Halloween 2010

What a Fall.....

I can't tell you what a great fall we have all had. The girls and I are all so happy at our new school. We have all made some amazing new friends. Basketball is in full swing here and I am so excited. Madison is doing so well in basketball....she has turned out to be quite the little ball player. No doubt it is because she has some great coaches and very talented teammates. Madi and Katelyn were both participates in UIL this year. Katelyn was in a writing competition and Madison was part of 4 different UIL teams. LC is enjoying her new found social life....and is the 8th grade basketball manager. All the girls are doing well in school and Avary is almost reading.

Todd is super busy and the womens Tennis team has had a great fall season. Todd just got back from a recuiting trip to Europe....I was so excited to get him home. Thanksgiving has come and gone. Now we are trying to prepare for Christmas. We are all looking forward to Christmas break so that we can travel back to our home towns and visit family and friends. Sure hope this post finds everyone in good health. Take care and hope to see you all soon.

Much Love, Amy

Heaven

These past two weeks have been crazy but wonderful at the same time. The girls and I love our new school. Everyone there is so nice and helpful. All the teachers and admin really work together to better the students. I am learning a new curriculum along with a new reading program. I have 18 students and only 6 of them are boys. Every single student in my class came to first grade reading. It is amazing the difference it makes.......what great kindergarten teachers we have at New Deal.

The big girls have been welcomed with open arms from the students and teachers. The girls have just emersed themselves in school and the activities. Katelyn is in band and preparing to play the sax.....Madi is one of two editors for the school/community paper......and has received a part in the "one act play"........LC has tons of friends and preparing for cross country along side Madi this year.....and Vanessa has joined FFA and preparing to show her first goat. Avary and Karsen are just being themselves and sweaping everyone of their feet.....with their adorable personalitys.

This weekend we were able to go to New Deal's first home game.....followed by the arrival of the Chapman/Howard families in "L" town on sat. We had a super time visiting,tailgating, and watchin the Raider opener against SMU. This fall is moving sooo fast.....I know thanksgiving and christmas will be here before I know it.

Come back summer!!!

OMG!!!! It is so hard to believe that summer break is over. This has been a super busy summer. We moved the weekend school was out, followed by a trip to Utah for Devin's wedding. Which was amazing and I had soooo much fun. When I got home June was in full swing. Girls and Todd at tennis camps......then a great trip back home to visit family.....and it ended way to soon. Our Oklahoma trip ended and we were Austin bound ......had a great vacation with family......by the time we got home in mid July....it was time for LC, Madi, and Katelyn to visit dad's. It is so hard to believe that they have been gone for 3 1/2 weeks....they come home this weekend....can't wait. Vanessa, the babies and I have been trying to stay busy......which has helped us with the big girls being gone. Summer has come and gone in the blink of an eye.....come back!!!!!! I'm not ready for it to end.
School starts for me Monday and the girls all start the following Monday. I am having a hard time rapping my mind around the fact that all my girls will be in school this fall. Time is just flying.....I wish I could slow it down!!!! But all in all everyone is doing great......and very excited for the new chapter to begin.

Just Breathe

Oh my it has been a crazy spring so far. We have been so busy.....I really don't even know where to start. We only have 28 days of school left....I am sooo excited. I am currently looking for a new job....the drive from Amherst to Lubbock twice a week is really starting to take its toll on Todd. He leaves early and gets home late....and we don't get to spend much time together as a family. So with that I have started another job hunt. I do have some positive prospects....and have two interviews next friday. I am very excited but hate the thought of moving the girls again. All the girls are happy about the move but LC....she loves this school and doesn't want to leave. I feel terrible for her b/c she has found some friends that make her feel good about herself....but with that said I do have to do what I think is best for the whole family.

