Skype

I got to Skype with the boys yesterday night.  Jason has a web cam and we got one specifically so that the boys can talk to family.  I love this because it is so much more real for them.  They can see who they are talking to and they can share their life and surroundings with family in a way that you can't do when just talking on the phone.  I also love that Garrett can be involved this way too!  He loves to pretend talk on a play phone, but kinda just looks at the phone confused when you talk to him on the real phone! LOL  So, I am going to start doing a Skype night... or at least try to.  This way the boys can keep in touch with everyone they love.  I am really looking forward to getting to do this with the boys.  

Goals for 2012

Well it is that time of year again... when people make their resolutions for the coming year.  Last year I heard on a radio station that I listen to a really great idea.  Instead of all sorts of complicated resolutions that you won't keep up with... select a word for the next year.  I liked this idea... So, last year my word was "Healed" I think that a full healing of all that I have gone through will take time, but I feel I am on the right road.  I also feel like I have come a long way in being "Healed"

I started thinking about what I want my word for the coming year to be... I still have a couple going through my head but I like Square, Balanced,and Motivated hmmm not sure.  I like these words because I have numerous goals for the coming year and they all sorta fit into these words.  Loose weight, make sure I am eating healthy, Take a picture Everyday, Simplify, Declutter, get any outstanding financial stuff lined out... things like that.  So, I still have a little while to decide... I'll let you know.

What would your word be?  Do you make new year resolutions?

Love,
April

Christmas 2011

I started off the day sleeping in!  I don't get to do this very often so that was a huge thing.  Of course my body wouldn't let me sleep past 8:30, but that's pretty late for me.  We had Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast, and Brian and I enjoyed a nice Hot Tottie.  I made Caelan a Cappuccino, which he thought was pretty awesome!   Caelan got to open one of his gifts at home... just the 3 of us.  We then all get ready.  Oh! It was snowing when I woke up, and snowed all day long.  We had a beautiful White Christmas.  


We went over to Nanan and Paw Paw's house for Christmas Lunch and then opening presents.  Great gifts and wonderful memories... Caelan got some pretty cool presents!  I got a Kindle.  I still am so excited!  We then enjoyed a game of ?? Train... sorry I can't remember the name of the game we played, but it was with Domino's.  All in all it was a really wonderful Christmas.


I missed the boys a lot, but did not let that keep me from having a good time.  I got to talk to Cody Christmas Evening.  He sounded very excited and told me about the toys he got.  They put the phone up to Garrett so he could talk, but he just wanted to push the buttons.  :-)  

I got to be Santa this year... so I had to get into it!  Bow on head definitely a requirement!

Someone like to wrap Caelan's presents using Duck Tape... Paw Paw!

Air Soft Gun

Brian decided to get in on the bow on head fun!  hehe

No that is not a G string!  It's a sleeping mask... For the man who was sleeping with a pillow over his head! :-)

Paw Paw I see you!

Nanan talking!  :-)

Caelan really liked his remote control Helicopter!  He tackled Brian!

AWWW this one is a keeper!  13 and can still give Dad a great big hug!

Ray and Charla 

HMMMM what is this

Is that Coal???

Yes Paw Paw that was me that got you the Coal... it's just a little joke!  hehe

Ya we look pretty silly!

Me

Just love that look!

Our Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas!

        So much has happened this past year!  We have much to be joyful for. 

        First of all thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all of our friends and family who helped us through tough times.  We love you and you mean more to us than you know.

        Brian and I married in June after a whirlwind of events that brought us together.  We are very happy and feel so blessed to have found each other.

        The boys and I moved to Amarillo in July and have been enjoying life in our new environment.  I am working at Anderson Merchandisers.  For those who do not know what this company does… we merchandise the books, music, and videos in the Best Buys and Wal-Mart’s all over the country.  I work in the Marketing Department.  I am in charge of the Book Department.  I work on the signage and the displays in the Wal-Mart stores for the book department.  I like it a lot.  It is very different than doing payroll and training, but it is a nice change of pace.  Time has really flown by since we moved here.  I guess three kids and a husband as well as a full time job will do that!  J

        Brian is working at Best Buy on the Geek Squad and has had 2 promotions in the past year!  This is their busy time of year so it has been CRAZY! J Brian plans on teaching Guitar Lessons this next year.  He hopes to start doing this in January.  Brian is a wonderful Husband and Father.  We keep him busy!   

