Saturday, September 1, 2012

Here We go Again

This past Monday marked the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year. And with it, a few changes. Changes, that I, as a mother, was not ready for.

Ethan, the eldest of 3, started MIDDLE SCHOOL(6th grade around these parts). He went from being a big fish in a small pond, to now being a small fish in a big pond. We all expected the move up to be an adjustment but the first day was tougher for Ethan than anticipated. Ya see, he has EIGHT different classes this year. With 5 minutes between periods. You can imagine it's tricky trying to get from 1st period to 2nd knowing where you're going(Ethan likes to chat). Just imagine if you left your schedule AT HOME. That's right, the morning was a bit nuts. Filled with butterflies and excitement. Walked straight out the door WITHOUT that ever important piece of paper. Your lifeline to the middle school realm.

 
 
Tuesday he remembered that schedule and all has been well ever since. He even has a bit of a crush on his reading teacher. What can I say? She is pretty cute.
 
Corbin has become one of those muchly anticipated big fish in the small pond. He is now a 4th grader! I swear, just the other day, we lived in Murphy and he was in Pre-K. Mrs. Klea was his teacher. He still talks about that year. Matt asked Corbin if he liked his new teacher. He said yes but he will have to wait until further in the school year to really decide if she's on his good list. He said that all the teachers are nice on the first day :-) This year is kinda neat in the fact that Corbin's teacher, Mrs. Ellis, was also Ethan's 4th grade teacher only 2 years ago. While we were at meet the teacher night the week before school started he stopped by to see his last years teacher, Mrs. Adams. He hugged her and she told us it meant a lot for him to stp by. We got home and asked if he was glad to see her. He said "Yes, I was one of her favorites.". I, in fact know that this is true. She told us so. I have a feeling he will always be his teachers favorite. No matter who the teacher is. He has that affect on people.
 
Little miss Taya is now, officially, a kindergartner! My BABY is finally in school. I still really have mixed emotions about this. We no longer have to pay for childcare but my itty bitty princess is growing up. WAY to fast. Her teacher is Mrs. Clarke. Saving grace here is that Mrs. Clarke's son has been on Corbin's baseball team the past 2 years so Taya was already very familiar with her. Taya's good friend from last year in home school, Grayson, is also in her class. Sits at her table in fact.
 
Taya is so excited to finally get to walk through the BIG hallways and go through the lunch line just like she's heard her brothers talk about for years. She also gets to ride the SCHOOL BUS home. And she gets to walk down the long sidewalk to our house. She's one proud little big girl.
 
In the craziness of the morning I COMPLETELY FORGOT to take pictures! These are the ONLY 3 shots I was able to snag.
 
 (Please notice Corbin's lunch money. Boy, he was excited!)
 
(Finally the BIG brother at school!)
 

(Pretty, pretty princess running ahead!)
 
 
Overall, the kids all 3 did great and adjusted well. Me, on the other hand, still coping with that.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

August 12, 1999

Thirteen years ago today my life changed forever. I was no longer Amy Upchurch. I became Mrs. Matthew Ramey. I still remember the day vividly. Woke up at 9AM, showered, went and got my toes and nails did, went to Dillard's to have my make-up done, headed to the hair salon to get my hair all fancied up, then off to the church. We were about 3 minutes away from the church and I had my vail in my hair. I looked to the right and saw a man in the car next to us and he was shaking his head and telling me NOT to do it. I laughed and drove on. Got to the church, got all ready, took thousands upon thousands of pictures then it was time to start walking. I remember having the biggest smile on my face...from ear to ear, just staring at my soon to be husband. The look of love he had on his face was so memorable(After 13 years and 3 kids, those looks have become few and far between).

My husband...

He always puts others first. He strives to make his kids childhood one they will remember for years and years to come. He makes sure his boys are the best that they can be at whatever they want...sports, gymnastics, anything. He makes sure his daughter knows what being a princess feels like. He makes sure his wife feels loved and beautiful everyday(that's a hard task). He makes sure we are a family unit. He makes sure we are all well provided for.

He loves me through thick and thin. He'll love me through it all. He isn't perfect. Our marriage isn't perfect. Our life isn't perfect but I know he's everything I want...an just what I need.

Happy Anniversary boo boo! I love you endlessly :-)

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Our Gymnast

Ethan started gymnastics a couple months ago and is doing so well. I'm so proud of all his hard work. He's a true natural. So confident and comfortable.



We're so excited to see all he can accomplish.

Keep it up, Ethan!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Taya's Birthday Time

Five years ago today, I gave birth to my best friend. My little ray of sunshine everyday. An angel that would complete my already fulfilled life. A little girl that would completely consume my body, spirit and soul.

