2020 Update!

Where to even begin??  I can't believe that i haven't updated this since 2014!!  Six whole years have passed!!

Cole is now 13 years old.  He no longer plays baseball (I was reading all about his t-ball and baseball days...man...I wish I hadn't worried so much and just enjoyed)  He LOVES football and plays Left tackle which is exactly what Justin played at MSU!  He is sticking with basketball too.  He also is very tall (5'11 currently).  He will be in 8th grade this fall and I can't believe I will teach him again soon.  He is still just as sweet as ever and a great cook.

Natalie is now 11 years old.  She is still feisty and headstrong.  Natalie loves basketball (Go #10) and softball.  She does private training for basketball once a week and tries to play at least two seasons of the year!  Softball is a new love.  She's played t-ball/softball since she was 5...but last year she made allstars and has really enjoyed it.  She plays 1st base and is tough as nails.  She LOVES to read!!  This school year Natalie begins Junior High!

Katy Beth is now 9.  My sweet baby is still joyful and fun. She's all about dancing and singing.  The STRANGE thing is how quiet she is in public.  She loves Golf and Soccer as her sports.  We tried t-ball/softball and basketball...but for now she doesn't enjoy them.  She loves to read and play with her dad.  She and Natalie get along great most of the time...and she and Cole are very close too. This will be her first year at the elementary all by herself. 

I am now teaching at the high school!  I'm about to begin my 3rd year as the EOC US History teacher and Yearbook adviser.  It keeps me very busy but I enjoy it!!  I'm still riding bikes and working out...but I haven't taught a workout class in over a year.  I miss it but I don't think I have time for it at this moment.  One day.

Justin is still with United.  He has a great management crew and that's refreshing for us.  He is still riding bikes and tinkering around the farm.

Life is good despite the global pandemic of Covid-19 and the racial tensions in this country.  We are grateful to live in the middle of nowhere Texas this summer!

Moving!

We have been in Childress for FIVE years next month!  This is the only town our kids know!  Cole was only 2 when we moved here.  He is now 7!  Natalie was 5 months, and Katy has born here in Childress!

Now to add to our amazing life here, we are MOVING!  It's an awesome story...so bear with me please!

In October, I was visiting my sister in Frisco.  I noticed that a house with land was on a local real estate website.  For some reason, I felt impelled to send the link to Justin.  We joked about how nice it would be, but there was no way we could afford it.  When i got home, we looked at it again and decided to look at it.  It had sparked our interest.

The house is twice the size of our first home here in Childress...and 3 times the size of our first home in Vernon!  That was a nice start.  When we walked out the back yard to look at the land, we were awestruck.  A storm was developing from the Northwest and moving east.  It happened right before our  eyes.  THAT moment i KNEW we wanted that house.

We decided to find out just how much we would be approved for financially.  To our surprise...we approved!  To make matters even more amazing, the owners of the house (an elderly couple), wanted a house on the edge of town with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a garage.  That fit our home description exactly!  Over the next month or so we submitted offers, prayed...and finally...right before Christmas...our offer was accepted and we accepted theirs.  Essentially...we are swapping houses!

The process has been LONG (it is now March 5th and we close today), grueling (we had to completely redo our shower and they had to redo woodwork and the porch) and tiresome.  HOWEVER, I KNOW  God has been a part of every step.  We close today and begin moving on Friday!!

Justin and I grew up visiting our grandparents farms and dreaming of our own.   We will now be the proud owners of a 4 bedroom 4 bath house with 130 acres!!  We will lease the land for a while with the intention of one day putting our own fencing and cattle out there.  I want chickens and a garden as well.    It is only about 1-2 miles north of town.  It is PERFECT...not to far...not to close.  The house DOES need to be updated...and we won't be able to do a lot at first, but it's ok.  This is a new life for us!  We both can't wait for our kiddos to grow up with hard work ethics and country living!!!

Thanks for reading!  Stay tuned for fun happenings at the Pierce Farm!!

A new era!

Hi Friends!!

It's been a few months and boy has life changed!  Please bear with me because this story is long and I'd like to share it so I don't forget!

Since 2008 I have taught workshops for Vernon ISD on various trainings I've attendended.  Typically I teach a refresher course on Capturing Kids' Hearts and the Social Contract.  (love contracts in the classroom!)  Last year there were SEVERAL 1st year teachers and I asked if they had an induction program.  They did...but weren't sure if they would teach it.  I offered to and VOILA!  I had a fabulous addition to our income throughout the course of the year!  I decided to get officially trained in it so I could teach it to various districts.

