Christmas!

Every year we go to Groveland to spend Christmas with Kevin's family. His sister from NJ comes down with her family. And this year our niece and nephew from CA came! My girls adore their cousin Hannah! It's always a fun time with family. The girls love taking off with Hannah and roaming the 5 acres of orange groves and this year they made their way back to a horse pasture behind our house. The owner came out and let Ayda and Hadley ride his pony. Oh my Hadley was on cloud nine! She LOVES horses and was so excited!

Christmas morning we enjoyed our traditional hearty breakfast then opened presents when George and Kiana arrived. It was chaos but fun!

Kevin's mom was really sick the whole week which was a major bummer. She wanted Harper so bad (she took care of her when I was sick...like did everything for her for a few weeks! They will always have a tight bond I'm sure!).

We came home Friday in time to welcome my Brother and his crew on to the island! I was so so excited to see them and spend the weekend with them! We packed a ton of stuff into 2 days! We went to jax Saturday to see Jim and go to lunch. Then came home and went downtown, had ice cream and saw the boats and sun set. Then Sunday we rented a pontoon boat and went to Cumberland island. I definitely want to go back and explore more! We got back and my crew was exhausted so we came home to chill...my brothers crew pushed forward and hit the beach! Then everyone came over for dinner at our house. We were SO sad to see them leave Monday and his crew was sad to go!

So the Christmas week was packed full! It was awesome to be with so much family tho! The girls had a blast but are exhausted this week! Other than running some errands I've tried to keep us low key to recoup!



Kevin's dad wanted a picture with the grand kids...this is our best shot! Ha!!!





Visiting Jim at his place! What a crew.





Me and my big brother!





8 precious cousins!





The Dungeness-Cumberland Island

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2014 Part 2

Adding a family member alone makes this a big year! But we also opened the doors to Kevin's new practice. The months leading up to his Grand Opening in May were filled with networking and marketing! He stayed very busy so when his doors opened we were very excited people came to him! He is seeing people get well and the testimonies are always so wonderful to hear. He is so passionate about what he does and taking care of his patients. He loves going to work everyday!

My work at the school ended in May and I put my SAHM hat back on. Oh how I treasure this role. The days are sometimes long but I love being here with the kids.

Ayda is in kindergarten this year and LOVES it. She is doing so great. She has really picked up letter sounds and is starting to read quite a bit. We have to be careful spelling things out because she picks up what we spelled and we're busted! She is definitely stronger in math tho. She loves number work! She has quite an eye for art as well! I know she didn't get that from me! And she has become quite social! She loves her friends at school and is always asking for a play date!

Hadley started Primary this year and is in Aydas class. It's been great having them there together. Hadley adores Ayda but seems to give her space in class. She has been busy with letters and numbers too. She started ballet in the fall and loves it. She is so excited to go each week and did great at her recital. She is still our "wildcard" kid! Never know how she'll react to something or what she might say! She cracks us up all the time. She has her Daddy's wit for sure!

Harper was mostly covered in Part 1!! She is a sweet laid back baby! Hates the car with passion. Screams while we drive and then smiles big as soon as she's out! Stinker! She sleeps pretty good at night. She has a much tighter bond with Kevin than the other girls had at this point. He cared for her a lot when I was sick and she just loves him! It's so sweet to see!

I decided my journey breastfeed is way too long to blog. Basically I got mastitis when Harper was 3 weeks. It was horrible. Antibiotics didn't touch it so I came off (mainly to spare Harper from the side effects) and we did the holistic approach. It got worse before it got better but our approach worked. I was extremely sick for 2-3 weeks and the recovery had been long. She's 3 months and I'm still healing and we're still working on the breastfeeding but we're almost there! There are so many ppl I am beyond thankful for as this year comes to an end. My husband, my mother in law, my mom, the doctor I saw for treatment, the family I stayed with in ATL, my lactation consultant, precious friends who have stood by me (especially Lauren, Jen, Allison, Shauna, and Abigail...your prayers, support, encouragement, & wound care love have been so appreciated), our church family, my moms bible study, and seriously more as I'm sure I'm blanking! The saying "it takes a village" is no joke! I'm thankful to still be breastfeeding Harper and for my health!

