Top 10 of 2011

I posted last year the Top 10 of 2010, and so I thought that I should do it again this year. I didn't think I'd have such a hard time coming up with a list, but I did. The year seems to have been consumed by the house, so we didn't take any special trips. No babies were added, either, but I managed to come up with ten highlights of our year.


10. My stand mixer


Yes. I had to make my stand mixer one of the top ten. Not just because it's the best thing ever, but because I was struggling to find ten things for this year... But I do love my stand mixer, and I foresee some weight gaining in the new year because I love to use it. I mixed waffle batter and biscuit dough in it the other day just because I wanted to use it. :) No pictures yet, but I'm sure they'll be in a future post.


9. Advent


First of all, the season and reason for Advent is amazing enough, but when you add in time with family, sharing the story of Jesus with two little ones, seeing your husband water color with your one year-old and having a tree filled with handmade ornaments, you have an awesome experience and many, many sweet memories. I love, love, LOVE the book that we used this year (yes, the Bible), but also Truth in the Tinsel. It was perfect for the ages of the boys, and the hands-on aspect of it allowed us to discuss the scripture with the boys while they were making something tangible. We are definitely going to continue our family worship time, but we look forward to Advent again next year.

Heath and Cash during Advent

Heath and Baylen working on an ornament during Advent

8. More time with PawPaw 


One of the highlights of last year was Heath's dad moving north to Scottsville from Georgia. We were very excited to have him just fifteen minutes away. The boys have been able to play at his house with his two little dogs, and Marlo was even able to help Heath with some of the concrete this summer. We look forward to lots of more time with PawPaw in 2012!

Me, Baylen and PawPaw in January

the boys with PawPaw on his birthday 

7. 30, 33, 1 and 3


Birthdays are always very special to me. My birthday is one of my favorite days of the year, and I try to make everyone else's birthday a special day, too. This year I turned the big 3-0. It wasn't a big deal, really. We got together with family, I fed a calf a bottle because Cash was too timid, and my aunt gave me Geritol for a present. Heath turned 33 in February. He had been super busy with the house, so we had a fun meal at mom's house and put together some of his favorites for an odd birthday cake and baked his favorite cookies. B turned ONE in March. We celebrated at my sister's house with all of our family, and he received lots of fun presents. Cash turned three in June. He had a special birthday party because it was the first birthday party in our new house. We had moved in the week before, and I was determined to have it here at our new home. My aunt Kathy got him Cranky the Crane, and he was in heaven. It was a great year for birthdays! 

Me on my 30th birthday

Heath with his interesting "cake" on his birthday

Baylen on his first birthday

Cash on his third birthday with his Thomas cake

6. Six months in Glasgow


After closing on the house in late December, we moved into my parents' house in Glasgow. We broke ground at our land in BG on January 3rd, and the race was on to finish it. We were very blessed to be able to stay with my parents. They were a huge help with the boys as Heath worked early mornings and late nights in Nashville and the land. It was also a precious time to be closer to all my family. The boys loved spending time with their cousin Kennick, Kenle, Kathy, J.P. and Gran-Granny on a regular basis.

breaking ground at the land, January 3rd, 2011

5. The gravel pile

What was originally just a load of gravel that was brought so Heath could finish our retaining wall, is now the boys' favorite place to play. Every warm day this past fall, we would make the trek up the hill with toys in hand to play for a half-hour to an hour. It was great fun for both of them, and I'll have to say that I enjoyed it, too. It also led to lots of nature walks down the gravel path in the "big tree forest."

We have since moved some of the gravel pile inside. Have I blogged about that yet? I don't think I have. What used to be Cash's sandbox is now the gravel pile in the basement. They slide on their camouflage slippers and play downstairs in the gravel with all their same toys. It's a great way to pass chilly afternoons.

 

Baylen at the gravel pile this fall

Cash and Baylen playing in the gravel downstairs a few weeks ago

4. "School games"

It's no doubt that our "school games" have become a big part of our days. I love mornings where I get to watch the news while I fix breakfast, we eat together, and then the boys are ready for some fun "school games." The TV gets switched off, the music on, and we have some mommy and little guys time. I'm so impressed with Cash's attention to detail and memorization. He's getting really good at writing letters and tracing, but his favorites continue to be anything with problem solving. I have to mention B here, too. The "school games" were originally intended for Cash, but more and more I catch myself printing out things for Baylen, too, or making sure that I have enough materials for two to complete an activity. The Bible verse memorization from Baylen is amazing, too. He loves standing on the coffee table (don't flip out on me!) and reciting his verses along with Cash. 

Cash practicing his tracing this fall

3. Heath was promoted to Project Manager


This was an unexpected blessing and adjustment for us this year. We were all excited about this new opportunity, but at the same time, we knew that it would mean more time and a completely different change of pace for Heath. He went from hard hat, truck, tools and on site to desk, car, paperwork and meetings. It has it's ups and downs, but I think Heath is getting into a new groove. He's had a very successful past six months as PM, and for that we are thankful.


2. Rich Pond Baptist Church


When we moved back to Bowling Green from Glasgow, we knew that we weren't going to continue attending Living Hope. It had been on our minds for quite awhile, and we knew that the Lord was leading us to find a new church. We started visiting Rich Pond Baptist Church regularly after we had settled into our new house, and after being blown away by the rich teaching and absolute love for the scripture, we knew that God was calling us to join and serve this church. We joined the church in late July, and since then have been welcomed by so many people and have already made some great new friends. We serve an awesome God, and we are excited about what He has planned for us at our new church home.


1. Our "new house"

the boys, July 1, 2011

We moved into our new house the second full week of June and spent our first night in the house on June 16th. It was so wonderful to wake up altogether in our new house, and we've really enjoyed most everything about it since then. We praise God for pouring out His blessings on us.

Happy new year from the Doggetts! We hope that you will truly be blessed in the new year!