Dia de Los Reyes

I think it was last year at this time when a dear friend and I were talking about Christmas traditions that we would like to have in our families. Some families believe in Santa others don't. Some people have a Christmas trees others don't. Some families have a simple Christmas while other families go all out. So what about us...

Well, Jeff and I talked about it and we will have a tree...but we wont have Santa...we want to really keep it simple and focused.... we also want to make sure that we keep in the front of our minds the real meaning behind Christmas.

In the Spanish Culture they celebrate not only Christmas with Family and Friends but they also celebrate the day of the three wise men. The night of the 5th of January children decorate three shoe boxes and put them at the feet of there bed with hay in them. When the children wake up on the 6th of January, the next morning, the hay is gone and they have 3 gifts in their boxes. Just as though the wise man came by there bed ate the hay and left each child three gifts. Well, Jeff and I have decided that we are going to take that tradition as our own. Change it up a little to make it our own. We are going to have our children make 3 shoe boxes...Decorate them and all. And than they will set them out on Christmas Eve with a little hay in each box. And each Christmas our children will get three gifts. Just like the wise man left for baby Jesus. It will hopefully be a tradition that will keep Jeff, our children and I focused on the real meaning of Christmas. Just thought I would share one Christmas Tradition for our house to yours...

Where in the World Are the Mabry's

For those of you that keep on asking for an update on our lives...via our blog...I have to let you know that blog posting have been slim because our laptop computer...our APPLE has decided to slowly fizzle out....So we are on a hunt for a new one...oh life.

But here is an update from Oklahoma city...I sit here and write as Addie has just gone to bed...

Well...Its officially that time of the year. Christmas Time. Right now Jeff and I are in Oklahoma visiting with his family. We have been having a nice time so far. We got here on the 12th of December and leave on the 26th. 2 weeks in Oklahoma, wow! It has been one week so far and we have already done so much. The first couple of days we stayed with his dad and step mom and rested from our flight out here...(Which by the way Addie did great-I did nurse her the whole way -great plan) than we headed to Denton, TX, to spend some time with my Grandparents. We had a very enjoyable time with them. After getting back to Oklahoma City we spent a couple of days with his mom. It was nice to spend time with her as well. And now we are back with his dad and step mom for the rest of the trip. But we have a lot of things planned...Well Jeff does...I just kind of follow...We have friends to see and other family members to catch up with throughout the next week. So we will be kept busy. We are always so busy when we are here, but we always have a good time.

On the other hand...Adelyn is doing well...She is crawling everywhere, pulling herself up on everything...saying DADADADA...to DADADADA and now finally she is say NANAMANANAMA to me... We went to the Pediatrian right before we left for her 9 month appointment and she is now 19.2 pounds, 27 1/2 inches long... She is growing... Before ya know it she will be 1..Oh my BEBEITA! AHAHAH....

Halloween

This year Addie was a pea pod for Halloween. I took her to Covenant the Friday before Halloween so that people could see her in the little peapod and we did a little trick or treating between the class rooms....But for actual Halloween we did not go out with her. Instead we went over to the Roeder Family's for a Bonfire. We had a lot of fun...Here are some cute pics that I took later on....

7.5 months and counting

Well....I know it has been forever since I have actually written anything on our family blog. I haven't been very good about it. I will try to do a better job...Maybe if I tell myself that I will write an update once a week maybe I actually will do it. It is just hard because when Adelyn does go down for a nap I try to do a million things...and honestly writing or putting pictures on our family blog are far from my everyday thoughts. Maybe I should reevaluate my life...and just realize that this is how it is....All the mothers out there know what I mean...Anywhooo...I will continue to try and strive better to update this a little more. Because I know you all want to hear stories and adventures of the Mabry household. : )

Here is an update on each of our lives this fall....

