What A Year This Has Been!

I've recently been seeing these videos on Instagram of people's year in a review. Seeing those made me start reflecting on the year that we have had. Our Christmas card was also a reflection of the year. I took most all of our family pictures we had taken throughout the year and and voila' this was our card. Family is important to me and I want our boys to be able to look back and see us doing things as a family. Therefore, any chance I get, I take a family photo! Yep, as you can imagine Mark is always thrilled. ;)

It's definitely been a great year despite a few bumps along the way. We started several months of fertility last January only to find out in March that my body was not responding as it should have been. That very next month, we conceived all on our own. For whatever reason, that baby was chosen to be with Jesus early. We never met him, but he still has a strong bond with this family. The boys still ask or mention him ever so often. Taxes hit us hard last year. I was expecting it to be rough, but not nearly as rough as it was. I was depressed and really didn't know what to do. I can say now though that we were able to pay them on time and not borrow or not pay something else in order to take care of those. Praise God!! (This year I am preparing better!) Summer came, we had a nice vacation to Destin with family and other family came to visit us. The boys started back to school in the fall. Bently is in Prek3 and Anderson is still in MDO. We lost my Mamaw Jo in October. I still miss her very much and think about her often. I am thankful for the time I had with her, but in the past few weeks have been wishing I had more good time with her. I guess we will always regret something. Mark and I took a trip to San Francisco where he presented several things there. (Proud wife moment!) Then we celebrated the boys' birthday. Thanksgiving was here in Augusta. My in-laws came out half of the week and then my sister the other half. Good times were had. We spent Christmas here last week just the four of us. We enjoyed Mark being off some. Can't say we did much, but spent time together. The boys love nothing more than wasting the day away wrestling. We leave tomorrow to go to Louisiana for the week.

This is just a glimpse of what this past year has been for us. All of this said. Times were tough at moments, but God's grace was always sufficient for us. Tears were shed for sad moments, but happy ones too! We have loved more this past year and given away more to others and my heart is full for that. Our needs were always met. My sisters like to laugh and call me tight or talk about poor man's food, but we do what we have to do!

I can't even begin to imagine what 2014 will be like! Will we be a family of 5 by next December? Will we be moving closer to home or further away the following year? What new friends will we make? What travels will we take as a family? How will we bless others? I don't know the answers, but I am excited to continue this journey!

My wish is that this new year will bring you your heart's desire. Many blessings to you all,
Amber

Merry Christmas!

I guess this is Christmas part 1...with just the four of us. We've had a nice few days. The boys have been really excited this year. Yesterday we went over to some friends to hang out for Christmas Eve. Mark made deer chili and she made regular chili (thank goodness!) I'll eat deer if I must, but certainly not my favorite! The boys took their birthday cake for Jesus over there and shared with Noah and Cooper. We had fun and left early because both sets of boys were tired. We allowed the boys to open one gift early. This was their pajamas, movie, and a christmas tree snack cake. Yep, I'm that mom that doesn't buy that stuff. Anderson is such a junk eater that we really can't keep that stuff around...forget the fact that Mark and I love'm too! Bently made sure to write his letter to Santa, they fed the reindeer, and made it to bed by 9.

This morning was fun. The boys didn't get much from us this year because we chose to do a family trip in February after Mark's test. They were thrilled to find out that they get to go on Mickey's big boat. I can't wait to take them and spend that time together. Mark and I both love cruises so this should be even better getting to take the boys. I'm grateful that the boys are very thankful for what they did get. We will have our traditional dinner tonight and it'll be back to work for Mark tomorrow. Merry Christmas to all. We hope you've had a nice day filled with love and peace in your heart. "He chose to be poor so that we could all be rich."

Happy Birthday, Jesus! Bently wanted a whole manger scene, but settled for this.

Always, a silly face!

Cake time with Noah and Cooper!

First present!

Working on his letter to Santa.

Feeding the reindeer!

He really wanted the Polar Express.

New suitcases and ready to go!

His favorite gift...a Mickey cookie!

Tis the Season to be Jolly!

