Remembering 2014

While we're never to dwell on the past it's the past that makes us what we are... that is why I think it's so important each year to look back and remember. Remember the good and the bad, the hardtimes and the joys, laughter and the tears because each of those make us into what we are today.

We had endings and new beginnings,, weddings and deaths, grow in age, stage, spirit, and life in general.  With each passing year, I'm amazed at how life changes. My children continue to get older while I remain ageless (amazing how that is!). I feel as if I change daily... I am far less tolerant (which is very scary), I don't let silly things bother me anymore though, I am far less adventurous (which is hard to believe because I'm not the adventure seeker in the first place), and I'm learning a lot about myself

So without further adoo.. I give you 2014...

                                                         

               Season#1 with Carmel Pups travel baseball... such a great group of kids and parents; struggled in the wins department, but they were a great team filled with laughter regardless! 

                                                 

                                   Cincinatti Reds!! Always up for a trip to cheer on the Reds! 

                                                   

                           New beginnings when my cousin Zach married his beautiful bride, Fumika at my

  parent's farm.  It was beautifu in so many ways.  Crazy to think that my cousins are so much younger     than I am, but so neat to have been there and am able to enjoy it all now. 

                                             

Family pictures! Are you kidding? It's been 3 years since we were subjected to family pictures?! Ugh, I can't believe I'm doing this again, but our buddy Mike is so good that he can shave off pounds, add smiles to our faces and create children that can stand beside one another without killler each other.  

I can't believe that I have a child that's a sophomore in high school and a fifth grader that's going to be going into middle school soon.  Cole is ready to drive and I'm afraid there's not enough alcohol in the world for this mom to to accept that he's growing up this quickly!

We weren't anle to make it to Georgia during the summer, but we made a trip down in December to celebrate Christmas and hug on the cousins.

                                                            

As the year winds down, I think of all the amazing things we've been able to do and all the things we've been able to share.  As I said, there have been tears and joys, deaths and new life, but through it alll we know that God is present in our lives and we're blessed beyond what we deserve.  So as we bid farewell to 2014 I say thank you Lord for all that we've learned, thank you for those we've loved and those we've lost and continue to bless us in 2015! 

 

Bring on spring...

With the official start of spring just a week away I am appalled  saddened to see piles of snow still covering the ground! I hate to whine and complain say it, but this winter has really wore me out.  My feet are crying for flip flops and my legs are begging for a different shade of white!!

You see, the boys and I have different Spring Break schedules this year (insert cheering and screaming ) and I have a HUGE list of things I hope to accomplish while I'm home alone.  I want to paint, go to the grocery ALONE, get a massage, organize my teaching materials by subject and theme, get a manicure and pedicure, restock my inventory for www.facebook.com/repurposedwithpurpose and maybe even enjoy some "girly" TV shows in peace 

and quiet.

None the less, this cold and miserable weather that we've had this winter has caused my husband to make an unexpected road trip vacation during my Spring Break.  Don't get me wrong, I NEED some sunshine and I do LOVE visiting the Georgia Bakers,  but what about MY plans?!  What about MY time?! MY list?! Well, MY list is gone and instead it's headed to Georgia for some much needed sunshine.

Incase you haven't heard me talk about it before, when we go to Georgia we go the Cannon Branch Farrms.  This is 1500 acres of pecan orchard that my brother in law runs for his wife's family.  They are the 5th generation to run this land and we're lucky enough to get to come play on it! We spend our time riding 4 wheelers and Polaris Rangers, hunting armadillos and other rodents, eating pecans from the ground and anything else our heart desires because the farm equals FREEDOM.  

My boys learned how to shoot a gun about a year ago (once I realized they were capable of holding it and not shooting me).  We enjoy taking target practice with barrels out in the orchards and then hunting destructive rodents and animals at night.  Did you know that an armadillo can single handedly knock a pecan tree down because it burrows under the trees? Those pesky possums and raccoons carry so many diseases and illnesses that we're not to fond of them either.  

Besides all the will games and hunts, there are the cousins.  My brother and sister in law have what we affectionately call a circus.  The oldest is a girl age 6, followed by a boy that's 4 and then lastly twin girls which are 2 years old.  It's crazy. Chaos.  FUN! Add our two boys and we have a wild party every single day we're together.  

So I didn't get my room painted or my nails done, and I didn't get to make some inventory for my little store or go to the grocery all alone, but I had a good Spring Break.  I was able to be with family. I was able to hear constant laughter. I was able to make memories that are far more valuable than MY list.

Top 13 of 2013...

As another year winds to a close I'm taking a few moments to remember all the joys, tears, successes and fears of 2013.  Some reminscing is to keep it from happening again (hopefully) while other is to not forget the blessings that have been poured out on us!

                                      

13).  Multiple trips to visit the Georgia Bakers!  It's always filled with craziness, laughter, fun and sometimes tears, but always full of adventure!

