Hello Weekend & Half Way!

I could not be any more ready for a weekend!! Chris is off, and we don't have anything we have to do. Except of course getting dressed up and trick-or-treating, which I have been looking forward to all month!

This past month has been so super busy, and I can tell my overall attitude and stress levels are starting to get the best of me. It is the over planner in me, and pressuring myself. It is halfway (yippee) through the semester at school which always seems to get a little tough, and Chris has had a lot of overtime. I feel like between work and home I am having a very hard time doing anything well. Just as soon as I get caught up in one area, the other one seems more overwhelming. I don't think today's reading could have been any more fitting.

Linger In My Presence A While...Rein in your impulse to plunge into the day's activities, beginning your day alone with Me is essential preparation for success. A great athlete takes time to prepare himself mentally for the feat ahead of him before he moves a muscle. Similarly, your time of being still in My Presence equips you for the day ahead of you. Only I know what will happen to you this day. I have arranged the events you will encounter as you go along your way. If you are not adequately equipped for the journey, you will grow weary and lose heart. Relax with Me while I ready you for action.

*Jesus Calling

When life gets busy, it is so easy to let everything slip including my daily readings and personal time with God. I am not "equipped" without Him! This is a realistic priority and something that I need to make sure and do.

Days just aren't long enough sometimes, and I am constantly reminded that 'less is more'. To help with my stress and anxiety in the past the gym has been my best friend, and we need to get reacquainted again! Time flies, and before I know it I will be back to being full time home with the boys, and trying to stay sane that way! Praying for a healthy balance?! Best thing is, no matter how hard some days, or weeks, may seem, God is in control.  Reality check Julie...counting my blessings and putting a smile on my face for this awesome family weekend head of me!

Happy Halloween everyone, be safe, and take lots of pictures... :)

Preschool and the Best Field Trip EVER!

This year with me working I have barely gotten to spend any time with Crew and preschool.  Someone other than me brings him and picks him up everyday, I miss that, and being able to see him interact with this preschool classmates.  So even though it was hard to swing, I was able to take a half day off of work to join them on the field trip.  It knew it was the right decision when I walked into his classroom, and he ran right up and gave me the biggest hug, he told me that he was so excited that I was coming and that he loved me so much. 
The bus ride again was a highlight and my little boy is still not too proud to have his mom sit right next to him. He even saved me a seat and told me about 10 times on the way out ther that he loved me so much, and how excited he was that I could come with him.  So just being there one-on-one with him just made my day, and even my week.  Time is so precious these days, and we definitely had a good time.
Crew got to pick out his own pumpkin, find candy in the hay, listen to stories, snack time, and play with the animals...He even got to walk a goat on a rope! 
But the BEST PART was....we came home with the newest member of our family, Pumpkin Patch Price!  Yes a cute little kitten.  I am a total sucker (you too Tara!), and have been wanting a new cat for sometime, and they just happened to have the cutest kittens ever!  What a surprise Chris came home too...although he tried to act like he was a little upset, but couldn't hide the smile...  After some thought on what to name the little guy, Crew's first idea of "Jesus" wasn't doin it, so we thought of "pumpkin" because of his coloring and that we got him from the pumpkin patch.

Crew and Brady

Brodes just adores him, although pumpkin is still getting use to him :)

Crew even put him to sleep, and gets to feed him, and takes really good care of him.

This is Pumpkin's favorite spot...between the wall and the couch, out of harms way...

Crew's 4 year preschool picture

Overall it is going to be hard to top that field trip, and has made this weekend even more interesting by having a meowing kitty the kids are constantly chasing, and I am protecting...

Crew is loving preschool, and has made a lot of changes since last year.  He is so much more detailed orientated with work, and cares how things turn out, he also is doing great with behavior and following directions which is our main concern.  Good job buddy!  Now we need to start focusing more on the academic side of things... :)

Kyler's 1 Year Appointment and Stats

As I was cleaning off my desk I found Ky's one year appointment papers and realized I forgot to document it!  Not that anyone cares but of course me his mom, I needed to get it in the "books".

