We were dreaming of a white Christmas....

...and we GOT it!
(These are the wild turkeys that live in my parents' backyard in the suburbs...so cool!)

We had a wonderful Christmas this year in Lincoln, NE (my hometown), and will hopefully make it back to Kansas City before work on Tuesday! We drove up on Wednesday and missed the storm, which really began in full force on Christmas Eve. We were unable to go to Christmas Eve services at the church where I grew up, so instead had our own impromptu Christmas program at home with my family. We've never done this before, but it was a GREAT evening! Jason played his guitar and we sang a few carols. Then my dad (Papa Ken) read the story of Jesus' birth from the Bible. Caeden read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' and Leila led us in some songs including the "Reindeer Pokey." The 5 cousins all sat together and giggled and played, it was a wonderful evening.

Caeden reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas'

Santa was good to everyone! I got a brand new mixer (the last 6 years of almost constant use for my cake business have worn my Kitchenaid down!). Jason got a voice recorder so he can finally record all the songs he has written over the years. Madison got a mini-video camera, Caeden a Nerf Vulcan, Rudy a remote control monster truck, and Leila a new (pretend) cash register. Due to the amazing amount of snow, we've all had plenty of time to play with our new toys, though I think we'd all love a chance to get out of the house for awhile! The kids did play in the snow a bit, but it's SO deep, it's hard to even play with right now!

The boys opening their stockings and gifts---so fun!

There's a reason we call her "Adypants."

Jason opening his Settlers of Catan tie from Maddie---his favorite gift!

Christmas dinner together---yum!


Me with my sweet niece, Ady! She'll be a big sister SOON!

My brother, Charlie, and his dog Linus.

Playing games with my sibs...precious time together!!

All in all, we've had a great time in Nebraska with my parents, brother, and sister/brother-in-law and niece! We are so blessed, and are looking forward to 2010!

Merry Christmas,
Alissa

Happy Dancin' Girl!

I found out this week that a Chinese dance class was being offered here in Lee's Summit, just a few blocks from our house. When I first asked Leila if she wanted to take a dance class, she said, "Can Morgan come?" (her best friend). I told her that I thought the class was just for little girls from China, she said, "Then no thank you." At least she was polite. But then I got out the leotards.

Starting Tuesday, she began wearing her "lee-o-tawds" daily under her clothes (this does NOT fare well in the bathroom, by the way). Wednesday morning she announced to Morgan on the way to preschool, "I'm going to take a dance class on Saturday but sorry, you can't come 'cause you're not Shinese" (That's just how she says it, makes me laugh every time). So much for being polite.

Anyway, she counted down the days (numbered by naps, of course, e.g. 'only 4 more naps and it's my dance class!) and this morning she bounded into my bed at 6:45am yelling, 'It's my dance class, Mommy!" So cute. No seriously, even at 6:45am, super cute.

When we arrived at dance class, Miss Lily had already started and my big 4 year old just jumped in! She was so excited and loved the class. When the girls came out (about 12 of them), Miss Lily had taught them to say 'Thank you, Mommy,' 'Thank you, Daddy,' and 'See you next time,' in Chinese. Leila ran up to me and said, 'That was SO GREAT!' And now, I give you, my ballerina girl:

Really? My life is complete now.

I took these illegally through the windows. Miss Lily doesn't want the parents distracting the girls. And I'm a little bit scared of Miss Lily but I couldn't help it.

Have a GREAT weekend! Dance like no one's watching...

FALL REVIEW: Starring, the Potocnik Family
(All in pictures, that's what you come here for anyway!)

In early September, we celebrated Aunt Megan's 30th Birthday with dinner at the Melting Pot. It was delicious and such a fun evening---we LOVE you Aunt Megan!

Also in September, Leila started her second year at Sonshine Preschool. She was so excited to meet Miss Penny and see her friends three mornings a week!

At the end of September, we celebrated Maddie's 11th birthday with dinner, bowling, and a movie (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) with JUST the girls (Madison, her friend Roni, Aunt Megan, and Mom). It was the first time Maddie didn't have a big party, but she loved it and had a blast with Miss Ron.

On September 19th, Wade, my friend Kellie and I ran the zoo 5k "Run for the Chimps". We had a blast---it was a beautiful day---and we also celebrated Jason's 36th birthday! Love you, J!