        Caelan is doing well in school.  He played football this year and really like it.  He thinks he will play again next year when he goes to Randall High School.  He is also in Choir and enjoys that.  Caelan went hunting this year and got his first buck.  He had a great time and can’t wait to go again.  Caelan has taken on being a big brother and is doing a great job! He is great with Cody and Garrett and is such a big help. 

        Cody continues to amaze me at how fast he grows!  He loves going to his new sitter’s house.  He calls it going to school.  Mrs. Jessica takes great care of the kids.  Cody has adjusted to all of the changes this past year very well.  He is a tough little dude!  Cody got a new bike this year for his birthday (Thank You Nana and Papa)   He loves riding his bike and playing outside.  He loves football and soccer.  Cody still loves playing with cars and really anything with wheels.  He has recently discovered he really likes making forts!  He has such a vivid and amazing imagination.  It is really fun to watch him play… it’s amazing the stuff he comes up with!  Cody has so much love to give!  He is our sweet little Cody Bear.

        Garrett is getting so big!  He is walking and jabbering away.  He is very sure that he needs to keep up with his brothers and has decided he can climb up on step stools just like brothers can.  He is going to be our little dare devil!  Garrett loves playing with cars, blocks, play phones.  He is such an amazing little person.  He has a great personality and I love seeing him learn and grow.  Garrett is very independent.  He decided that he needed to start feeding himself and pretty much refused to eat baby food around 10ish months.  He has done much of the same thing with his bottle.  He only has that at nap and bed time.  We have recently made a big accomplishment! No more Binky!!! We love our little Garrett (or as Cody calls him Carrot… I call him my little Monkey) Garrett is such a sweet little boy. He loves to give hugs and kisses and is such a sweet heart.

        Yes we have much to be joyful for.  We have been very blessed.

We hope that this letter finds all of you well.

Love,

Brian, April, Caelan, Cody and Garrett

(I just wanted to share our Christmas Letter from this year... We could not afford to send out Christmas Cards to everyone we wanted to this year, but here is the letter that was included in our Christmas Cards)

Merry Christmas!!

Well Merry Christmas to you all!  I can not believe how fast time is going by.  Today is Christmas Eve, Eve... I don't know why I have always like to say that!  All the Christmas preparations are made... I think.  


This year is a little different.  Cody and Garrett will be spending Christmas with their Dad so we had our Christmas with them last weekend. So, we kind of are getting to have Christmas is spurts all spread out.  I must admit.  I am going to miss them so much! Them not being here does make me sad.  I know they will have fun at their Dad's house though.  


I will still get to watch Caelan have his Christmas morning and I think that will be really fun! (Hehe as she laughs... he thinks he isn't getting anything "cool" this year...typical 13 year old)  anyway I can't wait to see his face when he opens his gifts. 


 It has been a very nice Christmas Season for us.  We put up the tree, made cookies, and all that good stuff.  It has been fun.  Cody and Garrett had a great time last weekend opening their gifts.  They had all this week to play with them before going to their Dad's.  Caelan didn't have as much fun last weekend because he has had to wait... kinda torture! He has been counting down the days since then  :-)  

Cody got a Leapster Explorer... He is super excited!

One of Garrett's favorites... he played with this the most

Love how this captures everyone watching Garrett! :-)

He loved playing with the paper

Getting help opening the box

Ya!  Cars slippers

Cody's new scooter!  He was so excited!

just love how sweet and innocent he looks in this one... what a handsome little boy!

We wish you all a very safe and happy Christmas!  We have much to be thankful for... we are so blessed!

Love, 

April

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!!


I am writing this today because I will not have time to do it tomorrow.  LOL :-)   I started out today trying to think of all of the things I have to be thankful for.  I realized I have so many things to be thankful for, and I want to share this with all of you!  Last year at this time my life was completely turned upside down.  I didn't know how things were going to be O.K. ever again.  I had hope for a future with good things again, but didn't see how it was possible.  I could not see past my day to day... put one foot in front of the other and survive at that point last year.  A year later... so much has happened!  I am at a completely different place!  No REALLY!!  God is so good!  My life is completely different, and yet it is not... I am still me and I am confident in who I am.  I am thankful for God's love and faithfulness, for my family (ever growing!! babies for Bobby and Shanlee, Chelsea and Pedro, and Kevin and Candace) ,my Husband (you are amazing... such a blessing to me, and I am so lucky to have you!)  for my children (all three of them...I never would have seen that one coming), for my friends (who through all of this have helped me stay strong and encouraged me... you guys have no idea how much you mean to me).  I am Thankful for my health, and my home.  I am Thankful for forgiveness and for healing.  I am Thankful for new beginnings, memories of the past, and excitement for all of what the future holds.  I am so Thankful for so many things...  I pray that you will all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving Holiday!  For those of you who I won't get to see this Thanksgiving here is a great big hug and kiss from me! 


