Happy Birthday Christi!

Today, January 2nd, 2010  Christi turns 33. Or as Brad teases me almost 40! He gets such a kick out of teasing me that he is younger than me and therefore MUCH younger than Christi. Last year for Christi’s special birthday blog I remember being so proud of our sister bond. Over this past year it has only grown stronger. It is funny how much you fight with your siblings growing up and when you become a grown up your siblings become one of the first things you fight to be around.

Christi has shown me things about herself I never really knew. She and my mother have very similar personalities. Quite opposite from mine. Christi is very shy, definitely not a social butterfly in fact I think her cocoon is permanently sealed. She hates to be alone is very, very quite and when she does speak is very soft spoken. She lets me shine whenever I’m around her no matter how loud I get cause it keeps the focus off her.

She has done a lot over this past year to lead her way in the right direction. She just changed jobs. She will now be at home more with the boys and she will have more time and better pay to help continue nursing school. She has surprised me at how important she has made the boys this year. She has ALWAYS done a lot with the boys but sometimes bills just have to be paid. This past year I have seen her make MANY sacrifices to be able to put her boys and their wants first. She has had to endure many hard trials of life and never stop smiling for knowing if she did she would start crying( like when no one showed up at Aubrey and Tucker’s birthday party this year). She has really put her children first and been a WONDERFUL mom. She has even started taking the boys to church to help teach them about our Savior.

She has been wonderful to me as well. She has helped me SO much with my kids. She is never more than a phone call away when I just need a minute before I think I may go crazy or to keep Caroline and Carson so I can go somewhere. She even calls on a regular basis just to see if they can spend the night just so I can have some me time or me and Brad can go on a date. She always makes up fun stuff to do with Caroline and Carson that only aunts do. Like roasting marsh mellows or making rice crispy treats that are shaped like pumpkins or making Christmas ornaments.

This past year has only helped our sister bond grow tighter. Again I must say I am so PROUD she is my sister.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHRISTI!!

Our First FIRST for 2010

They say whatever you do for New Year’s is suppose to set what you do for the whole year. Well if that’s the case things are looking pretty good for us.


I wrote a letter to my mother’s parents in Florida today, got my house really clean and spent some good laughs with Brad and Caroline and Carson as we sat in the floor and played. We saw family and friends. I even had time to give myself and Caroline a manicure and pedicure (which we haven’t done since summer) and update my blog while they dry. We started yesterday with another first, Caroline’s first time at the movies. So if this is any sign of what the new year has in store, I would say things couldn’t look better

New Year’s Eve Day Brad and I took Caroline to her 1st movie at the theater. We have been waiting because Caroline likes to be busy and we weren’t sure she would sit still. She did really well. Nonnee’ kept Carson so it could be a special day for just Caroline. I think all kids deserve their own special time when they can have mommy and daddy all to themselves. We went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. She was such a big girl. Gave them her ticket all by herself, carried her own popcorn, picked out her own seat (that she couldn’t keep down while she was sitting in) and even picked up on the ‘free refills’ on our popcorn and decided midway into the movie she needed to go get a refill. She even sat still through most of the movie. She really didn’t want to leave when it was over. She didn’t understand why she couldn’t just watch another movie when that was over. I’m with her. What about an all day movie pass??

Caught in the Act!

Look at this sweet tired little boy. Yes, we have 2 thumb suckers. What are the odds?! Carson only sucks his thumb when he gets tired though. I just couldn’t resist catching him in the act over the holidays. He is so funny when you catch him. He starts giggling so hard like he is really just doing it to be silly. Can I just keep this silly, giggly boy just like he is right now for ever?

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year! I can’t believe it is 2010! I am so excited about all this new year will hold! If it is anything like 2009 it will be amazing!

2009 was full of wonderful memories!

Carson turned 1 that we celebrated with an awesome fish fry thanks to Grandpa (Ronnie). He learned to walk and talk, got his 1st haircut, developed the best personality, reached all his 1st year milestones ahead of schedule and from the first day of 2009 to the 1st day of 2010 has remained the SWEETEST little boy. I am so proud of him. He is so mild mannered and minds very well. They say little boys take care of their momma’s and easily find a special place in there hearts. Well I think it must be true!

Caroline turned 3 and looks and acts just like me. Not decided if that is good or bad. Ha ha! More good I think, she is just very strong willed, which will hopefully get her far in life. I sometimes think we were suppose to have been twins. Brad often refers to her as ‘little Aimee’. She started dance in 2009 and seems to really enjoy herself. She has learned so much. She surprises me each day with how smart she is. She can do most anything I can think of to ask her. Just the other day at the grocery, she could look up and tell me which aisle we were on. I had no clue she could recognize her numbers already. She learned how to fold towels this year, which may seem like a small thing but I am so thankful for the help and her eagerness to want to right now.

