Hanging my head

Wow, has it really been OVER a year? I haven't completely disappeared, but I have been stalking other people's blogs. I love reading what  other people are doing, but I am not the best at keeping people posted (blog-wise) about us. I update Facebook frequently, and I talk to my family often, but I just can't seem to keep this blog up to date. So let's just do a quick run down on everyone in the family  and the past year.

Starting with youngest to oldest:

Wilson: He is in preschool (at the same daycare), and he seems to be learning lots. He comes home everyday with the letters he is learning, and he always has a funny story to tell. He has started to really develop his own little personality. He is the funny guy when he wants to be, but mostly he is still obsessed with all sports. He will watch anything sports related. I am talking boxing, wrestling, horse racing, and of course football, baseball, and basketball. He is currently playing up in the t-ball world. He will turn 5 this summer and could start school in the fall, but we have decided to hold him out for year. As a teacher of upper grades, I see all to often that students suffer from being the youngest in their class.

Russell: Currently in 1st grade, Russell is rocking the education world. Now, every parent wants to think that their child is a genius, or super special, and I am no exception. Russell is reading above grade level, and he spells fantastically (which obviously he got that trait from his father). His math skills are sometimes unbelievable. When he gets quite (usually in the car), and I ask him what he is doing he will spout something off like, "Did you know that 13 groups of 20 is 260." Russell played pitching machine in the fall to prepare for the spring season of church league. This is serious stuff around here. We have played with the same kids (and coaches) for the past couple of years, and Russell seems to enjoy it. I think playing fall ball might have been a little bit of an overload, so this year I want him to try some other sports or activities. Star Wars, Ninjago, Pokemon, Bey Blades, and all things related are the current obsessions in our house.

Hillary: I took on a special challenge this school year. The third day of school, my principal called a special meeting of the upper grade teachers, and presented us with the fact that we would have to have a 4th/5th grade spilt class. I can honestly say that I heard the Lord speak to me in her office, and He told me that this was what I was supposed to do. I can 't say that there haven't been numerous challenges (like teaching two completely different set of objectives), but my students have really made this year special. I feel like this was the best year I have had in my 10 years of teaching. I will be extremely emotional at the end of the year. I received a special honor (I think directly related to the fact that I took on this challenge) in March. My coworkers and PTA nominated and voted me Teacher of the Year for Euper Lane Elementary. It was a huge surprise, and I was extremely emotional. I feel so honored to be recognized for the job I do, but really and truly, I enjoy the students, teachers, and environment at our school! I have decided to go back to school. I will start this summer, and the course work is all online. I will have a new class every 5 weeks. I am going to be getting my Masters in Educational Leadership (Administration). I have mixed emotions about it (especially since our life is so busy), but the pay raise is a big factor in my decision. I don't want to get out of the classroom yet, but having the degree will allow me to have more options in the future.

Justin: Justin just finished up another track season as Girls Track coach. Football was pretty successful, landing us in the playoffs again this year. He is keeping himself busy fixing things around the house and coaching Wilson's t-ball team. Yes, folks you read that right, Justin is coaching 12 4,5,and 6 year olds. I don't care what he says, I know he secretly enjoys it! I am sure he is looking forward to some time off this summer as short as it may be. Justin's dad just purchased a new trailer that he is putting on a lot by the river. Chester had one before, but after the floods of 2011, he had to demolish it. I know that Justin, the boys, and Chester will be taking full advantage of the new place this summer.

We have big plans of a beach trip to Destin this summer. Justin and I will also be visiting Ryan and Shannon in Chicago in July. Other than that I am hoping to spend most of my days poolside. I am a self proclaimed pool bum, so if you live in Fort Smith or the surrounding areas, and you own a pool, I might need to be your best friend. Haha, no really I am serious! I hope everyone is doing well! I don't know if anyone will actually read this blog (you know since I never post), but if you do, I thank you. I have high hopes to keep it up!

Traveling, talking, teaching and trying new things

We have really been trying to make the most of our Christmas break. While on break we have enjoyed seeing family, rested, relaxed, ate tons of goodies, and played with all of the new toys we received for Christmas.

Our first adventure led us to Houston to visit Justin's side of the family. It was a full house with Aunt Linda and Uncle Steve, Grandmother and Granddaddy-o, The Moddelmog family, the Archer family, the Key family. Britni and John were able to make it for our last night in Houston.

It was so wonderful to see everyone and have the kids spend time together.

I didn't get many pictures of our time in Houston, but the few that I took really show how much fun the kids had playing together. We took them to an awesome Christmas program, made a Gingerbread man hunt for presents, played "Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam" in the back yard, and took a few trips to the neighborhood park.

It was a long drive home, but we made it in one day (THANKS, Justin!). We wanted to make it home so we could spend Christmas eve and day with our fabulous family of four. I spent time on Christmas eve making good food and wrapping presents. The boys were getting really excited about the upcoming events!! After all was said and done, we cleaned up nice and neat to head to Christmas eve service at FUMC. When we returned home, we all opened one gift (new pj's), and quickly headed to bed (or at least the boys did).

Santa was really good to all of us! The boys enjoyed all of their gifts. Russell's gifts fell more on the artistic side of things, while Wilson's gifts followed a trend of sports (big surprise) with a little Toy Story 3 mixed in.

I hope you and your family had a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas. Much love to all of our family and friends.

Unca Ryan and Aunt Shannon come to visit

We had another wonderful set of visitors recently. My brother, Ryan, and his wonderful wife, Shannon, came all the way from Chicago to see us. We filled the weekend with LOTS of events, but truth be told, I think we could have filled it with just the boys.

