All About 2021!

1. What did you do in 2021 that you have never done before? Went to Nashville! Got a female Pet (Ruby rules the house! ;) 

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for 2022? I kept some of them. Did pretty well with going on dates with hubby every month. Started strong on the yearly bible but didn't finish. Hit my book goal. 



3. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2021? No but I found out im getting a new nephew!



4. Did anyone close to you die in 2021? No, thank goodness! For awhile we thought we were losing my close friend, Katie, but she recovered! So thankful!

5. What states/countries did you visit this year? Hubby and I went to Tennessee in April. We took the kids to Pigeon Forge in June. 

6. What would you like to have in 2022 that you lacked in 2021? More motivation to lose this weight. More confidence. 


7. What date from 2021 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? The day Caleb started highschool. The day I got to go to Katie's welcome home party :) The day Brooke made the cheer team. 


8. What was your biggest struggle in 2021? Trying to lose weight. Trying to not let things get to me as much. Watching the kids grow up even more and get closer to adulthood. 


9. Did you suffer any illness or injury in 2021? We all got covid early on in the year. Thankfully we didn't get severe cases and all recovered pretty well. 



10. What was the best thing you bought this year? New floors for our kitchen! 


11. Whose behavior merited celebration? Brooke made the cheer team! She also stayed in marching band and managed to make straight A's! She has worked so hard and did so well! 


12. Whose behavior disappointed you? Really sad that a lot of my bio family still doesn't want to meet :(


13. Where did most of your money go? To bills, food (teens eat a ton) lol, amazon and target purchases (oops!) and money spent on updating our kitchen. 


14. What did you get really really excited about this year? Hitting the 15 yr milestone with Hubby. Being surprised with a new wedding ring :) Brooke making the cheer team. Brooke getting to be in the Charlotte parade and be on tv. Going on a family vacation. Going back to college. Finding out Im going to be an Auntie again! 


15. What song will always remind you of 2021? Soul Singing by Black Crowes. 


16. Compared to this time last year, are you: much happier, much nicer or richer? Id say happier-- things are getting a little more back to normal after Covid. Kids are in school full time and without masks. 


17. What do you wish you had done more of? Spent more time with my friends. 


18. What do you wish you had done less of? Been in pain due to my IC condition they finally diagnosed me with this year! 


19. Did you fall in love in 2021?
More in love with Hubby ;) 

20. What was your favorite TV Program in 2021? Ted Lasso, Only Murders in the Building, and Never Have I Ever were all SO GOOD! 

21. What was the best book you read this year? The Wish by Nicholas Sparks 

22. What was your greatest musical discovery this past year? I am LOVING We the Kingdom! They have some awesome Christian music! 


23. What did you want and get? A kitchen remodel! I have waited so long! 

24. What was the best movie you saw this year? We didn't watch a lot of movies, but Arnold and I watched both Red Notice and Vacation with Friends and they were pretty good. 


25.What did you do on your birthday and how old did you turn? I had a pioneer woman themed party with family and friends! 


26. What one thing would have made your year more satisfying? Getting to meet my bio brother. 

27. How would you describe your personal fashion statement this year? About the same as always, lots of cute tops or sweaters and jeans. Lots of accessories :) 


28. What kept you sane this year? Jesus, my hubby, my mom, my friends 

29. What celebrity did you fancy the most? Cant think of anyone new......


30. Who did you miss this past year? I wish I could have seen Alex, Christina and Roman more! 


31. Who were the best new people you met this year? I enjoyed getting to know some kids and their families that Brooke knows through school and all her activities. We also have a new pastor and he is awesome! 

32. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned this year: Do NOT take your loved ones for granted! I thought I was losing a friend earlier in the year and I am so thankful she is still here today! I also watched a lot of people sadly lose their parents or spouses, mostly due to Covid. I am trying my best now to cherish all the time I have with my loved ones, because you never know! 

November Review!

 On Nov 1st Joseph turned 17 :) We usually do something to celebrate him every year, even though we can't be with him in person. Arnold and the kids took us out to eat at Carrabbas and we got a cake that said Happy Birthday Joseph. I also wrote a letter and sent it and some pics to him and his family. I hope we hear something back soon! 

