Joyful Noise!

Big Life Changes

DISCLAIMER: It is apparent that lately I cannot spell or use the correct homonym when writing a blog. This is concerning considering I am a 6th grade language arts/reading teacher. Good thing none of my students read my blog! Please know, outside of blogging, I am aware of most grammar rules and understand proper uses of homophones/homonyms and commonly confused words.

Anyway, our family is the midst of an exciting, scary, freeing life change. I say our family, when really it is Justin, but it definitely affects all of us. After Christmas Justin quit his job to begin working for himself and building his own architecture company. This was not an easy decision, as Justin has worked for Southwest Architects for 8 years and formed good, strong relationships with the people and clients he worked with daily. However, owning his own firm has been his dream since college days.

It has been an unbelievably smooth transition, so smooth that we cannot attribute any of this to anything but faith in God and his perfect timing. This is a goal Justin has been working toward for years and something has always been in his way. Finally in November, the final hurdle was behind us and Justin committed to taking the leap of faith. Justin has already signed multiple contracts and has enough work to keep him more than busy.

As for me, I am so proud of him I could burst. I've always known Justin is capable of big things, but seeing him in action is amazing. His confidence, work ethic, and respect for clients gives me no doubt that he will be successful. I look forward to being his biggest cheerleader as his company continues to grow and prosper.

Thanks for your well wishes and prayers in advance. When Justin has his website the way he likes it I'll post the link for all to see.

Here in Texas

It's Stock Show time in Ft. Worth. Yee Haw!!! I love the Stock Show and Rodeo, I really do. We go annually, usually with my dad who loves the sights, smells, and lifestyle that Cowboys live. He says it brings back memories from his young days in the small west Texas town of Knox City. I love it because it is all so foreign to me. You mean young people get up with the sun to take tip top care of an animal that will eventually be sold to slaughter? Men risk their lives to ride bulls for the sport and thrill? People around here still make money farming and ranching? Horseback riding clubs exist? It just seems so crazy and different, but here in Texas although not in my backyard, it is obviously a big deal. Spending an afternoon out there gives me a little glimpse into the true Texas culture, which growing up a city girl I've never experienced.


Today we went to the Stock Show parade because Caroline got to ride in a wagon with her Grammy. Grammy, Justin's mom, has a great job with Traders Village and every year they enter the parade.

Here's the wagon Caroline got to ride in, pretty cool huh? Apparently the driver is 81 and has been driving wagons all his life. Did you know people still drive wagons other places besides parades? Yeah me neither, but apparently he is an avid wagon driver and a good one. At one point during the parade the wagon got stuck in a hole, which broke the bar that connects the train to the horses. No problem, the expert wagon driver had an extra and got them all fixed up and back in the parade.
Caroline looked so serious riding, but Grammy said she had a blast and waved the entire time!
It turned out to be a perfect day and we really enjoyed our time walking around and taking in the parade. I'm so glad Caroline got this experience and I hope this will be something that she can continue to do annually. I know she will be talking about it forever because it so different from anything we've ever done. She even got to sit on the horse that pulled the wagon!!
Mr. Carter was a proud little brother as he looked on! I'm sure he'll be in that wagon before long!

3 Months

Yesterday, January 11th, Carter was three months old! I cannot get enough of this sweet boy. I hug him, hold him, snuggle, kiss, and spoil him absolutely rotten day in and day out. I'll probably be paying for this soon when he won't let anyone leave his sight, or when he grows up to be a mama's boy, but I don't care one bit right now. You see, he is probably our last baby and I don't want to take one minute of his babyhood for granted. They just grow too quick!

I must gladly say, I've been blessed with two easy, laid back babies. Carter is a delight, unless he is hungry or it's 3:00 AM. He just smiles, occasionally laughs, and talks all the time. He is much more vocal with his baby noises and coos than Caroline ever was. He has begun reaching for things and loves time spent on his play mat. He rolls on his side, but that is about as far as his big belly will let him go. He is a chunk and I just love it, well love it's cuteness, but as far as him still wanting to eat every 3-4 hours around the clock, that is getting a bit tiresome. He is currently wearing size 0-3 months, but is transitioning into 3-6 month clothing. As of today, he is in size 2 diapers. He has not been as easy to "sleep train" as Caroline was. He fights sleep like crazy and we are working hard to get him to fall into some sort of schedule. Lately, we've been pushing for a morning and afternoon nap, bath around 6:30 and bed around 7 or 7:30. The bedtime routine has been working, but about12:00 or 1:00, he is up and hungry. From then on it's every 2-3 hours that he is re-awaking. That makes for a tired mama, but like I said before, with him possibly being my last I'm taking it all in stride. He didn't want to smile for his 3 month pictures, but he is about to crack a grin here.

