Christmas Wishlist

What We've Been up to--FALL 2017!

In September I started a new job! I work now at Chesterbrook Academy. The job is full-time, monday thru Friday, 9-6. Ive had to adjust to working so late in the evevings, and Arnold has to help out a LOT with the kids now. The house gets messy really, really quickly. But It's been ok. I've started making some good friends there. We get 1 hour lunch breaks which I love, I don't feel like im rushing. We also have casual Fridays, which is where this pic of me is from :) All in all I'd say Im pretty happy with the job. I have already gotten sick twice-- kids love to spread around germs! But man the full-time paycheck is nice! ;)

We upgraded the girls to FULL size beds. They love the extra space. Too bad all those cute twin sheets can't be used anymore. We had to buy bigger sheets! 

 We went to the kids' school fall festival they have every year. They got to play games, jump in inflatables, eat snacks, run around with friends.... so they had a great time. And the school earned a lot of money. 

 We visited a local pumpkin patch we hadn't been to before. It was pretty nice. But the weather was crazy hot for the time of year! The kids were complaining they were dizzy and wanted to sit down. I managed to get a FEW pictures of them, but not a lot of good ones. We went through a corn maze together. And then the kids all picked a pumpkin to take home and carve. 

 Arnold and I try to get away for a date every month, so our October date night was to go see Madea's Boo 2 at the movies! I liked the first one better, I usually don't like sequels. But MADEA is hilarious so I was still laughing! Then we went out to dinner afterwards. I can't thank my parents enough for watching their grandkids so we can get date nights! 

 We got a TORNADO in October! It was super weird and crazy. There were trees and trashcans and toys and limbs and everything flying around everywhere. One of our trees was pretty much damaged to the point it was dangerous, and someone had to come top it off and remove the brush.. to the tune of $700!! We also lost power for FOUR days and it seemed like an eternity! I will try not to take power for granted again! 

 My parents were nice enough to let us stay at their house while we were without power, so we have several sleepovers that week. We got to take showers and sleep in a nice warm bed! We actually slept in my childhood bedroom :)

This year for Halloween, Rachel was A greek goddess and Brooke was an indian. Although the package called it dream catched cutie. I think its politically incorrect to say indian now? Whatever. Lots of people called her Pocahontas lol. Caleb is so much like me and hates halloween and scary stuff, so he didn't dress up this year! He wanted nothing to do with it. We did our usual tradition where we went out trick or treating while eating papa johns pizza in the van. Caleb sat with me while we drove the girls around to houses. We still  had a fun time. 

We celebrated Joseph turning 13! He's a teenager now! I can't believe it! I feel so old! Arnold and the kids surprised me and  took me out to Olive Garden for dinner after work that night and had this cake made. The waitress thought it was Caleb's birthday, but we just let her think that since it was easier than explaining lol. I miss him every day but I am so happy at who he has become and his parents are perfect for him-- its the way it was meant to be. God has a bigger plan and has orchestrated all this together for the greater good. 

 I was so proud of my Caleb and Rachel! At the first awards ceremony of the year they both made A/B honor roll and Caleb also got AR reader AND TERIFFIC KID! I was surprised at that last one! Had no idea! They're both doing fantastic in school this year. Rachel is doing math at a 5th grade level already. Where did she get that from?? Not me!! 

 It had been forever since I got my nails done, so I went to my favorite place and had gel nails put on and painted. Unfortunately one of my nails popped off 2 weeks in so I never went and got them filled in, I just took them off. Maybe I'll get them done again before Christmas. 

 My BFF's twins turned ONE!!! So we celebrated at a party at their house! It was so fun and Erika did a great job with the pink and gold theme. Everything was beautiful. Their auntie Abby got them new pjs and some books (of course!!!) for their gifts. Those girls have come so far and grown so much and they are truly a miracle!! 

