NICE AND NORMAL

Jeff and I got a free pass last night. 

His parents took the boys for the night while we drove back home (I had to work today).

We sat in our house, devoid of our noisy, messy children (but really, we missed them) and we wrapped presents, we folded laundry, we organized, and we laughed. 

And then we went out on a fabulous dinner date to one of our favorite's, Lucca's, and had an extremely filling dinner.  We each had a drink and a very filling entree while we chatted. We talked about the future and how happy we both were that Jeff is done with ROTC and school. We talked about how excited we are for the new year and everything that is yet to come. We talked about how good our children are and how blessed we feel.

I'm out today until after the New Year. (Woop, woop)

Santa is going to be very generous to our children this year. They have been good and have endured one of the roughest of years with us. Jeff and I both talked about how we feel pretty confident that we won't corrupt our children. 

Hey, we've made it this far...

Merry Christmas my friends! May you experience love and happiness this holiday season.

Happy 2014 peeps! Keep checking up on the ole' bloggy blog for updates on the life in our crazy family. Remember, as far as everyone else is concerned, we're a "nice" and "normal" family. Spread the word.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

2014 will be filled with lots of new changes. Lots of milestones to be reached. Multiple books to be read. More television shows to get addicted to. Lots of funny quips to come from Caderyn. Dramatic monologues from Lucy. Updates on the boys. Musing from me (always the very best). Travels to be documented. And oh so much more.

Swan, OUT!

SHOUT IT FROM THE BLOGTOPS

Can I just say that I am ready for 2013 to end?

I was looking through some posts from the year last night and wowza, what a year for us.

This year was one of those hard years where the phrase " can't catch a break" gets used multiple times. Jeff was in school and away. I was working and stressed. The kids were dealing with their neurological issues and a mom who was just barely making it to bedtime. Oh me oh my!

As tough as this year was, I am glad we had this year. My pride doesn't prevent me from covering up the struggles we've had. Some have been announced here on the bliggety-blog, others are a little more personal and don't need to be shared. The majority of events that have occurred in our lives, I have shared with you--my outlet. I write to sort out my thoughts and calm my spirit. My pride wants me to share our struggles, our laughs, our goofs to show you that I'm human. No one is perfect. I make mistakes. I laugh at myself. I cry over life events. I celebrate by typing in ALL CAPITALS. Life isn't about what you're wearing, what you're eating, or the latest product that you like.

I am proud to have made it through this year above all other years that have been lived so far.

This year tested my patience, my pride, my wallet, my heart, my faith, my mental capacity...2013 made me see how truly strong I am. And not just physically strong. I mean, I know I'm strong, but most moms are. Only a mom can balance a squirming one-year-old on her hips while stirring dinner on the stove, talking on the phone, and directing a crazy 4-year-old (who is wearing a cape) to stop jumping off the couch.

But I feel like this year, I've come into my own. Sure, I've had my ups and downs, but today I can take a step back and feel very good about the person I've become. This year helped mold me into that, more than any other years.

 

So get out of here 2013! Good riddance! I will not have fond memories of you, but I will have memories of pride for when I cleared that next obstacle, when my children did something amazing, or when we laughed until our faces hurt.

 

With the start of my Christmas break on Friday (I love working in academics), I will probably be a little scarce around the ole bliggety-blog. But I wanted to shout it from the rooftops (blogtops?) that I wish all of our family, friends and readers a very Merry Christmas and Happy 2014.

 

Twenty Fourteen! 2014 is going to be another big year you guys! I already know it will be and you all will just have to keep reading to find out why :)

Like our picture? Talk to Lisa

Like my Christmas card? Talk to Laura

 

IPHONE LATELY

Excuse me while I dust off the keyboard over here.
Wow! Where have I been lately? Sheesh.

Last week was so, so busy, but also AMAZING!
My husband graduated with a Master's degree AND...did I mention AND, he got commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army.
There is so much more to tell you, but, alas (did I really just say "alas?"), all in good times my friends, all in good times.
 
We also had my work Christmas party, best one yet!
And, because we didn't have enough already packed into our weekend, we threw Jeff a celebration party in which I drank more champagne and wine than I'm used to having. Ooof.  
Caderyn is still over-the-moon excited to have his Daddy home and, because, you know, its Christmas.
Gibby is starting to stand all of time time, he walks only holding on to one finger for assistance AND he can say "Cookie," "Mimi," and "Mema" now. That all happened this week.
So, yeah. We've been busy.

Here are some picture quips from the last two weeks:

George and his shennanigans.

 

Um, yes. It has been quite cold here lately.

 

 

Last weekend I braved the extreme cold (see below) and went to Great Falls for the day to celebrate my cousin, Becky, and the impending arrival of TWINS! Boy and girl twins! I had a great, great time. I love my family.

 

Sheesh. It was cold.

Sometimes George really creeps me out. This was one of those moments.

 

It was so cold even the doggins needed snuggling. She sure gave me the evil eye though after I tucked her in...

 

Santa letter, 2013

 

Oh Christmas Tree!

 

We had THE BEST band at my work Christmas Party this year. The Clinton's are a well known band in Montana and we got their sub-group, The Wench, to play at ours.

Money well spent. They were great. The two guys from the band are in the red and the green shirt. The gentleman in all black is the school priest, Fr. Marc. He got up on stage with them for probably an hour and helped them play instruments. It was hilarious to see how much fun he was having.

 

  

 

Me and my officer. :)

 

So, earlier last week Jeff told me that he had to give gifts to people who influenced him during school and ROTC. He told me he didn't have a gift for me, but wanted me to go ahead and pick out a wedding ring upgrade. I was all "Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh YES PLEASE!" And so I marched myself over to my friend's jewelry store and tried on some fancy duds (that were within our budget). We've narrowed it down to two choices. Now I just have to decide... Help, I need help! What do you all think?

 

Option One

 

 

Option Two 

 

 

We threw Jeff a graduation/commissioning celebration party. About 20 people came and it was a blast! Thanks again to all of our friends who helped us celebrate!

 

Popping some bubbly

 

 

Greeting friends

 

 

Pictures of me eating 

 

Creme brulee! Oh how I love Benny's creme brulee!

 

Man friends and neighbors 

Who here has had more than two glasses of wine?

 

 

Jeff's dad and a friend snuck across the street to share a flask of brandy.

I shall call this: Incriminating Evidence

 

My mother-in-law, Pam holding baby Katie, Casey is next to them, she is Katie's mom.

 

Max and Gavin 

The Mauch family

 

A gentleman and an officer 

 

Mandy and Paiden.

 

More incriminating evidence

 

So much wine-judgement going on in this picture. :)

 

Neighbors, friends, majestic unicorns (aka, red heads)

 

Definitely majestic unicorns

 

Lucy was exhausted after the party...even though she wasn't invited.

 

 

 

 

We met some friends for breakfast the next morning. Caderyn got ahold of my phone.

 

Curls! Oh look at those curls!