a little rusty

Still no camera owner...other than my phone..... We had a great 2012.... KE is loving 5th grade making straight A's. W is a big first grader and is doing awesome. I took a job at N's school as a 3 year old assistant and LOVE it... N loves Kindergarten and is a mess! He's my free spirit as I like to call him. Loves art and music. My oldest neice got engaged and the wedding is coming up in May. Lots of excitement around here! Here is some random pics from the year....

me and KE at the American Idol concert!

 

first day of 5th and 1st grade

 

 

silly N taking pics

 

the annual dove eat 2012

 

 

 



Helloooo Blog World!!

Well hello ! My how that break took almost a year...not really....my old computer of 10 years was finally on it's last leg so we purchased a laptop and a wireless router. Watch out!! I'm up to date!

Here are a few pics from the past several months.... my purse was stolen months ago and EVERYTHING including my camera was in it so my trusty phone is my only means of taking pics....but that's OK.

good old fashioned backyard fun

ready for church

orange beach



sweet brothers

KE and her friends ready to see Taylor Swift

The Grove....much more fun than the stadium this past year



1st annual MOM conference in Birmingham with sweet friends

LOOK ! We were blessed to listen to and meet Angie Smith....check out her blog..Bring the Rain



it's always some kind of hunting season

having fun at a birthday party



Christmas Eve 2011

Merry Christmas!



Hello Blog -World

Hi all!  I can't believe it is already March! Time flies when you are having fun. This is T's busy planting season so he works 6 days a week. He is counting down the days until Turkey season.
       KE is still enjoying school with straight A's. She loves to read and has finished all of the Nancy Drew books the school has to offer. Now she is on to Hardy Boys. Instead of dancing this year, she opted to take gymnastics. Just recently we decided it was best for her to switch to tumbling. She wants to concentrate on eventually learning a back handspring. (Something I didn't do) I'm proud of her for putting herself out there and trying. She also does very well at girls' soccer. She is on the pink team and her other friends are on the purple. This is a very lax soccer league. Practice on Tuesdays and games on Thursdays. We may do one tournament a season. Just recently KE was recommended to audition for the Delta Children's Choir. She made it and we couldn't be happier for her. SO, needless to say, her plate is full.
       W is moving right along in Pre-K, so much that he insists on not going to Kindergarten. The boys attend a day school with smaller classes just like their sister did. We will wait to send them to her ("big")  school until they are in 1st grade. I explained to W that if he goes to her school next year, he will still be in Kindergarten. He didn't like that. He is SO independent and mature for his age (5) . Just the other day I asked him to put my cup in the kitchen for me... his reply "Sure but you do have two legs that work." He is a mess.
      N is loving 3 year old pre-school. He and W both attend everyday until noon. Tuesdays they have what is called lunch-bunch where they bring a lunch and stay until 2:30. These are the days I squeeze in lunch with friends. N's big thing is reading his "state" book. It is a board book with flaps that tell you the state flower, bird and motto. He can recognize almost any state's shape and tell you which one it is. He also LOVES a little girl in his class to pieces. So much that he claims he will marry her. He went on and on about this one day that I finally told him that he could only get married AFTER he completes college. So now when he talks about it he says after college he will marry her. When I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up he replied with no hesitation, "a daddy." Then he said "no, wait, first I'm going to be a husband."  At least he has the order correct.
As for me, I signed up to do the Couch to 5K.. I'm on week 4 and my knees are starting to hurt . I was fitted with the proper shoes and I just got inserts so I'm hoping those will help. I quit drinking soft drinks a week ago and with the combined running my body is already tanking me.  This morning I had my second ortho appt and had my bottom braces put on. Talk about a metal mouth. I cannot wait to adjust to these nor can I wait to have straight teeth! I had braces for 3 years when I was younger. I believe my mouth needed a bit more attention  at that time. I hope to have my mouth issues corrected in less than 2 years. Fingers crossed!

 It has snowed twice this year. My kids have seen more snow that I have seen in my life.



New Year Post

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I used to be a huge blogger! I guess life (and facebook) has gotten in the way.  Another reason I haven't blogged is because it's an act of congress to upload pictures on here! ugh. I will try again today. It may be my ancient computer too though. 

KE is loving 3rd grade and continues to have straight A's. The boys love dayschool and are growing too fast. We consider having number 4 but aren't sure we should. This is T's busy farm season ..Jan until April. I don't know which is worse... working in this freezing cold or heat of summer. 

A week ago, I FINALLY (after waiting for about 6 years) went to tyhe ortho and had hardware installed on my pearly whites... I don't have a picture but I can assure you, they are awkward. All metal and I can't wait to see the results. I have a crossbite and teeth that have shifted since I had braces umteen years ago. 

Here are a few random pics since November!

ok it's been 20 minutes of trying to uplaod another picture and it won't let me Browse my pics! What am I doing wrong?!

 

Merry Christmas!

Hi from the slacker-blogger! I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! We have been busy enjoying our break from school. The kids are well. Very excited about Christmas. I will post pictures next week!

Give Thanks

Layne was welcomed into the arms of Jesus Friday morning at 12:45 a.m. Her entire family was there to see her off. Her burial and celebration of life was yesterday and it was wonderful. Kristina and Hamp are very loved. Sweet Layne will be greatly missed. I know I will miss my weekly snuggles with her, but she is in the ultimate home and we will see her again one day! What a glorious thought. 
To find out what you can do to support and honor Layne Grace's memory, go to her caring bridge page. It's under Laynegracegaston

 This week I especially want to give thanks for my own family. I have learned so much through this journey with Kristina and Layne. What is really important. I will strive to make daily descisions that are meaningful and matter.

Blessed

Sorry for the slack in blogging. I can say Iam  blessed to be so busy! If anyone has been keeping up with Layne, you will know she is doing good! She has given a couple of scares but hasn't for a few days now. I try to go visit once a week but I can't let 2 weeks go by! Yesterday, Hamp and Kristina dedicated Layne to the Lord in their church. I saw this as just a reaffirmation of their ongoing dedication to God with Layne. I have learned so much from Kristina. She has been so strong and fully relies on God for that strength. SO many people love Layne and her family just through the testimony of faith they give through caring bridge.

I have been busy making my annual Christmas wreaths and enjoying that. I can't believe Thanksgiving is in 2 weeks! I haven't bought the first Christmas present. I have friends who are done. Not this girl. I still don't know what to get everyone.

Here are a few past pictures I haven't shared.....

 KE turning 9!! we had her a nancy drew inspired scavenger hunt party

the boys for Halloween :)