Here's to 2013!

2012 has been good to us. We have our health, our family, and many more blessings. There have been some bumps in the road, but aren't there always? Our God has been mighty good to us! Here are some of the things that happened this year...

January: Andy graduated from college. We are so proud! My Grandpa turned another year younger:)

February: Phyllis and I enjoyed another fabulous, healthy, and happy year on this Earth.

March: Tucker and I celebrated 2 years of marriage.

April: Tucker and I signed the contract to build our new home.

May: Tucker celebrates another year, and Emily and Andy announce that they are pregnant. Phyllis and Al celebrate another year of marriage.

June: Mymama celebrates another year, and we got a tour of the AU facilities.

July: We spent another unforgettable summer at the lake.

August: Tucker and I moved into our new house.

September: Tucker and I found out that we were expecting a baby, too.

October: We bought lots of candy only to have one trick or treater! Ha!

November: We hosted our first Thanksgiving at our new home.

December: Tucker and I found out we are having a boy!

We have so much to look forward to in the new year. We look forward to meeting our new niece or nephew. It could be any time now! We are also looking forward to meeting our sweet little Hudson in May! We are also looking forward to the many laughs and memories to be made with our families. We are too blessed to be stressed!

Happy New Year's Eve,

Amanda

Five Christmases

Christmas is always a busy time of year, but it was especially busy for us this year. We attended four Christmas celebrations and hosted one on Christmas Eve. And unlike the movie "Four Christmases", we were not trying to avoid our families; we couldn't wait to spend time with our families!

Saturday, we headed to Emily and Andy's  in Calera. Emily is about to go into labor at any second, so traveling was not an option for her. Instead, we brought the celebration to her. We had such a joyous time celebrating family and the two new additions that will soon be here!

 Mymama with her grandchildren and soon to be great grandchildren!

The Boswell and Fuller Families

On Sunday morning, Tucker and I went to my Grandpa's house in Montgomery to celebrate with the Little side of the family. We had a huge feast and swapped Christmas ornaments. We hated that some of the family couldn't make it, but they were certainly in our thoughts.

Grandpa with some of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

(L to R: Rachel, Taylor, Me, Chloe, Grandpa, and Blake)

We left Montgomery and headed to Opelika to celebrate Christmas with Granddaddy John and Carol. There we ate again! At this point I was about stuffed and the sight of food almost made me sick, but somehow I managed to find some space :) Being pregnant during Christmas was awesome! I didn't even have to worry about sucking in my stomach!

The Boswell's with Granddaddy John and Carol

Tucker and I were hosting Christmas Eve dinner. Again, we had more food than we knew what to do with! It was so special to have our family here in our new house to celebrate Christmas. This place is beginning to feel more and more like home with every memory that is made. 

 Will, Kate, Kathie, and Tucker

 Phyllis and Al 

aka Shug and Big Al

Me with my handsome honey :) 

On Christmas day, we opened up the last of the presents under the tree. Tucker and I must have been very good this year, because we got everything on our lists! Tucker got a picture of Bo Jackson to put in his man cave, and I got a Michael Kors purse. We also received so many nice gifts from our family. We are truly blessed! Little Hudson Christopher really racked up this year. His grandparents and Santa showered him with gifts and he's not even here yet! He got his first pair of sunglasses to wear to the lake, of course. He also received towels, rags, bibs, clothes, and some toys. Mommy and Daddy couldn't resist buying him his first outfit and toy ;)

Hudson's first toy and outfit.

After presents, we headed to Wetumpka to eat Christmas Day lunch with the Wallace's. I can tell you now that I'm done eating for a few days! Ha! We also enjoyed getting to spend so much time with our cousin Will. He only gets to come home from California once a year (not enough, Will!). 

Kathie, Will, and Phyllis

I know I've said it once, but I'll say it again...Tucker and I are truly blessed. We have the best families any person could ask for. We enjoyed every hectic minute of this Christmas. The best Christmas present Tucker and I could ever receive is the precious child I'm carrying right now. Just knowing he is happy and healthy in there makes us beam with joy! And of course, no Christmas is complete without remembering the true meaning of Christmas. The ultimate gift no matter what the season is, is Jesus! 

