Eve of 2006

Happy almost New Year. We have had ever so much fun over the last few days. The kids, Jeremy & I have played and played. Yesterday I went deer hunting for the first time. I climbed up into the deer stand and all. Of course, I took a book to read. But, I was surprised at how much I really enjoyed it. I even enjoyed the long walk from the truck and the long walk afterward as we hunted on foot a little. I think I might go some more, that idea might change when I actually try it on a cold morning or evening.

The kids are reveling in new toys - driving the Hummer like crazy (Jenna calls it a lawnmower...) Hudson loves stacking his new blocks and then destroying his tower, or mine because it's usually bigger. This morning Hudson joined us in bed, in hope he would go back to sleep. Of course, he did the cute giggle and excitement of looking each direction and finding himself wedged between Mom AND Dad. He would then giggle and poke at my eyes, if closed, or get nose to nose to look in my eyes, if open. I always forget how much fun that is. Soon I'm going to miss those days.

Tonight is a little party for StoneWater Life groups. I've prepared food all morning, you would think that I have made more than I actually have. And, since some of our friends from Dallas are coming, I had to make brownies, Victoria loves brownies! Well, I have one last day of free shipping, so I must go and shop Joann.com!

Merry Christmas

Wow - what a fun, wonderful Christmas season. I emailed my brother to tell him the gift would be late (and even later, Mike), and I liked his response, "I like to think of it at a season of giving, not just one day." We've celebrated our season from Friday until today (Tuesday).

I must interject here, I love my husband, because I am trying to block out his 'Northgate Noise' (Noise it is) CD he got for Christmas.

Christmas Eve, after StoneWater service, we came home and made cookies for Santa ("special" allergy free sugar cookies). After the kids mutilated theirs (they like the icing and sprinkles, but no cookie, and these cookies taste the same as 'normal' sugar cookies). We told Jenna that she would need to check to see if Santa came and then come and tell us. She was concerned that we wouldn't open our eyes a.k.a. go back to sleep; I explained that we would get up, so we launched into how to tell if he had been here. Check the cookies & look under the tree. Well, the kids were lazy Christmas morning, and it was 8:00 before we could make enough noise to rouse Hudson, who roused Jenna. Jenna ran to the table, cookies were gone! Then she looked at the tree, covered her little mouth in a very prissy little way and exclaimed, 'oh'...she even let Hudson 'drive' first. After driving around the living room a little time, we took the Hummer outside. We've already gotten our money's worth. Jenna loves to drive (mostly forward and then backward, she doesn't care to steer) and Hudson loves to ride - he just giggles and grins. We were watching the kids in the back yard as they drove, and I told Jeremy they were just what I always wanted. It's amazing how Christmas takes a completely new meaning with those two sweet babies.

Jenna was very impressed that Santa gave all of the yellow and green gummy worms to her and the red and white ones to Hudson, and that he gave daddy the red & blue gum and her the green, orange, white, and yellow. That Santa, he takes care of all the details! Hudson was just glad he got in on the action of getting candy.

Other than some monster allergies and asthma (I haven't had asthma is years, and I'm huffing on Hudson's nebulizer more than he is the past couple of days) we have had a tremendous Christmas celebration! I will be a bridesmaid (bridesmatron?) at the ripe age of 30 in June. Cynthia, my cousin, has asked me to stand up for her, and I am honored and now very motivated to get fit! We saw all the grandparents (mine and Jer's) and family, now I hope we don't wait around until Easter to see them all again!

financial responsibility

Well, Jer and I have found ourselves a little in debt...it happens about this time every year (we always buy more than we budget for Christmas), and it motivates us to get things in line. Jeremy is also getting into some financial responsibility - a friend of mine's husband did that, and she admitted, after praying for him to take some control, it wasn't easy. I have found myself in the same position. I've been the bill/budget/bank statement reconciler for some years now, and it's a little disconcerting to be handing it all over. In any case, he's taken on a couple of tasks that I just couldn't get handled. After talking and praying about the debt and what to do, God provided (just as he always does), and it looks to be taken care of. And, after two hours on the phone, he took care of one task I just couldn't master. When we bought this house, we took out an 'arm' with the intent/plan to pay double payments and get it finished. In October the first company sold our loan to a second company. Company #1 messed up our extra payments (despite repeated phone calls) and company #2 just couldn't get it straight, either. I was frustrated, doing the right thing had cost me $670, so I was ready to give up. Jeremy to the rescue! It's all fixed - 2 hours later. He was going golfing and had some good anger to take out on some balls, so I expect a big finish (or, little, I guess).

The kids are awesome. We are all home today. H and took a good nap in our bed, he was already mostly asleep, so his wiggly self was really cuddly to sleep with. Plus, he would stir, look at me, grin and go back to sleep. Almost a "hey, I love you Mommy" look. Jenna is on day 3 of wearing her beautiful pink slippers - she looks so grown up and can do the buckle herself.