Hes so handsome.. and so tall! I can see some Caleb in him. Everyone says he still looks like me, too. I just can't get over how fast time goes. Next year he'll be 18 and legally able to meet me if he chooses to. I am praying he decides to, even if its just for a day, where I can hug him and tell him how much I love him! :)

Brooke went to the fall sports banquet. This is her and her BFF Alayna

LOL embarrassing picture! I had to go to the dentist to get 3 cavities filled. I was lucky my whole life and didn't have any cavities at all and then in my 30s I got his with a ton! I have anxiety already but extra anxiety at the dentist. They offered me some medicine or laughing gas but I said I'd try to be brave, and I guess it wasn't too bad. I don't like the sounds of the drill! But they numbed my mouth up extra good and I didn't feel too much. Afterwards I rewarded myself with one of my favorites for dinner- Jimmy Johns :D

Finally got to do a girls night with my bff Jess! Life is so busy these days and I hardly get to see her. 

I found out that my biological grandfather was in the military and that he got a play a small part in a movie! I went to youtube and looked it up, found him, and then confirmed with my aunt that it was him. This is a screenshot. I think it is so cool that he was in the military and Caleb really wants to go into the military when hes older! I wish I could have met him! 

I finished my book challenge for the year! I had set my goal at 75 books and I made it! I guess I need a higher goal next year ;) I have been reading a lot of feel-good Christmas books lately! 

We live in a really small town and there is NOTHING to do around here, so we are so excited that we got a restaurant just down the road from our house! It is a mixup between a mexican restaurant and a pizza place. I love it because we can all go together and everyone can find something they can eat. I am sometimes picky about pizza but theirs is delicious!!! I am embarrassed to admit how many times we've gone already ;) 

Do you spy Ruby?! She is so silly. She likes to hide in spots throughout the house. Some of her favorite places to sit or sleep are in Arnold's chair at the kitchen table, in my bed, or on the stack of towels in the bathroom :)

Moving right along with my college classes! My final exams are in less than 2 weeks! I am going back to the beginning and reading everything again. I really, really hope I do well. I am really going to miss these classes, I really enjoy learning new things and I love the feeling when I get good grades! 

When I saw this turkey shirt online I knew I had to have it to wear during November ;)

Our sweet Brooke got to go with the marching band to Charlotte and be in the thanksgiving parade! It was actually the day before this year, and at night. And they showed the parade on tv!!! It was so cool to get to watch her, and her grandparents got to see her, too. A lot of the instruments were lit up, and they played Christmas songs. Brooke said it was a lot of fun, but she got really tired. It was cold that evening, but thankfully their uniforms are big and bulky and kept them warm! AND they had a contest called Battle of the Bands for all the bands that were in the parade.. and our school won!!! They won a trophy and $$$ to go towards the band program. So proud of these kids, they have worked so hard this year, and I enjoyed watching them perform this fall. 

We spent Thanksgiving day over at mom and dads house like usual. Mom let Caleb do the honors and carve his very first turkey! 

Thanks to Arnolds' tripod, a timer, and a gorgeous day outside, we were able to get a pretty good family pic! We used this one on our Christmas cards for this year. 

Thankful!

 

1. My Marriage. I know it's corny but I just LOVE my husband! We got married so young, after not even knowing each other very long, and had kids back-to-back. (no, I don't know what we were thinking either!) The odds were really stacked against us, but we continue to prove people wrong. Sure we have our problems just like everyone else. But we have worked hard at it all, and never given up on each other. Arnold is an amazing guy, he works hard for our family, is respectful, and really has always helped out with the kids, or whatever I needed. I honestly cannot imagine doing life without him... (especially since I have never mowed the lawn and I refuse to clean up vomit!) :D haha. But for real, I am so thankful that God has blessed us in this area, and I know we've had good role models to look up to-- both our sets of parents have been married for 50 years now!!! And that is so rare these days. 

2. Being able to go back to college. I am so glad I decided to go back this fall, and start back on my Medical Office Administration program. I actually love being a student (nerdy, I know!) and even though I had a rough start with some of the work, I am doing quite well now! I especially like writing papers. 

3. Our health. With everything going on these past 2 years, we are beyond blessed that our family has stayed so healthy. We did have Covid back in January, but it was pretty mild cases for all of us. And none of our parents got Covid, and we were SO relieved! I watched so many people lose their parents or family members this year and I am trying extra hard to not take anyone or any time for granted. Also, we found out Rachel has scoliosis this year, but thankfully it is a mild case, and she is going to a great dr who is going to keep a close eye on her spine for the next few years while she's still growing. 

4. Fixing up the house. Arnold and I have been married 15 years, and we are living in a house built in the 60s, that used to be his grandparents. Needless to say, we've had to do a TON of updates and replacements around here. The oven used to be turquoise... YES seriously!!! Since we had kids so young and life was thrown at us fast with tons of expenses, we haven't gotten to add on a lot of cosmetic things or fun touches until the past few years. We have replaced living room floors, painted, gotten some new appliances, a new kitchen table and light fixture, a new fireplace unit.. and JUST this past month we have started doing some major work on the kitchen! It's amazing to see old wood paneling and ugly 90s floors go bye bye! Doing all this work makes me so happy, and it feels like we just moved in. 