Amanda

Baby Boy Boswell

Yes, you read that correctly! Tucker and I found out Wednesday that we are having a healthy baby boy. Tucker wasn't able to go to the appointment with me, so we devised a plan that would enable both of us to find out at the same time.

We decided to not to find out the gender of the baby at the appointment. Instead, the ultrasound tech would put the results in an envelope that we would open later that night when Tucker and I could be together. Tucker didn't get off till 7 that night. My appointment was at 2:30. The suspense was killing me, but I was very good and did not peek! Seriously, not even a little, but I did think about it! Ha!

When Tucker finally arrived home, we hurried off to Amsterdam's for dinner. We ordered drinks and meals then opened the envelope together. We were thrilled beyond words to learn that we were having a precious baby boy! I felt like it was a boy all along. I decided on Thanksgiving that I bought it was a boy, and I had already started referring to the baby as "he". Tucker thought girl right away but changed his prediction at the last minute to boy. I wish everyone could have seen Tucker's face when he saw that he would have a son. He was beaming! Seeing him that excited made me love him even more than I already do!

Now it's time for shopping! I have already bought a couple of special things for our sweet boo on Christmas. I know he's still growing and not ready to come out into the world, but we want him to know that he's already so loved. We will be patiently awaiting his arrival in May!

This has been the best Christmas so far, and its not even here yet! Knowing our baby is healthy is the most we could ever ask for. God has truly blessed our family! Continue to pray for us as we prepare for this next exciting chapter in our lives.

Merry Christmas,
Amanda

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

It may not feel like Christmas, but it sure does look like Christmas at the Boswell residence. We started decorating the weekend after Thanksgiving. To be exact, we started decorating during the Iron Bowl. What can I say? Things weren't looking so good for our team, and we just couldn't bear to watch another brutal beating.

This year we decided to get a real tree. In the past, we have always just used the fake tree. Tucker and I both grew up with real trees. We were both excited to head to the Christmas tree place to pick out our first real tree together and in our new home. I must admit I was not entirely happy with the real tree option. Yes, they smell great, but they also make a huge mess. The fallen needles drive my OCD personality crazy! And what do you do with the tree when you are done??? I grew up in the country, and we just threw our tree in the field where it decayed over the year. Living in Auburn, I'm not sure what are Christmas tree disposing options are. Any who, we meticulously picked out what we think is the perfect tree! I also had to be sure there were no critters still living in the tree. So far, we are critter free! We put the fake tree up in the dining room, so when people drive by they can see our twinkly Christmas tree lights through the window.

 Bringing home our tree!

Tucker putting the angel on the tree.

17 weeks pregnant :)

After helping decorate the trees, Tucker headed outside to put up Christmas lights. I was a little nervous when he announced at Thanksgiving that he was going Clark W. Griswald this year. Thank heavens he was only joking! The house looks great, but of course, I'm partial :)

 I adore my homemade stockings!

Christmas at the Boswell's 2012

On an unrelated note, I felt the baby move for the first time this week! Monday afternoon I was laying down, and I felt a little poke. At first I wasn't sure that was it, but I had never felt anything like it before! Later that night, I woke up starving and had to get a midnight snack :) When I laid back down, I felt the baby again but more than just once that time. Now I'm more anxious that ever to find out whether it's a boy or a girl! We go to the doctor again on December 19th and hopefully Baby B will cooperate!

Amanda

All Things Turkey

Tucker and I had the wonderful opportunity to host our family Thanksgiving this year. Many people wait years to host Thanksgiving at their house. I am so happy that we didn't have to wait that long :) It was also so nice to host our first Thanksgiving in our brand new house. It feels a little more like home with every memory we make.

I was definitely nervous to say the least. I was in charge of the turkey and the dressing. These are the two things that people look forward to all year long. I didn't want to be the one who ruined Thanksgiving! I'd never live to hear the end of that! Luckily, the turkey turned out great thanks to Trisha Yearwood :) and the dressing was a hit! (Thanks, Grandpa!)

 Before

 After

 Dressing! Yum!

 Tucker carving the turkey.

 I don't think we had enough food! Ha!

After dinner, we did some relaxing on the back porch. Tucker set up a TV outside so we could watch football and enjoy the beautiful weather. The chiminea kept every one nice and cozy! It was the perfect way to recover after eating so much food!

