Just a Day

Tuesdays right now are pretty uneventful and I am very thankful for them.  Both of my classes started back today so MBA here I come.  October I think is when I will be finished.  I am super excited.  I am worried that After School Care is starting to affect John Michael  and not in a good way.  He seems to be overly whiny and overly tired.  We will see how his grades look and then go from there. Praying that it is just my imagination.

Congratulations to the SEC

Tonight was the BCS National Championship Game.  Tonight it was Alabama vs. Notre Dame.

While I am an Auburn fan through and through I am not a hater, at least I try not to be.  I did wear the colors for the SEC.  I was raised your team is always first, then other teams in the state, and then the conference.  The thing is I tried to be a good SEC fan and I think I was.  I am proud of all of the boys at Alabama who worked hard to get to the game and then brought it back to the state for the 4th year and kept it in the SEC for the 7th year.  

Now that college football is over I am ready for 2013 college football to start.  War Eagle!

Epiphany Program

Today we worked on the inside of the house, there is so much to get done and I know that mom wants the house back to normal and Brandon wants to be back to parking in the garage.  Baby, it's cold outside!!!  I am very thankful for him keeping my spot in the garage open.  The van does not do well at all when it is cold, neither do I.
Tonight we went to the 5:00 Mass and then we watched the Epiphany program.  The boys were townspeople and did a great job.  Everyone did.  Mr. & Mrs. Roth do such an amazing job with this program every year.  Thank you both for allowing the boys to be a part of such a special thing.  It was beautiful.

Toy Bowl Season Begins

I love basketball season.  So do the boys.
Today, we started with a game at 8:00 so we were at the school at 7:30.  John Michael's team was playing Our Lady of the Valley.  Brandon was nervous since it was his first game to coach and the boys were pumped.  They won 8-5 and they had a blast which is the most important thing.  Brandon says he feels much better about coaching now that he made it through the first game.  With Devane as his assistant coach and Danny in control of the book it seems that all is going to go well.

We stuck around and watch a few other games before Danny's game at 12:00.  They were playing Our Lady of Sorrows.  They won 31-11.  Danny scored for the first time in a game.  I was super proud.  He has been trying so hard and he finally did it.

Brandon and Uncle Patrick had some things to do at storage, maybe one day we will get them cleaned out.  It is nuts how much is in them.  Especially when most of it can probably be gotten rid of in all honesty.  Maybe soon.
Danny is spending the night with Chandler and Cole is spending the bight with John Michael.  They are an excited group of boys!

What we Need

Moving last year has really made me take a look at what we need and what we want.  We all hold on to things for reasons that we cannot explain, but they are sentimental.  I am trying to take a deeper look into what I need and why I need it.
One of the things that I have held onto for almost 11 years was the bouquet that I made for our wedding rehearsal from the bows and ribbons that were on gifts at my shower.  It is a huge piece of old wrapping but to me it was important.  Today I took some pictures of it and am sending it to the recycle yard.  I have pictures of it and I will always have the memories from it.  It was fun to make and definitely served its purpose.

I want to declutter my house and my life and this was a HUGE step for me.

Vacation's Over

The boys' went back to school today and I went back to work.  It was great to be around everyone again.  after being so sick before Christmas break I felt like I was missing a lot.  I love spending the extra time with the boys and all of the kids and other workers at After School Care.  It might not seem like much, but there is something very special that can be found working with children.
Of course the boys wanted me to let them stay home today and tomorrow, but I told them we could not start off 2013, and the 3rd quarter of school missing two days for no reason.

Brandon Goes Back

So after 19 days of vacation Brandon headed back to work today.  It was weird without him being at home.  I was definitely glad when he got home.
The boys and I got started on the inside decorations.  While a lot will stay up through the Epiphany, trying to get everything organized and into the right boxes is easier said than done.

2013

Welcoming in the New Year is always exciting.  The boys love staying up till Midnight.  We shot fireworks with the neighbors and just enjoyed being home to start the new year.  There was something special about starting the new year at the new house with new neighbors.
I am looking forward to each day in 2013.  I have several resolutions, I am sure that we all do.  I also have several goals for 2013.  Each of these depends on the next, but most importantly they require me to be thankful for everything and taking the time that is needed to truly enjoy the year and live it to the fullest.  Cherishing my family and my friends are at the top of that list too!
I cannot believe that it is January 1st, it is unbelievable.  2012 seemed to fly by with a speed that could have broken records.
Today is a special day for another reason.  Today is Brittany's birthday.  Brittany is 18 today which is hard to believe.  She has grown into a beautiful young woman.  Love you B!

