Christmas 2008

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. We had a wonderful time with my brother, his wife, and my parents, MeMe and RonRon. We missed having my sister, her hubby, and the girls over, but we got to see them on Saturday. Anyway, we had a great day, and I hope everyone else did as well. Here is a review of our Christmas in pictures!! Enjoy!
"Oh, these were Santa's cookies??"

Ashton setting out the lone cookie for Santa

Braden getting the milk ready for Santa

Twas the night before Christmas...

Thank you, Santa!

Ashton asked Santa for a baseball, basketball, soccer ball, and football. This was his favorite!

Braden was very excited to finally get a DS! (and Kanton got one, too)

Kanton asked the elves to make him something out of cardboard, and he got this ornament for the tree.

Now we can have even sweeter dreams on these Aggie pillows!

"Are you serious??" (wish I could see Kanton's face...the flag's in the way!)

Ready, Set, Go!!

Baby bump

Ashton and me at 27 weeks pregnant

Happy December

What a great way to start the day!!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!! What a beautiful morning!!!

Ashton slept in but still got to play in the snow!

Braden and Kanton had a few minutes of snow time before they had to get dressed for school!

This is a view of the backyard this morning!

This was a very fun princess cake I made for Ashton's friend, A. She made my day. She said her favorite part of her party was her cake.

I just happened to be standing closest to the tree farmer when he asked which tree we wanted for the kids' school. I said, "That one looks good." So, in a way, I got to pick it out. I hope they liked it!

Here's Kanton's kindergarten class and his wonderful teacher, Mrs. T!!

Here are Kanton, Ashton, and I at the Christmas Tree Farm on December 4. It was a nippy 34 degrees that morning, so I'm sporting a lovely oversized coat courtesy of my hubby! Warmth over style, people!

It's been a crazy while since I posted. We have been so busy with birthday parties, Christmas parties, Christmas shopping, and work. I have had a sinus infection for 5 weeks now. I'm on my second round of antibiotics. I am so tired and run down from all the craziness! Yesterday at work, I was having some contractions and feeling really dizzy. I think my body is getting a little worn out from all I'm trying to do.

We really need some sit down family time. I am going to be 28 weeks on Saturday, and entering the third trimester, I just really want to take a deep breath and focus on family time. I have been praying that God will just help me through this time. We get so caught up in our to do lists, laundry, house cleaning, and the million Christmas parties and gifts we have to buy. I have not done Christmas pictures, Christmas cards, wrapped presents, or sat down much lately. I just pray that I can focus on the family and spiritual aspect of this holiday. We had a great program at church a month ago, and the woman in the play reminded us that Mary wasn't running around wrapping gifts and sending out cards when Jesus was coming. She was so focused on what God had her doing, and she just did what He told her to do.

I know that these busy things won't go away. They will get done. Otherwise, kids will be disappointed, parties will be messed up if I forget my contributions, and people will wonder why we didn't have our pictures made. I just wish that it wasn't so crazy. It's such a happy, wonderful time of year. I just hope to make sure my kids know the true meaning of the Christmas season, and I hope that I have a joyful heart throughout the busyness. I'm praying for rest, family time, and joyful hearts for all of you! Please pray for me as well!

Our First Concussion

Well, last night we experienced our first concussion with the boys. We attended the Upward Soccer award ceremony at church. Because I work in the nursery so much, the kids are really comfortable playing there...probably too comfortable. We told the kids it was time to go, and we were upset they had wandered off and around the church. It makes a huge circle around the sanctuary. Anyway, Braden and Kanton were walking toward us, and Ashton was by my side. Kanton's soccer coach told the boys they needed to RUN. Well, Ashton took off running toward the boys. I'm not sure if he was going to race them back to us, or if he just wanted to run with them. Kanton and Braden took off running toward us. Kanton was in a dead sprint, and he was looking down at the ground. He plowed over Ashton, knocking him backward onto the cement-covered carpet in the foyer. We heard his head hit the ground, and Ashton was screaming. I ran over and scooped him up, looking for blood. He hit so hard. Ashton's eyes were not dilated, and the coach said he was fine.