5. My new nephew, coming in the Spring!! :D I am so excited that my brother and Sister in law are going to be having another baby!!!!! For the longest time I had a feeling it was a girl, but I guess I was wrong! I don't care boy or girl, I'm just excited to be an Auntie again! Now that we know it's a BOY, I am so excited to see sweet Ro Ro become a big brother! That is going to be precious. I also cannot wait until April, when hopefully we will be traveling to Charleston to meet the new little fella!!!!! :D

6. Finding a new church. I am so happy we took the recommendation of Katie and tried out Discovery church. They are unique in that they usually have their services outdoors. This is actually great for people like me, who tend to get anxious. The wide open spaces help! They have some AMAZING musicians, and the music always gives me goose bumps, I love it. The pastor is really awesome, he is always on fire for God, and tells the biblical truth, but in love. I am really enjoying going on Sundays, and we have gotten the kids into youth group. We hope they can start going more regularly now that some of their activities are dying down some. 

7. Brooke finding her way in highschool. I still can't get over how much Brooke has grown and blossomed since starting highschool. Now that we've finally got her ADHD issue figured out and shes gotten help, she is doing amazing at school. She has been making good grades, AND juggling both marching band and cheer. She has wanted to be a cheerleader for so many years, and even though she was nervous and unsure, she gave it her all in tryouts and made the squad!!! I may have been even more excited the day we found out than she was ;) 

8. A new pet. We are loving having miss Ruby around! I honestly didn't think we would get another pet anytime soon, but she was an awesome "birthday present" this year! She is our first female pet, and she definitely rules the house! She is full of energy, runs around chasing toys, and bugs the heck out of Max, our older cat. He doesnt appreciate her playing with his tail ;) 

9. My sweet friends. I have some really awesome friends. Even though we've all been in crazy busy times of live lately, we still know that we are just one message or call away if we need each other. I am blessed to have 1 friend I've known 20 YEARS now, and one over 10 years. They have been there for me, even when I wasn't loveable or worthy, and I can't thank them enough :) 

10. KATIE SURVIVING COVID!!!!! Most of you have heard all about Katie earlier this year, but she really is just an amazing MIRACLE, and proves God can do anything. I just can't wrap my head around the fact that we almost lost her. I remember thinking that I was devastated I'd never see another encouraging comment or message from her online... or never go do something with her again. And turns out.. she was at my birthday party this year, we now attend the same church, AND I regularly see her sweet comments on my pictures or posts online. I smile extra hard now every time I see one. I can't imagine doing life without my Katie!!! 

11. Caleb adjusting to highschool and Rachel's quirkiness. Caleb has done great adjusting to life in highschool! He's making good grades, has made new friends, and is loving JROTC! Rachel is silly and funny as ever, she can always make me laugh, just like when she was a little girl. 

12. Our 2021 Vacations. We were so blessed to go on some amazing trips this year. First, Arnold and I went to Nashville for our 15 year anniversary celebration! We packed so much into those few days, and had so much fun. All the tours and museums were cool, all the food was good, and even the hotel was super nice. It's not my typical idea of fun with all those crowds and traffic, but I had more fun than I thought I would! And Arnold was loving the music scene! Then in June, we took the kids to Pigeon Forge! We had a blast between the wax museum, Parrot gardens, and our first escape room! Caleb even braved the huge sky wheel.. and the view on top was GORGEOUS!!!! The best part though, was just hanging around the hotel room in the evenings, and us being silly and laughing and talking together. Since we were forced in tight spaces, they had to hang out with us.... and I LOVED it ;) 

And just a few quick more things I'm thankful for (some are silly) ;)

*Amazon's super quick shipping

*Some awesome shows that came on this year, such as Ted Lasso, Only Murders in the Building, and Never Have I Ever.

*That the Pioneer Woman came out with bedding

*That I found out more about my biological grandparents

*That IMAN won Dancing With the Stars!!

*That movie theaters opened back up

*Surprise flowers from hubby 

*Book sales!

October in Review!!

 We took the kids to a farm about 30 minutes away from us, that we had never been before. I told them I KNOW they are getting older, but I am not ready to give traditions up! I promised they wouldn't have to do any "kid stuff" and I just wanted some pics and family time. It was actually pretty hot for an October day! We had a good time, and at the end the kids all wanted to buy mini pumpkins, candy apples, and other treats from their store. Afterwards we went out to eat at a seafood restaurant we hadnt been to before. It was pretty good.

