Looking Back

Well this is the time of year when you are looking back at a year gone by, so.....
This has been a REALLY rough year for us! I remember the start of 2008... we had no idea where we were going to live. That in itself was the most stressful time of my life. But God has shown Himself very faithful to us. I know in my head that we should not have worried - but my heart was VERY worried. God has provided us with this beautiful house and has shown Himself faithful in providing a way for us to pay each month's rent.
The Summer started out great as a friend of ours provided us a way to have a wonderful vacation! Big Cedar was definitely the highlight of the year. We were able to go just after God moved us into this house and we sure did need a time to reconnect as a family. It was a once in a lifetime memory for us and the kids.
The summer was tight and we scraped by with help from family. We had to find creative ways to have outings as family fun - but all-in-all the kids had a fun one.
Soccer starts!!!! With all three boys playing we were again stretched beyond belief. Six to eight practices a week, Dylan reffing games and then our games on top of that. It seemed we were living and breathing S O C C E R! Oh and then football starts at school for Dylan. So then we added football practices four times a week plus in town and out of town games. I can't believe we made it withour forgetting something. My calendar sure was used! We just took it one day at a time I guess.
And then it's over!!! A little break is all we need, but straight into basketball we go! It is a lot easier now though because only Dylan plays and he practices at school and then just walks home when he's done. Out of town games are fun now - we call them our weekly date night with the kids! (always Mexican food!)
Christmas has been WONDERFUL! Christmas Eve we were able to go to Glen Rose to see Jeremy's Papaw. He is 93 and is a wonderful man. We haven't been able to go there for Christmas Eve in about 5 years - so we were very excited to go! The boys and Jeremy got to see cousins that they haven't seen in years.
WE have so enjoyed being home with the boys. We actually spent a night making Christmas Cookies - the icing got kinda messy but hey we had a blast! Playing games has been nonstop around here. Monopoly, Guess Who?, Basketball, Wii Fit, and Football are just a few faves to be named.
So now here we are starting 2009 - Jeremy and I have said it has got to be better than 2008 - but looking back we have learned a lot about each other and most importantly about our God! It is great to be able to say "He's still workin' on us!"
Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

Catch up!!

Yes I know its been awhile! Here are a few pics of the West activities over the last few weeks.

He loves to work out with his Daddy!

This is how I send my kids to school!! LOL It was "Rock Day" at the Middle School and it was "Pajama Day" at Travis Elementary. They were all excited to be going to school that day!Our last football game - ended our season 3 - 3 -2 He had a great time learning so much about the sport! He was complimented by the coaches they say he is very coachable and he gives 110% to the team.

Halloween FUN!! We had so much fun this night! As you can see Damon got to be a Football player - thanks to his big brother again! And Dakota, well, he just kinda threw together his "Rocker" outfit!

Dylan went to a friends house - they kinda dressed him up! He had a lot of fun hanging out with them - even though he was the only boy there! He doesn't care because they are really good christian friends from church.

They cashed in with the candy!! And for those of you that "know" Dakota - he is the candy man! They have this tradition of putting the chocolate in one pile and all others in another pile. Needless to say we still have a ton of candy in our house!

We were remembering one of Dakota's first trick or treating experiences(about 2 yrs old) - He was so very tired and he didn't want to quit - so he turned around eyes half closed and asked "Can we do this again tomorrow?" He was so cute!

Carving Pumpkins was a family affair - when we each had our own to design!





The biggest leaf pile ever! Well at least that's what they thought that day! Dakota, Damon, Abbi and Ella had hours of fun in the leaves! Who knew falling leaves could be so entertaining?!!
Soccer Tournament day: turned out to be the coldest day yet.

Damon's team won the first game early that morning and played again in the afternoon for first place. They lost by one point and got second - what a great game!Dakota's team won FIRST place! They were a great team of players. He really enjoyed this season. Dylan's team also was second place. What a season: one Gold and two Silvers!! Go West Boys!Now it's on to Basketball!! It will be a little easier now that we only have two that play in this sport. Dylan plays for his school and Damon has decided that he wants to play Upward basketball. The boys all told me I need a saying on the back of my van that says "Sports Mom - Bring it On!"

Fire!

I thought I was doing great today by calling Jeremy and I's lunch order in early to DQ. Well I go in a little bit later and I stand at the counter waiting for someone to help me. As I look over to the food order area I see a bag of food catching on fire right there on the food counter! The guys luckily see it in no time - but the entire bag has completely caught on fire! The young man comes over to me and says he thinks that might have been my order! Yes - I will wait for fresh food since mine is charcoaled and soaking wet on top of that! The lady beside me is laughing hysterically by now and she places her order of a "large Dr. Pepper" and the young man says "Good something that won't catch on fire!" Well, just thought I would share my "adventure" for the day!!!