Since it's the 22nd, I guess that officially means cards won't make it. Although, I took the pictures this morning, so I could work really hard tonight and some of you would get yours on Saturday...

Mommy Daughter Day & 8 years

This weekend was WONDERFUL! After three nights away, Jeremy and I are more connected to each other and more relaxed. We ate at some wonderful hotspots in Austin and got more rest than we've had since Jenna arrived.

Today Jenna and I took a Mommy/Daughter day. We took off this morning after depositing Hudson at daycare (about a mile down the road, Jenna looked over and asked where her brother was). We first got our hair cut (Jenna's first big hair cut) and then headed to Fort Worth. Jenna has wanted some pink slippers for about a month, and no one really knows what she is talking about, so we headed to see if we could find some. We stopped at Don Pablo's and ate lunch - Jenna ate chips and guacamole until I thought she would burst. Then we headed to DSW shoe warehouse...they don't have little girl shoes, but she scampered around finding some for me and asking if they had her size. Then, we stopped at "the gummy bear store" aka Hobby Lobby. I happened to know that HL has gummies AND 1/2 price scrapbook paper (and albums & doo dads) this week. Next was Target, where Jenna found her pink slippers! After a little more shopping, we headed home. Jenna fell asleep with her new pink slippers on her feet, happy as can be.

After picking up Hudson, who was glad to see Jenna and kept blowing kisses to his sleeping sister, we came home. Jer and I wanted to show Jenna the wedding video. So, we ate a picnic in the living room with the video. Hudson isn't good at picnics, so he kept running around the blanket, knocking over drinks. Jenna wanted a running commentary on the wedding. At one point, Jen was trying to climb up on Jer's head, and Hudson was diving between us trying to get on the couch with Jenna...to think, it all started 8 years ago...

Two days in a row!

Check it out - two posts two days in a row!

The kids are finally packed for the trip to Grandparents. Mom is not packed, but has considered it. I'm actually a little nervous about leaving them, but WAY hyped to hang out with Jeremy for 4 WHOLE DAYS without the sweethearts.

Hudson is still feeling yucky, but Dr. Watts said to ride it out, unless his fever spikes (it's staying below 100 right now). Jenna is still sweet and looking good. It's good to stay away from red & milk! Add the new lotion we have found, and the kids actually have SOFT skin!

Dallas friends, I have thought of you, but, just as I predicted, school has overwhelmed me since the new trimester began 4 weeks ago. And it's looking more and more like Christmas cards really will be New Year's Cards. We do enjoy all of those that we have received, and we really like those update letters...hint hint.

Off to celebrate 8 years of marriage to my beloved! Wow, it's really been that long. I do it all over again.

Christmas Cheer

Call me an elf. I decided this year I would make goodies for my department to share. Knowing that is an undertaking, and adding two sweet munchkins, I started Monday night. Monday I made two batches of pecan tarts and peanut patties. The patties turned out so well (despite initial reservations) that I made another batch Tuesday. This morning I made peanut brittle, but I put the soda in too early, so it turned into peanut taffy. Bright me, I decided to bake it a little longer tonight...I just threw away the entire thing - cookie sheet and all. As I debate making the cupcakes for Hudson's party tomorrow and other goodies (popcorn balls, more peanut patties -they're easy- fudge), Hudson is determined to get my attention. He is sitting sweetly in my lap, and just took his paci out and kissed my arm as I typed. Sweet boy. Jenna is sweetly watching a Barbie movie - complete in princess dress and crown, but the 'mean man' in the movie scares her and she wants me to sit with her.
This is why you may get New Year's cards again this year...although I bought all this cute paper, cards, and stickers at an after Christmas Sale last year...

Here is a picture of the kids working together on a good bed jump!

8:20 update...never ask me to make peanut brittle. batch #2 was smokin', and I don't mean good - black. NO peanut brittle. However, the fudge is excellent & Hudson's cupcakes for his party tomorrow are in the oven!

Peachy

One day down, four to go!

Tomorrow is Pirate Pig Out Day at GHS - my big contribution this year is chips! I'm making gifts for co-workers, and tonight I've churned out two batches of "Jeremy's Prize Winning Pecan Tarts" and peanut patties. I'm a little nervous about the outcome of the patties, as well as even having peanuts in the house. I'm sure all will be fine. After all of that, chips are the most I can muster for tomorrow.

Hudson is definitely ill in some way, but there is no fever, so, he's off to school. He's got a little green drainage (it comes and goes, and yes, I'm still sending him). He's also cutting 4 teeth (canines), so that could be the problem. He's been on omnicef for a week now. Here's what happens when you leave him unattended, so he's not too incredibly ill.

