Auld Lang Syne...

Happy New Year!!!!

What a year the Ward Family had in 2012!!! As Dean and I like to say, another year gone, and we have still kept our children alive! :)

We've lived in three states as a family, Dean... four or five, and with all the traveling, it's nice to know that we will be ringing in the New Year in the comfort of HOME together as a family! Of course Dean will be leaving shortly after to his next endeavor, in Boulder, CO., but it's nice to be celebrating this holiday as a whole!

First off in 2012 Dean took a job with another wind company, Gamesa. He started off in PA, and shortly after his training was complete, was sent to Pocahontas, IA where he spent four months off and on. While he was in IA, the boys and I held the fort down in TN only seeing Dean every thirty days for his monthly R&R. After the initial time away, we quickly decided that being together was much easier on the boys, and so if we couldn't feasibly "move" with him, that we would visit for extended stays. The end of May was my first trek across the mid-west, driving solo with both boys to the Upper Peninsula, MI. Thankfully we had the help of our landlord with the puppies, and after a long month away from them, chose to no longer travel with them staying behind. Sadly, after our MI trip and a few weeks home in TN, I noticed that Argo had trouble with his balance and running, and after two or three trips to the vet, he was diagnosed with Wobblers Syndrome. Unfortunately Wobblers claimed him in August. Despite his diagnoses, we made the most out of his life, and traveled with him for the month of August back to the UP in MI and gave him the most fun filled thirty days. Swimming off the dock every day, left over dinner, snuggles on the bed and getting away with pretty much everything. When we came back to TN towards the end of the month is when we had to say goodbye. I think about him nearly every day, and I know that Jaxon misses him dearly. He was such a happy pup, and such a good part of our family.

After a week back at home, the boys and I turned around and headed to Albert Lea, MN where we have been for the last 4 months together. It was hard at times being away from "home", but we met some forever family friends, and stayed really busy!!!

Other than the whole moving across country, we've had another amazing year with the boys. Lets see here... Jax started the early stages of reading, finally learned how to ride his tricycle, had his first major injury after stubbing his toe nearly off, became a pro at shuffling DVD's in and out of the dvd player, was a ring bearer for the third time, had his first crush, learned how to drive a powerwheel, learned how to go under water, count to 100, write (somewhat legibly), sing at the top of his lungs, and buckle his car seat straps. Jaxon turned four in November, and immediately after, he decided that he would try new foods, eat better, and share his toys more.  Of course he learned a bazillion other things, but he had a great year and I can't wait to see how this next year will go for him.

 

 

Liam also had a big year! He learned so much and is doing so many things. He started off 2012 turning one, and was just learning how to walk. Now he's full force ahead and on the go. He has had some rough moments through teething and every time he gets a cold, he gets a cold and then some, so those moments weren't so great, but he seems to have gotten over the worst of the cold and flu season. Liam loves to color and is quite good at it. He also loves book time, and I'm so proud to say that he knows all of his letters by sight and sound, and can count to ten! He loves letters just like Jax did at his age, and so he makes it easy to help him learn! He learns a few new phrases and words each week and his personality is really starting to show. His favorite word is NO!, and when he says it, Dean and I can't help but laugh. He is growing like a weed, and before our move to MN was wearing a range in clothing from 6-9 months, and now is wearing 2T! He is always on the go and sometimes it's hard to even get a snuggle out of him. He's a bit of a bully and I think he learned that although he is smaller in size to Jax, he's much more solid and uses that to his advantage! He is such a funny boy and SO different than Jax. They say that your children will be different, but they really are night and day different!
 

I can't imagine my life without either of them, and together they are the best (sometimes the worst) part of my day, and although they fight like brothers, they also love like brothers and friends! 

