A Look Back

2015- I started a career in Real Estate, we sold a house, we bought a house, the boys started a new school, and then all that life in between.  It's been a good year . . .

Looking back, I am realizing that they are only little for such a small amount of time.  Sometimes AJ seems like a teenager (with his attitude) and I sit back and think "how did this happen?".  Other times he is a playful, sweet 7 year old.  But especially this Christmas, I became more aware of how limited my time with them is as children.  I love the ages they are at now and I want to cherish this time.  This summer is such a blur because of the move and I felt like I needed to slow down.  It all happened so fast, but we knew it was all God's plan.  This past year, we spent time with family, time at church, a lot of time packing, cleaning, renovating and then a lot of time unpacking, cleaning and lots of home projects.

This year, Malachi 3:10 came to fruition for us financially.  We finally paid off the last of our debt (that big student loan) in February and I made the leap of faith to become a Realtor, and God showed up.  My goal was to have 3 closings this year, I closed 14.  It was so much more than we expected and I am so grateful for those people who took a chance on me with a major life decision in buying or selling a home (or both).  This Christmas, we enjoyed being able to be a blessing to others- Giving is so much fun!

AJ- This boy consumed so many of my thoughts and prayers for a good 2 months this year (even more than usual).  His struggle in starting a new school was something unexpected and something I couldn't fix, which brought me to my knees many times.  To see his sweet face every morning turn into worry and anxiety was so painful for me.  God showed me that I am not in control and I have to let go and trust Him.  A tough lesson to learn, especially through a child.  AJ continues to amaze us with his random knowledge of space, rocks, nature and other things.  He loves to read non-fiction and continues to excel in Math.  He has come so far socially, but still gets uneasy from time to time.  He is an amazing kid and  I cannot wait to see what God has in store for him in the future.

Ty- So sweet and loving one minute, and so sneaky and mischievous the next.  Ty is a different person in public than he is at home.  So many people tell me, "he's so quiet".  And at home we hear different outburst of "Turn it down for what" or some other song (rap, country, or songs from church) or a loud animal noise.  In our first parent teacher conference, Ms. Sheets told me "he's very shy and doesn't talk much in class".  I thought she had the wrong kid.  He is so generous and helpful- 2 qualities I really admire about him.  He is an amazing big brother to Mark and is very patient with him.  Ty learned how to read this year and has made many new friends- it comes natural for him.  He plays really well with both of his brothers very well, being interested in what AJ's doing as well as showing Mark how to do something new.  

Mark- I'm not sure if it's because he's our third child and gets away with more or because hes just got rebellion in him, but Mark is a challenge.  He has caught us off guard doing things his brothers never would have done.  He tested us by saying "no" and throwing tantrums- all out tantrums on the floor whenever and wherever.  I remember he did it once in CVS and every time we rode by the store, he would say "That's where I threw a fit and was a bad boy, I didn't get a treat".  He is such a big boy towering over kids his age.  He is the first to have to wear Husky pants at this age, most toddlers are thinning out around 3 and he's still working on that. :-)  He loves to snuggle, insists on sleeping with his blanket, is shy around strangers, talks at home and in the car A LOT, loves playing with cars and trucks, and wants to do everything his older brothers do.  He asks for food and when I tell him no, he'll say "but I'm still hungry".  

Jeff- I really don't think there is anyone else who could love me better.  He's not perfect, but he knows me takes care of us so well.  He is great at making date night a priority for us and I'm so thankful- we always have fun together.  He is an amazing father who truly loves his boys and shows them what a Godly man looks like.  Parenthood isn't easy and I'm so glad we're in this together.

Another year of growth; The Lord continues to bless me and teach me.  One of my favorite quotes is; "I'm not where I need to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be" -Joyce Meyer.  2015 was fun and I'm looking forward to 2016!

Baxter Christmas

We kept Christmas going by celebrating with the Baxter family today.  It was a beautiful day- the boys were in shorts and loved being outside.  AJ brought his magic set to show off some of his tricks; everyone was very impressed.  Ty brought his iPad to show everyone what Santa brought him.  We enjoyed a yummy brunch and then opened presents.  Everyone ripped them open; Layla got a kitchen, AJ got a BB Gun, Ty got a bow-and-arrow and Mark got trucks, an airplane and much more.  AJ got a good lesson on his gun from Uncle Collin and he shot really well.  Ty had arrows flying all over the yard.  Layla came out and wanted to play with the boys' toys and Jeff told her "Go to your kitchen, the boys will kill it so you can cook it" haha!  The kids were outside for a while and got very muddy so Papa made them bag overalls.  It was a great day and amazing weather for Christmas time!

Christmas Day

It's Christmas and Santa came!  He ate the cookies, drank the milk and fed the reindeer the carrots and even wrote the boys a note.  Ty was up first, so we had him wake his brothers up to see what Santa brought.  The boys were excited and wanted to open their presents fast- we had to pace them, and of course I needed my coffee before we did anything.  They opened their stockings first, Mark just flipped his upside down and poured everything out.  Then they started opening; the boys got everything they wanted and more.  AJ got his Parrot Drone, a google play gift card, some DVD's, and a bike speedometer.  Ty got bleyblades, an art set, an iTunes gift card, and Santa fixed his iPad- no more cracks.  The older boys got an Axe set and walkie talkies to share.  Mark got a hot wheels race car set, Blaze puzzles, and a light saber.   

We ate chocolate Krispy Kreme donuts and played with all the new toys!  Nannie came over and brought lots of presents.  Mark loved his new light up car and loop track and played with it right away.  The boys made a design on their spirographs and played their new xbox games.  We had a steak dinner with lots of sides and it was yummy.  Later we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and had cake.  It was a great day to celebrate; the kids had lots to play with all day!

Cookies for Santa

After church and dinner at Waffle House, we had to hurry home to make cookies for Santa.  The boys were checking the "Santa Tracker" App on my phone and Santa was getting close.  AJ had looked up a recipe a few days ago for Santa's Favorite Cookies and they were m-n-m cookies with sprinkles.  We followed the recipe and made about 2 dozen.  Then we put the carrots on a plate for the reindeer and of course some milk for Santa to wash down his cookies.

Family Pic

I love looking back at all our Christmas family pictures over the years, but it always a challenge to get just the right picture.  Here are this years attempts;

Setting up the camera . . .

Ty is too squinty, Mark is talking . . . let's try again

AJ and Ty- open your eyes! . . . one more time

yay!  5 smiles!  We'll take it!

Gingerbread House

The tradition continues with building a gingerbread house at Christmas time.  At first our house didn't have enough frosting and the roof slid right off.  AJ repaired it by adding lots of frosting and it held up for a while until the boys covered it with candy, making it heavy and it slid again.  So we decided it was time to eat it.  No time for a finished house picture. :-)

Making Chocolates

Like the past few years, we've been making chocolates to give as gifts and the older boys were interested in helping.  They made a tray of chocolate pretzels and made Oreo Truffles from start to finish.  They did great, but kept wanting to lick their fingers and utensils.  I guess I can't blame them.  I love having helpers in the kitchen!

Ralph

We weren't sure if our elf was going to find us at our new house, but he did!  He's been up to his usual mischievous ways.  Ty loves looking for him every morning.