The Last Few Month of 2013

I have decided since I am so far behind on blog posts, I would just do one major post to sum up the last few months. Then, I realized that would be way too long and I would not even want to read it, so I am posting two versus one.

Oh, I know, I know, my 2013 resolution was to try and be better about posting.  Well, our life continues to be an adventure and I have not had the time I thought I would have.  I will make an honest effort to get better in 2014, but I will make no promises. Plus, I am kind of afraid what our life will be like without the crazy.

So, my last main post about life was, well, who knows.  I know I have updated you all about summer and my "soccer mom" lifestyle.  Oh, not to mention the fire we had as well.  I guess that just leave me with part of October and November so hear you go...

School Updates...

Carter is doing amazing! He is his daddy's child though and gets in trouble for talking, like that is not a surprise at all to any of you who know Larry.  Carter has been reading chapter books and learning addition and subtraction.  In fact, I woke up one Saturday morning to him reading versus playing with the ipad.  I made sure he was not sick, just to be safe.  He loves reading!  His favorite books right now are the, Magic Tree House books. 

Natalie is incredible!  We had our Parent-Teacher conference a few weeks.  She is right were she should be for 4 year old Pre-K.  She knows all her upper-case letters and most of her lower-case.  She is counting great and loves school!  School was a bit of a challenge at the beginning of the year.  She would cry a lot, but she has gotten use to it.  I think she was getting tired and still just does not fully understand her heart yet.  I can not blame her though, I can barely understand her heart, but I have learned the signs of when she gets tired and try to make her rest when I can.

Health updates...

Natalie still weighs 28-29lbs.  I was hoping by the end of the year she would finally be 30lbs, but I guess I have a few days still or a new goal for 2014.  Her oxygen continues to increase and is now mid  80s! 

On a sad note, her Amarillo Pediatric Cardiologist, Dr. Luckstead, passed away recently. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor and 2 weeks later, passed away. Please lift his family and staff up in your prayers.  I can not imagine.  I am not sure what they will do about replacing him.  I have heard a few things, but nothing for sure. I plan to wait until after the first of the year to call.  I like Natalie to see the doctor in Amarillo once a year and the one in Dallas, Zellers, once a years. 

Carter's health is wonderful as well! Knock on wood, the child has not been sick this year like last year.  By this time last year, we had already had the flu twice.  He did get small infection from a scratch, but everything is healed and he is moving right along.

October Fun...

After we got somewhat settled in our temporary living situation after the fire, Larry and I were able to get away for a few days on a previously planned trip to California. Oh my goodness, it was beautiful!  It was the perfect time too.  I needed a break from all we had gone through. 

Brad and Kimberlin Meador, Chad and Danielle Patterson, Erica and Colin Baker, Larry and I

Breath Taking...

Larry's parents flew in and kept the kids.  Gran and Papa always make things fun and do art projects with them, which is perfect, because I am not the artistic person in the family.  The also took the kids to the pumpkin patch as well.

Fun Art Projects with Gran

Carving Pumpkins with Papa
I might add, that I am so happy they did this, because I did not have to this year...Thanks Papa!

We are a little obsessed with puzzles, if you could not tell

Pumpkin Patch Love

Cow Train with Gran

Carter ran into one of his best friends, Ben Hawkins and they had a blast

Halloween was great! I posted about that, so I will not go on, to save typing room and time.

November Fall Fun...

November seemed to go by a little to fast for me this year. Amarillo had their first big snow for the winter season.  My kids loved it!  The only reason they came inside, was because we made them, which was only, because Natalie was turning blue. 

Now, nothing goes without a little comic in our world.  Before the fire, I had just bought Carter some new ski pants, jacket and snow boots.  Somehow, I made with his jacket and snow boots. I have no idea where his pants are.  They are somewhere, but they will not be located until we finally move and get settled in our new home. So, he wore his pants from last year, which were way too small last year and in return, Natalie got to wear her old snow pants, which were too small as well (24 months to be exact, she is 4 by the way).

Snow Cuddles before sledding

Thanksgiving was filled with family, food and fun!