2012 Reflections

So as I look back at the year 2012 there are no regrets.  Of course I was raised never to have regrets.  They are really a waste of time, you cannot change the past it is the past.  The future is not yet determined.  The present is just that a gift that is meant to be enjoyed and celebrated.
So many memories were made in 2012, not all of them perfect, but yet I know that they served a purpose to bring us to what is now, what is today.
I will start my reflection with January.  January 23, 2012 was a day that I will never forget.  It started early that morning with tornado warnings.  My mom's home, the house where I was raised, was destroyed that morning.  While losing the House the Built Me was not an easy event it was one that really determined so much of the year to follow.















In February we started the hunt for the perfect house.  When we found it the journey began.  John Michael also turned 6.























In March we signed papers and started the building of our new home.  It would be for my mom and for us and we were all excited.

In April the house building finally began, but it was a month behind where is was supposed to be.

In May the boys finished their school year and Danny made All Stars.



















In June All Stars occupied most of our time.  With tournaments and practice we never seemed to stop, but we enjoyed it all.  Brian and Christen also got married, which means our family grew and we are so thankful to have Christen in our family officially now.

In July we moved into our new home and Danny celebrated his 9th birthday.

In August a new school year began and I went back to work part-time with St. Francis helping out in After School Care.


















In September we were finally on a solid routine.  We also renewed our car tags and driver's licenses and became even more thankful for St. Clair savings and the savings that came with that venture.

In October there was Halloween and celebrating in Legacy Springs with friends and family was by far the best.

In November we celebrated Thanksgiving.  It was special to be in the house, but poor Danny ended up sick that night.  We also started putting up our Christmas decorations and they are gorgeous at the new house.

In December we celebrated our first Christmas.  It was definitely a time full of so many blessings.

2012 was a year full of heart break, family, and friends.  It is amazing what will come from a tragedy and we learned more about who we are.  We grew together and our home has been strengthened through family and friends.   I cannot wait to celebrate 2013 with you all.

The Outside Comes In

So we have to have our decorations down by the 1st, which is sad considering we always leave them up until the Epiphany, but we knew that this was one of those things we could live with in the neighborhood covenants.  We will leave the inside stuff up, but the outside came down today.
The boys posed for their yearly picture on the roof.  Danny did not want to get on so he stayed on the ladder, but still a great picture so I am not complaining at all.

Looking for Furniture

We went on a quest for furniture today.  We desperately need a kitchen table and mom needs some stuff for her sitting room.  She and Sybil were out and so I called to see if they wanted to go look and they were about to call and ask us the same thing.
Momma T watched the boys for us, they love spending time with Meme, so that was easy.  They even got to play football with Uncle Brian for a little while.  Danny thought it was awesome they were playing with an Auburn football.  Have I said War Eagle lately?
We found the perfect table and chairs at Haverty's.  Brandon and I already knew that we liked it because it is exactly like Aunt Paula's.  Mom fell in love with it too.  YAY!
Then we headed to Alabama Furniture Mart in Calera where mom found a great couch and chair for her sitting room.  YAY again!
When we left mom and Sybil went to Cracker Barrel and Brandon and I headed to Steak N Shake.  Yep that is one of those places, I wish I would have never tried. It was amazing.  Truly the best burger and shake I have ever had.  So glad it is in Alabaster, considering I am trying to get rid of weight having one of those close by would be BAD!!!
We headed to get the boys and then home.  It is hard to believe that December is almost over.

Christmas Party

Today we had the last Christmas party for the year, which is always sad, I wish it could last a little longer.  The good thing is the Christmas season is still here and we will continue to celebrate.

Today we headed to celebrate with Momma T, Pop, Memaw, and everyone!  It was a lot of fun.  It is always nice to see Brian and Christen and Brett, Mindy, and the boys.  Well it is nice to see everyone, but we see them the least.
Everyone had a great time (at least it seemed that way to me).  Spending time together, just catching up and enjoying each other's company.  The boys loved their presents.  So did Brandon and I, but they were so excited it is always so great to see them truly appreciative of what they receive.

