End of the Year tie up and Recap

Wow 2013 is just about to close.  What a year it has been!  We had a mostly good year for 2013 and I'm so grateful for that.  There are always challenges in life, but I'm grateful for my family and their help to get us through when they happen.

Just wanted to write about some things I did not write about yet in this blog and also do a recap of some of the blessings we have had in 2013.  This is a long post.  Sorry about that, I'm wordy today.  Lots to say.

Thomas (Daddy):
At the beginning of 2013 Thomas was still without a job.  It had been a shock when he lost his job in August 2012, but we are so thankful that he got a new job in April of 2013.  The Lord helped us through that challenge and we made it!  

Amanda (Mommy):
I don't typically write about myself much here on my blog.  I love to write about my girls and all that is going on with them, but I would like to write about some things that are going well for me and another loss I had to go through.  I was shocked and surprised when I found out in early April 2013 that I was pregnant.  I was so excited to announce that Rachel and Haley were going to be big sisters again, but when I saw my doctor late April things were not good.  I was suppose to be 11 weeks, but was measuring only 5 weeks.  I went back to my doctor a couple of weeks later and there was very little growth and no heart beat.  On May 17, I had to have a D&C.  I think I have gone through almost all I can bear with infertility, pregnancy losses and infant losses.  It was heart breaking but I am grateful for my heavenly father for getting me through it.  Must keep moving on!

As for moving on, I am slowly but surely growing my small photography business.  In May and December I took pictures of dancers from the Arthur Murray Dance Studio during their shows.  Each time I took pictures I had 800+ pictures to edit!  I love editing pictures and always look forward to editing more.  I hope to make time in 2014 to take some photography classes as I want to further expand my knowledge and skills in photography.  

Also a picture I took of Josh Groban during his concert here in Houston was chosen to be in his 2014 calendar!  The picture I took is shown in January of the calendar.  If you see the Josh Groban 2014 calendar take a look at January (picture below).  So exciting to have one of the pictures I took in the calendar!

The picture I took

  

My name shown in the calendar

Rachel:
Well the big news for Rachel was her getting the cochlear implant.  We are so happy she got it!  I recently did an update on her regarding the implant and how she is doing.  You can read that post HERE.  Also we are happy that Rachel has been fairly healthy in 2013.  No major illnesses.  She continues to have ear infections here and there, but less than the year before.  Rachel is full of energy and curiosity.  So grateful for her and all that she teaches us.

Haley:
Haley is doing well.  She is so healthy and doesn't get sick much.  We are grateful for the vision she has (which is not much).  She just goes with the flow so well.  Her developmental progress is slow, but she continues to move forward.  She is also slow to grow in size, but again she is growing.  We are thankful for her sweet, loving personality.  Haley is a special little girl!

Kayla:
Kayla made it through her first year and now is 2!  I can't believe she is growing up so fast!  Kayla also has been healthy throughout 2013.  She is just growing and developing so fast.  Its amazing how much she has learned in 2013.  She is so loving and loves her big sisters.  She is a sweet little sister to her big sisters.

Like I said we had a good 2013 overall, but I look forward to a new year and seeing what will unfold for us.  I hope 2014 will bring new surprises, blessings and much happiness.  From our family to yours we wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  Hope it will be a good one for you.  Blessings to all!!!

Stay tuned in 2014 as I will keep updating this blog and will continue to post pictures of the girls and their progress!