New Years Resolution

Wow, 2013 feels like a wisp. It's hard to believe this past year has come and gone so quickly. It has been a year full of change for the Olsons. Here is a list of some of the main events in our lives this past year:
January: Finding out I was pregnant with Carrie!
February: Making the BIG decision to move back to Grand Rapids.
March: Lyddi's first birthday! Announcing to our Jarvis friends we were leaving- very tough. Announcing to our GR family and friends we were returning- very exciting.
April: Many farewell cookouts and time spent with our friends in Jarvis.
May: Preparing mentally and physically for another move- our 4th one in 4 years.
June: Moving in with Kasey's parents and then a wonderful 10 day trip in Hawaii with Kasey's family! Then Zach began his new job and we entered into our new church family.
July: House-hunting…ugh. Finding our new home and moving in while 7 months pregnant and with a one year old- whew!
August: Transitioning. Many doctors appointments, re-connecting with family/friends and unpacking.
September: Transitioning. Carrie is born, a beautiful and healthy girl!
October: Transitioning. A blur of sleepless nights as well as some tough baby blues. Zach and I finding our rhythm with 2 girls under the age of 2.
November: Transitioning. Zach and I going on our first "post-Carrie's-birth" date night to see "Hunger Games Catching Fire" - so good. Carrie's baptism!
December: Transitioning. Celebrating our Savior's birth! Carrie slept through the night! (It was only 1 night but we'll take it!)

This past year has brought deep joy and great blessings as well some unexpected challenges. As I now reflect on the year I'm able to see more clearly God's faithfulness- even if I don't see all His purposes. It's quite amazing how quickly life can completely change. A good reminder to be grateful for each day and the many blessings He provides. Blessings like: meaningful conversations, genuine encouragement, phones to talk to dear friends far away, enough food for each day, health!, warm towels out of the dryer, God's promises, laughter!, delighting in children, hot showers, toothpaste, new opportunities…just to name a few.

I'm not a big New Years resolution person, but this year I'm doing it. And I'm telling you about it because I want the accountability. I feel like I am continually working at disciplining myself in regard to my time with God. I need it. I want it. Yet so often I let my pride and the excuse of being busy replace that time with Him. And so often my time with Him is spent in small windows throughout the day in prayer and trying to read a quick devotional and have a quick quiet time. Not that that is a bad thing…with 2 young kids it's reality some days. But I still want to keep working on it.

I was thinking about what book I wanted to focus on and Psalms jumped into my mind. I thought the book of Psalms would be a great book to study, since David cries out to God with every possible emotion throughout it…kind of like parenting huh?!  :-) My goal is to study the first 12 chapters, one each month. I want to read them thoroughly, meditate on them daily, memorize portions of them, and grow through them. So that's my resolution. Please ask me about it. Keep me accountable. I am really looking forward to seeing how God will speak to me and grow me through this goal.
I hope you have a great New Years celebration and are looking forward to the year with energy and joy! God is good- always. I hope you find that truth in your lives this year.

Merry Christmas!

The day before Christmas Cal and Hannah came over to hang out while we baked and got ready for the night. Here we are having a "rest" after I worked out. We all did a few rounds of push-ups and were pooped out.

 Here we are at Dad and Tracy's. Carrie and the guys...

 Lyddi and Auntie Sheesh.

 Tracy found these great Berenstain Bears games for the girls (and me!). I love the Berenstain Bears. Great find Trace!

 On Christmas morning we woke up and came downstairs to open up our stockings. It was so fun to watch Lyddi enjoy the celebration.

 After a great worship service, we headed to my folks place for the afternoon. We had an opportunity to take a family shot. Getting a good photo with 2 kids under the age of 2 takes a few attempts.
First try...

 Number 2...

 Number 3...

Good enough!

 Grandma playing with Lyddi.

 Carrie, in her true Christmas spirit, wore her reindeer booties.

 Grandma reading to 5 of her 10 precious jewels.

 Care didn't want to miss a thing.

 Cheese!

Blake had Lyddi for the name draw and got Lyddi a ladybug on wheels. It was a HIT!

 The best gift we received this year...

We hope you all enjoyed a Christ-filled Christmas as you celebrated our Savior's birth- without a doubt the best gift ever offered! May your hearts be filled with His grace, compassion, peace and love in 2014.   Love, The Olsons

Carrie's 3 Month Photo Shoot!

Wow, 3 months old already. That's hard to believe. The last few months are a bit of a blur of late night feedings, spit up, laundry, and changing diapers… and we couldn't be more thankful. I'm also thankful for cameras to capture precious moments, especially when my memory is seriously lacking. Carrie is a happy, healthy baby who is so sweet we nicknamed her, "Smiles." She is quick to share her sweet smiles with whoever holds her. Here are some pictures of Carrie, 3 months old.

 Starting to get sick of this Mom...

 No more pictures!
 
Sweet little pose.

 Here's the money shot. :-)

 Giving Daddy a big smile.

 Sisters.

 Cheese!

 Just chill'n on the couch together.

Life Lately...

We have been enjoying a fun fall transitioning into winter. We got enough snow this past week for some shovelling and sled rides. Below is a picture of Lydia wearing her snow suit for the first time. I am smiling because I am happy to have successfully gotten the thing on her (not an easy task)!

 Zach picked up a shovel for Lyddi so she can help Daddy.

 Carrie continues to grow and is a happy, healthy little girl. She loves to watch her big sister.

I snapped this picture while getting dinner ready…check out that smile!

Someone's ready to eat...

When I looked at this picture I didn't see my baby anymore…she is a little girl! I am now understanding why, when I was a little girl, my aunts and uncles would always say, "We need to put a book on your head to stop you from growing up so fast!"

This year we are excited to teach Lyddi the reason we celebrate Christmas. Mimi (Tracy) bought us these nativity window stickers that make a great visual to teach the wonderful story. 

Lydia especially enjoyed the Advent calendar chocolate. Although it's a tough concept to understand that she can't eat all the chocolate in one day.

 A sweet shot of Lyddi looking at some pictures with Grandpa and her cousins.

We hope you are all enjoying the anticipation of Christmas. May the peace and joy of Christ dwell in your hearts this season!

Say "CHEESE!"

Lyddi now understands that when the camera is out, she gets to smile and say "Cheese!" She is one BIG smiler, as you can see. 

Oh dear Lyddi, how we adore that smile!

Carrie's Baptism

November 17 marked Carrie's baptism day! It was, again, so special to witness Zach baptizing his daughter. 

Zach invited all the kids to come up so they could get a better view of the baptism. It was neat to see Carrie's cousins gathered around her.

Care did a great job during the service. 

After the service we enjoyed some Costco cake and fellowship. Below Lyddi is enjoying her cake with Auntie Hannah and Uncle Cal.

Lyddi and her Auntie Jayne.

Cousins acting crazy on the floor- the sugar probably had something to do with it. :-)

Zach wore a special tie for the occasion. (Thanks Mom for your help getting this made- it was a fun surprise for Zach.)

Dear Carrie, 

We pray you will come to know and love your Savior. We pray for wisdom and strength to do all we can to help you find your highest aim and greatest joy in serving Him!