Danny could not wait to get his to his room and he found a place to put them quickly when we did get home.  John Michael was excited to get his home too.  They have had a great Christmas and we thank everyone for thinking of them.

We really hated to leave, but everyone (especially Pop) was ready for bed.  Plus Bear had gotten sick and we knew that they needed to be able to tend to him and keep him calm.  Nothing kills a party quicker than a sick puppy dog.

A Little Down Time

So we are halfway through Christmas break, which is pretty sad, I could definitely use a little more time.  We had a few errands to run but spent most of the day just relaxing and cleaning up a little.

I Love You Daddy

So my favorite day is followed by my least favorite day every year.

5 Years Ago today I lost the greatest man I have ever known.  He was so much more than just a father, he was a daddy.  On his chest was the most comfortable place that I have ever shed tears.  He had the perfect ear for listening, and knew when and what to say about anything.  He spoke the best advice about things that I would ask him about and about life in general.  He was a friend when I needed one.  He was a parent first and always.  He was a protector, as a Marine he protected our great country, and as a dad he always protected me.  He was a provider, I never needed or wanted for anything.  He was a teacher, he taught me about life and math.  He set the bar high for the man that I would marry, and Brandon does an amazing job of filling those shoes.  He was a granddaddy, and an amazing one.  He stopped everything for his grandchildren.  He was my daddy, and he was the best.
I miss him today and everyday, but I promised him that I would live life and I have tried.  I hope that he is proud of me.  More than that I hope that he proud of his grandchildren and the amazing little boys that they are.
This morning we saw a little snow and I truly believe it was him saying hello.

Daddy I love you and I miss you everyday!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone and Happy Birthday to Jesus!
This is another one of my favorite days of the year.  There is so much magic and peace and hope as so many people come together to celebrate the birth of our Lord.

The boys were up at 3:00 this morning ready to see if Santa came and what he left for them.  He had been here and they had a great variety.
Danny's favorite gift was his new laptop.  He also got a watch which he was excited that Santa had set for him.
John Michael's favorite was his new 3DS XL.  Hopefully he will keep up with this one.  He got a 3DS last year and since the move we have not been able to find it anywhere.  I am sure it will appear now.  I really think he left it somewhere.
We also got some great board games for the family.  I love family game night and I am thinking Santa must have known that.  Hungry Hungry Hippos is my personal favorite, so many fun memories with that game.  It also is the game that woke mom up, but we did manage to hold off until 5:30.

After mom got up we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and then opened the gifts under the tree.

Dale, Teresa, Memaw, and Aunt B came over around lunch time and spent a few hours with us.

It was a very nice, relaxing Christmas.  It was great to celebrate Jesus' birth with family and just enjoy each other.

Christmas Eve

I love this day, it is one of my favorite all year.  There is so much magic in the air and peace and joy seem to be radiating from all corners of the world.
Today we took it easy. 
We started the morning off making egg nog cookies for Santa.  They also are Daddy's and Aunt B's favorites so it is a win win win when we make them.  Plus the boys have a blast which is always a win for momma!
The boys and I headed to Walmart to pick up the Happy Birthday Jesus cookie cake.  I think next year I am going to try to make it myself, we will see.  While we were there John Michael asked for dohgnuts, and since it is Christmastime well I went with it.  He really wanted the ones with mistletoe (Holly) on them.  So that is what we got. 

We came home and picked up Brandon and mom and headed to Mass.  The boys are singing in the choir again this year.  I love the Children's choir all year, but on Christmas Eve it is so amazing.  It is truly like listening to angels sing.  I guess this is another reason why they say Children are as close to Jesus as you can get.  Mary Morgan sang a solo and the girl gave  me chills.  Liz, I know that you have to be so very proud of her.  Her voice is truly a gift that she was given and I am glad that she is brave enough to share it, that was a gift.

The Church was decorated beautiful.  I love seeing the transformation from Advent to Christmas.  Again just a little more magic (and a lot of hard work) to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Uncle Kenny and Uncle Patrick came to Mass, which was nice.  Thank you both, it is always nice to be with family this time of the year.  Well, all year, but this time especially.

After Mass we went to look at Christmas lights and then headed home.  We were all tired and needed to get in bed before Santa flew over.



Merry Christmas Everyone!

