Charleigh Update

Charleigh is changing in so many ways and all too fast for me!

She is already saying things and even putting two words together!  She is so fun to listen to. She (like her sister) loves to babble and talk all day.  So a majority of the time I have no idea what she is saying, but she sure does.  She just likes to hear herself....she's got lots of "air time" competition with Creighton around, so she is learning now, how to make herself heard, thus, is no longer my mild vocal level, but extra loud :)

She says the following words:
Hi
Mama
Dada
Sis
Tay (Taylor, her other brother)
Baba (bottle)
Uh-oh
biap (diaper)
moo (for cow)
ruf (for dog)


This list is exponentially longer than Jackson's was at 2! It's so crazy that she is already communicating somewhat clearly.  The only sign language I taught her was "all finished" and it's pretty darn cute when she is finished! :)

She weighed 20 pounds 13 ounces at her 1 year baby visit and was 31 inches long.  She is like 90% in height.

She is starting to walk more and is getting stronger and more confident everyday.  Its so cute to watch her.  She just seems SOOOO little to be walking, even though she is my oldest walker by months from her siblings.  She's just adorable and still takes lots of spills, thank goodness for a padded bum!

I love you Charleigh Tatum Berg.

Ramblings

This has been an insanely crazy week. Jeff hasn't been feeling well.  He spent his birthday and the next day couped up in the house and if you know him, at all, you know that it was bad for him to have done that.  So anyway, we are all glad Daddy is feeling a little better these days.

Charleigh is teething terribly and has a little cough and a lot of snot to go with it.  Poor baby is completely miserable! I feel so sorry for her, but all she wants is to be held and even then she still cries.  There isn't enough Motrin in the world to keep the pain away it seems.

Jackson had a really great day at school today, which was nice, because just yesterday he didn't.  It's strange really.  He has has two of his very best days on Thursdays.  That shocks me because Wednesday nights we are out later than every other night and it pushes bedtime late and so I assumed both times that he'd have harder days.  Wondering if there is correlation there!?

Creighton is absolutely doing great in school and loves it. She doesn't ever want to leave. She's with her best pal Marly and also with Mrs. Morgan, who was Jackson's teacher last year.  She's in heaven.

I got to spend most of the day today with JUST Creighton and that was so good. I rarely get to do that anymore.  We ran errands, we went to the Pet Store, which she used to call the Puppet Shop, now its the Puppy Shop :)  This alone should let this child know how much I love her. I can't stand pets of any kind and every time I go there I have to "hold" a puppy with her in the little room and EVERY time we do, the silly things pee and poop...literally EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.  I can't stand it!  But I do it for her, because she LOVES it.  Then we went to visit baby Evan and Kara again at the hospital and she loved that (and so did I).  I'd hold a newborn any day :)  Then we went to the library and that was fun. She met a new friend that will be in PreK next year at Ranch Heights.  They played *loudly* but well together for quite some time.  We came home, ate lunch with Daddy and Charleigh and then the two of us cuddled and took a nap together.  I really enjoyed my time with her!  She is a really great kid, especially when she's one-on-one! :)

I am one exhausted mom, wife and being.  Goodnight!

whew...its been awhile

Well after not having a computer (and sometimes not internet either for my iTouch) I am finally back!!!

I got caught up on all my blogs I read. I feel like SO much has gone on this month and I have a million and ten things to blog about...Hopefully now that we have a computer up and running I will be able to get on here more.

Charleigh is still in our room, although we moved her out of the bassinet and set up the crib. She is getting bigger by the moment and not a second goes by without all of us falling more in love with her! She's just too good to be true.  She had her well-baby visit this month and surpassed 12 pounds...at a whopping 13.8 pounds and is 26 inches long! She has rolls everywhere and is long, but still tiny for her age. :)

We had our termination of parental rights hearing about a month ago and it was granted so that is good news as this is now in its finalization stages. I can't wait to stand before the judge in our county and hear him declare this little girl a Berg, forever (until she marries, of course).  It's been a wild and awesome ride.  We are nearing the end of the legal side and looking so much forward to the rest of our lives together as a family. 

I signed Jackson up for public Pre-K next year and almost cried. He is just amazing and I love cuddling him up. I am so thankful that the school he will be going to is only 2 streets south of our house and we walk there all the time to go the park, so it's familiar (enough) to him. Jeff is looking forward to walking him to school each morning...awesomeness! We are working a little more intentionally on his Awana Cubbies verses this semester as he finally has showed interest in it without being prodded.  He is doing really well, but really wants the Cub E. Bear like his sweet friend Emma Kate. We'll see if he can get there by the summer. 

Creighton is never ever not singing or talking.  She is quite the actress in the making.  She's more animated than Pixar I believe.  There is never a dull moment with that kid. I just love her to pieces, even though she's so much like me it causes many bumps in our days.  Oh well. We're making it.  She is the best big sister (most of the time) to Charleigh.  She just loves her so much she forgets how fragile she is.  It's pretty awesome to see her with Charleigh...both of their eyes light up!

Jeff was in a minor major to us car accident this past month.  That was crazy. Neither of us have even been in an accident as the driver (only passenger one time) and so it was like walking a plank blindfolded for quite some time.  They totalled the car, which in the end I think will be better.  We will hopefully get the check monday and be looking for a new car.  We are very thankful we have wonderful insurance.  We are most thankful that Jeff is okay. His leg was injured but nothing major...just bruising and soreness.  His neck, thank the Lord, is doing okay.  It was emotionally rather hard on him because the 3 people in the other car were whisked away in an ambulance.  It was very sad, but we are so happy they only sustained minor injuries and will be fine.  That made it much easier to swallow.

I am doing some private lessons again and am loving that. Other than that I pretty much am loving on Charleigh and trying to keep up with Jax and Rae.  Its a blast. I am exhausted most days, but I must say that the month sans computer I have gotten a little more sleep under my belt. I am pretty sure there is a high coorelation there.

Pics to come soon!

Life Updated...:)

Our adoption process is rolling.  We did our fingerprints, we have a social worker, and we have a scheduled home study.  The home study is coming up on Monday.  I am more excited than nervous...which I am sure will rapidly reverse as Monday morning rolls in, but for now, I am just glad. I am grateful for open doors and for God's grace and provision through this time.  It does help that I really really LOVE paperwork and organizing and having tasks to do.  You think I am kidding, but I am not. I am a certified dork, and I am okay with that. :)  So, what might seem like a ton of overwhelming work to most, is actually a ton of fun for me. I love it.

