Happy New Year 2014

Goodbye to 2013 and hello 2014!  We greet you with open arms and hopeful hearts, beyond excited to see what God has in store for the Frazier Four this year.  

 

 

Emma and I set out to plan the perfect party for us that was filled with party hats, tiaras, noise makers and blow horns.  She was super excited about all our goodies, she even bought a party hat for her AG doll.

 

It was just the FOUR of us, but we had a little bit of everything and everyone was happy (so healthy).  We had chips, buffalo chicken dip, bean dip, cream cheese jalapenos, hash brown casserole, bagel bites, CFA nuggets, cheese ball, wheat thins, CFA chocolate chip cookies, Hawaiian roll ham and swiss sandwiches cooked in the oven, chocolate fudge and CFA sweet tea!  Now that is what you call a food par-tee friends, Y-U-M-M-Y! 

 

Gavin led us in the sweetest prayer and after we ate my sweet girl said, "Are we going to go around the table and tell what we all want to do better next year?"  Geez, I love that child and her heart!

Oh how I love this little boy in his Mario PJ's ready to have some fun.  These little noisemakers were making our smoke alarms go off, sorta crazy.

 

We had live entertainment too, a little karaoke and her guitar.  Oh she is quite the performer and dreams of being just like Danielle Bradbury some day.

 

This victory sword sparkler was so cool, we wish we would have bought more.  It sparkled for a long time, perfect for the kids to hold.  

 

 

Waiting patiently to get their sparklers lit by Daddy.  My heart is so full with these two, they are such fun kids with so much personality.

 

 

Praying that God blesses you and your family this year and always with good health, promotes your finances, provides you job security, helps you find a wonderful church home, strengthens your marriage and relationships with others, allows you to bring someone to know Christ, gives your children the best teachers ever, heals your hurt while teaching you to forgive others, surrounds you with people that make you better, comforts your heart like only HE can do, gives you opportunities to celebrate others successes, allows you to help those in need, creates more time to do what you truly love, helps you dream, takes you to new places and challenges you to step out boldly in 2014.

 

As for Me and My House We Will Serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15 



Where have we been?

Geez, it has been a long time since I have posted.  I have received lots of questions, emails, calls and text from people concerned, but I am here to tell you that LIFE has just CONSUMED us.  

 

I am the Mommy behind this blog that has been ongoing for five and a half years.  I am the wife of an amazing man that works hard and loves us well! I am the proud Mommy of Gavin and Emma.  I am a hard working assistant principal, a Sunday school teacher, a dance/swim Mom, a boy Mommy and so much more. I love this blog, I love my family and I love OUR story, therefore I am committed to taking the time to document our ongoing journey for my kids to share with their kids someday.

I always thought as my children got older we would have more time and life would be less chaotic, NOT!  We are constantly on the go to practices, church events, doing homework, school functions, birthday parties, play dates, family functions, carpooling, doctors appointments and so much more.  We have also dedicated extra time to prepare the littlest Frazier for Kindergarten next year, oh Gavin Thomas how is that already happening?  It is all the things I love, but it has left very little time for anything else.

We have had a rough go this Fall with sickness in our home.  Emma battled a parasite for 12 weeks that truly frightened us to the core, she was one very sick little girl (after many test and 3 rounds of treatment she is good to go). Then we had the usual colds, ear infections and viruses. Thank God, we are all very healthy now and I am praying it stays  this way.

I have always managed as a working Mom to keep up with EVERYTHING and give 100%, but that has been a struggle the last 4 months.  We are in constant prayer about what God has in store for me as a working Mom and have faith that his plan will unveil in due time.

It has bothered me tremendously that I have gotten so behind on blogging and I have a running list in my cell phone of all the blog post I plan to post soon.

Thank you for loving our little family and thank you for missing us.  This Mommy is determined to play catch up, get some rest before I head back to work on January 6th, love on my family, create new memories and make big bold plans for THE FRAZIER FOUR in 2014. 

Merry Christmas 2013

 

Merry CHRISTmas from our family to yours this Holiday Season.  We have been blessed in more ways then we deserve this year and give GOD ALL THE GLORY for his unwavering protection and love for our family over this past year and always.

Praying your Holidays have been filled with love, hope, peace, joy, family and friends.  We have spent this month reflecting and sharing with our sweet children that Jesus is the reason we celebrate this time of year.

 

It is such an honor to be their parents and indescribable the amount of joy and laughter they bring into our home on a daily basis.  I truly never knew a love like this existed before I became their Mommy.   

 

So thankful to be part of THE FRAZIER FOUR, this is the family I have always dreamed of having and more.