Love, 
April

Helping out a Friend...

When all of the craziness that has happened this past year started I had no idea that in less than a year I would actually feel grateful that though it was hard and a true trial  with God’s help I have come out on top!  I am healing and have found that having gone through this allows me to be able to help others who are going through something really difficult too.  I have a good friend who is going through a rough time that is somewhat similar to what I went through.  Being able to offer support and understanding because I went through something so similar helps me feel good.  I am glad that I am able to help her.  At least since all that hard trying stuff had to happen this past year at least I am able to use those experiences to help other people.  

Inspiration from the Pioneer Woman...

Recently I found a Blog by the Pioneer Woman( http://thepioneerwoman.com) has inspired me in my photography.  I love photography, but with the craziness of life I have gotten to where I have relied on the Auto on my camera a bit too much!  See the Pioneer Woman loves photography too and she has some post about using the S, A, and M!  on your camera.  I’ve been inspired and I am working on using these functions a lot more often.  Just in case you don’t know... S allows you to adjust the Shutter Speed on Digital SLR’s.  A allows you to adjust the aperture and M allows you to go full manual!  So... thank you Pioneer Woman for inspiring me to not be lazy and to use my camera not just on auto!  

Garrett’s a Toddler

Garrett is walking all by himself!  He has even figured out the getting up with out pulling on someone or something to get there!!  He is so adorable as he waddles around.

Technology Slip up ...

I have now had two instances where I was relying on my phone as my alarm clock and things went... well, wrong!  The first time was a few weeks ago when I traveled to Santa Rosa to pick up Cody from his Dad.  When I returned it was around 8pm and I didn’t really even look at my phone.  I plugged it in as I always do and went to bed.  Well, the next day I got up with my alarm, got ready and though I was doing good.  I was on scheduled to leave on time and everything... until Caelan came out and said,” Mom, why are you still here?”  to which, I responded...”what do you mean!”  Caelan then informed me of the time and I first thought how did I loose and hour!  Then I thought well Crap!  LOL so I will make sure to check my phone when I travel to NM to make sure it changes back to TX time.  

Well, you would have thought that I had learned to maybe not put all of my trust in my phone to wake me up.  Not so!  Again, I plugged in my phone last night and noticed that the battery icon was the only thing that came up... I thought hu I didn’t realized I was that low on power... Oh well, and went to bed.  Not even thinking you know that means that my pohone isn’t actually on!  It’s just charging.  So, at 6:45 this morning I woke up and realized my phone was actually off and that it’s a good think I woke up on my own... I wasn’t even late.  Though I didn’t do my normal routine we were able to get out the door on time.  So, lesson learned... I’m moving my alarm clock/ ipod charger to my room again and setting the alarm each night.  I need backup!

Brothers...

Family is such an important part of my life... I grew up in a big family and having those bonds with my siblings has been so important to me.  This past year has shown me again how much my family means to me.

 I have seen Cody and Garrett bonding on many occasions and aside from the fact that it is absolutely adorable... it warms my heart that they will be close. 

 I see them bonding with Caelan as well.  Caelan was at first a little overwhelmed with being a big brother to two instantly, but he has adjusted and he loves them very much.  How awesome is it for all three of them to have each other.  

A Lovely Afternoon...

A few weeks ago it was so nice outside that all of us... me and the 4 males of the house... went outside to" play."  Cody was kicking his soccer ball around, and just running (that kid does love to run).  Garrett was crawling around, and watching all of us (this was a short while before he started walking on his own... which he does very well now).  Caelan was playing catch with me. 

Now I have never been great at sports.  I was much more the Band Geek, photography, year book, kind of Gal in High School.  So, even though I have 3 brothers I never really threw a football very well.  So, after a little instruction ( he had to teach me I was the only one to play catch with at the time... Brian was not home yet )  Anyway... he showed me how to hold the ball and we were off.  I found out that I am pretty good at throwing the ball, but really not great at catching it.  LOL pretty much could have called that one!

  Once Brian got home he changed and came down to "play" some too!  Cody and I kicked the soccer ball back and forth, and watch the big boys throw the football.  They let Cody in on the fun some too!  All in all it was really a lovely afternoon.  

Some Catching Up to do...

