Playing catch up...December 2010

I'm working on catching up on the last year. I was reminded about how much I've used facebook to keep up with friends and family and how much I miss working on this blog. So I'm going to attempt to give a summary of the last year in the next few posts.

December 2010 was exciting for us. We got to spend some time in Georgetown & Killeen with my grandparents and my mom. Granny & Papa Rex surprised the kids with a new truck.

Needless to say it was a big hit! It is still a favorite toy when we visit.

December also brought us family from Japan! Nana and her two girls, Urara & Ruruka, came to visit for a week!!! We had fun hanging out with the family at our place and Sarah's house. 

Hank, Nana & Nancy

Alex, Asher, Abigale, Abram, Urara & Ruruka

We enjoyed celebrating Christmas with them! All of the kiddos after they finished decorating the tree.

Pretty girls!!

Decorating a gingerbread house...

We also visited Brazos Bend National Park while they were here. The weather was very mild so we thought a some time outside. They were very surprised to see alligators in the wild. It was so fun watching their reaction and excitement.

The first stop brought much excitement...several alligators and a few turtles.

We went to the learning center and got to touch a baby alligator!

We also stopped at the playground so the kids could have fun. Ruruka made a new friend...a cute little ladybug.

 December was a good month! It was hard to see Nana and the girls leave but easier with technology...skype is so nice because we get to talk to/see them often.

Where has the year gone...

I have always had the best intentions to keep this blog updated but well...I'm just bad about sitting down and getting it done. I can't believe a whole year has passed since I last posted. I have lots to catch up on!

Dear much neglected blog...

Sorry I have been away for so long. With all the changes in my life I haven't found the time/energy/motivation to sit down and write down my thoughts and feelings. This is a time in my life when I really should take note of all the little moments that make memories and capture the mood of my life. But alas, I have been slacking in that area as I learn to be a stay at home mommy. So many new challenges and so many rewarding moments with my children. I really should set aside some time each week to write it all down. 


A few highlights from the past few months...
Abbie is loving the second grade and is doing well. She made all A's, except one B, on her report card. A piece of her artwork was featured at the school district's Imagination Celebration last month. She is enjoying her gymnastics and dance classes. Loves being a big sister (aka little momma) and helps out around the house when she's not distracted by a cute baby brother. 

Asher started pre-k at AcroSport and is happy to go most of the time. He only goes two days a week so it's almost more of a mother's day out kind of thing. They have a new curriculum this year called Mother Goose Time and it seems to be working well for him. He also started taking a karate class. He likes going except when it takes him away from an activity he was enjoying. He loves his little brother and gets along with him most of the time. He is still learning to be gently with baby brother and has been a little jealous of the attention baby gets rather than him. Poor guy has had more trouble with his asthma which means steroids. Steroids + Asher = grumpy, rude, unhappy boy. I sure hate that the thing that helps him breath better makes him unhappy. He has really enjoyed all the visitors we have had since baby brother was born. He can be very thoughtful and helpful when he is in the mood to be. Good boy but 4 has been a little tough so far.


Abram is trying to grow up too fast. He is now almost six months old. He can get around quite well now between rolling, inchworm crawls and learning to get up on all four crawling. It amazes me how fast he is learning things...guess he's just trying to keep up with Abbie and Asher. He has an awesome laugh that makes everyone smile...even Asher when he's in a bad mood. The last few weeks he has been fighting a virus with sinus and coughing trouble. The tough part has been that he's not sleeping well...so mommy and daddy aren't sleeping much at all. :(  He had to start nebulizer breathing treatments which have helped but just had to start taking a steroid...just for a few days and hopefully it will knock out the crud and he can start feeling better. 




Gary has been busy with all kinds of things as always. He has been enjoying fishing with some friends from work and with Asher but has been pretty unlucky as far as bring any fish home. He always seems to have some project going on the computer. Signed his lease for his apartment in Port Arthur for work. Now just waiting on final approval as to when the assignment will begin.


