Friday, December 30, 2011

Oh the weather outside is Beautiful!

Living in MS there is no telling what the weather is going to be like in an hour, a day or a week!  It is ever changing and always keeps us on our toes!  Gotta love it! Ha! Since we had some great weather at the end of December, we took advantage of it and went to the park!
Pierce working on his skating!
And of course he had to be a monkey too!


Hanging out on the playground!
Sweet brothers!
He had a lot of fun driving his remote control car around!
Climbing away!

How'd you get up there monkey?
Colton trying out Pierce's skates!
We had a great day at the park! On the way there, I was telling the boys how I haven't taken a lot of pictures of them lately and that I didn't like that! Colton agreed that I don't take them like I used too.  My response to that was that they have gotten to where every time I pull out a camera I hearing whining and get pitiful hurry up momma pictures! So I managed to get really good pictures of the boys because of the conversation.  I guess they felt sorry for momma since she hasn't been able to get good pictures of her boys!  Gotta work the system in order to get somethings :)  I love these boys and enjoyed hanging out with them!  Here is to many more hang out times with my sweet boys! 

Thursday, December 29, 2011

2011 in Review!

We have had a great year! Many fun times, down times, unsure times, and some amazing times!  We have seen God do AMAZING things in our lives and we are thankful! I thought it would be fun to document the year in pictures.  Of course, these pictures here don't come close to showing all that we have done but it is a glance!
Jan 2011
We started off the year like most people, getting in a good groove for the year and thinking of things that we would like to change and do different! Juggling working and having a family! We also celebrated a birthday with some friends!
Pierce and I at our neighbor's sons birthday!
Pierce looks so little in this picture now that I look back!
Colton and I at the same party! He looks so little too!
Feb 2011
This month was a normal month for us.  We enjoyed the Rodeo, which the boys always look forward too! Of course this is the love month so I posted everyday of things that I love.  Your welcome to go back and look through those.  It was a lot of fun to do that! We also celebrated 3 birthdays with our favorite triplets - Brice, Aaron and Wesley! They had a Minute to Win it Birthday which was crazy fun!
Pierce, Colton and Wesley!
March 2011
This was a month that would change the rest of the year! First of all, the boys got to start off the "spring" with some fishing at the Rez! We didn't catch anything but we had a lot of fun together as a family, which is the most important!
Fishing away!
March 23, was the day that I got laid off from Brunini.  Like any other person, I cried about it, I questioned why would this happen and came home and cried more with Ryan.  Ryan was amazing and was supportive and told me that we would be ok and that everything happens for a reason.  He reminded me that God would take care of us! I was still waiting to see if I got accepted into nursing school!

April 2011
My big boy turned 9 on April 15! Where in the world has the time gone?  We took Colton, 2 of his friends and Pierce bowling for Colton's birthday. Then we had a spend the night party!  They all had a great time!
On a sad note, we were able to witness an amazing site! A soldier from Brandon paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country.  I was able to go and stand with the BFD as SGT. Rogers body was escorted to the funeral home! And the day of the funeral, Aunt Reba, Grandma, the boys and I stood on the side of the rode as the precession went by and paid our last respects to a Fallen Soldier! It was such an emotional time and amazing to see so many Americans line the roads to pay their last respects!  I was able to go with Colton on his field trip to the zoo! No knowing that when I got home, I would get the BEST news!! I got my acceptance letter to Nursing School!!! Praise the Lord! This was an answered prayer and a reminder that God is in control and would take care of us!!!

May 2011
The boys were excited that school was almost over for the summer, and we got a pool! We knew that we needed something to occupy the boys all summer!  I had no idea what I was in for, since I had never been a stay at home mom before! The only time I was home with the boys was maturity leave with both of them! It was an adventure for sure.  And if I thought for one minute that I would be bored, I was crazy!! There was never a dull, boring moment! I chased after boys, cleaned, cleaned, cleaned (did I mention clean) and ran errands! Daddy had a birthday and turned the big 33! He didn't sweat this one, ha! Ryan worked so hard to provide for us and we are thankful for that!! I was also getting ready for a sweet baby shower for Cretia and sweet KJ! It was so much fun to work with my family to prepare this shower for Cretia! We had a great time!
June 2011
We had a busy month! Sweet KJ was born on June 2!! We are thankful to have such a sweet baby boy added to the family!  Kyle and Lucretia are great parents and it is a lot of fun watching him grow!

My truck decided that it would start giving me fits a few months ago.  Every time I turned around it was in the shop getting something fixed.   So we got me a new car, which is a Chevy Malibu and we love it! It is great for what we need!! Ryan and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary!  I am married to the most amazing, loving, caring, selfless, hard working, dedicated man ever!  God has truly blessed me with my soul mate and best friend!!