Jeff - At the end of the summer Jeff started his Outdoor Education season. This is when schools from around the Indianapolis areas come for different periods of time to do outdoor education classes...Like Wild Indiana Edibles and Fenn and River Ecology...and fun stuff like that...I know you are thinking Wild Indiana Edibles....Have you ever heard of a paw paw plant?...it is known as the Indiana Banana...He tried to get me to eat it...I did eat it...it was okay..Nothing I would actually eat on a daily basis....So he has the school groups that come in for outdoor education and than he also has church and business groups that come out for retreats and team building activities...So even though it was supposed to slow down in the fall he has actually been keeping himself pretty busy. But this is Flat Rocks last week of Outdoor Education and than it is just church groups and some business/club groups that come and use the camps facilities for the weekends or days during the week. So if you know of anyone that is needing a place to have a retreat for a day or a weekend..You should think about coming to Flat Rock... So now that we are going into the slow season...so to speak....What does Jeff get to do? Well, he is getting to work on planning for next year, recruiting, cutting down trees, maintenance and his favorite....working on the rock climbing quarry....so he will keep himself busy I am sure....

Adelyn - For an update on the best thing around here, Adelyn. Well, Addie is now 7 1/2 months old.. It is crazy... She is probably about 20 pounds... We don't go back to the doctor until her 9 month check up so I am not sure how much she weighs right now. She is now officially crawling...She crawls everywhere....she is a crawling maniac...She also learned how to pull herself up on to the couch and on us...She loves to climb...Hmmm....I wonder where she gets that from???? Jeff says, "lets get that girl a harness and some climbing shoes." I say, "she is 7 months old." So now Jeff is looking for the gear online....Good luck Jeff...HA HA HA... So Addie can climb...She has also been talking a lot...and saying...DADADADADBABALAMADADA a lot...Notice there is a lot of DADADA in there...She loves her DADADADA...When he gets home from work she laughs and squeals at him...Its cute.

Stephanie - Me...Well, I am getting use to the camp life once again in my life... I have been trying to get to know the area and some people. I go to a MOPS group at a local church every other week and I am starting to get to know some women in the area. But it is still hard because they all have friends already and a lot of them have grown up in the area so they are established. But I keep going anyway... And I still meet with friends in Indianapolis so that keeps me saine.... But overall I don't think I would change anything...Even though at times I go through a little city withdrawl and I miss the kids I used to teach and the people I worked with...It is hard to think I would have to leave Addie everyday...So right now I try to look at each day as a blessing...It has been hard for me to come to terms with this...But every time I look at Addie I see it...that blessing...and I know I made the right choice...

Anyways...speaking of that little girl she just got up from her nap....Which she actually took today...So I have to get going...I hope you enjoy my update. And I will try to do a better job at updating more regularly. : )

Addie and her favorite toy!

Mini-Vacay

About 2 weeks ago, Jeff, Addie and I packed up the car and drove to Michigan for our mini-vacay. We spent 5 days there and had a lot of R&R time. We went to Lake Michigan one day, did some hiking, visited with friends and family, did some reading and chilling. While we were there we also took some pictures. Addie is getting so big. She is now 5 months and 2 weeks and has 1 tooth coming in and another one poking through on the bottom. I can't believe it! She also can sit for a log period of time before she does a sideway dive. Adelyn is now rolling front to back and scooting backwards. The other day I put her on her blanket in the living room, went into the kitchen to get some water and when I came back around corner she had scooted all the way off the blanket and had her foot was stuck under a book case. I can't wait till she can really move. : )

Addie

Addie with mama in Lester Lake at Warner Camp

Pic #2 of Addie in Lester Lake

Pic of Jeff and Addie getting ready to go hiking

Addie

Here are some more pictures of her as we play around with her on a blanket outside of the cottage that we stayed at.

Addie wobbling?

Addie just looking

Addie sitting...

Morning Girl

I have decided that Adelyn is a morning girl. GREAT FOR ME! Because I love to get up early...If you know me at all that is sarcasm. But I am getting better at this early morning stuff...as long as I can move slow...That is why I usually drink coffee, feed Addie and watch the Today for an hour every morning to wake myself up. Here are some pictures of Adelyn this morning Jumping in her Jumparoo!