Friday: Their flight came in about 10, so all of us loaded up in the van to make the trip to XNA. The boys entertained themselves while waiting by acting like monsters crashing a toy house in the baggage area. What can I say? Boys will be boys. We came back to the Fort and had a nice lunch at Chedders. I think Shannon was appalled at Ryan's choice of Chicken Fried Steak, but she tried it like a good sport. Once we made it to the house the boys were relentless in their pursuit of playing with our guests. I think it is safe to say that everyone was WORN OUT by early afternoon. Justin had to scout a game (we had a bye week), and the weather was nice, so we decided to grill some tasties. The boys were happy to share their new movie, Toy Story 3, with Aunt Shannon.

Saturday: The boys and I woke up fairly early. Wilson complained of a stomach ache and claimed the only remedy was cinnamon rolls. He waited patiently for them to finish cooking and devoured 3 on his own. Once everyone else woke up, I fixed another round of cinnamon rolls and promptly banned the younger people from eating them all. (They must be going through a growth spurt!!) Ryan, Shannon, Wilson , and I made a quick run to Academy Sports for Hog gear. Of course, while we were there, Wilson found a Rebel colored football that he just HAD to have. Uncle Ryan was very nice to buy it for him (even if it was for us to take to the game later). Ms. Macy made it to the house to hang out with the boys while the adults made another trek up the hill for the Hog game. We had a blast tailgating at Pratt Farm, and the Hogs won in honor of Shannon. Once we made it back home, we all got out our competitive belts for a quick game of Cranium. Do you even need to ask who won? THE GIRLS!!

Sunday: We decided to take Ryan and Shannon to a really nice breakfast at our favorite stomping grounds--IHOP. I think the funniest comment of the weekend was Ryan saying, "Man, it is hard to take kids to breakfast. I am used to getting a paper and not saying anything to anyone." Yep, big bro, kids put a kink in those plans. Sunday was pretty much lounging, laundry, playing with the kids, and napping. We had to leave about 2:30 to make one last trip up the hill to the airport. After we saw Uncle Ryan and Aunt Shannon off safely, me and the boys drove safely back to our quiet home to enjoy the rest of our evening.

It was such a wonderful weekend (even if it was terribly short). The boys can't wait for the next time they see their "best buddies". Russell claims every time he gets mad at me that he is going to get on a plane and go live with Ryan and Shannon in Chicago. My typical response is "You would never make it in that cold. "

Spooktacular Day

Unlike most towns around, Fort Smith kept the Halloween Festivities on actual Halloween this year. It kinda put a kink in our fun-filed day as the coaches work for most of the day. However, Jeff was kind enough to let the coaches have 5:30-7:30 with their candy crazed children. THANKS!!
Russell, Wilson, and I started our afternoon with the Fimples at FUMC for their carnival. It was held in the FLC and consisted of games, bouncy houses, candy, candy and more candy. It was a really great way to warm up to the idea of people in costumes. In case you aren't aware, Wilson has a huge fear of strange people wearing strange outfits. He did really well, considering there were some seriously scary costumes there.





After we won all the games, took all the candy, and feasted on all the popcorn and soda we could, we headed to SHS to pick up the daddies. Sonic was running a special on corn dogs, so we swung by and picked up dinner to eat before Trick-or-Treating. We met the Fimples (+Keith) at a park in a local neighborhood, and we all ate some really healthy food. To maximize the short time we had we preplanned where we would visit. One of the neighborhoods is known for giving out full sized candy bars, and we had hunted this area last year. Let's just say the kids really racked up on loot!! A fun time was had by everyone involved. Now if I can just keep myself out of the bag of goodies.

Papa T's Halloween Extravaganza

This past weekend was the party to end all other parties. If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting "Papa T" then I feel so sorry for you. This man (who is the dad of a coach) puts on a great show for all of the kids. I am talking about HUGE blowup houses and slides. He requires costumes, but he provides great prizes for them. He thinks of the most inventive games to play, and the party always ends with the kids filling up their pumpkin baskets with TONS of candy. This year The Stewarts and The Keys went with the group theme of "Grease". We thought it was fitting--the boys could all be "tough T-Birds", and Leslie and I could be sassy Pink Ladies. Leslie is a very talented seamstress, and she took on the job of making our sexy poodle skirts. We won "Best Over All 3rd place", but I think we could have stolen the show if Tadd hadn't messed up "The Hand Jive" during judging. Leslie was Frenchie (duh--she sprayed her hair pink), and I was Rizzo (you can't see the hickey I drew on my neck). Needless to say we had a great time despite the torrential down pour. We are already planning next year's costumes. Any ideas?

In case you didn't hear

Just in case you missed the news. . .

I mean this is really big news. . .

It really changed the way we saw things at our house. . .

It will probably change the way we see things for a while. . .

Our house was pretty crazy for a while after we "found out". . .

Can you guess what it is?


No , probably not.

I really don't know why you are even trying!

Okay, I will put you out of your misery.

We. . . are. . . going. . .

TO THE PLAYOFFS! AGAIN!!

*hysterical laughter from Hillary*
Oh, I am sorry, did you think I was about to say something else?
Seriously though, we beat Har-ber, who were undefeated and ranked in the nation. I am so proud of the Rebels!! Our of our 6 seasons in Fort Smith this will be our 4th time to go to the playoffs!! My heart swells with pride!

Great times with Grandparents

Grandpa Ralph and Nana came to visit in early October. It was such a wonderful visit for everyone. Unfortunately, Wilson was running a temperature the whole weekend, but that didn't stop him from getting some good G-rent love. They arrived on Thursday afternoon and stayed till we left for work on Monday morning. We didn't really do anything spectacular (hint--fever), but we had really special time here at the house chatting. I was only able to catch a few pics of the whole weekend. Some are cute and some are silly (but still cute). We really don't get to see them often enough.