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