Brian, Jocelyn, Abby, Avory and Austin: Wow...this is starting to look like my journal entries

(Our family with my parent's at their 50th wedding Anniversary in Nov 2013)

Hello the world of blogging! So it's 3am and I can't sleep so my mind started to think about my blog. When I pulled it up and realized how long it has been since I posted all I could do was laugh. Looking back over the years in my personal journals it looks exactly the same. I would start off saying, "I'm back" and then I wouldn't write till another 6 months later. So hopefully I can be a little bit more diligent and write consistently.

(Brian with Abby and His Mom, Jayne, at Abby's School Thanksgiving lunch)

So just for some update stuff about us and what has been going on for the past year in the Gilday house. Brian continues to work at L & L Contractors. He got his contractor’s license over a year ago and him/his boss actually just started a new company in January called True Built Homes. They have a couple people they are working with on building their homes so we continue to pray that this company will do well. He stays busy between work, family, and he is a counselor in the Bishopric at our church. He does a really great job with balancing all of them!

(Abby with my Dad, James, or better known as Papa)

Abby is 6 yrs old and is in the 1st grade at the magnet school here in Shelbyville. She loves school and continues to amaze me every day. She loves being a big sister and "being in charge". She loves to read and paint! She is really into art which she takes after Brian on the aspect. She is signed up for another season of Tee ball but has informed me that she wants to become a clog dancer so maybe I can find a class for her to take. She is such a great example of a member missionary. The other day she wore her "Future Missionary" to school. I asked her if anyone asked her questions about it and she said, "Yeah". After a long pause I asked her again, "What did they ask?" She said, "They just wanted to know what being a missionary meant so I told them. I told them it's someone that leaves their families to help others learn about the gospel and Jesus Christ". As tears started coming into my eyes she continued to elaborate. “They also wanted to know why I want to be one? I told them that I wanted to help others know the truth." Wow! I was blown away. I guess all the Family Home Evenings and Primary Lessons where sinking in even if I thought they were being lost between her chasing her sister/brother and jumping up and down on the couch.

(Avory coloring pumpkins in Oct. 2013)

Avory who is 3 yrs old now is my little fireball that is determined that she is a big girl and no one is going to tell her otherwise. She goes to a local preschool 2x a week which she loves! She loves to play pretend, ride her bike/scooter, and play with our dog Cotton. She can be so strong willed at times but the times when she is so sweet to her siblings or others makes me realize what an amazing gift my Heavenly Father has given me. We hope to get her involved in Tee Ball this summer and soccer in the Fall.

(Austin at Abby's Thanksgiving Lunch Nov 2013)

Austin is a newly turned 19 month and is just a pure ball of energy. The only time kid stops moving is when he goes to sleep. He is OBSESSED with balls! Footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, tennis balls, golf balls....if its round he says it's a ball and he wants it! He loves to be outside and loves to run everywhere. Right now the biggest hurtle we are trying to get over is him going to nursery. He will do great one week and then scream until they bring him to me the next. Hopefully this will pass soon and he can feel comfortable in there.

(Baby announcement...Avory never looks at the camera)

As for me...I am 16 weeks pregnant with baby # 4 and I have hit the I'm so tired from the day I go to bed at 7:30 pm when I put the kids down. But then I wake up around 3 am and can't go back to sleep till the kids wake up at 6am. I am enjoying being at home and learning how to discipline/teach each one of my child's different personalities. I am currently the Primary President in our Ward and I am really enjoying it. I have wonderful people/kids that I work with so it makes it so much easier. I have been thinking a lot about going back to school for a Masters in Social Work but that might have to wait till baby makes its appearance. Life is busy but good. So whoever does read this please help me keep it updated. I know this may not be an exciting blog but it is a way I can record my family’s history while also helping me to express myself.