My Southern Drawl...

I've noticed in the past couple of weeks small comments from my Texas born Son and Husband that I now have a southern drawl... especially when saying certain words.

I can't deny it as I have noticed that I have picked up the Texas Twang a bit also... LOL

Words that I have noticed are much more Twangy: Well, Caelan, ??*&#  I am not sure what other ones there are but I am thinking it is a growing list. :-)

I am also not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing...hmmm

Jury is still out on that one!

I am having a good week and so are all the boys.

I am going to start posting everyday... if I can... LOL

I have a lot of catching up to do about the past couple of months, and all that has been going on in our world.

Ta Ta for now!
April

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