So Long Ago

Wow, I can't believe it has been over a year since I posted anything on this blog. I have gotten so behind on reading other blogs that I will never be able to catch up. I guess I never really write much of anything because it seems like there really isn't much to write about. I will need to try and post some pictures though from time to time. So if anyone still glances at my page know that I will be posting some pictures of our summer adventures in the near future.

Mathis Camp 2008

I started out a little nervous about the trip. Sixteen people in two RVs can make anyone a little unsure about the trip I think. I was very surprised because it all worked out well. I think everyone had a good time and we had a lot of great meals thanks to my terrific husband who for the most part did all the cooking. I would have to say that I would do it again. That is always a good sign.

The whole crew.

Ghost stories that wasn't so scary but we tried.

Catching fireflies.

The great outdoors...frog catching too. What fun.
Stone Mountain.

FDR State Park

The brothers.

Jonathan's Birthday Carnival

This party was so much fun to plan. I really had a great time and I think I was more excited about it then Jonathan but only by a little. As I was planning it I would stop and think, wow, where has the 5 years gone. It has flown by so fast. Jonathan is such a joy to have around. He really puts a smile on my face when I watch him live life. He is the most appreciative child. I love that.

He enjoyed having all his friends there and it meant a lot to me too. I think everyone had a good time. It was my first big at home party. Usually when we have a party at home it is just the family and if we have a bigger party we go elsewhere. I have to say I liked it at home. It was a bit hot but hey, that is what happens when you have a birthday in July.

Jubilee Run

Wow, the Jubilee run was so good. I had a blast. I didn't think it would be very good but I have to say I did enjoy it. Running is for sure not my thing but it is Jeff's and he gets so into it, I love it. He ran in the 8K and then me and the older three "ran" in the 2 mile while Jeff had the little ones and cheered us on. It was cute seeing them wave to us in the beginning. I was hoping I would at least finish in 28 minutes and I did so much better than that. I finished in 24:38 I think was the official time. I got through it a lot quicker then I or Jeff thought. He wasn't even ready for me. He was only able to get a picture of the back of my head. I love it. :) The kids did beat me but that's okay. They didn't beat me by a lot so that was good for me. At one point I could see the girls ahead of me and Ashley turned around and noticed I was approaching and turned back around and she and Ashley Paige started running again. I just had to laugh. Can't let the old mom catch up to you. We do plan on doing it again next year and hopefully I will do even better. I will just have to hope that the Montgomery Firemen will be there again next year. They really helped keep me going. :)

Julia's First Birthday

I can't believe it has been one year since Julia was born. It has been the fastest year ever. It has also been a wonderful year. I have enjoyed watching my little girl grow. I do have to be honest and say that it was a little sad for me at times too. I suppose knowing that she is the last one brings a bit of that. Just the way it goes I suppose. Anyway, we had a good time watching her eat her birthday cake and open her presents. She really enjoyed them. The cake was so much fun and she got it all over her face it was great. It was a really good day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIA!!

Just about Forever

As the title states it does seem like it has been just about forever since I posted last. There are so many stories and pictures I want to share but there just doesn't seem to be any time. I am hoping that this summer will help me catch up on all of that but that is not for today. Today is just to be excited about our plans for the biggest loser thing. I am super excited. I started my exercises yesterday and I will start my eating right today. I just wanted to see or compare what an average day of eating calories was for me to what I plan on doing now. I have not really ever kept track of calories so really had no idea. I must say it was not totally accurate just for that fact of I was thinking about what I was eating so I didn't eat as much snaky stuff. Thank goodness since my calorie intake was plenty high enough. Well, that said I must not stay on too long or I will run out of time to exercise and that would be awful. I don't know when I will blog again but hopefully soon but right now my focus is on other things that take up time. So, until next time...GOD BLESS.

Julia's It

Okay, I've been tagged by my friend Cullen. I am suppose to write 8 things about myself so lets see what I can come up with.

My name is Julia Nicole. I am 8 months old. I love to crawl all over the place and follow my Mommy or big brother Jonathan wherever they go. I enjoy a good cuddle. My Mommy calls me her cuddle baby. :) I'm super smiley almost all the time. I don't really like baths, though they are starting to grow on me and Mommy says that I will one day really like them. She also says that someday it will be a struggle to get me out instead of getting me in. My favorite toy is anything that I can get my hands on. Hmm...one more thing...this is harder than I thought...I guess with just being 8 months old and all. Oh, I know one, I am a pretty good sleeper which makes everyone pretty happy around here. So there you have it 8 things about me. That was kinda fun. Thanks Cullen. :)

Christmas

Wow, I can't believe Christmas has come and gone so fast. It has been really busy with this and that and I have no idea what this and that is but it really has kept me busy. I have been trying to catch up on my blog reading and that took awhile since I haven't been on in quite a bit. I did enjoy so much the blogs that I have read. The blogs always help me see things a little differently or a bit more clearer and let me know that I'm not the only one. The women who write these blogs are truly wonderful. :)

Christmas Eve

Christmas morning

Julia's first Santa present.

The crew.

Okay now for a little update on our Christmas. It was great. We were able to stay home the whole time. We didn't have to pack the kids up after opening presents and hurry off. We are either in California for Christmas or go to Florida but not this year. I enjoyed it so much. The little ones (especially Julia) I am sure didn't really think about it but I know that for me staying home was the best Christmas present ever. :) We had all the kids this year (we have Jeff's kids every other year) so it took some time to do all the present opening. We always open them one at a time to be able to see all the expressions when the kids open there gifts. I really like doing it this way. I have to say Jonathan was so much fun to watch. He loved everything. He would just hoop and holler and just do the whole thank you thank you over and over again. He always keeps me smiling. Julia loved her toys. She liked all the paper of course too which I expected but was truly surprised how much she enjoyed playing with her new toys. Pretty much all of them play music or something but she really did play with everything. She did like a lot of Jonathan's toys too of course. The older kids seem to like what they got for Christmas too but I suppose a bit too old for the hoop and hollering thing. With teens I guess you just have to take what you can get. I have to say that this was truly a wonderful Christmas.

Just got his pirate ship. What pure joy.

That was then and this is now so the decorations are down...not all put away yet but down...the kids are back to school, YA, and I will try and get things back into order or as close to it as possible for me. My hope for this new year is for it to not go as fast as the last year but I know that is only wishful thinking so I will just cherish every moment I have and love and laugh as often as possible.

Thanksgiving....Finally

It is almost Christmas and here I am finally writing about my Thanksgiving or at least a little bit about it. We went to California this year to see my family and we had a really good time. I love being able to hang out with my sister and mom. I love seeing my nephews and nieces too. They are all pretty good kids. My kids enjoy getting to play with them and just catch-up on all that has been going on.

Jeff and I took the three kids to Disneyland also while we were out there. I really wanted to go because Jonathan is at such a good age for it. He knows the characters and loves getting to meet them. He went into Minnie's house and thought that was the neatest thing. He was tall enough to ride almost all the rides and enjoyed most of them. Ashley enjoyed going too but she has been so many times the excitement is not the same for her of course. Julia is still too little but it was still fun taking her on some of the rides. She really loved the Merry-Go-Round. I just enjoyed getting to make those memories with my family. I will always see Jonathan's little face just beaming with joy running around in Goofy's yard when I look back at this special time. I am a very blessed person and so thankful for my family.