In October, Madison was in "A Little Princess," her 3rd CYT production. She wasn't home very much at all, and missed carving pumpkins this year. The other 3 kiddos were lucky enough to have carving partners this year (Uncle Gregg, Aunt Megan, and Uncle Wade), and ended up with some awesome pumpkin creations!

Caeden as Jango Fett, Rudy as Black Ninja, Leila as a Black Cat, and Madison, as Minnie Mouse. Papa and Zany came to visit for Halloween, and we had such a fun night as a family.

We have had a busy and full Fall, but we did manage to enjoy the beautiful weather, the amazing foliage, and Madison's sweet play. Thanks for checking in---promise to update more often!

Love,
Potocniks

LOOK WHO IS FOUR!

On Friday, Aug 21st, Leila woke up in the morning, came running in my room saying 'I'm 4 Mommy! Just like Morgan I'm 4! (As Leila says, "Morgan is my BFF"...oh my). We're right in the middle of two birthday celebrations for Miss Leila Grace, but this past weekend we did celebrate with family and what a celebration it was. We offered to take Leila out to any restaurant for her birthday (this is tradition in our house), but her choice was to 'stay home and have spaghetti.' Joined by Papa and Grammy (Potocnik), Uncle Gregg, Aunt Megan and Uncle Wade, she had a fun night topped off with a princess cake...for my princess. We love you Leila Grace, Happy 4th Birthday!

Oh I LOVE Playdoh!
Tune in next week for scenes from Leila's Princess Tea Party with her friends...I'm sure it will prove to be a royal affair!

Mountaintop Memories..

I have been to Colorado many times, whether it be skiing or summer camp, but the best memory I have was the summer of 1989, when I went to Young Life's Frontier Ranch for the very first time. Before that week in June, I believed there was a God, but had no idea that a 'relationship' with the Father was even possible. I was a pretty good kid, but I also felt pretty lost, as many soon-to-be high schoolers do at that time in life. I had an amazing family, friends that cared about me, but I still felt like I was missing out on my purpose, like I was somehow just going through the adolescent motions. My great-grandmother's prayers were answered that week, and I'll never forget sitting on the side of the mountain, giving the Lord my heart and my life, exactly 20 years ago this summer. I am so thankful for Young Life, for the amazing volunteers that invested their lives in me. Most of all, I will forever be grateful to God for He has had great plans for me since He knit me in my mother's womb.

Jason also has great Colorado memories. He went on ski trips and summer vacations with his family, and in 1992, he began working at Noah's Ark, a whitewater rafting company in Buena Vista, CO. He has amazing memories of trips he led, friends he made, and summers full of adventure in the mountains.

So this summer, it was time to share our awesome love of Colorado with the kids...



We hiked almost daily...the kids were great and learned quickly how to work together and encourage each other.
We did a lot of laughing and just being a family...it was awesome.

This is on top of Pike's Peak...another 'scary' adventure for a couple of the kids. But at the top, they ended up feeling victorious, and stood amazed at God's awesome creation from 14,000 feet!

Jason I and celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary on August 9th. There is absolutely no one I'd rather share this lifetime adventure with than my darling husband.

My girls have grown closer, with Madison loving Leila wholeheartedly and helping me with her each and every day.

The boys---what can I say? They are a team, a duo, BUDDIES, but most of all, very loving brothers.

The kids had the opportunity to record a radio show at Whit's End, which is the representation of Odyssey from the Adventures in Odyssey series produced by Focus on the Family. This was a highlight as my kids love the Odyssey series, and listened to several episodes on our road trip.

Rudy (almost 6 in this picture), got his cast off just in time for vacation, and was absolutely thrilled to climb and explore for 7 days straight!


And Leila--she loved those mountains too. She's a jewel in our family...almost four years old and the love of our lives.

We did all kinds of fun things on our trip, but the kids tell us that just being at the cabin and hanging out as a family was their favorite part. What a blessing Colorado has been to us, we were thankful for another chance to visit!

Happy 6th Birthday Rudy Boy!

