Summer break is almost over

Long Time Away

It seems as if I had decided to not blog anymore, but that is not the case. I just haven't had the time. Since my last post lots of things have changed for us.

Craig's dad passed away at the end of February and we were gone for a week. Before that we had a major snow storm and I was at home but we played in the snow and did things with the kids. After 12 years at my job, I quit that job. Jared has graduated from Kindergarten and has just a few more days left in the classroom.

Currently, I am doing some independent contracting and working from home. I am trying to decide what God has in store for me. Life seems to short to waste it on something that God doesn't want me to be involved with.

So hopefully I will be on here a little more often.

2011 - is coming

happy New Year!

It is time to begin the New Year's resolutions and if you are like me they last about as long as it takes me to say them. I wish that I had the determination to not let things get in my way, however it always seems something more important comes up.

So as I begin 2011, I am vowing to just live life that God created me for me and my family to live. I am going to take the ups and cherish them and the downs and learn from them. I pray that 2011 is not near as eventful health wise for our family as 2010 was. I pray that 2011 brings each of you a year of blessings and wonderful memories.

christmas pics

Jenna and her new doll Keri

jared and his snugglie that looks like a frog

star wars legos it can't get any better

Jenna is amazement of everything

Craig opening a gift

jenna trying on her snugglie

jared in his snugglie

hanging out by the tree in our matching pjs

Christmas

"Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly"
"Its beginning to look alot like Christmas"
"Silver Bells, Silver Bells its Christmas time in the City"
"Joy to the World, the Saviors come"
"Away in the Manger no crib for a bed"

I could go on and on with Christmas lyrics. Christmas songs are my some of my very favorite ones. I love to hear them because it helps me remember the real reason we are celebrating, not just the commercial side of things.

To talk the commercial side I am just a few gifts short of being done. But the ones I am short are important ones like my mom and dad and my grandma. We haven't been to see Santa as I am trying to limit Jenna's exposure to all the sick people since she can't seem to get well.

I am having all the Chastains for Christmas day so my mom and I spent most of the day cleaning on Saturday. We are trying to have a simple Christmas meal so we won't have as much cleanup.

Kim and I are trying to get a cake done for Christmas Eve to celebrate Jesus' birthday. I am going to get party plates. We want our kids to realize that without Jesus' birthday we would have no real reason to live let alone celebrate.

Wishing each of you a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

I am going back to cleaning while the family is still asleep and singing (for those of you know me I have to do that when no one else is around) Christmas Carols.

Catching Up

Well October is gone and and for that matter half of November. Where has time gone?

We went trick or treating to end October. Not once, not twice, but three times. Jared who hates candy has enough candy to last a few years. Jared was Luigi and Jenna was Alice in Wonderland.

We started laying the tile in the basement. We are working hard to get it done by Christmas so we will have more room for the family.

Basketball season is upon us. Jared will start practicing soon.

As of yesterday I am now 36 years old. I am on the downhill slide to the big 40. I am just trying to think that 40 is the new 30 as they say on the street.

Thanksgiving is next week and our family traveling starts. We need desperately to go to Chilicothe to see Craig's parents, but sickness keeps getting in the way. I need to get some Christmas shopping done. I am normally almost done by now and finish up on the day after Thanksgiving, but this time I will be starting. Anyone have any ideas of good gifts?

We had family pics taken this past weekend. When I say family I mean the whole crew. Mom, Dad, Kevin and his family, Kim and her family and Jenna, Jared, Craig and I. I am not sure a photographer can ever get all of us to look and smile at the same time. I am taking Jared and Jenna again this weekend to get pics taken in their Christmas outfit. You can bet that you will get a picture for your Christmas card or at least in a pic in it.

Enough rambling and I better go check on my sick baby girl.

birthday party pics