 We celebrated Thanksgiving at Mom and Dad's house, and ALEX and his family got to come in to visit for a few days! It was so great to see them and play with my nieces and see how much theyve grown. 

The girls LOVED spending time with their cousins that week. They had a sleepover one night while they were there, too. So Arnold and I could get our NOV date night! (which was going to see Daddys Home 2-- hilarious movie!!) 

Caleb's 10th Birthday & Yearly Interview!

Well just like that our little Bobo turned 10! I can't believe its been 10 years since that day I spent 12 hrs in labor waiting for him to come out! He took forever and was a little stubborn, just like his personality now! We offered him the option this year of an outing with a friend to someplace fun like Dave and Busters, or to have a nicer gift that he had on his list, so he picked the nicer gift-- which was a TV for his room! I never thought I would give in and get any of the kids a TV in their room, but it has started to make sense this year,  since they all now fight over our living room tv. One wants to watch tv, one wants to play video games, and one wants to watch you tube videos, etc etc, so this was a pretty good idea, we think. Plus Caleb is our most responsible kid right now and we know he won't stay up all night watching tv (at least we hope! haha) And so needless to say he is very happy with his new tv, and the girls have been hanging out in his room a little more than usual.... haha.

We decided to do a birthday dinner for both Brooke and Caleb, at Village Inn, since both their birthdays are in August. We had it this past Saturday. we ordered a cake and Arnold put on The Flash symbol-- that is a show they have been really into lately so it was their "theme" this year. Caleb got a lot of birthday money  from family and friends so we took him out that evening and he picked out a few new Lego sets he has been wanting. He is still very much into Legos, and any chance he has extra money that is usually what he pics out! He has even more sets on his Christmas list! 

Here is the yearly interview I do for the kids on their birthdays-- we all like looking back (and laughing!) on what their answers were for each year:





***Caleb at Age 10***

Clothes Size- 12/14
Shoe size- 4
Going into Grade: 5

Bday gifts this year- Lego sets, TV for room, money






Favorite Color: orange

Favorite Toy: Legos

Favorite Animal: Chuiaiaua

Favorite Food: hamburgers

Favorite Drink:dr pepper

Favorite Snack- pickles

Favorite Dessert- icecream

Favorite Season: winter

Favorite Holiday: thanksgiving

Favorite Restaurant: 5 guys

Favorite Game: lego star wars force awakens

Favorite Tv Show- Star Wars Clone Wars

Favorite Movie: Captain America Civil War

Favorite Book- Goosebumps

Favorite Thing to do: Build things

Favorite Thing to do outside: Ride Bike

Favorite part of school: Recess

Favorite Thing to Wear: Tshirts and gym shorts

Best Friend: Ryan

What are you afraid of? haunted houses

What do you want to be when you grow up? Engineer

What do you want for Christmas this year? Lego Batcave

What do you want to be for Halloween this year? Nothing

What do you sleep with everynight? Stuffed Hammie

Me pregnant with our sweet Caleb, back in 2007!

 Caleb's first birthday party-- he sure did love that cake! 

 Caleb very happy on the day his tv was delivered and set up in his room!

 Ocharleys with the family for his birthday dinner

Caleb and I at Village INN on the night of his and Brookes combined party

Our Summer, so far!!

So Summer is about half over, the kids will start back to school August 28th. Brooke is starting middle school this year, and I STILL cannot believe it! It is giving me flashbacks to her starting Kindergatern, we were both nervous and I wanted to cry! Anwyay, we've had a pretty good summer so far. Thankfully I only have to work half the summer at the preschool, so its 2 weeks on and 2 off. I've gotten to spend a lot more time with the kids this year and I'm thankful for that! 