July 2011
We enjoyed lots of fun in the sun and pool! Of course, in increments, you know you can't stay outside in MS heat for long periods of time!  OMG it gets hot!! Have I told you that it was impossible to keep the house clean with the boys and their friends coming in and out all the time?  But its ok, I love them and they are worth it :)

I kept Shane and Katelyn for a week too! We were getting ready for a family reunion and I guess I thought I needed to see what it was like to be a mother of 4!  OMG it was crazy but fun!! Daddy and Ann brought Tyler down and we spent the day at the Children's Museum and then lunch at Chick-fil-a! We had lots of fun!

Lots of fun in the mud too!!
At the end of this month, I turned the big 3-0!! Ryan surprised me with dinner at a Mexican restaurant with some great friends that surprised me!! It was a great night out with great friends to celebrate my birthday! Thank you baby! And thank you to all my friends that came and celebrated with me!

August 2011
We had a last run for fun before school started.  The boys and I visited the Science Museum and had a lot of fun! We even took a hike through the nature trails, which was pretty but HOT! That is something that needs to be done in the fall when it isn't as hot!
Colton started 3rd grade and Pierce started 1st! Where did my babies go?? I also started my first semester of Nursing School! I love it! It is busy and hard but it will be worth it.  And those 2 sweet boys pictured above have been great and understanding!  They are my heart!!

September 2011
This month was full of adjustments.  Learning to manage 2 boys with homework on top of all my stuff.  And throw in the house and husband! BUSY! I have the best family in the world that has been amazing and helped! We couldn't do this without them!!!
There is a lot of this around my house with 2 boys!
Goof Balls!!

October 2011
We have finally gotten in a pretty good groove around here with school, Ryan working a lot, and everyday life! Being busy like this reminds you how much you should value the time you have with your loved ones! Of course Halloween was this month and the boys got Daddy to carve their pumpkins!
Football was in full swing but there was nothing to be excited about as an Ole Miss Fan! What a frustrating season! But we'll always be true! Hotty Toddy! Here is to a better year next year!!

November 2011
The Thankful month! I did 30 days of thankful posts.  Check it out if you would like!  We spent time being thankful for what we have and for each other!  We took the boys to Harrisville for some gun shooting and hunting! 
Oh and driving! Just like I did when I was little!

December 2011
This month was fun of finals, getting the boys to focus on the last few weeks of school and of course the holiday spirit!  My baby boy turned 7!! So hard to believe! We took Pierce, 2 friends and Colton to Gattitown for a night of fun!  We had a lot of fun!!
I finished my first semester of nursing school!! It was a roller coaster ride but I am ready to jump back on it and start again in January!! Our last day of clinicals!
We also took time to slow down and remember the real reason for the season!! The birth of our Lord & Savior! Ryan and I want to make sure that we teach the boys the real reason and that Christmas isn't just about presents and "me, me, me"!
We have had a fun ride in 2011! It wasn't all easy, but we wouldn't have it any other way!  We are blessed to have each other.  We are blessed to have a loving family that we cherish! Thank you Lord for another year to live for you and serve you! My prayer is that we continue to praise and serve you! And that you will use us for your glory!  

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas 2011

We had a great Christmas this year!  We have been very blessed!  We spend the holiday season reminding the boys the REAL reason for the season! We want to make sure that the boys don't focus just on gifts! We want them to focus on the real gift, which is Jesus! He was born on Christmas morning so that he could fulfill God's purpose, to die on the cross to bear our sins! WOW! How could anyone not take the time to worship the New Born King!! Of course we enjoyed presents as well! The boys didn't wake up too early, which was nice, I think it was around 6:30 or so!
Can you see the excitement? ha!
This is a huge remote control car, C man asked for!

Pierce and his large remote control dune buggy!
Showing off his small 3 wheeled skateboard
The next great photographer!
Love the smile on his face!
Skates!
No pictures of Momma and Daddy's presents!  Daddy got lots of goodies, shirts, shake weight, running socks, and play station games! Momma was SURPRISED with an ipad and a massage!  I was so shocked that I got those things, but so thankful for such sweet, thoughtful, loving boys and husband! I pray that we all remember to be thankful for every moment and every day and remember the one that sacrificed all so that we are able to have all of these things!
Merry Christmas,
Ryan, Alicia, Colton and Pierce

Monday, December 19, 2011

Our life in pictures for the last month

I thought it would be fun to show ya'll a little of our life in pictures.  Here we go:
Ryan and I shopping on Black Friday!
Love this man and love that he goes with me!
Its like a date night for us!
The boys had been gone to Texas for Thanksgiving and hadn't seen daddy
in a while so they stayed up late to love on daddy!
Seriously, can they look any more alike? :)

Colton sporting his Ole Miss hoody and gloves
on a morning that it was cold! Love this sweet boy!
And this sweet boy makes me smile too! We got
to spend the day together the other day and we had a lot of fun!!
Is it possible that he is really already 6 months old??
Of course, a lot more has gone on in our lives but these are just some of the sweet pictures that I wanted to share! 

