Prego-36 weeks and Counting:)

Most of you know it is a surprise. We do not know what we are having this time--hence the two adorable newborn hats:)

The kids are getting impatient--they want to meet the new baby!:)
O yes--it is all B-A-B-Y! We are counting down. It has been a whirlwind of a pregnancy this 3rd time, but we are loving it and are excited in anticipation!!

updates!

Well, it has been a busy summer --as you can see from our slideshow of pics below.
We are getting ready to go back to school in a couple of days.
Gavin will be in 1st grade-holy crap! I cannot believe I am a mom of a first grader! Taylor is equally excited b/c she gets to go to daycare at bubby's school (first ever for either of the kids to be in daycare).
Taylor is quite our little princess. She loves everything that has to do with princesses yet she likes to be rough and tough with the boys too:)
Gavin is quite the young man...way to oild for his own good--or so he thinks:) He met his teacher last week and he loves that they have a classroom pet, RAT!-Mommy is not thrilled! He lost two baby teeth this summer too. for both he wanted Todd to hook string from his tooth to the front door--BUT when it all came down to the "slam" no such luck. Both little teeth fell out on their own:) The "tooth fairy" these dsays has to be so generous--I was told it is 2009 now not the 80's when I used to get a quarter from the tooth fairy!:) LOL!
Todd got a job this summer at another lawn company and seems to like it. He also has made a huge career step in that he is attending classes at LCC to complete coursework necessary to get into the police academy! It has been an interesting journey and somewhat stressful, but he is traking 2 classes right now and more next semester! In fact, he gave his first speech (for speech class) last week--not as easy as he thought it wold be:)
As for me--Well I am still growing a basketball :) out in front...it too has been an interesting journey this 3rd time around. I am thankful though that it has not been an overly hot summer--I do not think I could have handled it:)
I am starting back to work this week in a new position--I am very excited about... Then off for the baby's arrival. Man time flies!
(more to come now that I am back to my routine --hopefully):)

Our Summer-Yikes! It's been awhile

I Iam an aunty again! Jackie had her baby last night around 6:30. Jillian Grace weighed 7 lbs. 9 ozs. and was 19 in. long. She looks just like Mason when he was born--LOTS of jet black hair. Pics are from my phone --not the greatest, but cute none the less. :)

Mom and baby are great! Jillian (and mommy) is coming home today to a very JEALOUS big brother!:)

WOWZERS!!!!!

The most adorable kids ever...

Pay special attention to the message on Taylor's shirt!:) Soon to be big brother AND big sister!:)

Way Too Long

I guess it has been way too long since I have posted.
We are just plugging away in our day to day routines.
We got a doggy-Max (Springer Spaniel) who lives outside at our house. The kids love him and want to play with him constantly.
I have taken on Nursery/ Preschool Coordinator for our church. Todd is trying to start his own company doing all the lawn "stuff" he is so good at. Taylor is telling everyone she is almost 3. She is getting so big and talking like a miniature adult. It is crazy. Sometimes I just have to sit back and watch in amazement. Gavin is growing like a weed. He will be 6 this Wednesday and is counting down. He has gotten two reports cards so far--not too bad for Kindergarten. We are having problems with another little boy picking on him, but we are talking about making good choices about who our friends should be. He is so intuitive sometimes--it is scary. He is learning more and more about the Lord. The other day he asked me how we know God can hear us if we can never see him...which opened the door for an awesome conversation. I absolutely without a doubt, unconditionally L-o-v-e my kids! It is so much fun watching them grow up.

Family Christmas

Now that winter is almost here...

Here's pics from our summer...

Todd's Perils Continue

PICTURES Below:
For those of you have not heard: Todd had ANOTHER tree accident.
Yes, I know what you're thinking-You go right ahead and tell him!:)

He was helping his Dad hang a tree stand and as he was climbing down
his wedding ring got caught on one of the foot pegs.
He dangled by his wedding ring, until the ring just ripped off-taking skin with it.
After a visit to Urgent Care, no broken bones, 7 stitches, and a painful injury,
Todd is layed off of work for the season (early)!
For those of you who have husbands who hunt or like being outdoors--Don't
let them go out with their wedding ring on. Todd is very fortunate he did not
lose his finger. The Dr. last night was shocked that his finger was still attached.
He also said he could not tell us how many injuries like this he has seen.
He had even been injured in a similar fashion and no longer wears his wedding ring
at all because of it.
Pictures below are kinda graphic.











Top left picture: side view of his finger
2nd picture from left : Dr. working on Todd's hand -digging gravel and sand from wound.
3rd from left: top flap of skin was cut off and bottom of finger is raw tissue. (sewn back together 7+ stitches). Last picture: on the way to Urgent care-wrapped in towel.
Pictures are out of order.
My stomach is queezy...

No Computer!

Our laptop crashed so sorry for the lack of posting. Life is still it's busy self. At times it seems relentless, but we make it through. Who knows when the computer will be up and running-someday I will tell the frustration.
Hope all is well.

