...she loves to say "cluck, cluck, cluck"...just like her "Barnyard Dance" book....jammies from Grammie, her Little People School and a so fun singing Crayola thing. TiTi got her the cutest outfit from Gymboree and a new baby Cabbage Patch. Aaron got his most favorite gift EVER....a Book about building tube amps. If you want to know about it...you'll have to ask him. He's been in the garage ever since! Just kidding, but...seriously, he LOVES it! I got a super cute, hip, brown purse, cozy slippers...and Lia Sophia necklace and a fun black sweater. Halle slept like a dream in her Pack-n-Play that we put in Grammie's walk-in closet....and Amber added THREE more purses to her collection! SHEESH!! But...most important we all got to spend time together!!!

CHRISTmas Eve 2009

For Christmas Eve 2009 we started off with Halle waking up to look under the tree and find her Pal Violet from Uncle Shaun and Auntie Heather. She loves her....Violet is a Leap Frog toy and you program her with your computer...she knows Halle's name her favorite food and color. It's been fun to see Hal's face when she sees Violet. Definitely one of her favorite things. My friend Kristin and my Mom came over Christmas Eve morning and had breakfast with Halle and I while Daddy was helping The Grace's move into their new house. The rest of the day was spent preparing for Christmas Eve at my Aunt & Uncle's. Christmas Eve is always spent with my Mom's extended family. We take turns at different houses and this year we were at the Hall's. Halle loves spending time with her cousins and checking out all the new things at other's houses...we just have to keep on extra good eye on her. We ate a yummy meal...I think Halle ate her weight in ham....and then opened our gifts. We draw names and the guys have a grab bag gift of sorts. This year Daddy got a battery charger with AA and AAA batteries...those will definitely come in handy at our house for all Hal's toys. He also got a HUGE Mr. Goodbar and the gift that keeps on giving: My Dad's UW headband. Just a little background on this...last year we gave that with Aaron's gift to Colby in hopes that it would be the gift that kept on coming back. It's a great way to remember my Dad and he would think it was so funny! You see, my Dad and Uncle Gary are the ONLY Huskie fans on that side of the family. HEHEHE!!

***Please excuse our grainy pictures...somehow the settings on the camera got changed...gee, I wonder how that happened??***

Christmas JOY!

This is Hal and I last Saturday. We weren't sure how she would react to the tree, hence the "corral". While I was *trying* to put up the ornaments/garland last friday she was right behind me trying to take them off and pushing me OUT of the corral. Little Turkey! But, this week Halle went to her "Auntie's" and didn't touch ONE tree or ornament. So, the corral has now been taken down and she hasn't touched our's once since then. What you can't see in this picture is her reaction....she is in total AWE of this tree and it's sparkling lights and "pretty" decorations. I was explaining to Hal about the star on the top and the lights and the ornaments. She is soaking it all in....I can't wait for her to open up her gifts and spend time with her family! We have a book that I bought for her last Christmas that tells the story of Baby Jesus and Christmas. We have been trying to read that to her and singing lots of "Jesus Loves Me"...and she's working on saying "Jesus"...He is the Jesus for the Season....please, let's not forget that. It's so easy to get caught up in everything else. But, he truly is the reason!!

From a pumpkin....to a bunny!!

I was thinking about fall today...and Halloween...which led me to think about a costume for Halle. I remembered that Auntie Lisa had given us cousin Eden's costume of a bunny and wanted to see if it would fit!! Guess what...it does PERFECTLY!! And seriously, have you seen a cuter bunny?? With that little brown face. She LOVED having the costume on...she was so silly and crawling EVERYWHERE...I could hardly get a good picture of her. AND...in comparison...we have a picture of Halle last year at Halloween...thanks Mary Lynne & Robbie!! We're so glad Halle got to spend the time with you all!!!

Christmas Recap

Christmas has come and gone...and I'm way behind!  Since almost all of our pictures have Halle in them...you'll have to settle for our Christmas decorations.  I do have one picture to share of Halle...you'll see.  Pictures first..then more of a post...

This is Halle's "SWEET" bum....isn't that so cute?

This is just a sampling of ALL the snow we got...it made getting around a little challenging!

A close-up of our Christmas tree

 A not so close-up of our tree

One of Halle's "Baby's first Christmas" ornaments

Our stockings.....

Comfort & Joy...and a lighted tree

My beloved Willow Tree Nativity...Aaron made the stable!

We had such a nice Christmas, but...it was very busy!  We started off Christmas Eve night with dinner and presents at my Mom's...Halle did great and slept a lot....I got some really nice sweaters and some warm boots...HOORAAYY...Halle got some cute clothes and few toys...books too.  Aaron received a sweatshirt, some t-shirts and the "Back to the Future" trilogy...he's been wanting that for a few years now.  Christmas morning we headed back to my Mom's for Christmas brunch and stockings....more fun stuff!  Including DVD's....HOORAAYYY!!  Halle napped with Auntie Amber in Grammies comfy chair while Mom and I cooked up some stuff for Christmas night at Aunt Ione & Uncle Ron's.  I made green bean casserole from scratch...soooooo yummy!  Mom made a broccoli/corn casserole and we tagged teamed with her rice dish and even Amber helped with the artichoke parmesan dip.  Then we dressed up a bit and headed to Aaron's families extended family Christmas.  We stayed for about an hour and headed to Aunt Ione & Uncle Ron's.  Halle did not like all the traveling around and every time she woke up she was in a different house...that didn't go very good either!  Next time, we won't be doing so much of that...it's not good for her!  But...it was fun!  The day after Christmas we spent most of the day at Aaron's brother's house with all of our family....the kids had so much fun opening gifts and we enjoyed yet ANOTHER yummy meal!  That takes us to Saturday...we so enjoyed brunch with our dear friends Kyle & Angela and their kiddos, Conner & Sydney...and even Kristin came...we hadn't seen her in FOREVER!  I hope we do this again soon!!  We visited with Grandma Carla in Bellingham at the Care Center Saturday afternoon and came home for a quick nap and were off to the Reimer's for pizza and fun!!  That about sums up our Christmas...we were sad that due to the snow our Christmas Eve service was cancelled.....next year.  We are ready to begin 2009 with lots more memories...we started that out with New Year's Day at Jeremy & Heather's....fun, fun and more fun....we hope your holiday was as special as our's......