playing catch-up

I've sat down to blog many times over the past couple of weeks, but I just kept getting overwhelmed trying to catch up to where we are almost a year since my last post.  So I decided to just stop trying to catch up and start where we are right now.

John Mark turned 7 in July (unbelievable, really... How did he get so big?) and is rocking the 2nd grade.  He loves reading and math, has a million friends and basically knows everyone at the school.  He's such a kind kid, and has the biggest heart.  He loves his siblings and is the best big brother ever.  He takes such good care of them.  He loves riding his bike, playing basketball and being outside.  He eats like a horse, and I fear for my grocery bill as he gets older.  I couldn't have asked for a better big boy!

Lucy just turned 2, and while I can't believe she's that old, I kind of feel like she has been 2 forever.  All her friends at church are older and she's been in the class up for a while now, so it's like she's finally official.  She's a firecracker and high drama, but really has such a sweet little heart.  She loves Minnie Mouse, Beauty and the Beast ("I wanna watch it the beast" is heard at least a million times a day) and "Punzel"- aka Tangled.  She talks up a storm and LOVES music.  She can sing along with almost any song, but her favorites are "Twinkle, Twinkle", "Jesus Loves Me", and "Lay Me Down."  She can count to twelve (then just says two-teen over and over) and knows most of her colors.

And then there's our sweet bonus baby, Judah.  Maybe someday I'll get around to blogging all about him, but for now- he will be 3 months old tomorrow.  He's the sweetest, most laid-back baby around.  He just kind of takes in all the insanity of our house and tolerates being "mothered" by his big sister.  He's a big guy who loves to eat.  He LOVES to snuggle, and his favorite place is by far in someone's arms.  He goes by Judah-bear, J-bear, Big Buddha and (randomly) boots. 

Micah and I are pretty much the same!  He is still working at FFL and teaching in the student ministry at our church.  I'm watching my nephews a couple days a week and helping out in the children's ministry.

It's been an exciting year, and I can't wait to see what the next year holds.  Hopefully it won't be another year before I blog again. :)

I'm Back!

Last night I realized that I couldn't remember what made Lucy laugh for the first time... but then I had posted about it on my blog.  And since I'm not good at writing this stuff down anywhere, I thought I should probably go back to blogging about things so I don't forget them.

I stopped blogging because I got nervous about the thought of pictures and information about my kids being available for any creep on the internet to find.  So, I'm going to make my blog private.  If you'd like to be added to the list, email me at srr_724{at}yahoo{dot}com and I will gladly add you to the list. :)

weekend update: basketball and sickies

As one of my goals to blog more consistently, I decided to do weekend updates.  Seems like an easy way to document our lives, right?  I had big dreams of busting out my nice camera and take great pics of all our fun...  Also, I tried to think of a better name than weekend update or review or whatever... so as to not feel like I'm copying lots of other bloggers.  But nothing came to me, so this is what you get. 

Sadly, the weekend I decide to start doing weekend updates here on the ol' bloggy blog turned out to be the most boring weekend ever.  Of course.  And you get two Instagram pics.  Sometimes that's how it goes.

Friday night, we went out to dinner with Micah's family for his brother's birthday.  I ate my weight in Olive Garden bread sticks and soup.  It had been a long week getting back in the swing of school and regular routines, so we headed home relatively early.

Unfortunately, we woke up at 1:30 to poor Lucy throwing up in her bed.  We changed sheets, pajamas, blankets and settled her back in to try and sleep.  It was a long night of up and down, with not a lot of sleep for any of us.  It's always so sad when my babies are sick.

Saturday morning, Micah and John Mark got up early to head to his first basketball game.  I was so sad to have to miss all the fun.  They got home a couple hours later with donuts and he was so excited about his game.  I can't wait for next week so I can see him play!

We spent the rest of the weekend laying around, cleaning up messes and doing a ridiculous amount of laundry.  Micah and JM did make it to church on Sunday, and I ventured out to Wal-Mart.  I'm telling you, exciting stuff.

Lucy is finally feeling better and I'm still praying that the rest of us stay away from the sickness.  So far, we're doing ok.  Hope your weekend was more exciting and puke-free than ours! 

the 2012 bookshelf

It was a decent year for reading around these parts.  My discovery of Kindle library books played a great role in that, since I could get books any time I wanted.  Anyway, here's the list of books I read this year.  I decided to color code them for you, in case you're wondering which ones you should tackle first: 

• Blue- excellent, get this book ASAP!
• Green- great book, read soon
• Red- save yourself the trouble 
• Black- I don't remember this book... that probably says enough, ha!