 

 

I, myself, have just been managing the boys, playing travel agent and trying to enjoy the most out of being together as a family. I did make some great friends on our trips, and can't wait to plan a girls reunion in 2013! I am also going to be an Aunt AGAIN!!! I will have two more babies to spoil this upcoming year! My sister in law's, Rachel and Amanda are expecting and we'll have a nephew and a niece/nephew in the spring!!! I am also in the process of homeschooling Jax, although I haven't really gotten too much going as he was in school for the last 4 months. With our travel schedule I plan on doing as much homeschooling as I can before he needs to be in school full time. Aside from that, I got addicted to Pinterest, and have a handful of crafts that have been started and need to be finished, and a long list of do-to's on the way. At the beginning of October, I started at home workout videos, and must say that 25 minutes a day has done my body good. I don't know why I waited until my youngest was almost two to try and shed the lingering baby weight, but I am only 5lbs away from my HS weight! I still have to figure out the whole eating healthy thing, but for now, I'm waaaaaaaay ahead of my New Years Resolution!!!

Outside of traveling to be with Dean, we had two family trips this year. Our first was to WA over the summer, and that was a lot of fun. We got to visit with all of our friends and family, and celebrate 4th of July on the Columbia River! In October, we vacationed with the other side of the family, and celebrated Halloween at Disney World! This was the most fun there yet! Jaxon was able to ride almost all of the rides this time around, and despite plaguing everyone in our sights with our colds, we really had a great time!!!

 

For 2013, there will be some major changes for us, as we've discussed the possibility of leaving TN to break up the time spent with our families. We aren't certain on the exact details yet, but are planning on living in WA for six months and then in FL for the other six months of the year. This will all be dependent on where we are at with Dean, but I want the boys and I to enjoy each side of our families equally. Our first choice will always be together as a family, but sometimes there are projects that just wouldn't work with moving a family for. So hopefully after a few months of resting, planning and getting Dean's work schedule, we'll know more!

 

I can't think of too many things to regret in 2012, but am looking forward to starting a new year and seeing where it takes us!

 

I hope everyone has had a great year, and wish you all the best for 2013!!!

 

Happiness and Love,

Dean, Shylah, Jaxon, Liam and Nash

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Scattered, Smothered and Covered...

Hello!!!!!

 

So over the past few weeks I have been on a crash course of trying to get my blood pressure under control at the Mayo Clinic, as well as figure out why I am having some nerve issues in my arms.

I have been to so many doctor's appointments, I am exhausted, and with them testing, changing meds, and trying to lower my bp, I have been a bit out of it. I'm hoping that very soon they will get me on the right track, but that may mean several more changes, tests and trials... Blah. Anyways, that kind of explains my absence from my blog.

Besides that, I have had several craft days with the boys and I must say that Christmas time is my new favorite holiday. Even though we will not be in this house for the Christmas, we bought a little tree, and decorated the house all over! It's very festive in the Ward "home away from home"! Jax is so excited to wake up knowing that it's a day closer to Santa! (We're still working on the real reason for Christmas is...)But it's definitely a thrill to see his excitement grow. This year will be great!!!

I failed miserably at the "30 days of Thankfulness" so to sum it all up... I am blessed beyond measure with the friends and family I have in my life. For the roof over my head, food on my table, and the clothing on mine and each of my three boys' backs. I am grateful and very thankful for my husband having a job, and one that allows me to be a SAHM. I am thankful for the fact, that even with the mass amount of health challenges I am faced w/daily, that it's not been more than an inconvenience and that I am hopefully within sight of some answers. I am so extremely thankful for my children. Words can not express the love I have for those two little boys. I am forever thankful for my husband, for loving me and providing for our family the way that he does day in, day out.

It's been a hard past few weeks on me personally, but without the support of my husband and my friends and family, I'd be lost!

Hope everyone found many, many reasons this year to be thankful! Now let the countdown to Christmas begin!!

 

I love you all and hope everyone is doing well!

Xoxo

Shylah

FOUR!!

First of all... FOUR? I have a 4 year old... what?!?!?

Oh Man!!!

 

More importantly, Happy Birthday Jaxon! And Dean, we kept our first human pet alive for four years! Yay us!!!

 

In honor of Jaxon's birthday, I started doing this last year with him, and I wrote a little poem for him on his special day! No words can say just how proud I am of Jax and how lucky I am to be his Mommy!

Happy Birthday Big Boy!!

 

 

You are FOUR Today...

1,460 days ago, I laid eyes on you for the first time.
It took you a few moments, and that's when I first heard you cry...
I couldn't get past how perfect you were, something all new parents say, but perfect is what you were and I say that still today...
Those precious first moments just you and I, and those moments that I still cherish to this day...

Your first year was breathtaking. Discovering who you were, a journey which will never end...
Your smile, what made you laugh, the foods you loved and hated, your favorite toys, and all your "firsts"
I tracked every milestone, counting down the days till you turned one... Looking back now, I wish I could have waited...

As you grew and grew and grew, it dawned on us that soon you would be two!!
Your personality really came out this year, as we compared you to who you took after more.
You were no longer our baby, as "Big Boy" was used much more.
Your big boy bed, potty training, a tricycle, your first puppy and that you'd be a "Big Brother"...
Who knew that in just one year, how BIG you'd be at TWO!

When you turned three, I said the same thing I hear myself continuing to say...
How fast the time has flown and where did my baby go?
Year three is the last I have to compare to, but just like the year before, it was the most fun by far!
Your personality, your communication. How you're so playful, loving, and funny. Your jokes, snuggles, and that you love playing games so much. You are learning SO fast and discovering who YOU are... As we go into your next year, I hope you know how much I enjoyed you being three!

Now that you are FOUR, I will wait patiently to see where this year takes you.
I will enjoy seeing you learn, build friendships and be in awe of you just as I have in each passing year before, of how funny, smart, and talented you are.
I will take in your every cuddle, snuggle, kiss and hug.
I will encourage you to try new things, to push yourself farther just to know you can do it. To hold you when you are scared (and secretly love when you still come to me for protection)

I will let you and your brother squabble knowing that at the end of the day you will give each other such loving hugs and goodnight kisses...
I will pray for you and I will love you even more...

Jaxon, you have taught me so much in your four years of life, something that I will never be able to put into words. You amaze me each and every day.
You have truly been the greatest gift of all.
Happy Birthday Bug!

Xoxo -Mommy

Thank you...

Thank you to our Veterans, past and present for protecting our country and my rights to be free.

Thank you to the families who have sacrificed so much to let loved ones; defend, serve and protect our freedom. Thank to the ones who never returned, you will never be forgotten!

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave". -Elmer Davis

 

My favorite Veteran...



 

30 Days of Thanks...

Welcome to November... a month full of blessings. First off, we have Thanksgiving. We also have so many awareness causes like March of Dimes and National Prematurity Awareness Month, MOvember (Male Health Awareness), Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and I am sure there are so many more, but those are what we are personally a part of...

I really enjoyed posting 30 days of Thankfulness last year, and I plan on doing it again this year... since I am a few days behind on several other posts, I will more than likely combine a weeks worth and post at the end of each week...  but to get started, I will post the first three days now...

I am always very thankful for my life and all the things I try not to take for granted, however writing them down really drives it home...

I hope everyone has a wonderful November and can take part in this "challenge" too!

Xoxo
Shylah

Day 3: Thankful for Dean allowing me the last few hours to upload photo's and get caught up on computer stuff. It may seem silly, but I am so behind with my "family" things and doing the things that keep me close to others so far away, that it feels good to even get one overdue thing done! :)

Day 2: Thankful for silly reminders that my children are in fact mine, and that reading the Bernstein Bears (after racing to the library for a specific "lesson") books to them, just as my mom had read to me, brings back such great memories of my mom's loving ways to help me learn a lesson. Tonight, "The Gimmies" and "Those in Need" :) I've been cracking up all week reading my past but enjoying each one even more as the parent!

Day 1: Thankful for the reminder in MOPS tonight about how truly important it is to have the special friends in our lives that are introduced to us and become our safety nets, especially when it comes to being a mom! Annette, Dava, April, Carolyn, Mama Ward (not on FB but also my Mommy, Aunt Terry)... You are just a few I could not live w/out! Thank you for always being there for me when I need you and always offering me laughter, help, advice, vent sessions, tissues, etc. I love you and near or far thankful for you all!!