2013 Recap

Hey there! Remember me? I used to blog here, but then life got busy and I got behind. I kept saying I would blog, but I kept putting it off and I got behind. Then it seemed like a lot of work to go back and try and update everything so I just never did it.

But then, I started thinking about all of the things that I didn't post about. I felt guilty for not documenting our memories. So, I have made a goal for 2014 to try and post more often. Ideally I would like to post once a week, but if I can just do once a month I'll be happy with that.

Rather than going back and adding in posts, I thought I would try and do one big "catch all" post and just highlight the big stuff. So, here goes....

Aiden played his first year of baseball in the spring. He was on the Orioles. Baseball was totally new to him, and while he had fun, I don't think it was really his sport. He hasn't asked to sign up for baseball again, he says he wants to try soccer instead. 

Sophia turned one and we had a Minnie Mouse birthday party for her. We had a bounce house for the older kids, but I'm pretty sure Sophia enjoyed it just as much as the big kids. 

Jenny finished second grade, and we had a busy summer. We spent lots of time sleeping in, going to the pool, and hanging out with friends and family. We took a trip to Tennessee with my mom, brother, SIL, niece, and cousins. Kenny and Aiden had a good time at VBS and we also went strawberry picking.

In August, Aiden started his first year of school in Pre-K and Jenny started third grade. I am proud to say that they are both doing really well, and amaze me with how much they learn! 

August was a busy month, because we also moved. I always forget how difficult it is to move. I hope the next time we move I can hire movers!

Jenny turned 8 on August 30. I ate lunch with her at school, and we had a small surprise party for her with a couple of her friends. She didn't think we were going to do anything for her birthday since we had just moved, so she was really surprised!

In the fall we went to a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and we took a trip to Helen Georgia with my family. The kids also dressed up for Halloween. Jenny was Harley Quinn (a character from Batman), Aiden was Robin, and Sophia was a bumble bee. I loved that she was a bumble bee, because Jenny was also a bumble bee the first time she went trick or treating. :)

The holidays passed by too quickly, as they always do. Thanksgiving was spent at my cousin's house. We had a wonderful Christmas, and my children (and Jaime and I) were very spoiled with some really great gifts! We celebrated New Year's Eve at my mom's house with family. 

 2013 was a difficult year with my Dad passing away, but we made it through. It wasn't easy, but I know God was with us every step of the way. 2013 was also a year full of blessings. I am hoping that 2014 brings many more blessings, and hopefully less heartache. I just wanted to say that I appreciate each and everyone of you who said a prayer for my family this year. 

"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Can you believe 2013 is already here?! I can't even count the number of times I've written 2012 as the date and then had to change it to 2013. Jenny brought home some papers from school today and the dates said 01/03/12. Haha!

Anyway, we are hoping for a good year around here! 2012 was tough, I sure hope 2013 is better. We rang in the New Year with a small sleepover party for the kids. They each invited a friend and we ate snacks, played games, danced, and stayed up to see the ball drop. It was a lot of fun! My kids are still talking about how much fun they had.

I am a little disappointed that the holidays are already over, but I am looking forward to Valentine's Day. I know a lot of people think it is a cheesy holiday and it's a lame excuse for flower and chocolate companies to make some money. I see their point, but I don't see what's wrong with a special day to show someone how much you love them. I always get the kids something for Valentine's Day too, and we make pink cupcakes. I just think it is a lot of fun!

I am also looking forward to an upcoming consignment sale where I will be selling some of the kids' old clothes. This will be my 2nd time selling. It is a great way to make some extra cash! I also love buying stuff at the sale - they usually have some great deals! Plus it's all stuff I would just throw away otherwise. Why not make some extra money?

This post is very random and kind of pointless. I am hoping to make my blog more of an online journal for myself along with a family scrapbook. Jenny told me she wants to start a blog too. She's only seven! I told her I would think about it. Obviously it would be private. I think it might be a good "diary" for her and it could help improve her typing and writing skills. Do any of your kids have their own blogs?

I really need to get going - the kids are in bed and I can hear them talking. Time to go tell them to be quiet. Happy New Year, y'all!

