2013 in Review

What a wonderful, crazy, busy, wild year this has been! We could unfortunately be the winners of this year's "family with most strep cases" or "family with the craziest dog" or "most missed school days in a month".

We have been a little stressed. We have had our share of run ins with the crazies. We had many new experiences and adventures. We spent a lot of time together as a family. Most importantly we have been blessed beyond measure. When looking back through previous years, 2013 brought the most change for our family. We are thankful for it all - the good, the bad and the crazy. Okay, we could do without the "crazy".

January

We tried to train the crazy dog we adopted and that was going quickly to " NOWHERE". Don't let this picture fool you, he was taking us on walks more than the other way around. Lol!

 

We had our first dry cereal fight in the house and Mia loved it. Luka just wasn't comfortable with all the mess.

 

We started attending Saturday night service and enjoyed serving at church.

 

 

 

We decided to take a trip to Disney this year and the kids were thrilled and ready to go immediately.

 

We spent a lot of time outdoors. Parks. Picnics. Play - was the theme of the month.

We never knew this would be our last year of Kids Kingdom traditions. :(

 

We faced a tough decision - 1.divorce, 2. possibility of  returning Kins to the shelter or 3. adults in the household checking into a mental institution due to his crazy antics. We opted for spending our Dave Ramsey emergency fund in order to get some professional help. Two weeks of boot camp was the KEY - he clearly had no idea where he was headed when this picture was taken. Kins came back a changed dog. We were beyond THRILLED!

 

Yes - he believes he is human.

I captured some precious moments like these - praying together before eating. I am sure they were praying for Mommy and Daddy's sanity with the whole Kinsler situation. 

 

After 6 years with the same company, this handsome man started a new job at the beginning of the year. Momma has enjoyed the perks of the new job ( discounted dinners) and has extra pounds to show it.

 

Trip to one of our favorite places on Earth - East TX

 

February

Daddy celebrated his 33rd birthday. We made him gifts this year and he LOVED them.

 

 

We love this man more than words can say.

 

We had a lot of inside snuggle time.

 

Zoo trips 

March

This is when the craziness officially started. Our house was getting ready to list, we were driving to McKinney every chance we had because we were pretty sure that is where we would end up, showings were happening several times a day, three offers came in within the first 48 hours...First offer was great except the buyers wanted us out in 3 weeks then backed out a week later....

Momma considered investing in a margarita machine. Not kidding. Second set of buyers seemed normal but turned out to be a high maintenance bunch that would bring me to tears on many occasions. I may or may not have on accident sent them an e-mail saying I really wanted to beat them with the curtain rods but knew that God wouldn't be happy with me ( darn - reply all/forward button - always gets me in trouble...sigh).

Soccer practices started. Mia's first and last season of soccer for the year.

 Luka loved playing with the Avengers.

 

House was going on the market, we were losing our minds getting it ready, trying to figure out where we would live, what schools to pick for the kids, and this verse helped Momma keep it together. I still had many meltdowns and moments of depression.

 

Baseball with the Bandits was ready to begin. A start to an awesome season!

 

Girls Day with these three precious little ladies.

 

Nevena, Forrest and Cici came from San Francisco to visit. Kiddos first time to meet Katelyn

April

This month was a BLUR. We were packing, moving, cleaning, looking for houses, dealing with the crazy inspection...CRAZINESS in our lives was taken to a whole new level. My parents headed back home to Croatia for a 6 month stay.

 



 On April 26 we said our final goodbyes to a house that will forever hold the sweetest, hardest and most precious memories. It was an emotional last day. I cried all the way to closing.

4914 Bayonne  will always have a special place in our hearts.

 

We enjoyed the new 4-wheelers from Keka and Kekak. SO MUCH! This was the field we loved taking Kinsler to in our old neighborhood at the end of our street.

 

Baka and Deda left :(

 

 

 

 Soccer season was in full swing for the Avengers and Padawans.

 

May

Craziness was slowly turning into excitement as we found our perfect home, started getting ready to head to Disney, were enjoying down time while living with Mimi and Papa for a few weeks and could literally smell the summer break.

 

 

Our five days in Disney were some of the BEST days of the year. It was an amazing trip and experiencing the magic with the kiddos at the age they are was so special.

 

 

 

 

 

We came back from Disney and headed straight to the park the next day.

 

On May 23rd we moved into our new home. We were so excited the day we anticipated all year was finally happening. We ended up right where God knew we needed to be. Instead of going 30 miles away from our families like we planned for months he brought us just within miles of where the old house was- leaving us right near our families and friends we love so dearly.

Biggest blessing of the year.