Christmas Party Time

Today was Christmas with the family at the house. 
Grandma, Uncle Kenny, Uncle Patrick, Uncle Donnie, Uncle Bill, Aunt Peggy, Jessica, James, Gavin, Caleb, Amanda, Joel, Jacob, Alexa, Uncle Jim, Aunt Sue, Margie, Greg, Logan, Makenzie, Hootie, and of course all of us were here and it was so much fun.  The kids were all so sweet and seemed to enjoy everything that they got.

The boys were especially pumped about the remote controled cars.  They played and played with them.

Alexa was so funny with her faces, she seemed shocked and excited about everything that she opened, and that everyone else opened.  She was so sweet.  I will tell you what if I am ever having a bad day I think I will have to find out where Miss Alexa is and go visit, she is so full of personality that you cannot be around her and do anything but smile.

Margie gave me a great pullover, that is pink and purple.  I love it.  Thank you so much and again you did not have to do that, but I do love it so I am glad that you did.
I did a last minute quickie photo shoot with Alexa because she looked so cute (as always) and she was here and well it is Christmastime and I love what I do. 


It was a great night.  It was so nice to see everyone and spend some time together.  I love you all! 

It's Almost Time

So one of my favorite things about Christmas is getting together with family and friends and tomorrow is our family Christmas party at the house.  I am so excited to see everyone.
We spent most of today cleaning and getting ready for tomorrow. 

Vacation

It is the first day that we are all of and because we are all on vacation not because we are sick!  YAY!  I love spending time with my family, and am just disappointed that Christmas break is so short!

Last Day

Today was a short day.  We took the boys to school and helped them get all of the presents that they had for the Teacher's and staff inside.  Brandon helped Danny and I helped John Michael.  My headache is still there, I am pretty convinced it is just going to be a part of life now. 
Then Brandon and I rushed to WalMart to get the fruit that I needed to take to their parties.  Every year I say I am going to make something cute and every year I run out of time.  That takes me back to the more organization needed for 2013.  Anyway, we got it and got it to their classes.
Then we headed into the church for the school's Advent program.  They changed it up a little this year and there was a little more Christmas in it.  I personally liked it better.  I know that it is Advent but they are preparing for Christmas and so I think it was a great and very moving combination of the two. 
After the program we went to their parties.  Danny's class did Dirty Santa, which was pretty funny.  Miss Donaldson is pretty brave.  John Michael's class did a book review of the books that they wrote and illustrated.  It was super awesome.  I definitely enjoyed them both.  We checked the boys out and headed home!

Well before we went home we headed to Brookwood Mall since we were closer to it then we would be the rest of vacation and we had the boys pictures with Santa made.  Evidentally the 8th grade class was there doing the same thing.  It was cute to have them in their uniforms and now I do not have to stress about that any more.  Every year I go there and get the snowglobe and I was not looking forward to not getting it done so I was glad that we had this opportunity.

We came home and strated getting things ready for Christmas and wrapping gifts.  There are a lot to get done and not a lot of time to get them done.  Being sick for two weeks really has made things slow going. 

Exchange Club

Today was the school Mass.  It is the last one of the Advent season for school, and it is also the Mass where the kids are asked to bring an unwrapped gift for the Irondale Exchange Club.  The boys each took a gift and I hope that whoever gets it on Christmas morning enjoys them. 
I am still not there so after school the boys and I came home.  I did take Mrs. Debbie, and Hannah, Kaitlyn, and Teresa their Christmas gifts.  Mrs. Debbie called me and she loved her angels. I am so glad that she did, I saw them and thought of her.   Anyway, at least I have those delivered tomorrow we have to get all of the rest of them to the school and it is supposed to be raining. 

The Boys Go Back

The boys went back to school today and I tried to go back to work, but one look at me, and Mrs. Debbie sent me on my way.  She would have had a stroke had she seen me last week.  I still had a slight fever though and she could see it in my eyes, I did not even realize it until I went home and Brandon checked it. 
At least we are almost back to normal before christmas.

One Week Later

Well the  boys and I were still down today.  So we were all home again.  It is probably better safe than sorry with the boys especially since Danny's class is going to sing Christmas carols at the nursing home.  I know that he wanted to go, but I also know that sharing this crud with the elderly would have been horrible. 

Sleepy Sunday

So I am still down, it will be a week tomorrow and I a just not me yet.  I am so ready to be well.  Maybe with the sunrise tomorrow the boys and I will be better.