Christmas has been a wonderful celebration in our home spent with our loved ones. Celebrating that little baby that was sent so many years ago, so that we could have this amazing life.  Happy Birthday Jesus, we love you!

Visit to Santa 2013

We made our yearly trip to visit the jolly ole man in the red suit and the kiddos were eager to tell him what they hoped for this Christmas.

 

 

Santa came out to take Emma and Gavin back to his sleigh so they could all visit.  When he came out  Gavin said "hey buddy, are your Reindeer on the roof?"  Santa replied, "No, they are back at the North Pole."  Out of no where Gavin shouted, "I knew you were fake!"  It was at that point that I thought about running out the door of the photography studio but I couldn't leave my kids behind.  Once Gavin finally got in his lap he tugged on his beard and realized he was the real Santa. 

Both kids were reassured by Santa that they were on the NICE list, so they left with smiles on their faces and hope in their little hearts that Christmas morning would be loads of fun.

Gavin PreK 4

It was a much better day than we planned for our little man since he declared on Friday that he was "never, never, never, never going back to school and that he would just go to the military!"

 

 

I love seeing their little fingers wrapped around this sign year after year.  This year was bittersweet for us, the last first day to walk one of our children into a preschool. 

 

Hard to believe that we will have 2 public school children next year. I was sad for a second and then I focused on the fact that I only have 8 more months to pay those ridiculous fees and we would get a huge raise. 

 

It was quite hysterical to try and get pictures of Gavin Thomas this morning.  It took about 33 shots before I finally got one of him looking and smiling in my direction.

 

It was worth the wait because this little stinker finally showed me how truly excited he was to start a new school year.  

 

He walked around for 30 minutes this morning with his backpack on saying he was ready to go to school.

 

 

When we pulled up he shouted, "Mom, do NOT take another picture of me please".  Get use to it because I will do this every single year for the next twelve, even if it cost me a pack of Starburst each time.

 

I love this boy more than I ever imagined possible.  I would not change a single thing about him or the belly laughs he supplies us with daily.

 

Like last year, he could have walked himself in and gotten started with his day.  He went straight in, said good morning, walked in the office and helped himself to a mint.

 

Slow down there little man and let us walk you in, it's our job.  Such a great feeling that he is so secure at his school and so loved.

Hand in hand with his favorite person in the entire world.  When I tell you this kid is a Daddy's boy, I mean he worships the ground this man walks on.  

 

You are looking at the little boy who came home with 2 stars on his shirt screaming, "I had a great day Mom, I was a good boy and I got stars, look Mom it was a great day".  It sure was buddy and we are praying you have a great year.   We love you so much and are so thankful for your little life.

Cousins at the Bay



Yesterday after church we headed out to "The Bay" to spend the day with Nanny Anderson and the rest of the family.  It was a wonderful day filled with cousins big and small that came from far away. 

 

My cousins were in town from Chicago, Atlanta and Austin. It was so wonderful to be with everyone and for all of our kiddos to play and have so much fun.    We had a huge Sunday lunch, visited, ate cupcakes, fished, played with the dogs, walked out on the pier and had a blast on the huge water slide.  I forgot my camera, but I am hoping to get more pictures from one of my cousins.  Nanny Andersons' house sits waterfront on 7 acres on the bay and has been a BEAUTIFUL place of gathering every Sunday for 25+ years.   

 

 

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero.

Marc Brown

first day, FIRST grade

Big day for our sweet Emma Caroline today and we are so thankful that it was a perfect day.

 

 

So hard to believe that the little girl that made me a Mommy headed off to FIRST grade this morning.  She was beyond excited and jumped out of bed on her own at 5:45 thrilled about what the day had in store for her.

 

I asked her how she felt and this was the face I got, love it.  She picked out her outfit, hair bow and shoes last night so we could have plenty of time this morning.  The days are gone of me choosing her clothes, she is a diva to the 10th power with a very strong opinion and as picky as they come (her Daddy likes to remind me that I created this!).

The first day of school and rain made for about an hour drop off/walk in for us, but we enjoyed every second of it with our big FIRST grader.  Notice the messenger bag, she had me search high and low for a leopard and pink one.

 

As we walked her in we stopped one last time to pray outside of her classroom and tell her how much we loved her.  Curtis and I walked away so proud of her courage, confidence and character this morning.  We could not stop talking about how easy she has made life for us and what a JOY it is to be her parents. 

 

Of course she was most excited about getting to school and seeing her best friend, Ellie.  So thankful that our paths crossed with this sweet family and that these two have each other again this school year.  When they found out they were in class again this year, they squealed out of control.  Their little eyes just light up when they see one another. 

