Happy New Year!

Happy 15 day late New Years! We have really been on the go lately so I haven't had the time or the will to sit down and blog. Here's what has been going on with each of us, and our New Year's resolutions...

Ryder: Started a new school (Good Samaritan Academy) on January 6th. He goes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30-noon. It is AWESOME! He was going to a different preschool last semester, but the drive got to be too much for both of us. Ryder was having a few behavioral issues (he was the biggest in the class and taking advantage of it) and I didn't feel as if he was developing there as much as he should be. Now, he is the smallest and youngest in his new class, and the difference is amazing. They haven't had any behavioral problems, he is a much happier little guy, and his vocabulary and play skills have grown by leaps and bounds. Hooray! He can now say and recognize all of his ABCs, count and recognize 1-20, sing a few different songs, and tell me about his day. Everyone says that the twos are terrible, but we are really enjoying them...except for an occasional tantrum. Speaking of the twos, my baby will be two in two weeks. I am nervous/happy/sad/giddy about this birthday. I just cannot recall where the past two years have gone or what happened to my 7.5lb baby!

Nate: Started his second semester towards his Masters Degree. He continues to get busier and busier at work (no complaints) and school is a little bit harder this time around. On the upside, he only has two semesters left until graduation. Please keep him in your prayers as he goes through this crazy time. Somehow in all this business, he still manages to be the best husband and daddy that a woman, little boy and small dog could ask for!

Jenn: REALLY enjoying a little bit of free time while Ryder is in school. Right now, I am in total birthday party planning mode. I am planning a Mickey Mouse party for Ryder at school. Then, we are having a construction birthday party at home with all of his buddies. We are bringing in a truckload of sand/dirt for the party and letting the kids play outside. We have a few other construction activities planned and lots of cool food ideas. The decorations and favors are coming in everyday and I am SUPER excited! This should be a lot of fun with 17 children under the age of 3. Pray for me (and good weather)! I also have a birthday next Thursday, but it's just 27 so I'm not too excited about it. Other than that, I spend a lot of time at the gym. Trying to get into swimsuit shape for our upcoming trip to St. Thomas in March.

That should catch everyone up on the Marks family. I have a ton of pics that I need to upload, but I'll just save that excitement for another day. Hope that you and yours are doing great!