The main reason I picked this farm was the gorgeous sunflower fields they always showed online. They let people pick flowers and pay for them if they want... unfortunately most of the field was picked over when we got there but we still got a few cute pics. The girls found sunflowers already laying on the ground. 

Im so proud of Caleb and Brooke-- they both brought home straight A's on their report cards for the first semester!! Brooke has been insanely busy trying to juggle school, cheer AND band, so this was an extra big accomplishment for her. I love how hard she has been working. Caleb has really adjusted well to high school... he has made friends and is loving JROTC. 

One Thursday evening we went a little ways out of town to see Brooke cheer at an away football game. So we picked a restaurant near the school and went to dinner. It was a pizza place and they custom made your own individual pizzas. They also had an outdoor seating area. All the staff was so nice, they even offered us little chocolates while we were waiting! AND their town still sells cherry lemon sundrop, which is so hard to find around here! So I was in heaven. I was very impressed and I hope we will go back. 

October is breast cancer awareness month, and so one of the football games was a "pink out" and the girls wore pink shirts and bows to the game, and used pink pom poms. I love all the support that month they show for awareness. My mom is a survivor of breast cancer! For 18 years now! :)

One of the girls on Brooke's cheer squad has a dad who works with Arnold, and him and his wife and me and Arnold are all friends. It's nice to have a friend to sit at football games with. I had fun with Chasity this season talking, (maybe a little gossiping!), eating funnel cakes (ok that one was me!! :D and taking pictures of our girls to embarass them with later :D

One day I met mom and dad for lunch at Cafe Gouda. I love getting together with them every so often, just because. Of course that day it was POURING rain and so we were all soaked when we went inside. 

Can't believe football season is already over!!!!! I have enjoyed watching Brooke cheer so much. It makes her so happy, and you can always tell when you watch her. She has made some great friends and really gotten a ton of exercise which is so good for her. I am still so proud she wanted this so badly and went out there and made it happen! We are starting basketball season soon! 

Finally the fall weather decided to show up, and I was able to break out my new boots. I got them way back in summer time when I saw them and fell in love. We were really there buying Caleb shoes and they had that buy one get one half off deal so I couldn't just pass that up, right?! I dont wear boots too often because they make me even more of a giant and taller than Arnold :D

We are also done with marching season! I loved going to all the competitions at the different schools and watching our group and all the others. There are some really musically talented kids out there! Brooke looked adorable in her uniform... they are Cavaliers but a lot of the other schools (and my own dad!!) kept calling them cowboys/cowgirls :D Our very last competition was extra special because it was at the high school I went to!!!! I was in marching band in high school, but only for a year (my mom made me drop out because she wasnt happy with my math grade) :-X But my band director was still there directing! I still remember our theme my freshman year, and it was "sun." We played a Beatles song that year, and they played one this year! That man must really love the Beatles ;) Anyway, it was such a fun time.. and Brooke has wanted to quit several times because of exhaustion, the music being too difficult, mean kids, etc.. but I'm so glad she has stuck it out! 

I saw on Tik Tok (yes im on there now, but only for decor, store, and mom videos :D A recipe for a cheesy potato and bacon soup... so I decided to try it one day in the crock pot. I am NOT a good cook and I hate to cook, but I was pleasantly surprised when Caleb said he loved it! And Arnold did too. And I know they weren't lying because they got more ;) 

Arnold plays with some friends in a band locally, and they had their first gig in a long time. It was the same day as one of Brooke's band competitions, so I went to that with her, then we showed up just in time for the show. It was someone's birthday party and they just provided some background music... so we sat in lawn chairs with friends and watched for awhile before I took the kids home. 

The highschool had a spirit week for homecoming, and they had kids dress up every day for different themes. Brooke is a cheerleader and they made them dress up every day. They had a Christmas themed day, so we got her a flannel shirt, and she wore her boots, and stole my earrings for the day ;) 

My mom had her birthday, and she turned 70!!!! I think shes ok with me announcing that ;) 

We went over to their house to have dinner with them the day before her bday. 

One of the gifts we got mom was a personalized tea towel with her dog, Willow on it. It turned out sooo cute! I just love the Jane website! 

It was very hard to get willow to sit still for a picture! :D

We wrapped up the month with going to the fall festival at our church. It was HUGE, and I think they said they ended up having 4,000 or some people attend. I love that they made it easy for even the older kids/teens to be involved.. they let them go down the candy trail and they got lot of treats (I may have stolen the cotton candy!!) and they had dinner for everyone... and at the end of the night they had an hour of praise music and worship and it was incredible!!! I was seriously crying by the end of the night... I am sometimes so moved by worship music. I am loving our new church. :)

Life Lately: September!

