Wrapping Up 2010

2010 was a roller coaster of ups and downs. We planned and went on our first Disneyworld trip. During that trip one of Randy's best friends was killed in a car accident. The following month Randy was laid off from his job. We immediately began the process to start our own company (talk about stressful). Thanks to the help of lots of friends it has not been nearly as painful as I thought it would be. United Steel Works, Inc. is slowly getting work and paying the bills. We found out we're having a baby, due June 2!! Tyler turned 16 (that has been MORE painful than I thought it would be). And last but certainly not least, I have a new baby niece. Shayden Elizabeth graced this world on December 28! This brings me to a total of 7 nieces and nephews! I'm so glad 2010 ended on a good note! God has blessed us so much!

The kids had a great Christmas. Actually, I think it was one of the best Christmases ever! We put a lot of thought into what we got them and didn't go overboard with a bunch of junky stuff. It was just the right amount and everyone was happy. For the first time since we've been married we had a traditional New Years meal complete with ham, black eyed peas and cornbread. No greens, I couldn't stand the smell. We substituted with sweet and sour green beans (an awesome recipe courtesy of my friend Lisa).

I'm glad 2010 is over. It was a year of change and growth, both of which can be painful. I'm looking forward to 2011. Our new baby, spending time with my family and friends, new business opportunities and just seeing what God has in store for us!

Sixteen

How did it happen so fast? Where did the time go? Tyler turned sixteen yesterday! My baby boy came into this world November 1, 1994 weighing in at 5 pounds 5 ounces. He's now 5 feet 5 inches and weighs about 160 pounds.

He went through stages as a kid where he LOVED a certain movie and would want to watch it multiple times a day. I think it started with The Lion King, then moved on to Mighty Ducks. But his all time favorite was Disney's Hercules! He had every action figure, sword and shield that they made. He even had a Hercules board game. I didn't think about it until the last minute or I would have hunted some Hercules plates for this birthday. I bought Toy Story instead. He loved that movie too. (Are you ever really too old for a Toy Story birthday?)

He is a good kid, an awesome brother, a good student, a great wrestler. I have prayed a hedge around him since he was a little boy and he would get so mad he'd bang his head on the wall or a piece of furniture. I've prayed every time he started a new school and a new school year. I've prayed for decisions he's had to make and choices he hasn't had to make yet. Now that he's going to be driving I'll be praying for him even more.

I'm so proud of you Tyler and love you very much.

Bowling!

I took Friday off to spend some extra time with the kiddos. Our friend Greg bowls on a league nd gave us lots of free game passes. (Thanks Greg!!!). So the five of us headed over to the bowling alley. Sadie needed bumpers so she had a lane all to herself. While the rest of us bowled two games, she bowled a total of five! I kept asking her if she was tired and wanted to stop. I think she would have bowled five more! This was Hailey's first time to bowl without bumpers. She got the hang of it pretty quickly and even had one strike. Randy had a hard time finding a ball that didn't stick to his fingers. But he pulled out a few strikes as well. Tyler was pretty rusty at first. About half way through the second game he figured it all out and ended up with the high score of the day. I didn't bowl great but had a great time with my family!

Photographer

We are well into summer now. A lot has happened over the last few weeks. Randy lost his job. We're starting our own company. In the meantime we're doing everything we can to save money. So we've pulled Sadie out of day care for the summer and thanks to the help of Mimi, Tyler and Macy she's being well taken care of. My niece Macy has stayed with her several days. She has recently picked up the hobby of photography. I am so impressed with what she's done. I really think she's got a gift for this. She took this picture of Sadie while she was babysitting the other day. I love it! You don't find Sadie being still for very long and in just an instant Macy captured a beautiful picture of my little wild child. Hope you enjoy!

Awards Day

Hailey had her 3rd grade awards day on Wednesday. Third grade marks the end of elementary school at Moody. Hailey received a certificate and ribbon for having "A" honor roll all year and a certificate and ribbon for having the highest average in her class. She is such a smart, sweet girl and we're so proud of her! (Pics to come soon!)

Greg Carter

It's taken me a little while to write this:

Four weeks ago today Randy received a phone call with news that nobody ever wants to hear. One of his best friends, Greg Carter, was killed in a one car accident on I-20 on his way to Orlando. Greg was working in Orlando and had come home for the weekend. Sunday afternoon he was on his way back down there when he lost control of his truck, went off the interstate and hit a tree. We were on vacation in Disney World when Randy got the call. Greg was going to pick Randy up the next morning so they could go check on the job. Instead, Randy left Monday morning to come back to Birmingham.

Greg wasn't just Randy's friend, he was a friend to our family. He stayed with Randy's parents for about a year when he was working in town. He was there when Randy's dad was out of town and his mom had a seizure. He came to Hailey's Christmas program at church. Two weeks before the accident Tyler got the opportunity to go to Phoenix Arizona for a week to a disc golf tournament. We couldn't buy him a plane ticket out there so he rode with Greg. I am so thankful Tyler got to spend that week with Greg. If you ever needed anything, Greg was there. He loved our kids. He loved disc golf. He loved Alabama football.

There are people that pass through our lives that make us want to be better people. We are so blessed to have known Greg. I pray Tyler and Hailey will always remember him and that he made an impact in their lives. I pray I can be a friend like Greg and I'm so thankful God gave him to us for that little bit of time.

Walt Disney World Pictures