2009

 

So the past few days I have spent trying to focus on the beginning of a new year.  Thinking about the things I want to do…things I want to focus on.  Things for myself, things to help me be a better mother, a better wife, a less stressed out person ;)  ANY mother can relate to the fact that we give and give and give to everyone and once that’s all gone we have nothing for ourselves, I’m so bad about this and I know that if I don’t take care of myself I’m no good to anyone else.

As I look back over 2009 it’s no wonder I was a massive, frazzled mess!!!  Here is a re-cap of our 2009 (thanks to our calendar and blog I could re-live it all)!

 

Dec 28th 2008-Jarrod accepts new job in Atlanta

Jan 9th- 2 weeks to get house ready to put on the market

Jan 19th-Jarrod starts new job in Atlanta (coming home when he can on weekends, this lasted until March 6th)

Jan 20th-House goes on the market

Jan 21st –Our baby turns 1!

Feb 12th– start the house hunting process in Atlanta

March 6th-Move into temporary housing in Atlanta

March 15th-House in Austin sells

March 24th- Agree on terms for our new house in Atlanta

April 15th- 5 days before move in find out house came in appraised lower than sale price, thanks to the lovely housing market!  Re-negotiate for almost a month and come to agreement.

May 18th-move into house!

Early July-Start planning of Jarrod’s 40th  surprise birthday

September 4th- Jarrod’s birthday weekend

September 19th- my brother’s wedding in MS

Nov-Thanksgiving in MS

Dec- Christmas at our house!

So after looking back on 2009 now maybe I can understand why I am so ready for things to get back to normal…peace, calm, organized, budgeted, etc…it was a busy year, a very expensive year, an emotional year, yet at the same time full of memories!  Here’s to hopefully, a much calmer 2010!

Christmas Wrap-Up

So believe it or not I don’t have 100 pictures from Christmas.  I think it’s mainly because we were doing the hosting so I was busy cooking most of the time and on Christmas morning I was trying to video too.  Jarrod’s parents were kind enough to make the drive down to Atlanta so we could spend Christmas together.  We had so much fun, ate way too much, and spent way too much money, but it was worth all of it!  Bo had a blast and has spent hours already playing at his train table.  Right now we are keeping it downstairs because he likes to be with us, thank goodness we have an empty room!  Enjoy the pictures!

Santa

So today we decided to join all the other crazy people in the world and go to the mall!  As we were walking out the door I made the comment I couldn't believe I was doing this!  I must admit though, it really wasn't that bad.  Leave it to us to wait til Christmas Eve to do pictures with Santa.  What can I say!  At first Bo was all about Santa, but he was even more interested in the stuffed puppy dog that was sitting on one of the presents.  So Santa asked me to hand it to him in hopes it would help Bo warm up a little.  He had a blast playing with Santa but that quickly came to an end once we tried to place Bo on his lap.  So...we ended up with a family picture with Santa!  At least I can say with accomplished our mission!

We can no longer go to the mall without having to ride the train.  The minute we get inside he instantly starts going "woo woo" so daddy was kind enough to ride with Bo this time!

More Family time

Saturday my Aunt Amy and Uncle David had us over for dinner since my Aunt Becky and cousin Liz were in town.  We had so much fun, they loved watching Bo! 

having fun with Liz

Bo and I with Grandmoms

Family

Last weekend my Uncle Sam and his wife, Rachelle had a Christmas party at their house.  I heard "adult party" and 5 minutes later had our sitter on the phone!  I absolutely love being close to my family, they are all so much fun and a few even nutty!!!  My cousin Andrew and his brother-in-law Ben, decided to go to Goodwill and buy some oh so beautiful Christmas sweaters and turtlenecks!  They were hysterical!

Cousins...Andrew, Liz, me, & Beth

A few hours into the party!

Christmas Greetings!

I absolutely love getting Christmas cards, but never know what to do with all of them.  So this year I decided to make a "card display" in our kitchen since that is where we spend all of our time anyway.  It's such a good reminder of how God has blessed us with so many wonderful friends and family!

