It's been a minute!

So I have been a really bad blogger... My world has changed so much since my last post I'm not sure where to begin. We have sold our house in Jonesboro, I graduated grad school and am now a working SLP, Gabe accepted a job in Little Rock, we move to Little Rock, bought a house, started new schools, made new friends, reconnected with family....Needless to say it has been a crazy and hectic two years. Looking back at my previous blogposts it makes me sad that I have missed documenting all of the kids' special moments for the past two years so I M definitely baj on the blogging wagon. So stay tuned....

Show us where you live Friday: Dining Rooms

My little first grader :)

Down on Grandpa's Farm

Shannon trying to ride the pony :)

This past weekend we went to Little Rock to visit with my dad. The kids love going to there because what kid wouldn't love one giant playground full or horses and all kinds of toys. I even enjoy it and I don't particularly love horses. Here are some pics of the kids riding horses and hanging out around the barn.

Karaoke!

Two reasons I love being a mommy!

1. Ella Grace
My first born and a little girl that makes me proud to be her mommy. She never ceases to amaze me and is interested in singing and things that I would have never had the guts to do. She is the light of my life and I am so proud that she is my baby girl. She is exactly what I pictured my little girl to be. I love her so much!





2. Griffin Paul
My baby and precious little boy. He is always making me smile! He is a loving little boy that constantly tells me he loves me and is also good at keeping me on my toes. I am so proud of him and I love that he looks so much like his daddy. I love him so much!




Bonus: Gabe

He is the best husband and father anyone could ask for! He is my constant supporter and loves me unconditionally. I truly can't imagine not ever having him in my life. He is my best friend and I love being the mommy to his children!!

Taylor Swift

We took Ella to the Taylor Swift concert a couple of weeks ago and I had to post pics! Ella and I got to go backstage and meet her and she was the sweetest star ever. It made Ella's night!

Show us where you live Friday

Kelly at kellyskornerblog.com is doing a weekly thing where people post various rooms in their houses and I thought it was a great idea and decided to share mine. I have enjoyed looking at everyone's and have even gotten a few ideas!

This is the balcony that overlooks the living room.


This is looking down from the balcony into the living room.

He will kill me for this later

Griffin and Tyler decided to put on a fashion show for us last night. They had apparently discovered Ella's dress up collection and found it hilarious. Here are some of the pics I took :)

Christmas Pictures

I wanted to post some pictures from Christmas for those of you who we weren't able to be with us. Here are some of the classic moments from our holidays!

Wishing we were going here!

Last year at this time, Gabe and I were headed to Maui. That is by far my most favorite trip ever and one of the most memorable for Gabe and I. This week the weather here has been a high of 30 and really cold. It makes me long for the warm Maui nights and the Hukuhukunukapua restaurant..lol.. Yes that really is the name and is very fun to say if you can ever remember it :) So here are some pictures from our vacation to help remember the warm sun!

We're back!

We have been so busy the last couple of months that I had lost touch with my blogging. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Georgia and a very nice Christmas here at home. The kids really enjoyed all of their gifts from everyone and what they got from Santa. Ella got a barbie dream house as her big present and Griffin got a car track table thing. I will post pictures from Christmas morning. The kids are going to school and Ella is learning soo much. She came home yesterday and told us that she was getting moved up to books. Which means that she will now be part of a small reading group. I can't believe my little baby girl is beginning to read. It is just so surreal. I am so excited for her and she promised to tell us all about it today when she gets home. Griffin is really starting to use more of his words and is learning so much at preschool. And I am glad to report that he is FINALLY staying out of trouble :) When we took Griffin to his school Christmas party it was so cute because a few of the boys as we were walking down the hallway were yelling "Hey Griffey" and "Hey Griff." I found it so cute that they have already nicknamed him :)

