Julie Brooks

Merry Christmas

Our Christmas card that I finally mailed out yesterday. Better late than never...right? :)

Here are the pictures we took for our Christmas card.

You can click on each picture to make them larger. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Field Trip

The boys went on a Field Trip for science class and I was able to tag along. I just love their teacher.  They are studying the different days of creation in science and how God created each thing perfect. Ms. W took them to the Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth and did the neatest scavenger hunt with them. She explained all kinds of reasons why each plant and flower was made the way it is and what it's purpose is. She had them take time to thank God for making all things beautiful. It was a fun day!

 

Halloween 2011

This year for Halloween, we had a nerd and Darth Vader.  Mason played it cool and didn't dress up.

Isn't that the cutest nerd and Darth Vader you have ever seen?

Carson was set on being a nerd this year and played up the part very well. Not sure where this idea came from, but the costume was free so it worked for me. The Darth Vader costume has now been worn by Mason, Carson and Garrett so I feel like my money was well spent.

We spent the evening at the church for Kids Fest. Before we left "Jessie" AKA Addy stopped by to see the boys. Isn't she precious??

Mason is sporting the Jessie hat becuase Jessie would have NOTHING to do with it! Getting pictures of this bunch is a challenge!! Lol! The only thing that would make these pictures perfect is my other two nieces. Next year we need to plan better and get a group picture.

Is this a fun looking bunch of kids or what? I will assure you of this every last one of them is FULL of life and ENERGY! :)

As I was trying to take some pictures of Addy "the Nerd" came out with a new head of hair.

Check out the lack of teeth in his mouth!! I've always wanted a kid that could sing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth." Now I have one! I just love his toothless little smile and you should hear him talk. So cute!

Darth Vader was not up for any more pictures....he was busy heading to a galaxy far away.

Change

Change: noun - the action of changing something

Change: noun - a difference that is usually pleasant

Change: verb - cause to change

Change: verb - give to, and receive from, one another

Change: verb - become different in some particular way, without permanently losing ones or it's former characteristics or essence

Change is an interesting thing/ feeling.

Sometimes change is needed, but unwanted. Change can also be wanted, but not needed or possible at the time. Sometimes I embrace change other times I find myself trying to avoid it. I like things to stay comfortable and familiar. However, when planning for the 2011-2012 school year I knew we needed a change. When we started out on this journey to homeschool I was open to however long God would allow. I didn't know if it would be a year or several years or until graduation. I was open to God's plan for our family whatever that would be. This past spring I began to pray and look into private schools for the boys. I felt like God was giving me the ok to move forward and find the best fit school situation for our boys. After much thought and prayer we found the school that fit our needs and my wish list. I felt strong that it had to be a Christian school although I don't believe it's the schools job to train my child up in the faith. I do however want my boys to be in a learning environment that is faith based and with teachers that are like minded. I also didn't want the boys in school everyday. I wanted to still play a role in their schooling process. Lastly, we had to be able to afford it! I found all of these things and more in Science Etc. I was thrilled when a lady from church told me about it and even more excited to learn several families from our church attend Science Etc. In September the boys started school! They take classes on Wednesday and Thursday and so far they love it! The teacher sends home the work they are to do before they come back to class the next week. This allows me to still be able to "teach" them at home on our off days. It gives me the freedom to not have to order curriculum and lesson plan! It also gives me more free time to just be with the boys without the stress of being THE teacher. I wasn't sure how I would handle taking them into school the first day, but it went great! I'm very pleased with the small class settings and the challenge the teachers present the boys. I must say there is a little less stress in our house. I'm excited to see what this year will bring academically for my boys.

Maybe now my blog won't be so neglected. Ha! I think I always say that and then life happens and things get busy. Speaking of busy I have plenty to blog about so maybe I will in the next few days.

If I still have any readers left hang in there.....I will be back!

Lifetime Fitness Summer

We joined Lifetime in September of 2010 and absolutely love it. There is so much to do there for everyone in the family. It truly is our home away from home. I love the fact that will live directly behind Lifetime. We can walk there, but sadly in this heat we have been driving. The boys and I swim everyday. Seriously everyday. LOL! I can workout and then we hit the pool. Brian usually joins us after he gets off work. It has made our summer fun! So here are some pictures of a typical summer day in our home.

My view

See the the houses in the back? Our house in being blocked by that small building attached to Lifetime or else you could see our roof! We are close!

They even have yummy food! :)

Fun summer memories!!

Happy 4th!

