SO much has happened since I last blogged almost a month ago.
Here's the short version:
So, that's the Bettencourt's in a nutshell. We are looking forward to Daddy coming home on Friday and seeing him for Father's day. I am also really looking forward to a glass of wine tonight!
A few weeks ago I went with Ramsey's kinder class to Safety Town....a fire safety academy that taught the kids about making 911 calls, gave them an upclose tour of the fire engine and all of their tools and (most importantly) taught them street safety in their mock town. The kids were so good, Ms. Cross has them so well trained, learned a lot and had a blast! I feel so lucky that I get to be apart of these field trips.
And I love having the day "off" and getting to do exactly what I want to do.....I will NOT be doing dishes but I will be eating a fabulous steak for dinner!
I finally downloaded my iPhone pictures to the computer so sometime this week I will show you some pictures of what we have been up to. Until then, enjoy your day, your family and friends.
Special thanks to my dear friend Kay for taking this great shot of Ramsey at her soccer game last week!
It's finally time to buckle down, save some money and get this boy potty trained. Why I thought we could force the issue a few months ago I'll never know.....didn't I learn anything with Ramsey!?!?! Anyway, he is finally ready and its full force no diapers until night-night around here. No accidents in public yet but my comforter just got back from the dry cleaners because he decided to soak it one day. Awesome.
As for school, it's coming to a close for both of them...sniff, sniff. Bryson only has 5 more days and Ramsey has 23 more days! However, those days are filled with all sorts of "stuff" to keep us busy. Can't believe my Ramsey will be a 1st grader....that seems so generic to me. I've decided the only cool grades are kinder, 5th, 8th, 9th and senior. other than that, you're just part of the crown.
This summer, so far, we have no official plans for anything! ANYTHING! Dustin informed me a few weeks ago that he will be out of town at least 6 weeks this summer so I am already dreading it. Luckily, I found a sweet babysitter in my neighborhood that is going to save me a few hours a week so I can be somewhat sane! I foresee many a nights spent on my patio having a glass of wine, by myself, after the kids go down!
That's what's shaking in our neck of the woods!
something in our house stinks and I can't figure out what it is. maybe it's me? dustin is out of town this week. I am not mentally prepared, we will probably all suffer. we are having our patio extended tomorrow.....dustin is out of town....which means I am going to have to schlep the kids and dogs around every time a dog has to potty, this should be fun. it's only monday and I'm tired. bryson is perfectly potty trained at school. at home he pees his pants constantly. the thought of going outside - in this wind - just to get the mail makes me cringe. I am over the wind.
The picture below was taken the day before Bryson's 3rd birthday, on the day of his party. He got this awesome new bike for the occassion and is now getting the hang of riding it!
Our Bryson is such a light in our family. He is hilarious, energetic, curious, STINKY, obsessed with dogs, rainbows and balls of any kind. He loves his "sissy", his lovie and his cups....preferably full of milk. He isn't the best eater but can smell out chocolate like a hound dog. He isn't really into potty training but has moved on from the bath-tub to the shower. We love you Bryson Andrew and can't imagine life without you!
For his birthday. we had a party here at the house. It basically looked like a Toy Story 3 monster came and threw up all over it, but I know the kids had fun, the clean-up was easy and (most importantly) Bryson LOVED it.
BOOKED!
It's official: we are headed to Chicago for a weekend getaway!!! I know, I know, this isn't some romantic beach resort vacation but I can promise you this is just what the doctor ordered for us!!! Plus, we are flying for free and staying for free! Doesn't get much better than that!
I am taking part in a book study with some of my girlfriends and it is about marriage....one of the topics that hit home to me covered "recreational companionship". Dustin and I have always enjoyed watching sports together...especially live...so this trip is perfect for us. With kids it's really hard to make couple time and when we do it usually isn't more than a few hours so our recreational companionship has taken a back seat lately.
We went to Chicago a few years ago and were snowed out of seeing the Cubs play the Astros......we are hoping since the trip is in May we won't have as much to worry about in regards to the weather! Plus, our good friends Wes and Lynsey will be joining us.....I can't remember the last time we hung out with them for more than a few hours without our kids around! Real adult time, real couple time, really awesome!
Anyway, I would love love love suggestions on places to go to get the "real" Chicago experience! We are staying off Michigan Ave and close to the pier but what else should we be doing!?!?!?!
So freaking excited!
So much has been going on and we have even more coming up! Here are a few things that have kept/will keep the Bettencourts busy for the next few weeks.