 Early on in the month we took the girls and some friends to the fair. I hadn't been in a long time. Caleb didn't want to go, he's like me and doesn't like crazy rides. Brooke, however, is a daredevil. She rode just about everything there, including the rides that went upside down (eek!) 

Arnold and I walked around and watched the kids (really teens) go crazy. At the end of the night I had to stop and get cotton candy. I've always loved it... my dad used to persuade me into going to ballgames with him by promising me all the yummy goodies there :D

Caleb is in JROTC this year. I am so glad he decided to go for it and sign up because he is loving it so far! It is totally "his thing." He thinks he might want to go into the military one day. While as a mom that scares me a little, it also makes me extremely proud. He got his uniform, which he has to wear every wednesday to school and get an inspection. They are very strict, they take off for things like your hair being too long, even on your face! Caleb looks so handsome in the uniform.. I think he hates wearing it to school though, especially the beret :D I can't wait until he gets a little older and gets to walk out on the football field with the flags at football games! 

My dad turned 70!!! He did not want me to make a big deal about it, and threatened me if I threw him a party (boo!) But we did go over to their house one night and have dinner. And I took him to lunch one day, just the 2 of us, at one of our favorite mexican restaurants. 

I met up with Arnold one day during his work and we had lunch together. It was perfect timing too, because we actually met in september of 2005! I can't believe its been that long! I really love how much easier it is to go on dates these days... for those of you with little kids-- it WILL get easier! ;)

Rachel is like me and struggles with math a lot... one night I saw Arnold helping her out with her math homework. He is such a great and involved dad! I am down with helping with papers or english homework any day, but please don't ask for math help!! haha! 

Moving right along in my college classes. At this point in the program, it is a lot tougher than I had imagined... I have to study really hard! And I still sometimes don't do that great on everything, but I try! I did have to write my first paper for one of my classes and made an A! I guess ive still got it ;)

The kids had their fall/yearbook pictures. Caleb actually put on a nice shirt without me asking!! (its like he KNOWS!! :D

Our sweet Ruby turned 5 months old! She's still as crazy and cute as ever! She has started copying a lot of what our older cat, Max, does. She also loves to chase and nip at his tail, which he HATES! I love how most morning shell come into our bedroom and jump on top of us.. it's like shes our alarm clock ;)

At Rachels last yearly checkup, the dr was a little worried about her spine being curved. I had never noticed it.. and felt bad.. but how often do you see your child bending over like that where you can see closely?! Anyway, they referred us to an orthopedic doctor and we finally got in for our appointment. Rachel had to undress and put on a hospital type gown which she actually ended up loving.. but kept making me tie up the back so it wouldn't fall open :D 

So they wanted to do xrays, and it turns out she has scoliosis. Right now it is a MILD case and we are thankful! They measure the curve of the spine in degrees, and hers was less than 25 degrees, which means it doesn't require treatment at this time. The dr said since she still has awhile to grow, they will do repeat xrays every 6 months during that time, to check and see if the curve progresses anymore. If it did, their first step would be to put her in a brace for awhile. which I hope we don't have to go because people have told me its a PAIN! But ultimately I am so thankful it's a mild case and we are praying it doesn't get worse! And the dr walked in and gave me this printout before we left.. I was like ummm thanks?! HAHA actually I love stuff like this, keeping momentos. I asked Rachel if I could put it on the fridge but she said no. Kinda creeped her out :D But I thought it was cool! Its not every day you see a picture of your child's skeleton!! :D

The marching band had their first competition at a local high school, so Arnold, the kids and I went out to support her and watch! Brooke looked so cute in her uniform, haha. I sent a pic to my dad and he said what a cute cowgirl!! (they are the cavaliers) :D Anyway, they were nervous since its been a tough year and a lot of kids have been out due to covid, but they did great! The band got several trophies and a superior rating. Brooke said shes glad now she stayed in band, because it's sort of a "high" at these things. Hmmm, so mom DID know best, huh? :D

It was hot that day and crowded, but we had fun!! 

Part of the band out there accepting their awards. The awards didn't end until after 8 pm! It was a long day! 

Of course I put out lots of fall decor this past month! This beautiful teal pumpkin was on of my new finds this year, and it was from my new favorite store-- HOMEGOODS!! :D

I put some tiny pumpkins in a bowl on the coffee table, and it DID look cute.. until Ruby decided to go in the bowl, steal pumpkins, and chase them around the room! :D

We got Brooke's cheer pics back! She has grown a lot in just a few months and gotten a lot stronger and better at her cheers and stunts!