Throughout the summer I made contact with Childress's Superintendent and it didn't pan out...since budgets had been made already.  I was disappointed but knew I still had Vernon.  In May I noticed several teaching positions available (all English in Highschool or Middle School).  Justin and I toyed with the idea of me applying.  I prayed about it and felt that I would know when the time was right...and it would HAVE to be Social Studies.  Natalie has one more year of preschool...so we would talk about other teaching positions in 2014.

Mid summer I received an email from the Superintendent about a Special Ed position.  While I LOVE working with kids of all needs, I apologized and told him that the ONLY way I would leave my babies this year would be for a social studies position.  (i knew that wouldn't happen because most are for coaches).

In July I went on a 30 mile bike ride to talk with God after really feeling down in the dumps.  Thoughts of "What good am I?"  "Why am I a horrible mother?"  "Is this what I'm supposed to be doing?" etc were going on and quite frankly...I was unpleasant to be around.  I stopped midway through my ride to refuel and I checked my phone.  An email from the superintendent asking if I would be interested in interviewing for a social studies position was there!!  I immediately wanted to rush home to Justin...but I knew I needed time with God. I turned south directly into the wind and rode 8 miles.  In that time I asked Him what I should do.  I knew...he had thrown this opportunity to me because I asked for His help!  He answered quite loudly.  God whispers requests and shouts with answered prayers.

The interview (while nerve wracking) went GREAT and I got the job!  I am now a 5th grade Social Studies teacher at Childress Elementary School!  This is also Cole's school!  Amazingly, the lady across the street keeps kids and had 3 openings for Natalie, Brynn and Katy!!!  It is very affordable and almost TOO convenient!

We are blessed...I am humbled at how He always takes care of me.  At my weakest moments if I just ask...He is there.  It's not always huge answered prayers...but whispers...He is there.

~Janet

Funny Things

It's been entirely too long!  I WANT to blog...but I stay kind of busy!  I wanted to document some funnies before I forget!!

Katy

• On Tuesday, Katy was laying on my lap before Cole's baseball game.  I noticed some yellow "stuff" coming out of her ear.  For a second I thought it was ear wax.  I looked closer and saw some white things in her ear too.  To me it looked like a flower, LOTS of crazy wax, or a spider.  I ran her home and got the tweezers.  It was the middle of a flower.  SHEESH!
• On Wednesday she started screaming.  She was on top of a barstool.  Her poor knee was stuck in the slats.  It would NOT budge.  For the 2nd time I had to use butter to unstick her.  She still has 2 marks on her knee from it!!
• Thursday at Cole's last baseball game, the girls (Chandler, Natalie and Brynn) were "babysitting" katy.  haha.  I noticed her walk toward the back of the chainlink fence.  There is an opening to the field there, but the girls were with her and so was Justin.  He was on the phone but I figured he was watching.  Next thing I know, Katy is RUNNING to the middle of the field and stopping and laughing along the way.  The more I chased her, the more she giggled and ran.  Luckily one of the coaches grabbed her.  :)

Natalie

• When Natalie plays t-ball, she is SERIOUS!  She has  the ultimate game face and will NOT break a smile!  I LOVE IT!  She always looks for us and gets SERIOUS when batting.
• She gets out bed no less than 3 times to tell us she loves us, ask where she's going the next day, search for "kitty"...etc.
• One night I was sleeping with Katy because she wouldn't sleep.  I heard a rustle and then BAM..."WHAAAAAAAA!!!!"  Natalie had rolled off her bed.  hahahha.  Magically she went right back to bed.

Cole

• Cole got out for the first time this baseball season.  He had batted and hit it GOOD.  He didn't want to just throw his new bat down, so he tried handing it to the coach or sitting it softly...he got out at first base.  He didn't know what that meant, but when he had to run off field, he started crying.  Poor guy!  He hasn't been tagged out since though!

All three

• My abuelito died last week.  Cole and Natalie somewhat understood that he was gone and was in Heaven.  We let them view him at the viewing.  They handled it well.  That night they started a new thing, "Playing Heaven".  They showed my mom a pillow...they lifted it and underneath was a box with Ariel in it.  She had died and gone to heaven.  When Justin put them to bed he noticed the box with Ariel next to them and several horses with pillows on top of them.  It's kind of sad, but also neat how they are processing this.  (and kind of funny...you have to admit!)

:(

Do you ever feel like you have absolutely no one in this world to talk to? Some people make you feel like you are silly to worry about the things you do. Others always have to "one up" your issues or have "been there done that", and others have way worse circumstances than you and your problems seem ridiculous in comparison. That's me these days. Stuck in the middle where nothing is too bad but nonetheless still stressed with no one to talk to.


