The Brooks Family: January 2013

Wow, I can't believe that 2012 is already over and that it's already the fourth day of 2013. Man, time goes quickly these days when you are juggling a full family and a crazy job!

My Highlights:
1. In March, I discovered that God decided that we needed another addition to our family. This pregnancy would prove to be tough and long, but my sweet baby was, of course, worth the trouble.
2. I finished the most challenging year of my career in May. Through this spring semester, I learned A LOT about patience, but I'm happy not to have to learn anything else for a while. :)
3. In June, I learned that I was NOT having a fourth boy. Clay and I were stunned for weeks, but my shock did not slow down my acquisition of all things pink. Yay!
4. I gave birth to my sweet, baby girl in November. She was six days late, but I decided I will only hang that over her head for a decade. Or two.
5. I caved. And got a mini-van. And cried about it for a week. I told Clay that next time I'm getting a school bus, because it would be less lame.

McLain's Highlights:
1. McLain finished elementary school with all As for all four quarters. It broke my heart more than a little that he finished fifth grade and wouldn't be coming back to school with me in the fall. Oh, how I miss him!

2. He completed his fourth season of soccer. His growth over the last four years was very evident, and Clay was very proud of him.
3. He acknowledged that he had prayed for another baby and owned that #4 could be partially his fault. ;)
4. He started Lovinggood in August and LOVES it. To date, he still has not complained about any aspect of it. Miracle of miracles! I am so grateful that he has made a lot of good, wholesome friends and is academically doing well.
5. McLain started playing the cello this fall and has fallen in love with it. He seems to be musically inclined, like his Daddy and uncles. His sweet self texted his music teacher from elementary school in November and told her that he credits her with his abillity to read music.

Keaton's Highlights:
1. Keaton played his first season of soccer. He was very enthusiastic and yet very distractable while playing. I think he might prefer to coach instead of play. The boy is bossy, like his Mama! However, he was a cute addition to the front yard soccer scrimmages that the big boys play.
2. Keaton finished his fourth year at McEachern United Methodist's Preschool. His singing at the end of the year program was precious! My Mom and I were both sad to see him leave such a fabulous, Jesus loving school.
3. Keaton learned to swim this summer all on his own in my mom's pool. So cool!
4. He started kindergarten at my school in August and adores it. He's almost a celebrity, because most of the staff has known him since he was a baby. He has the same awesome kindergarten teacher that McLain did.
5. He lost his first tooth two days after Christmas. The tooth fairy left him $5! Those first teeth are worth a lot.

Collin's Highlights:
1. Collin celebrated his first birthday in April. It was crazy to think that my one year old baby would be a big brother in the fall. However, he did not seem overly concerned as he delicately ate his birthday cake by scraping the icing off with his thumb.
2. Collin learned to walk at the end of June. He was so incredibly proud of himself that he clapped every time he fell down.
3. Collin started talking a lot. He loves to yell "Maaaaaaamaaaaaa" and "Daaaaaaddddyyyyyyy.!" In the fall, he began putting two words together. His favorite thing to say is "Pweeeeeeaaaaassssseeee" (please) with his head on his shoulder and with his sweet, signature smile.
4. Collin became a big brother with the birth of his sister whom he ADORES. He keeps up with her all day, calls her "our baby," and will give her her binky when she cries.
5. He cut six teeth in the month after his sister was born and can now chow down on anything. He prefers to steal Keaton's Doritos.

Amelia-Grace's Highlights:
1. In March, we discovered #4 was on her way. She made her presence known as she nauseated me for the first trimester and forced me to waddle beginning at four months!
2. She was born on November 17th at 1:51 PM. We were all STUNNED that she weighed 9 pounds 7 ounces, which is much more than any of her brothers' birth weights. What a chunky monkey!
3. Our girl stole our heart and completed our family immediately. We don't know what we did before she was here, and we certainly don't know what we'd do now without her pink clad, sweet self!
4. Amelia-Grace started smiling all the time right after Christmas. We love her sweet grin!
5. She started sleeping for a few hours at a time at night, such as from 11:00-4:00. Hopefully, this trend will continue!

I love my every growing family and experiencing all of my babies' milestones, little and big, with them. God blessed our family and me so much in 2012. I can't wait for what He has in store for us in 2013.