Our family first and foremost have become a lot closer to God this year. He has blessed us with so many things throughout our lives and this past year has been no exception to that. We have developed a close relationship to our church family and have made some really wonderful new friends. We have had the opportunity to involve our children in many activities at our church this year which has helped us to move forward in rearing our children in the right direction. Our family reached one of our big goals, to make prayer before each meal a habit. Caroline will never know what a big part she played in this. Something about when you are trying to teach your child to do something, it is so much easier to lead by example. Once on board, it became an easy habit to form. When your 3 year old announces loudly in Chick-a-fila “We didn’t pray! Close your eyes, and proceeds to thank God for ‘everything he gives us and this chicken’.” You realize that if your child has no worries about offending anyone why should we not be just as proud to thank our wonderful Savior for ‘everything he gives us’ no matter where we are.

We also acquired a 3 pet to add to our family. Miss Kitty… Miss Kitty ( I know what an original name for a cat, but that is the name Caroline named her) joined Libby and Knox. She started out as a bribe. Caroline was suppose to stop sucking her thumb and she could have a kitty for her 3rd Birthday. Well we got the kitty, but the thumb sucking has gone no where.

We had some scares with Papa’s health in 2009, but God got us through each of those and in the end, I think it was a truer blessing than we may have realized. We got together as an extended family more over this past year than I can remember in many years past. During the time Papa was sick and even after. Family get together’s are one of my favorite childhood memories and now my children seem to be on the way to making these same memories. Anne and Sarah even got to come home and see family which they don’t get to do as often as they would like.

Patrick graduated from college and got engaged to a wonderful girl Juliana Jordan. I am so happy he found such a good person to spend the rest of his life with!

Christi has just gotten a really good job at Baptist East and will be continuing her path to nursing school.

We even did more with Brad’s family this past year. It is often hard for me sometimes to understand that Brad’s family is not as close as mine. I have learned to accept that they are different than mine but I am glad to let my children grow up an learn how important family is.



It has really been a full and wonderful year! To a wonderful year and a wonderful year to come!

The puppies are 5 weeks old now

Remember this picture I posted?

 Well here are updates.  My brothers AKC registered Weimaraner puppies are now 5 weeks old and will be ready to find new loving families in just one short week.  He has 11 of them so they will be going for a GREAT price.  I think they are SO CUTE!!  The all have the deepest blue eyes! I hate we can't keep all of them!

Christmas Day

Christmas Day began with breakfast and then on to Papa's house.  Growing up we went to Papa's house every year on Christmas Day.  The last couple of years we haven't been able to.  This year however we were fortunate enough to get to spend Christmas Day at Papa and Marsha's.  Papa's bought with health problems this year kept him closer to home and we reaped the benefits.  Patrick and Juliana had to visit her family but the rest of us, momma, daddy, Christi, Christian, Aubrey, Tucker, Brad, Carson, Caroline and myself and Aunt Mary, Joseph and Andrew all got to visit and eat lunch with Papa and Marsha.  Papa and Marsha got Caroline a Bible story and song cd and Carson a Bible story dvd. 

They are the neastet gifts I think we got.  They have the kids names in them so just when they might start to let their attention drift it says their name again and draws them right back in.  Caroline put her cd in the player as soon as she opened it and sang and danced forever.   I was so glad to see Christian, Tucker and Aubrey and spend Christmas day with them. 

After Papa's we all went to daddy and momma's for our family Christmas.  As always there was confussion when the paper started flying.  There are always so many gifts.  I really can't tell you what anyone got only the stuff that went home with me.  Momma as always made me some really special things.  A large pillow for our bed, a shirt which I love and can't wait to show off.  No matter how hard the year has been momma and daddy always make sure to out do themselves at Christmas.  How did I luck out to get the BEST parents in the world?  Guess that's why I live in a fairytail world sometimes cause I feel like a grew up in one.  HA HA that was a little corny wasn't it but it is truely how I feel. 
Nana was there and so were Uncle P and Aunt J. And Christi and the boys were all there too.  I got Christi a mother's necklace with the boys names engraved and their birthstones.  I think she really likes it and I am really glad.  She is hard for me to buy for and I really wanted to get her something special.

Merry Christmas!!

 So now I have officially finished with the Christmas season and I look back and see what a wonderful gift our Father gave us.  The birth of His precious Son to celebrate each year and what better way can there be to celebrate than with the family and friends He has blessed me with. 

My prayer for today:

Thank you Lord for your perfect sacrifice

so that I may live such a blessed life.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

I LOVE this new ornament that I got from our Junior Auxiliary gift swap at the Christmas tea this year!!!

...And the Stockings were hung by the Chimney with Care

This year I knew was the year Santa was going to be so much fun!  Caroline has been so excited anticipating her new bike she asked for.  She is old enough this year to start Santa tradations.  We got out the cookie plate and cup passed to me from my mother that we used when I was little and we picked out some cookies and reindeer food to leave for Santa with some egg nog (Caroline's choice and new favorite thing to drink).

Now all snuggled in their beds with visions of sugar plums soon to be dancing over their heads, Caroline and Carson were tucked in.

