Here is our overview of 2013 through some of my Instagram pictures:
On January, 15, 2013, we became a family 4! Roman Isaac Fries was born at a whopping 9 pounds 8 ounces! Bailey was 17 months at the time and adjusted really well to being a big sister! Having two babies under the age of 17 months was definitely a challenge but we wouldn't have done it any other way!
This picture sums up most of Bailey's personality! She is a princess and loves taking care of her babies! You can often see her taking her babies for a walk in her stroller with a purse slung over her shoulder...always wants to be just like mommy!
This is sweet Roman when he was just a few month old. He is an amazing baby! Very laid back and chill. We are so excited to see what God has in store for his future!
This year, Nathan and I celebrated 4 years of marriage! We also started a monthly date night tradition: since we got married on June 27th, we try to go out on a date each month on the 27th! It has been really fun!
Bailey LOVES her little brother! We call Roman "Brother" more than we call him Roman so up until a few weeks ago, Bailey has called him "Ro-er". We believe it was her version of Roman and brother put together! He gets lots of hugs and kisses from his sweet sister every day!
My friend Charice and I ran in the 5k Color Run in Omaha, Nebraska in May 2013! It was so much fun! This is a picture of us pre-race and after race!!! We are hoping to do it again next year (and maybe convince our hubbies to join us)!!!!
We upgraded not only to a double stroller, but also a MINI-VAN! I have to say, I love love love my mini-van and will probably drive one for many years to come (SO convenient) but this double stroller pictured is being replaced. We purchased this one only to find out that it is near impossible to turn when both kids are in it...so we are investing in a nicer, higher quality stroller called the Baby Jogger City Select! We just got it and I can't wait to take it for a spin!!!!
Bailey had a blast in her baby pool this summer! We spent many afternoons in the back yard!!!
The kids and I enjoyed watching Nathan play a few baseball games and several softball games this summer! He really enjoys playing and it was so cute to hear Bailey cheer on her Daddy when he would be up to bat!
The kids and I were able to spend many days at home just chillin this summer! One reason is because in late June, I resigned from my position at Collage Center (a non-profit pregnancy center). Myself along with 2 employees and 2 volunteers resigned after resolution could not be found with some concerns that we had brought to the board. It was very sad but we each had peace that it was our time to move on after praying about it. I was prepared to be a full-time stay at home mama and enjoyed that for 2 months. In August, a friend of mine that I had met through Tastefully Simple, approached me about working part-time at a local baby store she owned. I had shopped at the store many times and loved it so I agreed to try it out! It has been SUCH an amazing job!!! I love it! The store is called Suite Child and we cover family's needs from cradle to kindergarten! I work Wednesdays/Fridays & every other Saturdays! My co-worker, Jamie, is amazing! I truly believe we were meant to find each other and work at Suite Child...
We were able to do some fun travelling this summer! We drove out to Gering, Nebraska to visit our friends Levi and Ashlee and their kiddos Jovee & Sawyer! Levi and Nathan met in college and were in each other's weddings! It was so much fun to see the kiddos play together and spend some quality time as families!
I was able to visit a friend of mine, Shauna, and her beautiful kiddos in Kansas City! We took the kids to World's of Fun! Bailey LOVED the rides!!!
Just a few of our "FIRSTS" from 2013:
Bailey's FIRST ponytail!!!!
Roman's FIRST successful roll-over!
FIRST time that Nathan had a little "helper" scooping the sidewalk!
Our FIRST trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE as a family! Bailey LOVED it!
Roman's FIRST time having green bean baby food...can you tell that he loved it??
Bailey's FIRST time experiencing the animals at the Nebraska State Fair!
Bailey's FIRST time picking peppers from Grandma Patten's garden!
Bailey's FIRST time picking out her own pumpkin at a pumpkin patch!!!
Bailey's FIRST time eating corn on the cob all by herself!
What are we up to?
Nathan and I are so blessed to have an amazing church family here in Kearney, NE. We are still helping our church's high school youth group each week and love being able to serve together! My work schedule allows me to stay home with the kids for the majority of my week which is really nice! Our in-home day care gal is amazing and Bailey and Roman love spending time with her (HUGE BLESSING)! We are also blessed by the fact that Nathan loves his job and we are able to see both of our parents on a regular basis! We are looking forward to spending Christmas with both of our families this year! Rachel & Holden will be coming back from VA to visit and Eric has finished his term with the Army and is now living back home in Boelus, Nebraska!
The above picture is one I took in our kitchen this fall. I frequently change the verse/saying on our chalkboard wall but this verse was one that I kept up for many weeks. What a great reminder that even though my time is not as "free" as I would like it to be to just sit at the feet of my Savior and be still...I can still find moments throughout my day to be still before Him. My prayer is to make more time for that in 2014 and to take advantage of every moment I am blessed with the opportunity to be a wife & a mother!
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