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!