Back at it

Ok, y'all. It's been years. I know. Today at church I was inspired to start blogging again. I couldn't even remember how to login. But clearly, I figured it out. 

We moved to Bullard, TX this summer. We are living in my parents retirement home. They don't plan to retire for a few more years. It's a huge, beautiful home. And it has an enclosed swimming pool. It's such an awesome opportunity for us. Tom is traveling for work and I was able to find a teaching job out here. 

I am still teaching Physics, but I'm also teaching astronomy. I teach at Whitehouse High School and they let me bring the kids with me. We all ride to my school in the morning and then they ride a shuttle to their elementary school. At the end of the day th

ey ride the shuttle back to me and we leave together. It's been great. 

Belle is in football cheer and competition cheer and she is gaining skills so quickly. Jackson is in football again and he's really growing as well. He got an AWESOME pancake in yesterday's game. He drove the defensive lineman back over 10 yards before driving him into the ground. 

Well, that's the big picture of what's going on with The Butterfield's right now. I will try to start posting once a week again. 

Someone hold me accountable. 

PS - small photo explosion below...

Keeping Up

Well, here is my attempt at keeping up. I've started crocheting again so I can teach the activity girls this week. I'm king of excited. I'm starting with a simple scarf but I want to learn how to do other stitches and follow patterns. And I'll be able to share my exciting news next week.

As for the rest of us...Jackson lost his second tooth and the guest house is coming along well. It's almost time for spring soccer and the kids go to a new daycare now.

And now....photo overload...

Time to make a change

 If I had a nickel for every time I say I will be better about blogging... Well... I'd have quite a few nickels. But I hope to stick to it this time. My kids are getting older and my life is getting crazier. I really need to be keeping a record of it. I also have some news to share in the near future that will give me some interesting things to share. For now, I will give a quick run-down of what has happened in the months since I last posted.

Belle is in pre-k and doing very well. Jackson is in first grade and reading and writing pretty well. He played soccer in the fall and both kids want to play this spring. Belle is back in dance and loving it. My baby brother got engaged when my family visited us for Christmas and we will be returning to my home town of Midland, TX for the wedding in June. The guest house is under construction and I have gone back to school. I'm still working, but also attending Arizona State Universities online program to get a MEng in Engineering Management, paid for by my company.

I'm also in the PTO at the elementary school and an activity days leader and the librarian for our church. It's a lot and it makes our lives a by crazy. But we generally love our crazy life.

I'll try to post some photos soon.

Monumental day

Mark this day in history because, at 6 years old, Jackson finally ate a lunch meat sandwich. Until today the only sandwiches he would eat were chocolate spread with cookie butter or peanut butter. Not even jelly. I'm so excited and so VERY proud of my little buddy. This will make school lunches so much easier and varied for us. YAY Jackson!

Happy Birthday Jackson!

I love this kid so very much. He made me a mommy 6 years ago and he has been the light of my life ever since. He is so sweet and brilliant and I'm so glad to have him in my life.

Happy Birthday Jackson!

Summer Days

This past summer we went to Myrtle Beach with the Jackson family again. This time both kids were old enough to enjoy it. We had lots of fun, but it was sad not having Papa there. Jackson started really swimming without a life jacket and Belle started really enjoying the water. It was a good trip. Our family definitely loves the beach!

I'll post pictures from fall and of the new house soon. Then I will get to Christmas. At that point I will consider us caught up and try to keep it that way.

Beginning Again

Oh my... I didn't realize it had been over a year since I posted. The second half of the year was insane as we moved across the country to New Jersey at the end of July and have been living in a hotel since then. Honestly, I don't know what my excuse was before then. I know I am like 4 weeks late on this, but in 2015 I resolve to update at LEAST once a month, if not once a week. I will start by posting some pictures from the last year this weekend. Stay tuned...

Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas!!  Tom is working today so we did things a little different this year.  We did all the presents on Christmas Eve along with the usual Christmas Eve traditions of Christmas jammies, sugar cookies, Christmas Vacation and a dinner of crab and creme brulee.  We woke the kids up at 5am to see what Santa brought and eat breakfast before daddy's 6:30 am shift.  The kids had a blast and it was the first year they really got into it.  They have been counting the days for weeks now and made amazing faces.  They tore through the wrapping paper and dumped out their stockings like pros.  They sure made the holiday even more fun for us and I'm already excited for next year.

Belle's face upon opening her first present

These seem to be one of her favorite gifts this year

Jackson fell asleep early but Belle decorated cookies for Santa

Belle sitting in her spoils

"My punzel and gene"

Jackson is a pro by now

This box was hard to hide and he'd been asking for the basketball for weeks, but we had him convinced it was an empty box.  When Daddy started pulling things out of the box, he threw his hands up with joy.

Jackson playing with his new train case and train

Jackson sitting in his spoils

Santa came!!!

Time to open the presents?!?!

They really do love each other...

Sorry the pictures are in a totally weird order....