I'm excited to see what 2015 brings! Happy New Year to all!



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2014: Part 1...let's have a baby!

I decided to break up my recap of this year into parts. Probably just a couple. Since I didn't blog in over a year.

Christmas time last year Kevin and I briefly talked about having another baby. We have said since we got married that we wanted 4 kids. Then we had Ayda and we realized many things about kids that we didn't really know before. They cost money...shocker! I don't enjoy pregnancy. They are precious gifts but a lot of work. And we want to give them our best. But we still love the idea of a larger family. So I'll be honest we were on the fence about #3. We decided last year we'd wait another year before having another since Kevin was opening his practice this year. I could work another year while he opens up. Ok perfect...our plan was set!

Three weeks later...positive pregnancy test! Ha! Our plans quickly turned to the realization Gods plan is best. The shock quickly wore off and we were so excited. And I soon became overcome with the dreaded ALL day sickness. We told the girls when I was 8 weeks that they would be big sisters (again for Ayda)! They were so excited. Ayda had been praying for a few months for a baby sister or brother.

Spring 2014 is remembered as the longest first trimester ever! My nausea and puking didn't subside till 22 weeks. I still managed to gain plenty of weight of course! I finished work in May and was so ready for a restful summer and time with my big girls! My nausea never went away the whole pregnancy but was manageable. The girls and I had a very fun summer and that definitely passed the time thru second trimester!

The girls started back to school first of August. I'm always so sad to share them with school but love where they go! We had 6ish weeks left to go when they went back. We were all so very ready to meet our new family member. No one more excited than me...like I said I am not crazy about being pregnant. We had a scorching hot August. The beach and pools felt like bath water even! No where to go to cool off! Into September I was ready to pop! Thank the Lord no PUPPS this go round!

September 16 I started pre laboring. I thought for sure baby Lin was coming. But we went to bed that night saying never mind! 10:30 that night I woke with contractions 20 minutes apart. I was in denial that this could be it. But also cautious since my labor with Hadley was less than 3 hours. At 1:30am my contractions were 10 minutes apart so I went to our living room and walked around. Contractions immediately went to 3-5 minutes! I got Kevin up, we called our midwife, and I got in the zone. I have to admit this was my favorite labor. It was like my body and mind knew what the contractions would feel like and I knew when the worst was there. So in between Kevin and I joked, laughed, and relaxed. It was great. At 4:30 I was 10cm but no urge to push. We got the girls up thinking baby was coming soon. Finally at 5:30 I had the urge to push and I pushed our baby girl out in one long crazy contraction! Kevin, the girls, my mom, his mom, Lauren, our Midwife Ashley, and birth assistant Emily were all there to see Harper Mabel take her first breath! It was a sweet moment! Another Lin girl! Wow!! I was immediately in love and was so thankful she joined our family this year. As we celebrated Christmas this year with her I can't imagine not having her. She's a sweet, funny, laid back baby!

So tho it wasn't our plan to have a baby this year I'm so glad our plan changed! We love our Harper!

Part 2 will come later...my journey to Breast feed Harper. It's a post I'm not sure how to write. It's a long story but I want to keep it short. Will be tough!






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Dancing Beauties

This was a crazy weekend of recitals! Ayda had hers last night and Hadley's was today! Both were so good. Ayda's recital was more formal and was for 6yr olds and up. Hadley's was the younger crew...2-5yrs. So much cuteness watching those tiny dancers on stage. Most just watch their teacher lead the dance! It's great!

Ayda wanted to try Jazz this fall. She really enjoyed it but wants to go back to ballet. She'll be in the older class for Ballet now so i think it'll challenge her more than last year.

Hadley just started ballet this fall. She loves it and adores her teacher. I'm so glad! She's excited to keep going in the spring.