Caelan during the game

 So much for keeping up with my blog and with posting at least once a week!  LOL So, I have some post I will make in the next couple of day to get me caught up.  But I am going to start from where I am today... for today! Cody and Garrett are with their Dad this week so it's just the three of us.  Caelan had a football game today and Brian and I both we able to go. He has had many games but they start at 4pm, which makes it really hard for us to make it.  It was really fun and we all had a great time.  He made some great hits!

1st Day of School

Today was the first day of school for Caelan.  He started 8^th grade today.  He started at a new school this year.  He seemed maybe a little nervous… but mostly really excited.  I got to drop him off this morning because Brian had to do inventory at his work and work from 7pm to after 5am… yes that’s right ALL NIGHT LONG!!  So, he didn’t take Caelan to school this morning because he was going to sleep!  J  Brian did see us off this morning though.  We left at 7:20ish.  We dropped Caelan off first and then I took the boys to their new sitter Miss Jessie.  Jessica lives a little way out of town.  It’s in town, but out of town… anyway!  It is worth the drive!  Cody and Garrett had a great time and she is a great lady!  Cody actually told me he wanted to live there today after I picked them up and was asking him about his day.  J  So, much better than the day care that I was taking them too. She is doing preschool with Cody also!

Caelan was so excited he was actually talking nonstop when we got home telling us about his day!  I think he likes it!  J  It was really cute how excited he was!

All in all it was a great Monday!  Dinner made when I got home… little boys to bed early!  All chores…etc. done in a reasonable time and I am going to have time to post this tonight!  I think we may have gotten this figured out.  Well, until tomorrow!  Hehe 

I am just grateful for today and all of the joys it brought!  I look forward to tomorrow and all of the adventures that it may hold! 

So proud of my boys!!  

The Start

I have decided to start a Blog to share with family and friends about… well our life!  We love all of you dearly, but unfortunately do not get to live close to some of you.  I wanted to have another way to keep everyone up on how everyone is doing.

Ok so Cody turned 4 this year Aug. 5^th.  He had a birthday party with us in Amarillo the weekend after his birthday.  He had a Super Hero party!  They dressed up and ran around pretending to be Super Hero’s.  Cody and his friend Zack played in the dirt at the park at got utterly filthy!  What better fun is there for a 4 year old!  J 

Cody and Garrett spent the past week with their Dad in Rio Rancho.  The first weekend they were there they had a birthday party for Cody.  From the pictures I saw it looks like they had a great time!  Cody got a rocket that you build and then shoot off… usually you are able to get the rocket back and use it again.  Unfortunately, because of time restraints they shot off the rocket when the weather was not optimal and the rocket got pulled up into a thunderstorm and is long gone!  So, Cody’s Dad is going to get him another one that they can shoot off another time when Cody is up there. 

Caelan starts school on Monday.  He will be starting 8^th grade at a new school in a new school district.  He will be going to Westover Junior High.  Last week we got the school shopping done.  He is a little nervous, but excited all at the same time.  I just know he is going to do really great!

Cody and Garrett are starting at a new sitter this coming week as well.  We found Miss Jessie who lives in Canyon.  She lives a little out on a dirt road, but she has goats and dogs.  She has kiddos of her own and she loves watching kids.  She is a very nice lady who is about my age.  I am really glad that we found her.  This will be a much better environment for the kids. 

So, keep me in your thoughts on Monday!  We will have lots of first going on and a pretty early start to the day to get everyone where they need to be on time. 

I picked up the boys today and it was so good to give them hugs and kisses.  I missed them so much!  I was thinking while driving back from picking them up about how blessed I am.  I have been through a great deal this past year pregnancy, divorce, moving out of my house and in with my Brother and Sister-In Law, moving back to my home town… living with my X-In Laws, falling in love again, getting engaged, getting married, moving to Amarillo, TX!  Yes… I have been through a lot, but through all that I have come I have become stronger.  I have grown closer to God.  I have been so blessed in so many ways.  Last year at this time I was going through probably the hardest part of all the changes.  I was pregnant, and trying to come to terms with my marriage being over.  I was in a great deal of pain.  Truly the only way that I made it through all of that was with God’s help.  It was hard, but I am in such a better place now than I was then.  I would not say I am all of the way healed… I think that is something that will take time, but love heals all.  Life is good!

Well, that better be all for tonight!  TTFN ~ April

Of Course I had to add some pictures!  You know me!  ;-)

Group shot of Brian, Me, Garrett, Caelan, and Cody

Cody on his New Bike

Garrett being absolutely adorable!

Cody and Zack playing at the park during Cody's Birthday Party.

Cody with his Captain America mask on!  He had so much fun!

Cody and Zack having a blast being... boys!