Sorry for not keeping up with my posts... you know I go in spurts!!!! We have been busy bees around the house since the Holidays... it was Christmas, then New Years, then our anniversary, then Austin's 11th Birthday...next up... PAXTON'S ARRIVAL!!!! So, FYI, this blog will be a LARGE recap!
Christmas was wonderful and I am considering playing Christmas music randomly throughout the year just because! ;-) Austin was in our Imagine Christmas production at church. It was a great experience for him and he really enjoyed it. Well.... he enjoyed the production, the practices - not so much. But in the end, he was so glad he participated. We got to spend time with family, but this year, I made a decision to limit our travel time. Between Ragan's work schedule, holiday commitments, my "Christmas business undertaking," and readying ourselves for a new baby, I decided we would stay in Pineville for most of the holidays this year. In the end, I was able to get some much needed downtime with my husband and our boys. Speaking of my "Christmas business undertaking," it was a hit! I did really well and will continue throughout the year with new creations, ideas, and ways to feed the "artist within me!" I've got some fun things I will be attempting in the next few weeks.
Ragan and I celebrated our annivesary on January 7th! We are blessed... truly blessed... let me clarify that life is not perfect and we have our own set of struggles and rollercoaster rides, but I could not imagine doing it with anyone but Ragan. I am so thankful that God gave me a man who keeps his life "in order"... God first, family second, himself last. Now, if I could just get him to be a handyman in his spare time - HA HA!
With the new year, brought us Austin's 11th birthday. He is making that transition from little boy to preteen... so far, so good. (Fingers remaining crossed with many prayers being stored up in heaven!) With these changes, as well as the arrival of a new baby, I decided to "upgrade" his room one weekend while he was gone as a surprise. Between my parents, husband, and brother, we pulled it off. Being 9 months pregnant, I got to do a lot of "directing!" ;-) In less than 24 hrs, we removed a LARGE amount of old furniture, toys, junk (that I have no idea where it came from), clothing, etc. Cleaned... sorted... threw away... then, replaced with new furniture, bedding, closet organizers, curtains, etc. It was fun, but I probably won't do it for another 11 years!! HA HA Austin also got to have a birthday party at a new place in town called Alexandria Climbing. It is an indoor rockwall facility and it was GREAT! If you are looking for a place to bring 10 VERY active boys, then this is perfect. Austin is still doing extremely well in school and seems to be taking off with his cello. He loves it and is hoping to be able to focus on the guitar a little more, too.
Cooper is still trucking along and keeping us on our toes. His personality is so cute (when he's not being head strong). His new loves - cars and dinosaurs. Oh, and he is wanting to have Jingle Bells sung to him every night before bedtime! And we do... no questions asked!
And lil' Paxton... we are patiently (sort of) awaiting his arrival into our fun and loving world of boys and chaos. I think he has heard what life is like on the outside and it considering staying put! I have nested until I can nest no more. Clothes washed and organized, room ready, bed ready, 2 weeks of meals cooked and frozen... now, I just need him here and to see my feet again. This pregnancy has been good, but over the past few weeks I have had some really rough back and hip problems that have made some simple tasks not so simple. Please just keep us in your prayers for a safe and healthy labor & baby!
Until next time.....
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Quick Update
Sorry for my lack of blogging... sometimes I can't seem to find the time to sit down and "talk"....
We've been busy...So, for a quick update and I will post some pics later!
Ragan....
Still Ragan... calm, peaceful, and trying to maintain the chaos in our home!! ha ha
Crystal....
I just got back from Denver. (I was gone for a week for work.) It SNOWED while I was there.... most likely the only snow I will see this Winter! Ragan managed the boys and the house without any glitches while I was gone (but I must send out thanks to the Nonnas....). The pregnancy is moving along. I have sorted out baby clothes and made a list of what I need.... only a few minor things. Only one problem with this pregnancy.... my friend took a picture of me today...I don't know if I will still be her friend...I'M HUGE!!!!! I have already mapped out my weight loss plan starting on post-partum day 1!!! ha ha
Austin....
He is enjoying tennis lessons... actually, he LOVES them. He is also still enjoying learning to play the guitar and cello. He still kicks rear in school ;-) and is really enjoying Social Studies and Science this year. I am really proud of him... he has such a huge, tender heart....I hope the pre-teen years don't steal that away!
Cooper....
Cooper is a normal 2 yr old. We are attempting to tackle potty training. Some days are better than others... he just seems too busy to slow down! (He gets that from me.) I will post pics soon, but Cooper was used for a Pediatric ED Campaign and his face is splattered on billboards, newspaper ads, and city buses. This is a first for us and we really enjoyed it.... he gets so excited everytime he sees his face!!! lol
Until next time............
