HAHAHAHA!

"Let your life mean something. Become an inspiration to others so they may try to do more and become more than they are today"

`Thomas D. Willhite~

Pretty powerful statement! This is very appropriate for the New Year!

2010....well you SUCKED...... Goodbye!!!

I see a pattern...SUCKY YEARS! It can only go up from here! You can only be rock bottom for so long before you head back up again...right? I sure hope so!

I remember thinking that 2010 was going to be soooo much better than 2009...I couldn't have been more wrong and so right! So this year I have no expectations...I am just going to go with the flow and let things happen as they should!

Here are the greatest moments of 2010:

In January we became an aunt and uncle for the first time! On the same day that Jaydence was born we found out that my sister was pregnant! Wow! What a way to start the year off! I am on cloud 9! I was so happy! Things went well until March... from March we became friends with people and lost other friends. It was weird how on the same day I closed 1 door and a new one opened...I really thought that things were going to look up and they did for 6 months! During those six months we went to many places and had lots of fun as a family! We went to Sesame Place and I have to say..that was the BEST vacation we as a family have had! We were so happy! In 2010, I also made a big move in my career...the BEST move I could have ever done! I LOVE MY NEW SCHOOL! I feel so blessed to work with so many wonderful people! My nephew Bryson was born! I did not realize how much you can love other peoples children but Bryson and Jaydence feel like my own children(that I get to send home!) I love being an Aunt and Eric Loves being an Uncle! And we get to do it all over again in May when Jamie and Ty have the new baby girl!

2010 brought many surprises, we made it through all of those surprises with flying colors! I am hoping that 2011 has none! ( I am not sure I can handle much more............)

Here is my New years resolution:

To spend all of my time with my family and let thing roll off my back!

Saying "see you soon"....again :(

On Wednesday, we all said goodbye to Lynz again. It was really hard for Morgin...she doesn't understand that Texas is 1,000's of miles away and that we can't just hop in the car and go see Lynz. I am super thankful that their flight didn't leave until 6:40pm so that we could spend the whole day with them! We hung out again and played the Wii. Josh came over to say goodbye and he was still here when I was heading to airport with them. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to hang with Josh for a bit so I asked him to ride to Syracuse with me and he did! We had a great time on the way home, talking and laughing! I am so fortunate to have such AMAZING siblings!

day 4 of Lynz's visit!

On the 4th day that Lynz was here we took the 3 kids up to the mall to get their pictures taken together. Then my Mom watched all 3 kids so that we could go out to dinner! We went to Ruby Tuesday and had a great time! This was the first time that Lynz has left Bryson alone and I was very proud of her! I remember leaving Morgin for the first time...it was bitter sweet and I was as wreck! Lynz held herself up pretty well!

After dinner, the guys finished up their 18 pack and we danced away again! The guys were so funny! It was kind of sad because we knew Lynz, Justin and Bryson were leaving the next day! We made the best of it and had an utter blast!

Michael Jackson Rocks!

On day 3, we had a BLAST! We got out Just Dance and Michael Jackson on the Wii and this started at noon and did not end until 11 PM! My youngest brother came over and we had played and danced! The guys (Justin and Eric) pounded two 18 packs and danced and played Guitar Hero ALL day! Josh was so funny because he barely moved his arms and managed to beat EVERYONE he played! Go Josh!

Michael Jackson was the greatest! It was so funny to see the guys dancing to it!

Here are some videos for your viewing pleasure!

Day after Christmas

Morgin and Bryson
Handsome Little Man!

Brady and Justin and Daddy!

Bryson and Dramp

Lynz, Morgin and Mom

Papa meeting Bryson

and Nana

Bryson and I

Since my sis and BIL came so late Christmas night we decided to do Christmas on the Island and with Nana and Papa on Sunday. This is actually the first Christmas in my whole life that I have not gone to the Island! We headed there Sunday morning and had lots of good food and lots of laughs! Then we headed home and gave Brady a nap and headed to my other grandparents! it was a wonderful day spent with our family!

Christmas Surprise!

We had kept it a secret to Morgin and Brady that Lyndsey, Justin and Bryson were coming. Christmas afternoon, Eric left for the airport and Morgin was very curious as to why he was leaving, so we told her he was going to get a surprise. I asked Morgin what she thought the surprise was and she told me, "A Puppy" (never happening!!!!). So when Lyndsey came in, Morgin was SHOCKED! She was so excited to see them! She told me that she wished they would stay forever...and I have to agree! It really sucks having her so far away! But we will go to Texas this summer to see her!

Ps...You may notice a lot of videos...that is because I got a Flip!

Christmas Morning!

Waiting to open gifts
Morgin was soooo excited!

Morgin got a Tag!

Morgin's gift to Us..a Beautiful Calendar with a picture of her

I got Eric a new Jersey and he put it right on!

Christmas Morning Wouldn't be complete without jumping in Wrapping paper!

Morgin's Doll House

Brady's Train Table

Christmas Eve was very tiring to say the least...Brady was up ALL night...when I say all night I mean ALLLLLLL night...I think he may have had a bad dream and Eric ended up having to sleep on the floor of his room because that is the only way he would sleep...then we were awoken at 6:30 again becuase Eric's Dad and Step-Mom were very sick and they wouldn't be able to make it over to watch the kids open their gifts........we REALLY missed them here!

