It can’t be December again right? Somehow we now have an 8 month old boy who is on the move and a 3.5 year old princess. This year has been full of blessings. January and February were pretty quiet as we prepared to transition to a family of four. In March we celebrated Princess K’s birthday and awaited baby brother’s arrival. We are so very thankful that he arrived in his own timing with no induction necessary and no epidural needed for momma. I know some of you think I’m crazy but the recovery was so much easier! If we want to do it again is still to be determined. 🙂
I was able to be off from work for 8 weeks, and Dustin’s company has amazing benefits and he was able to be home with the kids for 12 weeks before returning to work. All completely paid for him. I seriously need to figure out how I can be a pharmacist/wellness coach or something for Automattic. 🙂 During this time I was able to launch my new blog PharmToTable. If you haven’t followed me over there please go check it out and share it with your friends and family. You can also find me on facebook and instagram.
June and July were also pretty low key, but I didn’t get much sleep because buddy boy liked to eat all night. We did get to head to Nashville in early July to visit our good friends Bethany and Josh. Bethany and I went to pharmacy school together. Princess K and their daughter had a blast together. Wish we could see them more.
Late July we had a bridal shower for my youngest sister Ashley in preparation for the big day in September. We also spent a weekend in early August at Grandma and Grandpa Hartzler enjoying the pool and catching up with Dustin’s cousin and friends from high school that he has stayed in touch with. It was a lot of fun and the kids enjoyed playing together. Hopefully we can make it an annual event.
September is sort of a blur, we headed to Daytona Beach for a week of vacation the week of Labor day. We took Dustin’s parents with us as they enjoy Florida and enjoy being with us and the kiddos for a week. Unfortunately despite us traveling to Florida the last several years in September, this year hurricane season was in full force and we had to evacuate due to Hurricane Irma. It was a little bit of a stressful end to our trip but we made the trek to Atlanta and took a flight back to Cincinnati. Daytona ended up not really getting hit much but they didn’t really know which way Irma was going.
After we got home, Dustin turned around and headed to Whistler, Canada for the Automattic Grand Meetup. He really enjoys this week of learning and engaging with his colleagues that he typically only chats with text based. I held down the fort for 8 days and went to work (let’s just say i’m not doing that again… if I can help it!). Then the last week of September we celebrated my youngest sister’s wedding to Ryan our new brother- in-law. Our kids have two Aunt Ashley’s, and now one is married to a Ryan and one to a Brian. Not confusing at all. 🙂 We love them all. Check out our post and some of the wedding photos here. I’m a little biased but my nephew and my kids were so cute all dressed up.
October also went quickly. Dustin had a WordCamp in Michigan, and we also took a weekend to travel to DC to visit our good friends Rebecca and Glen who were living there while Glen was teaching in the Cedarville DC semester. Dustin hadn’t been to DC and I haven’t been since the 8th grade trip. It was fun to go and stay with them and see real DC living. Princess K and their little boy have literally been buds since they were born.
November was a bit more low key, Dustin attended WordCamp Cincinnati where he was the Keynote speaker! And I went to Charlotte, NC for a few days to speak. We enjoyed Thanksgiving at the Hartzler’s this year and got to see Brian and Ashley’s brand new beautiful home they built down the street from Dustin’s parents.
December is off to a great start. Princess K had her first dance holiday show and both sets of grandparents were able to attend. And we celebrated my nephew’s (Jaclyn’s little one) 1st birthday a little bit early. As in the past, I’m writing this letter on my flight to the American Society of Health System Pharmacists Meeting. This year it’s in sunny Orlando. Excited for a possible dip in the pool tomorrow morning for my exercise. It’s supposed to be 80 and and sunny tomorrow. It’s a quick trip this time since baby boy is at home with Daddy.
We are looking forward to our first Christmas as a family of four and are excited to spend time with our family and friends this holiday season. We hope our home can reflect the true meaning of Christmas and celebrate our Savior’s birth.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” ~Luke 2:11-14
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