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Summer 2012

We had a busy summer! 

In June, Justin and I traveled across the country to Las Vegas…in our car!  I wanted to go to Beachbody’s annual “Summit” for coaches.  It was AWESOME to say the least!  We got to spend time listening to the CEO, Tony Horton from P90x, Chalene Johnson from Turbo Jam, Shaun T. from Insanity, Darin Olien…creator of Shakeology and finally Seth Godin.  We got to do live workouts with Tony and ChaLean and EVERY SINGLE beachbody Celebrity trainer when we participated in the largest workout ever on the Las Vegas strip.  We stayed at the MGM Grand again and the renovations are awesome!  We also met up with Kelly Arrington Thompson for a bit and it was nice to catch up!  We already bought and paid for next year’s trip!  Can’t wait!!

We “met” Mater from “Cars” on route 66 in Santa Rosa NM.

Stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Alburquerque, NM.  It was a great place to stay!  They had amazing biking trails and it was just a neat town!  Lots of history.  Only downside…totally in the middle of a desert!  ha!

 

 

Arizona roadside park!

Shaun T spent time telling us about Insanity: The Asylum 2.  wow…it looks crazy awesome but VERY hard!  He is sooo nice and really likes helping people.  I didn’t get a photo with him this year…but I will next time!

 

Tony Horton right after (I think?) the awesome workout we did with him!  CRAZY!!!  He is so nice!

 

Before the place got FREAKING CROWDED!  This is where we did the “workout on the strip”! 

 

 

Me and the creator of “Body Beast”.  He is Israeli (I think?)  Anyway, his name is SAgi and he was super sweet and very muscly.  He kind of felt like a firm marshmallow.  hahaha!  he DID say, “Hello Beautiful”, and I blushed.  hehehe…

 

Went to the Hoover Dam.  I wish we would have spent more time…it was pretty awesome!

 

My favorite part!  The Grand Canyon.  Pictures do NO JUSTICE to how amazing it is!  I’m so tempted to drive again next year just so we can visit it again.  God is an amazing artist.  It is so humbling to stand before His wonderous creations!!  We also rode our bike along the South Rim.  Each time we came up on a drop off view point…my heart skipped a beat.  It is THAT awesome!  GO!!! 

Going to have to dig up some summer time pics. Justin created a slip & slide of the slide and the kids had a great time!  We also spent a lot of time at the country club pool!

Visited Walburg and Schwertner for a Teinert family reunion! Next reunion will not be in Walburg…it’s a little sad because we love visiting there!

 

I have more pics that I will try to download from facebook and add!  Enjoy!!!  (hopefully I’ll add more pics of the kids too…sheesh!)

Prayer for Christlikeness

I needed this today. Mondays are starting to be harder with the beginning of the school week. I especially want this when I'm loving my kiddos. I read that we should live our children the way Christ loves us. Of course! But when you really think about how MUCH Christ loves us and shows His love...it's easy to see that THAT kind of love is what we SHOULD show our kids, but sometimes have a hard time doing. It's my mission to be more Christlike in my daily life...especially when living my family. :)

Prayer for Christlikeness

Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance everywhere I go;
Flood my soul with your spirit and life;
Penetrate and possess my whole being so completely
That all my life may be only a radiance of yours;
Shine through me and be so in me
That everyone with whom I come into contact
May feel your presence within me.
Let them look up and see no longer me—but only Jesus.
Amen.

Natalie starts preschool

This one wasn't so hard! Natalie has been going to and from preschool for two years. She has known Ms. Carol and Ms. Angie as long and loves them both. All summer long we have heard her little remarks about how preschool was coming soon and she is a big girl.

We ordered her a pretty brown and white zebra stripe backpack. (ironically, brynn ordered the same one! Ha!). The first day was a week later than Cole's. I didn't really have any doubts that she would enjoy it...but you never know! Coke seemed so excited about kinder..but cried for almost a week. The first day was to Ms. Carols. She only attends Carol's on Wednesdays from 8am-9:50am. We went in and she ran to Ms. Carol to tell her about her backpack and where Cole is. She found her seat and went right to putting together the puzzles she'd dreamed of doing for years. Carol had to remind her to say bye to me. She had a great day and met "Ms. A". (the colors each have someone come bring them a goody...A's goody was an apple).

First day at Ms. Carol's



This is when I realized I have two kids in school...so strange!