Jackson: he is just amazing! I am so in love with this little boy.  Age four has been A-mazing for us.  He did a 180.  Yes, he is still active (quite active actually) but he is very much still my lover, my cuddler, my Mr. Charming.  He loves to watch himself in the mirror, he is a deep and quite thinker when he wants to think.  He has begun to enjoy his alone time (in small increments).  He is the best sleeper in the world--which seriously, wow!? I never thought I'd be able to say that about him.  He is a very good big brother to Creighton too.  I see him giving into her desires a lot of the time now, which is so awesome to see.  He adores his Daddy and me too! He tells me he loves me all the time and gives lots of cuddles, hugs and kisses!  I just love those big blue eyes and that blonde hair and that INCREDIBLY big heart.  He is learning so much in his preschool class and is doing very very well there this  year.  I love his teacher, too!  She has really connected with him to bring out the very best behavior and learning from him!  It's awesome.  Such a change just from this summer...I love you sweet boy!  Some of the things you really enjoy right now: drawing/writing in your 'bible study' (a batman notebook), sticks/rocks and climbing trees, absolutely LOVE swinging (and you do it for a long time almost everyday...you've mastered the pumping all by yourself now too!), books...specifically search and find ones (you are very detail oriented like your momma!), organizing (like me), dancing, movies (Ben-10 & Transformers are your two favs I think because you know I don't approve), and the color blue!

Creighton:  She is hilarious.  This kid has more facial expressions than ANY one/thing I know of.  Literally in one day we will see at minimum 40-60 different ones.  She is sassy and confident and such a leader!  Her teacher continually tells me each day how advanced she is.  I don't doubt that for a second. Her motor skills are out of this world...and you would think she has a motor in her with how much this child sings and talks...constantly.  I don't know how she keeps up with herself, because I have to try really hard every day.  She is still taking a nap about 90% of the time.  She is sleeping decently well at night now too which is nice. She just is a social butterfly and doesn't like being alone.  So, she doesn't particularly like it when she finds herself alone...so off to find mom or dad or 'bubba' when the eyes open.  Thankfully she still likes to fall back asleep with us in the early mornings.  She adores Jackson and does or tries to do EVERYTHING he does.  She'll have a hard time when he goes to big school I am sure.  She thinks she is about 8 I think...and acts like she's 13.  I can't imagine when she is actually that old...but one day at a time is doing us pretty well for now.  You are growing so much everyday and you are precious!  You love love love being a girl.  You flip your hair, you use your hips, you carry a little pink fluffy purse every day, you love dresses, you hate your hair being fixed though--and man is it WILD when it is not up, you love pink, you love babies and you are SO excited about being a big sister you can barely contain yourself.  You want everything Jackson wants...no matter what it is.  Its precious! I love you little silly mongoose! (even though you don't like it when I call you that!)

Jeff: Nikao is very busy right now and Jeff has been working a ton of hours and working really hard to get this ministry season rolling smoothly.  WOrking out kinks daily!  It's exhausting, but thankfully he's really good at it!  August was a crazy month with everything from vacation, birthday, anniversary, new ministry season and starting the adoption process.  It's been a true whirlwind...

Me: long before I knew we'd be going through the adoption process I decided not to lead a small group this year.  It's been a long time coming for me to have a season off and I am enjoying getting to not be in the big mix right now. It gives me more time to focus on the the two kids at home and the one on the way :)  I am really enjoying life right now and am loving where my kids are at.  I think it's been really fun to see how fast they grow up before your eyes.  I am at a good place. 

The other day we were swinging outside and Jackson asked where Charleigh and Jayson were.  I was trying to figure out how to age-appropriately answer that question when Creighton chimed in: with Jesus.  It was so simple.  So True.  So exactly what my heart needed to hear, and apparently hit the spot for Jackson's question too! I love it.

Another funny thing from Creighton: today, again while swinging, she said "Mommy I don't love you a little."  I thought maybe she was trying to be a little mean when she finished her sentence, "I love you berry much"  Melt my heart sweet girl. I love you berry much too!

What a day

I am not certain why today was such a difficult day with the kids, but man, was it a doozy. There wasn't so much one particular thing that happened, it was the every second on the second occurrence of outlandish behavior by BOTH of my children. We also had invited 3 different moms and their kids over for play today at our house. It was a little crazy but not too bad. There were 4 mommies and 8 kids. All of the other kids seemed to play so happily and fine, but mine were little heathens the entire time almost. Its so frustrating! I felt like a horrible mother during and after everyone was here. Lunch went relatively smoothly (I think they were starving--probably had a lot to do with it). Needless to say, I was wiped out by nap time and took one myself!

After nap, it was a little bit better for about an hour or so while we danced and sang and had lots of fun, and then out of nowhere the craziness began again. So I decided we were leaving the house and going to the pet store. I have no earthly idea what enticed this notion in my head, but at the time I thought it sounded better than going insane at home. I am happy to report that nothing was broken (well there is a dead fish on the floor of the pet store, but it was already dead in the net on the tank and one little girl whom will remain nameless (not Creighton) helped it onto the floor and Jackson then accidentally stepped on it--not his fault) and we left there unscathed.

Creighton threw a horrid temper tantrum as we were leaving...causing a huge scene though! She LOVES LOVES LOVES LOVES dogs---well any and all animals and they are all dogs to her. She is so funny about it but it is getting very old. She loves to go see Molly and Hershey, the dogs next door, but they aren't always out and the neighbors don't care for us to be over there unless they are there because they bark so much. Anyway, needless to say it is a battle every day for her desire to go see the dogs and my stance on "no". It is awful (which may be why I decided to go see the dogs at the pet store today).

Anyway, tonight thankfully was parents night out. I desperately needed that! We had a nice dinner with Kara and Mike and then went to the Power Team thing for a little bit and the Josh McDowell thing for a little bit (not too exciting either of them in my opinion) and then we came home and relaxed a little bit before having to go get them at 10. We were the last ones to get them. :) Oh well. We weren't late though! Now they are both in bed and that is a good thing! I am going to bed soon...very soon.

