Happy Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, & Valentine's Day!

How horrible am I!! I send a Christmas card with our blog and then don't update the blog for months! Well, we are doing well. Thanksgiving and Christmas were relatively uneventful, but good. The new year has started, and we are now officially Mathews Mechanical! Things are off to a good, but rocky start. We've just had a few little minor issues to resolve, but the business is going strong. There's a sense of pride to be had when the business finally becomes your own. Ryan has his new truck and service bed, which he is very proud of. We should be getting the logos put on within the next week, so I'll post a pic as soon as the truck's finished. Ryan is also thrilled because he is now the Carrier dealer in this area. Carrier has been great to work with thus far, and we think the dealership will be an asset to the business.

As for the kids, Cason is still not walking much--not that he can't. When he chooses to do so, he can take a few steps. He just chooses not to most of the time. This is a pic of him while we were at mom and dad's last time. He and the other boys were out playing in the dirt. Of course, I think Cason was eating the dirt more than playing with it.

Colt is 2, going on terrible. He'll be 3 in 2 weeks, and he's just so ornery right now. Downright strongwilled! He is getting some better, though, thanks to my little plastic spatula (now don't turn me into CPS-most of his little bottom is still there!). Oh, and he is finally potty-trained--a requirement for his 3 year old birthday party. He's also talking so big now, telling me things are "dangerous" or "ridiculous" or calling me "my precious mommy" (ahhh!).

Cagan is absolutely loving school and is turning into the sweetest little man (not that he wasn't sweet before, but he's growing up so much!). All my fears about him and school have dissipated. He is so smart and does so much already. He's only half-way through Pre-K and knows all of his letters and sounds, numbers to 30-something, and of course, colors, shapes, etc. He filled out all of his Valentine cards himself with little help. I'm just amazed at how much he's picked up already, especially when it took me 2 years to get him to learn A and B.

Coley just finished up his last little dribbler's basketball season. Unfortunately, their team didn't do so hot this year, but he did score in the second game. He's also had a few steals and rebounds. Right now, he's sick, though. Been running fever for a couple of days. Apparently, it's going around at school. Coley rarely gets sick, but you can bet that, when he does, he'll be down for a while. He was a little surprised when Daddy brought home his homework today, 17 pages worth. I guess he thought he got to skip those days altogether! He's so thoughtful, though. I was sick last Friday and Saturday, and on Saturday, Coley fixed me bacon and eggs and served me in bed. How sweet!! Maybe, we're doing something right after all.

Well, that's about all for now. We have a long day tomorrow as we have two funerals and birthday party to attend (Colt's party). Please pray for the Green and Renner families who just lost two very dear men, brothers-in-law and elders in the small little Gruver church. While their friends and families are missing them here on earth, I know they are running and kicking up their heels in Heaven, free of their pain and limitations. Praise the Lord!

God bless you all, and I hope you have a wonderful 2008! Talk to you soon. . .