Also we have increased our family size by 1. Miss. Vanessa has been a great addition to our family. She is so sweet and tender hearted.....I wanted to keep her forever. She is a beautiful 14 year old (bout to b 15) darling. All the girls are doing great and looking forward to summer. Prom is this weekend and they have asked me to take the pictures at prom. I am honored but very nervous also. After this weekend our schedule should slow down some.

Stock show pics

Madison with Katelyn's pig

After recovering from last weeks winter weather yet again....and a major case of cabin fever. This week has started off with a fury. Monday can be summed up in one word....hectic! Between trying to catch up in class for being gone last week, we had cheerleading and basketball last night. On top of that...as if that wasn't enough...when the coaches asked me to do the game books last night b/c Gayla was going to be gone....I could not say "NO". So there I was yesterday evening trying to watch the two little turds, manage cheerleaders, watch LC play, and trying to keep the game book. Crazy!!! Thankfully I had my trusty babysitter....Cassi....helping to coral the babies till Todd could make it to the game.
Spring tennis if officially in swing and Todd is busy making up lost time with practice. They have their first away match of the spring season this weekend. It is actually close enough that the girls and I are going to go and watch. I am not looking forward to the next 5 weeks because Todd will be gone most of the time. And as all of my buds know I am a big chicken about staying home alone.....so these coming weeks are going to leave me exhausted. There will not be much sleeping going on for me.....between sharing my king size bed with 3 children and two dogs.
Well enough about me....the girls are what most of ya want to know about. A good game last night. The JH lady dawgs pulled off another win...not surprised! They have a couple of very talented little girls. Anywho....LC did very well and scored two points. She plays very hard and wants her coaches to be proud of her. Her coaches are always commenting on how hard she works in practice to improve. Madison looked cute as always in her cheerleading suit....but of course she comes by that naturally :)
The girls ( Madison and Katelyn) are officially through with stock shows for the year. And although I did enjoy them...I am glad to have one less thing to worry about. We are pig free now and overall the girls did great. They took home breed champion, two 1st place ribbons, and two 4th place ribbons. Their Ag teacher told us this weekend that their pigs would have been good enough to go on to the big shows....but we just couldn't commit to that this year. Way to much going on but I promised the girls next year that if they have good pigs again we will go on. Katelyn really enjoyed the pigs and it was nice for her to have something to do since her sisters are so busy and she is getting left out these days.
The babies are doing great as usual. Karsen has actually grown some this winter. In a matter of a couple of months she has went from wearing a 24 mths to 4t. Maybe she is going to be tall like her dad after all. Avary is just going right along in school. She is very advanced for her age and I predict that she will be reading by the end of 1st six weeks of Kinder. It is very hard to believe that this fall all of my girls will be in school. Where does the time go?

These pics arent real current...they were taken last fall....but we haven't had new family pics taken this year....and I know Todd is missing but for some reason I can't find the one with him in it. I will get it up soon....I promise :)

Beginning Blog for family

Ok well here I am....actually set up a blog account. A good friend of mine introduced this to me a couple of weeks ago. I started thinking that it would be a really good way for family and friends to keep up with us. Especially since everyone is ALWAYS complaining that I never answer my phone or return phone calls. Maybe doing this will help everyone understand why I am to busy to answer the phone or return phone calls.....then ya can all stop harrassing me....lol....just kidding.

Well guess I will just start this off by saying that everyone is doing well. The girls are still doing well in their new town and new school. LC is still playing basketball and improving everyday. At the start of the season she was the 2nd to last girl coming off the bench....now she is the 2nd girl of the bench....big improvement for someone who has never played ball before. Madi and Katelyn are still just goofing off with friends all the time. As for Avary....well lets just say not a day goes by that she doesn't remind me...that she hates having a little sister!!! And Karsen....well she is still picking at Avary every second she gets and blames her for everything.

The girls are growing up sooo fast and although I complain all the time for the youngest 3 being such momma babies.....I know that there will come a time that they will grow out of it and I will long for these days to return. I think that this is enough for today....and I will end today's blog by putting up some of the girls new pics.