Glad today is coming to an end. Not ecstatic at all that Jeff is leaving us for a "business trip" till Tuesday night late though! :( Very sad about that...very very sad.

three day recap

Well my days (and nights) have been much better since my last post, however, I have not had much time to be on the computer. Tuesday I went to bible study and that was good and then we went to the Family Life Center with several other moms/kids. It was fun, but near the time we were to leave anyway, Jackson disobeyed me and we had to leave promptly and it was a crazy and LONG walk to the car. It was so hard for me because I just didn't have the energy (I thought) to deal with it and be as consistent as I know I needed to be AND I didn't want to leave yet! :) But I did what I knew needed to be done and stuck to my guns...and it worked (or atleast made a difference). By the time I actually got him home he was a different kid and was sweet during lunch and took a good nap and we had a good conversation after his nap about him listening to mommy the first time (his initiation). So he definitely remembers and that is a great thing and a good first step. I had to just keep reminding myself I was doing the right thing and to stay tough and "not grow tired and weary of doing what is right." Anyway, then I had my private lessons with Kate and Taylor at the YMCA and that went well and then I headed off to ger ready for my Ladies Nite Out! It was great and there were lots of ladies there this time! Some new faces and the regulars....so fun!

I haven't been sleeping well at all lately, roughly since Thursday night Jeff left last week...so for a full week. I don't know why. But I have taken pills, bought a new pillow, changed the sheets, worked out, not worked out, eaten well, not eaten well...NOTHING seems to help me sleep. I hope tonight will work out for me a little better.

Wednesday I got a ton of errands completed and I also worked out at the Y. I love my step classes...they are such a great workout for me. You can push yourself if you want and when you need to take it down a little bit, you can do that. I love it that there are ladies of all shapes, sizes, ages, abilities, and everything in there. I just love it! I am still sore...my abs are killing me...but I love it!

Wednesday night went really well for me and the small group I love my girls and I love getting to pour into their lives as much as they allow. I look forward to it even though I am exhausted most Wednesday nights (for one reason or another). I love that time with them. It is such a different dynamic than I have been accustomed to with my previous group, but it works and it is good! We talked about influence and being role models and such. I plan to blog about it later because the Lord used it to show me some things too--I just LOVE it when He does that!

Today we have had some good quality family time! Jeff was off work today and there was ICE everywhere outside and so we were trapped inside...but it went surprisingly well. The kids slept in later than normal and I brought Creighton back to our bed at 8 something and she slept in it till past 10! Jackson was up around 9 I think and he and Jeff watched Beauty and the Beast. I stayed in the room with Creighton and caught up on some reading and played my DS (I love that thing).

Then we had dance/music time and it was fun and hilarious and it really wore us ALL out! The kids are hilarious when music comes on! They love to dance and Jackson will catch a few words and try singing along and I just love it! Then out of nowhere he'll say "rock out, [pause] all night" he is so funny.

Then we made pizzas and they were delicous and the kids had fun (Jackson in particular loved eating the pepperonis outof the bag instead of putting them on the pizza!). After lunch we played with cars and then all took a shower together and then went down for naps (me included). Jackson took the longest nap in history. I am not certain of what time it was by the time we went down, but he didn't wake till 10 minutes till 5 and I think it was around 2 when we went down!

After nap I started working on dinner and made a really yummy recipe called Oven Baked Chicken and also Sweet Potato casserole and green beans and pasta! I had fun and Jeff ended up taking the kids to the Y so he could work out and I could finish dinner in peace. The oven went off as they were pulling in the driveway so it was perfect timing. So LOVE the Y and the childcare!

We had dinner and everybody but Creighton loved it but she did nurse constantly all day today (she's teething and not feeling up to par I think). And then tonight she downed a whole bowl of that infant rice cereal that is SO gross...but she acted like she was eating ice cream....cracked me up!

Anyway, thanks for all my comments to my last post...that was way fun...Jeff said it was way too long and no one would ever read it...so I think it doubly funny that it had my most comments EVER! :)

Have a good night all....

Creighton's getting big!

Creighton went to the doctor today for her 15 month well-baby visit. She weighs 22 1/2 pounds and 32 inches. She is "perfect" according to the doctor and better than that she is "advanced" in her talking, much UNlike her big brother. When we finally got the kid (Jackson) healthy, then we realized he was very behind in talking...So today was a great news! She got one shot and did beautifully with it barely shedding one tear. I was so proud and she was so brave.

Its crazy how much she is growing up! Both of them, they are just getting big before my very eyes!

Some words Creighton is saying:

cheese, bye-bye, mommy, daddy, yes, no, baby, doll, ball, juice, button, where, "kisses", shoes, bubba, dog, grg "george", bottle,

Anyway, I am still nursing her and since she is currently teething like crazy and all of her molars at the same time! I am picking back up on nursing her more often than I had intended. It was seeming that she "had" to nurse and that it was like the "miracle cure" to her teething pain. It was nice to see it written in an article that Maria posted. So, much to everyone else's disgust (it seems) I am not ready, she is not ready and therefore, now I will try to build back up my milk supply. I told the doctor today that I was nursing like 6 times a day and she said she was totally fine as long as she was eating food and drinking water also. I might need to start taking my pills again though (I stopped a long time ago). I am glad though that there are lots of nutrients still there, because lately she tends to want to nurse more often than not. Oh this girl...she is a keeper! :)

Long boring hard week (with a good ending)

It's been a really long week. Monday was a holiday and so there was no school and no normal schedule that day. Jeff worked and the kids and I played hard that day. We had lots of fun. However that night Jackson wasn't feeling real well. He ended up throwing up, but like usual, that isn't UNcommon in our home. He didn't eat dinner that night at all. We all went to bed as usual and he woke up the next morning and was feeling fine...however still didn't want to eat.

Tuesday we went to Bible study and then went to the First Baptist Family Life Center to play with our friends for a little over an hour. We had a blast and the kids all played hard! We came home for lunch (I think Jackson maybe did eat a little for lunch) and then had naps. I am doing private lessons every Tuesday for one of my freshmen volleyball players! However, when the time rolled around for me to go they were both still sleeping, which is crazy because Creighton usually never naps that long...then as I was getting ready to leave she woke up anyway. So, Jeff stayed with Jackson and I took Creighton with me (the YMCA has free childcare :)). Jeff said Jackson just sat in the chair and watched movies the entire time I was gone.

Tuesday night was date night for the month for us and so we had babysitters come over and Jeff and I went to Robert's in Bartlesville. It was really really good food, but a little pricey for my taste. The appetizer Eggrolls were FAN-tastic! I had never even heard of Robert's but Jeff randomly had found it and wanted to do something different so we went! I am glad. Afterwards we drove around and just talked and it was so nice! We came back and the kids had just gone down and Jackson ended up coming back out because he heard us so he stayed up for awhile and didn't eat anything again for dinner or snack. I think it was really late by the time we got him down.