The next day was Ms. Angie's which she attends on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8am-10:45am. Now..,these two teachers are both amazing but very different. Carol was a kindergarten teacher for years and is on the school board. The classroom is very structured and following directions is huge there. Ms. Angie's class is a bit more, "colorful" and they spend a lot of time painting and exploring and getting their hands on stuff and learn through playing. Natalie has dreamed of Ms. Angie's class because this is soooo her. Haha! (cole loved Angie, but he enjoys structure more, so was more comfortable at carols). Natalie hugged ms. Angie and jumped right in to the fun play dough when we got there and I had to make her let me take pics. When I picked her up she said, "We had a LOT of fun today! We played in the play kitchen and I got to play with big toys...TRANSFORMERS!". Ha! (there are specific times for different things and they do get a bit of free play.).

First day at Angie's




Katy had to be in on this one!



Katy home with mommy! Fun times ahead!


Gymnastics starts neon Monday! We can't wait! (more pics on my camera...will upload soon!)


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My Boy Started Kindergarten!

The day I've looked forward to and dreaded for the past 5 1/2 years finally arrived. My sweet, tender hearted little engineer started kindergarten!



He was so excited and I was so sad! It all came full force the weekend before school started. I guess I finally realized I wouldn't have my boy with me everyday. :(. He cried..which really surprised me. I think the main problem was I lingered. I should have just left him at the door. But....sorry! He is my baby boy! I had to sit with him and hug him and kiss him! Finally the teacher had to make me leave. He asked for daddy, so I left, sent Justin in and the girls ad I walked out and I cried on the elementary walk way as moms & kids walked in. Good thing he doesn't know I did that! He'd be sooo embarrassed! Ha! Each day go better and he doesn't cry at all now, after 2 weeks!



He loves it! His favorite time of the day is playing outside and lunch. He does have an issue acting all his lunch...but he's doing well over all! Today was grandparents day at school. My mom and dad drove in to spend it with him. They had breakfast and coffee at the school,and cold gave them a present he made. (a colored sheriffs badge and a colored crown). Ha!






I'm so glad he loves school AND his sweet teacher Mrs. Thompson! More about Natalie tomorrow!

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Cole's First Surgery

Cole Thomas had surgery yesterday to have his tonsils out. He had over 7 cases of tonsillitis in the past year. His tonsils were HUGE! +4 is the term they used. Every nurse that heard said, "WOW!" when they heard the size.




All week he has been very excited about it. When we got to the hospital (9:30am) the nervousness began. He kept saying, "I don't want my tonsils out". I climbed in the bed with him and we snuggled and watched cartoons. finally they pulled us back to prep at 11:30. He REFUSED to take the Valium. Luckily the anesthesiologist was amazing and sternly convinced him to take it (he kicked me and Justin and would not roll over...he is almost 50 lbs so I'm not very strong...ha!). He was MAD at first, but started to get a little giggly. His doggie Maverick got to be dressed like a doctor as well. He went with cole into surgery. It only lasted 15 minutes! He had both his tonsils and adenoid removed.

When surgery was over I went in to see him and he was thrashing around and screaming. They gave him morphine and he eventually fell asleep. He did ask for daddy. Within an hour we were moved to a private room and stayed until 3:30. He got a little motion sick but never threw up. He was MUCH better after waking up from the morphine nap.




Now he is on Tylenol and codeine every four hours and amoxicillin. I finally mustered up the courage to look at his throat...it looks ok considering. Ha! It breaks my heart to see my sweet boy down and out, but he is determined to stay awake and build Lego stuff! I think it's going to be a long few weeks, but hopefully he will be better for school on August 27! Can you believe my baby will begin kindergarten this year?!?



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Happy Birthday Katy Beth!

My baby girl is ONE!! 

I know everyone says it, but this year has FLOWN by!!  I think it went so quickly because I have THREE kids now and I was just SO busy with them and other stuff.  Let’s See…on to Miss Katy’s stats!

Height:  31 inches (93%)

Weight:  20 lbs 7 oz (40%)

Head:  18 inches (65%)

Size Clothes:  12 mos & some 18 mos

Size Diaper:  4

Hair:  light brown with a SMALL curl…I think it’s wavy

Needless to say, she’s tall, skinny (really?  I think she’s chunky…) and has an above average sized brain!  ha!

For Katy’s Birthday we were in Lubbock for Danielle’s High School Graduation.  We did a combo graduation/birthday party and it was so fun!  I’m so glad Danielle let us share her party!  Katy had an Owl Cake and the sweetest shirt that Aunt Amy made her!  She got TONS of presents like a Water toy from mommy & daddy, clothes from Grandma, Auntie Jess, Auntie Suzanne, Shannon, Amber & Afton and lots of fun toys from many others! 

What are you doing now Katy Beth?

