But the Years are Short

I'm not even exaggerating when I say I've been attempting to write a family update for over 6 months. With two tiny humans, moving to a new home, unpacking, vacations, and daily life, this family journal was put on the back burner. No, the crock pot. Who am I kidding? I didn't even pull it from the freezer to defrost! 

Life is wonderful and beautiful and chaotic and I wouldn't have it any other way. I am so grateful I take pictures as much as I do, otherwise I would hardly remember our day to day activities! A picture is worth a thousand words, so it's fine I skipped the writing part. Right? Say yes!

Let's rewind from our last update! I think that was January when Abbie Rae was 3 months old. And now I'm planning her first birthday party! How did it all fly by so quickly?! My baby is almost walking and the sweetest thing.

We said goodbye to our first home in June. I loved that little town home.

The move was amazing. It all went so smoothly. In fact, it went so smoothly that we were stressed that something would go wrong! But every little thing fell into place. We were so blessed it all worked out the way it did. Heavenly Father made it very clear that moving to Lochbuie was the right thing to do.

There are 7 cousins next door to each other now and it is a dream come true. Lincoln will often play with his cousins for 5 hours at a time. It is glorious for this busy mama! I can clean or just sit on my bum and take a very rare break. Especially if Abbie Rae is taking a nap! 

We are also very lucky that cousins 8 and 9 recently moved to Idaho from Georgia! So a complete family reunion is much easier these days. All four Graham siblings and their children can see each other more often. Grandma and Grandpa are working their way back here to Colorado. We cannot wait until the entire family is back together again!

The following months after the move were filled with vacations, play dates, unpacking, the zoo, the water park, unpacking, family time, and more unpacking. It was all a whirlwind but a lot of fun.

And life has finally settled back into our new normal routine. I'm watching children from home again. This now includes school drop offs and pickups for friends and cousins. Even though Link won't start school for another year, I'm already a busy mom of school children!

Abbie Rae is almost ONE and I am in denial. She finally started formally crawling and suddenly decided to walk! Within less than a week! Crazy girl! Life before her was sweet, but she makes it even sweeter.

Lincoln begs to go to school and ride the school bus. He was registered for preschool in Aurora at our old house, but the move threw all of that off. Right now I'm enjoying the end of his toddler stage and I'm happy to delay the chaos of school for another year.

I am crazy busy but so happy. I often get "bursts of happy" at random. Sometimes it's when I hear Lincoln singing in the car or when he smothers Abbie Rae with hugs and kisses. Other times when I hear Thomas making Abbie and Lincoln belly laugh. It's those tiny moments each day that I live for. My job as a mom is more fulfilling than I ever imagined. 

There are some days where my patience is tested and if "I hear one more whine I'm gonna lose it", but it's a beautiful life.

Thomas is excelling at work. He is adored by his peers and superiors. He'd never admit that himself, but I'm allowed to brag on him! He does such an amazing job providing for us. I am able to stay at home to raise our babies while he works so hard. He is such an amazing father and I love watching him with our babes. He has to balance so many things in his life, but we always feel his constant love and presence.

Life is good. I am so humbled by our blessings. We have been so fortunate this past year and I can't wait to see what the rest of the year has in store for us!

Love,

The Grahams