Wednesday morning we went to wake him up and he was so tired and not feeling well I guess. I asked him if he wanted to go to school and he said yes so I tried to get him dressed and he fell asleep...literally COULD NOT keep his eyes opened....it was strange, so Jeff took Rae Rae to school and I figured I'd bring him later. As I was still trying to get him dressed he passed out cold...so I took him to his bed and he slept till like 10:45. When he woke up he was like a totally different kid and was JUST FINE. It was weird and I didn't want to risk it so I kept him home with me. He was NONE too happy about that. But he finally ate some cereal for breakfast/lunch and we had a really fun time together. Its rare I have him by myself. I either have both of them, or Creighton (when Jeff takes Jackson) so it was nice. I tried to give him special time and things throughout the day since we haven't ever really had that time and to keep his mind off of the fact that he really would have rather been at school with Emma Kate. That afternoon, Jeff came home to take him for a special lunch to Braum's. Since he hadn't been feeling great, I wasn't excited that Jeff had gotten him excited about burger fries and a malt...but I figured I'd let it slide and see what happened...I wish I would have spoken up. He took a big gulp of malt and one bit of ketchup on his fries and it was ALL over...and yes, we were in Braums. It was like he got a funny itch from the ketchup or something. He threw up several times and then we cleaned him up and left. It was way gross. Then he was fine.

WE went to church that night (and yes, I did a horrible thing and took him too). But I had to go and I didn't have an option. But I did keep him in a room without all the other kids and let him watch a movie. IT worked out. But I am SO glad i went because my small group went fantastic. I had 5 new girls and it was so so good! I think Satan would have LOVED for me to have not shown up....

Jackson from that point on has seemed just fine and hasn't anything else occur...thankfully! Thank heavens Creighton hasn't gotten it either....although she did cut a molar through yesterday! I think that one has been coming through for a few days...she's been tough. Its crazy she is cutting molars when she doesn't have all of her front teeth yet...only 2 on bottom.

Thursday we woke up and he seemed 100% fine and so we went to the Family Life Center again for 2 hours with Kara and the girls. They all played and had a great time and slept well that night.

Friday we went back to the FLC and played for an hour and then went home and played with Jeff because he had the day off! IT was fantastic. That night Jeff and I dropped the kids off at my moms and went to Tulsa for dinner. It was great. They kept them overnight and we slept till 11am this morning!!!! It was great. We watched a movie and then we watched Jeff Dunham with Brittany and Chris and then I went to get the kids and came home and we made breakfast for dinner! It was great and the kids ate well. We put them to bed a little early. Jeff hasn't been feeling well the past couple of days now though...so I hope he doesn't get it!

I am excited for a new week! Its been a long week and a hard week...even with two date nights...the last 2 days haven't been hard though...so I think that is why I am able to say this week's been good...because last Friday-this Thursday were REALLY hard for me for some reason....

Sorry for such a boring post...

Good New Year's so far!

This is one of my new FAVORITES. We dressed all up for Daddy to preach on Sunday. (Which by the way, he did a fantastic job). It is suppose to be up on Itunes later and I will post a link when it is.

My New Year has started off really well. Jeff was off on Tuesday and we went to my mom's for black-eyed peas and Potato Soup and Ham and Banana Pudding and Cheese Dip/Chips. There was enough food for an army and there were only the 4 of us and two babies (who didn't eat ANY of it). We didn't do much of anything except go get Jeff an i-phone! He is very excited. It is pretty stinkin' cool....so cool in fact, I might ask for one if the prices go down---DRAMATICALLY! His was a gift...mine will have to be too!

Anyway, both morning my kids have slept in till 10 and thus so have I. Jeff had to work today but I went to the gym with the kids and got some studying in the Word in. It was good and then once the nursery was closed the kids and I played basketball and raquetball together and went home for lunch and naps. I got lots done during their naps. I love being productive!

Tonight, however, was a bummer a bit because I was suppose to be meeting my small group girls for dinner since we didn't have our normal meeting tonight. I got to Chilis early and ordered chips and salsa and a drink and waited...

and waited....

and waited....

and NONE of them showed. I felt like an idiot at the big table alone eating chips and salsa like you have never seen to try to pass the time and not look ridiculous...so instead of bailing, I called Jeff and he and the kids and they came out to meet me...wasn't so much the "night away" I was anticipating, but it was good nontheless. We had a giftcard and so it was free...and that is ALWAYS good in my book. I am back at home and getting ready for bed....

I'll probably update with Christmas pics in large quantity next Monday when the kids go back to school! :)

A New Year!

In one hour a new year begins. That is so refreshing for me. I went to Walmart tonight, alone=beautiful/wonderful, and as I was shopping and thinking, I just realized that although we have been incredibly blessed in unfathomable ways this year, I am so glad there is a new one beginning. This year has been hard for me in so many ways. Right now things are so good. Life is really just good.

But that hasn't been the case throughout most of 2007. It seemed that hindsight it ALL ended really well, but with each blessing came a lot of pain/difficulty:

*We had a sweet baby girl (blessed beyond measure in having a healthy baby) but within the month of her birth I was suffering with severe postpartum depression. This illness lingered within me (and my everything) for so long--making for a long and hard road--which is probably why there is even a list below...everything is completely life altering and hard when you are struggling with PPD

*Jeff finished his Master's (yeah !!!) but the getting through it and finishing it was so hard on all of us.

*Adjusting to 2 kids was incredibly difficult for me. Adding a second was so much harder than I ever thought possible. But now that they are both older (Creighton is not a baby and Jackson is talking) things are getting much much better.

*My walk with the Lord is flourishing now (Praise the Lord!), however, to get to this point, lets just say I was definitely at the depths of the pits below rock bottom! I am not proud of where I was, the state I was in, the way I acted/talked/thought, but I am VERY excited about where I am now.

*Things are really good at Grace (awesome!) but we have been through much to get to this point! (enough said on a public blog)

*Having nearly all of my friends leave Bartlesville (or talk of it) was incredibly difficult for me, but now I have double the love, as I keep in touch with them, and have added new ones and am cultivating and cherishing these!

*Some really difficult conversations and situations that have ultimately led to lots of soul searching and refining me---this is so good although pruning is incredibly difficult and hard on the pride :)

I am sure the list could go on...but it is just good to look back and be able to see that although things were really difficult, I can now see the "why" or the "reason" or at least the silver lining in them. I am just glad to be able to look forward to new....a new year, a new outlook. I am not as naive as I sound in thinking that 2008 will be "hunky-dory" and easy for me at all, but I am just in a good place right now. I am excited to see where the Lord leads and what He has in store for us. God is so good. So GOOD.