• Says Momma, Dada, Bubba, ba (ball), da (dog), do (done), ma (more), Bye Bye, Hi
• She is even more attached to her blankie than ever before.  She is starting to take it with her everywhere.  EEK!  I TRY to just give her the paci while in the crib or car…but sometimes it lingers…
• She loves giving high fives
• Has taken about 6 steps at a time, but still prefers crawling.
• Eats eVERYTHING!!!  She ususally eats more than Natalie at every meal…sometimes more than Cole.  SHEESH!
• Drinks whole milk and water.  We switched her to whole milk about 3 weeks ago.  Dr. Pratt told us we could switch to 2%!  I’m so excited because I hate having to buy 2 different kinds!
• Favorite foods:  Scrambled or boiled eggs, Champagne Mangoes, strawberries, bananas, cheerios, and of course, BABY MUM MUMS!!!
• She is a VERY sweet & happy baby 95% of the time.  The only time I see her get mad is when you take something away from her or if the kids are making her claustraphobic.  haha!  (or if she’s very hungry!)

Schedule: 

1. Wake up around 7:40am
2. Eat around 8:30.  Usually a scrambled egg and a fruit as well as some cheerios or a mum mum.
3. 10am—Nap for 1.5 hours or so
4. 12pm Lunch—usually ham or bologna or turkey with fruit and a grain of some sort—bread, tortilla, etc with cheese
5. 2pm—nap for 1.5 hours or as long as she needs
6. 6pm—dinner.  Whatever we are having
7. 7:30pm—bath and get ready for bed!
8. 8pm—bed time with blankie & paci!

The other night while at my sister’s house, Katy woke up at 2:00am!  (I think I was screaming in my dream…and might have woken her!)  She would NOT go back to sleep!  I realized how spoiled I am!  She has not woken at night like  that since she was no older than 8 weeks old.  I didn’t know how to calm her down!  ha!  She wanted to play!  I ended up driving to Walmart (blah) at 3am to buy some ibuprofen for her and a thermometer (no fever).  She went to sleep again at 4am.  SHEEEEESH!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet baby girl!  We love you so much and can NOT imagine life without your sweet and shy smiles and giggles.  You make us so happy & complete!

Summer? Are you there?

I just don’t know if I can make it!!  These last few weeks of school are stressing me out!  I know, I know, you are thinking…JANET…you don’t teach anymore…you are a stay at home mom…that’s the easy life.  Well…yes it’s easier in the fact that I don’t have to wake up at 5:30 am and shower and get the kids off to daycare and I get to see them everyday.  BUT…it’s still stressful and some days I wish I could be teaching so I could appreciate my kids more and WANT to come home to them…rather than run away all the time.  I love them so much, but I get so run down!  So this little peek at my day is for me to remember this craziness and laugh at how stressed I am now…because I’m sure it will get crazier.  :)

Typical Janet Day

6:30 am:  Wake up (If I’m feeling grand, I take a shower, if not…I snooze till 7am)

7am:  proceed to the living room and wake up to the news or most likely Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with Cole and Katy.

7:30am:  Chisum Girls arrive and breakfast begins

8:00am:  Natalie wakes up (watch out world…)

10am:  Put Katy down for a nap and shower (If I didn’t already)

10:45am:  throw fishsticks in the oven or make sandwiches for 5-6 kids, feed them,

11:30:  get them all dressed, attempt to fix Chandler’s hair if I remember, as well as wash her face, race to brush cole’s teeth and fix hair

11:50am:  Get the kids in the car after I wake katy up from her nap…and she ALWAYS has a poopy diaper…NEVER FAILS.  (Natalie and brynn fight over who goes in which carseat…they both want in a booster seat though, Cole & Chandler decide which carseat to get in…I realize the back row is down…have to fix it, I wince at my destroyed interior of my car…heart races)

11:57am:  Arrive at Charla’s house to get Kate.  I always say I’m not going to talk, but I do because I love Charla and she loves me :)

12:05pm:  After hitting every little red light and getting behind old farmers, I arrive at Ms. Angie’s flustered. 

12:08pm:  The girls and I drive around and look for old artsy crafty ideas.

12:15pm:  Feed Katy who screams at me until I get enough food on her plate

1:00pm:  I make myself a shake or quick meal….and try to eat.

2pm:  Katy goes down for a nap

2:42pm:  OH CRAP…I forgot to wake up katy and have to rush and wake her and change her never ending poop diaper, throw the girls in the car and rush to Angie’s to get the other kids (yes…another fight over who gets in first, which seat, etc)

2:48:  Drive home and listen to all the wonders the kids learned at Angie’s.

3:00pm:  Try to calm down 5 kids who didn’t get a nap and need one, but don’t think they do.  Try to get them to clean their mess (ha!)

