Missing teeth!

I have realized, with my fourth child, the significance of milestones.  I am not a "cup half-empty" kinda gal, but my husband has made me realize that I do get sad as we pass through certain milestones.  I don't know if sadness is even the correct description of my feelings.  It is a bit like "cherishing."  I have come to cherish certain moments as the kids pass through them.  One of those moments for me is missing teeth.  The first loose tooth- not such a big deal, the last loose tooth- not such a big deal....my very favorite and most cherished is when the children have the two front teeth gone!!! I love it.  I cherish it.  I stare at them and stare at them, I make them talk and say very difficult words and sit back and smile!  I don't know why but I cannot seem to get enough of it....looking at that adorable space in the front of their smile.  They talk a certain way, they eat a certain way and it is simply beautiful to me! 
So-- my fourth and last, Sammy, is here and I find I really don't want to see those two new grown up teeth break the gums. It is a sign for me.  Once those two teeth come in...well....they are big and grown up and it changes their whole face.  Of course, I realize that it is a wonderful new stage but I still want to hold on to the "baby."
God likes me to keep moving forward.  I kick and scream at this in my life but growth happens when I keep moving on.  I get so comfortable in keeping things the same that I forget about his progress as I grow.  I am reminded of this as I look at that beautiful gap in Sammy's mouth.  God wants me to not only cherish where He has brought me, but to embrace the growth and the breaking of "new teeth"...silly metaphor I am sure but it encapsulates my spiritual life a bit.  It will be a new look for Sammy and as always so is growth in my spiritual life......but I need to embrace it...cherish each stage and milestone, even the new ones that change everything! Every milestone is significant and a sign of moving on...in my kids and my life!

Out with the Old

Twelve years ago we were given an upright piano.  This piano served us for so may wonderful years of children plunking and banging.  We were recently informed that our piano is beyond repair, untunable, ready for the dump!! Well- I know I don't have an ear for music- but I thought it was ok...nope!  So the endeavor began to find a new piano. So here are some pics of saying goodbye to our old friend......(mind you this was 2 weeks ago and they have said nothing since because the new piano sounds so wonderful)

so serious

so dramatic

so emotional

you would think we were saying goodbye to an old friend??

And the new prize :)

A reason for sports

What a cutie!! So proud of her!

Level 4's..tallest one there!

5th for 9 years olds...way to go Annabelle

For the love of the game!!

Another weekend of events....indoor soccer and gymnastics! Annabelle had her first gymnastics meet this weekend and had a wonderful experience.  After a morning of glitter hairdo and no appetite I had a heart to heart with her in the car.  She was overwhelmed with anxiety and was struggling, I took the opportunity to share with her why we do sports- it was a good reminder for me too!  I was able to reflect on many thoughts that Rob and I have had through the years.  My kids are involved in a lot of sports, sometimes too many.  Many people ask me why we do what we do, and how we do what we do????  We have many reasons why- I have NO idea how!!! But...I shared with Annabelle 3 points which we always go back to:

1. God gave us the ability, one of the ways we thank Him and bring glory to Him is by doing the things He created us to do and gave us the ability to do

2.To have fun!! Always!

3. Life lessons- There are so many things that God wants to teach us from what we are involved in.  Sports teach us about diligence, discipline, disappointment, reward, working with others, and so many other things.  These lessons are invaluable.

It doesn't matter about winning, losses have many lessons too, or points....although those things make it fun, we work and play to the best of our abilities and see what God has to teach us through all of it.  I am sure none of this is news to anyone, we all have reasons why our kids are involved, I just thought I would share ours!

Winter Wonderland...Finally

We finally got some snow this winter!!!!  This has been long awaited in our family.  The only disappointing part about getting snow in this area is that it usually disappears the next day and there is hardly any accumulation.  Not so this time!! In fact- the snow has just begun to melt today, almost a whole week later.

The joys of children staying out in the snow for hours still occurs in this family.  I really don't know how they do it.  One day- Sammy and Annabelle were taken by friends to sled all afternoon, upon returning, they never even made it into the house.  It wasn't until 2 hours later, 1 hour into darkness, that I was able to get them inside.  Meanwhile I wanted nothing more than to crawl under my electric blanket with my Kindle...I really am getting old!  Sammy tried to convince me that he should be able to spend the night in his snow fort, since his whole body fit in it!

School has been underway, barely.   I cringe when friends tell me how their children are on the bus to school by 6:20am....I pray my children never have to go to school- I don't think any of us would make it.  Winter seems to bring sleepiness among the Hock household.  We are waking around 7:15, children even later-----for Pete's sake- it is still dark then!! I know- I am not doing them any justice, and every night I commit to getting everyone up early the next morning.....it just doesn't happen! We have been getting things done though--- making fudge to demonstrate igneous rock, paper Indian villages with totem poles and all, writing and reading lots, it has all got to count for something, right? :)

I also took a short photography class last week, to be able to use my camera better.  I am trying and you all will get to see the results.  She told me never to use the "green box" or the flash again.  this takes a bit of the spontaneity out of picture taking for me but I am working on it.

We are running out of Hot Chocolate these days!

can't get the focus right

fun with neighbors

ok--so definitely cannot get the sports pics right

Fun art project

my boy!!!!!

Annabelle is about to have her first gymnastic meet and she is working so hard to get her final skill- The round off back handspring...she got it on the tramp

Christmas Cheer

It always seem such a whirlwind no matter how I plan it! The Christmas season has come and gone (but we are still celebrating with tree, music, and all). We had a wonderful Christmas  and New Year celebration but cannot seem to make it last long enough.  I am not ready, by any means, for the start of schedules and activities and school but we are trying.  Early mornings just are NOT happening though. There are more updates and pics to come and I am making a goal to try to blog a bit more to keep updates flowing.  Hope everyone had a great Holiday season.

"Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse....the children were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads."

Christmas morning elation!!!

All hands on deck...Christmas tradition- making pigs ears.

Only 9 and already has great pigs ear technique!

And....more sweets

All I want for Christmas......

Prized Christmas present...basketball hoop!

Winter Happenings

The winter is underway and Christmas is almost here!! I have so enjoyed all the fun celebrations....performances, parties, sweets, traditions, and simple slow times.  Joseph's play has been amazing and we are entering the last weekend of performances.  He has become quite the little actor.  Annabelle has her first gymnastics meet.  It was a non- competitive practice meet.  I haven't watched her in so long and it was a delight to watch her, improving so much.  MacKenzie and Sammy are just enjoying a slower winter schedule with all the fun happenings of Christmas.  We have cherished our at home evenings and reading our Advent favorite..."Jotham's Journey!" We are preparing our hearts and minds for a precious celebration and remembrance of what has been and what is to come.



The Biggest tree yet!!!!

It is quite a tree, hung 3 feet longer than the Suburban, fell over twice, and it is still drinking water1

Such fun with friends

It didn't fall over until ALL the decorations were on

Our snazzy little gymnast

Sweet girl

She did the "lip thing" all day....nerves!

Happy times

I really don't love the opening of decoration boxes...anyone with me??



A Star is Born

The advent season is underway and I am trying to enjoy every moment of it!  We have so many exciting things happening, but top on the list is......The Velveteen Rabbit!  For the past several months Joseph has been rehearsing for a big production of this Christmas play at the local theatre. He is definitely a little actor and we are so proud of him.  He has impressed everyone, especially with his lines memorized 2 weeks into rehearsals and mastery of solo songs!!  Opening night is tonight and the play will run for 3 weeks and I thought I would give you a taste, or preview, depending on where you are from. Enjoy!