Happy New Year Y'all!

Its Been A Little Cold and Dark Around Here

It has been a crazy couple of days around here. Here is an update on what I can recall :)

**Random: Creighton is 1 year, 1 month, 1 week and 1 day old TODAY! :)

Friday:

Jeff had a long day at work! My mom came to get Jackson for her toddler cooking baking ("bate too-eys wit rends (friends)") extravaganza. They had a blast and Jackson's cookies were very festive! He spent the night with them and they took him to Silver Dollar City in Branson all day on Saturday. Jeff and I had "Elder/Staff Christmas Party" that night and it was fun but long. The food was good this year (because it wasn't "fancy" food, but rather just normal and really good)! I had to leave early to go get Creighton from the church and then we came back and it finally ended at 10:30ish or so. But it was fun and I ended up with movie tickets ($20) and Jeff ended up with Williams Sonoma peppermint bark (which he wasn't happy with, but I LOVE)...so it all works out, because I am sure he'll steal my movie tickets.

Saturday:

I had a volleyball tournament from 9a-4p in Bville to help raise money for the YMCA. It was really fun and my team ended up winning the whole thing! It was funny because it was a co-ed tournament but our team consisted of only women playing on a men's net...but it apparently didn't stop us! I am SOOO sore from this day! That evening Creighton and Jeff and I hung out and had a good time. It is amazing the difference in only having one kid to care for! Man...it was so much easier! Her personality just is so fun (most of the time) and sometimes that gets overshadowed by having both of them...a good reminder to (even now) start spending one-on-one time with them regularly!

Sunday:

Our power began to come on and off throughout the early morning and then went off completely for several hours during the morning through afternoon. Jeff was at church and I was trying to keep Creighton busy and warm. Thankfully we have a gas water heater and a gas stove so I was able to still put some soup on to warm and Creighton and I took a hot shower (but i forgot I wasn't going to be able to dry my hair :( which was maybe not the smartest thing afterall). The power was on and off throughout the afternoon/evening but mostly on I think...its hard to remember. My parents brought Jackson hom that evening which was good to see him. He is so fun right now. He talks constantly and is getting so helpful and big! It was so icey at that point. My dads car (huge heavy Tahoe) slide OUT of the driveway in park with the Emergency break on! That night was quite the crazy night becasue the power kept going on and off and finally we just got both of them in bed with us and that was better because I wasn't worrying about them being cold. But I didn't sleep much at all and I truly thing Creighton nursed for like 9 straight hours...or used me as a pacifier, one. We woke up to crazy crazy ice everywhere...

Here is a picture Jeff took. I love the details that the ice formed around. It was so funny...like every blade of grass has its own ice surrounding it. It was cool looking...except our tree in our backyard fell on our house!Monday:

No school...pretty bummed about that, but then again, Grace closed the offices so Daddy was home with us, so it worked out! Our power was out for a majority of the day though so we made a tent and built a fire to stay warm (in our living room). It worked except the kids didn't want to stay in there for anything...unless of course we wanted to the to do something outside of the tent nad thats all they wanted to do was BE IN the tent...it was a crazy day trying to keep them occupied and warm and me not go totally stir crazy!Brittany, Jeff's associate, didn't have power either and doesn't live very far so she came over for a bit and by the time she got here, we ended up getting our power back on. Then some of our other neighbors came over and that was fun. We played games and stuff till like 1am. They all went home and thankfully had power. We lost power a few more times that evening/night, but after 1am it has been on since! (Praise God!)

Tuesday:

We all slept really well! I think we were all so tired, finally warm, and I wasn't worried for once about them, that we all slept till 9:45! Creighton finally slept through the night for me! Jackson came and got in our bed at 7, but went right back to sleep! IT was fantastic!!!! However, Jeff just assumed the roads would be bad, but they weren't this morning and everyone was at the office and he'd missed his 9am meeting...oh well. He went in for about an hour and then came hom and we've had youth over ever since. Creighton and I went to Walmart--um...seriously...you'd think it was Black Friday or something....there were a million people there and the lines were SO long. If I didn't desperately need bread and diapers, I would have ran out the other door and never turned back, but luckily I remembered a little "trick of the trade" and checked out in the garden area and was out in no time at all (there were only like 3 people in line down there). I am hoping to get out and go to the YMCA tonight to workout and let the kids get some social interaction with other kids (just in case they dont' have school tomorrow). My parents have been without power for since Sunday night and they aren't expecting it to get back on till next week becasue there are so many outages all over Tulsa and the surrounding areas. I am so thankful that ours is on! I pray it remains on throughout the day and night (and forever, I guess !) :)

California

We are in California with Becky and Brent. Today was the preview launch of the new church Kaleo Fellowship. It went well, although it seemed several times Satan was trying his darndest to keep us from fellowship with each other, with God, and for it to not work out/work well. But, much prayer went into it and it was evident. I am so glad to have been able to be a part (however small) of this great calling of the Colaws. I am excited for them and to see what God has for them. It was neat to hear and see the vision in real life, to see the progress that has been made and all the hard work and effort come to fruition. It was hard work to get it all ready on Saturday and Sunday was hard work getting it all back in order (the place where they are meeting is a gymnastics facility with LOTS of equipment), but I am glad to have been able to serve alongside of some of dearest friends and to be able to be there with them/for them at such a neat time in the process/journey of their dream and calling. Not to mention to just be able to see them in person and laugh and cry together...its been really good.

We leave tomorrow which I am ready to see my babies (I miss them so much) but being away has been nice and coming back to reality is never as easy as it feels it might ought to be, and I don't know the next time I will see the Colaws either...:(

Two of my Bville friends had babies while we've been gone and I am excited to see them though too. Congrats Christy and Melissa! (and Kara's was right before we left, so congrats to you too!).

I'll post more when I get home, but probably not till Tuesday or Wednesday since we don't get in till Tuesday to Bville and it will be crazy to catch up...but I have a few pics of Jeff and I and our adventures at Universal Studios. We had such a great time!

I am so thankful for Becky and Brent and the vision that they have and the obedience that they have had to God in following the calling to plant this church...its so very exciting to see it all happening!