So thankful for days like today and so proud of our big girl.  I hope her love for learning never stops, she loves every single thing about school.

Emma Lou, great things are in store for you this year kiddo.  No doubt God is going to promote you in every area of your little life, he loves you beyond comprehension and so do we!  Thank you for making your first day of school so wonderful for all of us.

Company Party

Last night Emma attended her first Company party at the dance studio from 7-10 and this girl had a blast.  The night consisted of games, secret sister reveal, pajamas, dinner, snacks, dancing and getting to know all the girls who made the competition team for 2013-2014.  These instructors know how to throw a fun party!

 

 

Most of the girls that will be dancing this year are included in this picture, but it was hard to squeeze them all in.  Talk about a super sweet set of girls and families, you are looking at them.  I can not imagine a better group to have my daughter surrounded by, great role models and peers.  Emma has danced with some of these girls since she was 3 years old, but some are new friends and she is so excited about them all. 

The girls were asked to lay flat on their stomachs, arms out and eyes closed.  Each of them had a straw placed in their hand that was a different color and size.  When Mrs. Rachel yelled, "Go" they all had to get up and run around the room to find the girl who had the matching straw, this would be their big/little sister for the competition season.  Emma and Amanda finally found each other and it was the cutest thing ever.  Emma can't stop talking about how much she has in common with her BIG SISTER at dance.  Amanda is a 5th grader and will be someone that Emma looks up to all year long.  Just so happens her Mommy is Gavin's PreK 4 teacher this year, small world.

Emma is thrilled about dance this year and has a heavy load at the studio on top of swimming with her year around team.  She is going to try and balance it all and I am going to continue to pray for our "want to be involved in everything" child.   It is going to be hard work for her, but she is up to the challenge.

Meet the Teacher 2013

We have spent the month of August getting ready to head back to school and talking about new routines, meeting new friends and teachers.

 

 

Always seems to help our kids get back in the swing of things and the first days much easier.  The mantle has been decorated with Emma's school colors and all the things that remind us that, "school is cool".

 

This evening we got to redeem our golden ticket and meet the teacher.  Emma had been looking forward to this for weeks.  

 

On the way to the school she told me she needed to talk to me about something, but she did not want me to be upset.  Of course I gave her my usual, you can talk to me about anything speech.  She proceeded to say, "Mom, can you please tell my teacher that I want to go by Caroline this year not Emma?"  I asked her if she would be fine with Emma Caroline and she said, "no Mom, just Caroline." 

 

 

Once again God has blessed us with an amazing teacher, Mrs. Kohler which just happens to be best friends with Emma's Kindergarten teacher.  We were thrilled that Emma got Mrs. Kohler this year and that sweet Ellie, Jackson and Dylan were in her class from last year. Looks like 2013-2014 is going to be another year filled with academic excellence for our girl. 

Cousin Camp 2013

We pulled off another surprise for these kiddos with cousin camp this year.  This year we decided to rent a cabin and head to a camp ground.  



 

After some Mexican food we pulled up to Yogi Bear park, the kids were a little unsure about where we had brought them (they are a little spoiled to Hotels, so am I).

 

Did not take us long to hit the campground, get checked into our cabin and make our way to the pools for some fun.

Nana surprised the kids by renting this golf cart and thank goodness she did.  Nana and the kids had a blast decorating it for the parade at night.

After a long day of fun in the sun, so thankful these four are the best of friends and get along so well. Nana treated us all to ice cream every evening, yummy!

 

Gavin was such a trooper and joined us on the big water slides this year.  I must admit that the big blue and yellow one scared me and my SIL to death, I was airborne for about half the ride (NEVER again!)

 

 

I can not even begin to tell you how much my little boy LOVES his big cousin Hunter, he is completely crazy about him!

 

These kiddos had a blast on all of the water slides, in the lazy river, on the golf cart, playing putt putt, at the pancake breakfast, having talent shows, sleeping in the loft, playing on the playground and on the campground.  

 

So thankful for this weekend, our family and that we continue to the tradition of cousin camp year after year.

Look what's missing

On the way to cousin camp today a little girl decided to pull her 5th tooth in the car and Nana was completly disqusted.

Her tooth had been loose, but her bestie Ellie accidently kicked her at the swimming pool yesterday and made it looser.  Emma decided to start yanking on it in the car and eventually go it out, we were laughing hysterically at Nana's reaction.  Daddy loves to tell her that she is our little Jack-O-Lantern now.  

