Yes, I'm alive

I'm still alive I've just been a complete blog loser again! I've been so busy that when I have time to sit down at night I don't want to look at a computer and wait for pictures to upload and think of something at least semi-intelligent to write! Ha! I don't have any pictures with this post but I will try to update those later. We are taking TCAPs this week at school-Aggh! All the ones I'm giving are read-aloud~there's lots of reading involved in these things!

For my own future memories:

Ethan got hurt last weekend- Logan threw a three-prong hand rake in the pool and Ethan jumped in after a shoe Logan had thrown in and jumped right on the hand rake. We spent three hours at the ER. Fortunately it wasn't broken and because it was a puncture wound, it didn't require stitches. He's been on crutches for 4 days now and hopefully its his last day! He's tired of them!

Austin had his Kindergarten physical. He is off the charts for height and weight! He doesn't seem that big compared to Ethan (who is also abnormally large) but compared to kids his age, he is pretty dang tall!

Logan is still stubborn as a mule. He still likes to say, "I'm mad!" and cross his arms. He's been very snuggly lately (which I love!). But I think it's because he's been feeling yucky from allergies.

Speaking of mules: we experienced our first Mule Day here! It was fun-don't think I'll bother paying to do to the park again but we'll probably do the parade again. Although after about an hour of mules, horses and wagons, the boys were ready to go. Ha! The weather was beautiful though and I enjoyed getting to spend that time with my boys. We have less than 30 days of school until summer vacation! I can't wait!

Bye-just for now!

Amanda

So much since Christmas!

We have been so busy since the Christmas holidays I just haven't had, okay made, the time to blog!
Long story short, since December:

• I've graduated with my Masters in Education
• We had a wonderful Christmas-our first Christmas we haven't had to travel and it was SO nice!
• Brian and I got to go out on a date for New Years. Okay, so we were home by 9:30 like some old married couple but it was great to get out together, eat dinner and watch a movie.
• I started by second semester of teaching. It still has it's daily challenges, especially in the Alternative School setting, but I'm learning more and more every day.
• We've had lots and lots of snow. We've now used up all of our snow days!
• Ethan is doing wonderful in 1st grade. He's being tested for the gifted program!
• Austin is growing by leaps and bounds! In August he was the same height as one of his friends at school and now he's at least 4-5 inches taller than him! I can't believe he'll be 5 in two months!
• Logan is talking more and more. "Mama" is his most favorite word. He literally says it 592 times a day! He's also got quite the personality. He is one funny kid! His current favorite thing to do is strip off all his clothes. AAAH! He then refuses to put them back on. He's no where near ready for potty training-he'll sit on the potty but never does anything on it. And we have carpet in most of our house so bare bottoms aren't a good idea. I also can't believe he'll be 2 in just a few weeks!
• Brian and I continue to love being at Eastside. We are looking forward to many, many years here!
• My best friend, Amanda, had a precious little boy, R. J., after several years of infertility. He is a doll and she is a great mom!
• I've started the Couch to 5K running program. I'm currently on week 3 of 9 weeks. My plan is to run the Mule Day 5K in April.

That about sums it up for now. I've not been very good at taking pictures lately. We HAVE to go get a new family picture done soon-we've not had one done since Logan was 3 months old.

Christmas Picture Attempts

I realized I hadn't taken any pictures of the boys in quite some time so I decided I'd try to take some cute Christmas shots! HA! With three boys-really?! What was I thinking?

As you can see from my header, I did get one pretty cute one! If nothing else, we got to act silly and have a little fun while we did it.

Cheeseballs!

We had to take a little break to scream and yell!

Then, of course, we had to touch our noses with our tongue! Ethan's pretty good at it!


Austin tried but wasn't quite there!


Logan even tried too! But he got it a little backwards!
I am really looking forward to Christmas (okay, mostly just Christmas break) Ha! Hope everyone else is too!

Friends, A Wedding and Fun

Things continue to be as busy as ever around here! October ended with a couple Halloween/Fall parties and November swooped in with Ladies Day at Eastside, a visit from a dear friend and a wedding. I'm sure November still has lots in store - it ain't over yet! Ha! Especially with Thanksgiving and my graduation from Graduate school just around the bend.

