{Ahh..the little things}

looking back

I decided a week or so ago that I was going to try to write a "year in review" so that we could have it to look back on.  I went a little overboard.  I looked through calendars, through my picture files, and I tried to hit all of the major happenings in our family.  I am sure I missed something, so I will add it as I remember...

Ava had a big year as far as milestones go, being her first year.  I kept track of that all separate from this (other than her walking).  Zander reached a huge milestone this year too...he is potty trained!  Yay  :)  It has been a year of alot of changes for our family, lots of good times, and some not so good as I tried to learn to manage four kids.  As I end the year, I feel alot more confident in my ability as a Mom of four, but I do worry about the financial side of it all now more than ever. 

Christmas was quite humbling to me, I realized that Santa gives ALOT less here, and although I know it is not important overall, I hope that the kids did not realize it as easily as I do.  We have chosen not to go overboard, but I also do not want our kids to feel as if they are ever doing without at the same time.  I would hope they would never see it that way, but some people just go crazy at Christmas and we are close to many of them, so our kids see what other kids get as opposed to what they did.  Okay, dumb random thoughts.  Back to the point.

Okay, so here is our year in review...

January - Kamryn was born,  my tubal surgery, my birthday - got my laptop :)

Feb - lots of BIG snow & sledding with Grandpa Del, started cloth diapering

March - Kaden chosen for Bengals basketball game, my first crop, went to the circus, started visiting the parks

April - Kaden spends spring break with Grandpa Vic, Harry added our back porch, springtime trips to the bike path/park

May - Ellie's 1st sleepover party, end of school, trips to the Lake, went to the zoo

June - going camping, living at the pool, spending weekends at the Lake

July - Zander turns 3, annual Hueston Woods camping trip, Ellie's first lost tooth,
lots of weekend trips (the zoo, the Green, magic castle, the air show)

August - vacation to Virginia Beach, drive thru safari, back to school - Ellie in KINDERGARTEN, Kaden in 2nd grade

September - lost my friend Tara to cancer, Dad & Stevie get married, Ava starts walking, the hole in the driveway (don't ask, LOL)

October - Kaden turns 8, Ellie starts daisies, pumpkin patch & fall hiking trips

November - Ava turns one year, Ellie turns 6

December - winter fun begins, Ellie's haircut, a busy fun Christmas

Wishing you all a very safe, happy & healthy New Year!  We plan to lay low, enjoy family game night, watching the ball drop, and some sparkling cider if I can get myself out of my jammies and to the store, LOL!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2007 survey courtesy of Fishy Girl

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?  Lived my life with four kids (aside from just day to day, we also went camping, went on vacation, etc)

2. Did you keep your new year resolutions, and will you make more for next year?  I am not big on resolutions, just making positive changes.  Did I keep them?  Well, I would have to say no.  I weigh the same (well maybe a little lighter since I had just given birth last year) and I have been impatient/overwhelmed alot.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My best friend had little Kamryn in January

4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes, a high school friend died of cancer 


5. What countries did you visit?
Heck, I barely leave the state  :)

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?  More time/energy to be "me" again


7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?  I hate that death gets so marked (and dated) in our minds, but getting the call about Tara, September 1st.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Getting Zander potty trained, it felt as if it would never happen at times!!
 Succcesfully breastfeeding :)

9. What was your biggest failure? My house, it has really been let go

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Having my surgery felt like injury (mental & physical), then I battled with mastitis too...UGH!

11. What was the best thing you bought? Hmmm... can not think of any big purchases this year right now?

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Zander!  He is such a BIG boy now.


13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Ava's...is that a fair answer?  I promise that I do not hold it against her though  :)  Life has been such a whirlwind since she arrived.  I love her to pieces in spite of it all!

