Austin's 12th Birthday!

Today, my sweet boy turns 12. It's hard to believe it has been that long ago that we were in the hospital on Christmas Eve awaiting the best Christmas gift I've ever received. Austin was the best baby ever. Slept great from day one, hardly ever cried. I was still in college when Austin was born & on at least three different occasions I had to take him to class with me. He never made a peep in class. He'd often watch the professors and listen so intently, as if he was trying to soak up every bit of knowledge he could. My professors would say he listened better than most of the students did!

Austin is artistic & compassionate. He notices the beauty in things & notices people who are in need & hurting. He has such a generous heart. He notices when people need a friend & tries his best to be kind to everyone. Sometimes his little heart will break when others don't do the same.

At this time in his life, Austin says he wants to be a surgeon when he grows up. He's definitely smart enough to accomplish this, if he doesn't let his flighty airheadedness get the best of him. I'm sure he will succeed in whatever he chooses to pursue. I'm not looking forward to those days when he leaves us to go to college & begin his adult life. After watching old home movies today, it makes me wish we could go back & have those sweet days all over again. Don't get me wrong, he's still a great kid, but I do miss his chubby cheeks & little voice.

To celebrate Austin's birthday, we took him to see Yes Man! the other day. He absolutely loves Jim Carrey. Then he had lobster tail at Outback Steak House. Austin said it's a good thing he's going to be a surgeon when he grows up because he likes expensive things! Then today, we took him to Build a Bear Workshop to create his penguin, Maxwell Smart. Also, the girls at IHOP sang Happy Birthday to him. That was great because he got really embarrassed. It's hard to believe this time next year he'll be a teenager. I don't want to think about it so I'm going to have to end this post before I start crying!

Have a Merry Christmas Everyone.

Black Eyed Boy

Okay, this picture does not do this injury justice. I literally started crying when I saw it the first time! Friday, Dylan comes running home from his friend's house, holding his eye. Of course, my heart stops. I started thinking, "Great, we just canceled the insurance & now we have to go to the emergency room!" But then he removed his hand & I saw the black eye. My first thought was, "What did you say to Ben?" Of course, I didn't think Ben was the type of child to punch his friends in the eye, but Dylan can have a bit of a sarcastic smart mouth at times. But instead of accusing I asked, "Oh no, what happened?" Turns out, Dylan was playing capture the flag with some neighbor boys and slid in the mud. As he fell, his face smacked into the underground utilities cover. Thank God it is in the shape of a dome and not squared off. Two days later, the swelling is going down some, but it's still lots of pretty colors. Well, this boy just shaved off a few more years from my life. BOYS!!!

2008 Recap

Okay, since I didn't write a Christmas newsletter this year, I just wrote our blog address on our Christmas cards. So, I guess I'll do a quick recap of what we did this year. If you want more details you can go back to the old posts.

In January, Austin & Dylan played their one and only season of indoor soccer. It was painful to watch. They were always competing against select teams and the score usually read something like 20 to 2. It did help them to become better soccer players. Their team was much faster in the spring season and they definitely communicated better. Too bad half their team left in the fall season to play select soccer. Austin & Dylan were stuck with very few players from their old team. Most of the new guys didn't really care if they won a game or not. After the 0 wins fall season, James & I decided we needed a break from soccer. The plan is for the boys to try baseball in the spring. James is keeping his fingers cross that they'll fall in love with the game. Check back in the spring for updates on how baseball is going.

In March we went to Washington, DC for a few days. We had been once before for a day trip, but didn't get to do everything we wanted. So, this year we decided to go back and do it properly. Let's just say we definitely walked our feet off. We visited the National Archives. It was very cool to see the Declaration of Independence in person. Then we went to the Natural History musuem. By this time we were very hungry, so we didn't spend a lot of time there. But I do remember seeing the big diamond. We visited the Spy Musuem and our favorite place of all was the Lincoln Memorial. Two different times we walked by the White House and stared with jealous eyes at the people being cleared to go inside. Maybe we'll go back someday to visit the White House. After our trip to DC, James got me on a prop plane (visualize a look of terror on Barbara's face!) to go visit The Holler in Pikeville, Kentucky. We had so much fun visiting James' parents and we even met a brand new baby cow!

In May, Austin's 5th grade band had their first concert. It was good to hear that all the students had little squeaks here and there, it wasn't just Austin. Also, in the month of May, Barbara informed her school district that she would not be returning in the fall! Three years in Normandy was long enough. It was time to move on.

In June the boys and I tried flying to Miami to meet James. We had planned to go to South Beach, but instead we got stuck at the Charlotte, NC airport. So, the boys and I got a hotel room, swam in the pool & ate Cracker Barrell. It wasn't as much fun as being with James in Miami, but we still had a good time.

This was the first year Austin & Dylan went away to church camp. I cried when they left, but James took me to Myrtle Beach for my birthday to cheer me up. This was our first trip away without the boys. It was so much fun. We should definitely do it more often, but my fear of crashing without them gets in the way sometimes. I'm not saying it's rational, but it's still my fear!

July was a big month for us. Barbara (me) got her real estate license and we went on a trip to Mexico. We had so much fun in Mexico. We even posted a video of Austin & Dylan parasailing back in July. Go check it out! Travel tip - check out skyauction for great travel deals.

In August Barbara started working with Prudential Select Properties. Austin & Dylan started back to school. Dylan started middle school this year, so he and Austin were at the same school again. It was wierd having a school year where they were in school and I wasn't, but it was a nice change for me.

In October Barbara got two listings! One is now under contract & we are eagerly awaiting the other one's sale. Barbara also had a blast going to her high school reunion. I reconnected with a lot of my highschool friends on facebook and enjoyed seeing everyone in person. I've also joined a Bunco group in the neighborhood. We play once a month. I've won $10 the first time and $15 the second time! Let's hope my luck continues in the new year!

I also started subbing in the boy's school district. Mostly I've subbed in special ed rooms. I really enjoy working with the paraprofessionals and it makes me feel good when they call and ask for me to come back. It's also nice to know that I do still have my patience. Last year I thought it might be gone forever.

James was relocated to Washington, DC in October, but will be returning home January 5th. He's been downgraded back to a first officer, but it will be nice for him to be back home. Please keep us in your prayers that we will financially be okay. It's kind of scarey living on half the salary you are use to. Hopefully I'll sell lots of houses and we'll have nothing to worry about.

It's been a good year for us. I hope it's been a good year for all of you. We miss you all lots & don't forget to come see us. It always makes the year a little bit better when friends & family come to visit.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

SOLD FAST!!!!

We now have a contract on my Brandywine listing. Hooray! My sellers are excited to move closer to their grandkids and the buyers are excited to be moving into their new home. Hoping to close in January. I guess I need to get back to work trying to get some more listings!

Austin's Winter Concert

Last Wednesday was Austin's first concert of his 6th grade year. If you remember, I posted a video of his 5th grade band playing in the Spring. James and I were pleasantly surprised at this winter concert. The 6th graders had improved so much in 6 months time! We are so proud of Austin & all his hard work learning to play the trumpet. The song I posted was Up on the Roof Top.