february

Geoff stayed home and worked for a week while meals were brought in by Miami friends, Betsey tried a week alone with some friends visiting to take the older kids out and about, then the calvery arrived and Ahbi and Papi came for a week followed by Maga and Papa for a week. The grandparents overlapped by a couple days so we could have Emmy’s blessing. The big kids (funny I call a 3 year old and 18 mo. old the big kids- can I just say I have 3 kids under 3- I’d like to get that down in the record books while I can- not because no one else has ever done it just because its freakin nuts!) anywho- the big kids enjoyed swimming and park play with Ahbi and Papi and fieldtrips to the zoo, the childrens museum, and the beach with Maga and Papa.

We are soooo appreciative of all of the help we received. When Jocie was born we had just moved back to Miami and our ward had 12 babies born in the space of 6 months so we kinda got lost in the shuffle. We have since worked our tails off for the ward (because we want to and believe in the power of revelation which tells leaders who would be good to fulfill certain responsibilities in the ward) I have a renewed testimony of those same things and also in service. I know that when you serve people they grow to love you and you them- this time when Emmy was born our ward brought in meals every other night for two weeks. It wasn’t even a sign up sheet they sent around it was people calling me directly and asking when they could bring food or when they could take kids out to play etc. We were so overwhelmed by the love we felt. Of course we knew the love of family and their desire to help but that doesn’t downplay the sacrifices of our parents to spend their money and work vacations coming to help us. We also appreciate the phone calls, emails, and gifts sent to Emmy from those of you who wished to be with us but couldn’t.

Anywho, now here we are at the end of February- we have come to Fort Mill to stay with Ahbi and Papi while Geoff goes to NYC on business for 2 weeks. We will miss him but are glad he gets to visit with Buck niki and Millie next weekend and checkout the team he has the most interest in working for on our next rotation and area we might live in if we end up there.

Just this morning we got a surprise phone call from our stake president asking if Geoff could serve as 2^nd counselor in our ward’s bishopric (right hand man to the bishop). We are humbled at another chance to serve. We accepted the calling in faith and excitement at what the Lord will teach us with our sacrifice this time. We love life, our 3 kids!, our family and Lord! All is well. All is well.

Emmy Arrives

We started the month off attending birthday parties. Garrett was invited to a my little pony party complete with fairytale pony rides (yes the pony has leg warmers and a rainbow tale) and Jocie was invited to a ballerina themed bash where she got to dress and dance like one.

After the excitement of attending parties in the morning and afternoon, Betsey ran some quick errands all the while noting the contractions getting more frequent. I really wasn’t that concerned seeing as this 2 min apart contraction thing had happened 2 other nights in January and nothing came of it. However, by 8pm Geoff successfully convinced me it was time to go to the hospital because he reminded me the dr. suggested we not wait for water breaking this time as Jocie was a pretty fast delivery and Geoff didn’t want to deliver a baby on the side of the causeway in our backseat. anywho- we found babysitters for our kids and got the kids we were supposed to be baysitting squared away and took care of assigning out our church responsibilities for the next day between contractions. By 830 we were admitted.

Emmy graced us with her presence in one push at 440 am. She was the exact same size as Jocie 6lbs 12 oz and 19 in. We named her Emmy Colleen Tingey- Colleen for Geoff’s Grandma Tingey- someone I found to be very warm and welcoming as I joined the family and someone Geoff admires for her quiet testimony of the Savior and restored gospel and love for her family.

The awe of holding your newborn is the same each time but different as well. Distinct thoughts of what Emmy's future will be like flashes through my mind (toddler adventures as we get to know her personailty, developing friendships with big bro and sis, learning to read and ride bikes, will there be tutus in our future or volleyballs and basketballs with those long feet and hands or both, high school graduation, getting married in the temple, having her own kids) and then it all hits- wow! what a huge responsibility to raise a daughter of God! I want her to be strong enough to know shes beautiful when others will inevitably make her feel otherwise. i want her to be bold enough to stand up for herself. I want her to try all she wants to try. I want her to be gentle enough to be close to the guidance of the Spirit. I want her to laugh and smile and learn. I want to protect her from everything but let her experience all Heavenly Father needs her to learn.

