Goodbye, Farewell....

As a child, my brother and I would spent New Year's Eve watching TV, enjoying the occasional soda pop, and stuffing our faces with french onion dip and ruffles while my parents were out celebrating. Of course that was if we could keep the food away from our annoying baby sitter long enough! Funny how those memories come to light each year on this, the last day of the year. It's probably due to my guilt that we are going out tonight and leaving the boys with a babysitter...but hey we all have our own memories, right?

I can't say that I will miss you 2010...what a year it's been. Full of good times and bad. I do, however, feel like I have learned more about myself this year than any other thus far. That in itself makes it all worth it.

The highlights of the year for me were the new places we visited. Taking in the sights of San Francisco last April, touring Alcatraz definitely hits the top of the list for me. What a city....I still have visions of selling everything I own and moving there on a whim. Okay, Okay....maybe a little harsh, but someday! Spending a fun filled week at Disney World...feeling like a kid with all the magic, riding the rides and smiling when I saw all my favorite characters. Walking in the rain with my family from ride to ride and getting baked by the 106', record breaking Florida sun. Flying to Memphis, TN for Tommy's birthday and touring Graceland as a surprise. Learning of all the humanitarian things that Elvis did left me with hope and the need to do more to make the world a better place.

Of course watching my children grow and learn is always a highlight. I have definitely been blessed with four amazing children, who have all filled the year with funny stories and comments. I just wish that I could remember every single one of them.

I finish this year with a smile on my face, a spring in my step and a cold Miller Lite in my hand! I want to thank my friends for being my sounding board, my husband for putting up with me and my children for listening to my unnecessary rants. I love you all.

Goodbye 2010....I wish each of you a fantastic New Year filled with happiness and success.

Let the Game Begin...

I really thought keeping the boys up for hours past their regular bed time on Christmas Eve would allow us some extra extra sleep time. Boy was I ever wrong...(yes, you heard me right, I said the "W" word). Samuel woke up at 1 am eagerly wanting to open presents. Thank goodness he was sleeping with Amanda and she made him go back to sleep. He woke again at 3am to the same response. Finally, at 5am, she could not hold him back anymore...I awoke to a 7 year old whispering in the face..."Mommmm"! I have to say getting Josh out of bed that early only happens once a year!

It was another successful round of my Christmas game. Amanda was victorious once again and claimed the $100 prize. Everyone received as many presents as the letters in their name. Each gift was addressed to a word that started with letter. To help me keep things straight with the multiple letters that were shared in their names, I simply gave Carter 3 letter words, Sam 4 letter words, Amanda 5 letter words and so on. It was no surprise to me that she won again....I had another theme started, presents labeled and under the tree several weeks ago but after she snooped at the gifts, unbeknown est to her, she guessed the original theme. So I had to scramble to come up with a new one and re-label all the gifts. It was all worth it because I love this tradition I have started with them.

The kids made a haul as usual. Samuel's favorite gifts were a new pro-skateboard that Josh gave him, a purple hat that Amanda bought for him and his roller blades that we got him. Carter, is such a simple, sweet soul. His favorite gifts were his spongebob hat that Amanda got him and the squishy slime that Santa left in his stocking. Amanda loved her Tiffany earrings and the shoes that her boyfriend, Bailey gave her. Josh had a hard time choosing his favorite gift, but it was a tie between his bamboo iPhone cover and Salvador Dali painting. The top of Tommy's list was the rifle I bought him and coincidently my favorite gift was the pink pistol, followed closely by the James Avery ring that he bought me. Guns and jewelry...what more could a girl ask for?

All in all it was a very nice day with my family. I slaved in the kitchen cooking a traditional Ham dinner but if I don't step foot in the kitchen for another 365 days, that would be soon enough for me. I am happy to be relaxing in my recliner, watching movies and eating popcorn with all the kids. What a great way to end an already GREAT day!

Merry Christmas!

Holy Jingle Bells, Batman...It's December Already?

Someone please pinch me because somewhere in the last 360 days I have lost track of time. Hopefully, that is all I have lost, but only time will tell. I just can believe that December has arrived so quickly. The boys have gotten a year taller, Amanda a year smarter and Joshua a year older.




I didn't anticipate being away from you this long Mr. Blog and trust me when I say it wasn't because I was at a loss for words. I don't recall that ever being a problem, but I will do my absolutely best at catching you up.



The beginning of the year brought big career changes for me as my job moved locations. I had worked in the lake area since 1995 so moving 59 miles west to a very small farming town; was like culture shock for me. I adjusted and am very content and happy there now.



It was also a busy time for little dribblers basketball. It was the boys first time to play and Tommy's first time to coach. Both were equally entertaining to watch. It was a good experience for all of them and as my Mom would say, 5 year olds playing basketball is like watching a Chinese fire drill.



In April, Tommy and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary in San Francisco. I completely fell in love with this city and it's surroundings. We took in an Oakland A's baseball game, toured Alcatraz Island and explored Muir Woods, which is part of the Red Wood Forest. Personally, I was in awe with Alcatraz...the tour was spectacular and it's a part of history that has always intrigued me. I found myself starring out at the island every chance I got.



Over the summer, we enjoyed a 2 week family vacation. The first week we spent at Disney World, taking in every park during Florida's recording breaking 106 degree temperature. But with me being the big Disney fan that I am...it was well worth it! We drug the kids on all the rides we could and probably scarred them for life, but it was definitely a week we will all never forget. The second week we spent relaxing on the beach of Destin, FL and despite the BIG oil spill, it remained open and beautiful as always!



Samuel endured another unsuccessful ear surgery in July. It is unsure why the past attempts at reconstructing his ear drums have not worked but we will continue to push forward from doctor to doctor until we are able to find some success. As of now, we are giving Samuel and his ears a break until next year when we will try again with a new doctor.



The boys started 1st grade with much exuberance and are doing their very best. Speech therapy is still necessary for them both and continues to help their articulation and reading skills. Amanda started her junior year with a schedule packed full of AP classes and is ranked in the top 5% of her class. This year she began taking nursing classes and spent the first semester at the nursing home where she earned and passed the Texas State Certified Nursing Assistant exam. I am extremely proud of her.



Joshua learned that college wasn't his cup of tea and began working for me at Carquest in June. He has done a great job there. His accomplishments afforded him a new car a few months ago. I thought we would never find the right one that met his never ending list of demands, but sure enough, he ended up with exactly what he wanted. It's a 2006 Chrysler 300 all blacked out. This has become his baby so to speak and he spends countless hours a week washing and waxing it.

Earlier this month, Tommy and I were able to visit Graceland. Actually, it was Tommy's birthday present, and although it wasn't the surprise I had hoped it would be, I really enjoyed it. I never considered myself a big Elvis fan, but touring his mansion and learning more about him caught me hook, line and sinker. Not sure I will be blasting his music anytime soon, but I definitely admire him as an artist and as a humanitarian.



With Christmas only a few days away, the annual Christmas game in our family has definitely spurred on the snooping of presents. As much as I'd like to let you in on this years theme, I will save it for an after-Christmas post. You can't ever be too careful when money is on the line with my children!



I promise to keep this updated more frequently this year....it will be my New Year's Resolution.