Happy 5th Birthday, Micah!!

On December 3, I tucked in a four year old for the last time because the next morning, Micah woke up a five year old!!  It is hard to believe that five years has passed since his birth.  I still remember his kicks and movements when we were still one.  But now that we are two, I get to experience "I love yous" and hugs each and everyday.

So Micah, what kind of a boy are you now that your five?

• You are still one of the sweetest boys on this earth.  Multiple times throughout the day, this conversation will occur.  Micah:  "Mama, I need to tell you sumpin (something)."  Me: "Okay, what is it?"  Micah:  "I love you!!"  So sweet!!
• You have learned all your numbers, colors, and shapes and how to write your name.  You love homeschool preschool.
• Although you still love Fatman (yes, you STILL say Fatman instead of Batman), you now have a new love---Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!!  Michelangelo is your favorite.
• You still love to wear your cowboy boots!!
• You love to listen to stories, especially at bedtime.
• You have quite an imagination!!  You use all of your little figurines to fight epic battles, it doesn't matter that Batman, TMNT, Transformers, cars, and "weinie" dogs generally don't work together:)
• Dress up is one of your favorite activities--Batman, ninjas, pirates, cowboys--I never know what you will be from one day to the next!
• "Break dancing" is also one of your newest activities.  You have recently perfected the knee-spin, the "Austin Moon", the crab move, and the cow turn....all Micah originals, of course!
• Although there are several squabbles throughout the day, you love your brother and sister so much!! I pray the bond you all have formed continues for a lifetime.
• You are funny, affectionate, loving, and a joy to have in our family.

We all love you more than you'll ever know!!  God truly knew what he was doing when he picked you to be part of our family.  Happy Birthday Micah!!

Family Updates

In September, I posted that we were having computer troubles and I was excited to have the computer functioning properly again....well, it officially crashed a couple of weeks after my last post.  Although, I could have blogged via the iPad, that is almost a form of torture.  So in October, a new computer was purchased, but I wasn't a fan of the latest Microsoft operating system and wanted an older operating system that I was more accustomed to and also wanted our old computer revived as well.  Needless to say, that took MUCH longer than anticipated.  So now I have a new laptop that works AWESOME and the old computer is working too (which has years of pictures.)  So now I can resume blogging on a consistent basis to document life with the Wilson's!!!

Quick updates:
Abby's cat that Josh hated he now thinks is the coolest cat ever!  She kills a mole or mouse every other and displays it for all to see on the front porch.  Josh has decided that her name should be changed from Sweetie Pie to Katniss!!

Drake, the young German Shorthair puppy that Josh was training to be a bird dog, was unfortunately hit and killed on the road.  He was a good dog that was a quick learner and doing well in his training. It was a sad day for the whole family.  However, Josh has since acquired two more German Shorthair puppies, Chase and Gunner. Time will only tell if they prove to be as instinctual as Drake.

Micah had his first deer hunting experience and it turned out well!!  Although he didn't actually pull the trigger, he had the opportunity to be with his Daddy and Papaw Steve when Josh killed a nice 8-point buck. I think Micah was definitely the most excited!!

Hilton Head Island

(July 11-16)
Josh has been blessed in his job since our move to North Carolina.  As a result, he won the All-Star for the family to Hilton Head Island.  This was our first trip to Hilton Head and we LOVED it.  We enjoyed swimming in the pool, combing the beaches for seashells, great seafood, a sunset bike ride through Spanish moss laden trees, and a whole lot of relaxing, family time.

Although, the kids have taken some swim lessons this summer, this mama still required life jackets.

Soaking up the sun

The theme for this year's All-Star was a beach party.  Micah was playing pirate ship.

Jude enjoying the show!!

Future guitarist?

Clearly, air guitarist skills are hereditary!!!

Look at her go!!

Good morning!!  Jude is laying on Micah!!

Going for a bike ride....this is the life!!

Admiring a little seashell

Rachel

Baby Brothers Shower

(June 22, 2013)

My sweet sister Stephanie and her husband Tommy had a baby shower to prepare for their new baby boy.  Although Stephanie has a 10 year old son and Tommy has an 8 year old son, it has been awhile since a little baby has graced their home and they definitely needed all the goodies that come from a shower.  Here are some pictures of the festive affair.

Another beautiful cake made by my sister in law Pam.  The baby's room has frogs and alligators.