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Sneak Peak

As you know, I have to Best photographer there is! And of course I am privileged to call her a very dear friend of ours! She has been blessed with an amazing talent and we love to have her take our pictures every year!  I can't thank her enough and I can't say enough about her amazing God given talent of photography! Here is a sneak peak at our 2011 family pictures!!







Thank you Destiny for doing such an amazing job and capturing wonderful memories for us! We love you!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Happy 7th Birthday!!

So hard to believe that my youngest turns 7 today at 3:53 am! Where has 7 years gone?  It seems like yesterday that he was born and we brought him home from the hospital! Pierce, you are loved so much by momma and daddy!! You are a smart, funny, loving, caring, animal loving boy!! You have brought so much joy to our lives in 7 years!! It is amazing to watch you grow and turn into a sweet young boy! There are times where I wish I could wiggle my nose and make you little again, but that isn't how it works!  We will soak up every minute that we have with you and enjoy the ride of watching you grow up!
Getting ready for a pancake breakfast last weekend!
Pierce has a love for animals!  He is crazy about any animal.  It doesn't matter what it is, if it is creepy, crawly, slimy, you name it, he loves it!! It is so much fun to watch him chase (no harm is caused), play and want to keep all of them.  Well not so much fun when he wants to keep everything :) but its so much fun to see how happy he is when he is outside with animals. 
Pierce with his birthday present, a Bearded Dragon.
Meet Spike!
Pierce with his birthday crown on at school!

Spike in his new home!
Pierce, I can't describe how much Momma and Daddy love you!  God blessed us by allowing us to be your parents, and we are thankful for that each and everyday!  We look forward to watching you grow up and become the man that God plans for you to be!  Our prayer for you, is that you continue to grow and be happy.  That you will know how much we love you and how much God loves you!  We pray that you become a great mighty man of God that wants to do great works for him!! Happy Birthday Monk, we love you!!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Not so little anymore

Where did these 2 LITTLE boys go?
My babies aren't so little anymore!
Thank goodness for pictures and lots of memories
because they are growing up on me way too fast!!

Friday, December 9, 2011

I will Rise

Ever have those mornings that start out bad and then the guilt sets in for the day?  Yea I have them more than I would like to admit!  And as the day goes on the guilt just grows! So my morning started bad, I had a pity party with a dear friend and my aunt, then had to get it together so that I could take my last final of the semester!  So afterwards, the guilt is still lingering bad! (the devil was working hard to keep me down).  However, I had a dentist appointment to go to.  While I was sitting in the chair I was listening to the music, they play Christian music! So this amazing song that I already liked came on and before you know it, I am crying in the dentist chair. It was this amazing song:


Amazing how God puts the right things in your life at the right time!  He does this because he is amazing like that, and wants to remind me that he is always there and loves me unconditionally! This song fits me because no matter what the devil throws my way, even though I might get down for a moment, I will rise because:
"Greater is he that is in me, than he that is in the world" 
1 John 4:4

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.
And God is Faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.
But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can 
stand up under it."
1 Corinthians 10:13
I want to be the best momma that I can be to my boys and unfortunately I am at a place and time that I don't feel like I am living up to it! This morning was one of those mornings that broke the camels back, and I put my foot down and said that's it!! NO more being this kind of person or mother! Time to make a change.  Having an extremely strong willed child is not easy, but I know that God made him that way for a purpose and that he is going to be an amazing godly man that is going to use his strong willed personality for God's glory!  I want that for both of my boys!! I just have to allow God to guide me in raising them, guiding them and disciplining them! I want to be that great godly mother figure for my boys and I want to raise them up the way they should be, so that like the bible verse says, they will not stray! It is important for me to do this with my boys but I can't do it without God. I have to rely on him to guide me through the good days and the bad days! The devil tried to win today, but God stepped in and pulled me into his arms and reminded me that I can rise up from anything with him holding my hand guiding me through!  Thank you Lord for always being there and always reminding me that you will never leave me!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Drum Roll Please............

After a crazy, no sleep, study all the time semester I have PASSED!!! I am now a 2nd semester Nursing study.. Seems so unreal! But I have to thank my lord and savior because without him, none of this would be possible! He has guided me through all of the hard work! I have an amazing husband to thank. He has loved me and supported me through it! He has listened to me fuss, cry and laugh about this semester!!! He is working so hard to provide for us while I am on this journey (actually, we are on this journey together).  He has been my rock! I also have a great family and terrific friends to thank as well.  They have all prayed for me and supported me through this semester as well!  I am so blessed to have such an amazing support system!

1st Semester Clinical Group!
I have grown to love all of these wonderful people!
I can't wait to watch us all develop into amazing nurses!
Here's to 3 more wonderful, fun semesters of Nursing School!!
To God Be ALL the Glory!!!!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Firsts!

I love that I have been able to scan in some of the pictures that I have from when I didn't have a digital camera! Makes me a happy girl! Here are some of our "Firsts"


Colton's 1yr old pictures
(2003)
Our 1st Thanksgiving together!
(2003)

Our 1st Christmas together! Man how we have changed!
(2003)