Very Thankful

Today I was told "A true friend is always honest" WOW! Thankfully I was being honest, even though it hurt to say, and even though I felt like I was being a horrible friend. I cried like a baby after I got home, I cried on the phone to Bubba, thinking I had lost a really good, loyal friend. Then when I thought it was all over, she said those 6 words to me. I'm so thankful that I have a friend that stands by me no matter what. Lately life has been anything but stellar, and she has gone through it with me. She is AWESOME :) Thanks friend (even though I doubt she is reading this... I have to say it)

I also am SOOOO thankful for my AMAZING husband. I'm sure there are days (like today) when I'm sitting on the phone, crying, that he is doing a face palm, BUT he sits there and tells me everything is going to be alright. He is truly my best friend! To my Hannah... you are almost equally as awesome. I'm so thankful that you sit on messenger with me and let me vent. AND Amber Dee... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Things have definitely been pretty yuck here the past week. I've been frustrated with things, not really knowing what to do. I've been so spending a lot of time praying, reading, and trying, oh so hard, to be positive. There have been lots of doubt and stumbling blocks in my way, but I am determined to live the life I was made to live. I'm not going to let negative attitudes and people get me down. I'm so thankful for the positive people in my life... and I only mentioned a few earlier... there are more. So thank you, to all the people in my life that lift me up when I'm down. You ROCK!!!

And now I'm going to leave you with the most adorable little boy EVER!!!

Positive Thinking

So... who wants a cute blue 2001 VW Passat? Any takers? Anyone, Bueller, Bueller??? NO? Ok, so it's not really for sale, or the taking, but right now I want to kick it to the curb. It's driving me crazy! It's got it's quirks that is causing it to be a pain in the rear to fix so we can get it to pass inspection. I guess I just need to relax... it will get fixed before Bubba leaves... I know it will.
POSITIVE THINKING!!!
That is my goal right now. It's been my goal for a couple weeks now, and I'm having a little trouble with it. I read the book The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child By Ron Clark... and I suggest that any teacher and parent read it. Most of the book are things that we should teach our children, and I believe that they should learn these things at home. Anyways... back on track... One of his last rules was "Be Positive and Enjoy Life. Some things aren't worth getting upset about. Keep everything in perspective and focus on the good in your life." HOW TRUE!!!! Lately, I feel like things just bring me down. I try to look for something that will make me smile, think positively everyday. Today it happened to be that Colin ate a chocolate chip cookie I made and got it EVERYWHERE. I mean seriously, how can you not smile when you see this? And this picture is mild compared to the end result.

I LOVE IT!!!

Well that's all that's on my brain for now... HOPEFULLY it will stop raining and I can get pictures of Colin this week

Good Luck

So first I want to wish all my friends and family back home a great school year! I know you will all do great! Today I sat here thinking about how I would decorate my room, and what "first day activities" I would have... sigh... One day I will have my own classroom.

As for now, my classroom is my house and my student is Colin. Colin, Colin, Colin, who screamed at the broom today because part of it was stuck under the couch and he couldn't pick it up. Colin, who got frustrated because he couldn't fit between the footrest and seat of his highchair. Colin, who will stand in the middle of the room with nothing around him for a good minute or more, but refuses to walk. Oh child of mine, I love you, but you are DRIVING ME CRAZY! Ok, maybe not crazy, but can't he walk already??? I know, I know, he will walk when he is ready, but I want him to walk... soon.... or do I?

So, the last week, has been a little crazy here at the West house. We have been in meetings, fixing cars, and just running lots of errands. One fun thing that has happened is Colin has cut TWO more teeth. It's hard to believe that my little man is growing up SO fast!!! I can't believe in less than a month he will be a year old! Where has the year gone????? We are still working on the walking... Colin has been standing up but still a too timid to take those steps. He has started scooting on one knee and one foot. It's REALLY cute :)

 Hopefully this week the weather will cooperate and we can get some of Colin's 1 year photos taken... and posted.

Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest

Yesterday was a FUN day! We drove to Sherwood Forest with some friends to the Robin Hood Festival. There were little shows and people dressed in the era's garb telling stories about how they eat, dress, make weapons, etc. They also had a jousting tournament, a battle and games for the kids. Colin seemed to LOVE sitting and watching people pass by and the different little shows.

 Entering Sherwood Forest

 Yep... That's right we are getting into the theme :)

 Colin, FINALLY let us put the hat on him

 Sword Fight!!

Breathing Fire :)

After a day of fun in Sherwood forest we went to Nottingham with friends to eat at TGIFridays!!! American food... and it was soooo worth it :) All in all we had a fun day with our friends :)

Day 2: 1st Art Project and Daisy

Today was the last day for us to keep our furry friend, Daisy. She and Colin had so much fun this week playing together. I really think Colin wore her out. I'm glad that she got to go back to her family and I know her family is glad to have her back

So I finally got brave today and decided that I was going to do my first "official" art project with Colin today. Since EVERYTHING goes into his mouth I decided to use some of his oatmeal and color it with food coloring. 

I then took a manilla folder that I had lying around and let Colin swirl it around. 

He seemed to be having fun and of course the oatmeal made it's way to his mouth. By the end of our project, he had a green oatmeal gotee... TOO CUTE. 

Of course this meant we had to get a good bath, but we had lots of fun :) And the end result, if I do say so myself, is AMAZING :)

Catching Up

Hellooooooooo... to anyone out there! I've done an AWFUL job at keeping up my blog and have decided that I am going to blog everyday from now on. (Who wants to help keep me accountable)
I've decided that I may not think my life is very exciting or that the things we do on a daily basis will interest anyone, but who knows, maybe it does. So here we go...

A TON has happened since I last wrote, 7 months worth of stuff, so we will do a quick rundown on major events... and from now on, you will get up to date West Adventures!!

January- I turned 25!! We also went to Garmisch, Germany for a week. Bubba got to snowboard and Monkey and I enjoyed the snow and LOTS of German food! On the way home we stopped in Brugge, Belguim and ate waffles, fries, and chocolate!!! We also saw some beautiful scenery! It was a great trip and so glad that we got to spend the week together :)

February- Bubba started in the Alarm room so we didn't go anywhere as we got used to his new schedule (for the next six months). We also started looking for a new house to live in. We loved our house and living on base, but it was super small for all 3 of us with Colin's new jumperoo.

March- Monkey is moving and groovin... or just crawling. ALL OVER THE PLACE. He picked it up so quick, one day he was somewhat inching along and the next I was chasing him around the house!

April- MOVING DAY!!! We found an AMAZING house in the village of Littleport... it's 3 bedrooms, and the downstairs has an open floor plan! It's PERFECT! It's 25 mins from base and the drive is on a somewhat major road, so it should be gritted in the winter and I won't be afraid to drive... well maybe I won't.

May- Aunt Kyla came to visit!! We were so happy to see her and have her stay with us for a week! We had fun going to see Ely Cathedral and it was gorgeous. We took her to all the little tourist places in our area. I think she had lots of fun.

June- WE ARE GOING HOME!!! Well... at least for a month! If I do say so myself, it was great :) Monkey had a great time visiting with his Grammy/Granpa, Nan/Pop and all his other relatives. He also got WAY spoiled.. I know they were all making up for lost time, but geeze! :) The kid is definitely loved. He also started standing up on his own, and got 4 teeth!! That's right FOUR!!!

July- Unfortunately we had to leave everyone behind and come back to England... and unfortunatley we missed the England summer... Fall has arrived :( I don't really know why I'm complaining since it was 150 in Texas. Bubba and I also celebrated our 4th anniversary this month. Can't believe how fast the past 4 years have gone!

It's now August and we celebrated Bubba's 23rd Birthday. We also went to the Wayland show, which is a British Stockshow. It was really interesting to see the way the British do things. We had lots of fun :)

As you can see the past 7 months have been fun in the West Household. Hopefully the next 5 will be just as fun :)