Bruce and Em and ALL of Them: January 2014

This has been an eventful year for the Bennett's with lots for which to be thankful. The fiscal cliff that was looming over us last year came and went and we're still standing. I no longer have any children in diapers, we bought a house, all four of my kids are now in school (of course, not at the same time), William got baptized, we finally have a diagnosis for Oliver and have implemented a successful drug therapy for him, Zander had his braces removed, a successful eye surgery, and started high school, and Carter is turning into a little person with only small glimpses of "baby things" left (like sucking his thumb and still being snuggled sometimes and sung to at night, all of which I still totally love). Every once in a while I can be caught daydreaming about having another baby....but then I quickly wake up to reality as I hear running through the house or fighting over a coveted toy or my teenager complaining about homework. Suddenly, then, I no longer pine for another baby........unless it were a girl. I still ache for a little girl. In fact, I tear up when I pass through the baby girl clothing section at the stores. The hair bows, the pink, the frills, the girly stuff. It is simply too much. Ok, confession, I never really have a REASON to pass through the girl section. I purposely visit this section. I don't know why I torture myself. Of course, it doesn't help to have a husband who still gets mushy when he sees a baby. You should just see his smile and the twinkle in his eye. In some ways, he is more pitiful than I am.

William's Baptism~ Silver Lake

Pastor Mike Rattin, William, Daddy

The day Zander's braces were removed

Brotherly Love

More Brotherly Love

We were blessed with an almost new car at NO cost. My parents have visited twice this year and we were able to enjoy so many new memories with them. Cami came and stayed with us for a few days and as always, we had a blast. Other dear friends from Florida, the Jamieson's, came and visited one afternoon. It was so good to see their whole family. I got to go to Florida for a few days and make the rounds to see my friends and family.

Nana and Pop and family picking out our new fruit trees

Family time~ carving pumpkins

Taking a break

Nana, Pop, and me

Cami and I in Maine

Cami and I at a beach in Maine

We have really enjoyed the last few months in our new home. We have finished a few small projects throughout, some of the painting is complete, and some updating has been accomplished. However, our list seems to be just as long as it was when we moved into the house. But, one thing at a time. Finally being homeowners once again has allowed me to feel settled. I feel like I am home and right where I belong. I hope that it will allow us to begin to plant roots. It gives me a sense of security and permanency.

New swing set

Organizational Project

Our new home

Our big back yard

Will's first BIG birthday party

Beau's job, although extremely hectic right now, is going well and we are very thankful for that. Like last year, he is home for almost 3 weeks as his company shuts down at the end of the year. This down time was much needed for him and our family. We have spent days in our pajamas, sleeping in, and enjoying fun times with the boys. However, when he returns to work next week, he will be under more pressure than ever as he is now a department of 1. He is solely responsible for everything in the product design area until the company finds a couple of new people for his department. Beau will be burning both ends of the candle for a while.

2013 marked the year that all 4 boys are in school. Zander, now a high schooler, started 9th grade. Will and Oliver began kindergarten (different classes and different teachers), and Car began preschool. I am happy to report that all 4 boys are doing well in their classes and enjoy going to school. Zander decided to drop boy scouts this year and I was so sad about that decision. However, in place of scouts, Zander picked up the chess club and the robotics team (both of which are great replacements with redeeming long term value). William loves school and LOVES being social even more. He has become quite a math and numbers master. Everywhere we go his conversations revolve around numbers in some way. Beau is always happy to entertain any numbers conversation. Will so badly wants to learn to read and he is getting closer every day. Oliver is doing better as the school year progresses, especially now that we have a drug therapy implemented. He is a completely different child and with each day, we get some kind of confirmation or sign that Beau and I made the right choice for Oliver. Carter has come a long way also. He has lots of friends and he has a genuine passion to learn new things. Although he is older and definitely bigger than his classmates, he is very gentle and patient. Carter's teacher has commented many times about his desire to share and how well he gets along with his friends. There was a time, when Carter was younger, that I worried about his aggression and temper. But, as he has become older, he has learned to control it.

The two middles are becoming bigger helpers now

First day of high school

First day of Kindergarten

First day of Preschool

I turned 40 this year~ blah!!

The boys are becoming snowball making professionals. In fact, they no longer act like Florida boys as they can now very quickly put on their snow clothes (even their gloves, which was a very difficult task for them) and erect a snowman with ease. I am still not comfortable driving in the snow or ice, but at least now I live within a mile of the schools, small grocery store, and post office. Church is within 2 miles and Beau's office is within 3 miles. I can now go about 2 weeks on a single tank of gas. We are pretty spoiled in our new home.

Professional snowman builders

We enjoyed a nice Christmas this year. Each boy, young and old, were very pleased with their stuff. We kept Christmas small, but nice. Last Christmas we were preparing for an upcoming move so the holidays felt pressured. But this year was peaceful and calm. Zander and I still participated in Black Friday shopping this season. This year, however, I was feeling very convicted about shopping. I was feeling guilty about my shopping while others were MADE to work because of MY shopping. But Beau gently reminded me that Zander was looking forward to this time spent with me and that I should probably go anyway. We did go, we got some amazing deals, had a great time, saw plenty of kind shoppers, but most importantly, Zander and I had some very deep conversations that I hope and pray will go a long way. Those moments of bonding are so important!! Below is our numerous "bad"attempts at capturing the family photo for our Christmas cards. Last year, we took 61 shots to get to that perfect one. This year, we stopped at 21. We didn't get what I would call the perfect one, but the photographer (Beau) was done and so were the kids by the 21st shot. I think I am going to start doing photo albums just for the "bad" photos. They are HILARIOUS! Great coffee table conversation piece.

One of many "bad" takes

Still no

I don't think so

Nope

Well, at least Carter is happy

Definitely not a good one

Not sure what Will was doing here

I am so glad to report that the Christmas tree remained upright this whole season and the boys were great about leaving it alone. We did have a couple of casualties (broken ornaments) this year, but not due to wild behavior near the tree. So that is a complete success in my book!! We brought in the new year the same as we have for the last 2 holidays here in New Hampshire....snacky foods and late night movies. Carter, of course, didn't make it too long. I think 9:30pm was his limit. The other two made it to 10ish and Zander, Beau and I made it to 1:30am. Nice quiet and intimate night with the family. These moments are to be cherished.