Garden Spells- Sarah Addison Allen
Savannah Blues (Weezie and Bebe Mysteries, #1)- Mary Kay Andrews
Savannah Breeze (Weezie and Bebe Mysteries, #2)- Mary Kay Andrews
Blue Christmas (Weezie and Bebe Mysteries, #3)- Mary Kay Andrews
Little Bitty Lies- Mary Kay Andrews
Hissy Fit- Mary Kay Andrews
Deep Dish- Mary Kay Andrews
The Fixer Upper- Mary Kay Andrews
Perfectly Dateless (Universally Misunderstood, #1)- Kristin Billerbeck
Perfectly Invisible (Universally Misunderstood, #2)- Kristin Billerbeck
Perfectly Ridiculous (Universally Misunderstood, #3)- Kristin Billerbeck
3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows- Ann Brashares
Sisterhood Everlasting (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, #5)- Ann Brashares
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls, #1)- Ally Carter
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy (Gallagher Girls, #2)- Ally Carter
Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover (Gallagher Girls, #3)- Ally Carter
Only the Good Spy Young (Gallagher Girls, #4)- Ally Carter
Heist Society (Heist Society, #1)- Ally Carter
Crossed (Matched, #2)- Ally Condie
The Lincoln Lawyer (Mickey Haller, #1)- Michael Connelly
Sharp Objects- Gillian Flynn
Gone Girl- Gillian Flynn
A Summer Affair- Elin Hilderbrand
Forever (Firstborn, #5)- Karen Kingsbury
Sunrise (Sunrise, #1)- Karen Kingsbury
Summer (Sunrise, #2)- Karen Kingsbury
Someday (Sunrise, #3)- Karen Kingsbury
Sunset (Sunrise, #4)- Karen Kingsbury
Leaving (Bailey Flanigan, #1)- Karen Kingsbury
Learning (Bailey Flanigan #2)- Karen Kingsbury
Longing (Bailey Flanigan #3)- Karen Kingsbury
Loving (Bailey Flanigan #4)- Karen Kingsbury
Remember Me?- Sophie Kinsella
I've Got Your Number- Sophie Kinsella
Pretty in Plaid- Jen Lancaster
Letters From Home- Kristina McMorris
Before I Fall- Lauren Oliver
Delirium (Delirium, #1)- Lauren Oliver
Pandemonium (Delirium, #2)- Lauren Oliver
Divergent (Divergent, #1)- Veronica Roth
Insurgent (Divergent, #2)- Veronica Roth
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks- Rebecca Skloot
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency- Alexander McCall Smith
Tears of the Giraffe- Alexander McCall Smith
The Girls from Ames- Jeffrey Zaslow

Bible Study Books-
Unglued- Lysa Terkeurst
What's It Like to Be Married to Me?- Linda Dillow
Red Sea Rules- Robert Morgan
No Other Gods- Kelly Minter

As you can tell, I did a lot of reading in the Young Adult genre this year... most of these were fun, easy reads that didn't require much attention.  I have loved every book Kristin Billerbeck has written, but I just couldn't get into these.  I read several excellent reviews of the Henrietta Lacks book as well, but it just never clicked for me.  The Gillian Flynn books were definitely dark, twisted, and not my usual read.  But the stories and the writing totally pulled me in.  I wouldn't recommend those if you are prone to nightmares, at all.  If you haven't read the Divergent trilogy, you need to.  The same with Matched and Delirium... that is if you like Young Adult "sci-fi", as my husband likes to call them.

What did you read in 2012?  What do I need to add to my 2013 reading list?

a new year

Well, 2012 passed in the blink of an eye and here I sit on the 4th day of 2013.  I always thought it was weird when my parents talked about how fast time went, but now I totally get it.  I swear 2012 didn't even happen!

Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about the new year... setting goals and trying to come up with a plan to actually achieve those goals.  One thing I'd really like to do is devote more of my time and energy to my little corner of the internet.  I really do love writing, and even if I'm just recounting days and weekends, I'd love to do a better job.  Besides, I'm fairly certain my mom and Mrs. Nease are the only people who stop by here anyway. :)

So I'll start off this post with a tiny recap of 2012.  It's been a busy year, and I feel like I did a lot of learning.  And while there were significantly fewer tears than 2011, I definitely spent a fair amount of time crying because apparently, that's what I do.  I didn't accomplish a lot of things I wanted to, but I am ending the year with a full and happy heart, so I'll count it a success.

January 2012

• Started watching my niece and nephew.
• Cried... A LOT. (Lucy)
• Started back to Kindergarten after winter break.

February 2012

• Took reflux meds, finally.
• Celebrated Valentine's day with my 3 favorite people.
• Added a third nephew to the crew.

March 2012

• Added the third kiddo to my already crazy Mondays & Wednesdays.
• Got an iPhone and an Instagram addiction was born.
• Spent a rainy spring break indoors.

April 2012

• Celebrated Micah's birthday.
• Bought a weather radio and survived "Tornado Outbreak 2012."
• Walked in the OKC Heart Walk in honor of our friend's son.

May 2012

• Graduated Kindergarten.
• Watched a lot of Thunder basketball.
• Celebrated one year at FFL.
• Moved!

June 2012

• Spent a weekend with my extended family.
• Celebrated my 31st birthday with friends.
• Visited with friends in town from Houston.
• Started swimming lessons... and swam- a lot.

July 2012

• Watched fireworks and ate yummy food with friends for the Fourth.
• Rode jet-skis at the lake.
• Crowned and filled a lot of teeth.
• Celebrated 8 years of marriage.
• Celebrated a 6th birthday with an Olympic themed party.

August 2012

• Fed a giraffe at the zoo.
• Started first grade.
• Put together a new swing set.
• Started a new serving role as AWANA coordinator at church.

September 2012

• Spent a week with Houston friends (again!).
• Cheered for OU at a home game.
• Started taking steps unassisted.

October 2012

• Traveled to TN for a week with my family.
• Saw a bear.
• Became a tiny ghost and Mario for Halloween.
• Went to the pumpkin patch.

November 2012

• Voted.
• Played in the alumni basketball game.
• Turned ONE!
• Lost two front teeth.
• Gave thanks for all the gifts we've been given.

December 2012

• Spent two days in Tulsa with my love... alone.
• Wore tacky Christmas attire to parties.
• Counted down to Christmas with several fun activities.
• Ice skated and explored downtown.
• Had a very merry Christmas.
• Rang in the New Year with friends.

So there you have it- the Rigdon Family 2012 year in review.  It was a fun year, and I can't wait to see what 2013 holds for us.