First Day as a K Mommy!

Yes, I cried, sobbed, balled (sp) as I watched my little boy go into his first day of school. Taylor looked at me funny. A friend, Kelly, offered Mommy to Mommy hugs, and also added her comment that it doesn't get any easier-she still cries sending her 3rd grader off to school. (Good... I am not the only one that cried on the first day of school). He rode the bus for the first time, too many firsts to list! It is scary. We prayed before we got out of the car. --That he would have fun, God would keep him safe, he would meet lots of new friends, he would learn lots, he would listen to his teacher and follow directions. Of course, we prayed that Daddy would be safe at work, and Uncle Calvin (Todd's little brother) would have a great first day at school too-and that he wouldn't get into trouble:):):):)...
And off we went!!!
Mommy made it through her frist day (of course-Gramma A. brought the kids up for lunch so that helped):)-Thank you Gramma!

I hope it gets easier, I don't know if I can go through the crying I did this morning every day. :(
Gavin had a great first day and remembered one little boy's name-(I can't remember):)
That's all for the first day!

NO longer a Student

I finally am done. Actually, I finished on time, but the hard drive on my computer crashed so I haven't been able to post. There is so much updating to do and no time to do it.
Briefly, One full time job is down-I have completed my MAsters program. I am looking forward to the freedom that that brings this year:)
More to come!

Counting Down

Yes, I am counting down. I have 5 days left of my semester. I am turning in my portfolio in on Monday and then I AM DONE!:) Let the Celebrations begin!:):):):):):)

If you know me very well at all, you know I am a procrastinator (some sy I get it form my dad--is that true, Dad?) :)
Anyways, I usually am up the night before assignments are due until wee hours in the morning typing away on the laptop until my papers are finished...I guess you could say I work best under pressure. It drives my mom mad!:) (hehehehe)LOL!!

Let's see with 5 days left, I have all the assignments done except two, I have to rewrite 10, and edit 3. Soooo, I have between revising, and rewriting, and new writing a total of 15 papers still to do, PLUS putting the entire thing together (**PROFESSIONALLY) into a three-ring binder. HMMMMM--any wagers on whether or not I'll be turning it in late?!!!!LOL!-ok not really, it isn't funny, but oh well, that's life when you got two kids, and a life of a mommy and wife!:)

Let's hear it, I know....I shouldn't procrastinate...tell me what ya think...cause I know you're thinkin it....Will my papers be done? How many days late will my portfolio be sent in??

Thanks for keeping in touch!

Sisters

Just a pic of the Sisters!

Making a Mommy's heart feel good!

Can I just say how much I love my kids! I am just so proud of them. Ya know, we try to train them into being mannerful, polite; growing up in the church, LOVING JESUS...and sometimes I actually can see the Lord working on them. (Not that He isn't working in them, but you know what I mean) The video below is of Taylor singing at our VBS this week. She was in the preschool group and she knew all the songs and did most of the motions. It brought tears to my eyes watching her listen and sing along.

Loving Summer Break and...

...Having Mommy home! Taylor and Gavin love having mommy home to play with and spend time with. Sorry for the lack of posting. I just turned in my Thesis for my Masters and am now working on putting together my portfolio. I will be done at the end of July. Praise the Lord--counting down for sure!:)

Here are a few pics of the first few days off. Bubby was helping Mommy pick up laundry--he decided Taylor needed to go in the basket too, I guess. Mason got to play with us too!

A Wild and Crazy Life...

Yes, that pretty much sums it up...the kids argue and bicker now. "Mine...no, it's mine!" (At the top of their lungs) and then the tug -a- war begins! It is fun though. I love my kids and wouldn't trade them for the world!
Todd's job is going great--he is putting in long hours, though -and it is an adjustment.
I am working on my thesis and a new semester, and I am ending the school year teaching--14 more days!!!!!:) Counting Down has officially begun!
Our newest pics are posted (as heading and profile). My brother FINALLY took our family pictures:) J/K-Matthew:):):):)

I promise to post more later.

Up to no good!

My little angel--or so Mommy thought--was going potty by herself, when I heard Gavin shouting "Mommy, Taylor's dumping soap in the toilet..." I went running of course--only to find--yes it's true, Taylor took the Big, Tall bottle of Baby wash and had lid off, upside down, dumping it right into the toilet! Ohhh! It's these moments that remind me of just how wonderful life is:) LOL!:)

(More updates coming soon).

My Favorite Picture

Five Years of Marriage!

Jerry Rice

...yes, we met Jerry Rice. As we were down in Tampa, FL celebrating our 5th anniversary, we went to Ybor City to Gameworks. It was a lot of fun! AS were waiting to play air hockey--I noticed "that guy from Dancing with the Stars"--he won ya know:)

Todd's aunt was rippin on him for his lack of skills in playing air hockey. --not knowing who he was. Todd got to shake his hand. It was quite cool. Here's the pics!