"You better watch out, you better not SHOUT!" "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way...on what farm!" "We wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year. Good tidings we bring to you and your FRIENDS!" Don't you love it? This has been their version of Christmas songs this year. I have enjoyed so much all of their excitement and questions about Christmas. They love turning our lights on and had a blast adding candy "cans" to our tree the other night. Such joy and a blast for me to see it through the eyes of a 3 & 4 year old. Wait what? Really 3 & 4? I honestly can't believe it!

We are officially on break now from school! Yay!! We enjoyed going last week to see Christmas lights with friends at a church. They provided a hay ride, hot dog roasting, popcorn, and drinks, and birthday cake all for free. The guys schedule wouldn't allow a night for them so we went on our own. Great fun! Friday night we went to a friend's house for a "Happy Birthday, Jesus" party. It was a fun, low key evening as well. Saturday night, Mark and I hosted our first Tacky Sweater Christmas Party. It was nice to catch up with friends and not worrying about our house being totaled by the 156 kids we all seem to have when we get together. Well, not really, but put them together and it is an easy 20+ kids. It was an evening of laughter, good conversations, and delicious appetizers! Needless to say, after church Sunday, we rested!

Both boys are a little under the weather right now. As Anderson said this morning, he is burping, coughing, and belly hurts. What a combination! :) Boys!! I attempted running errands while Mark slept this morning but came right back home after the first stop. Made me jealous of those that live close to family to help out on some days... Or that can have a sitter whenever.. Currently I am in the rocker with one on my shoulder and those errands will wait until another day. I did manage to get the deal I went for which was $1 hats for the boys at Old Navy. Mind you it's 70 degrees again, but anyway!

We are hoping to make it to Stone Mountain tomorrow in Atlanta if the boys are better. Mark is off this weekend so we may as well do something. All of our friends are headed out of town or hubs are still working, so it's just the four of us!

We wish you a Merry Christmas this next week. I look forward to our traditions that we started last year now that the boys are old enough to understand. All of our love to each of you.

Mark, Amber, Bently, & Anderson

Little artist doing what he loves best!

Lights at Breezy Hill

My gift from Bently! I LOVE...

His portrait of Rudolph!

Best Brothers

Tacky little group!

Donuts with Santa before church last Sunday!

The love of my life. Love when we get to spend time together. Just wish it was more often. Glad we have a lifetime!

Updated Pictures!

The little angel from his school Christmas Play!

Brotherly love before we left.

Bently's buddy, Randall matching at Kindermusic last week.

Our Christmas view this year!

One of my best friends on the way home from church a few weeks ago. He wanted me to match him in his red sweater!

The boys and their gingerbread house this year!

Up close. They are getting much better at decorating.

Having Christmas cookies with MaC when she visited during Thanksgiving.

Love'm

Quality time Thanksgiving Day 2013!

Indians at school 

Choosing our Christmas tree this year!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