Happy New Year: 1.1.11

Well, we're here. We made it to 2011. I know I said I wasn't going to set any New Year Resolutions this year, but I've changed my mind. There are a few areas that I feel like I struggle in and I could put more effort into. One thing I am going to say is that I am going to try really hard for a more stress-free year. Obviously, as the mother of a two year old, my life will NEVER be completely stress-free. However, I do think that stress takes away from the important things in life, and I don't want to miss a moment of Aiden and Jenny's lives. So, here goes...


1. Read the Bible more and grow in my relationship with Christ - I don't think a Christian can ever reach a point where they are done reading the Bible or where they are as close to God as they are ever gonna get. It doesn't work that way. God is always trying to show me and teach me new things. I hope that in 2011 He will use me to do great things!



2. The Love Dare - I have seen a few blogs with couples doing The Love Dare this year as part of their New Years resolutions. The Love Dare is a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconfitional love. Jaime has agreed to do this with me, and I think we are both going to learn a lot about each other through this experience, and a lot about where God wants us to be. Don't get me wrong, our relationship is very strong and we aren't having any problems. I think there is always room for improvement, and I think our relationship is worth working on and improving on. :)

3. Read more books -  Last year I read 7 books, and I am very disappointed in that number. This year I want to try to read at least 12 - one book a month. I hope I can do more, but if not, I'll be happy with 12. Right now I am reading "Look Again" by Lisa Scottoline. I have 30+ books on my "to-read" list. There are so many good books out there! I will be posting my 2011 reading list soon.

4. Spend more quality time with Aiden and Jenny - This is something that I try to do daily. Sometimes I get too caught up in the housework or the laundry, and I don't always cherish the moments I have with Aiden and Jenny the way I should. I do think I have been good about playing with them, doing fun stuff, and creating lots of memories for them. But, once again, I think there is always room for improvement in these areas. Jenny is already 5 and in kindergarten, and Aiden will be in school before I know it! I don't ever want to look back on these days and have regrets.

5. Make more time for me - Lastly, I hope that in 2011 I can find time to do more for myself. I tend to put the needs of other people ahead of my own needs, and sometimes that is a good thing. Other times, it's not so good. I hope I can set aside at least 15 minutes a day, where I can get a little break. A break from the housework, the laundry, the diaper changes, the sippy cups, the runny noses, the homework, giving rides to work, etc. Just a few minutes every day where I can sit and do nothing.

Well, those are my goals. Of course there are a few other things I wouldn't mind doing this year too, but these are my main ones. What are your goals or resolutions for 2011? Are the easy like mine, or more difficult? I hope that you all will accomplish your goals this year, and I hope 2011 treats you all well! Happy New Year!

The Last Post of 2010

I can not believe that today is the last day of 2010. I can not believe that tomorrow is the first day of 2011. 2011. 20-11. Doesn't that sound so futuristic? It seems like Y2K was just last week, and the week before that was like 1995 or something. Am I really 23 years old? Am I really a mom and stepmom? Am I really a "grown-up" now? More importantly, is Aiden really 2 years old, and Jenny 5? Wow, wow, wow. I. Can. Not. Believe. How. Fast. Time. Flies. It's crazyness!

Last year on New Year's Eve, Jaime and I spent it in the emergency room. He had burned his face and shoulder at work (with hot butter), and I had to take him to the ER. Luckily, he healed just fine and you can't even tell he was ever burned. Still, I hope and pray that tonight is accident free. 2010 was a pretty blah year. Nothing great happened, nothing really bad happened. In 2010 we just were, and I am totally fine with that.

Here's to a great year in 2011. I wish you all a year of exciting beginnings, family health, lots of laughter, and experiencing God's goodness and mercy day in and day out. Happy New Year, friends!

Happy New Year!

Unfortunetly we spent New Year's in the emergency room this year. Jaime burned his face and shoulder at work on New Year's Eve, so we were in the hosital at midnight. No worries, he is recovering well and you can hardly tell he was ever burned! It's amazing, he heals incredibly fast! Happy New Year!