Mission Statement

2024 is closing its doors tonight.

The curtain is dropping.

The treasures and memories are going into a cozy, felt box with the label, "2024."

And I'm at peace with that!!

A few last-minute things to tidy up the ends:

Burke arrived at the gym with Cooper and I was there!!!

Whenever I ask him if he wants to go to the gym with me, he responds with, "I'd rather be fat!"

So THIS was a very big treat!

Last week, he took me to get nails done...

And pedicures.

The girls LOVE it when Burke comes in.

Suddenly, he's the favorite.

I get it!

To begin the new year, I am trying something different.

I have realized that vision boards are not my thing: too busy & I feel compelled to be creative and I just don't want to be.

Last year, I framed one of my favorite quotes and set it on an end table in our front room.

By doing that, I really took all of the accountability out of my "goal."

So this year, I'm doing a mission statement.

I'm really excited about it!

I feel like it's super detailed, attainable, and allows for 100% accountability.

Here's to 2025!

 

Before & After

Ryker just wanted a "new room" for Christmas.

His "old room" still had bunk beds and "little kid" toys and posters that were for "little kids."

I grabbed some Amazon finds to wrap and put under the tree.

Then yesterday, it was all hands on deck to help give him his new room. 

Hendrix was such a big "help!!!"

Complete with LED lights, framed football pictures of the stud himself, an all lit-up "R" for Ryker...

A twin bed from downstairs with drawers to go underneath, a new magnetic dart board...

A plush football bean bag chair, more framed pictures, and more LED lights...

He is obsessed.

He didn't leave his room the rest of the day.

His smile made all of the work so worth it!

 

Christmas Morning

Burke and I got up first... at like 8 AM... the bonus of having older kids!

We had forgotten to get stuff for stockings.

Ooops.

I continue to love my crates.

It makes it so much easier to hand out gifts to everyone!

We woke the kids up who live at home.

Kaydon, Porter, Cooper, and Ryker were happy with their gifts this year!

The dogs were just happy to be with their people!

Colton and Diana were next to arrive and open their gifts!

Colton was mostly excited about his new truck, but loved Christmas too!

Next up: Jackson, Isis, Kehlani, Delilah, and Melanie.

The girlies were SO excited to open their presents.

Fun Fact:

Papa gets all of the granddaughters a snowglobe each year.

Papa gets the grandsons Hot Wheels each year.

I think it's the cutest tradition.

Kehlani helped Uncle Kaydon put together his Lego Up House set.

Delilah was obsessed with her snowglobe!

My beautiful Kehlani!

Beautiful Melanie!

Oh, these babies!

Beautiful Delilah.

I love that she loves her Papa.

Last up, Hudson!

He was just obsessed.

With all of it.

Trucks, tractors, front-loaders, skid steers...

Tools!!

Drills, wrenches, and screw drivers!

I just feel so blessed with abundance!

Abundance of love and joy and more love!

 

Christmas Eve

Burke and I got off work at 1 PM on Christmas Eve.

We met Rian, Tyler, Aria, Hendrix, Porter, Cooper & Ryker at home.

We loaded up and headed to Grandpa Dave's.

Grandpa Dave is Burke's stepdad.

His mom passed away a few years ago.

Grandpa Dave still does Christmas Eve dinner and we love going every year!!

Yummy food.

Better company!

While Mom was still alive, she and Grandpa Dave collected piggy banks.

For decades.

Grandpa Dave is a coin enthusiast.

For this Christmas, he gave all of the grandkids and the great grandkids their piggy bank with half dollars in them.

Ryker said to me about his, "I told Grandpa so long ago that the dog one was my favorite and he remembered!!"

More to come on the piggy banks...

Grandpa Dave.

His oldest daughter, Wendy.

Papa & Hendrix.

Porter, Tyler, Aria.

Then we headed back to our house to open gifts with Rian and her family.

Bubba & Suzanne met us there.

Hendrix was most excited about his toy remote control!

Aria was most excited about her smart watch!

Bubba & Suzanne got Burke a Chicago Bears jacket that he's been coveting.

It was SO fun watching him open it!!!

They got me such a thoughtful gift of bath products and new pajamas.

They said that they recognize that I need calming, self-love gifts.

 

Truck Owner

Burke sent this picture to me yesterday. 

Colton bought himself a truck!

This boy is seriously the most impressive human I know.

He is so, incredibly responsible.

He works hard.

He is planning to propose to Diana any day now.

I am just the proudest mama that there has ever been!!

 

Date Night-ish

Cooper had a double date on Saturday night.

He had never met her before.

They went to a movie.

Burke and I were there to pick up the boys.

Burke parked in the perfect spot... for ME.

I was able to have eyes on my kid for a minute before they came out.

I am THAT mom!!!

These girls...

I am OBSESSED with my grandbabies!

Hudson was SO happy to see Uncles on Saturday!!!!!

Give the baby a turkey baster and his uncles and he's in Heaven!

 

Oooooooooooo!

Hudson was so busy yesterday!

I took him outside with me to throw some trash away.

He was wearing the cutest little monster slippers.

He (we) then spent the next 45 minutes walking up and down our street.

Bottle in hand.

Living his best life!

He LOVES when uncles get home.

He makes sure they know he's there!

He continues to be obsessed with the TheraGun.

That red mark on this face is from him laying his face directly on the TheraGun and humming, "Ooooooooooooooooo!"

Love this Squish!

 

Aria's School Program

Papa went to Aria's school Christmas program this morning.

Gigi had to work.

Papa joined Aria's mommy, daddy, and Hendrix.

Then he sent all the pictures to Gigi!!!

She is our spunky, sassy, all-girl Aria Girl!