Jenna is just a little too hyper. I can't wait to get her in bed, and then I'm right behind her!

Christmas fever

After the two weather days, I have Christmas fever. I want to be with my family and away from work. It also so happens that Christmas is my favorite season, and time to celebrate another year of marriage with Jeremy.

Wednesday we received the announcement of school releasing early. Of course, by the time the buses got to the high school, it was 1:00 before I could leave. After some serious scraping, I got the ice off and got home. Just in time for naps! After nap, we took a walk down the road. Hudson was like a dog - frisky in the winter weather. He ran and hollered up and down the road. After some soup, Jeremy decided a trip to Wal-Mart was direly necessary (he wanted to try his driving) so around 5:30 we took a trip. I have never seen Wal Mart so empty. We all snuggled down. Jeremy and I watched a movie and snuggled down right after recieved the phone call that there was no school Thursday.

Thursday we decided to go down to the Fox's house to make cookies. Jenna slipped and fell in the drive, and then I fell once I made it to the road. Route #2 left me sliding down the neighbor's driveway with both kids after I decided we would just walk across the grass and driveways. Path #3 left Jer driving us down the road. After Hudson poured a cup of Dr. Pepper all over himself (hence, diaper only cookie pictures) and Kendra's dining room carpet, after Jenna and Marley dumped an extra cup of flour in my cookie dough, and after Jenna poured a half a cup of sprinkles on her cookies, we headed back home.
It was hoot making cookies with two 3 year olds, a 1 year old, and a 3 month old. Two mommies were tired! It was fun!

So, I returned to school today (I found the pendant from my necklace that I lost while scraping ice on Wednesday) with a little bit of Christmas fever. I am ready for vacation! As ecstatic as I was to find my missing pendant, I was later crushed, one of my student's fathers was killed in an ice related accident on Wednesday.

Great Weekend

It has been a WONDERFUL weekend. We had the delight and pleasure of our two friends and their little girl coming to visit. David, Robbin, and Paige spent the weekend with us. It was good, although I wish we could have had more down town to spend with them. Robbin and I got to go and scrapbook for the first StoneWater Women's scrapbook night. We're going to do it quarterly (until Lisa and I can make a solid case to do it bi-monthly, and we're formulating a plan).
Carson is home out of the hospital - he's doing well. Church was good today. Everything went smoothly - my teachers in 2s and 3s were great, and all ran like a well oiled machine.
I am a bit behind for class tomorrow...but, it will all come together.

crash, boom, bang

What a day! This will seem like a "complainer" blog, it's just an expression of God's grace. Something awesome is going to happen Sunday.

Carson has been in the hospital all week with an infection (he's fine and should come home tomorrow).

Last night Hudson woke 3 times not able to breathe. I gave him 2 treatments, and still no improvement. This morning when he got up even Jeremy was adamant that he go to the doctor. Jer met the office this mornign as it openen, not even a call for an appointment. Three breathing treatments and a chest x-ray later, there is no pneumonia and we are on oral steroid, breathing treatments every 3 hours, and antibiotics. We have a very hyper (steroid) and wheezy boy.

I had to take Jenna to day care, which was fine, but I was late. Once I got to school, I sat down to eat breakfast and realized I had given her my cheese sandwich and had her allergy free lunch. OOPS. I was watching another teacher's class during my conference, so I was in a quandry of how to fix it. I traded just in the nick of time.

Then, while I was working on my lesson plans, my computer froze. When it came back, my My Documents folder was blank - NO FILES. I was mildly freaking...but my tech person saved the day!

The good news, David, Robbin and Paige are here for the weekend. It's so exciting! We're up talking and hanging out.

Baby you're a star!

Tonight was FBC Preschool's first Christmas program. Jenna is a star! She took her place on stage and stood with her hands perfectly in place. After she located me and waved, she beamed. She sang every song with emphasis, and did the actions with emphasis, too. She was the best and soooo precious. I can't wait to show off the video (I don't know how to post it here, but is was terrific). Hudson was good, too. He shook his Jingle Bells during the song, and spent most the time hanging out in the buggy watching sister, who was just a couple of feet away. When we watched the tape, he hummed the tune of Jingle Bells, shook his arms for the bells, and then even did the turn and stomp for Reindeer Pokey. My kids are star material! This is my first experience with a program for the kids, and I'm beaming and my head is big!

I had a great day - I received one of the new laptops for the district! It is AWESOME! NO more random shutting down or ants crawling out (I think the ants were part of the porable). It is light, compact and reliable! Then, I went to TOP training (long explanation) and got to leave campus for lunch and leave an hour early! These two things counteracted the fact that BOTH eyes were sealed shut when I woke this morning (the infection has spread to the right eye). My eyes are watering, oozy, red messes...I'm not supposed to be contagious, we'll watch the fam. to see.