Oh how I love this kid! And Rudy's birth story is my favorite, so here it is:

6 years ago today, I showed up at the hospital with one of my closest friends, Tracy. She and I were going to be induced on the exact same day, exact same hospital, just a few rooms away (we didn't plan this...our doctors did it without us knowing)! Unfortunately, I was due and Tracy was early, and since so many mamas were in labor, they sent Tracy home. Boy was I sad!

Anyway...they started the induction process around 10am for me and around 1130 they came and gave me my epidural. About 3 seconds later when I laid back down, I felt like it was time to push. The nurses laughed at me and told me my doctor was already on her way back to her office...probably going to be awhile. They were wrong. I was pushing, they were calling my doc to get back here immediately, and a nurse was gowning and gloving getting ready to catch that baby in case the doc didn't make it back. Needless to say, an epidural needs more than 3 seconds to start working and it was clear to me that it was going to be completely ineffective. The nice (large) anesthesiologist was standing at the head of my bed calmly as I screamed at him, "MAKE IT WORK! PLEASE!" He replied, "Honey, I think you're just going to have to do this on your own."

So...in a moment that Jason says was my ONLY moment of clarity during the entire labor, I stopped, looked at the many men and women in my room (nurses, students, anesthesiologist, and who knows who else), and told them: "This baby's name will be Rudy. So I would advise you all to start chanting 'Ru-dy! Ru-dy! Ru-dy!' RIGHT NOW so that this baby will come quickly." And...they did...JUST like in the movie. I wish I had that moment videotaped, it was absolutely hilarious. Rudy DID come quickly---about 15 minutes later---and is to this day my fastest runner, quickest to give a hug, and never one to just sit back and watch the action. This is why right now, he has his SECOND broken bone in less than a year (the left wrist this time---see photo above). Here's how he did it:


The boy climbs walls, doorframes, anything he can. And preferably in his tighty whiteys!

And my friend, Tracy? She got to come back to the hospital the next day and sweet Taylor Lynn was born...the two have been birthday buddies ever since!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUDY! We love you so much!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUDY! We love you so much!

Love,
Mom and Dad

5 of my Favorite (Summer) Things...

1. Swim Meets!


2. My awesome college babysitter (we love you Annika!):



3. Garage Sales! It might LOOK like I found new dress up clothes at a garage sale, but really Caeden and Leila finally found a summer job!


4. LOTS of times with friends:


5. Warm weather running:

I just did my first 5K in 10 years, so much fun! The Nesquik Bunny girls and I from small group did the race together and now I'm hooked! Next race will be in September (4 mile run through the zoo!).

Slow down, summer!

Enjoy every single day,
Alissa

May in Review!

May was a GREAT month but we had so much going on, it just flew by! Here's a quick recap:

Madison was a duckling and a froglet in her second Christian Youth Theater production, "Honk, Jr." over Mother's Day weekend...another great experience and such a cute play!

Spring weather arrived, as did our flowering trees and bushes. Here are some attempts at the ever elusive picture of all 4 kids looking normal...

We spent lots of time with our amazing small group. We are so blessed to have these friendships and our children love growing up together. Leila and her new BFF Morgan have grown especially close...I love this picture of the two of them!


And of course, Rudy's Preschool graduation! Can't believe I will have another baby in school next year!
Everyone in the Potocnik household is looking forward to summer...

...Jason and I are looking forward to some great road trips, especially to Winter Park, Colorado and my grandparent's lake house in Minnesota. I am leading a Beth Moore Bible study on Thursday nights, and both J and I are looking forward to more great time with our small group. All the ladies in our group are running a 5K together in June, and then we'll go on a big camping trip in July. Can't WAIT!
...Madison is ready for swim team, playing with neighborhood friends, and finding lots of reading time! She is also going to her first church camp this July for a whole week---she's going to have a blast!
...Caeden can't wait for nonstop Lego building and Wednesday night swim meets, and also hopes to start Tae Kwon Do this summer.
...Leila is already asking when we go to the pool next, and when she can play with Morgan! She loves running through the sprinkler, swinging on the swingset (just learned to pump by herself!) and blowing bubbles!
...Rudy is ready to be outside playing with friends, going to the pool, and also doing Tae Kwon Do. He is counting down the days until Kindergarten!

Sorry for the short but sweet update---we love you and hope you have a great summer, too!

Love,
Alissa