Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Hello December!

Wow, it is almost here! I can't believe it. This year has gone by so fast for us. So many changes, and so many good times. I have been trying to get back into blogging, but I still can't get pictures to post on here. I feel like it is just not the same without the photos. I've thought about switching to a new service, but I'd hate to lose the years of posts I have on here. I am just not good at fixing things. I need them to work by themselves with no effort on my part, lol.

We spent a wonderful Thanksgiving down in North Carolina with both sides of our family. This is the first year we have been close enough to have Thanksgiving with family since 2006. Back then Matthew was our baby. Unfortunately, out trip ended with our van breaking down. We had to have it towed away and couldn't find anyone who could fix it on a holiday weekend. That led to our second issue, which is when you have a family of six not just anyone can give you a ride. Luckily we were able to get ahold of some wonderful friends who brought, not one, but two cars to pick us up in. I am now driving an older borrowed van until we can (hopefully) get ours fixed. It is never any fun getting a giant bill like this weeks before Christmas, but what can you do? This is the first time we have dealt with the fact that we HAVE to have a van now. Our second car is an older Jeep that Matt drives to work, and I really thought if something broke down it would be that. We could share the van easily enough, even permanently if needed, but the Jeep just doesn't fit our family anymore. Poor Matt is trying to handle the car repairs from a distance now, as we had to leave it at the mechanic five hours away. They ended up not being able to fix it, so it was moved to a second shop. I am so clueless about cars. Especially being a military wife I should be ashamed of myself. If Matt isn't around to handle things I call my dad for advice, or ask a friend's husband. I guess I am not a progressive woman.

Car issues aside, things are going very well. We have had an usually warm week, and while I'm enjoying being outside in t-shirts again, it feels strange to be putting up Christmas lights. It reminds me of the year we lived in Florida, where we had Christmas decorations up and were still able to wear bathing suits to the beach. It's fun for a change I guess, but who doesn't love a white Christmas? I don't know about snow, but I'm sure it will cool back down considerably soon.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Back in Business

I've had some technical difficulties, following our big move from Mississippi to Maryland. I think I am finally back in business though!

Let's see...we have had a busy few months since I last posted. Beth stated first grade, Matt started kindergarten, and Carrie started preschool. Carrie only goes two mornings a week, so I have her most of the time, and Katy Ann is with me all the time of course. The kids are all doing very well, and I am proud of them. The only real issue we've had is that Beth's work is so easy compared to her last school. She will be starting in a gifted program this month, and I hope that gives her the challenge she needs. In the meantime her father and I do extra little projects with her at home.

Little Katy is not so little anymore, and is running all over the place. Despite the 2 1/2 year age difference, she is only one clothing size and two shoe sizes behind big sis Carrie. She has seven teeth now, and eats everything. She isn't really talking yet, but trust me, she gets her point across!

We just wrapped up fall soccer, and this year I was able to have both Beth and Matt on the team I coached. Such fun! Next year they will be in different age groups so I am glad we had this chance. Beth will be doing cheerleading this winter, and Carrie takes ballet and tap once a week. So far Matt is taking the next few months off. I'd love to find him a gymnastics class, but so far the ones I found are all girls. I don't find if they are mostly girls, but at his age he doesn't want to be the only boy. He also loves swimming, and I may get them back into lessons sometime after the new year. I limit all the kids to one activity at a time, and just that keeps us plenty busy. The three older ones all do as AWANA's as well, and I don't count that towards their "limit."

I am really trying to get back into the swing of things and start posting more. We've been busy seeing all the sites, and have lots of awesome pictures of our nation's capital to share.