 Al, Phyllis, Mymama, and Tucker relaxing after lunch.

Keeping warm with the hubs <3

Then on Friday, we went to Tucker's Aunt Katie's house for a pig roast. Uncle Larry roasted a whole pig! Yes, I said whole! It was an experience that's for sure! We had so much fun, and the BBQ was delish! It's times like these that I'm glad I'm pregnant! Ha!

 The Boswell's and Fuller's at the "Holley"day Pig Roast.

Too cute!

I can't imagine Thanksgiving getting any better, but I know it will! Next year Baby Fuller and Baby Boswell will make everything even more special! 

Amanda 

Celebrating Baby Fuller

This weekend was Emily's baby shower and Andy's diaper shower. I was so happy to help host such an important event for my sister-in-law. She and Andy did a great job getting the house ready! You couldn't even tell they had moved in only a week earlier! Everything looked wonderful! I'm not sure how Emily did it! She continues to amaze me! I know with being seven months pregnant and just moving into a new house, it must have been stressful and exhausting. We are just all so happy they are in and settled now. It has been a long time coming for those two! They deserve it!

Emily and Andy did not want to know the gender of the baby, so we had a gender neutral party. I'm not sure how she's doing that either. The suspense would kill me! We had fruit with custard, little sandwiches, and biscuits with chocolate. Yum! And of course we had the usual petit fours with little yellow and green booties on top. They were precious!

It was such a joy to see Emily and Baby Fuller showered with gifts. She received so many cute things that I can't wait to go shopping myself! So many people showed up, too! Emily and Andy are loved for sure by so many! Meanwhile, Andy and the boys were celebrating at Buffalo Wild Wings. It's always fun when you can include the Dad and make him feel special too.

Tucker and I can't wait to meet our new niece or nephew! We are just so excited about all the little new additions to the Boswell and Fuller families!

Amanda

 Just some of the presents!

 The beautiful mom-to-be opening up the gifts.

Emily, Kate, and I

(By the way, I'm 15 weeks pregnant!)

 Kate, Kathie, Emily, and I

 Amanda (Andy's mother), Emily, and Katie (Andy's sister)

Katie, Emily, Andy's little sister, and stepmom

Sick and Pregnant

I'm sick AGAIN!!! What I thought was a cold morphed into part stomach virus. I had to leave work at 9:30 yesterday, and I'm still running a low grade temperature today. My doctor says my immune system is weaker because I'm pregnant. I haven't been sick this many times since my first year if teaching.

Being sick right now is really not working into my schedule! Today, I was supposed to be heading to Emily and Andy's new house to help them clean and move. Now I'm not even sure that I will be able to help tomorrow. I'm hoping for a speedy recovery!

On another note, I'm 13 weeks pregnant. I'll be 14 weeks on Sunday. I was just starting to feel good again. That is, before I got sick. I was feeling more energetic and food was starting to taste good again. I can't wait till my sweet baby arrives! All of this sickness will all be worth it when we get to meet our baby girl or boy in May!

War Damn Baby!

I've been keeping a secret for many weeks now! Tucker and I are happy to announce that we are expecting a little bundle of joy May 13, 2013! The delay in blog posts has much to do with this, but I couldn't tell all of you that just yet. I have been exhausted for many weeks. I had no idea how exhausting bringing a baby into this world could be! I could barely get off of the couch , let alone blog. And I do believe the term "morning sickness" should be changed to "all day sickness". Ha! Thank goodness I'm starting to feel better!

Tucker and I are so thankful for this wonderful gift from God! We have been praying for a baby for some time now:) We are about to begin a new chapter in our lives, and we are more than excited! Please pray for our soon to be little family of four!

Football, Friends, and Fun

Last weekend, Tucker and I went to Nashville with the Conerly's! We had an amazing time despite Auburn losing to Vandy! After the game, we went to downtown Nashville to see the sights! It was a blast! Here are a few pictures from our trip!

 Virginia and I before the game.

 Phyllis and I on our way to the game.

 The Boswell's and the Conerly's

 Where the Titans play!

 Downtown Nashville by the river.

 Tootsie's

 We had so much fun at The Stage!

 Bright lights, big city!