Rescue

After Addie was swinging for a couple of minutes Jeff and I came to the rescue because she started to get upset.

So after a min with Dad, Addie went back into the swing.

Thanks to the Heiney's!

Thanks to the Directors Family at Flat Rock we now have a swing! And even though it has been sitting in our yard for a couple of weeks it is now up! Yesterday we took Addie to swing and the pictures are a result of her first swing....

Adelyn when I first put her in the swing...She is not to sure about this...

As I stepped away.. Mom?

After Awhile...

And than Addie said, "Hmmm...I like this rope"

At the end I think she thought, "this isn't too bad."

14 pounds!!!

ISNT SHE THE CUTEST THING!!!

Today we went to the doctor for Addie's 4 month check up. Can you believe it, 4 months! She is now 14 pounds...She may look little to most people but she is a chunk! I love every little chunk though. After the Dr.Apt Addie and I went to Target and we wandered the aisles....It is sad but Target seems like Macy's to me compared to the Walmart in Shelbyville. Oh the life of a country bumkin! HELP!!!! HA HA HA....

Crazy Summer

Well the title of this entry tells it all. It has been a crazy summer so far. So I am sorry if people have gotten on here to see pics of Addie and have seen little updating. But Adelyn and I have been running all over the midwest. In the last few weeks we have been to Warner Camp 3 times and to 2 weddings (in different towns) and have been to Indianapolis multiple times to get things situated. To give you a little glimpse into what Jeff, Addie and I were doing to get our lives situated the last couple of months, here it is, we got our house ready and rented, traded in two cars for 1 car and cleaned and packed up my classroom. Which are all things that have needed to be done since we moved to the big booming town of St. Paul in April. So we are all really excited that we can begin slowing our lives down and stay in one place for a little while. Even though this is Jeff's busy season at camp. I am glad that I can stay in one spot with Adelyn for a little while. Life can be pretty rough running around with a little baby. It takes a lot of energy and patience. Below are pictures from the some one of the weddings and tummy time the other day. She is getting so big! Her head is now moving as she watches people and Molly move around the room and she is kicking and cooing....

Addie sitting on the chair

Tummy Time!

Look at me!

This is my cousin Amy and I.

Cousins, cousins and more cousins

Addie's dress bottom..isn't it cute!

3 Months

I can't believe it Adelyn is 3 months old as of yesterday! Crazy how time flies. If I think about the last 3 months I am not to sure how I made it. But I did it. I still have some things to finish...like cleaning up my room at school. But soon I might be able to breath. : ) I took these pictures of her today. And you can thank my mother for the headbands...I am not to sure what I think but she looks pretty stinking cute.

