Building A Legacy: Update!!! Update!!!

Quiet

(churp churp)

Update Update

It's been quiet here on my blogspot. A lot continues to fill up our lives but with the business I haven't found myself as much on the computer (or in their baby books (sorry boys!) as I'd like. So- since a lot has happened in the last year lets do a quick update :)

Ruthie- she is in KINDERGARTEN and LOVES school. I can't even bribe her with a day home with mom because she's so excited to be at school with her friends. She's definitely an extrovert if I didn't know so already!

She lost her first tooth in late November after mommy returned home from Haiti (which needs to be it's own separate blog post) She was so brave and so excited to loose a tooth. She pulled it right out at the dinner table, called Gaga Stube to show her, and then finished eating. Her adult tooth was already halfway in when she lost her tooth so she didn't go without a tooth ;) Her second bottom tooth is about to come out as well and already her adult tooth is moving up and in! Crazy! I didn't know it happened like that. Ruthie received a special gift from the tooth fairy- $2.00 and a bag on m&m's. She was so excited.

She's easily making friends at her school. She is learning all about bully's and how to stick up for her friends and classmates. It's hard but I love her heart and how much she cares for others around her.

She rides the bus on a regular basis and just informed me yesterday that she finally has an assigned seat in the very very back with Kenzie. Speaking of Kenzie- Ruthie informed us at the beginning of the year that she likes the name Kenzie more and she'd like to go by Kenzie. :) She also tells people her name is Kenzie or Ruthie Kenzie Stube. :) She's writing on her own during kid writing and her sentences are becoming more interesting and fun to see what sparks her interests each day. This Friday she's going on a field trip to see Rapunzel at State College High School and I get to go with her and experience the show with her! Yay!

In December Ruthie turned SIX! And now all of a sudden she thinks she's six and a half. This girl loves getting older! For her birthday I took her to the mall to get her ears pierced. She wasn't a fan of the pain that she experienced with it- but after a few minutes she was back to smiles and excited her ears were pierced. What a big six year old thing to do!

We celebrated her birthday with a party with some of her close friends. It was Christmas themed so we made gingerbread houses, painted ornaments, and listened to Christmas songs. It was fun, low key, and I even had some of my friends there to help keep me sane!

Brayden- my little preschool man! He LOVES school but hates getting ready in the mornings. He's my slow mover, my introvert, and that combination makes Tue/Thurs mornings hard! Once we're in the car and the music is on- he's excited- it's just having to eat, get dressed, and keep moving that makes his mornings less desirable. He's a one on one man so he has made a friend and talks about him often. ;) So sweet.

Brayden still struggles with his allergies and still struggle to make him comfortable. We just started him on Singular and it's the first time we've not had him in our beds for three straight nights. His attitude has been a lot more manageable as well. I'm hoping and praying the rest of winter goes smoother and he'll feel comfortable and stay healthy. Brayden turns FOUR in a month and I can't believe it! He's very excited as we've started planning his very special birthday party. It's one of those- I want two friends and Ruthie deals so it's pretty sweet from a party planning angle. We'll be bouncing at the Bounce House for a few hours and having some "pup cakes" (cupcakes!)

Brayden is starting to get tall- I'm anxious to hear what his doctor thinks at his next well visit in February. His brother is quickly closing the gaps ;)

Marshall- my bold-headed, nothing is quiet, everything is messy, he's ALL BOY and I know what that means now sweet Boy! I can't believe we're approaching the Two's with my baby. I'm hoping that we hit the terrible two's early and we'll have a much easier 3rd year then his 2nd! Wow! Did I mention he's strong willed? I spend most of the day cleaning up what he just destroyed. He runs towards everything in life- (always head first... ouch!) He loves to climb, build, destroy and is starting to speak a little more (finally!) I feel once he can really communicate he'll be less fussy. I think currently, he just can't communicate his needs and wants and that is frustrating.

Words: Mommy, Daddy, Hi, bye, Love you, Night night, thank you, please, I want down, poo poo, car, puppy, Ru Ru, Bray Bray, Joel, Daniel, Ella, Gaga, Pa, Opa, milk, I want more, drink, water, spoon, fork, all done. And then we have some... um... "words" Wawa (waffle) Bobwa (cookie, of course!)

He can reach almost anything that we "hoped" would be out of reach! I find him constantly carrying around sharp objects that he's reached from the top counter. It's been a while since his last appointment but he was 35 + inches tall and I think he's grown atleast another inch!

We're all doing well- enjoying the start to a New Year!! We had a wonderful Christmas with too many sweets and lots of love and celebration. We're winding down from our sugar high with a healthier beginning to our year. Kids really haven't fussed so much for the "junk" they sometimes receive for snacks, etc... but instead have really enjoyed going through lots of fruits and veggies. I'm not saying the goldfish and the fruit snacks are out for good- but I love how they ask for apples and bananas and other yummy options.

Jon is trying to finish up his doctorate program by Spring. We're very hopeful and I'm encouraged that he'll find the time and energy to finish strong. He's switched his schedule around a bit to give him some strong hours to work on nothing but his paper! He's amazing! I'm proud!

I'm doing well- happy. Just enjoying this crazy fast paced life. I can't believe my quickly these years are rushing by. This year I'm joining a local MOPS group. I'm really looking forward to getting out with some ladies in this area. I also will be helping out in Youth Ministry again- I'm so excited. God used my special time in Haiti to get my heart ready for youth ministry again. Lucy Mylin was a big influence on this decision. It's been really great to get to know her again. It's like we didn't skip a beat but instead of her being four she's now 13! Crazy... right?!?!

Here are some pictures to try and catch you up as well:

Spending time in Haiti with Lucy Mylin

Such a blessing to have her along on such a special trip

Ruthie celebrating her sixth birthday with some of her special friends from preschool, kindergarten, and cousins and neighbors. We decorated gingerbread houses and painted ornaments

My Thanksgiving Babes- I'm so thankful for these sweet kiddos. They're also sporting their turkey shirts we made <3

Ruthie Ru on picture day! Her smile is contagious.

Happy Thanksgiving! Having sparkling drinks before the feast.

Happy 7th Anniversary to my bestest friend. We celebrated by riding our bikes to the PSU game- we watched them lose but had such a fantastic time together. And I rode to and fro! Yay! Love you sweetie.