"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

Two Times the Party Fun

Since Jude and Abby's birthdays are only 13 days apart, I decided to have a combo birthday party.  Much easier to do two at one time then separate.  Since Abby adores her little brother, she thought the idea was fun.  (When they are turning 16 and 10, she will probably have a different opinion.)  Anyway, Abby was adament about wanting Hello Kitty for her birthday theme.  So I decided to pair a cute little puppy party with Hello Kitty.  I mean, it is only a matter of time before they are fighting like cats and dogs:)

Abby was so tickled that Nana, Stephanie, Tommy, and Caleb could attend her party.  Although it is too far for all of our family from Kentucky and Illinois to come, we were thankful that some could attend.  We also had some friends from church, Scotty and Christy, and their four boys came. (Trey, Kole, Seth, and Jake)  Some other friends that we met through Abby's clogging also came to the party, Kara and her mom Marta.  It was a beautiful day, especially in the mountains.  The kids took full advantage of the indoor pool.  Although living in a condo has some disadvantages, one pro is we have an indoor pool and a clubhouse that was great for the party.  Here are some pictures of our festive Saturday of partying!!

 I have never had this a party before but thought it would be cute.  I had a picture of Jude from each month of his first year and a picture of Abby from each birthday party.  Abby really enjoyed looking at how much she had grown:)

 Abby and Micah filling up their candy bags.  Instead of favors, I had a small "candy bar".  The kids got to fill up their bags with all kinds of goodies.

A true girl...her reaction to jewelry and shoes.

 Yum, the icing is good....

 ....and so is the cake!!

 I was pretty impressed with Jude's eating abilities.  He had a view crumbs on the belly and mouth, but didn't have anything in his hair.

 Jude really enjoyed opening his presents.

 He loved his presents so much, this was his reaction when I took one away so he could open another one:)

 Yeah, new present!!

 And take it away!!

His new ride!!  A toy that can be pushed now but turns into a tricycle later!

 Abby and Kara all ready to swim!!  Yes, this is the mountains and they are outside.  Although we missed school Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday for snow, Saturday was beautiful!

 The boys having fun!!  Caleb is holding up Micah and Trey is holding up Jake.

 The kids thought it was really neat when Christy put Jude in the water.

 A foam beard in the "hot pool"...AKA: the hot tub.

 So thankful for my gifts.

So thankful for my gifts

Rachel