About Me

Texas, United States
I am a stay at home Mom from Oregon who has landed in Texas.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

live, breathe, eat....

What am I talking about? Girl Scout cookies of course. Holy bananas. We received the cookies 5 days ago, and I'm telling you it's all we've been doing since then. It's paid off, we've sold 164 boxes so far. Natalie has lofty goals of selling 600 boxes, and I will do everything in my power to help her reach her goal!

She is such a sweet girl, she's trying to sell enough cookies so that the whole family can go with her troop to Sea World in May. I know she can do it, she's been a trooper! We've walked around the neighborhood on three different days so far, and she (hardly) complains. Even when it's freezing and all we get are "no, thank you"s. She just keeps going.

I just want her to remember these special times her and I spend together. Trekking around the neighborhood with our red wagon loaded up. Talking about school and friends and life, dreaming about the future. It's fun to hear her views on life. It's fun to be a part of a memory that I hope will stick with her for the rest of her life.

Friday, January 18, 2013

better blogger

Wow. June since my last post. That's embarrassing. Instead of trying to catch up, or apologize for being gone so long, I'm just gonna get you up to date on what we are doing now! And yes, I've finally found time to blog again. I hate blogging without photos, but for now that's just gonna have to do! Pictures will be back eventually. Baby steps. Uh....this is gonna be long.

Natalie:
Natalie has been going to her ballet academy for four months and it has been amazing. Her dancing has grown by...uh, leaps and bounds, and her academics are right on track. She's even been able to move up a bit in math. I love the flexibility of her school, they tailor it to her skill level, and it's wonderful! She is currently training hard to showcase a trio in the 2013 YAGP happening in Dallas in February. It's going to be an amazing experience for her. If you are local you should come out to support her, and see many other fabulous young dancers!

We are also in the thick of Girl Scout Cookie sales! Natalie has a lofty goal of 600 boxes (down from 2,000, haha!) to earn the family a trip to Sea World with her troop. We are hitting the pavement and doing our best to make that happen for her!

Nat is getting lovlier and lovlier every day. Though we butt heads more than I would like, she is truly a beautiful child. And she is very kind and tender, when she's not spouting a little sass! She is truly a blessing for this home!

Brady:
After a rough start to first grade, Brady has found his groove and is thriving! He reads like a fifth grader, loves video games and legos like any boy should, and adores his baby brother. This boy seriously has me wrapped around his little finger. He is tender and sweet, and a definite mama's boy. And I love every bit of it!

He's been having bad nightmares lately, I think it's due to all the mystery books he's been reading! So we've changed genres and hopefully the nightmares will fade away. He still ends up on the couch at least two nights out of the week. I think he'd sleep with us every night if we let him!

We did finally sign him up for Little League and we couldn't be more excited! It's been too long in coming, and we are stoked to get him into an organized sport. I think he's going to flourish there, and hopefully this will be the first of many seasons! Lot's in store for this almost 7 (!!!) year old!

Wyatt:
Oh man. This kid is definitely the glue of our family! He is a ball of sunshine 85% of the time, and we are all so in love. I wish we had video cameras following him around to capture all his silly and sweet shenanigans. This age is the absolute best. He is learning and trying new words every day. He (mostly) eats like a champ, well, he eats like a pig, but he's definitely the pickiest of the kids so far. One week he can't get enough raw carrots/grapes/apples/etc and the next week he won't touch them! It's challenging, but doable.

Wyatt LOVES cars and trains, and almost always has at least one in his tiny little paws. He loves to ride them along the top of the kitchen cupboards right under the counter on the little "road" there in the gap. It's pretty cute when I'm trying to cook, because he pushes in between me and the counter lost in his own little world, to continue his cars journey. 

He also got a pair of soft fuzzy leather slipper boots for Christmas and it was like love at first sight! He has worn those things EVERY DAY since he opened them on Christmas morning. At first it was literally 24 hours a day (minus baths), it has tapered down to waking hours only, but it's the darn cutest thing! Him and those boots! Let's see, what else about Wyatt? He loves his binky and blankie and always has to have them when we leave the house. He loves waffles for breakfast. And he loves cah-toons. Ooops. He's even been known to ask for them first thing when he wakes up. They are a lifesaver when I need to get something done, but he's very picky, and he's never really sat still for longer than a half hour show.

Keith:
Keith is loving his new job at a large accounting firm. He works in the international tax division, and it's been very good for him. Challenging, but good. He gets to jet set around the country on short little trips, but he doesn't get to see much of the cities he stays in. Just the hotels, and some of those have been pretty swanky! I may have gotten a tad jealous of the trip to San Francisco and the stay in the St. Regis!

Shannon:
I am currently in one of the happiest places in my life that I've maybe ever been. Life is good. I watch 2 little kiddos to help fund Natalie's dance, and it's been the greatest blessing. Thankfully the boys are great, not only are they cute, they are well behaved. Makes my job much easier! And though my job isn't glamorous (Wyatt just brought me a booger, thanks bud, at least he didn't eat it), I absolutely love what I do right now. I've finally gotten a routine where I can get a bit of sewing done if I need, I can (somewhat) on top of the chores, I can cook regularly for the family, and still have time for a nap if I want! Haha!

I've also finally settled into our new ward at church. Only took about 18 months! But, there are some amazing ladies here, and I know it will be a great place to raise our children. I've always been blessed to have good friends, and right now is no exception. Heavenly Father knows my need for outside friendship, and always answers my prayers by sending women who uplift and inspire me to my door. I'm grateful for each and every one of them, and for each of their differences that make them special!

Hopefully a part of my new found time will be recording a bit more of our every day. And then maybe some crafts and recipes! Here's to resurrecting the blog in 2013!