I have been busy learning my new job of full time mommy/homemaker. I always knew it was a big deal and have always admired those who have been up to the task. It's not easy and I never expected it would. I struggle a little with it all but from talking to friends I'm not alone in feeling that way. I know as I work hard and stay disciplined that it will get better. I have been working on a few projects to keep a little balance in my life. I like to sew (though I'm no seamstress) and create things with old/used fabrics. My little creation is a diaper grab and go bag made out of old denim jeans. I call them FoxyBotmz bags and really enjoy creating them...if only I could sell some. I started a shop on etsy but haven't had any luck selling so far. Something else I have started that takes my time and focus. But hey, it's fun. I'm also making other fun things for my family like cloth napkins for the kids lunches and sleep sacks for Abram. The sleep sacks are the first thing I've made from a bought pattern in a long time. Thankfully the fam has been patient with me...I think it's because they benefit from my creations...whatever makes them happy.


This year has been filled with so many ups and downs. We have welcomed our baby Abram to our family and reconnected with old friends. We have had great times enjoying friendships and sharing in their joys and sorrows. Our love and prayers go out to several families (Martin/Rupert and Tunnell/Veatch) who have each lost a loved one this year. To the Tunnell/Veatch family...wow, words cannot express the awesomeness you are. I know that people are put in our lives/paths for a reason and a season. I was able to know the Tunnell fam as a kiddo but lost touch with them in my teen years. Thanks to a lovely thing called facebook, I have reconnected with this beautiful family. I'm sad that I didn't get to hug Becky before she passed away. But I am thankful that I was able to get back in touch with the family. What an example she has been (and all of that family for that matter). I don't understand why such a sweet, fun loving spirit had to be tested that way and why her lovely family has had to endure losing another child/sibling to cancer. Watching from afar, Becky's actions/attitude helped me strengthen my testimony of a the plan of salvation and of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. My heart goes out to all of Becky's family. I know it will be a tough road. I am thankful to know this dear family!


We are looking forward to December when an old friend and her two daughters will come visit. Nana was an exchange student from Japan who stayed with my family when I was in elementary school. I have seen her only a few times since then but am really looking forward to seeing her again. My kiddos have really enjoyed learning a little about Japan's culture and food. Abbie is especially excited to meet the Nana's daughters (ages 9 & 11). Exciting times ahead for sure.


Wow...I can be really long winded for someone who doesn't have much to say! For anyone who took the time to read all my gibber gabber, thank you. I hope you haven't been bored out of your mind. Till next time...Jess

New, new, new...

So a lot has been changing around the Fox household. Our baby boy was born on May 21st. Our biggest baby... 8 lbs 13 oz and 20 in. He has been a blessing and such a joy. I had a few complications from the c-section but have been recovering very well. I have to say that I'm losing the baby weight nicely and hope to start working out again soon. 

Abram Patrick Fox

Abbie and Asher love their baby brother thankfully and are adjusting pretty well. Asher has had the toughest time with the adjustment. He was so used to being the baby and is now stuck in the middle. 

I'm adjusting to being homemaker...what a challenge since I have been working outside the home for 5 plus years. I'm happy to make the change but find it a little more challenging than I thought it would be. I'm sure it'll all work out as soon as I get into a good routine with the kids and am getting a couple more hours of sleep. I'm so glad to have a couple of friends that will be my sounding board so that I don't go completely crazy. It's also nice to know that my struggles are common and not only because I'm not used to being a full time mom. 


I will return to work for just a few weeks so that I can close things out and pass things on. I sure am going to miss my coworkers! I have been very blessed to work with some awesome people who not only treat me well at work but have checked up with me while I've been away. Just can't say enough about what a special group of people they are and how highly I think of them.


My goal is to post something each week to keep track of some the best or worst Fox family moments. So here's to all the new changes in our lives and the challenges everyone faces daily. 


Love to all! Jess

Holidays

Sorry it's been so long since I posted anything. I had terrible morning sickness for the last several months and it seems like everything is so out of date. Thankfully I'm starting to feel better and not have as much trouble with food. My due date is June 1st and the kiddos are excited about a new sibbling. We have an ultrasound scheduled for the 22nd and would like to find out the gender. Exciting times.