 

 

 

June

Hubs and I celebrated 10 years of marriage and 14 years since we started dating on June 1st! We were unpacking, attended a wonderful week of VBS at LP, played in the pool, got to know our neighbors, took up golfing, played with lots of friends, walked to the park many evenings with the dogs. It was a wonderful beginning of our summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Champs 2013 - Bandits

 



July

We spent a wonderful weekend at the lake with the Howells. Celebrated with friends at Sara and Scott's wedding. Relaxed. Spent time at the community pool with friends and family. Hosted Father's Day at our house. Enjoyed many visitors. Hosted quite a few sleepovers. Went camping with Mimi and Papa.

 

August

We started the month by celebrating my new position as a 3rd grade teacher at Hillside Academy.

Luka's 6th birthday at the beach with my side of the family.

Lots of fun in Destin with Keka, Kekak, Nik, Dea, Ivan and Brooke.

Getting ready for school.

First day of Kindergarten and PreK.

What a month!!!

 

 

 

 

Luka's wonderful, awesome, amazing kindergarten teacher definitely will forever be one of the highlights and biggest blessings of our 2013 - We love Mrs. Zercher!

 



September

Our sweet girl turned 5 on the 2nd. She is one of the happiest, sweetest and most hilarious little girls. We loved celebrating her with a day off from school.

 

Kiddos went golfing A LOT with Daddy.

 

We were squeezing in some more swimming.

 

Bedtime routines were in full swing.

 

Trips to the park.

 Weekly after school Braums dates with my loves.

Fall 

Soccer

Season

Began

This month might look smooth and wonderful and relaxing but it was a big adjustment to us all as we were getting used to new routines, getting up early, working, going to school full time. Balancing it all was tough to say the least but we survived. It was a month of many trips to the doctor as well. :(

October

Fall activities this year included trying to make it through the month without getting sick. We failed. I got to join Luka's class on their field trip to the pumpkin patch. We continued soccer and tball madness while getting homework and AR reading done.

Next on the agenda  LOST TEETH- 2 in 2 days to be exact! Our big boy's new smile.

 

 

Kids riding big bikes without any assistance all the way to Baka and Keka's.

Second trip to the State Fair of TX

 

We supported a very special boy this month by doing a Walk to Cure Diabetes. Mimi and Papa joined us for the walk and a yummy breakfast afterwards.

 

 

Baka and Deda were finally back on this side of the world. :) 

 

Treasuring having this little guy with me at school.

 

One of the days the germs beat us.

 

 Trick or treating with the grandparents was fun!

 

November

This month literally zoomed by. It was filled with lots of family time. IT was a much needed break from craziness of soccer, t-ball, three months of new routines and a million activities.

 

I celebrated my big 3-0!

 

We kept our precious neighbors for a few days. It was a blast!

 

 

 

Trip to Nac to visit Grandma

 

Camping with Mimi and Papa ( Tyler State Park)

 

Dinner on the patio

Daddy's Watch D.O.G Day at school. We loved it!

 

We ended the month with Friendsgiving at our house.

 

 

 

December

Most years December in our house is typically out-of-control-crazy-busy. I fill out a family calendar and book something for every day we have. I have realized this year that I have been out of control for years and my precious husband put up with a whole lot of CRAZY from me during this month in the past. This year we had a lot of family time and avoided the chaos of crazy schedules as mush as possible. It was by far the most relaxing December in years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT A YEAR!

 

I am so thankful for our sweet family.

 

I am so thankful for a husband who has supported and loved me through the chaos, drama, meltdowns and so many changes of this year. He always focuses on the positives and is there to remind me that no matter what we have going on - all will be okay. .

 

I am thankful for my sweet son and daughter who are a constant reminder that I need to grow and live and learn just like they do. I can be so hard on them and so hard on myself as a Mom...They love me and forgive me on daily basis for the mess ups. For as young as they are - they have taught me some pretty big lessons this year. They are growing up way too fast, life is way too busy and I would love to simplify things going forward and enjoy the little things in life more. I am so proud of how much they have grown and matured this year. All the big milestones and changes they handled like champs. I am SO thankful for being able to stay home with them for the past 3 years. I am thankful they are blessed with great schools and teachers. I am  SO excited for next year when I can hopefully have them both with me on my campus.

 

In 2014, I wouldn't mind a little less strep, a little more patience, a few or 20 lost lbs and not as much talk about Think Tanks. All kidding aside-I want to do better in taking care of myself so I can be better at taking care of those I love so much.

 

 I know it won't be perfect, I know we will have our shares of trials...I might have a meltdown or two over something completely ridiculous ( hubby is probably nodding at this point - lol)...I will fail without a doubt but I want to remember and live every day with a grateful heart. Lord has blessed us so much this year. I am thankful for the people in our lives, our families and friends, the kids I teach and the experiences/new friends that have made this an incredible year.

 

 

 

Good Bye 2013! Thank you for the memories!

 

Happy New Year to all our family and friends! Blessings to you and your loved ones.