     Well, as you can tell, we have been quite busy the past few weeks. When I finally get a few minutes by myself, blogging is not top on my list. However, I made the boys go to their bed tonight because I had "work" to do. Tada! This is my work. :) Before Thanksgiving, both boys had feasts at school and were pretty cute little Indians! Over the break, MaC and Pops came for a few days. We went to the mall and played because the weather was cold and rainy. It was here that the boys got their very first pair of light-up shoes. Yep, they were pretty excited and had to learn that you don't have to go around stomping in order for them to work. Bently camped out with Pops in the living room one night. And of course there was a trip to the movies! This is a given any time Pops and Bently get together. We were sad to see them leave Thanksgiving morning, but knew they had to keep going in order to make it to the other out-of-town grands. The boys go non-stop when company is here.
       Leah and Cary made it in late Thanksgiving afternoon. Mark was on call, so we attempted a little shopping but quickly came back home and all got haircuts. That was WAY more important considering we were all shabby. Friday we shopped a little bit. There wasn't anything I needed and we are really trying to be simple this Christmas, but it's always fun to get out in the business! Well, I think so at least. That afternoon we had our version of Thanksgiving. We cut it way back since there were only a few eating. Turkey, sweet potato casserole, mac and cheese, and homemade sourdough rolls. Bently and I actually baked some that week to share with all of our friends that were staying here in town. That boys LOVES to cook with me! Saturday she drug me to IKEA. Ok, ok, not really but I would have never gone had it not been for her. It was great! Would've been even better without two littles in tow, but you sometimes just have to do it! We managed to get our tree up and house decorated while they were here as well. Overall it was a great break and again always sad to have an empty house when company leaves.
      We had hoped to make it in for Christmas, but Mark's request for a few days off were denied. It makes me so sad. I want to be with him, but family too. Such a hard decision to make. We drove in after Christmas last year with out him and it's the last thing I want to do this year. Just stinks...Christmas with family is not something I'm good at sacrificing for this lifestyle. Selfish, I know, but it means a lot to me. I woke this morning not as "mad" about it. Hopefully time will soften my heart.
     On a happy note, Bently had his Christmas play tonight! I'll admit, I was sad that no family is remotely close to make it to special things like this, but I guess this is when friends step in as family. My friend Amy is the best thing I could've asked for here. She is always a phone call away and just where I need her. Like a big sister!! She watched Anderson and brought him to the play with her. I had to be with my class, so I couldn't even see Bently as much as I would've liked. Thankfully, Mark managed to be able to go in a little late so he could come. Of course this was a week of night float which meant I had to miss my teacher Christmas party. :( Bently did wonderful and was a sweet looking angel.
     I can't believe a week of December is already gone. We had a cookie swap Wednesday while out of school, so hopefully the boys and I will get some baking done this weekend. We want to get to Lights of the South, and the movie, Frozen, too! We love and miss every one! We hope that you are enjoying the season and not so rushed or stressed. On a side note, I was reading a story to my after care kids today and not a one could tell me what Christmas was really about. All were Santa comments or elf comments and it made me sad. So I gladly took the time to explain the real meaning. That if long ago Jesus wasn't born, then we wouldn't have what we have today or even be who we are. It's a celebration of Life!

Tis the season,
Amber

What A Day!

My heart has been very thankful these past fews days. More than usual for some reason that I just can't understand. Maybe the time of year? Maybe the week we have had? Maybe God just changing my heart? For whatever reason, I am grateful for the change. Today, however, all I could do was cry. It's my time of the month and that always makes me relive my miscarriage all over again. As much as I would like to skip this time of the month it continues to appear and I just continue to pray that in God's time we will have another child.

We get to church and the first little clip was for/about Veterans. That tugs at my heart for so many reasons. I'm thankful for their service. I have families in my mind that are single because their loved one is serving. And to think I get aggravated when Mark is working late. Selfish on my part. Knowing my brother in law will be deployed in January brings about more emotion because I know my sister will be left alone for several months. This alone makes me emotional. This is a job that deserves utmost respect whether they chose to be in the service or knew that was the only place for them. Regardless, I respect all military for the job that they do keeping us safe.

Next up, adoption. Our sweet pastor and his wife introduced their new son and daughter from Africa. I mean how awesome to obey God's calling to love a child/children as your own. To make your family look as the nations. No matter the color. These precious children will now know they are loved and will never be left alone again. We have also learned with in the past month that a set of our friends are beginning the adoption process. It brings joy to my heart. Adoption is such a beautiful thing in my eyes.

Imagine if someone came to you and wanted to take care of all of your debt meaning that you are now debt free. Hmm what would that mean/do for you? God did all of that for us by dying and taking care of all of our sins. It's gone and all he asks is that we ask for forgiveness. Man, that hit hard this morning. The message was actually on being strapped...strapped for money that doesn't always allow us to do what we would like because we owe someone. Very true. I wish all the time I had more money so I could give to this or do something nice for someone else. I know that day will come and I hope that we are disciplined enough to meet our needs and share with others.

Then I text my Dad to let him know I have been thinking about him this week and he lets me know he was headed to the cemetery for the first time since Mamaw's passing. This broke my heart all over again. I miss that lady so much and to address thank-you notes this afternoon and not send her one with a picture of the boys killed me. She was just my grandma, so I know how much his heart must hurt losing his mom. I look forward to going in Christmas and being able to go with him to see her and Papaw.

Needless to say, my emotions have been on a roller coaster today. And if I wanted to cry again, I can just think about Mark going to work tomorrow!! Enough, i know, maybe rest is what i need! In the meantime, all three boys are down wresting and for that I am happy! For healthy boys, for laughter, for a mess to clean in the morning, and so on.. "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good and his love endures forever."

