It's about time!

Yes, I know, it's about time for another update, but also I would like to let you know that it is now time for this blog to go private. All who want to keep up on the Sherman scoop need to let me know! I want to revamp some stuff and it will happen at the beginning of the year.

So here is the update on all the family: (Consider this our Christmas card too!)

Tyler:
He continues to do what medical students do.... study and rotate in the different medical specialties. It's interesting to see the broad range of schedules and duties that each specialty brings. Right now Tyler is on a psychiatric rotation which only requires him to be at the hospital for a couple hours in the morning. That's it. It's lovely. But then it is short-lived and in 4 weeks another rotation and specialty will take over. Last month he had trauma surgery at a Detroit hospital. He had to be there at 5am, plus a 40 minute commute. He had to stay at the hospital overnight every 4 days for call duty. Whenever he came home, all he did was eat and sleep. He saw a lot and learned a lot and actually got to do a lot too. He is finding many missionary opportunities when people learn that he from Utah and married with 3 kids! One guy mentioned that he screams "Mormon" because of those stats.

Next year will bring a lot of travel with out-rotations and testing. There will also be many decisions that need to be made involving what he wants to specialize in and where to live. We are still keeping our options open for now. We soak up as much time as we can get with Tyler. He turns into Mr. Mom at times and helps out with the house and kids. His I-phone can always be seen in his hand as that gadget allows him to do anything.Jen:

I'm living my dream of being a mom and homemaker. Some days are a nightmare, I admit, but for the most part I love it! I find myself so blessed to be able to do this. I put getting a masters degree on hold until my children aren't so dependent on me. It is nice to feel needed, right? I'm able to workout in the mornings at the YMCA where they have child care. I'm hoping to compete in a triathlon or something next summer. I'm making the most of our stay here in Michigan. I admit that it hasn't been easy. Homesickness has hit me hard at times. Getting to know more people and making friends is making it a lot better. Tyler and I are primary teachers together, which we love. It's been a great calling and I find that the lessons have been very beneficial for me as well.I love our mantel and being able to decorate it as the holidays pass by.

Makenzie:
Makenzie continues to enjoy preschool and is really picking up on a lot. Makenzie is my carefree and independent child. She explores everything which has allowed her middle name to become "Mess-maker." She has a love for life and is often in her own imaginary world. She is very artistic and also loves books. She also loves chocolate (what girl doesn't?) Makenzie is a great big sister and a very good helper.

Yes, she is playing in the mud, in a dress, in December!

Jordan:
Jordan is the class clown of the family. He is always playing around and wanting to tickle everyone. He has a contagious smile and laugh. Jordan continues to master the computer and all other electronical gadgets. He is Makenzie's little shadow and loves playing with her. He is becoming very independent and wants to do many things on his own.

Who said you had to eat lima beans? They are great and cheap entertainment!

Gavin:
Gavin just turned 4 months. He is a typical baby doing all the typical baby things that only parents can get excited about. He is full of smiles and giggles unless he is hungry. He already eats like a teenager and is hungry all the time!

Finding his toes!

Rolling over now too!

Blessing Day: November 29
(I made his outfit!)

Halloween

This picture was taken after the 3rd time of dressing up that week and after trick-or-treating. Makenzie was a "Sleeping Beauty Ballerina." Jordan was a skeleton (which are glow-in-the-dark pajamas that he loves.) Gavin was a doctor in his scrubs. It was nice to go around the neighborhood and meet some of our neighbors.

Trees

We live on a beautiful tree-lined street amongst many colonial homes. I love driving down the street, especially with all of the fall colors in full force. This tree is in our next door neighbor's yard.

Our street is actually named after a tree. I didn't know that until my mother mentioned it to me. I just know that people butcher the name whenever they try to pronounce it. I did myself the first time. I did a little research and found one of these trees right outside of Makenzie's preschool. It grows some amazingly large leaves. I think it is pretty cool.

The tree is a Catalpa tree, pronounced "kuh-towel-pa."

I'm cool!

I came into the living room and found Gavin wearing these....

(Compliments to his sister)

Six years and still going strong!

It was six years ago that we sealed our love for the eternities,

but it was ten years ago when it all started...

Although we went to the same school, we never met until Tyler's senior year/my junior year. We were in the same sports medicine class and were introduced to each other by a mutual friend. The Homecoming dance was our first date. As I was waiting for Tyler to pick me up, my grandfather, who was living with us at the time, who had Alzheimers, asked where I was going. I told him I had a hot date that night! Unbeknownst to me, my dad was also video recording at the same time. It makes for a great memory now!

I had another hot date with this guy tonight. Part of our agenda was to purchase Tyler his third wedding ring... yes that is his third for our marriage!

What happened to my babies?

When Gavin joined the family, I realized how fast my other kiddos are growing! It's been fun to compare all the baby pictures of the kids and also reminisce over these past 4 years of being parents. Time really does go by so fast and I'm grateful to be able to have pictures that capture our everyday life. What joy they bring to us! I've asked Tyler if he remembers what it was like without kids. Yeah... you know what kind of wise guy he is and of course he said it was great! But really I think about having dinner as a family and how different it was when it was just the 2 of us. Of course it was more peaceful and we didn't have drinks that spilled all the time, but to hear the children pray and then to talk about our day together makes everything worth it. Life with kids can be hard, messy, and tiring. But the laughter, love, and learning that takes place in our home is what keeps me going everyday.

First Day of Preschool

She has been waiting for this day for a very long time. I never knew how much it would really pull on my heart-strings to send her off on that first day.