I can't believe I'm a mom of 2 dancers. I had to watch YouTube videos to learn how to do a high bun on Ayda. One of Kevin's dress socks had to be sacrificed but I did it AND it held up thru 12 hours! Ayda had rehearsal from 10-1, then the show was 6-8:30! I did use ALOT of hairspray! I love watching my girls dance and also the other dancers. So much talent!

Harper went to both recitals too. She was so into the recital last night. We were in the 4th row so she could see the dancers. She took a short nap but seriously watched the whole show. Cracked me up! And she watched some of today's show, but we were much further back. We may have a third dancer Ina couple years!










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Random Thoughts

It's been a busy and fast week! The girls are out for break for a couple weeks. I love having them home and I know the two weeks will go fast! We're about to see a lot of family and I cannot wait!!

Harper has been chewing on her hands for weeks but found two fingers to suck on yesterday. It's kind of handy that she'll pop those in her mouth when she's fussy. It is tricky because she wants her arms swaddled to sleep but then can't get her fingers to suck! She and I didn't sleep much last night and I think that's why!

After school today hadley went to my mom's and was supposed to spend the night. My mom texted saying she was weepy and missing mommy. We decided she'd stay thru dinner and I'd come get her. I have to admit it warmed my heart...she has always been a momma' girl. When I was sick she went with anyone and was away from me a lot. She took it all like a champ. Now that things have settled back down I think she likes to stay close to me and home! I know she would have had so much fun with my mom but I hope she always knows she can come right back home!

While Hadley was with my mom, Ayda and I (and Harper) had an afternoon together! I don't get a lot of time with Ayda (and Hadley not be there). We had such a fun time together and it was so nice to give her my full attention!




Sucking those fingers


Fun Jammie's from my mom!


Sisters being silly!

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Puttin on the Ritz

There's nothing quite like loading up 3 kids and a Grand Pam and heading to the Ritz to see a GINORMOUS gingerbread boat! Ayda thought it was awesome and smelled really good. Hadley was not impressed at all. Harper simply enjoyed the outing! Oh and Grand Pam was ready to check in!

It was a beautiful day so we sat outside and enjoyed the ocean view, massive tree, comfy furniture, and fresh air as we pretended we were indeed staying there! Then when the kids got hungry we headed back to the car and headed home! It was a fun little outing and the boat was pretty impressive!



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I'm Back!

Can't really remember when I last blogged but I want to pick it back up. Mainly because I love looking back at what the girls were doing at different ages. A place to keep funny things they say and do. I hope if anyone reads along they'll enjoy a peek into our days. The good and bad!



There's no way I can get caught up on everything so I'll just start with the now! Ayda is now 6. Hadley is 3 1/2. And Harper is 12 weeks. I always said growing up I wanted all boys. I'd be the perfect BOY mom. Well God had others plans for me and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! I absolutely love being a GIRL mom! Im having to learn how to do buns for dance and better my braiding skills. We watch, play with, and love Pricesses and Fairies (tho I do keep those to a minimum in our house)! People ask if our house is in pink overload...well actually no it's not! Thanks to Hadley we have blue here too...her favorite color! It's so much fun watching the girls bond (even Harper) with each other! My prayer is and will always be that they remain close regardless of their differences. They are such a joy!



Kevin is doing well as a Chiropractor! His office is awesome. It was an interesting road to getting us where we are but this just feels like home. We are all so happy in our community. His patients are wonderful. He's seeing many of them already getting well. His CA is perfect for him and has done a wonderful job helping him open his doors and grow. We are so thankful!



I am busy at home again. I worked at the girls school last year. Now having had Harper, Kevin and I decided I'd stay home with her like the older girls had. It also allows me to pick Hadley up from school at noon. I still love doing my photography. And I am still growing more passionate about natural childbirth and breastfeeding. My journey to breastfeed Harper is long and I'll save that for another post. It is something I want documented for myself and also for others to read.



As 2014 is coming to an end I have mixed feelings about this year. There have been wonderful things happen but also some very challenging times. I am so thankful tho for my precious family God has blessed me with and incredible friends near and far.








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