Family

I was kinda getting deep in thought today......I know sounds really scary! But I have a family that I don't EVER get to see or for that matter talk to. I miss that connection for myself and for my boys. My parents are in Mt Vernon - getting ready to move to Wyoming. My two brothers, who are many years younger than I, are in Wyoming with their families. We just have lost alot through the years - they chose paths that are not necesarily the best for them in the last few years. My prayers go up to my Heavenly Father for each of them and their children. My grandparents live in MO and I haven't seen them in years. I am so very thankful that Jeremy has family all around us! I am so very blessed to be a part of the West Family! They have taught me everything I know and feel about "unconditional Love" I am who I am today because of that entire family! My boys have so much love and caring for grandparents, great-grandparents and so many West cousins! I guess with Thanksgiving just around the corner I was just feeling thankful for what I do have with the "acquired" family I now have. I still miss my side of the family I don't get to see and that my boys do not know much about, but all-in-all I love ALL of my Family!

All in a Week

WOW - it all started on Saturday when we were finishing up our busy soccer-filled day. We were watching Dylan play his game. Damon was playing with some friends on the next field - when all of a sudden we realized he was hurt. He had run (full speed) into the goal post. He was bleeding from his head quite alot. After washing him up we saw that it was a little cut on the side of his head. Major headache for a couple of days! My poor Baby!

MONDAY - (as per Damon) I walked into my classroom and I saw "West" on the bulletin board. I looked again and I saw"Damon" and then I saw my picture! I was the Star Student and I get to bring home the sign to put out in the yard!

Dakota played his game and he had to play the entire game - we only had one sub who showed up after the game started! We won 5-3! Dakota played an awesome game - he had so much hustle - we were very proud of his focus on the game.

Dylan was reffing a game on Monday night when he told us - "Oh by the way our football game was moved from Thurs. night to tomorrow night in Canton at 5:00" No problen we can all change our work schedules on a dime! Thank you Melanie for your patience with us! Lately YES we can and have - we have learned just how flexible we can be!

Tuesday - Damon trying to find the "best spot" for his sign! He was so excited!

We went to Canton - Jeremy actually thought about not going - it turned out to be the best game of the season - not competition - but definitely a spirit booster for our team!

Yes you are reading this right - we won! Dylan caught a 7 yard pass and the proud Dad couldn't stop himself from yelling "Go West!" (all team members are known by their last name) He was so very glad he went to that game! After the game we had the best family dinner at Juanitas in Canton. It was not only great food but we were kind of "celebrating" a fun, no worries game!

The rest of the week was as usual with practices and more school pictures(football this week).

On friday I went to have lunch with my STAR STUDENT! He wanted DQ - so I picked up 2 kids meals and we enjoyed a great lunch together. Congratulations Damon!!!

Now it is Saturday and we are getting ready to start it all over again! Fall weather is perfect for a day of soccer enjoyment - here we go!

A Note from Damon

We stayed home - because it is raining. we went running in the rain together. it was fun. we playd games.

Brotherly Love

Yes, it does exist - rarely - but when it does it is priceless!!




Dakota "teaching" Damon how to build a zoo! Needless to say his animals were not happy! Oh Well - They just started over with a new zoo!



The first cool fall evening - we couldn't wait to try out our fireplace! Dylan walks in and says "where's the marshmallows?" LOL

Grandpa comes to town

Grandpa Folk came Saturday and stayed to watch our soccer games! He hasn't been to a game in years, so the boys were very excited to have him come. He was able to see Dylan reffing a game - so that was pretty neat. Damon didn't get much "action" as goalie - but they won - so all was good. Dylan's game was very exciting as the two teams were very equally matched. They won but only by one point in the last 5 minutes. Grandpa seemed to really get into that game!! Dakota was along for the ride again as he plays on Monday. After the games we went for Ice cream - so of course that was a big hit too! Thank you Grandpa for treating us to a good day with you!

SOCCER!!

WOW!! What a full day! I am exhausted! Damon and Dylan both had to be at the fields by 8:30 this morning. Damon had a game at 9:00 and Dylan had a game to ref at 9:00 - so we walked between fields(having all 3 boys play each year we are very used to this!). Damon's team is very good and they won 8 to 0. He didn't win any games last year so this was a very welcome change.

He hasn't played "goalie" before so he is loving this too.



Then there's Dyaln - "the Ref"!!! LOL

We also had a little break - so we ran over to get some very delicious Hopkins County Stew! I say "we" but that is not totally acurate - Dylan never got to leave the fields, he had a booked day of reffing. Sorry Dylan - but before you start feeling bad for him, Dakota and Damon both saved some stew for him. Angie and her crew always do a great job! Sorry so busy eating and helping Damon that I forgot to take any pictures - maybe next year!

And now back to the Soccer fields - Dylan had his own game to play at 3:30. They have an older team and 4 of the 7 players are Mexican so they are very good. They told Dylan that his skills are too good for a "white" boy so they call him the "Albino Mexican" - this cracks me up every time I think about it!!LOL He scored 3 goals of his own - but every player except one scored so you guessed it - they won 15 - 0!

Dakota was along for the ride today - no games for him, yet! His first game is on Monday and then again on Thursday - so he'll be busy this week! I love this time of year!!

Home Sweet Home! 5:30 - Just in time for dinner and oh yeah to study my Caraway script! on to another busy Sunday!

Wildcat Mom!!

