Life got in the way!

I’m back on the blog after almost 5 months—it does NOT feel like it’s been that long. Last post was about my nephews being born and they are going to be 5 months old this month. Crazy.

Well, I have to catch you up with what’s been going on around here…

February was extremely exciting of course with Levi and Grayson being born, but then I got to take a solo trip to IL to visit them when they were 6 weeks old! So wonderful.


My nephews at 6 weeks old.

Then on February 29 I officially became a Premier Designs Jeweler! You would think the logical route would be for me to sell Gold Canyon since I worked at the home office, but it’s so saturated around here and I always said I’d sell it when I moved…so I have a friend at MOPS that sells Premier and she asked me to host a party for her. So I did and I loved their jewelry and I thought the hostess benefits were amazing. They get 30% of retail sales and more. So after hosting I couldn’t believe I was actually considering it because it all happened so fast. I took a couple weeks to talk to Shelly about it and mull it over, but this is one that just felt right and at the right time.

I am really loving doing little style sessions with my jewelry and showing everyone how to accessorize. I’m slowing building this business and I’m even going to the company’s national rally in Ft. Worth, TX in July. I’ve heard it’s an amazing experience. Imagine thousands of women and new jewelry—it’s going to be nuts!

Spring was also filled with other fun things like my birthday, a Cubs spring training game and Andrew’s 3^rd birthday. We finally got our family photos done in May and they turned out great thanks to my friend Stephanie who just wanted to practice on us!

We are trying to keep busy because Jeff is out of town in South Dakota instructing OCS candidates for the National Guard, so we’re on our own for June and July! We are patiently [insert sarcasm] waiting for the Army to get back to us about Jeff getting back in Active Duty and most importantly exactly where we’ll be going! We expect to hear something by end of July, but we’re hoping if we have to leave AZ that we’re at least closer to our families in IL. Would be nice to be driving distance from them!

My Nephews are Here!

My family is so excited because my sister's twin boys were born last week on February 11! The C-section was scheduled for February 15, but they decided to come even earlier. They came out perfect and got to go home on Valentine's Day so we are beyond excited and blessed to have them here finally. Beth and Bryson are doing great so far as new parents and Levi and Grayson are already good little babies, quite content to be swaddled. They only cry much when they get their clothes or diapers changed :-)

Levi Michael
8:07 pm
5.11 lbs
18 1/2 in long
Grayson Michael
8:09 pm
6.1 lbs
18 3/4 in long

Grandma May (my mom) is so, so excited!

Love Struck - Andrew & Makenzie

Andrew's pretty smitten with his little g-friend Makenzie. She's 3 months older and they are already a couple...fighting then making up and having little dates at the zoo. So sweet! :-)

I made this Smilebox to send to Mak's mom and she thought it was great!

This free picture slideshow made with Smilebox

Big Change in 2012?

We start another new year in Arizona for the 8^th time, but I predict 2012 will mean big change for Team Burch. Jeff is putting in his paperwork to try and get back in the Army Active Duty. What that means is a “Full-time Army, they move you where they want you, live/work on post and have the chance of being deployed” type of lifestyle again. And really we only lived this lifestyle for a couple years at Ft. Riley in Kansas. And now the big difference is we have Mr. Andrew.

I have been amazingly calm and not worried or anxious about the possibilities of our move, but now that the new year is here and things are starting to happen, I have to admit I’m getting a teensy nervous and anxious about waiting to see what will happen and not being able to make plans for the upcoming months. I try not to worry until there’s something to worry about, but I HATE not knowing exactly where I’ll be the rest of this year!

We are aware that we’ve been pretty lucky the past 7-8 years with Jeff working as a deputy and then getting short-term Army National Guard jobs here and there. Now with changes coming fast, it’s scary, but I know there are exciting things in our future coming with the challenges.

So many what-ifs, but I’ve accepted military life and I’m going to make the most of it!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone and here's to a blessed new year!

Polar Express 2011

I really pushed for us to do the Polar Express this year because there *might* not be another Christmas in AZ with Jeff's job situation. Only the next 3-6 months will tell...soooo, that is why we HAD to go and of course Andrew being the energetic and often testy 2-yr-old that he is had his moments. However, he loved the snow (the little that was left!) and the train and he always does well in the car, so that's a blessing!

It's so pretty when you start to get up in the mountains...

Arrived at the hotel in Williams. Andrew was obsessed with climbing up the stairs and taking the elevator down. We had plenty of time to do it too while Daddy stood in the loooong line to check in!

Trains are so cool!

It was cool to see all the kids outside in the snow trying ot have snowball fights and just play in what little white stuff they could!

Starting off Mr. Crabby and you can tell by the look on my face I'm *trying* to be Miss happy, happy, joy, joy! ;-)

Getting his ticket punched which was pretty cool!

Seeing the North Pole for the first time.

And DONE! He wanted off the train I think cause he thought it was over or because he wanted to get off and see Santa. Stopping the train and NOT letting him off = not cool!

Jeff and I were just laughing at him at this point...oh geesh.

But oh wait...Santa is here!

He loved getting his bell.

It's December?

Well that Thanksgiving just flew by and then we were in IL for my sister's TWIN baby shower and celebrating Christmas early with my familys, so I think the fall holiday just passed me by. But we did have a great time and great food at my friend Rachel's house once again. She is so nice to invite us and treat us like her family every year (that's usually a good thing. HA!)

Just got back from IL on Monday and it's already Thursday (midnight--what am I still doing up?!) I swear the Christmas season goes at warp speed. Here are some fave pics from our trip...

At the airport and we're already taking pics :-)

With Grandma at Bass Pro winter wonderland

With my sis and her cute baby belly!

Best present ever! (with "Umple Bryson")

What is UP with that face?

Kiss, kiss Aunt Beth!