And here, well he looks like he is done and probably wondering when he is going to be fed again. On that note, he has been spitting up more lately, which is annoying but doesn't seem to be causing him pain.

In some of these pictures his hair looks to be a strawberry color. Caroline's hair was like that until her first birthday when it went blonde. I think he is going to look so much like her, however, I think his eyes might stay blue. Caroline's are greenish/hazel.


Here are some pics of Caroline from around 3 months, what do you think? I think Carter definitely has more of a boy look to him, but they do favor quite a bit. ____________
And now some random pictures!
One of Carter's favorite places is his changing table, I'm sure to get a smile out of him there. LOVE!

Dad with his babies. Speaking of dad, big changes are happening with him and for our family. I'll blog about all that soon!

:-)

I forgot to share my favorite gift from Christmas. Christmas morning I opened a special envelope from Caroline. If you know anything about my little girl, you know she could care less about learning, writing, counting, letters, etc. So when I opened this I was in for quite the surprise. Her teacher, Mrs. Pat and her obviously worked very hard to write Mommy and Daddy a Christmas card. It says, Caroline, Mommy, Daddy...I can only imagine how long this took and the amount of work her and Mrs. Pat put into it. Gifts like this are the absolute best!


Now onto something completely different, I stepped out of the living room the other day for just a second and returned to this. Which one is not like the others?
This Caroline creation reminded me of this scene from one of my favorite childhood movies, ET. :-)

Christmas 2011

Christmas was perfect this year. For me, once I took time to slow down and enjoy the holiday with family and friends Christmas became what it is supposed to be about! I'm not going to lie, those few weeks leading up to Christmas were a bit hectic. Back to work, lots of shopping, cleaning, cooking, wrapping...it all was a bit much and left me overwhelmed. I kept telling myself I'm not going to let the stress get to me, but it did. However, I refused to let it all take the joy out of Christmas. The few days leading up to Christmas and Christmas day were so peaceful and full of fun and love. Our tree this year got a few new ornaments, my new favorite ornaments!

This year we had lots Christmas celebrations this year. The first being on Friday night.

We celebrated at Grammy's house, is her tree not adorable? I was in awe too, just like Caroline. Here is Grammy with Carter and Caroline a few weeks ago.
And this is Granny with baby Carter. She watches Carter on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We are very lucky!
Of course we all were spoiled, Caroline received a guitar and a bike as her big gifts.
She put on a new vest she received and rushed outdoors to try out her new ride.
Maddy and Carter got their fair share of gifts as well.
We celebrated with Justin's dad Saturday morning with a brunch at my house.
Christmas Eve we went to church where Caroline was a part the live nativity. She chose to be a lamb, and a soon as the camera panned her way she made a funny face. I couldn't help but laugh and was completely caught off guard by her doing that. She is usually shy when it comes to big crowds and unknown people. Not this night.

After church we went to my mom's house. There were lots of people and tons of food, a great combination.







After that we rushed home and got the kids in bed so Santa could come.
Santa didn't bring much to Carter, he really doesn't need anything. Caroline had asked for toys for Carter from Santa, so we decided to pull out some of Caroline's old toys that we were sure she never remembered playing with. Well guess what, she remembered and asked why Santa brought her old toys. Oops!
Caroline got a few small things and a big new kitchen.
She has been so busy with all her new toys since Christmas!
Carter resting in the Mamaroo Christmas morning. Mike, Justin's dad, got us the new Mamaroo and Carter loves it.
Caroline playing Christmas morning.
All of my family and Justin's immediate family came over Christmas morning to watch the kids with their Santa gifts. We made breakfast and ate together as a family. I hope Christmas breakfast becomes a new tradition, we really enjoyed that time together.
Miss Maddy, my niece, Christmas morning.

Christmas afternoon we went out to Frisco to celebrate with Justin's mom's extended family.
Caroline loves playing with her cousins!
Finally, we wrapped up the celebrations Christmas night at my parents' house to open gifts. Once again we all got way too much, and Caroline wasn't shy about trying out her new stuff.
Christmas around our house was wonderful, but I couldn't help but think of all those with heavy hearts this Christmas. I know the holidays can be hard for many, and I pray peace and joy will soon fill their lives again.