Lots going on but we love it that way!
Christmas 2010the grass is always greener on the other side, but after a day like today I wish I worked. (I'm pretty sure my wallet and my husband wish for the same thing)
My FaceBook status today is: I've said "NO" at least 12,374 times today.
I swear this is true.
"NO, you can't have another gumball."
"NO, you can't have oreos for breakfast."
"NO, you can't wipe YOUR snot on MY shirt."
"NO, NO, NO, NO"
I LOVE my kids, to the moon and back, but sometimes it is so tiring to be the YES Mom and the NO Mom all the time. I think I need a vacation.....or at least a pedicure!
I think our little boy needs a strong male influence in his life! He will seriously hate me for this later in life but it was just too cute not to share! I love this kid and his belly!
In his defense, Ramsey dressed him.....he was just going with the flow!No school today but yet I was up at 6:00, thanks to the FISD phone call saying that school was cancelled, so now what?
I guess I'll sip on my coffee, fold some laundry, work-out a little, clean the house and then figure out something to do with the stir-crazy kids!
Thank goodness my mom is here and can help entertain them!! And, I think her flight is going to be cancelled so we get her for at least another night! WooHoo!!!!!!!
1.) Look through old photos on my computer.
Because, I come across something like this:
Dustin and I are officially church shopping. We LOVE our current church, Christ Church Plano, but have come to the sad realization that we use the whole "it's too far excuse" WAY TOO MUCH! But besides that, we also want our kids going to church with some of the same kids they go to school with......just an added accountability for later in life!
We have visited 2 churches so far and we liked both of them but left both of them feeling like something was missing. I know the church is out there, we just have to find it! We will continue to pray about it and look forward to finding our new church home!
Think you're dealing with a lot? Think you have too much to handle? Think your life is bad?
Here's a reality check (I know it was one for me):
http://baronbatch.blogspot.com/
This is a blog by Baron Batch....my ALL-TIME favorite Texas Tech Football player, yes, even above Wes Welker and Zac Thomas. Anyway, he just returned from a mission trip to Haiti and his pictures are worth more than a million words. I love him, I love his heart, I love his attitude and I wish there were more people out there just like him!
A lot of people are talking about New Years resolutions so I thought I would share a few things that I would like to accomplish this year.....and hopefully continue in the years to come.
1. Live in the present......try not to dwell on the past or focus on what might be in the future.
2. Live a healthier life......I'm trying not to focus on a number that I want to be but rather a feeling of being healthier.(and hopefully this will mean a smaller number on the scale!) This goes for my kids too, I need to put more focus into their nutrition.
(these next two are very similar but each deserve their own number)
3. Be a better friend....I am truly blessed with good friends and need to acknowledge them more often.
4. Focus on the family.....this includes my family of 4 and the rest of my relatives. I am SUPER blessed with a good family and should be more grateful for that. You can't pick your family but if I got to I would pick them all over again!
5. Get Bryson potty-trained!
6. Get a part-time job!
7. Teach Ramsey to tie her shoes. (in her defense, she has never had shoes with laces before so we haven't had to face this hurdle!)
8. Remember to thank God for my daily blessings and to grow in my faith.....this is one that I believe should be on my list every year.
9. Read one new book a month.....suggestions would be appreciated.
10. Focus on quality of time not quantity.
11. Get Annie to stop jumping on the fence....if she goes over, I'm not running after her.
12. Send put a hand written letter once a month......maybe you will get the first one?!?!?
I must admit, we had a pretty good year as a family! 2010 was good to us but I think 2011 has some amazing things in store as well.
In 2010 we sold our first house and moved into, what I call, our forever home! I love, love, love our house and joke that Dustin will have to wheel me out of here when its time to go. We have meet some amazing new people and we love Ramsey's school!!!
Speaking of school, we feel so blessed that Ramsey has flourished so much this year! Kindergarten is a BIG step and she has taken to it so easily.....what a blessing!
Bryson started school as well and while that hasn't been the easiest transition for him it has been great for all of us.
Dustin's job is out of control busy right now but that is how he likes it. He is gaining lots of respect within the company and is basically kicking butt! He was taught his work ethic from his parents and we are all so proud of him!
Not that our life is perfect, it certainly isn't always sunshine and roses, but I have learned this year that nothing in life is a guarantee. My personal goal for 2011 is to be grateful for what I have and not focus on the rest. I have love, laughter, faith, family and friends and should find all the happiness I need in those things.
So, bring on 2011!!!!!!!!
