recap

 summer is flying by. 

 it's the middle of july and the long, hot days are flying by. 

the weather has been great.

we've been busy.  

maybe our second family picture...ever?

fun at the lake.  lucy loves the water and enjoys the pontoon rides.  

she can kick back and relax pretty easily.

 how can you not relax with a view like this?

joe and me over the weekend of the 4th.

 trying to get lucy to sit still, look and smile is a challenge these days!

we have been loving the lake.  time with family and friends.

the beautiful weather.  and all things summer. 

8 months

8 months old.  today.  she is just too much fun.  i think the majority of my time spent with her is kissing and cuddling.  she's not big on the cuddling, but that's not stopping me.  here's what else lucy goosie is up to:

smiling.  at everyone!

giggling at her brother's every silly.

rolling and rolling and rolling.

no crawling, but creeping here and there.

starting to cry when things don't go her way.  uh-oh.

interested in the teeny tiny things...zippers, buttons, anything little.

she's still mama's girl.  i'm loving it!

time flies

wow. 

 may is here.  

last month of kindergarten. 

first month of spring after a never ending winter. 

the days are long but the years are short.  

(i think i'm finally understanding this now.)

little lu has grown so much.  i love spending so much time with her.  just this week, she began reaching, pulling, and pushing to get her hands on anything in sight.  gone are the days of simply sitting on my lap and snuggling.  she has finally learned how to roll over.  this happens the most in her crib.  she has no idea what to do when she flips to her tummy.  it's the cutest thing.  i love the new adventures each day brings for her.  

will is getting bigger, and more mature every single day.  he has the best sense of humor.  he can always make us giggle.  he loves playing.  playing. and more playing.  the kid can play hours on end.  i love the surprise 'smoochies,' snuggles and kisses i get.  i can't believe he will be a first grader soon.  it just doesn't even seem possible. 

this kid

can't get enough of him.

the imagination that doesn't stop.  we play 'bank robber' and use car tracks as money.  a piece of pipe as a light saber.  stuffed animals as wild animals.  he loves jokes and silly humor.  star wars.  legos.  cars.  the brady bunch.  he couldn't be any more literal.  he loves his little sister.  he's a good listener.  his dad is his biggest hero.  he's a rule follower (usually).  so thankful he is in our life. 

5 months

lucy grace

5 months old

time flies.  she is so much fun.  crying days are over.  

she loves to hold our hand or fingers.  all the time.  especially when she is nursing or trying to sleep.

she still hasn't rolled over.  she doesn't care.  and we don't either.  she reaches and stretches, but no rolls.

lots of babbles, squeals, and little giggles.  especially for her big brother.

we just started cereal.  she is a gooooooood eater.  just like her mama.

watch out curry.  lucy is a grabber.  

she is a kicker.  big time.  big powerful kicks to tell us what she wants.

naps are great.  still trying to figure out bedtime.  lots of screams...until she is held.  then she is content.

we are content.  we just love this precious time as a family of four. 

what's in a name?

we have always loved the name lucy.  always.  it was our number one girl name pick.  for many years we didn't think we would have a lucy.  and then we she was here.  with us.  a blessing.  i have been thinking about her perfect name and looking at the meanings.  i've discovered how fitting her name is.

lucy grace

lucy:  light.  she is our light.  our light after darkness.  our answered prayer.  she lights up our lives and the lives of those around us.  st. lucy.  the patron saint of sight.  fitting

grace:  favor, blessing.  a virtuous name referring to God's grace.  it couldn't be a more perfect description.  she is our blessing.  given to us by God's grace.  

but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  therefore i will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  

-2 Corinthians 12:9

2012 in Review

1.  What are you most thankful for?  

The gift of letting go, peace, and grace.  We began 2012 deciding to live life again.  We spent years dealing with the pain of infertility and we were really on the way to letting go...letting go of expectations, pregnancy, and the pain of the past. 

2.  What were the highlights of 2012?  

January--peace, letting go, and looking forward.  Began working out consistently with Michelle

February--finding out that we are expecting after 5 years of struggling with infertility

March--Joe goes to Uganda on a SixtyFeet Mission trip

April--We were able to 'announce' our pregnancy to our friends and family--it's real!

May--I said good-bye to teaching first grade at Viking School.  Looking forward to the next chapter

June--Family trip to Phoenix.  Will's first plane ride.  Our first family vacation

July--Enjoyed time at the lake...Will's first summer playing t-ball

August--Family trip to Minneapolis

September--Darcy's wedding and our 60 Feet friends came to Grand Forks

October--LUCY GRACE ZAVORAL joined our family--on my late father's birthday

November--Thankful

December--Rejoiced in our savior's birth as a new family of FOUR

3.  What are you hoping for in 2013?

A peaceful year filled with love, peace, and lots of laughter.

4. Who was God to you in 2012?

God was our rock.  Our strength.  Our peace.  Our joy.  He taught us to fully trust and believe.