Mommy instinct knew that Ashton was not fine. He was squinting, he was holding his forehead, and he was pale. He told me he needed to go to sleep, and I wouldn't let him. We decided to take the other boys home, and Ashton started throwing up in the van. This freaked me out, because I knew he had a concussion at this point. I started crying. Ricky dropped me, Braden, and Kanton off at the house. He changed Ashton's clothes and cleaned out the car seat. Ricky then took Ashton to the doctor. I didn't go with him, since I'm pregnant...if they needed to do an x-ray, I would rather Ricky get to go in with him than Ashton have to be alone. He took him to the Urgent Care Center first, and it was closed. Ashton threw up in the parking lot. So, he took him to the Emergency Room. The doctor looked him over, asked the questions, examined him, and told Ricky that he had a mild concussion. Because he had only thrown up twice, we could continue to watch him at home.

I was relieved it wasn't as serious as it could have been. The doctor said to let him sleep if he was tired. We were supposed to bring him back if he experience convulsions, a stiff neck, difficulty controlling his bladder/bowels, and if his arms/legs didn't work. Ashton took some Tylenol and slept fine. He woke up around 2:30 a.m. whining, which scared me. He wanted a drink. I was relieved at this, gave him his drink, and we went back to sleep. My boss was nice enough to let Ashton sleep in this morning. He didn't go to bed until 11 p.m., so we slept until 9 a.m. We got up, and he ate breakfast and took his bath as usual. He seemed his usual self.

Now, I'm having to make the kids be careful with Ashton for a few days. Ashton is going nuts not being able to run and do full contact football or soccer. I told him that he couldn't play football for a few days. He doesn't understand how long that is, and he asked if he should wait until the Aggies are winning to play again! Ha. I think he thinks that's a long time. Well, we're doing better, and I'm trying not to be Mrs. Over Protective, but it's really hard. I don't want him to hit his head again, and I'm trying my best to let him rest and recover, but keeping this boy in 1st gear is a little difficult! He wants to go full throttle all the time! We are very thankful that it was just a mild concussion and not more. It was a very scary experience!

Ashton's First Aggie Game

Dad with the future Aggie, Ashton

This is the view from our seats.

Here's our view of the student section.

Aggies don't take breaks. They just wet their towels when they are hot, and they put them on their heads. That way, you don't miss any action!!

We couldn't leave at half time, or we'd miss the Aggie band! Awesome!

It's fourth quarter, and he's still standing! Go Aggies!!

Here's Ashton looking a little silly. Maybe it was the grapes, or cheese crackers, or snow cone, or Dippin' Dots...yeah, he ate a lot at the game. But he had fun!!

Ashton thinks this is how you say "boo Longhorns."

The yell leaders were chased by the corps after the game.

The yell leaders were hoisted up like heroes and carried off the field.

Here is my tired little Aggie asleep in the van with his Aggie blanket. Don't worry, Revielle kept a watch over him while he slept...in case any longhorns tried to wake him!!

So we were super excited to get a phone call from a friend at work, Jennifer, who was going out of town and getting rid of her Aggie tickets. Ashton could not wait!! I am trading Jennifer some birthday cakes for her kids for the once in a lifetime chance for Ashton to go to his FIRST Aggie game.

Anyway, Ashton literally jumped out of bed on Saturday morning and said, "Is it Aggie game day?" So, it began. We went to the game around 11:15. We ate our lunch in the car in the parking garage. Ashton was so afraid he would miss the game, he would barely eat. He didn't want to drink too much, because he might have to go to the bathroom. So, we went to the stadium and sat down in our seats...45 minutes early. He didn't care. We watched the corps march in, saw George Bush, Sr., and watched the Aggies warm up. He was there, so he didn't care how early we were.