14. Where did most of your money go? BILLS


15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? getting my laptop

16. What song will always remind you of 2007? hmmm....?


17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
 a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer?
 a) probably happier, this time last year was TOUGH  b) thinner than last year, but fatter then "normal"  c) poorer, but who isn't after Christmas :)

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? relaxed

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? yelled & felt overwhelmed


20. How did you spend Christmas?
Visiting with family...times SIX

21. Did you fall in love in 2007? already was :)


22. What was your favorite TV program? Grey's Anatomy


23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? no, I do not hate anyone (isn't HATE a bad word??)  LOL


24. What was the best book you read?  probably Me & Emma


25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
 Colbie Caillat, hands down

26. What did you want and get? lots of time with the kids  & my best friend

27. What did you want and not get?
a new BIG house

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I do not even remember seeing a grown up movie, LOL

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I was 32 and getting surprised by my family with my laptop kind of blocks out the rest 


30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Finding our dream home, and being able to AFFORD it too

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Simple, comfy & easy to nurse in.  Layered tanks to "hide" my belly :)

32. What kept you sane?
My daytime visits with my best friend, MOPS, and of course my husband letting me grocery shop ALONE

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? none, I am not a big fan of any one person


34. What political issue stirred you the most? don't really talk politics


35. Who did you miss? the old me, I kinda liked her :)


36. Who was the best new person you met?
My Dad's new wife, Stevie

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.  If you want to be happy, be.  I already knew this at one point in my life, but lost sight of it recently.  I am working everyday to stop stressing, and just RELAX again!


38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.  "I'm going off the rails on a crazy train" or maybe "Don't Worry, be happy"

*the disclaimer - I worked on this post for two days off & on, so I hope it has some kind of "flow" and does not seem totally random and repetitive*

2. Did you keep your new year resolutions, and will you make more for next year?  I am not big on resolutions, just making positive changes.  Did I keep them?  Well, I would have to say no.  I weigh the same (well maybe a little lighter since I had just given birth last year) and I have been impatient/overwhelmed alot.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My best friend had little Kamryn in January

4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes, a high school friend died of cancer 


5. What countries did you visit?
Heck, I barely leave the state  :)

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?  More time/energy to be "me" again


7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?  I hate that death gets so marked (and dated) in our minds, but getting the call about Tara, September 1st.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Getting Zander potty trained, it felt as if it would never happen at times!!
 Succcesfully breastfeeding :)

9. What was your biggest failure? My house, it has really been let go

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Having my surgery felt like injury (mental & physical), then I battled with mastitis too...UGH!

11. What was the best thing you bought? Hmmm... can not think of any big purchases this year right now?

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Zander!  He is such a BIG boy now.


13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Ava's...is that a fair answer?  I promise that I do not hold it against her though  :)  Life has been such a whirlwind since she arrived.  I love her to pieces in spite of it all!

14. Where did most of your money go? BILLS


15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? getting my laptop

16. What song will always remind you of 2007? hmmm....?


17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
 a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer?
 a) probably happier, this time last year was TOUGH  b) thinner than last year, but fatter then "normal"  c) poorer, but who isn't after Christmas :)

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? relaxed

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? yelled & felt overwhelmed


20. How did you spend Christmas?
Visiting with family...times SIX

21. Did you fall in love in 2007? already was :)


22. What was your favorite TV program? Grey's Anatomy


23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? no, I do not hate anyone (isn't HATE a bad word??)  LOL


24. What was the best book you read?  probably Me & Emma


25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
 Colbie Caillat, hands down

26. What did you want and get? lots of time with the kids  & my best friend

27. What did you want and not get?
a new BIG house

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I do not even remember seeing a grown up movie, LOL

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I was 32 and getting surprised by my family with my laptop kind of blocks out the rest 


30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Finding our dream home, and being able to AFFORD it too

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Simple, comfy & easy to nurse in.  Layered tanks to "hide" my belly :)

32. What kept you sane?
My daytime visits with my best friend, MOPS, and of course my husband letting me grocery shop ALONE

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? none, I am not a big fan of any one person


34. What political issue stirred you the most? don't really talk politics


35. Who did you miss? the old me, I kinda liked her :)


36. Who was the best new person you met?
My Dad's new wife, Stevie

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.  If you want to be happy, be.  I already knew this at one point in my life, but lost sight of it recently.  I am working everyday to stop stressing, and just RELAX again!


38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.  "I'm going off the rails on a crazy train" or maybe "Don't Worry, be happy"

*the disclaimer - I worked on this post for two days off & on, so I hope it has some kind of "flow" and does not seem totally random and repetitive*

32. What kept you sane?
My daytime visits with my best friend, MOPS, and of course my husband letting me grocery shop ALONE

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? none, I am not a big fan of any one person


34. What political issue stirred you the most? don't really talk politics


35. Who did you miss? the old me, I kinda liked her :)


36. Who was the best new person you met?
My Dad's new wife, Stevie

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.  If you want to be happy, be.  I already knew this at one point in my life, but lost sight of it recently.  I am working everyday to stop stressing, and just RELAX again!