A Great Outing...and a little update

Today we went to the Library for story time. We have never done this, only because I have never been brave enough to do so. My friend Kara said she was going and I figured I'd venture out and join her and it'd be a good day to do it because Jeff has a long day at work today and I didn't want to be pent up in the house. So, we got all ready and we got there on time even! (that is a huge feat for me). Jackson was so excited to see Emma Kate, but they didn't come. We were really sad, but we enjoyed the story time anyway. Jackson did pretty well, but he didn't make it to the very end. The last book (they read 5 or 6, plus 3 songs) he left quietly and went to color. That was fine with me. Creighton was a bit squirmy and noisy at times, but did okay as well. They had a good time and Creighton really liked the puzzles. Jackson colored Emma a picture adn it was so sweet that he decided to give it to her. Anytime I ask him who is best friend is, he always says "Emma Tate" and it is so sweet!

I called Kara and we ended up meeting her at the park and they were so excited to see each other! They played very well today (all 4 of them), and then we went to McAlester's to eat...with the $.99 kids meals (and very delicious sweet tea and potatoes). It was nice. Jackson actually did a great job of eating his meal (we've been struggling lately with him eating well), and Creighton ate part of my potato (oh, and a little tub of butter, but that is way gross!) and I was so excited that it all went relatively smoothly!

Today it is beautiful outside! I love it...the sun is hot, the air is cold and it is next to perfect. The only thing I wish would settle down a little is the wind. It is pretty cold when that blows...but otherwise, perfect.

It is a really great day...I was in a funk yesterday for sure, but it seems that a good nights rest does my body well and my mind and my spirit and my mood!

My husband is such a keeper! He cleaned the ENTIRE house on Tuesday (he hired a babysitter to come to the house to watch the kids as he went on his little cleaning extravaganza). It was crazy...a little overboard, but much much needed overboard. He is such an amazing servant to me and our family. I love it that he likes things clean and orderly. I just need to get better and getting them there and keeping things that way...On Wednesday he wasn't feeling well and so he stayed home during the morning and finished doing some things around the house and cleaned the garage too, to finish up the crazy kick he was on. It is so nice to have things a lot more organized and picked up and clean. Way to go Jeff! I love you honey!

Creighton broke through her 4th tooth! She has her front 4 (2 bottom, 2 top) now and the top 2 are pretty noticible although the two on bottom aren't really at all. She looks so different with teeth!

Jackson is talking up a storm and becomming such a BIG helper to me (us)! He loves to help with laundry and dishes and is putting his things away after every meal now...and usually without being told...its truly wonderful! Kara says this phase doesn't last long, but I am savoring it for all its worth right now. His please and thank yous are such a delight to my heart...and yes, now at times he will say "thank you" as opposed to the "thanks" that he normally says.

Tonight we are going bowling and I am super-fired up about it! I really enjoy doing things as a family together and we've never been bowling before. I think Jackson will LOVE it and Creighton will just like the commotion and people ( I hope).

Another Round of Antibiodics

Well, we are back from the doctor's office...and the Pharmacy...suprise, suprise.?!

Jackson and Creighton both need to be on Claritin for allergies...Creighton worse than Jackson and she also has to have expensive drops in her eyes twice a day everyday and she has a double ear infection which also has an antibiodic! Oh yeah, and Jackson has to have drops in his ears 3/week in each ear because he has excessive wax build up and she can NEVER see in his ears without digging to China first...which causes for some serious issues in my little (huge) 2 year olds world. It took all 3 of us to hold him down today on the table just to look in(and cleanout first) his ears. (I had Jeff go with me because I knew I'd never be able to do both of htem at the same time together with just me).

Anyway, nothing serious, which is good, but bummed that we had to pay $50 in co-pay (seriously, could she not have waived one of them?) and $50 in Rx. Oh well. She said she didn't need to see Jackson back until he turns 3. Um...I sure hope that happens, but I know that it probably won't. Our track record has us in the Dr. office atleast once every other month with him, and now with 2 kids I am in atleast 2 times a month almost. I would understand if my kids were sick, like really sick, or mentally handicapped or something "wrong," but on the health questionnaires, I am proud to write healthy on both of theirs...however our history in and out of the dr offices would deem otherwise.

Oh yeah, Jackson has had a heart murmor since birth that she likes to "watch"...but at his 2 year checkup, she said it was getting fainter sounding, so I am assuming that is good. That is about as serious or problems get, and for that I am VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY thankful!

Creighton: 17 pounds, 12 ounces (more than I thought she weighed) and 29 inches (LONG!)
Jackson: 32 pounds, 1 ounce, unofficial weight because he had clothes on and shoes and a diaper...but he wanted to be weighed like his sister!

Jackson, 2 years

I have posted several posts today, so read them all! :)

But here is an update on Jackson!

We went for his 2 year check up and the doctor was very pleased with his progress on his speech and hearing and so we don't have to do anything else for him (for now) as far as that is concerned. She thinks he is a little behind but will catch up now that he has started. His vocabulary is expanding daily....and as far as words he understands, there is endless...but for saying them, probably between 30-50. (the low end of normal).

He weighed 31 pounds 1 ounce and was 35.5 inches tall! He is almost 3 feet! He is 75% in height and 85% in weight. She said he needed to not continue on his increase in weight or he will be overweight....I don't think he has much hope in that area if you look at his grandfathers and daddy! He will just always be a BIG boy. I hope he continues to grow tall though!

He is happy and healthy! Yeah Jax!

I am not at home so I can't post pics from the zoo or the rest from the party, but I will when I get home!

Jeff gone, Life

Jeff left for Waco, Texas Friday morning really early for the mission trip (Mission Waco). Granted its only Saturday night, but I am doing okay this time. Last year when he left I was a basketcase. I had to go on anti-depressants....but I was pregnant with Creighton at the time and they made me very very sick so I really only took them once and never again, but I was certainly not "okay" last time and although I am very sad he is gone and I miss him, I am okay. Like I said too though, he hasn't even been gone for 48 hours yet though :). I found out today though that they are coming home a day early because they had plans to attend the Collide Festival in Sherman, Texas on their way home and now the festival is cancelled due to weather. I am sad for them that they can't go, but I am very happy to have him home a day early!
Jackson went to be with Terrie for the weekend and Creighton and I have hung out with my parents all weekend...it's been great. Jackson comes back Monday morning early to Bville with Debbie (Jeff's stepmom). And school starts this week (M/W) for Jackson too. So, M/W won't be too bad and of course Debbie will be here to help me also, so it should be fine. Then Thursday my mom took off and we will play with her and then Jeff comes home Thursday night! :)

Creighton turns 7 months old in 10 minutes...well technically I guess more like several hours but in 10 minutes it is June 3. Jackson turns 2 in like 21 days and that scares me. I can't believe he is two years old. I ordered his cake today. We are having a Bob the Builder party for him! I am excited about that! My babies arent so baby anymore. Jackson is getting so big and so helpful (most of the time) and Creighton is unbelievably older than she is in reality. She is doing so much and Jackson is talking more and more each day. He is really catching on to things too. He is so smart. He is very very into details and I can tell he will follow in my footsteps being a perfectionist...which I am sorry for him for that because although it might get him far and ahead it is a pain in the butt!