Logan is now 21 months old. I can't believe he's going to be 2 soon! He is saying a few more words but still won't say "mama." (even though mama was his first word!) I tried and tried tonight but he'd just point to Brian and say "daddy." Stinker!! I asked him to say "nana" and "papa" and he shook his head and said "uh-uh." What a rotten little thing! Such a sweetie though!

My friend, Shelley, came for a visit two weeks ago. It's been just over a year since I've seen her and her kiddos. We had a nice visit and the kids had a a great time playing together. We're hoping Shelley and Britt will get to move back to the area once Britt is done with his fellowship!

This past weekend I got to enjoy some kid-free time and go to my cousins wedding. I had a great time, stayed up WAY too late but really enjoyed it. I think I'm paying for it now though because I've got a cold! My poor body just can't handle so little sleep anymore!

Deer season opens up here this Saturday so I'll be a hunting widow. But Brian and Ethan will get to enjoy Saturday morning together and hopefully I'll be able to post a picture of them with a deer soon! Eventually all the boys can go with Brian and I'll be able to have more kid-free days!

Here are a few pictures from the last few weeks.

Shelley, Little Miss "T" and Me

My mom, me and my aunt, Amy at Houston & Brittany's wedding

The Bride & Groom

Brittany & Houston
Wish I had time to write more and post more pictures but this cold has worn me down so I'm headed to bed!

The Pumpkin Patch

The boys, my dad (a.k.a. Papa), and I got the opportunity to go to the Gentry's Farm today to visit their pumpkin patch. It was all planned by Ms. Tammy (Austin & Logan's teacher) and two other childcare providers in Maury County.
We had a great time! It was a bit warm, especially since it's only been in the low 70's lately and today it was in the 80's!
My dad was such a trooper too! He's not had a lot of time around the boys since, until recently, we haven't lived close to them. He just threw himself right into it! The boys loved having their papa around, especially Austin-who talked his ear off!. I'm pretty sure he heard "Papa" said at least 497 times too! Ha!
Here are a few okay several pictures from our day.

My dad and the boys

Logan crawling through the hay maze tunnel

He was in love with these tractors! He tried out at least 4 of them (they were all the exact same!) I think I know of something he'll be getting for Christmas!

My silly Austin!

I don't know if I'll ever get a good picture of the three of these boys together!!

Logan was such a big boy and being a very good listener!

My handsome Ethan!


An attempt at a picture of me and the boys-it obviously didn't go too well!


Logan found his pumpkin!
Happy Fall!

Show Us Where You Live-Dining Rooms

I'm participating in Kelly's Korner Show Us Where You Live again this week. This week is dining rooms.
Let me just tell you, I love our new home but I HATED the dining room when we bought it! It was not the reason I fell in love with the house!

I started removing wallpaper at the beginning of August. It took me two days straight! (Even without the kids home!) I used the Wallwik system-it worked great for me but it's very messy (lots of water!).

This is what I was dealing with when I started out! AHHH!

This picture was taken while the previous owners lived here.

These pictures are not the best because I took them with my IPhone
AFTER:
I love it SO much more now! Our kitchen is a gray/brown color and this paint has just enough gray undertones that they blend together well. I still haven't gotten rid of the brass light fixture but, in time, I will!

The other side of the dining room. I have since taken the roman shade off the window. I eventually want to get drapes and a rug to go under the table but again, in time, I will!

That's all that is in our dining rooms for now. It still needs lots of accessories and a buffet of some sort but it's a work in progress. It is already a huge improvement over what it was!

Thanks for stopping by!

Show Us Your Life- Master Bedrooms

I'm joining in again on Kelly's Show Us Your Life again. I did this last year when she did rooms through the house and really enjoyed it. I guess I'm a little nosy too and like seeing the inside of other peoples houses also! Ha!
Here is my post from last time we did Master bedrooms. It was in our house in KY.
This is in our new house in Tennessee.

The view into our room from the bedroom door. I am wanting a new comforter & pillows but haven't found one that I love that doesn't cost an arm and a leg!

Our bed frame and long dresser were hand-me-downs from my sister in law. The cedar chest at the foot of the bed was given to me by my dad for my high school graduation.

The left side of the room. I want a big mirror or picture to go over the long dresser.

The standing jewelry box was a Christmas present from my hubby last year- I love it!
Looking out into the hallway.

Thanks for visiting! Can't wait to see everyone's Master bedrooms!