Hope you all are having a Happy 4th! We are going to our 3rd fireworks show tonight. We went to the one Mansfield put on Friday night, City of Arlington last night and tonight we are going to Duncanville. Fun times. I love fireworks, but I'm not so sure Brian shares that love. Ha! He asked me last night, "why do people clap after each one?" Lol! After he asked that a few minutes later I caught him clapping and cheering! Busted.

 

It's so hot here we are heading to the pool today. It's the only way to beat this heat. The boys have turned into fish this summer and for the  first time in my life I have a tan. Yea!  This summer seems to be flying by. I can't believe it's already July 4th!! Mason leaves for camp friday and then Brian and I have youth camp the last week of July. Before we know it August will be here. Enjoy these summer memories and stay cool!

My newest niece...

Karen and BJ welcomed Presley Ann into the world on May 5th. She is such a cutie and I had fun taking her pictures. We changed her bow just about every other picture. That is something I don't get to do with boys. :) I love having nieces!  Presley's bows are from Polkadot Posies and they have the best prices!! I know this because I bought Blakely bows at a boutique when we were at the beach and they were $12 a piece!! Polka-Dot Posies has the same bows for $3! You do the math on that one moms. :)

I could go on and on with pictures, but that would take the whole blog.ha!

Isn't she precious?? I just love the smell of a baby. Oh so sweet.

Have you noticed I'm blogging more? Woo Hoo! I don't know if I have many readers left, but I figure I need to blog for the sake of my family.I have really missed blogging and finally decided it is something I have to make time for. This is like my journal and helps me keep my thoughts in order. I see from my stat counter I have readers so leave me a message and let me know your still around! :)

I'm off to pack we leave for mission trip in the morning. We are taking 65 to Laredo, Texas. It's going to be HOT, HOT, HOT!! Karen and BJ are house/kid sitting for us this week. I have loaded up on snacks for them and I hope they have a great week. Pray for our youth this week as they serve in Laredo.

 

Look who turned 7

Garrett is our comedian! He is full of life and always up to something! You would never know he was born 3 months early with a grim start to life. I can't wait to see how God uses him as he continues to grow in his walk with the Lord. Garrett loves church, memorizing scripture, singing praise songs with his ipod on and he always wants to pray at meal time and bed time. He has a tender heart and is passionate about living life to the fullest. He has the Gaskill vocal volume....he's LOUD. :) He's our baby and I can't believe he is 7! They grow up so fast.

For his birthday we surprised him with a trip to LegoLand. This year we have chosen to spend money on an "experience" instead of toys that will end up in the bottom of the closet in a month. They have enough stuff! Plus the whole family gets to enjoy the experience.  Carson's birthday is next month and I'm excited about his birthday surprise!

The boys had fun, but I will say the website makes it look HUGE and it's a pretty small place. There wasn't a lot for Mason to do. ( he's 12)  They definitely had the younger child in mind when building it. The boys had fun, but were ready to go after 2 hours. Looking at the website, we had originally  planned on spending the entire day there.  So we headed to lunch and then home to swim at Lifetime. Garrett gave the day a two thumbs up! :)

Carson really wants to attempt this lego guitar.....we are a few yellow legos short. Ha!

They show the kids how legos are made and it was really neat to watch. At the end each child gets a special LegoLand Discovery Center lego to take home.

These next pictures were in a room where the Lego Masters have created replicas of Dallas/Arlington Texas landmarks out of LEGOS! It was so neat! I can't imagine the hours that went into building these. What creativity!! This was our favorite part.

DFW Airport

American Airlines Center home of THE DALLAS MAVERICKS!!!

Great Wolf Lodge

Dallas Cowboys Stadium

Isn't Southfork Ranch cute?

The hotel Brian and I stayed in on our wedding night.

Gaylord Texan

  Rangers Ballpark

 

A fun time was had by all! Now my kids are trying to build all these fun places above.

 

My Sister is in labor!

Karen is in Labor! We get to meet Presley today!! You can follow today's events on her blog.... www.the-g-unit-family.blogspot.com

Amped...

What an amazing worship service we had Sunday. The staff decided to have an overflow service in the gym and call it AMPED! Same service just LOUDER! HA! The student ministry band did a fabulous job on the music. We watched the pastor preach via simulcast and it was just so cool. Our sanctuary was packed and we had a full house in the gym. An all around great day!

  

Brian even wore a suit for the first time in a year! ;)

I hope y'all had a wonderful Easter celebrating our RISEN SAVIOUR!

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing" Zeph3:17