Wishing Tree...guests of the shower were able to write a tidbit of advice for the parents and hang them on a wishing tree.

 

Tommy and Stephanie Brothers

All of the goodies!!!

Rachel

"Take Me Out the Ballgame"

Down and Ready!!

Micah receiving his medal

Ball season was a busy one for the Wilson kids.  Abby played on two ball teams and Micah played on his very first tee-ball team.  Abby played on a parks and rec softball team and a church sponsored baseball team.

This was Abby's third year playing ball and to be honest, she didn't enjoy it as much as in the past.  We really missed having Timmy Link as her coach.  He can really bring the best out in the young girls he coaches.  Although Abby enjoys playing softball, the fate of her future is still in the air.  She may decide to not play next year.

Micah really enjoyed his first year of tee-ball.  Of course, watching a group of four year olds fight over the ball, run the bases backwards, and pile up at home plate is always enjoyable for the parents to watch.
Rachel

Goodbye First Grade...Finally

(June 12, 2013)

The longest school year EVER concluded on June 12.  Of course, missing 20 days of school due to snow will definitely delay to end of school year.  Abby had a really great year transitioning to a new school year.  But part of that reason was her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Matthews.  She loved Abby like she was her own daughter and welcomed the whole family into her heart.  Abby loved school and loved her teacher.  Here are some pictures of the "End of the Year Movie Premier Party."

Mrs. Story (Instructional Assistant).  Such a sweet person that loved and helped Abby all year.

Mrs. Matthews and Abby

Rachel

Operation Dance

(June 1, 2013)

Abby's first year in clogging concluded with a great recital entitled "Operation Dance"--which was a wonderful salute to veterans.  It also displayed a variety of dance routines that was super enjoyable to watch.  Although the pictures of the recital turned out blurry, I did capture a couple before she took the stage.

Rachel

A Six Month Vacation?

Wow...6 months!  That's how long it has been since my last post.  No, I haven't fell of the face of the earth, banned technology, been on a six month vacation, or taken a vow of blogging silence. So where have I been?

Right after my last post, our family moved from our condo on top of the mountain to a house in the valley.  Although the views were beautiful on top of the mountain, the drive was terrible and the condo wasn't conducive to family life.  So we now have a house that has more room than we have ever had in our entire married life plus it has a yard.  We are so blessed to have this house and we really love it.  Lots of room for the kids, an extra bedroom for visiting family and friends, and a "man cave" for Josh.  He is so excited to have his deer hung on the wall and his wildlife prints proudly displayed for all to see.  Of course, it quickly turned into a family room for everyone, but so nice to have the extra room.  We are truly blessed!! 

The kids enjoyed the packing paper WAY more than mama!!

However, the move proved traumatic for our computer.  It has been unable to connect to the internet and even had to be placed in "CCU" for a while.  But it's now up and going, so blogging can begin again.  Of course, it has been working for about a month, but I just haven't taken the time to write a post until today.

In addition to the move, we now have a walker on our hands.  Jude officially started walking one week shy of 18 months, our latest walker.  However, Abby was 17 1/2 months and Micah was 16 months, so they have all taken their sweet time.  But no complaints from me.  When you have a late walker, it's almost like you have a baby longer! :)

We also have two,new family members.  Federal Heavyshot Drake joined our family in May.  He's a German Shorthair with whom I have a love/hate relationship.  He is a super smart dog that shows a promising future with bird hunting, but he has dug up geraniums, hostas, tomatoes, and chewed on anything that gets in his way, including trash, shoes, cups, toys...I'm sure you get the picture!!  I'm hoping that he outgrows this before...well....just sometime very, very soon!!!  In addition to Drake, we also have Sweetie Pie, Abby's little yellow kitten....with whom Josh has a love/hate relationship.  He loves to hate the cat!!  She isn't allowed in the house because Josh and Micah are both allergic.  But she has killed two mice and proudly displayed them on the front porch for all to see. She has also proven the perfect play toy for Drake.  His days are filled with chasing, tormenting, chewing on, and carrying around the cat.  Although it seems torturous, she always returns for more.

This picture was snapped right after Drake was added to our family.  He is bigger than Jude now.  Josh will LOVE that I posted a picture of Jude with a purple pacifier.