HOLLY-YOO-YAH

We are getting ready for Christmas a little early this year. Last Thursday, I let Ella, Griffin, Taylor, and Tyler help me put up the tree. They were so helpful and loved putting ornaments on the tree and we only broke one. lol... The kids have been singing Christmas songs that Mr. Fuller (their music teacher) has been teaching them. Ella's favorite is hallelugah or Holly-yoo-yah (as she says it.) I am not quite sure what the song is, but this is the only line she knows. Griffin loves Jingle Bells and will shout it everywhere where we go. It is too cute. Today, Griffin brought home a frame he made at school with his picture in it. Around the frame were all of the things he is thankful for and here is his list.
1. Snakes (This was first) lol
2. Mom and Dad
3. Sister
4. My own bed
5. Nanny
6. Grandpa

I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Nice Surprise

Donna and Jerry decided to drive in Friday and buy a car from Gabe and visit. We were so excited and enjoyed their visit very much just wish it were a little bit longer. Griffin particularly enjoyed "Papa Jerry" and was very affectionate with him. Just want to tell them Thank You so much for driving in and hanging out with us!! We love you guys!

Report Card Time and Parent Teacher Conferences

I went to Ella and Griffin's parent teacher conferences last Thursday. I went to see Ella's teacher first and she said that Ella was doing great, a joy to have in class, and very mature for her age. She also said that she listens very well and takes direction easily. Pretty much a teacher's dream :) Well then I went to Griffin's class..Haha.. I was pretty sure of what she would say but i thought I would share some of the highlights.
1. Griffin is very stubborn but very sweet at times (This is very true)
2. He is the youngest in the class but tells them he is five even when they try to teach him that he is three. He doesn't care and insists that he is indeed five. (He even does this at home, he just refuses to accept the fact that he is three.)
3. He knows most of his colors except brown (which he says is chocolate), gray, and white
4. He says that he doesn't know his parents names which I know for a fact he does because he calls me Brandy Gossett when he wants my attention. And he also always says Gabe Gossett. So I think he just wants to be ornery.

After leaving the conferences I just had to laugh because I figured Griffin's would go that way. His teacher really enjoys his personality but it makes it a little difficult when she is trying to teach him new things and he already thinks he knows it all..lol....

Love him

I must give props to my wonderful husband Gabe. I love how I can put him in any situation, i.e. h.s reunion and he just mingles and talks to everyone while I do the same. I think people usually end up liking him more than me. He is so great and I love how easy going he is and he LOVES to make sure everyone is having a good time. He is the best, and I am so proud that he is with me :)

10 Year Reunion

This past weekend was my high school reunion. I had so much fun and stress planning this event that I am exhausted from it all. We had so much fun talking and hanging out with old friends. It is funny that you feel like you just pick up where you left off ten years ago. We all hung out and danced until 2 a.m and I can't recall the last time I have stayed up that late and had that much fun. I had a group of truly great friends and I miss them all but hopefully we will all continue to stay in touch!~

School Picture

I just wanted to post Ella's first school picture. I think that they turned out pretty good. I never took a good school picture so I am so glad I at least got one good one. Griffin's have not came in yet but I will post them when they do.

New Bible

We tried a new church a couple of weeks ago and we really liked it. The preacher was awesome and he put things into context in a way that I could completely understand. We have been trying to find a new church that both Gabe and I like. He definitely likes more of the Baptist atmosphere and I was brought up Lutheran so definitely lean that way. I really hope that we can find a common ground and can find a church that feels like home and one that we can bring our kids up in. I feel like that is the one thing lacking for us and I really want to work on that now that the kids are old enough to participate. I bought a new bible today to begin studying some things on my own. It is a devotional bible and is based around building a strong family unit and marriage. I am really excited about starting to read it!

Will it ever end?

SO as you know the kids and I have had our fight with the flu the past couple of weeks. Well over the weekend, Gabe caught the worst of it. He was so sick and I felt so sorry for him. I have never seen him that weak and it scared me a little. His back started hurting today so he made another trip to the doctor and they think he may have kidney stones. We are going back to the doctor at 8 a.m. for more tests. I pray that is not this because I have heard how painful it is. My dad called when he finally passed his and you would've thought he had just had a baby he was so excited to be out of pain. I will update as soon as we find out something from the doctor.