Busy Beavers!

We've been so busy lately, I've had little time to write!  But before I get too far behind that it's impossible to catch up, here's a brief glance of what January (and post-Christmas December) brought us.  This month includes being sick again (me), 3 days off of school due to the snow, wrapping up basketball season, lots of hang outs with friends, lots of cooping up and snuggling inside.  It's been too dang cold, y'all.

New Year's Day roller skating!

It's too cold outside... had to play inside!

Her sign reads "Brooke" and she has my shoes on. ;)

We got to hang with Sara, Daniel, and Eli in town from SLC!

Post-Lasik, technology-filled appointment.

Taylor got to go with Lena to Catch Air!

Such a good listener in church.  Sent by my friend while I was in the kid's building. ;)

NYE 2017

He didn't quite care for the sparkling grape juice.

UGA in an amazing win over Oklahoma!

Tiny Towne

Staying entertained at Publix

SNOW!

Indoor fort-building.

Last basketball game. :(

Mila's birthday party!

Meanwhile, Cal came over to hang with Stephen and Parker.  Parker wanted to "cuddle". ;)

More Tiny Towne

Lunch with these cuties

Taylor warming up for her game

Bowling alley fun

Neighborhood walk

Slime!

My little cutie patootie

Girls' painting date

Sydney's school friends

Taylor's end of season b-ball party

My 80s gal!

Parker and his new BFF

Peyton and Taylor being crazy

Taylor's game

More bowling alley fun

Sleepover success!

Celebrating Taylor's awesome teacher for her birthday

More slime

Erica had her baby!  Meet Henry.

Sydney's end of year b-ball party

She's 101 days smarter!

Wednesday night church fun!

2017: A Year in Review

I can't say that I'll miss 2017.  I mean, what really is the meaning of a year?  2018 came just one day after 2017.  It's not that big of a deal, a new year... right?  I guess years do help you chunk events together.  So in that case, the chunk that was 2017 can suck it. ;P

Just kidding.  I really shouldn't be so negative.  There are SO many positives.  There were some sucky things that happened in 2017, but also some really awesome things, too.  So, with that... here's a recap of our year!

Places we visited:

• Disney World!
• Pigeon Forge!
• The Mountain House
• Chattanooga, TN

Notable Events:

• Sydney turned 9
• Taylor turned 7
• Parker turned 5
• Sydney's soccer team won the championship!
• The starting of 3rd, 1st, and Pre-K
• Selling both rental houses!  WOOHOO
• Watching Hurricane Irma knock down a bunch of trees

Latest House Projects:

• Dining room Makeover
• New living room
• Playground makeover

Fun Activities for the Kiddos:

• Parker playing tee-ball
• INK
• Hiking @ Kennesaw Mountain
• Fun Run at the girls' school
• Jag Jog 5K
• Gwinnett 5K
• Soccer for all three
• Six Flags a couple of times
• Basketball for Taylor and Sydney

The Good:

• I started a job this year- part time, working from home- for my friend's husband's law firm.  I always thought I'd go back to work when all three kiddos were in school all day, and this job has given me the opportunity to make some money while having the flexibility to volunteer at the school and do other things without being tied down to a 9-5 job.  
• Speaking of the above, I was randomly offered three teaching jobs this year from various principals that I know.  I took a leap of faith and didn't take any of them.  The money I make from my part-time job doesn't equal what I'd make teaching but a) my heart still isn't there... I don't want to teach just for a paycheck and b) I love the fact that I can still be a part-time "stay at home mom".  I believe I have the best of both worlds!!
• I had LASIK surgery last week!  I have 20/20 vision now, without glasses or contacts.  Yay!

The Bad and the Ugly:

• My dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in the spring, and a couple of months later was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer.  Two big blows in a short period of time.  Many treatments, miles driven, and surgeries plagued my dad's year.  The GOOD is that my dad KICKED BOTH OF THEIR BUTTS (with my mom by his side all the way), and while he still has to continue treatment for some time, I was (and am) amazed at his strength and determination.  My prayer for 2018 and beyond is that he can stay cancer free.
• Stephen has had back pain/issues for years, but this year his back issues caused nerve pain that made it so he couldn't sit or stand for any length of time.  This lasted for about 5 months and eventually made it so he could hardly travel, drive, ride, sit, stand, sleep, etc.  After months of trying everything (swimming, exercises, chiropractor, medications, heating pads, cooling pads, MRIs, etc), the doctor deemed surgery was the answer.  On November 29th, Stephen had surgery on his lower back.  It was a rough recovery for him for a couple of weeks, but he's almost to the 6 week point and is doing SO much better.  (and on the plus side, Stephen hasn't been able to fly for work in 6 weeks so it's been nice to have him around all this time!)
• LICE.  We were infected with lice 5 different times between July and September.  I normally wouldn't think much of that if someone told me the same thing, but HOLY COW- it was awful. The thing about lice is that if you leave ONE little bug, it can reproduce and start the whole process over.  I'm not lying, it was a bit of a depressing time.
• Fixing up and selling our two rental houses were big stressors over the summer.  I would never recommend for anyone to do them at the same time.  In the end, it has worked out but there was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears for a few months.

So, there you go!  The good, the bad, and the ugly that was 2017.  Seriously, though, I'm thankful for our health (despite me having the flu and Taylor having strep this past week), I'm thankful for our opportunities we've been blessed with, and I'm thankful for my family.  I pray for a healthier 2018, a happier 2018, a NO LICE 2018, and an adventure-filled 2018.

Happy new year!!!

Christmas with the Cousins

We packed up the car and headed north to my sister's house to spend Christmas night!  We arrived, and not much later came my parents and my Aunt Katherine from Florida.  Then, around dinner time, my brother and his fam arrived from Nashville.  We were all together!  We ate a delicious dinner and then tackled their tree.  Good times!

The best gift EVER!  My favorite doll as a child was a 1985 CPK Preemie.  She was lost 10 years ago when we went on a trip with the family.  Yes, she came, too. ;). My brother found the exact same doll- outfit and everything- in the box at a garage sale!!!!  

Christmas Morning!

Christmas has come!!  And so has Santa!  Oh boy, the excitement of Christmas is so much fun to see through children's eyes.

We headed downstairs to check out the loot around 7 AM...

Sophia wrote back!

Later, they found a note from Santa, telling them to look on the shelves.

They each got a tablet!  Yay!  (no more using Mommy's phone all the time!)

We ate breakfast and then tackled the tree!

The aftermath

After the tree, we cleaned up, packed up, did some legos, and got ready to head to my sister's house!

She already completed one of her Santa gifts!

Christmas Eve

We did our annual Christmas Eve cookie decorating with Monica, Tim, and Raegan a day early this year!  We decorated cookies, exchanged gifts, and got in some quality hangout time.

We should open a bakery.

Christmas Eve morning, Taylor and I skipped church and opted for urgent care.  We both got meds for our sicknesses and were on our way (3 hours later).

That night, we went to Christmas Eve service.

My friend sent me this shot.  Had to document it. :)

Sydney, Lindsey, and Raegan

When we got home, the kids got to pick one present to open!

Taylor wrote a note to our elf.  She was so sad to know that she'd be leaving us!

We put out the cookies and milk for Santa, in hopes that he would come...

...and it looks like he did!

J-O-Y

JOY to the world!

2017

To see previous years' JOY pics, click here.