Christmas Pics!

Enjoying some family time on Christmas Eve!

It's hard to see below, but the kids are snuggled together, playing games together on their Nintendo*DS's. This does not happen often!!!!

Christmas morning, Lily with her new i*Pod and her sweet new sunglasses!

Hudson's new Razor*riprider thing, wearing some new clothes!

Lily in her new Christmas clothes!

The Season of Joy!

Christmastime is such a wonderful time of year! And quite possibly my favorite time of year! It gives me extra reasons to do special things for people, to show a little more love and joy. I often wonder, why is it that we only go out of our way more at Christmas? Why don't we spend extra time making cookies with our kids throughout the year? Taking a meal to a family in need? Or simply just letting someone cut you in line because they seem tired or in a hurry? Why can't our hearts be more like this all year long? More like the heart of Jesus. Just some things to ponder and pray about.

As the new year approaches, Randy and I always make our list of goals. We don't like to use the word resolutions, as most people make resolutions and never follow through. I am praying hard and trying to trust in the Lord as some very big things are happening within our company right now. We have a meeting next week that could ultimately determine our future. While this worries me more than anything before, I find peace in knowing that finally we will know where we are headed. I am sure many more sleepless and stressful nights lie in our future, but I am gaining a peaceful and patient heart at the very same time.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Learning as I go!

Well, I tried to upload a new background/layout to my blog, and seem to have lost everything! I was trying to encourage myself to update my blog more often, and now I'm simply frustrated! So I am in the process of updating and redoing this blog! It needs a makeover!

Stuck

Do you ever get the feeling that you are stuck? That the life you lead is destined to be the same forever. I've been feeling that way lately. Things keep happening that lead me to believe life will always be this way. That I will always work too many hours, that our business will never truly succeed, that my kids will never see me as a mother, that my house will always be a mess, that my marriage will never grow. I feel like I'm complaining as I write this, but I know that I'm not the only one who has ever felt this way. I guess it's just been one of those days too many days in a row.

I know God has a plan for us. But right now, I have no idea what that plan may be. There is a lot of pressure and stress sitting on my shoulders right now, and I feel as though it has gotten the best of me, and the worst.

I am very excited to announce though, that my husband is doing great at helping around the house a little more. He makes lunches, does the dishes, heats up leftovers for the kids, and keeps things picked up around the house. All this so that by the time I finally get home from work, all I have to do is make coffee for the next morning!

I'll be sure to post more as time goes on, to keep who ever reads this updated. Does anyone read this? Ha ha!

Time for an update!

My best friend, since 2nd grade, came down to NC with her family!

Lily's first plane ride, we flew to MI!

Randy and I in Atlantic Beach for our anniversary

After much thought and heartfelt discussion, Randy and I have decided to take a break from motocross. Many things led us to this decision, mainly the safety of our children. Although Hudson and Randy are both a bit heartbroken, we are all enjoying a slower paced lifestyle. We've even taken up golfing! The kids have had a few lessons already, I have my first lesson this afternoon! Yikes! I'll be sure to updated about that!

Work has been going well, lots of ongoing jobs, a few new ones. However, the base is just starting their new fiscal year, which means no new projects to bid on. This creates some worry for the winter months, but we hear things should pick up in the next month or so.

The kids are doing well in school; we just went to their fall festival last Friday. Lots of food, candy, blow-up activities, and of course, tons of youngsters running around!

While I write about everyone else, I'm trying to think of anything new and exciting that has been going on with me personally. Well, let's see... I've gotten some new clothes, from my favorite Ann*Taylor of course! I've starting working out every morning or so, at 5am! It sure does come so early every morning, but I have found I truly enjoy having a peaceful house so early, and doing a little something for myself. I have also been on a quest to quit smoking, since July. I still have one or two a week, but nothing like I used to. But other than the normal work and home routine, not much has changed!

Hudson's Birthday

For Hudson's birthday, we went to Mac Daddy's in Cape Carteret. They have a driving range, putter golf, go karts, an indoor arcade, and bowling. Being winter time, only the driving range, arcade and bowling were open. So we tried all three!

Happy Birthday Hudson! Still can't believe you are 10 years old already!



Opening presents! And thank you, Nini and Pops!

Almost ready for the pros!

Isn't he handsome?!

Lily girl, taking a swing!

Hudson is a pretty good bowler, even though he did get to use the bumpers! That was until he tried the "granny shot"!

And Lily, well, she put those bumpers to good use!

A snow day in NC!

Yes, you heard that right! In January, we had two snow days! And lucky Hudson, he ended getting a five day birthday weekend out of it! I am a bit behind in posting, but what else is new?!

My neighbor's boys, Artie and Jack. Jack was hilarious crawling around in the snow!

Lily trying out our make-shift sleds, boogie boards! Hudson, about to pound me with a snowball!



What a good brother, pushing Lily down the hill in our front yard!

Lily, giving it a run on her own! Oh, and in case you were wondering, I tried out the "sleds" first. I had to make sure they would work!

The motorcross awards banquet for District 29, which is all of NC and some of SC, December 13, 2008.

We all got a little bored while the speaker dragged on and on and on and on and ........

Wake up Randy, you're missing the excitement! Oh wait, we are all missing the excitement!

Okay, let's get serious!

Yay Hudson! First place in the 65 7-9yr olds and 65 7-11 olds. That means he got all this stuff twice! We are so proud of you, Hudson! Great job!


"What? Two trophies taller than my brother? Can I have one?"

"Not yet, Lily. Maybe next year!" Just kidding, this was during the oh-so-exciting speaker!

Here are a few pictures from a field trip with Lily's class, to Mike's Farm. Of course, it was over a month ago, but hey, I've been busy!

Lily and Cowboy Earl, and yes that really is his name! He even has a radio show!

Lily in the back with her friend Nia, kind of doing the dance to some crazy honky-tonk song!

And again, Lily and her friend, or as they say, her BFF, in the back behind some classmates. Little trouble-makers!