We had awesome Christmas and New Year's weekends visiting my Mom and grandparents at their new river home near Killeen. Gary is learning how to hunt with the help of my grandfather and tips from his coworkers. A new hobby for him. I'm glad he enjoys it and has a neat way to connect with my grandfather. The kids love the freedom of the wide open spaces and the riverfront. Definite a great place to make memories. I was so glad to get to see my sisters and spend time with them. It's been so long. We got some cute pics of the three of us and our kiddos. I'll post some soon.

Hope everyone is doing well and I'm sorry I haven't kept in better contact with everyone. Hugs to all!

Jess

Abbie's home!!!!

I'm so greatful that my mom and grandparents put Abbie on a plane last night to come home! We have missed her so much! I don't know what I was thinking when I agreed to let her be gone for a whole month. Asher has been sick again so I wasn't able to go to Austin to visit and pick her up as planned. After all the discussion, Mom and Granny & Papa decided to send her on a plane home. She was such a big girl...not even scared to fly by herself. Granted the flight was only from Austin to Houston, about a 40 minute flight, but she was awesome about it all. We are so glad she is home! Now we can try to get back to a "normal" routine just before school starts...1st grade here she comes.

Yikes!!!

So we have had a bit of a time...just gotta love technology. The hard drive where all of our family pictures were stored croaked. Yes...I know...we should have had a back up somewhere...but we didn't. Thankfully we have this website, snapfish, and some copies stored on our work computers...so it's not a complete loss! We did loose a majority of the pics from this year. So...if anyone has copies from stuff this year...especially pics of the kiddos...please send them our way.

Wishing everyone the very best!!!

Jess

Vacation Pics...

We are having so much fun on our vacation!!!

Here is the link to some pics...

http://gfox48.homeserver.com/vacation_2009

We will keep posting pics every couple of days. Hope you enjoy!!!

April 2009...Silly and Sad

The month of April started off silly...

My Dad gave us silly string for Christmas...I think...anyway I had been saving it for just the right day and time. The silly string war only lasted a few minutes, but what a fun few minutes it was!!! The kids had a blast cornering me in the bathroom and spraying my hair and everything else. Thanks Dad!!! :)

Our next silly...our friend Hailey's 3rd birthday party. Man...they really know how to through a party!!! Abbie sat at the top of the water slide for quite a while. She wasn't sure if she really wanted to go down or not. She finally did...and had fun...sort of.

Poor Asher wasn't feeling very well...the start of his "asthma" troubles were just beginning.

We left party one (Hailey's party) for party two...our friends were celebrating big time! Tara was celebrating her 30th birthday and Pat had just finished med school. They also know how to throw a fun party!!!

Abbie was really rocking the hula hoop!!!

Asher's new hair cut...

And now we get to the really sad part...

Asher had been struggling with his "asthma" issues and had just started his steroid treatments when his immue system went haywire...the poor kid had hives from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet.

By day three he was ready to play again. Here he is telling me all about each of the cars. So cute!

Trying to catch up...March Pics

I know, I know...old news...but cute pics. Here are a few highlights from March 2009.

Here's one of the kids with thier cousin Jace, my sis Sarah's little boy. We don't get to see him much but he is such a sweet little guy. He played so well with Abbie...Asher was being too rough. I can't belive he is one now...this pic was taken just about a month before his 1st birthday.

Every year JSC has a Spring Fling event for the kids. They have pony rides, a petting zoo, and an egg hunt. The kids loved the petting zoo. Asher wasn't sure about the baby llama.

I don't think Asher really enjoyed his pony ride very much. Poor kiddo...

Abbie on the other hand loves the pony rides. She rode two or three times before the line got too long. She would have waited through the line if we had let her.

Abbie's Spring Break Trip

Abbie went on an exciting Spring Break vacation trip with my mom to visit my sis and her fam in Demming, NM. They had all kinds of adventures...Gila Cliff Dwellings...Gila Springs...City of Rocks...and many more. Here are a few of the highlights. There are a ton of great pics. It was so hard to choose just a few. Hope you enjoy!!!

Julie really loves polish style pickles but can't find them there...so Mom and I packed several bottles for her. I had the bright idea to wrap the bottles with a diaper in case they leaked...