Around the first of Summer, my mom had a major surgery down in Charlotte. She had a total hip replacement. For a long time she has had a tough time walking, and it was rough seeing her like that. She is a breast cancer survivor, and due to some meds shes been on in the past, it has made her bones weak and brittle. Unfortunately during the surgery the dr. broke one her her bones and it has made her recovery longer than anticipated. But other than that, the surgery went well and we were relieved to see her done with that and back home after a few days. She has a physical therapist coming out to see her and help her do exercises every few days. She is getting stronger, I can tell. I had to watch her go through some of them, and you could tell she was in  pain, and it was rough, but I know its necessary. She is using a walker to get around, and isn't driving or doing much yet, but she has walked some now by herself, which is great. Rachel and I spent the night with her one night when Dad had to go out of town, in case she needed anything. Since then lots of family has been in town to help her out, and lots of friends have brought by food for her and dad and we are all so very thankful for all the prayers and support! 

Arnold and I drove down to Charlotte to see her the afternoon after her surgery. She was pretty out of it, but doing ok. We got stuck in a big storm while down there too! 

Brooke got on her BOTTOM set of braces this summer. Which added a whooole bunch to our monthly payment for the orthodontist, yikes! But it will be worth it, she has already improved so much and you can tell her jaw is shifting and looking better. She is wearing a headgear every night and I hate seeing her in pain, because it makes her mouth sore. I remember when I had to do that when I was younger! 

Caleb got to shoot guns with his Daddy and cousins at my Grandpa's house. He thought that was pretty cool. 

We had CPR training at work. I became re-certified! All I could think of during the class was the episode of THE OFFICE where they take CPR and it goes way downhill. Ha! Any Office fans out there?! Our teacher even started singing "Stayin Alive" for the beat, and I about lost it! 

We've seen a couple of movies this summer. Captain Underpants-- which Arnold and I didn't care too much for because it was soo silly and so much gross humor, but Caleb loved it! That's a little boy for you! The kids loved the books so naturally they wanted to go. More recently we went to see Despicable Me 3. I usually don't like sequels, but it was pretty good. They want to see The Emoji movie next! 

Arnie and I have been watching a LOT of netflix at night. We made it through The Ranch Season 3 already. I made it through Orange is the New Black. We are now going back through all the seasons of FRIENDS! My all-time favorite show. I can just about quote most of the episodes. I know a lot of people hate Ross but he's my favorite. He's just so awkward and nerdy and funny and I LOVE him! And here I am wearing my new shirt.. gotta show the GOLDEN GIRLS some love too! ;)

A Pelicans Snowballs stand opened up near us and we have been like 20 times this summer, no lie. We go just about every Friday night, and sometimes more. We mostly stick to the same flavors, even though they have like 100 different options! My faves are wild cherry and watermelon. The kids like how they can get gummy animals added to theirs. We haven't been as much since Arnold and I started our diets! 

We celebrated our sweet Sheldon's 4th Birthday at  the end of June! He is the sweetest little dachshund and was a great addition to our family. He has grown a lot. I just can't get enough of those cute floppy ears! The vet did confirm he is deaf, which we assumed, but its ok. He gets along great, just gets startled pretty easily and doesn't care for strangers! 

The kids have been swimming a LOT this summer. They like to go to the pool in my parent's neighborhood, they have special things go on at holidays like a DJ, music, food, and lots of fun. My dad usually goes in with them, because everyone knows I do not swim!!!!!!! I know how, I just hate it! Our neighbors across the street also have a pool and let the kids come over whenever! The kids LOVE it and they have gone so much that seriously Caleb is a whole darker shade than when summer started. I can't get over it! 

Brooke looking so grown up in her new Crazy 8 Bathing suit!(Love that store!!:)

We have gotten to see a few fireworks shows near the Crawdads stadium. I love summer nights where you just hang around, talk, watch the lightning bugs and wait for fireworks! 

We have helped mom out some this summer, so she asked us to go do a Sams trip one day. The kids helped me find everything and put it in the cart. Then we got them treats, which is their favorite part of Sams! I resisted and I was proud of myself!!!! 