The kids had a grand old time opening their gifts! Morgin got a HUGE Barbie house and Brady got a Thomas the Train table! The kids have had so much fun playing with them!

Morgin's Reaction!

Christmas Eve continued.....

The Kids Putting out Reindeer Food

The Reindeer Food

Opening Their Gifts

The Kids in their Pj's

Tree before Santa came!

After Santa came!

After we left Grandma Clarks, we headed home and waited for Daddy to call and read us The Night Before Christmas. Then the kids got to open their traditional Christmas Eve gift...PJ's!! and we put out milk and cookies and reindeer food! The kids went to bed and my mom helped me carry down all of their gifts.

Christmas Eve

Playing with Aunt Tillie

Playing with the Girls

Eric had to work on Christmas Eve so the kids and I did some last minute running around and hung out at the house! Later that evening we headed to Eric's Grandmothers for the annual Christmas Eve celebration! The kids had a ball as always! Morgin had so much fun with her cousins and Brady had fun trying to rip open every one's gifts!

PJ Party at School

Wednesday, Morgin had a PJ party at school. She was so excited! They got to make Christmas trees out of ice cream cones and frosting and toppings. They then got to watch The Polar Express and drink hot chocolate! She had a great time! I had to pick her up early for a doctor appointment and she was devastated that she had to leave 20 minutes early!

Christmas/Updates coming soon.............

too much fun with my sister and BIL and Nephew to blog!

Fight like a Mother

A girl that was in grad classes with me has recently been diagnosed with cancer, a very aggressive form that almost took her life in October. I do not know her very well but I pray for her and her family nightly. Her husband had found her unresponsive.....she is 30....and the paramedics worked very hard to get her pulse back. She has 2 very young girls. The oldest is 2 and the youngest is 10 months. She has been traveling to NYC for treatments and has a website that she journals about her experiences. It is a very sad situation and her motto is "Fight Like a Mother" I pray for her during this very hard time. This for some reason has had a huge affect on me. I can't understand why this happens to people and guess I never will..... but makes me very thankful for my family's health and well being. I hope that this person continues to "Fight Like a Mother" and I will continue to pray!

2 Year Check-up

Took Brady to his 2 year check up this afternoon, and he is doing GREAT! He weighs in at 30 lbs and is 35 1/4 inches long! He was a chatting away with Dr. O and she was amazed at how much he can say! She gave him a clean bill of health! he did get 3 shots today and when the nurse started the first shot he literally started laughing! The nurse looked at me and said is he laughing and I said yes and we all burst out laughing with him! That changed rather quickly because after the first shot the tears started! He cracked me! Who laughs at getting a shot??? What a kid!

3 more days until Lyndsey, Justin and Bryson come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait!

RIP Dr. Deeney

Someone who had a huge impact on my confidence passed away Sunday. I am very shocked by the news and I wanted to make a bit of a tribute to him....

Dr. Deeney:
When I was 12 years old you helped to make me smile in more ways than one. I was always very shy and hated to smile and you gave me the confidence that I needed. My smile will always be brighter because of you! You were an amazing man and you will be greatly misses. I remember running into you at Walmart and you checking to make sure my bottom retainer wasn't giving me any problems! After 15 years in my mouth it is still there and has no sign of ever coming out! You were an amazing orthodontist and I am sad that if my children ever need braces that you will not be the one to make them smile and laugh. You personality was so fun and I will never forget the flavored gloves, making fun of me for the choices of colors I decided to get each month, and most of all making fun of me for letting the water run when I brushed my teeth. (which I do not do anymore!)

I pray for your wife, children and staff during this very hard time. RIP to the GREATEST orthodontist a kid could have!

Brady's Birthday Party

All the Kiddos
Morgin, Emma and Hannah

Pillow Pet!!

Showing Aunt Lynz, Justin and Bryson

His Bike!

His Cake

Look My Cake!

Singing to him on his Bike

Playing Bowling with Grandma

We had a small get together for Brady's birthday Saturday. Just a few friends and family. Brady really got into the opening of his gifts! He was so meticulous...every little piece of paper had to be removed and the tape too! We skyped with Lynz and Justin and Bryson. (1 week from today they will be here! I am soooooooo pyched!) Papa and Nanny got him a Pillow pet! He was so stinking cute with it! He even got up and brought it to the computer to show Lyndsey! We got him a bike. He LOVES it to say the least. He refused to sit in his booster seat when it was cake time so we sang to him while he sat on his bike! It was a wonderful party! Thank you to everyone that came to celebrate our babies 2nd birthday!

Daddy's Co-Plower

We went outside to play while Eric was plowing the driveway this morning and Brady wanted to help his Daddy plow the driveway! He sat there the entire time he plowed and had a BALL!

Happy 2nd Birthday Brady Boy!

Hard to believe that 2 years ago you entered our life! You are such an amazing little boy! You pick up on things so quickly. You look up to your big sister and she loves you dearly! You have grown so much this past year and have become so much fun! You have the most contagious smile and laugh! You are the apple of our eyes and the BEST SON we could ever ask for! We love you so much!

Happy Birthday to greatest little boy I know! You are a joy to have in our lives and I can't wait to see what they next year has in for store for you! Happy 2nd Birthday Brady Boy! We LOVE YOU SO MUCH!