Fall is in the air!

Wow, has the time flown by!! I can't believe we are already through September. There is a lot to look forward to for the rest of the year and I can't wait. Some girls from highschool and I decided we would have to plan our ten year reunion since no one else seemed to be doing so. We will have our first official meeting this weekend to delegate responsibilities and I hope it goes smoothly. I can't believe it has already been 10 years! Susie, Liz and I were looking at old pictures and reminiscing about high school last night at dinner. It's amazing how long ago it seemed when you look at old pictures but doesn't seem that long thinking back.
This week, Aimee and I are starting our pilates class. It should be interesting to say the least!! I just hope Im not too sore to pick up the baby the next day...lol.
The kids are all doing great. Reagan, Jackson and Kennedy are loving school and making new friends. They all have wonderful teachers and I love FBCS more and more each year. Mrs. Emerson, the principal, is doing so many wonderful things there. I look forward to all the new and exciting changes that are going to happen in the future.
Grant is now 3 months old. He is growing like a weed and trying to roll over. He is such a light in my life. I enjoy getting to spend time with him during the day and enjoy each precious moment. I got to do that of course with Reagan but felt like I missed out on so much with the twins because there were two of them and it just felt like a big fuzzy blur!!! I can't wait to take Grant back to the doctor to see how much he's grown. He is going to be a bruiser!
Brian is working a lot these days and we are so thankful. It's nice to have that right now when there are so many who are struggling because of this economy.
Jason and Justin are both about to embark on their new jobs in Africa. They are going to be working a month on/a month off. I am happy for them and hope that they enjoy their new endeavors.
Well, I guess I better run for now. I am out of coffee and that is not a good thing!! Til next time!

Schools Back!!

We are on day three of back to school time! Reagan is now in 2nd grade and Jackson and Kennedy are in Pre-K! It's their first year at school and they are doing great! They all attend First Baptist Christian School and we are so thankful that they can go there. It is a wonderful school and they are learning so much already and even better getting a good Christian foundation. I am so proud of all of them.

Mama is enjoying her quiet days with Grant. He is 2 1/2 months old now and still a wonderful little man. He is so happy and just loves to interact with us. He had his well check this week and weighs in at 12 bls 11 oz. Dr. Rabalais was suprised at how much he interacted with him at such a young age. He says he usually doesn't get that much until the fourth month! So I guess Im going to have another little talker on my hands..lol!

It's been a long hot summer and Im glad it's finally over. I don't think I've ever said that before but I am!

Mom and I decided to try our hand at making hairbow holders. We have been working when we can and really are enjoying the outcomes! I hope we can get it off and running soon and make some extra cash for Christmas and whatever else :) So if you need one, check out my other blog!!

Well, I guess that is all for now. Thanks for stopping by!!

Oh Baby!

Obviously, I am not a good blogger! A lot has happened since I last visited here. I now have a one month old, precious baby boy. He was born on June 7th, weighing a whopping 9 lbs 8 oz. He came one week after my due date. I was so miserable! I started having my contractions around 4:30 that morning but held out til about 3 pm before I couldn't take it anymore and headed to the hospital. At 10:22 pm after about 2 min (or less really) of pushing, he came into this world. He has been the best baby. He sleeps through the night most nights and has made life with a newborn seem like a cake walk. I remember the mixed emotions I had when I found out I was pregnant, and now can't imagine life without him already. He is a beautiful, content, sweet baby boy and I adore him. The kids have adjusted to their baby brother suprisingly well. I thought there would be a period of craziness bringing home Grant, but they act as if he's always been here. They are the best kids and I love them all soo much. God has blessed me tremendously!

Reagan, Jackson and Kennedy all have had birthdays in the past few weeks. The twins turned four. We had a nice party at Nana and Poppy's house. Kennedy had her princess cake and Jackson had a racecar cake. The family was all here and also Carson, Erica, Dennis, Gina and Anna. Reagan's party was here at our house. She had a pink and zebra print party theme. Nana made cupcakes and Poppy made jambalaya. The family and Erica and CArson all came over and the kids had a great time doing sack races and playing musical chairs with shaving cream. It was a nice evening. She turned 7. Hard to believe my babies are growing up so quickly.

The three oldest are all going to school in the fall. Reagan will be entering the 2nd grade and the twins will start preschool, all at First Baptist Christian School. The twins are looking forward to starting school, I just hope that the enthusiasm continues when I take them to school on the first day...ha! Somehow, I don't think it will, but they may suprise me. If you're reading this, please say a lot of prayers Aug. 17th for the twins...and ME!

Well, I hear a baby calling so I must run! I will hopefully be better about blogging here but I doubt it...lol.

'til then!

Marching into Spring!