It was 89 degrees, and it was hot. Ashton didn't care. We had to make him get drinks. He went to the bathroom only twice, and he was hurrying me and saying he wasn't going to miss the touchdown!! Well, the Aggies ended up winning, and he loved it. It wasn't long enough for him. It was great. We walked to the van in the parking garage, and we sat in one spot in line trying to get out for 20 minutes! We finally got out, and he was fast asleep. He was in his blanket, because his wet shirt and the A/C made him cold. I have never seen a little kid enjoy the game like that. The kids behind us were laying on the bleachers asking their parents how much longer. Ashton was in heaven!! Thanks, Jennifer!! Gig 'em Ags!! Ashton showed us where he was going to sit when he goes to A&M. I asked him not to sit on the top or sides so mommy wasn't scared. He agreed.

Dewberry Farm

Here's Kanton petting the cow, Daisy.

This was like a big, huge trampoline tarp. The kids loved it. It made me nervous.

This is the reason Kanton had allergies and coughed the rest of the week. This is a huge mountain of hay.

Here's the whole kindergarten in front of the Dewberry Farm windmill and with some local grown pumpkins.

Here are Ashton and Kanton on the hayride!!

Birthday Weekend 2008

This is Kanton's cake that he designed on paper. For those of you who are wondering, they are lightsabers from Star Wars....I think I didn't do a great job on these, but the kids knew what they were.

I used Ashton's Webkinz Collie dog for inspiration.

Ashton requested a 3-D Reveille cake.

So we had the kids' party this weekend. Kanton and Ashton's birthdays are 2 years and 13 days apart, so they fall within 2 weeks of each other. We planned their party together this year so they could have it at a really fun place! The kids had a blast playing on bouncy slides, the velcro walls, and running around with a rubber ball chasing the other kids. I seriously think there was more running around with the ball than there was bouncing. We could have saved some dough and had this thing outside with a few balls!! Well, you know then it would have been cold or rained or another hurricane would have showed up.

Anyway, we had a blast seeing family and friends, and except for the Aggies losing, it was a great day! I will say that they kept up with the Raiders pretty well considering that we thought it was going to be a stomping!

I need to make a request to anyone who ever knows of Aggie tickets for cheap. My Ashton wants to save his $10 birthday money to go and see an Aggie game. How sweet is that? He practices football every day thinking he is going to play! He keeps asking when he can play there. If he doesn't get to, he's going to make one heck of a water boy!!

So here are some party pictures...

Here is Ashton climbing to the top of the rock wall once again!

Braden sliding down one of the slides

Here is Kanton in the velcro suit. It was so heavy that when he fell down, he couldn't get up by himself. I laughed so hard at him falling and trying to stand up. It was very funny!!

Happy 4th Birthday, Ashton!!

Happy 6th Birthday, Kanton!!

Here's Braden enjoying the party!

Sonogram results are in

IT'S ANOTHER BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will post pictures when I can, but the boys were surprised...except for Ricky and my dad who said they knew. I don't have a name, so I have to get to working on that one!!

Thanks for thinking of us. I will just be the QUEEN of this CASTLE for a very long time. He is healthy, and that's what matters!! I have until February to think of something. He waved at us during the sonogram, and he wouldn't be still. I'm sure we will have our hands full...like we didn't already!!

Baby Poll

I am anxiously awaiting our sonogram which will happen on Thursday, October 9, at 11:30 a.m. It also happens to be Ricky's birthday that day. We are hoping that you will help us join in the fun and participate in our little survery about the baby's gender. I promise to post on Thursday with the news!!

Please pray for a healthy baby. We will be super excited no matter what the sex of the baby is! I have been having trouble sleeping the last two nights! Now, we just have to hope that the baby cooperates, or I'm really going to be anxious!!

Oh how we've changed!!

I've tried for about 30 minutes now to get these bigger, and I just don't know how. You will just have to click on them and see what happens. The top photo is taken September 2008. Ricky and I have lost a lot of weight. Ricky lost 30 pounds, and I lost 12...and I'm 4 months pregnant...and smaller. The kids have all grown a lot. The bottom photo was taken in December 2006. I have had several friends from San Angelo comment on how they thought I looked like I lost weight. I knew I had, but I just didn't know it was obvious until seeing it in a photo.

My ob/gyn told me I needed to gain more weight, because I've only gained one pound!! Don't worry, guys. I'm eating!! I just lost about 5 pounds after the crypto parasite, so I really have gained 6 pounds!!