We've been busy...So, for a quick update and I will post some pics later!
Ragan....
Still Ragan... calm, peaceful, and trying to maintain the chaos in our home!! ha ha
Crystal....
I just got back from Denver. (I was gone for a week for work.) It SNOWED while I was there.... most likely the only snow I will see this Winter! Ragan managed the boys and the house without any glitches while I was gone (but I must send out thanks to the Nonnas....). The pregnancy is moving along. I have sorted out baby clothes and made a list of what I need.... only a few minor things. Only one problem with this pregnancy.... my friend took a picture of me today...I don't know if I will still be her friend...I'M HUGE!!!!! I have already mapped out my weight loss plan starting on post-partum day 1!!! ha ha
Austin....
He is enjoying tennis lessons... actually, he LOVES them. He is also still enjoying learning to play the guitar and cello. He still kicks rear in school ;-) and is really enjoying Social Studies and Science this year. I am really proud of him... he has such a huge, tender heart....I hope the pre-teen years don't steal that away!
Cooper....
Cooper is a normal 2 yr old. We are attempting to tackle potty training. Some days are better than others... he just seems too busy to slow down! (He gets that from me.) I will post pics soon, but Cooper was used for a Pediatric ED Campaign and his face is splattered on billboards, newspaper ads, and city buses. This is a first for us and we really enjoyed it.... he gets so excited everytime he sees his face!!! lol
Until next time............
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Happy Birthday, Cooper!
Happy Birthday to my October baby... Mr. Cooper is now TWO!!! Here are a few pics from highlights during the past 2 years!
This past year:
1st Waterpark
1st Easter in Mangham, LA
1st Lollipop
1st Car ;-)
1st Christmas at Caney
During his 1st year:
1st Birthday
1st Beach Trip
1st Photo Shoot
1st "Sink Bath"
1st Pic Home from Hospital
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Oh to Have the Mind and Heart of a Child
I woke up yesterday morning, then ventured into Austin's room to awaken him.... I found this paper taped to his wall above his bed:
In case you have a hard time reading it, this is what it says... he set two goals for himself (I'm typing them just as he wrote them):1.) http://www.guinnesworldrecords.com/
Two witnesses must witness that they saw it
Must eat and peel 4 bananas in one minute
2.) Help Mark!
Get 5 $ every month
Let me give you a brief history behind Mark. Sunday was World Missions Day at our church. During one portion of the service, they talked of meeting Mark (a young 6th grade boy who was selling newspapers on a bus) on a missions trip to Manila, Philippines. The story was moving; however, I wasn't even aware that my own 10-year-old was taking it all in. There were cards at the end of the service that were just a picture of Mark... a reminder of the need for service and dedication to World Missions. That is the picture that Austin attached to this paper....
As far as the banana/Guinness Book of World Records goes... I HAVE NO IDEA where the child came up with that!!!! His heart and imagination are just amazing!!! lol
Monday, September 21, 2009
Conversations With Austin
As I am preparing dinner, I pull out some red glasses....
Austin: "Mom, not that it will happen soon, but I know one day it will and I don't want it to be now, but we know it's coming one day... One day when you are gone, I want to save these red cups and everytime I see them I will think of you."
Mom: "Austin, do you mean when I die or when you move out."
Austin: "When you die...I'll be sad by the way."
Austin seeing his Nonna at school after she styled her hair differently....
Austin: "Nonna, what did you do to your hair?"
Nonna: "I fixed it different."
Austin: "Did you wake up late?"
Nonna: "No."
Austin: "Did you mean to do that?"
Nonna: "Yes."
(Austin comes home later that day.....)
Austin: "Mom, I saw Nonna today at school and she fixed her hair different. I think it's like when I am rushing and can't fix my hair the way you want me to in the morning."
While Ragan and I were in our room folding clothes, putting them away, etc.....
Austin: "Ragan, I am so glad you came here. My mom never picked up her clothes before you lived here like she does now."
On the way to school one morning....
Austin: "Mom, if you won alot of money, what would you do with it?"
Mom: "Why?"
Austin: "I know what I would do... I would create a place for all the homeless people in the world to live. And I would make it real nice..."
After Austin sprained his ankle, we were discussing his day at school.....
Mom: "How was school? Did you get around okay on your ankle today?"
Austin: "Yeah, it was okay... everyone kept asking me if I was okay and what happened and did I need anything.. even the TEACHERS."
