Busy Being Blessed!

Well, it's been awhile since I've blogged, so I'm just going to throw a few things up here to catch you all up on what's been keeping me away from the blog!

First of all... and the best news of all... this is our SON!

On November 22, 2011, it was official in the eyes of the courts. After 13 months in our home and all the red tape being ripped through, we were blessed to be able to share this special day with so many people that love Joshua so very much!

  

Remember THIS STORY?
This is Jeremy and Laurie... Joshua's Godparents!

That night, with the other boys at the grandparents, we took J out to dinner.

What a great feeling that was!

And more news...

Back in the fall, we started the serious consideration of selling our house in the coming year. Well, in the market we are currently in, that wasn't going to be easy... especially with a neighborhood in which we're still competing with a builder and the other recent comps are foreclosures and short sales. Oh joy!

So, just in case things went our way around February/March 2012, we started house hunting, online only... simply bookmarking houses that interested us. The move comes for many reasons, one being Logan starting Kindergarten in the fall... but the biggest thing for ME was floor plan and lot size. We were ready to settle into something that provided a larger lot and a one story house. But really, at this point, it was all dreaming and hoping.

Then we found this house online and really got to thinking seriously on how we could get our hands on it. It's simple, in a fabulous neighborhood and school district, and has tons of potential to meet our needs for years to come... and we loved the price tag!

So, the week after Thanksgiving, we went to see it and loved it as much as we thought we would... and then the work started. Thanks to grandparents, we were able to go through every nook and cranny of this house and hold a major garage sale, get the house up for rent and staged for a listing and then we just prayed for good tenants. Really, being landlords wasn't in the original plans, but unless we want to pay money to get out of this house, that was the only way to go.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, all of this was going on the week that I chose to start potty training this little guy!  (I don't usually like to put "naked" pics on the internet, but for documenting potty training, I'm making a small exception) Is there anything cuter than chunky thighs in little underwear? I think not!

 

God is SO good! We have prayed through this entire process that God would slam doors or keep them wide open, so we wouldn't have to doubt if this is what He wants for our family. Well, the negotiations on the sale took place in under 30 minutes and the sellers agreed to all of our requests along the way... and THEN, we secured tenants in just 24 hours. A married couple in their 40s with no kids and no pets. Seriously, isn't that what every landlord would love?!?! So, yes God, we hear you and we thank you for your providence!!! What a blessing it is to know that we're hearing Him as we make this first move with our kiddos! 

And now, we're packing... and packing... and packing. We are set to close on the 5th and after spending one day painting, moving day will be here. Going to Graham for the New Year weekend and again, thanks to grandparents, we will be able to finish packing, paint and move while our children are away! Don't know what we'd do without the help of our folks. Always!

So, eventually I will get settled in the new house and take the time to update and get our Thanksgiving and Christmas documented, but for now, let me leave you with this... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Costumes, Parties and Pumpkins

 October was a BUSY month... with lots of fun things!

We got lots of use of our costumes this year and even won first place at our church's festival for best family costume! The boys had a blast, Ryan eventually learned how to say Trick or Treat (Chich a Cheet!) and we discovered that Joshua loves fruit snacks and skittles!  Logan was very into the whole thing and took a lot of pride in being a part of a "theme" with his brothers. Less writing in this post and lots and lots of pictures!!!

First on the calendar was my mom's group Fall Festival

(younger ones not in costume because of mud!)

Joshua LOVES baby Claire!

Gotta love cookie decorating!

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Later in the month was our church's Trunk or Treat

So fun and so much to do!

Getting ready...

Ryan was proud of all the cuteness praise!

Our little "cast"

Peter Pan, Captain Hook and the crocodile!

Logan LOVED his hat and wore it proudly, with a head full of sweat! Ryan, on the other hand, only kept it on when I told him he had to wear it to get more candy! :-)

With the Martin Boys, Daylen and Tanner

Logan and Kyle

When we lost track of Ryan, he was always to be found dancing in the middle of the party! He LOVES music and it was playing constantly, so he just danced and danced!

Loving the bounce house obstacle course

And Ryan just thought he'd follow! 

So brave!

My parents joined us!

Logan and Levi

Cutest little Gnome... sweet Avery!

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The week before Halloween, story-time at the library was all about Halloween and the kids got to trick or treat through the library offices. Snacks and treats were served too!

 

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We like to do one Fall "farm" outing each year and this year we chose Old MacDonald's Farm in Humble. Of course, it was on the coldest day we've had yet, but the boys didn't seem to mind and it was a great outing with friends!

Ryan's obsession with all things "E-I-O" was definitely fed that day!

J man LOVED getting to walk around freely 

and showed NO fear of ANY animal!

Luke and Ryan

I still just cannot believe he is FIVE!

Such good buddies... 5 years of friendship!

Ryan is such a "do-er"... 

got up there with the big boys all by himself!

My little turkeys!

Train ride... 

we joked that apparently Luke didn't get 

the memo to wear a UT hoodie! :-)

Andrea and Luke

All the boys! Pumpkin patch fun!

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Grana came into town for the weekend festivities before Halloween and stayed 'till the 1st, so she got to go see one of Logan's soccer games.

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Another Trunk or Treat on Sunday afternoon!

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Pumpkin Carving

This was his "Ewww... you do the rest!" Face!

I had a template book left over from last year and this year Logan lasted A LOT longer in actually helping me with the carving! His attention span and work ethic are obviously getting better!

 

With the spider (the one he chose!)

The second one... a bat in a city with the moon!

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Halloween night, we went to my parents' neighborhood again. We went for dinner and Logan got to set the boys' table with their new plates. 

Ready to go!!!

This year was FULL of fun days in October and we were glad to get to enjoy it with family and so many great groups of friends! This is definitely a fun stage for them as siblings and I enjoyed getting to dress them as a group this year!