We had our first "8th grade football" game. We went to Whitehouse! I never actually knew where Whitehouse was - but after seeing how close it was to Tyler - I have probably been there before and never knew I wasn't in Tyler. We did not win - but they had a great time! Dylan has been wearing a brace on his knee to help an early injury he has - so all we wanted was for him not to get hurt. Our prayers were answered and he played a great game!




He is #85 - and yes he does look "tiny" compared to the other players - but he can definitely hold his own!! We are very proud of him and all his daily hard work and dedication to his team.

After the game we headed over to Mercados. We had been told by a "very reliable source"(Thanks Felicia!!!) that it is a great place to go - and we had never been - so why not? It was VERY good and we had a wonderful time taking our "teenager" out after the game.

On the way home we realized that we were bringing home "real" football equipment! This may not seem important to many - but we have an aspiring young football player here at home! We knew that he was going to be very excited about it (for weeks he has been pretending "football" with his baseball helmet and gloves!). It is quite funny to see him charging all over the house with his "gameface" on!!

Yes - we were right he was in heaven! He had all this on most of the day today!! He has a great big brother who was very generous to share! He has enjoyed being tackled by not only his brothers but even Daddy got in on the game!! Life with BOYS is never-ending Fun!!

Tomorrow we are on to a FULL day of Soccer!!

Hurricane Ike!

Yes, you might be wondering what those West boys are up to now! Well......let me tell you! They are OUT (yes OUT!!!) in the rain! They are "collecting" rain water. Why you ask....well that I am not really sure of but as you can clearly see they are working TOGETHER at something - whatever it is!!! They have been out walking up and down the street - barefooted! They came to me as a force to be reckoned with asking if they could go out since "there is no thunder and no lightning! Pleeeasse!" What could I say, since they were all agreeing on something? It's only a Tropical Storm. I remember doing this as a child myself and it is rather amuzing to see my boys out there "enjoying" a hurricane!!!

Ranger Game

Damon 's baseball team went to a Ranger game and had so much fun - after the rain delay that is!! He hadn't seen most of his friends from the team since May. They were up in a suite box and that just adds to the fun! Jeremy and Dakota were invited to go too. It was a great time for him and 2 of his boys! They returned home in the early morning hours and still did not want to go to bed - they had so much to tell me about what they saw and did. Thank you to Broc Hoenberger for a great baseball team party!!!

Dylan spent all day that Saturday in a soccer clinic - so he could be a soccer ref for this season. Since it is his first year he will only get to be a line judge, but he is very excited about it! He has played soccer since he was 7 and it is his favorite of all sports that he plays. He has a heart for the game and it is amazing for us to watch him play!

Back to School

So we finished our "Back to School" shopping today. Not much to it for boys: t-shirts and jeans oh and those precious shoes of theirs! I think we are all happy now that we have new shoes for school, I even picked up a pair for myself.
I have officially started back to "work" now. Friday we had our first teachers meeting and I am so excited to get another year started! The preschool has been a great blessing to me and it just gets better every year! God is so Good!
We were very blessed this summer as Memaw bought ALL of our school supplies for the boys- including backpacks. And you know how expensive that can get especially for three boys! We are so very thankful to her and Papa for all they do to help us. We can never tell them enough how much we appreciate them, not only for what they do, but mostly for their LOVE and PRAYERS for our family!!! We love you Memaw and Papa!!!

Summer Fun

We went to Lake Texoma Camp to visit Dakota. This is the first summer that I have not gone with him to camp. He did so good and we are so very proud of him, not only for being good but mostly for his decision to follow God with how he lives his life! Thank you Lord for touching his heart!!

So the summer is slowly slipping away from us - we know when Dakota's birthday comes around that we don't have much summer left to enjoy together. His birthday comes at a very hard time for us financially. We hardly ever give him something "special". This year we tried to plan ahead and Jeremy used a vacation day at work. For his birthday we gave him a day at Hurricane Harbor. We stayed from the minute they opened until they were announcing (for people like us) that they were closing! He was the happiest birthday boy you've ever seen! We went on a Thursday and it was his actual "birthday"(7/31) It wasn't very busy and we had a wonderful family day! We made it a point that someone had to say "Hey Dakota, Happy Birthday!" on every ride that we went on. By the end of the day it had become very funny!

All during that day I was reminded of how precious my family is to me. Our boys are growing up so very fast. I look at each one and how different they are from each other. Dylan - a teenager WOW he continues to surprise me daily as he matures. Dakota - Our comedian he keeps us laughing constantly. Damon - his imagination is so incredible! I think I get so busy with each day that I forget how blessed Jeremy and I are. I often find myself counting the days until summer is over so I can start getting a paycheck again. I find myself worrying about how we are going to pay for the things we need and I daily forget that I am not the Provider - I need to rely on what God is providing every day for us. He is so good and I know He has the BIG plan for us!!

Our Family Blog - I can't believe it!

I have really enjoyed reading the blogs of some close friends - so here goes! We have been really busy this summer. Our vacation to Big Cedar MO was amazing - God revealed himself in so many ways!!!