L is for Look Back

2008 has come and gone. Filled with blessings, marked by tears both happy and sad, 2008 will not soon be forgotten at our home nor in our hearts! We began the year with a new baby girl and all the milestones that come....sleeping all night, solid food, sitting up, crawling, Hair Bows!, first words, bath time, 1st Birthday, walking...... Katie Beth filled our hearts with joy as we mourned. She brought a sense hope and life that kept us going. A tender hug, "pat-pat," or slobbery kiss from this precious girl would melt everything else away! Brayden Keith kept us on our toes. The transition from 2 to 3 is much more exciting than anyone ever explained to Dusty and I! The word for 2008 was questions! Bray was full of them!! I never thought I would be explaining Heaven to my 2 year old...it was one of the best blessings God has given me. I wish I could think of heaven as amazing and exciting as Bray does. We discussed it alot this year and every time, I felt like I was learning from him! Bray is a goer for sure. He loves to be at the bulldog games, no matter the sport. After a quick scare at the begining of the summer, Bray got a new "cool" brace. Not only did this cool brace help much more than the old one, Bray got to enjoy swimming this year! A new swing set, planning birthday parties and cheering for the Bulldogs and Cowboys took up most of the Fall. We laughed often when Bray was around. Her are some of my favorites...... " the Hotel-Motel in Dallas Tex-us" "NeeNee - Neens - NeeNeers" (who loves you the most?) "God and Jesus do Mom!" "Can I just live with you until I'm big, Boo?" "Porkchop Cookie is not good for my tummy!" (we wanted Fortune Cookie) "Dad, I called McDonald's and ordered chicken, fries and a toy." "C-o-w-b-o-y-s!" I could go on and on.... he filled our home with laughter and pride each and every day.
Saying good-bye to friends at Roosevelt was hard. I can honestly say that I love what I do each day and have landed my dream job at AIS. I work with amazing teachers and kids. I have learned so much from my students and parents. I have also found a new passion in working with the youth at our church. This has been a wonderful blessing that has come along this year.

I pray blessings for each of you for the new year. I don't make resolutions....last year was the only year I ever have. I have set a few goals, though.

• Live each day to it's fullest - I don't mean pack so many comitments into the day, but get the most out of each moment.
• Play more - stress less!
• Work smarter, so I won't have a reason to stress.
• Let those I love know, not only by words, but also by deeds.
• Write, write, write!
• Read to my kids, for school and for my soul!
• Pray first, then react!
• Make health a priority

Again, I could probably go on and on....

Happy 2009! God Bless!

P is for PIGTAILS!!!

Katie Beth's growing hair is finally long enough for pigtails! Boo, NeeNee and I could not be happier. Dad, however, thought I was going overboard. I just couldn't help it. She looked so cute. Katie Beth did leave them in all day. I think she liked them, too!

F is for Friends

On December 23, we were blessed with a visit from our good friends, the Redelspergers! Tana is my dearest friend from college and the closest thing I have to a sister. I love her dearly. We have stairstep kids! Her daughter Regan is 4.....my Bray is 3....her Ryan is 2... and Katie Beth is 1. Bray loves to play with his friend girls. We made Christmas cookies for Santa.

The kids thought the cookies tasted great. They had a lot of fun, too! I am glad Tana doesn't mind messes.

Isn't Regan too sweet! She is a little Martha Stewart in the making. Her cookies had to be just perfect. Of course Tana and I thoguth they were. Time with friends is a great gift! Thanks freind girls!!!

C is for Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to you!

Love,

Katie Beth, Dusty, Amanda and Bray

Luke 2:10-14

D is for December

Our family just might hold the record for December birthdays! Between our extended families there are too many count. Happy Birthday....

Me...Baylor.... Ron C. .....Ron S. ...... John Grady...... Dusty..... Pa and Aunt Lou...... Logan and Paps..... Landon Cade.... and Don C.....

I'm sure I left someone out! Sorry! Here is a picture of Pa's snowman cake that Bray insisted on.

B is for Birthday!

Bray did it again! He and Daddy and NeeNee planned a surprise COWBOY party for me. It was a perfect birthday party. We spent Saturday evening at NeeNee's watching OSU and OU! Boo, Paw, Nee Nee, Spud, Reece and Molly came to help my family and I celebrate. Our favorite baker June made my awesome Pistol Pete cake. It was a perfect evening!

T is for Thankful!

Thanksgiving brought a new adventure around our house. We actually stayed home this year....no traveling! Although I missed my side of the family, especially my Grandma Peggy's dressing and pecan pie, I enjoyed the extra play time with my kids. We HAD to put our Christmas tree up on the day before Thanksgiving. Bray insisted! He got to put the star on top. It reminded me of Christmas when I was little. Putting the star on top was my Dad and I's job...until Reece claimed it! Dusty and Paw put lights up on the house. They let Bray help!!! I know, I was a little nervous that my 3 year old was on my roof. He Loved it! I think Paw enjoyed it, too! Katie Beth was in fine form at MamMa and PapPa's on Thanksgiving Day. She showed off her 2 day old walking skills. She also wresteled with Bray and Cade. KB ate everything we did...especailly dessert! She also was pretty sweet on Logan. Cole was busy running Bray to pig barn to see the big baby pigs! Thanks Cole for being so kind to Bray! Katie Beth got a little sassy at one point. She took the lid off the ice chest and snuck a cup. Then she hid behind the ice chest and began to eat the ice! I couldn't resist a picture between giggles! Boy am I in trouble! I did have so much to be Thankful for this year. It never hurts to stop and count your blessings!