3:45pm:  Wave goodbye to the Chisum Girls. 

5:00pm:  Wave goodbye to Kade

6:00pm:  Hope Daddy gets home soon because the kids have been crazy since 3pm.

6:30pm:  If daddy’s home, I hide out for an hour or ride my bike.  If he’s not, i make supper and STEW about why he’s not home.

7:30pm:  Get the kids ready for bed, brush teeth, read books, etc

8:00pm:  PUt them to bed for the first time

8:03pm:  Natalie walks out, “I need to tell you sumfin’.  I want water”.  Cole, “I want water too”.

8:07pm:  Cole walks into room, “I love you, i want a hug”, Natalie does the same.

8:10pm:  rush to wash dishes, clean the kitchen & bathroom & pick up the floor in the living room

9:00pm:  Natalie, “I want to sleep on the couch”.  (back to bed for the last time)

9:10pm:  Collapse on the bed and look at my messy room that i swear I will clean every day…and instead pick up my ipad and chill and read.  SIGH

12:00am…hopefully i’m asleep.  :)

May is BUSY!

Hello all!  I can NOT believe it’s May already!  This means my baby is almost one, and my big boy is graduating from Preschool!  Where does the time go?! 

 

It is a VERY busy month!  We have lots of t-ball games (2 per week), end of school parties, 2 graduations (2 preschools), Danielle’s Graduation, Katy’s birthday party and all month with my crazy kiddos that I keep during school (Kade, Chandler & Brynn…all of whom we love very much!)  In fact…this will be the last month with Kade and Chandler…since they go to Kindergarten with Cole in the fall.  Wow!  It’s ok, us girls (natalie, brynn & katy) will have FUN next school year!  Natalie Ann & Brynnie Boo will be in preschool 3 days a week!  What am I going to do with just ONE kid!  It’s been almost 4 years since I have been with just one child!  haha! 

 

Today Justin and I are joining a great group of friends on a bike ride!  It’s so neat that so many of our friends have bicycles or have recently gotten them.  There are now more girls with bikes I think!  I’m planning on the Hotter ‘n Hell 100 mile race on my birthday…I’m a bit nervous because I’ve never ridden more than 20 miles! 

 

Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo and we celebrated with our friend Danielle Patton (who took the girls’ photos) and her son, Joseph.  Danielle made the best chicken & rice & queso.  I provided the salsa, cheese, and some cookies.  What a great host I am…right?  I owe you a nice dinner Danielle!  I think steaks a la Justin are due!  If you don’t hear from me often, just know that it’s because we have a CRAZY month ahead and in a little over a month Justin and I will be off to Las Vegas (road trip style) for Beachbody Summit!  We are VERY excited!!! 

 

Oh…and Amy, I FINALLY added your blog to my list!  I love your blog and now I don’t have to type it in all the time! haha!  Can’t wait to see that new baby!!

Tootles all (yes…quite the dork today!)

~Janet

Katy Beth is 11 months!

Oh my baby girl!!  Where has the time gone?!  It has flown by and I can’t believe she is almost walking!!!!

Let’s see, what is my baby up to?

 

• Crawling EVERYWHERE (and has been since about 7 months)
• Climbing EVERYTHING.  Even more than Natalie…reminds me a bit of Addie!!
• She climbs on small tables, the kids pottery barn chairs, anything she can get a leg up on! 
• Walking---ALMOST!  She is starting to let go and has actually taken a few wobbly/fall over steps.  Nothing official or steady yet!
• Eating---Oh Katy Beth…you love some food!  She is HILARIOUS eating!  First of all, she eats mostly whole foods.  Sooo…a typical meal is avocado, strawberries, bananas, grilled chicken or some kind of protein (egg/beef/ham/turkey) and I usually try to get a bit of cheese in there too.  For breakfast she eats 1 egg scrambled in the microwave, some cheerios or Baby Mum Mums and 1/2 banana.  That’s a LOT of food!  haha!  For lunch today she had 1/3 of an avocado, 1/4 mango and a slice of ham…and a baby mum mum.  The funny part is watching her eat.  She slaps that table and grabs a fist and shoves it all in her mouth (including the fist).  It’s so cute!  She makes a huge mess but thinks she’s sooo big!  haha!  She can use a spoon…but not really good yet. 
• Milk---She’s getting 2 bottles a day (around 10 am and 8pm).  The rest is water.  She LOVES “AGUA”!  It took a LONG time to get used to a sippy, but she LOVES it now!  The other day I gave her morning formula to her in a sippy and she did fine.  I think the morning bottle will be easy to get rid of…the night one will be hard!  No juice for her.  She eats at least 3-4 whole pieces of fruit a day so she has no need for it.
• Teeth—Well…lets see, She has 5 up top and 1 molar and 5 on the bottom and I think a molar about to break through.  Do NOT stick your finger in her mouth…she will try to eat it!
• Talking—she says Mama, Dada, Bubba, “duh” for done and “ma” for more (of course she can say more at lunch time!  girl loves her food!).  She likes to babble and has baby talk convos with bubba & sissy all the time!
• Because the girl eats so much…she’s a bit chubby…but it is PRECIOUS!!!  Her arms & legs are so cuddly.  I could hold her in just a diaper all day long and smother her with kisses.  :)
• Personality—she seems to be a perfect mix between Cole and Natalie.  She smiles a LOT and giggles and is pretty happy most of the time (Nat was a bit grumpy the first year of life, and Cole was very shy).  She CAN get shy, and she is FEARLESS…so she is like them in those ways.  She is starting to get headstrong and when she wants food…she lets everyone know!  So…I’m anxious to see the girl she turns out to be!  My guess is…a LOT like me.  Oh dear!!!!  (Being younger than Natalie, though…I think she will be seen as an angel…lol!)
• Clothing—Size 12 months.  She still fits into some 9 month onesies…but not pants.  She wears a size 3 diaper…but I think she could do 4.  Size 2 shoes…her feet are fat and short.  haha!

