A few updates

I haven't posted in a while. Mainly because my computer is in the shop. Lyla spilled a whole cup of water on my keyboard. I wasn't lucky and it didn't just eventually dry out. I ended up having to replace the keyboard entirely. So here I am trying to do this post on my iPad.

The biggest news right now is Lyla has finally started sleeping in her big girl bed! I am so excited about this. She had been sleeping in my bed or on her princess couch. One day she said "I'm sleeping in my bed tonight" and she did. And she has every night since. She has become extremely independent lately and insists on doing everything by herself. She dresses herself everyday now and goes in her room and gets her pajamas every night and puts them on without me even telling her. She also started walking into her school by herself. They have a carpool line where you can just drop them at the door but until last week she would never do it. I would park and walk her in. One day she just declared she was walking in without me and she did. I'm happy but a little sad my baby is growing up.

My big baby is doing well too. We are so so proud of Kyle because last week at school he won 3 awards, including "Outstanding Student". He has done very well in school this year and is really just a great kid. He is such a blessing to our lives.

Chris is returning to his previous position at Windstream and getting out of sales. We are very relieved as this will take a ton of stress off of him. We are so blessed that this move was possible. God was really looking out for us because his future was looking pretty bleak in sales. Softball season is getting ready to kick into full swing so he will be very busy these next few months.

I am still enjoying my part-time job and keeping busy with the kids. Our lives are busy but full and I feel so blessed everyday that God has given us so much. We had an amazing church service yesterday concerning the parent-child relationship. The most important thing we can do for our kids is teach them and show them the love of God.

I can't figure out how to post pictures from my iPad so that will have to wait until I get my computer back. So that's all until next time!

New Year

Well happy 2012.  I say it every year but 2011 really flew by!  It had some great moments and not so great moments.  Two of my favorite memories from last year are both of my vacations.  Imagine that!  I love the beach sooo much and my year never feels complete without at least one trip there.  In April, Mom and I packed up the kids and went to Myrtle Beach.  It was so much fun! 

Then in July we took a big family trip to St. Augustine, FL to visit Aunt Teresa.  It was a blast and the whole family got to be together!  St. Augustine is very beautiful and I would encourage anyone who hasn't been there to visit at least once.  The beaches are gorgeous as well as the old town feel of St. Augustine.  Definitely one of my favorite places.  Here are my babies in the waves.

Another really great highlight of 2011 was the birth of my sweet 2nd niece in August, Gracen Rebecca.  She is such a sweet baby and is so full of smiles. 

There were some other highlights too.  Lyla started preschool.  Kyle started 3rd grade at a brand new school, Chris started a new job within Windstream (and hated it).  I started a new part time job and love it.  It marks the first time I have worked outside the home since Kyle was born.  Chris is currently working on switching jobs (again) within Windstream to try to remedy the unfortunate job switch.  On a happier note though he coached his first season as a head coach in high school softball and took them all the way to the region finals.  The furthest the school had ever been in softball!  Super proud!  He also began his business venture with NSR that is just getting started, but he signed his first athlete right before the holidays.  Yay! 

So for 2012 I have some cliche resolutions (which I am referring to as goals).  I want to lose weight.  Duh, doesn't just about everyone (except super models) say that??  But it is true.  I want to and NEED to.  Chris is in on it with me so that always makes it easier. 

Also I want to spend more time in God's word.  I attend BSF and love it.  It keeps me so accountable and has me studying my Bible more than I ever would have on my own.  God's word is living and studying it is the way to maintaining an intimate relationship with Him.

Lastly, and certainly not least, I want to learn to make more financially responsible decisions.  I am not good with money and really want to learn to be more frugal (Aunt Jackie Style!).  There are many more things I would like to accomplish in 2012 but these are the main ones. 

I sincerely hope everyone has a wonderful 2012!  Just for fun here is a picture of my princess being a princess.