We have hit up the Morganton library, which is pretty big and nice. I picked out some new books to read and Caleb did too. we had to persuade the girls too.... they don't like to read as much as us. I'm ashamed at how low my list of books Ive read this year  is! I need to step it up!! 

Another Trip around the Sun...

Well it's official. On July 1st I turned 32. I didn't really feel like an  "adult" until my 30's I think. Just recently has it hit me that I'm not that cool anymore, especially when my 10 year old daughter begs me to stop dancing to the music while we're driving... ha! But anyway,  I had a pretty great birthday this year. Got to spend time with my family, friends, and my good friend Amanda even chose my birthday as the perfect day to have her wedding! ;) 

A week before I always go out to dinner with girl friends and have dinner at Ocharleys. We started going there YEARS ago and have made it a tradition. I didnt get pictures with everyone, which I hate, but I did get a pic with 2 of my very best friends at the end! I have been on a diet (more about that later!) And I "cheated" that night by getting my favorite chicken tenders, but I evened it all out by getting water and not eating any of the delicious rolls they bring out! That took some willpower! Anyway, I had a great time eating and chatting with friends.. and most of the dinner I got to hold my BFF Jess' new little guy, Hayden! He just slept away in my arms-- everyone knows I'm a natural with babies! ;) My friends also got me some of the sweetest gifts, which was so thoughtful, and Joanne even paid for my dinner! I'm a blessed girl! I'd like to say we went off and had adventures after the dinner, but I was back home by 8pm! Lame, I know! The movie we had thought about seeing didn't even start til nearly 10pm! The horror! ;)

My friend Erika makes things, and she MADE me this awesome shirt. Pineapples are totally my "thing" these days, and so she did one with the saying thats been going around lately. The front has my monogram on it in green glittery letters! I think it may be the first thing I've gotten with my married initials. It spells ADS so its kinda silly, but oh well! ;) 

Joanne ordered me these Golden girls POP figures, and I was just so excited when I saw them! Rose and Sophia are two of my favorites! I LOVE that show and have all the seasons on boxset around here somewhere! I now need to find Blance and Dorothy and complete the collection! 

The kids surprised me and made me pretty cards complete with drawing and sweet sayings. Notice the pineapple Brooke did for me! ;) She's really into drawing these days. I'll need to save these to show them one day when they are teens and hate me!!!! ha! They also surprised me with a few little things, I told them not to buy me anything but it was nice. AND hubby cleaned the living room carpet! I told him cleaning or experience are waaaay better to me now than material things! 

So like I was saying, our friend Amanda got married on  my birthday! Her and Kyle go to our church and Amanda is in charge of the kids and technically is my "boss" since I'm on staff sunday mornings with the babies! I have loved working with her over the years and she is so sweet and fun and I am so glad she found Kyle!  They seem really great for each other. Their wedding was at the Crossing at Hollar Mills and it was pretty fancy so I made Arnold wear a tie... we had to get one because he doesnt even OWN a tie! Ha! Thankfully his work isn't very formal, except on special days. I hardly ever wear dresses, I don't even like to! But my mom had gotten me a new one and thankfully I had it lying around to wear! It was nice to go the wedding and have a date on my birthday! We hung around at the reception for awhile and got to see them dance.. they had even taken dance lessons and coordinated a first dance and it was awesome!  Arnold and I had a hard time turning down all the delicious appetizers they were handing out (again-- the diets!) 

I walked into my classroom the day before my birthday and my co-teacher Jenn had decorated the room for me! It was a total surprise! She had come in the evening before and done it with her boys helping her! It had me smiling all morning! The babies LOVED it and one of my toddlers even walked over and pulled down some streamers-- should have thought that one through better! My work also gives everyone a card and Cornerstone cupcake for their bday, and I ate mine because HEY it was my birthday and I deserved it! haha! It was delicious and totally worth it! ;)