We also concluded the school year, had an end of the year dance recital, completed two ball seasons for Abby and one for Micah, swim lessons for the older two, a baby shower for my sister, a family vacation, and a NEW baby nephew!!! 

But the biggest change is a new school year....AT HOME!!  Josh and I decided that this school year, we would be homeschooling, so lots of new and exciting things at the Wilson home.  (More about homeschooling later.)

Each of these events deserve some pictures on a post of their own.  Until then, ta-ta!  I promise it won't be another six months.

Rachel

Happy 7th Birthday, Abigail Beth!!

(March 13)

SEVEN YEARS OLD!!  That is hard for me to say.  Seven is a strange age.  Not really a baby anymore, but not really a big kid at the same time.  In today's world, seven year old girls believe they need to act 10 or 11.  I am happy to say, thanks to much prayer and guidance from the ultimate parenting book, the Bible, Abby is happy to be seven and acts like she's seven.  Of course, that could change tomorrow, but right now she is just seven.

I vividly remember finding out we were expecting, the entire pregnancy, the labor, and the first look at her beautiful, squishy, red face.  It was the moment I became a mommy and my focus shifted to someone so small and 100% dependent upon me and Daddy.  I was such a strange feeling in the wee hours of March 13, 2006.  I was young and naive, but I had to be grown up at the same time.  Unfortunately, like most young parents, we made LOTS of mistakes.  Hopefully, she won't remember those:)  As our firstborn, however, she will experience being a teenager at the same time we become parents of a teenager for the first time (YIKES) so expect more mistakes:)  Firsts for Abby will also be firsts for us as parents!!
 
A couple weeks before her birthday, Abby announced that she was ready to live on her own and have the responsibilities of a mommy!!!  Of course, my mouth dropped open.  So Josh and I decided to give her "adult" responsibility.  We told her she would clean the whole house, do everyone's laundry, change Jude's diaper, put the boys down for their naps, prepare meals for the family, etc.  (Perhaps this was one of those a fore mentioned mistakes!)  Needless to say, she quickly withdrew her comment and hasn't mentioned it since.  Except for that momentary longing to be a grown up, she is generally content to be her happy self:)

So Abby, what type of girl are you?

• You LOVE school!!  Perhaps it is just the social aspect of it, but you enjoy learning.  During our numerous snow days, we had "school" at home for about two hours to work on spelling and math.  You even enjoyed those days.  Of course, you did like socializing with Micah while he was coloring:)
• You LOVE to color and write.  Toys only hold your attention temporarily, but you could draw, write, and make "books" for  hours. 
• The only thing that you repeatedly asked for for Christmas was a stapler.  Nana and Papaw obliged and gave you a pink stapler.  You have used that stapler to make book after book after book.  So funny that you love that stapler!!
• You love your brothers.  You have been such a huge help with Jude.  You frequently play, sing, or talk to him when he is sad/fussy/whiny and it HELPS.  His legs start kicking as soon as you start talking.  Although you sometimes antagonize Micah and you all like to fight and pick, you are still concerned for his welfare and love to watch out for him and help him.
• You are a hugger!!  You hug everybody.  In fact, sometimes it becomes a problem.  You want to get up in the middle of class and hug your teacher.  Although we don't want to squash that enthusiasm, it has been a challenge to teach you when it is okay to hug and when you need to wait.  Nevertheless, you are still a hugger.
• Clogging!!  You have turned into a great little clogger.  When we first moved to NC, we started you in gymnastics, but decided to switch you to clogging in September. What a great move!!  You love clogging!  You love the costumes, the shoes, the constant moving.  And the best perk is you have made friends.  One in particular, Kara, has turned out to be great for the everyone since our whole family has befriended her family.
• I have been amazed at how well you have adjusted to our move.  Although you have moments when you miss your family and Evan, you have quickly made friends here and have adjusted well to life in the mountains.
• You enjoy hiking. I am impressed at how much you enjoy this.  You are generally a little hesitant and
  "whiny" when we start a hike, but quickly you take the lead and are tromping through mud and bravely leading us along the trail.
• You're a movie junkie!!  You love movies and TV.  In fact, if I don't monitor your TV time, you would be there all day.
• You are sweet, caring, emotional, energetic, and a joy in our lives.  Although I can't hold you in my arms as easily as I used to, you will always be my baby, my first love, the one who made me a mommy.

Rachel