Since I've last written, I have learned I am carrying a baby boy and we have decided to name him Grant. The middle name has not been decided yet. We had to keep along with the presidential name trend we had going. I had a great ultrasound that Aimee got to go to with me. Brian had to take a class that morning so he was unable to go. It was really cool and I got some really neat pictures and a video of it.

Only three months left of this last pregnancy. I am ready to meet my little man and have my body back. I am so uncomfortable!! I get more and more excited as each day passes because I am soon going to have another little baby to hold and love. The kids are getting excited and Jackson tells me everyday, Mama, I love your baby! He's so sweet.

The kids got to experience their very first Mardi Gras this year. It was exciting for them after the initial parade. I think it was too much at first but once they got the idea of what Mardi Gras was, they enjoyed catching beads and playing with their friends. We went to the Children's Parade with Nana and the parades on Tuesday with our friends and their kiddos. The kids caught a lot of stuff but I "accidentally" left a lot of it there. Shhhh!

We spent this past weekend with Erica and Carson. It was a nice visit and I enjoyed having them here. Carson is a hoot, he made me laugh the whole time between getting flipped off (not on purpose mind you, but the timing was perfect), his cuck coo noises, his sweet smiles, and his little cries to let you know he's NOT happy. Erica and I always have a great time visiting. She's my sister at heart. This weekend was also Analise's 2nd birthday. It was such a nice party and I hated I forgot my camera. There were so many cute photo opportunities I missed. Analise had a wonderful day and got tons of toys. She was just precious and so much fun to be around.

I am looking forward to going to Florida next month. We are going for Easter weekend and some friends/family will also be joining us. I can't wait to get there. There's been some things going on around here that I just need a break from. It will be nice to get to relax and enjoy the beach one last time before Grant arrives. I can't wait!!!

"You've gotta put your behind in the past"

2009. It has such a nice ring to it. I have a very good feeling that this will the year that things will settle down, that life will even out, things will change. This year, we are gonna make it through with no despair, devastation or loss. I just know it. But, if in fact that is not true, we will survive. Just as we've always done. Life will go on. God will still be there with open arms.

We've had a lot happen to us in just one year. From the very beginning of 2008 to the very end. We lost a job, lost our home, and lost a dear loved one. We moved from Georgia to Louisiana, left behind good friends and family. Reagan started a new school, Brian, a new job. I found out I was expecting our fourth baby and admittedly, was not very happy about it.

In February of 08, Brian's company went under. We spent months looking for a job in GA. It was hopeless. The only callback he got was from a gravel company in Franklinton, LA. So off he went, leaving the rest of us until Reagan finished school, trying to make a new life for us.

We had our home on the market since Brian lost his job. We dropped the price many times to no avail. We tried a short sale, with no luck, and just couldn't afford it any longer. We ended up losing it. It was devastating but we knew we had no other choice but to let it go and move on.

After Reagan got out of school, I packed up the kids and headed to Louisiana. We moved in with my parents until we could get into our new house. Brian commuted back and forth from Franklinton to Lafayette until he just couldn't bear it any longer. He decided to try and get a job in Lafayette and did so at Hub City Industries.

Our summer turned out to be a great one, despite all the turmoil. The kids had so much fun with their cousins and we had parties, frog nights, and many fun times with Nana and Poppy. We took a trip to Florida with Justin, Aimee and the kids and just relaxed.

School started and Reagan flourished. She adjusted well to her new school and has made many friends. She has made straight A's so far and the Principal's List twice so far. She is proud of her accomplishments, as are we.

I found out I was expecting in September. It will be my third pregnancy and fourth baby. I was really not excited about the news as most new parents are. We weren't trying to have a baby, nor did we want to have another one I felt so guilty and ashamed for feeling that way. It was a shock and took some getting used to but now I am so happy and I can't wait to meet the little acrobat who is flip flopping around inside my belly as I type.

The holidays were bittersweet. Thanksgiving was spent with Brian's family. It was great to visit with everyone and we had a great time at Carol's farm. Christmas was good. We spent it at home for once and then went to Mom and Dad's for a late lunch and to open presents with the crew. It was a great day.

The worst of it all, was when Larry left us. It was a shock, it was the worst thing that could have ever happened. We were all left in a state of shock, disbelief, anger and grief. Reagan still cries about her Paw Paw. We loved him so much. We all lost a part of ourselves when he died and will never fully understand the reason for his choices but we still love him and miss him dearly. He was such an awesome person. I personally thought of him as another dad. He welcomed me to his family, he loved my babies more than life and he always made me smile with one of his antics or smart comments. I can't imagine never seeing him again or hearing his voice. So sad.

I think I can label that the worst year of my life so far. So many life changes and so much heartache all rolled into ONE year. Wow! But it also says a lot about our family. We are strong, we made it through together, by the grace of God, we can do anything. I thank God for such a wonderful husband, three great kids, and an awesome support system of family and friends. Watch out '09, here we come.