Christmas 2012

We are once again counting our blessings as we welcome the Christ child.  We didn't do everything I had planned (no birthday cake for Jesus?) or everything I wanted (why won't any of the kids direct the traditional live nativity like in days of old?) but we did the important stuff. We prayed together, played together and counted our many, many blessings!

Decking the Halls

 Trimming the tree, decorating cookies, and making the kitchen into a winter wonderland (who needs REAL snow?)

Finding the perfect tree...

It took a bit of planning but we finally carved out a 3 hour window in which to find and cut the elusive "perfect" tree!  Between parties, work and waiting for Joseph to get home from college, finding the time was more difficult than finding the tree!  So wonderful to have everyone home!!!

November Happenings!

Maggie turned 6 and got her first "big girl" bike!

We were able to travel to IL to see all the Fulton side of the family for Thanksgiving! One of the highlights of the trip was driving Grandpa's cushman truck...someone lost a few passengers, though!

October 2011

If I didn't have someone having a birthday every month in the fall, I may never blog!  Drew is now eleven and it seems like time is flying!  We have been so busy here.  This is the most stressfull, high paced place we have ever lived and it is sometimes so difficult to avoid the trap of thinking I have to put the kids in every activity available!  We have deliberately let the three little ones simply play this fall - no sports, clubs or after school activities, just PLAY.  We have to take advantage of the good weather while we have it!  Of course, even with those kids free, we still have cheer, volleyball, and soccer to finish before we begin basketball next week!  I love having all these choices but it can be exhausting!  Thankfully, Emily is now driving in her own car (that she helped pay for) and that truly makes life easier for all of us.  She was the proud recipient of the title "Junior Homecoming Princess" at Woodson's homecoming this year.  It was an exciting night, albeit bittersweet because she had gotten a concussion at the pep rally that day when her flyer kicked her in the head!  Hence the sunglasses and earplugs she is sporting!

Happy Birthday Gracie!

Gracie is 8!!!

Ramie

It was a big summer for our Ramie.  She has grown (quite literally, she is almost as tall as me!) into a beautiful young woman.  She celebrated her thirteenth birthday on the same day that the regional swim meet was held.  She qualified as a twelve year old, but not as a thirteen year old, so she couldn't swim.  Although disappointed, she still stuck out the season with a great attitude.  It paid off, when, at the swim meet banquet, she was awarded the "Sportsmanship" trophy.  It is the most prestigious award given and we were so proud!!  She spent most of the summer at the pool, practicing or helping coach our "little dolphins."

Summer 2011

Wow, did the summer ever get away from me! The highlight was having Summier and Samuel stay for a couple weeks all by themselves!  We had some fun and than some, and then we had to drop off Joseph at Auburn....*sigh*  It was hard, but made easier by his excitement and the peace of mind we have knowing he is in the right place for him.  Here are some pics of our summer...

Happy Graduation!

Joseph is now a high school graduate!  It was a wonderful day with lots of family and fun, we were all very proud!

Prom 2011

Big milestones for Joseph!  First he turns 18 and then he goes to his senoir prom!  He escorted his beautiful friend Amy and they both looked amazing!

Happy Birthday Joseph!

My baby is 18!!!

Gracie's First Communion

Here are some pics of our beautiful Gracie on her First Communion Day.
( Em made the cake!)

Louisiana, Here We Come!

If a picture says a thousand words, then these pics will hopefully give some indication of the fantastic time we had seeing all of our wonderful family and friends!  We stopped in Montgomery, Biloxi, Baton Rouge, Welsh, Lake Charles, and had the time of our lives!  Click on this link to see all the pics!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1851266196104.101924.1074223979&l=903ea4e5c5

Charlie is THREE!

I commented to a friend the my BABY is THREE!  I have never had a three year old baby before.  I am usually, at the least, expecting again by now.  We are very happy to have a three year old baby, he certainly makes us all smile everyday!  This handsome pic is from Nikkie and Eric's wedding where he stole the show as the ring bearer.

Months go by....

Well, my man finally made it home and it has been a whirlwind of activity since his feet hit American soil.  We literally have been traveling, moving, hosting guests, or all three since late Feb.  It didn't even feel like real life until a few weeks ago.   Obviously, we feel so completely blessed to have him home safely!  Since his arrival, we have moved houses (same neighborhood) because the owner of our rental needed to sell and while we love our neighborhood, we weren't ready to buy here.  Fortunately, we found another house l to rent ess than a mile away.  We moved ourselves and discovered that whether you are moving a few blocks away or a few hundred miles away, moving is still a long, painful process!  I am happy to say we are completely settled after downsizing dramatically!  These are the days I long to be Amish...one plate and cup per person, two sets of clothes, NO knick knacks,...you get the picture. 
Prior to moving, we had  a great visit from our dear friend, who also happens to be our personal Polish priest and Charlie's Godfather and Jodys' cousins - all who happen to be from Texas, where we plan to be one day!  We also had a wonderful trip to Louisiana for Jody's little sister's wedding and a family reunion/crawfish boil.  What a blast!  We couldn't have had a better time!
Since returning home, it is back to work for Jody, Joseph, and Em, volleyball for Ramie, soccer for Drew, gymnastics for Gracie and Maggie, and trouble for Charlie!  I will try to be more diligent about posting now that things are settled down.  God Bless you all.

The Bronze Star

Jody was awarded the Bronze Star for merit today!

Sweet Sixteen!

My sweet Emmy is sixteen!

Thirty days....

Thirty days and counting down...Jody should be home in a month! The days go ever so slowly, or at least they seem to! But the weeks do fly by...so I am hoping that these few weeks will fly and we will be one, whole, happy family again. This has been, as I guessed it would be, the most difficult part of the year for me. As always, God is good and faithful. I haven't done anything awful to the children :) or said something rude to a well meaning person who mentions how quickly this year has gone by, or climbed into my bed to retreat for a few days, which I am always tempted to do! We have done better than survived. We have grown and we have learned, and we have become a better family because of it.