38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.  "I'm going off the rails on a crazy train" or maybe "Don't Worry, be happy"

*the disclaimer - I worked on this post for two days off & on, so I hope it has some kind of "flow" and does not seem totally random and repetitive*

a post about me

Fishy Girl asked what my favorite gift was, and I really had to think about it.  Not because I did not get alot of wonderful things, but because I have been enjoying it so much this year through the kids. 

As I started thinking about the best things I received this year, I was taken back to the kids once again.  As a family we received a few new games, and I must say that these are FUN to play too.  I love when I can enjoy a game along with them :)

As a couple, we we given a much needed replacement window from my side of the family.  Harry put it in already, and we loooooove it!  It is such a HUGE step up from the original ones that are still in most rooms.  We have alot of windows (I think Harry said almost 20) in our single story house, so we will be doing them a little at a time.  This was a BIG one, so it was wonderful to have the cost covered.  **Thanks again guys!**

So, what about ME? 

I think there is so much for me to love :)  I am such a kid when it comes to Christmas & was excited about everything!  I think my favorite, favorite would have to be my matted & framed picture of the kids.  Or my new purple sweatshirt that my best friend surprised me with (we do not buy for each other, and she cheated!!)  Or my new candle & diffuser.  Or my new books & lavender bath stuff.  Or the "just for you" willow tree that another friend surprised me with...

See, I told you, I am such a kid! 

Last night we were already able to enjoy part of one of our "together" gifts of dinner and a movie.  We had dinner at Red Lobster, then just enjoyed a little shopping at the Mall with no kids :)  That was a favorite gift too.  As much as I love the kiddos, I also love spending time without them, and what better way than FOOD and SHOPPING?

Ava is throwing a fit, which has been pretty much the norm for the last couple of days.  Off to take care of her! 

What was your favorite gift this year??

I spoke too soon

And now one of my kids has even declared this the "WORST Christmas EVER"

The webkinz site has been too busy to let them log in since early yesterday.  I am to the point that I am getting angry now because of their disappointment.  Here you go kids, one of your most wanted presents, but hey, you can't play with it for four days.... 

They are very upset, and that is completely understandable.

At the moment, they are side-tracked by the crafts shown on the site (outside of the actual "world" that we can not get to).  They are making & dressing them in paper clothing, adding to the house that they made them yesterday, and currently searching out the perfect basket to make a hot air balloon!  Yes, they love these little critters!  Kaden is so concerned that his Tiger is going to die if he does not get logged on to take care of it.  I assured him that it is fine, at last attempt to log in, it was still at 99% happiness  :)

I am enjoying seeing them work together on these crafts, and I know that I should see it as a blessing that they are crafting instead of sitting at the computer all afternoon.  I just hope that they are able to get on soon enough so that Christmas can be redeemed, LOL!

If not, I am sure that the gifts that they are getting tonight from the Jones family Christmas will do the trick!  I can hardly wait myself, as I already know what they have all picked out for the kids.

it may be awhile

before I am able to gain access to a computer!  The big kids each have two new Webkins to care for, which means both our laptop & home computer are taken every chance they get :)

Right now, they are playing their new "Don't Break the Ice" game, and I am stealing a minute to check e-mail, etc.  I was sent a link to my cousin's flickr account so that she could share her photos from yesterday with me.

This makes me want a new camera...NOW!

   

I am not sure when I will upload my pictures, but I am quite sure that none of mine compare.  These capture everything that is WONDERFUL about Zander & a childhood Christmas, all in one.  I love them so much!  Thanks Jen :)

from our family to yours....

The long & the short of it

I've been thinking about posting about my hair lately, but the excitement of Christmas has made my hair seems less important :)

If you know me, you know that my hair is getting longer than it has been in years.  You also know that it is very hard for me to keep scissors away from my hair (stop laughing Holly!!).  But, I can almost get my hair back into a VERY small ponytail, and that is amazing to me.  I also find myself with a strange new habit of pulling my hair out of my collar of my coat (vest) while driving, and it still seems crazy that I have enough hair to have the need to get it off of my neck.  I am letting it grow, I am not sure how long yet, but I'd like to be able to pull it up & do some cute little styles with it in the summer.  That would be something alot different this year.  We'll see if I last, as even my best friend thinks I will cut it before then.

