hello again

Today is the first time I have checked my blog since August! Whoa.
2013 was quite the whirlwind of a year for us. Lots of exciting things, lots of changes in our lives, and lots of blessing received! There has been plenty to write about, but little time or motivation to do it. Sorry.
Biggest news of the year - I had a baby! He is the sweetest little boy ever and Tom and I are so blessed to have him in our lives. Sometimes I look back and can't believe I actually did it. Having a baby has proven to me that I can do hard things. It was quite the challenge at first, especially with my nursing woes (another story for another day), but I feel like now I have adjusted quite well. I absolutely love being a mom!

I am going to cheat and copy our Christmas letter here onto this post to give you an update on what's happened in our lives over the past year. And I'll add in some pictures, cause I know that's what everybody wants! Happy New Year everyone!

2013 was a year of change for the Muench Family! Tom left on New Year’s Eve for Oregon where he lived with his brother, Ryan, and his family while completing a two-month externship. Tom was able to meet great people and gain a lot of experience in the medical field. Three days after Tom left, they found out that Kimberly was pregnant! It was a long two months for both of them!

In April, Kimberly’s boss treated the whole office and their spouses to a week-long trip to Hawaii! Tom and Kimberly got to visit the Laie Temple, went to the Polynesian Cultural Center, visited Pearl Harbor and the Pineapple Plantation, and enjoyed hiking, snorkeling, and spending hours on the beach! It was so beautiful and absolutely amazing. They can’t wait to visit Hawaii again sometime!

Over the 4^th of July weekend, Tom and Kimberly were in charge of the Beard Family Reunion up in Driggs, Idaho. It turned out really well except for the rain!

Tom graduated (finally!) from BYU-Idaho on July 23^rd with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and a minor in Medical Assisting. He was so sick that day that he barely made it through the commencement ceremony and skipped out on his convocation. Tom was fortunate enough to acquire a job as a Medical Assistant in Idaho Falls a few weeks before even graduating! He continues to work there part-time for an ear, nose and throat doctor while he builds up enough hours of clinical experience to meet the requirements for Physician Assisting School.

In July, Tom and Kimberly also got a job managing Camden Apartments in Rexburg. This has proven to be a huge blessing for the family as it provides free housing and additional income. Kimberly is also able to work from home and be with the baby. Due to these changes, Tom and Kimberly down-sized and moved into their new one-bedroom apartment at the end of July. Kimberly quit her job as a secretary for the Forsberg Law Offices in order to manage the apartments and be a stay-at-home mom, although she does work a few hours each week as a Teacher’s Aid for Anatomy and Physiology at the Rexburg College of Massage Therapy.

Tom and Kimberly enjoyed the last few weeks of summer by going camping and taking a day trip through Yellowstone just weeks before having the baby!

Kyler Thomas Muench was born 10 days early (but happy and healthy) on August 31^st! He weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces and was 18 inches long. Parenting has proven to be the most difficult, but most rewarding thing Tom and Kimberly have ever done!

Toward the end of October, the family took a spontaneous vacation to Santa Cruz, California to visit family and help Kim’s sister, Amber, move her things out there. It was a very long drive, but Kyler did surprisingly well. He got to meet more of his aunts and uncles and enjoyed his first trip to the beach!

Kyler is now 3 ½ months old! He enjoys taking baths, watching television (Sponge Bob and Curious George), and listening to the funny noises his dad makes. He loves his stuffed elephant “Mr. Crinkles”, as well as sleeping, eating, and standing (with the help of mom and dad of course). He is such a blessing to his parents and brings them joy every day with his contagious smiles and laughter!