                                                

12). Baseball, Baseball and more baseball! This was our first year to experience travel baseball... not always a great experiennce, but we learned SOOO much!

11).  Cole started HIGH SCHOOL! I know that I'm not old enough to have a kid in high school, but Jake is (ha! ha! ha!- sorry but you're older than me, hubby).  I guess it  worries a mom more than the kid.  Cole survived had a great first semester in high  school so we'll hope that 2014 brings an even better 2nd semester.

10). Folds of Honor and the Indiana Patriot Cup.  In August, we were blessed to be a part of the Indiana Folds of Honor and raise money with Mike and Janine for families of wounded or killed soldiers.  The evening brought smiles as we listened to the children explain how they've been blessed by this organization and tears as we hear how they've lost so much to get these blessings.

           

9). Year number two at Zionsville West Middle School for me! So  grateful to be asked back to the school  that I've come to know and love- even better  I've been able to do my student teaching here where I know the kids and teachers!

8). My mom got a new job and is now working at Purdue University where she graduated from.  She's loved the atmosphere there and seems to be much happier which is a blessing.  

7).  Passed my Praxis exams (almost!). In order to get my teaching licenses,  I had multiple exams to take and I passed my final Special Education Praxis the first time out with flying colors and them the Elementary Education all content wasn't bad either ... except the MATH! Darn  it for those stupid numbers!! Passed all but the math on the first time out- took a couple  more tries onn that one.

6).  Golf, golf,  and more golf! NOT ME... oh no!! While I continue to stink at the sport, my boys are falling deeper and deeper in love with it as well as getting pretty good.  Wherever we go, it seems we have to find a golf course.  Cole was even able to  play in a Master's Junior Tournament which was an amazing experience.

5).  Repurposed With a Purpose. This fall I decided to sell some of the creations that I've been making...it was a huge hit! In a three week period I sold 13 of the "You are my Sunshine" signs! I hope it continues into 2014.

4). Kitty Coco joined our home in October 2013. Poor little babe was found in a dumpster with his brother at 2 weeks old. I nursed him, fed him with a bottle and fell in love so little kitty Coco is now a part of our family!

3). Family, family, family!

2). Laughter, lattes and love. I've not always been good about staying current with my blogging but it has been an enjoyable experience. What a fun way to share and communicate with people you've never met! My goal for 2014 is to be more consistent and keep in touch with my blogging world a little better than I did in 2013.

1). Wishes for blessings in 2014!!

Day 1 of Vacation

The hot Georgia sunshine, cousins running together and uncontrollable laughter...it's priceless. Vacation is always a beautiful thing, but when you're able to spend quality time with family it's so much more. Here's a sneak peak...

                                                       

You know those times when you laugh so hard that your side hurts ( or if you've had multiple children- you tinkle just a little bit) ? That's what it's like when we get together in Georgia! It's so incredibly perfect!

                                                          

So after a day of sheer craziness tonight will be even better...it's hunting time!! We're off to find us some armadillos, possums, raccoons and deer... Wish us luck!

   

   

  

                 

   

Vacation here we come

So the family has been excited all week because we're headed to Georgia today for a week with cousins and family! Did I mention that my brother in law has four kids under the age of six?! Woohoo it's craziness  fun times :) Really though, we love heading south to visit the family. My brother in law runs his wife's family pecan farm with his father in law...1500 acres of boy heaven!

The next few days should be filled with all sorts of fun so get ready ... from hunting armadillos, getting the Polaris Rangers stuck in the mud, swimming (not in the lake or we might get eaten by a crocodile) and so much more!

What are some of your favorite vacation memories? Where do you like to go? Do tell...

The ABC's of Me: part2 F-J

Another day has come and gone, but I'm surviving! Hope life's treating you well. As I promised, here's more of the ABC's of Me:

F is for FlipFlops: I live in them! My hubby is always making fun of me because if it's not snowing I'm wearing flip flops...rain or shine! My tootsies like to breathe (plus there are so many adorable flip flops to wear!)

G is for Georgia: My brother in law and his family live in southern Georgia and it's one of our favorite places to go. My sister in law is the 5th generation to run her family's pecan farm (pronounced pee-can) and it's 1500 acres of boy heaven! Four wheelers, guns, armadillos, and so much more.

H is for Home Sweet Home: In 1997, my husband and I built our "starter" home and total I insist to him that it was our forever home! It's not huge, but it's OURS. Over the years I've tweaked it, added to it and put 900 square feet of deck in the back. We moved in on our first anniversary and have two boys in this home! Our home sweet home!

 

I is for ice cream: I love ice cream and clearly my poor body shows that I like it (and the wine ). Mint Chocolate Chip and I'm in heaven!! Yum yum!

J is for Jesus: My Lord and Savior and the reason I live. I am a proud Christian and I believe wholeheartedly that Jesus Christ has brought through things in my life I could never handle on my own.