Bedtime prayers

I've been wanting to start bedtime prayers with Bo.  I know it's early and he won't be able to say them, but I at least want him to get used to the idea and hearing them.  Growing up I said "Now I lay me down to sleep", but I have a problem with the "if I should die" part so I searched and found a version that I just love.  I do this with Bo after we read his story and on occassion he'll even put his hands together so we're getting there!

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

May angels watch me through the night.

And keep me safe til morning light.

~Amen

Don't laugh!

Okay so Jarrod thinks I'm totally crazy, but when asked what I want for Christmas from people here is my response...

Yes, you are seeing this correctly...I want a new crock pot!  Mine is too small and I want a larger one.  I LOVE the crock pot makes things so much easier!!!

Next...

I know, I know you think I'm nuts, but I want a food saver!  I have a friend who swears by hers.  She uses it all the time...make food in large quantities (hence, the larger crock pot) then vacuum save it and it will last for months, much longer than just throwing it in a freezer bag and popping in the freezer.  Never in a million years did I ever think this would be my wish list haha!  But...life with Bo keeps me busy and on the go so I'm all for things that make life easier!  I'd even be happy with a Target gift card so I can go buy these!  Oh how life has changed!

Been a little busy

So this has been my house this week...

He was so proud of his mess!

at some point even a basketball goal made it's way into the kitchen!

Here's why my house has been like this...

this is actually for mom...here is what the candy should look like

Baskets for Bo's teachers...full of homemade goodies, cute napkins, Christmas Card,

 and a donation to St Jude in their name.

I also made cupcakes for Bo's class Christmas party...they had

a birthday party for Jesus!

found these at Hobby Lobby and couldn't resist!

Starting Monday Jarrod is on vacation...WOO HOOOOO!!!  I'm not sure who is more excited me or him!! I'll actually have time to run some errands and clean the house in peace!  We're really looking forward to having some family time just the 3 of us and then having Jarrod's parents join us on Wednesday for Christmas.  Presents are bought and wrapped, Christmas cards went out this week, parties are over...so now it's just getting ready for Christmas day and enjoying time with family!

Treats for Friends

Yesterday afternoon I made treats for Bo to give to his friends in his class!  I think they turned out super cute and were a lot of fun to make!  Rice Krispie treats on a stick with sprinkles and frosting! YUMMY!

Busy Weekend

We had a wonderful and very busy weekend!  It was such a nice change since last week Bo and I basically stayed inside all week.  We both have been battling bad colds and it's been cold and rainy, so it was a nice change to actually get out and join the rest of the world!

Saturday morning we got up and enjoyed Breakfast with Santa.  Our neighborhood puts this on every year so we were super excited to get to join in the fun this year!  Bo loved eating the yummy pancakes and even loved getting to see Santa.  A few weeks ago Bo picked up on Santa and anytime he sees one...real, cartoon, blow up, etc...he says "UH UH OOOOH"!  The cutest part is he does it with such enthusiasm!  I had to laugh because he was all about Santa, laughed and giggled when he saw him, went up gave him high five, but the minute we tried to put him on his laugh you could forget it!  He was having no part in being left on a big guy dressed in a red suit's lap!  They also had some people singing Christmas songs so of course, Bo thought they were there just for him and he decided to dance right along with them!!

After Breakfast with Santa we decided to go to the mall and try to get a picture with Santa.  When we got there the line was way too long and we were coming up on nap time so we decided to say forget the picture and let daddy and Bo ride the train!  Much more fun anyway!

Saturday night Jarrod and I enjoyed some adult time as we went to his company's Christmas party, which turned out to be much more fun than those things normally are!  To wrap up the weekend last night our neighborhood decorated with luminaries.  Which I loved, because growing up our neighborhood back home did this and it was always so pretty.  It was cold and misty so we decided to drive around to look at the decorations.  Afterward they hosted a hot chocolate social down at the clubhouse complete with guess who...Santa!  Yep, Bo definitely got his fill of Santa this weekend!  It was so much fun and definitely got us all in the Christmas spirit!

first time to try hot chocolate...not sure what to think

but he definitely knew what to do with the cookies!

He loved riding around looking at all the lights.  He'd get so excited, point, and go "ooooo"!!