Kate, Emma and Ellie

 

Sweet friendships make summer so much fun!

Church Camp 2013

We have just returned from Church Camp and it was a wonderful time spent with a great group of kiddos and adults falling deeper in love with the Lord.  To witness kids on fire about Jesus is an amazing feeling and one that left my heart filled with so much hope.



Camp was filled with water slides, swimming in the pool, blow up obstacle courses, jump houses, crafts, activities, bible study, hikes, praise/worship, mail call, making homemade ice cream, gaga ball, ping pong, friendships, prayer time, hayrides, county fairs, nature walks, quiet time and a hoe down with a real caller.

Emma begged to go to camp last year as a 5 year old, but she was not old enough.  Our church participates in 4 camps a year and this year we participated in the one that was for kids who have completed Kindergarten - 2nd grade.  There was no way my 6 year old was going to camp alone for half the week, so I prayed about it and went along as a cabin counselor. 

Emma was super excited when we arrived at camp and she found out she got to sleep on a top bunk.  The initial sight of the cabin made me a little nervous, but I got over it quick.

Sweet Lauren is one of our Praise Team members at church and she assisted me as a Junior Counselor which was a huge help.

Each day was jam packed with activities from 8 in the morning until 9 o'clock at night.  I was exhausted after chasing little girls around all day.  Every bible story was associated with an activity that had great meaning and gave the kids a better understanding, wonderful.

These are the babies at camp and they were all so precious and sweet.  They were so proud of their initial batch of homemade ice cream.  These girls looked after each other all week long and provided each other comfort and encouragement on their first camp adventure.

Proud of that top bunk, can you tell?  This girl was such a trooper and I was so proud of her to be a first time camp kid.

I grew up going to church camp from 3rd grade thru high school and it is still some of the best memories of my entire life.  It was so special that I got to be a part of Emma's first time camp experience.  I was a little worried when I agreed to go and actually requested NOT to be in the same cabin with her so she could fully experience camp.  I actually thought I was going to be in a boy cabin, but it ended up that she was in my cabin, but you would have NEVER known she was my child.   She was a trooper, never hung on me, tried to sit in my lap or whined about a single thing.  She fully engaged in every activity and was such an independent little thing.

She was so proud of this pet rock that she made for her brother while we were away at camp.  She kept telling everyone he was her best friend and would love it.  This little face just screams happiness to me, this girl had fun.

Good ole pie eating contest and no hands were allowed on the table.  It was hilarious to watch these kids participate in this, some of them got on top of the table (ha ha).

Three of my little cabin mates ready for the Hoe Down. Before every activity we had role call and when they would say, "Cabin 3, are you here?"  My sweet girls would yell, "Cabin 3 says HOWDY!"  You would have thought they had been doing this for years.

Emma's 3 favorite things at camp were praise/worship, the hayride and small group bible study with your cabin everyday.

The hoe down was such a fun time with all of the kids and the 77 year old caller that came to teach all the dances, he was such a sweet little man.  I wanted to put him in my pocket and bring him home.

Yee Haw, look at them go.  So many cute dances they learned and so much fun was had the last evening at camp.

Blair and Emma became the best of buds at camp.  So crazy that we learned the Sunday before camp that these two were on the mountain together at ski school in Steamboat last Spring Break.  When Blair's parents picked her, her sister and twin brother up from ski school they kept telling their parents that they saw a boy and girl from church and the parents didn't believe them (ha-small world).

These two are quite the mess together and know how to have a good time.  Of course they were dreaming about Leigh-Leigh during the entire hoe down (silly girls).

This little finger light was a huge ordeal at camp.  The director had it on the first day at camp and she passed it on to someone she saw letting their light shine for Jesus.  Each child had to continue passing it on and tell the other person why they were getting it.  One of the sweet little girls gave it to Emma and she was beyond thrilled, by the time camp was over about 20 kids had worn the little ring. 

The last day of camp we took this group picture of the kids from our church and had a shirt signing.  These little troopers knew exactly what to do and walked around with Sharpies signing and getting signed.

It was an amazing honor to accompany these children to camp, share my love for Jesus with them, teach his word, serve as an example to them through my own actions, listen to their stories and answer their questions about what God has in store for them and their little life. 

To watch my own daughter be so excited about Jesus, share what he has done in her life,  sing with all of her heart to him and to have such a deep understanding of Christ filled me with an indescribable amount of JOY! When we left camp, she started asking me about returning next year and has not stopped talking about how much fun she had, singing all the camp songs and how much she loves Jesus.  No doubt in my mind that Emma Caroline will be attending camps for years to come and her little brother will soon join her.