The first day at the Gila Hot Springs...
The kids ran and had such a great time that they all but passed out at bedtime. I'm sure Mom and Julie were glad they didn't have to fight with them to go to bed.

I have a similar pic of the kids when they were younger...and visiting my Dad...very cute! Here they are enjoying the river near the Gila Hot Springs.
I just love this pic of Julie! The kiddos found the Gila Cliff Dwellings a very interesting and fun place. I just love this pic because it really captures how curious these two are. Two peas in a pod. I'm so glad that they get along so well!!!
Ok...here's my last pic. Abbie had had a long and hot day and was just taking a rest. What a cutie! My sweet little girl.

Trying to catch up...

I know...I haven't posted for a REALLY long time. What can I say. I'm a procrastinator and have been busy, stressed and tired. Excuses, excuses, I know. Please forgive me.

My sister Julie and her son Xander came to visit in December. Abbie and Xander are best friends and had so much fun! They are so funny!!

Asher dressed himself that day...oh so fun. He was so funny and such a ham! We had a hard time getting him to settle down to get a few pictures taken. :)

We had lots of laughs. We were sad to see them go.
Well, I'm having some trouble with my mouse and such and am getting tired so I'll have to give more updates later. Sorry!!! Hope everyone is doing well! Hugs ~ Jess

Let it snow...

I can't believe it's snowing!!!!

Snow this early in December...in Houston...who would have thought!

What a beautiful sight. I'm just sad the kids were asleep. They were only able to see a light dusting before bedtime. I had no idea it would keep snowing!!!

Gary's footsteps on the patio!

Covering the rooftops...
My car (on the left) already has a few inches!

Even the grass is covered!!! Oh so much fun!

Christmas Tree

Gary and Abbie came home with a big surprise about a week ago!

They brought home a Christmas Tree!!!

Gary brought out our Nativity Scene on Thanksgiving but Abbie wasn't satisfied. She wanted more Christmas decorations. We have a small (maybe 2' tall) tree we used last year that I expected to use again this year. But no...Abbie wanted something bigger. So...they bought a pre-lit tree about 4 and a half foot tall!

He let Abbie pick out some ornaments as long as she got some Asher would also enjoy. She choose Santa's, snowmen and western themed ones for herself; baseball, basketball and football ones for Asher. What a sweet sis to think of her brother like that. He just loved them!

We had a blast decorating the tree! The star Abbie choose for the top is just too heavy. Poor tree. Big thanks to Abbie for picking out a great tree and such cute ornaments!

Asher's Surgery

Asher's surgery to remove his dermoid cyst was mid-day today. He slept well last night and woke up in a good mood. He was being silly when we took pics of him just before we left for the hospital.Silly boy!
Texas Children's Day surgery center was great! The waiting areas had all the stuff kids love. Asher had fun trying out all the chairs and tables. We got there plenty early so he had lots of time to color and goof-off. Abbie and Papa Hank were there with us. I unfortunately didn't get any pictures of them. Abbie was so great and had a blast with her Papa. Dad is so great with her!

This next pic is so funny! Got to love the hospital rules of writing on the part of the body that is going to be worked on. The team of doctors and nurses that worked with Asher were great. They explained everything and talked to Asher about it all too. He choose root beer scent for his mask. They thought that was such a big boy choice. He just loved that!
Our sweet boy showed just how awesome he is today. When they brought us back to the recovery room he was still sleeping. He looked so peaceful. His color was great and he didn't have much bruising. When he woke up he just turned his head to look at us and didn't say a word. There were quite a few kids in the recovery room that screamed and were really fussy when they woke up. We are so blessed! He really wanted to hold his mama and drink some apple juice. He also really enjoyed his grape Popsicles. His stitches are inside and will dissolve on their own and his other band aids are expected to fall off in about a week or so. So glad he doesn't have the old style stitches to worry about.
The car ride home was a little rough on him...he lost about half of the apple juice and Popsicles. We were well prepared for that and didn't have a big mess to clean up. He took a great nap just after we got home and woke up with a great big appetite. I guess he was making up for not eating breakfast and lunch! He is doing so great now and I think he'll be off the pain meds tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. The doctor said there is a very low percentage that he may get another one but it is not likely! Awesome news.