 Look who we ran into! Aunt Rhonda and I on the red carpet at the Supre Tan party.

 <3

 Thanks to Aunt Rhonda we met Snooki!

Another picture on the red carpet.

As you can see we had a blast in Nashville. My Aunt Rhonda just happened to be there for a tanning convention. She was able to get us into a couple of private parties. She even got us into the Wildhorse Saloon, which was shut down to the public that night. She's awesome!!! And if you're wondering where Snooki fits into the picture, she was promoting her new tanning lotion at the Hard Rock. Ha! What a coincidence, Snooki and tanning!!! 

Have a fabulous week!

Amanda

Sick

I've been blessed to not have been sick for about two years. Occasionally, I would catch a cold or have a bit of a sore throat but nothing that would constitute actually visiting a doctor. My two year winning streak ended abruptly Sunday afternoon!

Tucker and I were looking at houses with Phyllis and Al (so excited they will be closer in just a few years!) when my illness began to rear it's ugly head. I've had many a throat infection/strep throat, so sadly I know the symptoms well. Sunday morning I awoke with a sore throat. I thought nothing of it, of course. I made it throughout most of the day until mid house hunting I felt a fever coming on. I was cold, had body aches, and my throat was killing me. I would have rather spit in a cup than swallow. I know, that's gross, but its honestly how I felt.

Upon returning home, I checked my temp. Just as I suspected, I was running a low grade temp and it was rising. Off to the Urgent Care we went abruptly ending our beautiful day. Thank goodness I did not have strep. Instead, it was just a bacterial throat infection. Nothing a day off of work, Tylenol, and some antibiotics can't cure.

How did I get this pesky bacteria??? It could have been several things. Last week, a child sneezed right in my face. Never in 5 years has that happened! I literally needed Germ-X for my face. Or it could have been something I picked up at the game. We certainly played bad enough for me to feel sick! Ha! I personally think it was the sneeze to the face that did it!

Wait, there is a happy ending! I'm feeling much better today. I was even able to head off to school this morning! Nothing makes me feel better than seeing 17 sweet little faces. They made my day by writing the most precious "Get Well Soon" cards. Let's hope for a healthy rest of the year.

Amanda

Happy Fall, Ya'll

My favorite season is here! I absolutely love everything about Fall! Cool mornings, Taco Soup, and cozy evenings snuggled up on the couch are right up my ally. I also love decorating for fall. This past weekend, Tucker and I bought our hay, mums, and pumpkins. After a few changes, we finally got it just right!

September

I'm ashamed that it has been so long since my last blog! This month has whizzed by in the blink of an eye. Hopefully, I can catch everyone up everything. First, we are finally settled into our new home! New furniture has been purchased (pics soon, I promise), pictures have been hung, and we are slowly coming to the relaxation that we do in fact, live here. For a while, Tucker and I felt as if we were living in a hotel! Ha! We still have a few more things to do such as, purchasing lamps and curtains, but for the most part it feels like home.

We also had the pleasure of hosting our first dinner guests in our new home. We invited Grandaddy John and Carol over to visit and see our new home. It was so nice to actually have the room to entertain! We really enjoyed our night with them. We can't wait to have them back over!

And if you haven't noticed, football season has officially started! Ha! I can't believe we are almost a month into the season. This weekend we hosted our big tailgate. We usually do one or two a year. It was so nice to spend time with our wonderful family and friends. My sweet friend Elizabeth, her husband Loftin, and their precious son, Reese shared the day with us. Reese was so fun! He played football till he dropped, literally! Elizabeth reported he didn't even make it to the car that afternoon before he was sound asleep. What a cutie!!! We can't wait to do it again!

School is wonderful thus far! I have a very sweet group of 17. I love third grade! Everyday I'm more sure that I made the right decision to move back down. I miss my dear friend,Virginia though! It was so nice to be able to run across the hall when I needed her. It was also nice to have someone to plan with and bounce ideas off of. And things will never be the same in third grade without Leslie and Bria. They were my calm in the storm. Luckily. I still get to chat with them often. As much as I miss my old teammates, I must say that I'm loving working with my new teammates. Fresh faces and fresh energy can be a very good thing! Well, that about sums it up for now! Whew! This blog is jam packed! I'll do my best not to wait so long next time.

Amanda