I turned 27 this past month too...and Jeff turns 28 next month....life is really moving fast. Sometimes the days last for an eternity, but the years go so very fast. So fast...

I miss my baby and my hubby tonight. I am so thankful for my mom and dad and their incredible hospitality and love. I am thankful for my family. I love my family. I love my life and I hate it that I don't always FEEL that....but right now, life is good. I am blessed, so very blessed.

Rainy days, and updates

Fairly certain that I don't live in Seattle, although this week it has felt that way. It has rained heavens heart out this week. Man on man...the little bit of sunshine we did get this afternoon was marvelous. Seriously though the storms have been insane here. Lots and lots of thunder/lightning. Lots of power outages (thank heavens ours was not one of them). It is flooded in lots and lots of areas...people flooded IN their homes. Not ours....just in our surroundings/vacinity. Very sad! Ready for pure summer

Creighton is so funny...she is doing things crazy fast. She went from crawling along (which I think was early anyway) to sitting up and being able to sit up from crawling by herself and she can do situps already...she has the worlds strongest baby abs I think. A six-pack is sure ot come soon :) Anyway, she is just changing and growing and doing it all so fast. Before I know it she won't be nursing anymore and will eat table food and be walking. I just pray her tummy issues go away soon!!!!! She is eating carrots this week...(although I did give her her first biter biscuit and a bite of my banana today (so funny how different (less anal) I am with her than with Jackson)). WE went to the doctor for her 6 mo well baby visit and she weighed 15.8 pounds and 26 1/2 inches long....she is a very long girl I think! She is average weight which is good, because her diet is weird and she really doesn't do much other than breastmilk and she rarely takes a full feeding still to this day...so we are all glad she is growing well...doc says as soon as she outgrows her tummy issues she'll be good to go and will probably gain a little more weight when she's able to eat more than a litlte bit at a time constantly throughout the day (I still feed her like every 2 hours in the day and every 4 or so at night)....I am ready for sure !!!!

Jackson is my sweet little guy. He can be a million miles a minute and as crazy and rambuncious(seriously i have no idea how to spell that) as they come, but then so sweet and mellow the very next minute. He is loud and he is quiet, he is calm and he uncontrollable, he is a little of everything--kinda like his mommy! I have always said the Garth Brooks song is about me "both sides of the fence" (I don't really know the real name of it, but that is what I call it). I think Jackson will be like that too. My college coach once called me a "jack-of-all-trades" and again, I think Jackson will follow suit. He loves details and is so good mechanically already like his daddy. He picks up on this so fast. He can do anything (atleast he is sure of that). He isn't really talking as much as I'd like, but for the most part I can tell what he is wanting/needing...and right now he wants/needs lots of cuddles and I couldn't be more joyous about it. I love it that he likes to cuddle. I am a cuddler...Creighton is not!

Well, I should put some new pics up soon...

May

Its May! May is a good thing. We have so much going on this month though, my head may begin to spin. Jeff graduates (officially and everything) this month May 12! Its my birthday May 15 (and my dad's too). Its mothers day May 13! Its our garage sale May 18 & 19 (ugh). Its the church's garage sale May 25& 26(even more ugh). Brittany, the asst. youth leader comes May 17. Its summer at least in my world, may= summer....I love summer....and I am finally not pregnant for the first summer in 2 years. :)
Sad news this month the Colaws leave May 5th (so so so sad that this day finally arrived as they have been trying to leave for 2 years).

Its just a crazy month!! But I am certainly glad it is here.

Creighton turns 6 months tomorrow. She started crawling yesterday and today she is even better at it. She seriously tried to PULL UP on her crib this morning too....she is ridiculously strong...ridiculously! And now all the fun begins.

Jackson is becomming such a sweet and big boy. He is beginning to talk a lot more...we have added several words to his vocabulary which is nice, but we mostly likely will be no where near the 250+ words at age 2 like he is suppose to be. ...we are definitely still under 20.

No more school work for JEff but now he is working on his portable seminary to be ordained...which is super exciting! Hopefully that will happen here in the coming year sometime. Seriously...he got his undergrad in 2006 (he was only lacking one class from his graduation in 2002), Masters in 2007, and probably ordained in 2008....he's hott~

Me...nothing exciting...I am turning 27 and that makes me feel old. That is so close to 30 it is scary...AND, our 10 year reunions are next summer....ahahhahhhah. I swore I'd never go to mine...but Jeff really wants to go to his and he thinks it'd be fun to go to mine....we'll see...

Family Update

Well my week got worse before it got better, but what matters is now it is better. YEAH! Praise Jesus! I am in better spirits...and Praise the Good Lord I got some rest last night...I spent the night at my moms with the kids and she got up with Creighton (who of course, did much better than she does for me but it didn't matter because i was sleeping either way)! Jackson and Creighton love their grandparents and that is such a blessing!

I had the opportunity to talk to my brother whom I never get to talk to...we talked for like 40 mintues and that was great. It is so weird that he is growing up. He has this serious girlfriend and the thought of him being married in a few years is mind-blowing to me. Weren't we just little like yesterday playing together...oh wait...I have TWO kids of my own and am working on finishing our fourth year of marriage....time flies...it just isn't suppose to happen to my baby brother! I love him and miss him so much. Oddly enough, my sister left me a message a few days ago too...she is even harder to get a hold of than my brother because her life is insane. I love my family!

Jeff has been incredibly busy these past few weeks and will be for another week and a half and then prayerfully will slow down. I hate it when all we get to see of each other is in passing...

UPDATES:

Jackson--

officially in his new room and big boy bed. It is going awesome. He does super well in it and it is actually really great. Today I was nursing Creighton and he was sleepy and so just went in his room and it was really quiet and I had an odd feeling I'd find him in his bed when I went to check on him...there he was binky and blanky in mouth and hand and laying in his bed...ALL BY HIMSELF and without being told. He stays in it too...all because of the FAMOUS "MR. SPOON" oh I love the Chancey's for the idea. It usually only takes a few times for it to work and with the bed it took one night and only 2 spanks and he hasn't gotten out since. That is FAB-U-LOUS!

