Thursday, November 17, 2011

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!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

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

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

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

Friday, January 15, 2010

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

Saturday, August 8, 2009

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.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

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

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Vacation Pics...

We are having so much fun on our vacation!!!
Here is the link to some pics...
We will keep posting pics every couple of days. Hope you enjoy!!!