Shuri Castle

Our family got out with Nana and Grandad to see some of the island we haven't seen yet. There are many trips to post, but the first one is of Shuri Castle. A castle that housed the king of the Ryukyu Islands years ago before the battle of Okinawa. During that battle the structure was distroyed. But it has since been rebuilt to replicate the old. It's beautiful! You'll see for your self! Enjoy!

Hayden...One month old!

Time has really gotten away from me. It's funny now with three you adjust to accommodate the daily needs of your life, but it is the details that always get forgotten or not done. Mommy brain is a reality, I can't scream that enough! :) But yet, why are the details always so important. As I read devotions to the girls before bed and get in some extra cuddle time, or as I enjoy the snuggles of Hayden, quiet, awake, and in my neck, who cares about anything but these moments. I tell you...the dishes weren't done, I have several things to do, including my New Year's cards and photos, boxes to mail, and bathrooms to clean. Whoa, not to mention laundry, laundry, laundry! But these moments are too wonderful to pass up. That's what the third one does to you. Makes it so busy you can't adjust your schedule for all details, you just accept what you can get done and leave it as it is.

Here are some pics of Hayden I took for his 1 month. There are so many wonderful shots. He's changing so much already. Went from only smiling for his mother :) to now smiling for everyone, especially his sisters kisses!

Andi's new haircut!

Andi finally got her hair cut today! We had it cut so that she could donate the hair to locks of love. She was so excited and couldn't keep the smile off her face!

Winter in Okinawa?

Anthony and I took some time to create our own winter setting her on our 70 degree Christmas holiday. It was fun putting on our snow hats, even for a few minutes! :)

Our new family!

The dynamics of our family has changed but so far for the better. Honestly, I was a little worried with how the girls would take to Hayden taking up mommy and daddy's time, but I have been truly blessed by God by all my prayers to him about it. The girls had a rough time before he was born, but as soon as he was born, I found them returning to their sweetness and normal behaviors. Now they enjoy every moment with him. Begging to hold and feed him. They kiss him before bed. It just makes me so content to see these kids, siblings, family love each other this way.

Christmas at the Fridley's

Christmas this year was such a blessing. Having Hayden home and mommy healing was a blessing in itself. We would have been happy to have it stop with that. But the tree was stuffed with presents spoiling everyone like crazy. We could barely keep up with the girls ripping the wrapping off. And a pile of paper hid some of the gifts, only found after we cleaned up! Here are the pics.

Hayden Ron Fridley

After the scariest 13 hours of my life that required the my entire life supply of braveness and strength and then finally an emergency c-section, Hayden Ron was born into our world at 10:05 am December 11. He had his cord wrapped around his neck, but once removed, let the world know he was here. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 8.2 oz and 21 1/4 inches long. He has black hair and extremely long toes! We both are recovering, me more slowly than him, but we are so blessed to have came out of all of this. I'm so happy with where we are today, such an amazing family we have become. I watch the girls be content with their new brother, other than they really want him to play. They have welcomed him so much better than I imagined. Daddy is a mess with his son, and they are playing PSP right now together in Daddy's lazy chair. I just can't thank God enough to be where we are!