Weight:  22lbs.  3 oz (45%)
Height: 30 1/4 in (70%)

He did okay with the shots, his legs are still super strong and muscular, the nurse always comments on how hard he is to give shots too.  I know that changing him alone can be a fight! We decided to break up his shots since he was not feeling that great, so we go back in to do the last ones in a month. 

My mom came with me, which made for having all 3 boys a lot easier.  So the funniest thing about it was since everyone was getting their flu shots, we made Crew go first, and Brody watched Crew be the biggest baby and just scream. I thought Brodes was going to pass out, his whole face was pale, and he had the look of death on his face.  It was a good thing that Brody was in his stroller so the nurse could just "plug" him in there.  Since I did not want them there for Ky's whole appointment, my mom decided to get them a treat.  The reward is my mom "huffed" it to Dairy Queen with them afterwards in the stroller, so they could get a treat, and no this wasn't my nice Bob stroller, it was a sit and and stand, and with 80lbs of kid, my mom was sweating big time, and was not too happy to finally make it to DQ and find it to be CLOSED!!!  Oh gotta love it.....

He's ONE!

We survived!  Just kidding, but really, wow, what a year with our Kys!  To think back a year ago about this time we were down at Children's trying to figure out why this guy wouldn't eat, sleep, or quit screaming and Chris was home with the swine flu.  Times have definitely improved, and he is still letting us know that he is around by his loud screams and screeches.  A mama's boy for sure, but I haven't seen a bigger smile in my life when he sees his dad!  He has had a lot of coaching from his brothers, and from the looks of things I am guessing he is on that same wild and crazy path they are! 

Kys has been walking for a month, but capable of standing up in the middle of a room with no help or assistance for 2 months. He is one strong kiddo.  In fact I am not sure what prompted him to act as Tarzan the other day, but I found him screaming in the kitchen HANGING from the drawer. Yes he was supporting his full body weight and the drawer was extended out and he was not letting go.  He has got some grip, however I am quite aware of that considering he is constantly clawing me and attacking me when I hold him.  There is NOTHING laid back about about him.  Chris texted me at work the other day and was so impressed that Kyler sat on his lap for a couple minutes, well guess what, I got home and he had a fever...So if this babes is ever the slightness bit of low key and chill we know something is wrong... :)

He is really starting to love books, but attacks them, and is thinking that playing cars with his brothers is the way to go. 

He started sleeping through the night at 11 months, which has been heaven sent with me going back to work.   This dude adds so much character and spunk, as if we needed more, ha, to our family, and I couldn't be happier to be his mommy.  With everything we have gone through we do have a very special connection, and his big fly trap of a smile reminds how lucky I am to continue to be blessed with our Kyler Christopher.

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday my sweet Ky Ky, WE LOVE YOU!

This is great mom, I don't think there was any coincidence that he was up 3 times last night, tummy ache maybe?

Kakie, aka "hockey" and Crew and Brodes

Grandma Gloria, Kader and Becs

Ariana, Linds, and Tory

We even got the football ball pit out for the little kiddos

Cole, Kader Tomater, Linds and "Baby Hale :)" and Tom

Tay and Ariana

Ky and his 2 girlfriends he got to invite to his party, this picture was just a little interesting to try to make happen, but we had to have Ky, Ariana, and KK together!

Mom, what is the girl thing anyway?  What is she doing to me?

Me and my Cruiser

I love all of Ariana's head bands!

Without any prompting, Ariana went and laid a big old kiss on Ky's and I happened to have my camera out. I love Ky's face, priceless!



It was a great party, and Kyler had fun!  He got a lot of really nice gifts, and most importantly we could get our family together to celebrate.   After a full weekend of friends up from out of town, and his party on Monday, I am hoping to to relax soon.  But how can I forget, his one year appointment today, and a week packed...I guess that relaxing thing will have to wait, maybe when all the kids are out of the house?