Now for the pic!  Courtesy of my friend Danielle!

and Natalie Ann

Egg Drop

Every year at Ms. Angie’s preschool, there is Humpty Dumpty day.  This is the day that the kids drop an egg from the “fort” at her school and see if their egg survives.  The kids have to pack their plastic baggy with things to help the egg survive.  Some parents do all the planning for the kids (understandable…they are 3 & 4), but we like for our kids to plan it out on their own!  Last year Cole wanted to use bread.  He & Justin planned it out and ended up using hamburger buns & carving out a spot for the egg.  It worked!  This year he has said paper towels from day one.  SO…since Justin has been out of town, we did it on our own! 

We actually tried it out 2 days ago with just paper towels.  It survived the first drop, but died on the 2nd.  SO…we decided to improvise.

 

The Egg

 

First we taped cotton balls on the egg.

 

Then we wrapped the egg in paper towels and filled the baggie with cotton balls.  (Forgot the plain old paper towel pic!  oops!)  

 

And this just in…HIS EGG SURVIVED!!!!!!!  :) 

Catching up!

Hello family and friends!  It’s been…well…7 months!  A lot has happened and we have been very busy!  Where to begin???

Since September, Katy has changed a lot!  She is crawling, ALMOST walking (ok..she’s getting close…betting by 1 year she is), she “talks” a little and other fun things I will save for her 11 month post! 

Cole has started t-ball again and is on the Cardinals.  This makes Uncle Matt VERY happy since he LOVES the St. Louis Cardinals!  He is almost done with Preschool also!  We go to register him for Preschool on May 5th!  I’m excited and nervous for him!  This also means that in the fall I will only take care of 1 kiddo other than my girls!  Brynn.  She is the sweetest thing and I have kept her since she was a baby.  I thought about maybe keeping no kids, but she is so easy and she and Natalie have grown up together.  I can’t separate them, and I don't’ want her to have to go to someone else!  So, hopefully Brynnie Boo will be in our household for the next 2 school years before they go to kindergarten!

Natalie Ann is still sassy, BUT….we’ve noticed more and more days of just the sweetest behavior.  She is VERY helpful and SO smart.  She doesn’t like to upset me and is GREAT with her baby sister.  She goes to time out less and less these days (ha!).  We did go through a hitting phase, but I think its slowly ending.  Her hair is still very curly and beautiful!  I think she’s going to be the shortest of the three though!

Justin is doing well at United!  He just recently won a competition on increasing sales in Big Red.  The prize was 2 tickets to the Texas Motor Speedway race, with pit passes, etc.  He knew my dad would enjoy it, so he busted his bottom and won it!  It never ceases to amaze me how awesome he is at his job!  He’s gone for a few interviews in other areas, but we are very happy here!  No rush to leave Childress!   