Sweet, non-imposing Emmy we love you and are so happy you are here with us in our family. We cant wait to learn from you.

january

This has been a month of dress-up, tea parties, board games, park play dates…

Jocie- loves: harmonica, picking out outfits, turning on and off light switches, keys, eating carrotts

Can do: say some more words (shoes, choo choo, baby), go down slides by herself, pull her hair back in pigtails (but she pulls them right out)

Garrett- loves: imaginative play with superhero toys and cars, Alvin and the chipmunk songs, and his new board games- chutes and ladders and ned's yucky head

Can do: sing a few primary songs he learned in his first month of primary at church, read spiderman comic book with his TAG reading system pen, tell his own Batman Garrett stories, sing the abcs by himself

Betsey- still “with child” I told myself this baby would be 6 weeks early ( gar was 2 and jocie 4) and ive only been disappointed. Im very thankful not to have to worry about a NICU stay now that weve made it past 37 weeks. Ive reduced my grocery trips to weekly instead of 2x a month. Just easier to accomplish but everytime I go or everytime laundry days rolls around I tell myself it will be the last before the baby comes but those dreaded chores just keep rolling around.

Got new presidency and a complete turn-over of teachers oriented to primary before the baby- hooray!

Turned 28 and ate a delicious cherry coke cake made by Geoff and enjoyed speaking with family and friends.

Geoff- had a review at work and was scored a 1 out of scale 1-5 (one being best), he is considered high-potential and was able to meet with upper level management visiting from global offices in NYC where he told the guy he was ready to move on from the Latin America region as hes been disappointed in the lack of investment they have put in training him- the guy contacted geoff’s boss’ boss and told him to approve a training at the top of geoff’s wish list (supposed to have been in jan) he has scheduled the trip for march 5 and is very excited!

ps th snowman pics are from an fhe we did about eternal families

Christmas morning and decorations

our tree had far too many presents under it- spoiling grandparents- so we spent most of december trying to keep the presents wrapped- love that my kids are fighting in this pic :(

I spent a lot of time playing and didnt take nearly enough pics but here are some from Christmas day and some others form subsequent days playign with their loot and a few of decoratioins to fill in for the lack of photos

Christmas eve (backwards)

Christmas eve included: swimming and Jocie modeling South Fla's version of the Christmas Story kid who cant move his arms cause he's bundled up so!; a yummy fancy dinner of: ham, meatballs, rainbow jello, green bean casserole, hashbrown casserole, carrotts, and pumpkin pie oh and martenellis; opening presents from Grammy and Gramps as well as pjs form mom and dad and books from maga and papa; a trip downtown to Daddy's work to see the big tree and of course slide on the slide

about this time we wished we had a family party to attend and be festive with everyone. it was a lot of work to cook all the food myself and keep the kids busy doing fun things but i did love using my china

pre-Christmas celebrations

the after


the before
sugar cookie decorating for Santa and us


a little kid party thrown together at the last minute really. activities included: pin the tail on rudolph, graphing our favorite reindeer, christmas aroudn the world: handprint poinsettia and poinsettia fable from mexico, dutch clog holding prizes from carnival like games- ring toss on mini tree, throw the balls in the wreath, Christmas bingo; and representing Germany a take-home of gingerbread playdough. following are our treats-

suppossed to be ornaments of cream cheese spread on crackers with bell pepper and carrot pieces for decorations

extra neighbor gifts of chocolate covered pretzels with Christmas sprinkles

These last two are pics of a light show set to music at a shopping center. fun night with friends. thanks for the company and great restaurant reccomendation. if you havent eaten at Yardhouse try it!