Pumpkins and Cookies....FUN!

It's never too early to get those pumpkins carved and sugar cookies frosted.  Well actually....we will most likely have soggy pumpkins by Halloween...but... it was worth it!  Last year we skipped out on these festivities because of 'screamer'.  Wow it feels kind of weird to remember that is what we called him, and how hard our life was dealing with him a year ago...
Cole, Becca and Kader came over to join us, and with some pizza and Monday Night Football to top it off, I think everyone had some good laughs.

Playin a little rough, cookie in the face!

The sweetest one of them all, at least for now, Kader gets most chill baby ever award!

Keep the fall festivities coming!

Sweet Sounds

You think and hope you will remember all the little details about the kids...  Even the smallest things that make me laugh to myself, just make being a mom all worth it.  Brody in his big boy bed has quite the routine right now of what he asks when trying to come out of his room at night after being put to bed.  1).  I pooped. *which isn't the case  2). I 'tirsty', water  3). owie mama, and he mixes in a few others. Now since he is smart enough to know those don't work anymore, he has come up with a better plan. 
Every night he sleeps with his blanky, 2 animal friends, and binky.  He has come to find out that we always help him find these things before bed.  So he will now go and "hide" one of those things in his room, and come asking for it, "Mama my neenies?" with his hands up in the air because he can't find them.  So even though he had them two minutes ago, it mysteriously appears under the bed, or someone else...It is so easy to automatically just get frustrated after all of these times, but I can't help to just chill out and smile to myself...Oh Brodes, if you weren't so darn sweet...A poem I had to share.

LITTLE BOYS



Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,

Shy and adventurous, full of surprises,

With misshapen halos and mischievous grins,

Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.

They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while

Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.

And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy

Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!

In and out of weeds and dirt.
squealing, laughing, getting hurt.
Arms held out for loves and hugs.
Tiny fingers finding bugs.
Rough and tumble, sweet and shy.
Snuggling for a lullaby.
Who could name the countless joys
That come from raising little boys."

Price Family Pics

As a gift to Chuck and Leslie last Christmas, we finally got to fit in some family pictures, between schedules and weather, we were very lucky to have a nice afternoon.  Trish took over a 150 pictures, but here are a few of my favorites...

We wrapped up pictures with a nice birthday dinner for Memi at Homestead.  Pictures and eating out can be a little much with the kiddos, but we all had a great time being a FAMILY.

Stoney Ridge & Saturday Fun

Stoney Ridge...need I say more?  From getting our boots and overalls on, taking the hills fast on the Van Dyk Road, which by the way was priceless to see Brody's knuckles turn white gripping his car seat with the look of pure death.  Crew and Kys both all out screams and giggles.  Me the boring, carsick one, yelling at Chris to slow down! 
The Fall atmosphere with colored leaves, pumpkins, hayrides, train rides, animals, fresh apple pie with the works, and tons of apples and pumpkins.  We always seem to take part in everything there and my favorite is bringing home the biggest bag of apples, they are so yummy!
We met the Turrell gang, which added to the fun, and we took lots of pictures.  Enjoy :)

Our first year on the train, if it wasn't $3 a time they would never have left this ride...

Sweet Tay

Umm...Chris could you reach this apple for me? :)

After we got back from Stoney Ridge some of our other friends the Claeys', Stacy's, and Kyle and Michelle joined us for some Husky Football.  Great win, maybe we can claim the Huskies again...I think every toy in our house, upstairs, downstairs, and outside was out, but the kids had fun!

We walked out to find Brodes sharing bites of his pudding to Cole man and Kys

So cute, even with pudding lips :)

Claeys' girls getting dirty

KK and Tay Tay-love these girls!



You think he needs one of these?



What a fun filled, busy day!