Me…hmmm.  Lets see…since September I’ve lost about 22 lbs and about 5 pants sizes.  haha!  Crazy!  I also developed a stress fracture in my left tibia at my knee joint.  I’m able to do everyday activities, just no jumping, running, or any impact activities.  SOOOO…I wanted to make sure I didn’t gain weight (I had about 10 lbs left to lose to be at my goal).  I focused on cleaning up my diet (ie…no more tortilla chips!  haha!) and working out my arms and abs.  I’ve lost about 14 lbs since my injury!  Some was muscle…I don’t even recognize my flat butt and chicken legs, but the rest was stuff that needed to go!  I’m now teaching just arms & abs classes at the gym 1 day a week.  I think this is good because exercise was becoming EVERYTHING for me.  I kind of forgot I’m a mommy and wife first.  I ALSO got a BICYCLE!!  I love it!  Justin and I have ridden together ONCE, but we hope to do it more often!!  It’s so much fun for me since I can’t run or do aerobics.  I hope to do some races soon!!

My best friend from high school and college also passed away.  I hadn’t seen Diane much since we’ve been married and had kids, but I have thought about her often.  I last saw her at Christmas time 2010.  I think it was actually black friday?  Anyway, it’s been almost 3 months since she passed and it still sucks.  (for lack of a better word).  I never realized how much of who I am revolves around things that we experienced together.  So much of my inside jokes with songs, work, people…haha…I laugh just thinking about it all!  EVERY DAY for probably 2 years I either saw her or talked to her.  I have always felt so blessed that Diane chose me as a friend.  It breaks my heart when I think of something funny and impulse tells me that Di would crack up at that…and then I realize she’s gone.  I don’t know how to explain it, we weren’t close lately, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t think about her often.  I think we all have friends like that.  It has all made me realize how important it is to let those friends know when I’m thinking about them.  Love her and miss her…always will.

There’s so much more that’s happened and I can’t even begin to explain.  How about I just start all over with today!  The blog is resurrected!!  :)

Here are some fun pictures of the kiddos.  :)

Katy Beth is 4 months!

 

I can’t believe my baby girl is already 4 months!  It has gone by SO fast!  I feel like it was so hard at first…but the past 2 months have been a breeze!  We had her appointment today so I will do stats and updates!

Height:  26 inches (95%)

Weight:  15 lbs 4oz (75%)

Got 2 shots…handled them MUCH better than last time!  She is a little congested so I am expecting a long day/night.  We are going to start her on rice cereal tomorrow morning!!  Next week I will probably try veggies!

What are you up to Katy Beth? 

• You are still sleeping all night!  Usually she falls asleep around 8:30 and I wake her up to eat around 9:30 or so…and she sleeps until 8am.  Sometimes she wakes earlier but I bring her to bed and she sleeps with me until I get up!
• She takes her naps in her swing usually.  I want to break this habit…but I don’t think it’ll be a problem.  She can sleep anywhere (even on a table at Jessica’s wedding!  lol!)
• She started laughing a few weeks ago and we ALL love to make her giggle!  So far the best giggles are saved for Natalie!  And Natalie loooooves it!
• She naps 2 long naps and a few 30 minute or so naps.
• So far she likes her paci, (not dependent on it though…yet) and loves her crochet blanket!  Oh…and she likes her two fingers like Natalie…urghhh..ha!
• Her eyes are still blue/green/brown.  I’m pretty sure they will be a brown/green hazel like Cole’s.  Natalie's were always brown.
• She is wearing 3-6 and 6 month clothes.  I put her in a 6-9 month outfit today and it fit ok!
• She still loooooves her baths!  Has not cried ONCE in a bath!  ha!
• She is rolling to her tummy all the time.  Sometimes that makes her happy…but at night it makes her mad.  I’m so ready for her to figure out how to roll the other way!  haha!
• She is losing her hair :(  I swear she is Cole made over!  Cole did the SAME thing at this age!  (only he had eczema…so far Katy is free of this!)
• Stranger anxiety has hit too.  When she sees someone new…the bottom lip sticks out and she screams.  haha!  I guess she’s going to be the BIG momma’s girl!

I will post pics tomorrow!  We have a busy few weekends coming up!  I hope it doesn’t throw her fabulous schedule off!!!

New blog page!

I started a new blog…I almost DIDN’T share this with everyone…but I figure the more who see my pictures, the more likely I am to hold myself accountable!  It’s my “fitness” and “weightloss” page!

www.janetsfitnessblog.blogspot.com

Wordless (almost) Wednesday

My crazy 4 year olds who are probably the SWEETEST kids ever! 

Chandler, Cole & Kade on their 1st day of preschool!  (ok…1st day with Ms. Carol.  I forgot the 1st day with ms. Angie!)

My little “big girls” on their first day alone!

Natalie & Brynn

If you could have been a fly on the tree to hear how mad I was that they wouldn’t sit for a nice picture…you would have stung me!  haha! 

 

 

 

 

Couldn’t you just eat her up?  She is PRECIOUS!

Is it just me or does he look like he’s 10?  haha!  Big boy Cole on his first day of preschool!