New Edition to our Family

This is Lexie. Isn't she the cutest. I am NOT a animal lover by any means, but I'm loving this dog.

These are not the best pictures. I hope to have some better ones to post later. She was a very lazy girl last night after we got her, and she got her first bath, and the boys would not leave her alone.

Cole's birthday was January 26 but he wanted to invite some of his friends over to spend the night and go bowling. So I waited until hunting season was over so that Brandon would be here. So tonight, we have 4 boys at the house that we will be taking bowling in just a little bit. I hope to have some pictures by tomorrow of my baby and his friends. It seems just like yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital. And now, he is 9 years old. How sad!!!

How did it get to this???

I made several New Year's Resolutions this year, not like the years in the past. In others it was just to lose weight, but this year I added several REAL responsibilities dealing with our family in a church that we are all happy with and becoming a healthier person, as you can see I did not say "lose weight." But so far it has been great.

We visited a church last Sunday that we ALL really enjoyed. It had several things for the kids and the boys really seemed to enjoy themselves, and for me and Brandon it was good. They have two different services so you can pick your time. It was different from what we were use too, but I really enjoyed it and got a lot out of the service. And when the kids got in the car and they were excited, it made it worth the visit. I want them to enjoy it and have fun, but also to learn. I want them to make friends, because one day those church friends could be the one to see their way through trouble. I don't ever want them to feel like we are "dragging" them to church. I want them to know that, that is where we need to be and I want them to like it. So I think we will go back this Sunday and see if we feel the same way. But yes I know, we need to get in a church and stay and get involved.

At work we have started "Scale Back Alabama" and there is 4 of us who is really trying hard. It has made it nice, not easy but nice that we have others that are doing the same thing. I am really proud of myself, I have walked almost everyday. It is so hard, as most of you know. Just making the time to get it in and to think that ball season is right around the corner. I dread it but I make myself get on the treadmill and then I feel good.

Cole will be 9 years old on Monday. I'm so sad. I have several memories about this time 9 yrs ago. My great grandmother (who past away 2 yrs ago) came to my house with my mother several days before Cole was born. I was having some problems so they took care of me. I miss her so much. And then Cole, getting so big. And smart mouth!!! What do you do?

I hope everyone has been able to stick with their resolutions, it can be really hard at times.
Hope you all have a good weekend.

Full of Adventures

We have had a lot of fun and been very busy for the last two weeks, now it is time to rest and get back into the rountine of things: working and going back to school. I'm with the boys, I don't want to go back to work just like they don't want to go back to school, but all good things come to an end; right. We were suppose to be in Gatlingburg this week but things did not work out the way we planned. Me & Brandon had already put in for vacation time, so we took it. I did go to work Monday to get things caught up but I have been off the rest of the time. I absolutaly love staying at home. I have really gotten a lot done. I painted my bedroom and rearranged, somewhat cleaned the yard and my house, and stayed at home so the kids could play with their toys.

On Friday we headed off to Atlanta. We went to the Georgia Aquarium. It was really nice, it was the first time we had went. The boys really enjoyed it. It took us forever to get in. The 3D show was a lot of fun.

Myles outside the aquarium

We spent the night in Atlanta and watch the awful Alabama game. We ate at a sport grill right down the street from the hotel called STATS. It had a lot of facts about sports so Cole really enjoyed that. The boys just liked spending the night some where else.

Cole feeding the deer

Saturday morning we went to Yellow River Game Ranch. They had deer and squirrals that would walk up to you and you could feed them. So we had a lot of fun there also. But I think that is all the adventures we will be doing for a well. We have done a lot of things in the last month, we are all so tired. I don't think we have done much of anything today.

Why do I begin??

So much has happened since my last blog. We have been so busy. On December 13th we took the kids to Georgia to the Wild Animal Safari and to Fantasy In Lights at Callaway Gardens. We had a wonderful time. If you have never been to the Wild Animal Safari I suggest in taking the time to go and to take the kids, it is wondeful. Cole's favorite movie is Jurassic Park (all of them) and we actually got to ride in a van (not as nice as the trolley on Jurassic Park) but it was fun. We got to see so many animals and feed them. The kids were a little scared at first but by the middle of the tour they had their own bag of food feeding the animals.

Then we went to see the lights, it was so cold, but we loved it. Next time I would like to do it earlier. There was so many people and it was really crowded. A little different then I imagined but it was great. It was really nice the way they would tell a story with each section of lights and it really put you in the spirit. The kids really loved it.

We have had a lot of Christmas gatherings and shopping to do. We had a GREAT Christmas. The boys got a lot of great things: Cole got an XBox 360, several games, clothes, a Northface jacket, movies, board games; Myles got an Nintendo DS, several games, clothes, golf clubs, movies; they both got Rock Band to share (going pretty good so far). So I have to say it was really great and enjoyable UNTIL Cole got a stomach virus Christmas night, that has not been fun because we all have had it.

Friday I took down all Christmas decor and cleaned (really cleaned) my house. Saturday Cole was feeling a lot better so he went hunting with his daddy and killed his FIRST deer!!! How did I raise a little deer hunter?? How could both of MY children love it so much??

Yesterday was a good day, actually very relaxing and we were able to get a lot done. Had some really good food, spent time with family and was able to put all the Christmas stuff out. All the guys played a little football while all the girls set around the table and looked at the sells papers and talked about what the kids would get for Christmas.

Family tree

Cole's tree

Myles' tree

I have so much to be thankful for, here is a short list:

my husband who is wonderful and a great father

my 2 beautiful and healthy boys

my family

my home

my true friends

my job

Cole at 4:30 a.m.

Myles did not get to go this morning because he is sick, so he is bear hunting in the bedroom..

Cole went hunting with his daddy today, he was up bright and early!!