Running on Empty

I am running on empty...The last two weeks I have been at work once again. I give props to women who can work and be a breastfeeding mom to a 10 week old. Because I am worn out. My schedule for the last two weeks has been; I wake up at 5 am (if I am not already up) to feed Addie and pump, 5:45- hand baby to my dad or mom so I can take a shower, 6:10- get everything she needs for sitter by the door, 6:15 eat breakfast while I feed Addie, 7:00 - leave for school, 7:!5 - drop Addie off at the sitter, 7:20- drive to school, 7:30- arrive at school, 8:00 - start teaching high school students in Spanish till 3:35 while pumping in the girls locker room office every 2 hours, 3:45 - go pick Addie up from Sitters, 4:15 - get home, 4:30ish - feed Addie and continue to feed and carry her around till about 7:00 because she doesn't want anyone else but her MAMA....7:00-get things ready for the next day, 8:00ish - give Addie a bath, 8:30 feed Addie, 9:00 - Lay Addie down, 9:15ish- Pump again, 9:45ish - get myself ready for bed, 1-3am - Feed Addie when she wakes and pump, After feeding try to get a little more sleep till I have to wake up again at 5am. And I have been doing this without my husband for the last two weeks. But luckily I have one more week left till I say Adios to work for a little while. And can breath. I am not to sure how single mothers do all this everyday. I would go CRAZY!!!! I am so happy that I have a loving husband that continues to support me through my crazy and emotional state. And if you are asking why I am in such an emotional state. Well #1 I am leaving my job that I have loved for the last 5 years to stay at home with a little munchkin that I will love for the rest of my life. #2 We are trying to get our house ready to rent, while Jeff and I are both working full time at work and not living at our house in Indianapolis. Does anyone know anyone that wants to rent a house??? Or maybe buy one??? #3 We are trying to get our cars all in working order so we can sell at least one. Know anyone that wants to buy a Chrysler Pasifica?? -44,000 miles, its a nice car we just don't need two any more....# 4 I have moved in with my parents for the last few weeks and I feel displaced and missing my own place, plus its the week before my brother's wedding, so its getting a little loco!! #5 Speaking of new places. We are now living in the middle of no where and I feel like my life is on pause as my husbands life has gone on -because he is living there and I am with my parents in Indianapolis - once again .... But as my mother says...this too shall pass...just be praying for me....I AM GOING CRAZY....

Bath Time With Mom

Here are some pictures of Adelyn at bath a couple of days ago. I think they are so cute I had to share them. Todoay she is 10 weeks old. How time flies...

Life Change #2

Well..The next bit of news might be new news to some of you and old news to others of you. But just so that everyone knows. The Mabry's are moving again! Or wait we already have! Some of you knew about the fact that in December Jeff applied for a job as a Program Director for Flat Rock River YMCA Camp, in Saint Paul, Indiana and that he got it. (Check out www.flatrockymca.org) This was a huge blessing because it allows me the chance to be able to stay home with Adelyn for as long as I want. And we don't have to mess with daycare or trying to find the money for a nanny. Childcare is expensive and we would of been able to make it, but it would have been a crazy life. This job allows us both to have a life, a quality of life that Jeff and I have talked about having when we have kids. And although I am very excited to be able to provide care for Adelyn and begin this adventure of camp life with Jeff. I am also very anxious for the change. I will be returning back to school to finish out the school year at Covenant Christian on the 13th of May (a week from today). And than I will be packing up my classroom and saying goodbye to a great group of kids and friends that I have made during my last 5 years at Coveant. So I am a little weary and yet excited for the up coming 2 1/2 weeks. I will be closing that chapter of my life, in a way. However, I know that my relationships will grow at Covenant, even though I am in St. Paul. Doors close and others open... And I still grow.

So now that you know all that information. Do the Mabry's live in Indinaplis or Saint Paul still? We now live in St. Paul, IN. We moved a couple of weeks ago. So I have not only been trying to take care of a newborn, but I have also been moving and unpacking. HELP!!! But things are beginning to settle down in our new place. Thanks to the Mabry visitors. Jefff and my family have been big helps through the moving process. And I am so glad that they got the chance to visit! : ) On the other hand we are now in the process of finishing up some touch up projects on our old house so we can put it up for rent. Know anyone that would like to rent a house in Indianapolis? Anyways. Once that is done and rented, I will feel so much better about life.
So needless to say my life has been a whirlwind.....I will try and keep you better updated in the future.

Keep the Mabry's in your prayers as we continue on in our adventure....

Life Change #1

Life has brought about many changes for the Mabry's the last 2 months... The number 1 change in our life is how fast Addie is growing right before our eyes. Here are some pictures of her last week!

Addie is growing so fast!! She has started to smile and wiggle around. I am not to sure how much she weighs right now. Her next dr.'s appointment is in another week or so, but you can see from the pictures above that she is filling out and growing. Recently she has even firgured out how to sleep for 5 hours in a row at night, so we are happy for that. She has been a wonderful joy to have in our family.