This year we decided to due without the big party mess and decided to have a special family day all about Taya instead(much better than any party). We took the kids to a very quaint lake in Fort Worth and played in the sun ad water all day. We dove off diving boards(10 and 20 feet high dives, I might add), slid down crazy slides and just plain had good ole' fashioned fun. Just the 5 of us. That night we came home and my brother and Ashlie came over for dinner and presents(my mom was sick in bed with strep and respiratory infection..YUCK).

Her boot cake!

She's 5!!!


Her new baby doll.

New babydoll clothes.

More new babydoll clothes.

New pink horse truck and trailer. The boys ever fight her for this.

A plethora of horses.

Picture frame.


 Our country swimmer.


 My absolute angel! Happy Birthday Princess!!!

Monday, July 9, 2012

Picture Overload

A couple weeks ago we took the kids to get their yearly pictures made. They turned out awesome. It was so ridiculously hard to pick a few favorites...so we didn't. Between my mom and I we bought pretty much each pose. These are just a taste of my absolute favorites. Enjoy!





These next ones are Taya's 5th birthday pictures!
 





My FAVORITE ever!!!


Sunday, July 1, 2012

Ramey Happenin's

Life in our home is always nuts, but the past few weeks have been CRAZY nuts. Juggling work, gymnastics, baseball, emotional meltdowns(mostly mine and Matt's) and just plain life itself.

Corbin recently participated in the All-Star tournament so preperation for that seemed endless. Sadly, we lost the tournament after 2 games and the baseball season for 2012 was officially over :(  We have seriously been considering letting Corbin try-out for the "select" team here in the area. If that doesn't work out, hopefully, they'll be able to put a "fall ball" team together and our baseball past time will be back sooner rather than later.

Ethan has found a new love...his first true love. GYMNASTICS. He is OUTSTANDING. He has had 4 classes and 3 PRIVATE lessons. His coach seems to be very impressed with his abilities and wants to see him pushed even further. This gives him a sense of pride that he hasn't had before. I was a bit skeptical about him being in gymnastics but watching him light up flippin' in the air, standing on his head and just being a monkey gives me peace that he's doing what he loves. What makes Ethan happy :-)

Taya...well, she'll be 5 next week. Anyone can ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and her answer never changes. Morning, noon or night....she's GONNA be a COWGIRL. Cutest darn one around. I'm trying to introduce her to the world of dance and ballet(ya know, just until I can afford horse riding lessons and she ages about 3 more years) but she apparently wants to follow in big brother Ethan's footsteps and tumble her way into gymnastics too. We'll see.

As for Matt and I, we are just trying the best we can to make the world go round. Matt's been gone for 2 weeks, just got home 2 days ago and is headed out again bright and early tomorrow morning. He'll be back in a couple days, home the rest of the week, then will leave again next Sunday for a minimum of 2 weeks. Possibly 4 :-( This is where the emotional meltdowns come in. Matt is so stressed and so drained, feeling so disconnected from the family. Afterall, he's missing all the cool stuff in the lives of our kids lately. But he's an awesome guy and he continues to do it, for the future of his family. Hopefully, God will open another door soon and will show him the way in. Fingers crossed.

As for me...I try to be strong....try to be the best mom I can to my 3 kiddos and the rock that my husband needs. I love my family...and our life...crazy or not.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Hard Working Man

Have I said lately how thankful I am for my husband? How over the moon in love with him I am?

Being a "working" parent is hard. You go to work for 8 hours then come home to 3 wonderful, energetic, spunky, keep you on your toes children. It's tough. But it's not near as tough as working in the blazing 100 degree heat for 8 hours then going back to a hotel only to have your 2 co-workers as your company for the night. Actually, for many nights. This, in the past year, has become my husbands life.

Last Sunday, Matt left for Big Spring(a nothing town halfway between Midland and Abilene). He worked all week...in the heat and humidity. He got home LATE Friday night. We spent Saturday at Hawaiian Falls with the kids. Had family movie night that night. Woke early Sunday morning to take the kids to the school playground then went to Olive Garden and Yogurt Story for Father's Day lunch. Well needed, well deserved weekend for us all.

Tomorrow, Matt will leave again...this time for 2 whole weeks. He will miss Corbin's All-Star tournament this coming weekend. He has missed all of Ethan's gymnastics classes. He missed Taya's gymnastics class as well. This tears Matt up. The thought of not being there for all the big happenings in the kids lives. This makes me love him even more.

 He's out there everyday, bustin' butt, sweating like a crazy man, sleeping in cheap hotels all to make life more secure for his family. He rarely ever complains and he never quits. He does what he does and makes us all so thankful.

We all need him and love him so very much. We are blessed endlessly to call him ours.

DADDY:

A son's first hero.


A daughter's first love.