One of my friends, Chasity, knows how much I love to paint at Freckled Frog, so she took me for my birthday! We went on open studio day, just happened to be ON the day of my birthday, and I painted.... guess what... yep, a pineapple! I didn't want to do the traditional yellow so I did coral and blues and it turned out really nice! I had a great time and it was so sweet of Chasity!  It's now hanging on my front door. I need to go back in a few months and paint something for Fall! 

the kids and Arnold took me out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Once again  I resisted the bread, and drank water, so it wasn't so bad. The waiter wanted to have everyone sing and bring out the saddle and Arnold had to tell him no. He thought we were joking at first, but he has nooo idea how embarassed I get over things like that! yeah I'm a great tipper but he wouldn't have gotten one if he did that to me! Thankfully he didn't! We had a nice dinner together and ended my birthday day on a wonderful note. 

EVERY YEAR my mom makes me her famous homemade lasagna for my birthday. Well she had a total hip replacement surgery in June and has still been recovering. Dad totally surprised me and said HE would make the lasagna so he did and we went over Sunday night to eat! I was so impressed. My parents are both great cooks, I was a very lucky girl growing up! And no that skill did NOT get passed on to me unfortunately. I am NOT a great cook and I do NOT enjoy cooking, much to their dismay, but oh well! Even Caleb says hed rather eat at Grandmas but now I just roll with it and say yeah... I agree! ;) 

Dad shared with us some EXCITING news that same night.. and I can't wait to tell yall all about it, but that'll have to wait til another day, another blog ;)

Rachel's 8th Birthday and Yearly Interview!

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 Can't believe our baby girl is 8 already! My friend Christy made this cute shirt for her to wear to her birthday festivities! 

We went skating, that is what she wanted to do. But her and her friend Kenzie both ended up falling and crying while we were there! We ended up leaving early ! I felt so bad she didn't have more fun! 

We met up with her grandparents to eat at Mellow Mushroom, before her actual birthday, because my mom was having surgery closer to her birthday. She picked a Moana cake, of course. We got it from the new Publix down the road from my work.  It was expensive but delicious! 

Rachel with her brother, sister and BFF! 

She got lots of cool stuff for her birthday, including lots of American Girl accessories! 

The day before we went to Charlotte and went to the Cheesecake factory. Brooke and I had been there before but Arnold and the others hadnt. Unfortunately we didn't have the best experience.. we waited for a table over 45 minutes and then we ended up with just blah food and a huge bill, but oh well. Rachel picked the Hershey cheesecake for her birthday dessert and it was to die for!!!! 

We made a trip while down there to the American Girl doll store! We had been once before. The girls love to look at everything and it was a little overwhelming though, so   Rachel didn't end up picking out anything in there, she just couldn't decide! You should have seen Arnold and Caleb's faces in there though, they were soooo bored and ready to go! At least they were nice about it, ha! 

We went to the Lego Store and she picked out a new set there instead! When we got back home later she had Caleb help her put it together! 

We love our sweet Rachel and can't wait to see what this year holds for her! 

***Rachel at Age 8***

Clothes Size- 10

Shoe size- 2

Going into Grade: 3rd

Party theme this year: Moana

Favorite Color: red

Favorite Toy: Barbies

Favorite Animal: otters

Favorite Food: corn on the cob

Favorite Drink: pepsi

Favorite Snack- gummies

Favorite Dessert- chocolate icecream

Favorite Season: summer

Favorite Holiday: christmas

Favorite Restaurant: chillis

Favorite Game: 

Favorite Tv Show- Phinneas and Ferb

Favorite Movie: Moana

Favorite Book- elephant and piggie 

Favorite Flower: roses

Favorite Thing to do: watch youtube and play with puppies

Favorite Thing to do outside: ride bike

Favorite part of school: lunch

Favorite Thing to Wear: dresses

Best Friend: Allison

What are you afraid of? being alone

What do you want to be when you grow up? Teacher

What do you want for Christmas this year? Hello Dreamhouse

What do you want to be for Halloween this year? Moana

What do you sleep with everynight? blanket