2012 Already?

Yeah, I know I suck at posting. Time has just flown by and I can't believe it's already three months into 2012! Yikes! I'll try to do better at posting, but I won't promise anything!

Grateful #4

I am SO grateful for my beautiful children! Sure, they can be annoying at times, but they make my life so much better! I love them so much!!! Children are such a blessing in our lives, and I am grateful to have three, healthy kids!!!

Hopping on the Band Wagon

Okay, I'm totally hopping on the band wagon today, and yes, I know I'm a little late. It is nice to be reminded of the things that we are grateful for, so I'll post one thing that I'm thankful for every day in November (or at least try to). Since I'm starting late, I guess I need to make up for Nov. 1 and 2. I already posted one for today. First, I'm grateful for my wonderful husband who sacrifices so much to provide for our family!! His job isn't easy, and the drive is long, but he does it out of love for his family. We have both learned to appreciate our time together as a family since he started this job!!! I'm also grateful for my job. I don't have to work to make ends meet for our family, but without my job, we wouldn't have an emergency fund, or any financial security. I love my students and I think I have the best job ever! It's been a huge challenge this year, though. I've been struggling with a crazy schedule, and trying to balance my time with Eddie. He goes to kindergarden next year, and I really want to spend as much time as I can with him this year before he goes to school!

Grateful

I am SO grateful that I got hired to judge Middle School All-Region Band auditions this Saturday!! It's good money, but it just so happens that Saturday is Anna's last game, and I'm actually glad I'll miss it! If they win, they can clinch 3rd place in their division, if they lose, they have to wait on the outcomes of 2 games to see if they will place. I can't handle high-stress soccer! The games make me so nervous!!! So, I'll let Danny go to the game, while I keep myself occupied by judging, and wait for the text. Everyone say a prayer for the Panthers this Saturday! They need this win!!

Soccer Season!!

I love this time of year! Soccer season is in full swing, and although we're super busy, we have a lot of fun! Anna has practice twice a week, and that means that the boys and I get at least three hours of park play time each week! It's been SO much more fun since the weather has cooled down, although the girls played much better in 100+ degree temps! This season the team hired a professional photographer to take their pics, since our last photographer/coach retired and moved out of state. We really miss Coach Chief, but this photographer gave us nearly 300 photos on a disk for only $20! I've posted some of Anna's best pictures, although I had dozens to choose from! The season ends in 2.5 weeks, and while I will enjoy having a free Saturday, the boys and I will miss our scheduled park play dates!

Random Update

It looks like Anna's trying to strangle Eddie, but she's just giving him some love! Eddie loves to climb into bed with Anna and snuggle before I put him in his bed. He always begs to sleep with her! Anna is now taking piano lessons and loves to play the piano and practice her recorder for school!
Tommy is doing well in school, and his reading has improved drastically, but he has some major organizational problems! We're working on that. He's already grown an inch taller in the past 5 months!

Eddie went through a pajama phase back in winter and spring. He would wear them ALL DAY LONG! He even wore them to the baby-sitter's house a couple of times! I swear, I couldn't get him out of his jammas to save his life! He's now the complete opposite! If he could be naked all day he would! Now that he's potty-trained he actually sleeps better, and prefers his bed as opposed to the couch! He sleeps right through Tommy talking in his sleep! Yay!!!

Potty Training

I hate potty training. I really, REALLY do. During spring break, Danny and I decided to just get it over with. Eddie is 3 1/2, so he's definitely old enough, but he just didn't want to even look at the toilet. Well, we took away the diapers right after Julie's wedding, and MADE him sit on that darn toilet! I definitely have to say this was my least favorite spring break of all time. It's time consuming to potty train a kid who's not that into it, and I nearly gave up at least 5 different times. There might have been some crying and hysteria involved, but we won't get into that. After dozens of accidents though, Eddie finally "got it" last Friday and he hasn't looked back!! He even gave up his night time diapers!! I have been so blessed with my kids and night-time potty issues! I wet the bed FOREVER, but NONE of my children have! Eddie even woke me up a couple of days ago at 1am so I could take him to the potty! Wow. He has been accident-free for 5 days, 6 if you include today! Yay Eddie!!!

Day 30

My hopes, plans, and dreams for this year:

Well, this is the last of the 30-day blog thing. I hope that I continue to blog more and share what my family is up to. It's not been easy for me, but I've just got to suck it up and make time for it!

This year Danny and I plan to lose weight. It's our number one goal. We need to get in shape and become healthy role models for our children, especially Tommy!

We also need to get our roof and fence fixed, and re-seed our front lawn. We have been dreaming of getting new flooring for the living areas and re-painting the walls, but we'll see if that's in our budget this year. We would like to have our home in "for sale" condition by the end of the year. Not because we're planning on moving, but we'd like to be ready just in case. You never know.

That's about it. There's other stuff like: attending the temple more often, going on a family vacation this summer (ideas of where to go anyone?), helping Anna pass the TAKS, Tommy work on his organizational skills, and Eddie graduate from speech.

Day 29

My Testimony:

I know the church is true and I know that the Lord hears and answers our prayers. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and I know that Thomas S. Monson is our prophet today. I know that I will be with my family forever, and I will see my loved ones again in heaven.