He is super super sweet to his sister adn loves to play with her and kiss her still. He is excited that she is more active, but I cannot wait to see them actually play play together when she is big enough....they adore each other. We had our first visit to Chucky Cheeses the other day and hopefully our last...it was awful. I think it'd have better if there weren't SERIOUSLY 200 people in there--lets talk nightmare! Here is a pic or two of our outing...

He is starting to do some FUNNY things too...when you tell him to do thumbs up or otherwise known to our "Full House Generation" as COOL DUDE thanks to Michelle, he sticks both of his pointer fingers in teh air and totally thinks he is doing it right...he shows his muscles which I think is amazingly adorable as seen below:

He is talking a little bit more these days, but still not much. He will one day I am sure of it though. I never did take him back to see the doc for his hearing because the test just seemed retarded to me and I think he hears fine. We'll go back after his 2 year appt. if she still insists it is his hearing at that point. He did get all 4 of his cuspid (canine) teeth this week...at the same time poor guy!

He really loves being outside these days now that its nice enough to be. He likes going on bike rides with Daddy and going to the park the best. He is really thinking he is quite big---a lot bigger than he really is. He is fearless and it scares me. But I also love it too...

He is "outgrowing" lots of baby things such as : highchairs, boosters, strollers, etc...he thinks he needs to be like Daddy and not have to be confined...I think not being confined is the big thing though! I can't believe it...its hard to imagine him growing up so fast...21 months...sometimes that seems like forever ago and sometimes that seems like yesterday.

Creighton--

she is a jabber mouth and might just talk before Jackson does and certainly I am assuming she'll talk way before he did in age...she loves attention and smiles alot. She has adorable moments and moments *usually at night* that make me go crazy. She decided that after the one day of eating 3 bowls of rice she doesnt' quite like it anymore. She, I believe is teething and maybe this is why. The last few days she has been a bit more fussy than normal and drooling like a madman. She desperately wants to sit up--DESPERATELY--and she is pretty close to being able to sit up with only a little help. She is funny. She is stubborn and hardheaded and definitely lets you know how she feels--whether happy or sad.

She really is a happy baby...do they get much cuter...I think not!
Same towel...different kid...Jackson was much chunkier :) And Creighton has some amazing skin if I do say so myself. They are about the same age in these pics...isn't that crazy (Jackson is a bit younger)

Jeff--

still working on masters and still doing a great job. HOpefully will be finished with the majority of it a week from tomorrow. He has 3 or 4 more books to read and several papers to write before next Sunday night and then after that I think he has just a few assignments left and it is completed!!! His asst. comes May 14th and I am super pumped about her arrival not only for her help for him, but because she is a good friend!

Jeff had an interview on the new (FOX23) this week that was fun! He was on for like 2 minutes but it was good. They had the 30 Hour Famine this weekend and I think he is glad the event is over with but said it went relatively well. He has another huge event Sunday--True Love Waits--about abstaining from sex. Hopefully they will have a good turnout...you never know with those things though!

Jeff loves to play hard with the kids but he also really likes to read with Jackson in his new bed. Although playing hard will be on somewhat of a raincheck since he is in a hard cast for the next 4 weeks, adn then get a walking boot for 2 weeks after that...poor daddy

Me--

I am trying to be on top of things and usually that doesn't happen. My house is typically picked up but not ever clean, but I am okay with that. I love to laugh and giggle and play with my kids. Creighton and I do our fair share of "talking" and smiling and cooing at each other...here is a pic from when were interrupted from doing so:

I have also decided that I am a blogging-addict...I love to read blogs and write blogs and its crazy how "connected" I feel to some people I don't know AT ALL in life, but only through words on a computer screen. I feel odd about it but yet, I am okay with it. I laugh and cry with people and about people and for people and I think that is a good thing. It makes me happy. Other things that make me happy: mail, packages, massages, good food, family, friends, laughter...and the list goes on...I am thankful for good things...I am thankful that I am so blessed. I am thankful for the hard times in life that are followed by God's showering of blessings and hope...faith and love. God is good...so good...

Christmas letter

Well, I am not sure why but I typed up a Christmas letter to send out with our Christmas cards this year...I am still working on getting them out :) but in my defense I just got the cards back on the 1st. So, partially its not all my fault. But just for the fun of it I thought I'd post it here too. Enjoy. Oh yes, by the way, please send me your addresses as I am updating in the process of getting them out too....send to bergcourtney@yahoo.com please. Maria...I don't have yours and Kevins at all. That's all for now....

Hi everyone!
Well this is my first mass letter with a Christmas card…and yes, I know it’s late but I have a good excuse—our cards just came in!

Jeff and I are still in Bartlesville, OK and truly enjoying ourselves. We have found it not to be a bad place. We bought a home last February and I LOVE it…it is very cozy and it is a great house for Jeff’s youth to be at because of its setup. Jeff is still at Grace Community Church as the youth director and is enjoying it greatly. He does such a great job here with these youth! He is a great Daddy to both Jackson and Creighton too. He, recently, got a new bike and bike carrier and has loved riding and also taking Jackson in the carrier—which Jackson just LOVES. I am staying at home and enjoying it (at least most daysJ). I hope to start back up and play some volleyball soon. Someday in the future I might consider going back part-time or something, but we are blessed that I am able to stay home and not work!

Jackson is now 18 months old and is as sweet and ornery as ever. He is hilarious and is growing everyday. He isn’t interested in talking much at this point, but we’ve learned to communicate with him regardless. His motor skills are great as he loves to play Nintendo with dad, shoot hoops on his new basketball goal, stack and build blocks, and everything else under the sun. His favorite thing is climbing or playing “destructo-boy as I call him. He is lots of fun though. He absolutely adores his little sister and loves to hold her and kiss her. He can’t wait till she is big enough to play though.

I wanted to formally announce the arrival of our precious baby girl Creighton Teal Berg! She joined us November 3, 2006 at 3 in the afternoon weighing in at 7 pounds and 6 ounces and 20 inches long. She has dark hair and is just angelically beautiful! She is the perfect addition to complete our family…yes, we are finished. As I write today, she is 2 months old exactly. She has just started rolling over and is smiling all the time. She talks about as much as Jackson with her cooing! She is starting to sleep for me at night which is nice. She is an angel baby for the most part, except she has some tummy problems we hope she grows out of soon for the sanity sake of us all.

We have had a good year and hope you have also. I hope all is well in your families and that this New Year brings great joy and peace your way. We apologize for not keeping in better touch with some of you…but please keep us in your thoughts and prayers—as you are in ours! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love,

The Bergs
Jeff, Courtney, Jackson and Creighton