Welcoming Myself Back...to Blogging

Facebook has taken me away from my blogging...but, I am going to try to start this up again...so bear with me.

Life is, well, crazy at times with our family these days. Carissa and Jocelyn played soccer this fall along with starting dance/tumbling/jazz and Girl Scouts. Between Joe and I we spent time at their soccer practices/games and I jumped head first into doing Girl Scouts for the 3rd year in a row. This year, we have 40 girls! It's crazy, but fun. We have tried to get into a routine with our meetings, but one never knows how crazy it might be with that many little, giggly girls!

Jocelyn is LOVING school as is Carissa. Kindergarten has been a true social experience for Jocelyn--she has quite a few "BESTEST" friends and she seems to be thriving in her class. Carissa is above and beyond her grade level (2nd grade already!) and is a knowledge machine lately. She takes it all in and just keeps learning and growing.

Joe is staying busy with church things/meetings/visiting/bible studying and is also subbing for the school district on occasion. He did not have any classes this semester and only has 3 more to complete to graduate in May 2012 and I am a little over a year from my graduation too!

Family time is at a minimum some days/weeks, but we are trying as much as we can to sit and enjoy a meal together most nights and we are usually wiped out by the end of our evenings. Joe takes Tuesdays off, so he and Dawson and I usually try to go to lunch together.

Zumba has become one of my 2-3 times a week exercise times, but I can't wait to actually see the weight drop and feel the ENERGY you should have after doing the workouts! HA!

Overall, life has been treating us pretty well. The holidays are upon us and we have much to be thankful for...Hoping everyone's holidays are spent with those they love!

Robert Lowery

My Dad, my children's Papa...and my Mom's husband of almost 40 years...

We will always remember him as one of the most wonderul people in the world...



Robert Lowery (born October 4, 1948 and left this earth to be with his Heavenly Father on April 28, 2011)


http://www.lincolnchristian.edu/NewsEvents/Sem.LoweryFuneral.asp

Getting Ready...

3 months ago, we were getting ready for Dawson's arrival...

3 months ago, Jocelyn and Carissa were finishing up Preschool and Kindergarten respectively...

NOW, we are about to register Carissa for FIRST GRADE!! I cannot believe it, but I know she is ready...

The girls are both playing soccer this fall and this week is soccer camp~couldn't be much hotter for it! This is Jocelyn's first time playing on a team and she is one quick little girl! They both enjoyed the first night...we got home around 7:00, ate a late supper, the girls showered, and are definitely going to sleep well tonight!

Dawson is growing like CRAZY! He's over 12 pounds now and is a very happy baby unless he's hungry...he's a smiling little guy and the girls are still totally in love with him!

Joe spent a week on a mission trip, we all spent a week with my parents and brother/sister-in-law and niece in Wisconsin (Door County) and then did a week of VBS...needless to say, we are wrapping up our summer with a bang! Next thing to look forward to is BROWN COUNTY and then a good friend's wedding in October!

Before you know it, we'll be talking about November birthday girls and Christmas is just around the corner too!

June!!

Well, Carissa finished school strong, Jocelyn had a great Preschool Graduation, and Dawson is growing and developing so quickly!!!

We spend most of our days outside (other than the rainy and stormy days!) and our evenings outside--but with the addition of Dad to play too! I finally feel like I'm back to myself after the drama that was my last pregnancy, but am overwhelmed with how great the girls are with Dawson and our adjustment has been pretty good!

Six, and out of kindergarten, seems to be a tough age for Carissa and the rest of us to deal with. She seems to have gotten a little too much freedom and now thinks that she is in charge...needless to say, she has spent quite a bit of time on her "mat" for timeouts. I know she wants to be older and wiser, but she is recognizing that we mean business when we say "treat others the way you would want to be treated" and just seems to be a little slower understanding it right now...I know she'll get there!

We are excitedly looking forward to our FAMILY VACATION with my parents and my brother and his family too! We are heading to Wisconsin in July and we have no plans outside of just relaxing for a week. We haven't had a vacation like that in...well, I don't know that I've ever had a vacation like that! Of course, following vacation, I jump right into VBS...which almost needs a vacation following it...but I've decided, I'm not stressing myself out over it this year...it's fun and I have to remember that its for FUN!!!!

I will be trying to get some pictures taken of the three kids SOON! I want to post some more and hoping for family pictures soon too!!

Dawson Robert

Our Newest Family Member...

Dawson Robert
6 lbs. 11 oz.
18 1/2 inches long
and a FULL head of hair!

He has two proud sisters and two proud parents!

2010 Mother/Daughter Banquet

Grandma came down to join us for the Mother/Daughter Banquet and we had a great time together...the girls got home, showered, and are fast asleep...on to a nice weekend together!

April Showers Bring May Flowers...

Once Jocelyn learned that saying...she's always saying it!

Spring Music/Art Program for Carissa was April 27th...she was so excited to sing and show off her artwork...

...and of course some showing off!!


Ending the day with a sign of spring showers~~A RAINBOW!!!