Now, Ellie on the other hand, has been letting her hair grow out about a year & it has grown very long.  Until today.  She asked f I would cut her hair & showed my how much to take off.  She wanted about an inch or two off, and I thought that was no big deal, so we did it.  Then, she wanted more.  I decided it was her hair & went for it.  She loves it now & I must agree it is VERY cute. 

Ignore the fact that in the first one she is making a weird face, LOL :)

BEFORE (taken yesterday at her school party)

AFTER

 

I should be wrapping...

There are now officially FOUR wrapped gifts under the tree :) 

Ellie was very excited this morning that I finally brought the wrapping tote up from the basement.  She went & grabbed the gifts she had been hiding from her big brother and Daddy and wrapped them right away!  We are also in a kids only exchange tomorrow at one get together, so I need to get those wrapped today too. 

Ava is napping, and I sent the other (LOUD) kids downstairs to play, so that she could get a good nap.  We did get to sleep until 8 this morning, yet I am still feeling as if the couch is calling my name this afternoon.  I have not even showered yet either though, which I know would wake me up, yet I do not feel like getting all undressed right now either. 

It is one of those strange days where I am feeling like doing NOTHING.  I did not even feel like making lunch today.  So, guess what I did?  I loaded all four of my kids into the car (remember...coats, hats, shoes, etc) and went to Burger King instead.  Only the drive though (before you start thinking I am CRAZY) but I do find it strange that I did not feel like cooking, or making sandwiches, yet I did so much more work getting them out the door, into the car, then back into the house, at the table, toys opened, ketchup & BBQ served to all, chocolate milks opened...with straws please, stickers on toys, etc!  What the heck was I thinking?  The plus side was that Ava fell asleep in the car, so that made getting her down for nap easy :)

Anyway, I should be wrapping (or showering) instead of sitting here rambling on about nothing.  She'll be awake before you know it & my window of time to get things finished will be gone.  I guess I had better get moving *sigh*

It's here!

I just picked the kids up from their last day of school...which means it is officially CHRISTMAS BREAK!

I am so very excited, I feel like a little kid, knowing that we are getting closer and closer to Christmas & all the JOY that it brings  :)

Tonight I plan to do some shopping, some wrapping ( I have not wrapped ANYTHING yet!!), and then tomorrow...some sleeping in, so let's hope the kiddos cooperate.

 

But for now, and the rest of the afternoon, I am off to the couch to put my feet up and r-e-l-a-x now that the craziness of the school parties,etc is finished! 

I helped out with my friend's kids, as well as the kids that she babysits while she went to her 2 kid's parties, and then she watched mine while I did the same.  It is so nice to have that option, and it makes it easy for us both to be there for our little ones and help out in their classrooms.  It was hard to get up & leave our house so early though, and not come home until after school.  The last two days we all left at 8:30 and were at her house all day, so it feels good to be home now & have it all behind us.

 

                                    

I am feeling better today too, I am thinking it must have been too many tastings of all of the treats last night that upset my stomach, LOL!

please send me

send me some stay healthy vibes...

Tonight I am finishing up some last minute class party stuff and I am realizing that I am feeling a little sick to my stomach.  Like the early stomach flu feelings, and paired with the fact that I've already been feeling so tired today....oh. PLEASE. do. not. let. me. get. sick! 

I've been looking forward to this weekend (and of course, the week ahead!) and I REALLY want to avoid being sick right now.  Usually it is the kids I am fussing/worrying over, but tonight, it's me.  So, if you are still awake tonight, say a prayer, or send a good thought my way. 

I'd really appreciate it :)

*yawn*

I am so tired.

I need a day of sleeping in, a day of hanging out at home.  I am ready for the weekend.  Even more so, I am ready for THIS weekend. 

One more day of school.  And it is CHRISTMAS BREAK  :) 

Yes, we have alot of family plans for the week, but one of the BEST parts of the week off is the fact that we can sleep in (at least as much as a parent of early risers can, LOL!) and just hang out in our jammies all morning instead of rushing off to school.  We can enjoy Daddy's good breakfast cooking, and snuggling on the couch watching cartoons. 

Oh, I can not wait...