Brad got me a new camcorder for Christmas this year so we could catch the excitement of Christmas morning.  And a perfect Christmas morning it was! 

I think the legos ended up being the biggest hit.  Not sure if it was Brad or the kids that had the most fun building lego towers. Brad's step dad and mom came over as soon as the kids got up at 6:30 and we cooked breakfast.  Momma and Daddy joined us too!  Caroline and Carson were so excited toshow everyone what santa left and play with all the new toys left by Santa.

It was the night before Christmas...

It was the night before Christmas...

As long as I can remember we have ALWAYS spent Christmas eve with Momma's side of the family.  So even though I am now married this is still first on the priority list for Christmas events.  Even more so now that Brad and I have children of our own, holiday tradations seem to become even more important to my somewhat old fashioned values.  All the children, now adults and married with Patrick soon to be next October, we still manage to all make it there.  We don't get to hang out near as much as I wish we could so it is nice to know we always have Christmas to count on to get us all there.  We always go to Aunt Cathy's as we did this year.  This year Christian, Aubrey and Tucker were at David's for Christmas Eve so I was a little sad to not have them there.  Sad for myself and more so for Christi.  Now that I have children of my own I understand how hard it must be to not have your children with you EVERY day. Not just holidays because I am learning that everyday is a special day when your children are there. But despite their absense we have plenty of little ones to keep the excitement going. 
Caroline can put on the show all by herself but ths year she did really good about playing with everyone, especially Ady.  Caroline loves babies and was loving trying to be Ady's mommy.  Skip and Amanda got Caroline a baby stroller that Ady was just small enough to still fit in it so Amanda strapped her in and let Caroline push her around the house.  It was so cute and Ady was such a good sport.  Sat up and went along for the ride.  I think Ady is one of the happiest, prettiest babies I've ever seen.
We got Ady a pink glow worm because Caroline and Carson were so attached to theirs at that age and Carson still is.  It must be a mother's instinct because Christi got her a blue one too!  Perfect now she has a boy and a girl of her very own.
Chase and Lia got Caroline and Carson new glow doodles that we LOVE!!  I requested 2 from past experience and it's a good thing.  They traveled with us everywhere we went for Christmas and cut back the fighting for the same toy.  Plus they could still draw in the car when it was dark!  A very recommended gift!!!!
We got Maci a leap frog animal set.  I hope she likes it as much as Carson likes his.  Maci was walking all over the place and was so proud of herself.  She would walk and then stop and smile and clap for herself.  She is the happiest little baby.  And SO beautiful. Those big brown eyes and that dark brown hair.  It is funny how opposite she looks when you set her beside Caroline, Carson and Ady.

As I look through my pictures from Christmas Eve I see how special children make this wonderful season.  God has blessed each of our families so much throughout the years and now we can pass down those special traditions to our children

Cookies and Confections for Christmas Eve

What fun we had this year getting ready for Christmas!  I was off on Christmas Eve this year so Caroline and I decided we would have a mom day and make candy and cookies for Christmas to take to all our stops.  We invited my mother over and Juliana to help.  Christi had to work so we just made plenty of chocolate for her.  So we all tied on our aprons (Caroline, Juliana and I) that moma made for us and got to work.   We had the best time!  I was in charge of the peanut butter balls and Juliana made oreo balls and ended up doing all the dipping of anything that went in chocolate while I snapped pictures.  Momma has had years to learn patience so she got the task of cutting out sugar cookies and Gingerbread men with Caroline who already can complete any task all by herself with no instruction.  Brad did his part the night before and made his famous fudge so it was already ready to be cut and put on trays.  Uncle P even stopped by after he got off work and helped ice cookies.  He did a lot better than I was doing so I let him take over.  We didn't get to make the Martha Washington balls or the sugar strawberries that I love so much but there was more candy than we knew what to do with.  In the end, all the gingerbread men were dressed in overalls and pants some with green and red hair others sporting moehawks; all the trays were spilling over with candy and confections.  There was flour on the floor and countertops and Juliana had smudges of chocolate on her face but we were all still smiling and laughing.  What a great start to Christmas Eve!

Lastly and Back Up to current events..

Where have I been?  This question should be rephrased for the month of December to: where haven't I been?  The month has really flown by in all the preperation for Christmas, Christmas has again gotten here before I realized it.  I can't wait for our family celebrations to start tomorrow!  Being so close to my family it means so much more spending the holidays with them. 

Last weekend we started our Christmas celebrations with a trip through Christmas City and Brad's family at his grandmother's house.  His brother's family drove up from Louisianna.  We had a good time.  It's been a while since we've gotten together with Brad's family. 
Now tomorrow momma and Juliana are coming over to make candy and cookies for Christmas with me and Caroline and then on to Aunt Cathy's for Christmas Eve tradation.  Next time I update will most likely be after Christmas so Merry Christmas! 

Pictures from Brad's Grandmothers: