Long time, no blog. Yes, life is busy, but mostly everytime I thought about doing a new post I'd see my last one about Vanessa. I just couldn't bring myself to post anything after that. I still miss her so bad. All the time. Sometimes it creeps up on me out of nowhere, but after I have my "moment," I'm okay for a little while. Anyway, I guess the post title "Resolve" covers my resolve to post again and also my resolve to post more. I want my little blog to be documentation of our family and our fun, so I'm going to try to blog more regularly this year. Once a week maybe. We'll see...
Lately, we're recovering for a wonderful CHRISTmas season full of family and celebrations, mischevious elves and gifts, food and more food, and Jesus. Before that, Papaw turned 89 on Dec. 5th, and the fall was filled with Caden's football games and John Collier's drum lessons, Scouts, and school and work. Eric worked a shutdown at the Perky Plant in Marshall that had him gone from home for a little over a month from 5:15 am til around 7pm, 7 days a week. No one will ever be able to accuse my man of not being a hard worker! The summer was eventul, to say the least! We started it in June with Caroline's 2nd birthday party. Then we headed to Great Wolf Lodge for the EOY Scout trip, then it was on to Big Cedar Lodge and Branson with Eric's parents and Mo. July brought an emergency gallbladder surgery for me (fun times...thank goodness my parents can help with the kids), followed immediately by a horrible case of mono for John Collier. I have never felt so helpless to help him in his whole life. He was SO pitiful. August brought a wreck involving me and the kids and our sweet cousin Rylee, which totalled my van. Not my fault, though that doesn't change the outcome! We also celebrated Caden's 7th birthday and moved that month into my grandparents' home to help maintain it while they are in an assisted living facility. Our house will be up for sale soon. Then, of course, there was the beginning of school! That's pretty much the highlight reel, though I'm sure I missed a ton. Here are some pics from the past few months. Thanks for reading! :)

Hanging out in Keatchie
New hobby...BMX racing
Go CUBS!
JC had artwork featured at ArtBreak again! :)
Moving day for Memaw and Papaw
Eric's birthday celebration at Mudbug Madness
We <3 Great Wolf!
Leaving GW, heading to Big Cedar!
Our cabin at BCL was two stories
A happy man!
Sweet Caroline enjoying the boat ride on Table Rock Lake
Caden :)
Chopper
BCL cabin kitchen
Our benefactors and their grands
Bye! :(
JC's first drum lesson~Summer '11
Caroline's first haircut...we love Mrs. Ashley!
Life is GOOD!
"I love you Mom!"
Carol, my Scentsy Super Star Director~ August
My van :(
Busted the windshield with my hand...it was sore but not broken!
Airbags are wonderful
So are seatbelts!!!
Big girl bed!!!
First day of third and second grades
Caden and Mo...GO EAGLES!
Thanksgiving...THIS is who Caroline looks like!
Christmas Eve party at the Wibbens'...Eric and Marcus
Saying good-bye to our elves, Compton and Lucy
Cowboy Christmas
Christmas morning!
My boys!
Caroline wore the Christmas dress mom made for me when I was her age!
Our three blessings!
Eric and Papaw
Ha! So many similarities!
Christmas in Keatchie...Sister got a kitchen! Grandad helped her open gifts.
Mom and prego Laura
A new bat!
Cooking!
Remote-controlled helicopter...a hit!
We all got new cameras! WOOHOO!
My heart
Love these boys!
Sleeping beauty
New Year's Eve with my man...we went to eat and to a movie!
Caroline loves her Uncle Tom!
Pinterest-inspired...GEAUX TIGERS!
Out of order...Christmas at Mimi and Papa's
Train-obsessed, really obsessed!