Mom: "Really?"
Austin: "Yeah, I got alot of attention... and, mom, I kind of liked it."
Talking about Science class during 4th grade.....
Mom: "Did you learn anything new today?"
Austin: "We talked about the solar system and the sun and planets today."
Mom: "What did you learn?"
Austin: "Nothing, really."
Mom: "You had to have learned something."
Austin: "Yeah, I guess, I just don't remember. But, I had something I wanted to say about it.. I bet they don't know that there was a day in history when the sun stood still.... it says so in the Bible."
Austin: "Mom, not that it will happen soon, but I know one day it will and I don't want it to be now, but we know it's coming one day... One day when you are gone, I want to save these red cups and everytime I see them I will think of you."
Mom: "Austin, do you mean when I die or when you move out."
Austin: "When you die...I'll be sad by the way."
Austin seeing his Nonna at school after she styled her hair differently....
Austin: "Nonna, what did you do to your hair?"
Nonna: "I fixed it different."
Austin: "Did you wake up late?"
Nonna: "No."
Austin: "Did you mean to do that?"
Nonna: "Yes."
(Austin comes home later that day.....)
Austin: "Mom, I saw Nonna today at school and she fixed her hair different. I think it's like when I am rushing and can't fix my hair the way you want me to in the morning."
While Ragan and I were in our room folding clothes, putting them away, etc.....
Austin: "Ragan, I am so glad you came here. My mom never picked up her clothes before you lived here like she does now."
On the way to school one morning....
Austin: "Mom, if you won alot of money, what would you do with it?"
Mom: "Why?"
Austin: "I know what I would do... I would create a place for all the homeless people in the world to live. And I would make it real nice..."
After Austin sprained his ankle, we were discussing his day at school.....
Mom: "How was school? Did you get around okay on your ankle today?"
Austin: "Yeah, it was okay... everyone kept asking me if I was okay and what happened and did I need anything.. even the TEACHERS."
Mom: "Really?"
Austin: "Yeah, I got alot of attention... and, mom, I kind of liked it."
Talking about Science class during 4th grade.....
Mom: "Did you learn anything new today?"
Austin: "We talked about the solar system and the sun and planets today."
Mom: "What did you learn?"
Austin: "Nothing, really."
Mom: "You had to have learned something."
Austin: "Yeah, I guess, I just don't remember. But, I had something I wanted to say about it.. I bet they don't know that there was a day in history when the sun stood still.... it says so in the Bible."
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Name
Paxton Joseph Smith...
That will be his name....
Shakespere said, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." They say that what this quote expresses is not what something is named, but who they are.... I only partially agree. I think that if you have a story behind a name it carries on something or someone. If that story or person you are carrying on is something of strength or importance, you should share that with your child and let them know their legacy!
Ragan's grandfather's name was Patrick Joseph Guillot...I was not lucky enough to meet him, but from what I've heard he was quite a man and left quite a legacy. Ragan is a lot like him... quiet, a peacemaker, patient, loving, and not quick to anger.... oh, and he loved to fish!
I love family names and I am a firm believer that if you can, pass on a name. Austin's name is Austin James. My grandfathers, daddy Randy, and my brother all have James as a part of their name.... Cooper's name is Cooper Alexander. Alexander was part of my great-grandfather's name (on the Etier side)....
And by the way, I have a beautiful name for a girl... Sophia Sunseri. A beautiful Italian name... Sunseri was my Mimi's family name. And, no, I will not be trying to have a girl so that I can use this name. I am saving it for a grand-daughter!! ;-)
That will be his name....
Shakespere said, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." They say that what this quote expresses is not what something is named, but who they are.... I only partially agree. I think that if you have a story behind a name it carries on something or someone. If that story or person you are carrying on is something of strength or importance, you should share that with your child and let them know their legacy!
Ragan's grandfather's name was Patrick Joseph Guillot...I was not lucky enough to meet him, but from what I've heard he was quite a man and left quite a legacy. Ragan is a lot like him... quiet, a peacemaker, patient, loving, and not quick to anger.... oh, and he loved to fish!
I love family names and I am a firm believer that if you can, pass on a name. Austin's name is Austin James. My grandfathers, daddy Randy, and my brother all have James as a part of their name.... Cooper's name is Cooper Alexander. Alexander was part of my great-grandfather's name (on the Etier side)....
And by the way, I have a beautiful name for a girl... Sophia Sunseri. A beautiful Italian name... Sunseri was my Mimi's family name. And, no, I will not be trying to have a girl so that I can use this name. I am saving it for a grand-daughter!! ;-)
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