McQueen Christmas Party

One of my favorite Christmas parties is the one that my Aunt Linda has.  It is always fun and being able to see the whole family (at least the McQueen's) is nice.  This year we stayed home.  Still not feeling well at all and neighter are the boys so we are spending the weekend just laying around and taking it easy. 
We all hated to miss it, but we also know that if we are going to get better and keep this crud from the rest of the family we need home and rest.
Mom was able to go and she had a really great time.  Thank you so much Aunt Linda for my blanket, I love it so much!  It looks great in the living room.  Much better then mom's.  Hers is the wrong colors.  War Eagle!   

What a Way to Start

So Brandon is officially on Vacation and he has been on a disinfecting journey.  All day he has cleaned, wiped, removed, thrown away, and Lysoled.  I am not sure that there is an area  that has been left.  I am so thankful that he is doing it though, I definitely do not want it to keep circling through the house.

Still Down

One more day like this and I am thinking I will lose it.  I am down for at least a week, and the boys are home now too.  Thank you Dr. Lytle for understanding and calling them something in saving me another co-pay.  Hopefully mom and Brandon stay well.  Brandon's vacation started today, well today was his last day of work.  He stopped on his way home at Sam's and got Clorox and Lysol by the dang case.  He is starting a cleaning binge and the boys and I have been quarentined to upstairs.

Seriously

So my glands are so swollen that my neck is sticking out further than my ears.  I can barely swollow, and I feel like at anytime I wont be able to breath.  I am exhausted and freezing.  I am not sure that I have ever been so sick.
Mom took me to the doctor.  He was shocked at how big my tonsils were, yet he would not give me a shot.  Seriously?  He gave me a steriod dose pack on top of the amoxicillian I already have.  Something better help, I am seriously miserable.

Called In

My doctor called me in some medicine for strep. Amoxicillin, it better do something fast. 

Mom had her Bunco party tonight so I pretty much just locked myself in the bedroom so that I kept my germs to me.  It sounded like they had a good time though. Brandon took a few group pictures of them, here is one, which cracks me up because of my mom and the red leather purse that she ended up not getting (Dirty Santa) and we heard about for days! 

I wish I would have felt better so that I could have helped her get ready or helped Brandon with the boys, or well done anything. 

It Started With a Headache

It was really nasty this morning and we slept late, but there was no way I was getting in the car with the boys.  I had a horrible migraine so Brandon took them.  As the day progressed how I was feeling started to degress.  My throat is so swollen and I feel so horrible.  There is no time  for me to be this sick, I need to work and I need to get 1000 things done.  Oh well, I guess God has other plans.  Mom says it is because I never have any down time.

Working Close

I love my job, especially when the photo shoots are close to home.  Today the ones I had were at the entrance to the neighborhood.  A drive down the mountain and I was at work, one mile exactly.  If I could do every session there that would be amazing.   Today it was great and so much fun. I need to take my boys around the neighborhood to do some pictures.  Maybe one day I will get it together enough to get it all done.  That is actually part of my 2013 goals, which I am working on now. 

It's Beginning to Feel A Lot Like Christmas

This morning started with a trip to the Legacy Springs clubhouse, which is like 7 houses away from my front door.  The neighborhood was doing a Toy's for Tots Drive and Santa was coming to visit.  I was taking pictures of everyone with Santa, which was a lot of fun.  The boys came up and saw Santa and Mrs. Claus. Danny hung out with me to help me out, which was super awesome.  I love it when my boys help out.

I headed home after we were done and Santa was headed back to the North Pole.  I walked in the door and got to work cooking for the Christmas party.

This is my favorite party of the year and it is simply because there is no stress, it is just fun for everyone.  Next year I am going to be even  more ready.  I already have some ideas.

I was making Taquitos, Coctail Wienies in BBQ sauce, mini corn dogs, and other quick and easy finger foods.  I also made some cookies and fudge.  The elves made some super cute snowmen faces and left the boys the ingredients that they needed to make more.  They were super cute, easy, and yummy.  Definitely three of my favorite things.

The party was a lot of fun, it was great to get together with friends and family and just have a good time.  I am considering making it an ungly sweater party next year, but we will have to see.  I am going to be asking for opinions on Facebook at some point.  I did not take near the pictures that I wanted to, in fact I did not really take any which pretty much was not what I had in mind, but it was nice just talking to everyone and making the rounds.  To those who did not make it you were all definitely missed, maybe next year you can make it.