The Treat of the Trade

In the great attempt of making 2013 my year, I have come up with a list that I will not add to after Jan 1, 2013. If I keep the list here I can reference to it at any time. *Develop a healthier lifestyle. Not necessarily diet and stop enjoying what I love, but to grasp moderation and that if 15 min on the treadmill is all I could do that week, then to be happy about it. At least i was off my butt doing something for me anyway. *To take myself clothes shopping. Yes I would love the clothes I've pinned to show up in my closet tomorrow, but that's not going to happen. I have 3 full days of no kids every week....i should at least take time and shop for me. *Stop stressing over things that are honestly out of my control. Or even when things get a little out of hand. I know that structure and routine are important in balancing a home, but i need to also realize that every once in a while its ok if they go to bed 15 mins later or have coke floats with dinner. Everything always h...

 Jaxon had his last day at his sitters. He was upset that we showed up to his party. It was a sad day for me. He had been going to the same house every morning since he was 7 weeks old.  He became more comfortable riding his bike this summer. As long as daddy didn't let go....we were OK!  Our good friend Dwight hosted his 3rd annual backyard bash. Adults only. Good times and Good food!  My little sister married her best friend!  The corn maze! September 2012! All of us minus Jill  S'more makin on Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Tim's porch!  Jessie started fall soccer!  Jill's first concert of the year  Pumpkin patch. My favorite thing to do in the fall.  I'm still learning to be more patient with these 2!  We adopted a new puppy...or he adopted us! October 2012 Josh went to work and this dog we call Jo-Jo came home with him.  Jessie turned 8.  Jaxon turned 4.  We have pla...

 Jill turned 11  She graduated from the 5th grade  Jessie started Spring soccer  We welcomed summer. Completed the 1st and 5th grade and Josh and the girls went to Six Flags for 3 days!  Jenny came to visit and we lived in the pool  Jennifer celebrated the last year of her 20s by having a mason jar BBQ  Josh infused his own vodka  He took me and the kids to buy our own fireworks. It was mine and Jaxons first time at a firework stand.  We had another HOT summer. So everything was crafty in the house.  Jaxon met his great grandma In July. She passed away Dec 16 2012. She said Jaxon was her blessing and reminded her of Josh when he was his age. She gave Jaxon a guitar that summer and he cherishes it.  our mini road trip to Sapulpa, OK. When we visited great grandma. The kids and Josh relaxing in the hot tub after our 6 hour drive and meeting new family. All 3 kids started school this year....

  Being pregnant was the best feeling in the world!! I didn't have morning sickness. The only thing that swelled was my nose :) I literally would have had 10 more babies if there would have been a guaranteed way to have a pregnancy like my only one.   I developed preclasmia during my 35th week of pregnancy.  A week had gone by and several test were ran, and i was told to admit to the hospital Thanksgiving night 2008. I had to be there at 7pm. They told me that they will induce me and I would have me a baby by morning.   Our son was born Saturday November 29,2008 at 2:11pm. 7lbs 1oz and 19 3/4in. long. I was 36 weeks pregnant. He wasn't phased by the preclasmia. He just wasn't ready to come out! He was delivered by emergency C-Section and there fore had to stay in NICU until his lungs had developed. I knew he was in good hands, but the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life is come home without my baby.   Minus all the things he was hooked u...

These girls are half sisters. They have learned and are still learning about each other daily. Neither of them are my kids, but I raise them as my own. They live with us. Share a room. They play together and get on each others nerves too. I love these girls and my heart has finally quit hurting for the things their moms put them thru. I know that they are well loved at home with me and their dad and they never have to worry about anything. Ever!

  The time of year when the petting zoo is at the fair. Feeding the goats and the smell of fried food is in the air. This year we took GG. She is my grandma and the best Great-grandma to Jaxon. She loved going and seeing the excitement he has at the petting zoo.   The next weekend when dad was home from work we went to the corn maze. They have goats too, but Jaxon didn't feed these. And I find this sign fitting for my kitchen....i have hungry animals too!   This is all of us (minus Jill) in the corn maze that daddy was leading us thru. The weather was great and the sun was setting. Perfect day!   This last weekend we went to the pumpkin patch. I have started a tradition. We take pictures and look at all the different sizes of pumpkins. Pick our favorites.... ....and go home and paint! It seems that as soon as October hits we are busy every weekend. Next weekend is carmel apples and I cant wait!!

  Today I turn 34. And I can honestly remember being about 15-16 years old and with my friends and we thought people in their 30s were so old. I thought we were never going to get that old. I thought I was going to stay young and immature forever. But, here it is. Its a bittersweet feeling to have reached this age. I am older. I act immature more often than I act my actual age. Not one birthday in my 30s have bothered me. I was 6 months pregnant when I turned 30. I had much bigger things to worry about at that time than to worry about my age. Like making sure my ankles didn't swell and I always had plenty of lemons for my tea and dr peppers. But today, it feels like any other normal day to me. I'm not sure if its because my husband is out of town at work. Or because my son told me today it was his birthday too and I couldn't have a cake, but I could have a piece of his. I swear he takes everything i have and wants it all to himself :) Its 1:40 in the afternoon and I am bl...