This year has been good to us. We have grown so much, and enjoyed watching our children's personalities bloom as well. I'll give a brief summary of our year, and about each of us.
Andrew has been working at USAA for 1.5 years. He interned the summer of 2011, and began working remotely Fall 2012, while finishing his last semester of school. Andrew is an extremely hard worker who provides above and beyond for our family. Although it's hard for me sometimes, I truly am blessed with such a hard working husband. He loves playing with his kids, and usually sends me off Saturday so he can have the kids to himself. His calling in church is Deacon/Scout Advisor. He teaches every Sunday, attends Mutual every Wednesday, and goes to many campouts. He sure misses the cold weather and snow, but has a much happier wife with this warm weather.
Tasha- I have been a stay-at-home mommy since I had Brooklynn. I have nannied for other families/friends, but since moving to Texas I am with the kiddos 24/7. It's a long, hard, rewarding job. The Lord has definitely taught me to trust Him, and realize that He knows my needs, strengths, and weaknesses. The move has been hard for me, especially being away from family, but I have thoroughly learned to love Texas. There are a few minor things I wish I could change, but overall I absolutely love Texas, and love love love our ward. I have enjoyed watching my children learn and grow. Somedays are harder than others, but the end result is totally worth it. My current calling is Relief Society Activity Assistant. I help plan an activity every.single.month. I really love my calling, and the opportunity I get to create friendships with ladies in our ward.
Brooklynn- Has definitely kept her mom and dad on their toes. She is constantly being mommy. Sometimes she believes she is a mommy to everyone, including her parents, and has a hard time excepting the fact that she is the child and needs to listen to mommy and daddy. She is a talking machine. Oh.my.gosh. She is always talking. She loves spending time with her brother, and watching Doc McStuffins. She loves to count , and can recognize many numbers. She loves nursery and her awesome nursery teacher. She absolutely love singing and learning new songs. She is such a beautiful girl. We sure love her.
Parker- This kid is like his mama and loves to sleep. He sleeps about 13 hours a night and takes a 2-2.5 hour nap. He is very easy going as long as he is fed. He does have a scream that is worse than his sisters... We are working on it. Grandpa Westensee gave him the nickname "Linus" from Charlie Brown because he has a special blanket that he drags everywhere, and won't go to sleep without. Parker loves anything with balls and loves to shoot, throw and play catch. He is starting to talk, and usually can relate to you what he wants if you can't understand him. He loves his sister and lights up every morning he sees her. He has been such a blessing in our lives. We love him.
December 2013- Andrew graduated with his Batchelors in Business. Yes, I know you have that confused look on your face, "but he works I.T." He does, however that is his minor. He was literally one semester away from double Majoring, but BYU-Idaho put their foot down. We celebrated Christmas with BOTH families, in Utah.
January- Traveled the long two day journey to Texas. Andrews parents were awesome and traveled it with us. Roger and Andrew drove the 22 foot haul pulling my Accord, while Debbie and I followed in the civic with both kids. It was a long journey, and we were all thrilled when we arrived in San Antonio.
February-Tasha turned 24! We finally weaned Parker to a bottle. It was SUCH a long process. But once we finally got him to take a bottle he began sleeping 11-12 hours a night. Andrews little brother, Evan, got his mission call to Argentina. We put an offer in on a house, and began our waiting process.
March- We experienced "spring" here in San Antonio. (High 80's/ low 90's). We took the kids swimming for the first time since moving here, and realized how much B is a water baby. We bought season passes to Seaworld & Aquatica (Seaworld's Water Park) and have not regretted it yet.
April- Brooklynn turned TWO. Her obsession at the time is Elmo. Brooklynn was fully potty trained by her second birthday, night time included. She was a lot easier than I thought. We also BOUGHT OUR first home. April 30th we became official home owners to a 2700 square foot house. It has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, an office, and a game room. We have loved it!
May- We officially moved into our home. Andrew and I completely moved us by ourselves. My awesome friend, Kailee, took the kids for 5-6 hours and we loaded up the truck, drove to the house, and unpacked the truck. I lost Brooklynn for the first time (there as been 2 other times along with this) at Seaworld. It was the LONGEST 8 minutes of my life.
June- We flew out to Utah to spend time with Evan before sending him off to Argentina. B has a special bond with Evan, and it was fun and heartbreaking to see them together. She sure misses him. I flew by myself with both kids for the first time to Washington to spend time with my family. It made me realize it's hard being away from family/friends, but also makes our visits more special.
July- My mom flew back with the kids and I to San Antonio. She has been here before, but back when I had a newborn and was living in a hotel. She got to see our house, and experience Seaworld with us. We loved having her, and hope she comes to visit in 2014. Parker turned ONE. We experienced our first "cow day" at chick fli a and will make it a yearly tradition.
August- We spent a TON of time at the pool. B really progressed in her swimming. She can jump in and swim to me (without her life jacket) a good 15-20 feet. Parker can jump in as well, and hold is breath under water. Andrew and I officially became adults when we bought Costco memberships :) We made a week long trip to Arizona and saw my sisters, and went boating for 2 days. B also wake surfed with my brother in law Dustin, for the first time. She totally rocked it. We loved spending time with Kristina's family, and wish we lived closer. We also took Brooklynn and Parker to a movie at a theatre for the very first time. I started a dinner swap with 4 other ladies and cook once a week (Monday -Friday) it's fabulous and I will never go back.
September- Andrew turned 26!! We celebrated with cheesecake and boating for a day with no kids (we were in Arizona end of August thru beginning of September). We experienced our first "pirate day" and will make that a tradition as well every year. I painted like crazy, but still have a ton more painting in my future. Debbie and Roger flew in to visit us, and watch the kids. I went to Sox Flags for the first time ever. Alone. With Andrew. It was fabulous. We tried a new BBQ place 45 minutes north, and spent a lot if time with "mama and papa" the kids were in Heaven.
October- We had many lunch dates with daddy at work. Our good friend invited us to a gymnastics gym toddler time. It's 1.5 hours and the kids are free to climb, jump, and climb on everything. We go often and absolutely love it. We celebrated Halloween and I was determined to dress the kids "matching" while I still have a say. So I made their costumes (minus Brooklynn's dress). They were Rapunzel and Pascal from The movie Tangled.
November- My sister Ronnie came to visit us for a week. We had an absolute blast. I ran my first 5k Mud Run with her, and it was so much fun. We also went to Six Flags together, just the two of us, so much fun. We did plenty of shopping, playing with the kids, eating BBQ, visiting the Riverwalk, and helping me finish my project-refinishing a dresser and armoire. We had so much fun, and can't wait for our next visit. Andrew and I also celebrated our 4th Wedding Anniversary.
December- Here we are! The year has flown by. We cannot believe next month we have lived here for one year already. We have enjoyed watching our children grow, and growing as individuals and a family. We look forward to 2014, and seeing what kind of year it brings.
See ya later 2013, thanks for being so good to us.... hello 2014...lets make some awesome memories!
