Our Hello was also Goodbye

We just wanted to share some of our recent news with you. It has been a while since we have updated but there is a very good reason for that. As some of you may know, we were expecting our third child in September. We were very excited to find out the gender of our little one and were getting ready to schedule the ultrasound appointment. Jamie went to the doctor at 20 weeks and was a little apprehensive as she was not feeling as much movement as she had in the past. A mother's intuition is usually right and unfortunately that held true. For some reason, most likely a cord accident, our little one had passed away. After the initial shock and awe we then had to answer that inevitable question of what now. After much prayer we decided it best to deliver our young child, having the opportunity to hold her precious body and start some of the grieving process. Rachel Lynn Kidman was delivered April 26 2007 at 11:51 pm, weighing 8 oz. and 8 1/4 inches long. It has been a very hard process but we are on the mend. There are times when we both start to weep for no reason but we are doing good. Thank goodness we understand the plan of salvation and that this is not the end of the road. There is a life after this earth, a place of beauty and restoration. Might we all live worthy of it and may God bless each of you.

LOOK WHO'S 5

I can't believe I have a 5 year old. We have been anticipating this birthday for quite awhile now. Brooke didn't think it would ever come! This, among a few other things, is from Grandma and Grandpa Kidman. They were able to come over a few days before the big day and so Brooke celebrated a little early with them. Birthday party fun. We had the party on Saturday the 19th. Her friend here is Brooklyn.

Syd was in the crowd and loving it. Here are the friends, Tara, Brynne, Marren, Nathan, Logann, and Braxton!
Pinata with lots of candy. I'm glad there is a dentist in the family!! Ryan was brave holding it on the broom handle, with only a few close calls.
The birthday cupcakes! I can do so many things now that I am 5!!! (her words)

We are still here

Well it has been a long time but I do have a good excuse. For the last 3 or so months I just haven't had any energy and not feeling too well. Three weeks ago we moved into our new house and it has been crazy and fun all at the same time. (As fun as not feeling too well can go)!

In the first week of September we are going to be welcoming a new little one into our family!!! We are very excited and the girls are more so than us. For some reason this time I have been more sick than I was with either girl, thus the lack of me doing anything extra. It has been no fun and the medicine I was on made me tired all day. I am 16 weeks now so hopefully soon I will be back to normal.
Brooke and Syd have been very cute about the new baby with questions like: Mom, can you still take a shower with the baby in your tummy? (Brooke) If it is a girl we can name her Ariel or Cinderella. (Sydney)
Ryan has been a trooper and taken on the role of Mom. I couldn't do it without him! What a great guy!!! Dentist by day and Dad/Mom by night.
I will get some pics from some of the activities we have been up to soon.

Odds and Ends

Most of the Park cousins!

Sydney took very seriously her job as a star in our Christmas nativity. Brooke didn't want to dress up at all so she got to be some gifts!! It was a fun night.

I know this is strange first looking at it! At one of our Christmas parties the girls had to dress Ryan up like a snowman using toilet paper. They had lots of fun and help from Ryan's cousin Stephanie.
My amaryillis! It was fun watching it grow and blossom. 6 total flowers from one bulb!
Ryan and I spent a few nights putting this 1000 piece puzzle together. It was so addicting and when ever we both had spare moments we were at the table trying to fit pieces together.

Our beautiful girls! It was picture day at preschool for Brooke and of course Syd wanted her picture too. They are really looking quite a bit alike! This was just 2 weeks ago.

It's no fun being sick

Well for the last week we have had some sick "kids" at our house. Ryan and Brooke have not been feeling well. After 2 trips to the doctor in one day and 4 hours of waiting, we found out Brooke was getting over the flu and also has strep throat. Ryan was diagnosed with the flu and was just miserable for 3 or 4 days. Luckily Sydney and I have been well. I can tell Brooke is on the mend because today she is back at her usual activity: making Syd scream!

I will get some more pics put on from Christmas and January when I figure out what is wrong with the camera and the new memory card.

The Live Nativity

My Aunt's ward does a live Nativity each year and we were lucky enough to get to go and experience it. They had a live camel there and Syd thought it was great. She was petting it and wanted to see it. Brooke on the other hand only wanted to see and not touch. We started off by entering through the gate of Bethlehem and following some Roman soldiers through part of town. At this point some shepherds showed us to the inn that turned away Joseph and Mary. We continued to follow the shepherds out to where they saw the angel that told them of Christ's birth. As we were getting closer, Brooke pulled me down and whispered, "Is the real Jesus going to be here?" I smiled with tears in my eyes and explained that tonight was kind of like a play but if we felt close we could feel the real Jesus in our hearts. When we arrived at the stable there was a quiet peacefullness that helped us catch a glimpse of this special time long ago. What a great evening!

Joseph is my cousin Wade

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Our girls had fun picking out a Christmas tree and helping decorate it. They are excited for Chirstmas and can't get enough of the song: Have a holly, jolly Christmas! We are headed for Grandma's and Grandpa's house this weekend to spend one more Christmas. Next year I think our 5 year old Brooke might catch on if we take everything over in the car!

Brooke actually sat on Santa's lap and asked for what she wanted this year. She is getting better at not being so shy.

Sydney wanted no part of Santa's lap but did tell him," I want a dolly".

Our new house!

Well we finally did it. Here is a picture of our new house. We closed on it today. The original owners were so great to work with and our first experience of buying a home was great. We are going to be moving into it in February. It is a 4 bdrm 2 1/2 bath. We are so excited.


These are pics with the previous owners things still, but will give you an idea of what it looks like.

Gingerbread House

Last year with the Lowry's we made gingerbread houses and wanted to carry on the tradition this year. The girls had so much fun (so did Mom and Dad) putting on all the candy and eating it too.

I went the easy route and got a gingerbread house kit from Costco.

First Snow

We got our first snow last week and the girls had a ball playing!! They were cold and loved the hot chocolate when they came in. We are looking forward to some more, even if it doesn't stick around too long. This white stuff was very rare in Seattle (not this year I hear) and we will take it when we get it.

Snow angels!!! Syd wasn't too sure how to do it.
The best snow angel maker ever!!
A little unprepared, Syd didn't even have snow pants yet. Not to fear though, we went to the store and got her some for the next day!
Is that a little purple shadow? Syd does everything Brooke does.
Big sis taught her how to eat the snow!! I couldn't get her to stop.

Here is Thankgiving weekend letting off the rocket that Ryan and the girls made together. They both had fun "launching" it with a count down and then ignition. We did it 3 times so everyone could push the button. As you can tell, one time it came down in the tree. But for Ryan and his Dad it was an easy task to retrieve it! Grandma even joined in the fun!!

Here are our girls. A little silly!

I'll figure how to do this better and be more organized.

Welcome to our blog! I thought I would try this out and give me something else to do while Brooke is at preschool and Sydney is sleeping.

This is our newest family photo. We are really enjoying Meridian and being in a house and closer to family. We are just renting right now but...... we are buying a house and will close on it this month. We are very excited! It is in the same subdivision and just a block away from where we are now.

Ryan is working hard and keeps busy. He is a great dentist! Brooke loves her preschool and is doing very well. Syd runs after Brooke and wants to be just like her! She is talking so much now and it is so fun. I've been having fun decorating for Christmas and just finished "The Work and the Glory" series.