Love,
Amber

Christmas

This year we opted to do the boys a trip for Christmas. None of us really need anything, so we booked a Disney cruise back in July and have been paying on it monthly so come Christmas it's all done. We won't go until February though. Mark has his boards and then we'll take off. Between grandparents and other family, there really isn't any need for me to buy big because they get so much anyway. This way we can enjoy family time together later.

For those of you that do buy for them and wondering what they "want," here are a few things they have been talking about.
~ Planes (the movie)
~ The Mermaid (the movie)
~ a bike (but that's already been taken care of)
~ LSU baseball cap
~ Batman small suitcase from PotteryBarnKids (Bently wants so it matches his backpack)

Yes, that's all they can think of! They love shopping at Barnes and Noble, going to the movies, Chick-fil-a, Target. They are both in 4t shirts and pants. Bently is in to "workout" pants. They love bubbles for the bathtub. Disney gift card for them to spend there. Honestly that's all I know of.

I hope this helps some of you. Here's a cute saying from Anderson today. He had a stamp on his hand. I asked where it came from and he said "Peewee" for P.E. I thought it was sweet and he was pumped to have it!

Have a great weekend!

Can We Say PARTY!

This past week seems to have been a blur with all of the partying we have done. It started Saturday before last with the boys' birthday party. We did a football theme this year because I thought that would be easy and fun since I combined the parties. I don't guess I realized just how many friends the boys have here and we didn't even invite school friends!! Blessed is what they are. And we were double blessed in that Brandon, Erica, Kylie, and Nolan came from Knoxville for the weekend. They have the best time playing with each other. The weather was great and we played all weekend. The boys got lots of great gifts and a "jump aline" or trampoline! :) Just depends on who you ask!

Monday night we hosted the Auxiliary Halloween Party here because our usual location is under construction. All went smooth even with 50+ people here! We always collect costumes to donate to the Children's Hospital and we received some really great ones this year. Needless to say, my boys were exhausted for school Tuesday morning.

Then came Halloween or Bently's birthday...both boys had to dress up for school for their costume parade around school. I wasn't planning to take them Trick-or-treating because Mark was on call, but I couldn't resist this year. After all, it was our first year to be home and them old enough to do. We went with "friends" or rather Lilly, Lacy, and Liam. They had a great time. Anderson had one favorite sucker that he couldn't wait to have. He carried it all night until I gave hime the go ahead. That boy would rather a sucker ver chocolate any day. Me...not so much!

Friday finally made it and Mark was post call followed by Saturday and Sunday off. I can't remember the last weekend he had both days OFF! It was so nice and I always get spoiled to having him home. I guess all good things end come Monday! We went to the movies to see Free Birds, ate at "restaurants," and made a trip to the zoo Sunday after early church since both boys were up way early. It was a nice weekend. Thanks again, MaC for the zoo membership this year. It has been used a lot!

We will be here Thanksgiving and hope to have a few visitors. Christmas is still up in the air. Mark has requested a few days off but they haven't been approved. You'd have to know just how MCG works. You do whatever they ask, but they may or may not let you off. Yadda, yadda, just need to vent considering he's working extra right now interviewing candidates for next year. Let's just say his CV will look nice when it comes time for him to interview next year. Yep, that time is almost here. I can't even believe it that this time next year we will know where we are headed the next. Seems crazy confusing yet exciting at the same time. God is surely Good and brought us so far. Where he leads we  will follow.

I almost forgot that we have a brand new niece. She decided to grace us with her presence last week on Halloween too! Miss Addyson Grace...5lbs 13oz. A pure bundle of joy. We have enjoyed face timing her and seeing her ever how we can. She made my baby fever multiply! I'm happy several friends here are due the beginning of the year. Hopefully I can get my fix through them and in the mean time I'll keep praying for our own bundle of JOY! Because he/she will be just that.

Thanks for sharing life with us where you may be. We are far from perfect, but these moments are perfect for us. Life is difficult sometimes, but our needs are always met. We are all children of a great God!!

Love to you,
Amber

The favorite sucker

Miss Lacy, the owl

2 cowboys, a proud American, and a tiger

Friends, Noah & Cooper

Bently's friend, Randall