Happy New Year!

Our Christmas was wonderful. I was my usual shopping crazed self. My Christmas shopping was basically done in November, but by the middle of December presents were wrapped and hidden. Like every year, I began to wonder if I had enough. I started shopping again and the kids ended up very spoiled. To be honest, I don’t feel guilty. I am not much of a toy shopper throughout the year. Clothes are my ultimate temptation, so that is what I focus on during the year and should feel guilty about. I figure that Christmas is the time that the kids need to win the shopping battle. Santa was definitely too nice.



Christmas didn’t end up being the relaxing day that I had predicted. Due to invites that were extended on Christmas Eve, our plans changed. In the morning, we went to a fun brunch with some of our best friends. They not only fed us, but entertained us with a puppet show. That evening, we had Christmas dinner with some new friends that have 4 young daughters. We all enjoyed socializing.

Now, New Years Eve is tomorrow and we have party plans with some of my old high school friends and their kids. Another year has flown by and like everyone else I can’t help but reflect on 2008. It brought a few big changes like buying a new place and a vehicle. I also started working from home, which lead me to put Lexi into a mother’s day out program and hire a cleaning service to come every other week. We also went to the Grand Canyon for my family reunion and I got to reconnect with some of my cousins that were practically like sisters to me when growing up. Other things happened, but none come to mind right now.

2009 is quickly approaching and I can’t help feeling insanely nervous about what it might bring. I am mainly anxious that my workload is going to explode for the next few months. The last few months it has been slow, but I have still been getting paid. I have a feeling that I am going to be suffering for that soon. I wonder if I can keep up with all that is probably headed my way. People’s jobs are depending on my ability to secure projects for the company. I am not the kind of person that allows myself to fail no matter how much I have taken on. I hope I don’t go insane trying to keep everything in my life balanced. In fact, thinking about it makes me feel exhausted. Somehow, I’ll get through. I will just be keeping my fingers crossed that some huge projects will come through quickly and I’ll be off the hook.

I hope 2009 treats everyone in blogland fantastically! We could all use a good year, right?

Merry Christmas!

We're planning on spending a quiet Christmas at home. I'm hoping for something rather mellow, but enjoyable. Besides our own little Christmas, I have several friends that will be in town this week. It will be fun to see them again. One thing is for sure, the weather here is going to be crazy. Yesterday, the highs were in the 30s. On Christmas, they're predicting 75 degrees and rainy. I guess that is typical here though.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Guilty Pleasure

For Thanksgiving, my freshman year of college, I took a road trip with a new friend. We went to San Diego to spend it with her family. On the drive, she popped in an old cassette of Wham! In one of the songs, and deep voice came on and said, "Touch This." We laughed until we cried and kept rewinding it. I can't even tell you what song it was. Of course, I've never heard that version on the radio, but since then all Wham and George Michael songs take me back to that trip. She is still one of my best friends, but we don't live close so these little flash backs are extra special.

As many of you know, I am quite a festive person. I like cheesy Christmas music. Combine that with a Wham song & you have a winner. Unfortunately, I've only heard their Christmas song twice this year and once was in Target (so that doesn't count). ...I googled it & found the video on YouTube. I'll make you all suffer with my guilty pleasure.

New Outlook

Yesterday, I was forced to give up my dying little Saturn sedan. We have been together for eleven years. I had it paid off even before I met Steve. I can certainly say that we had a long relationship with very few issues. On Monday, it just started shutting off while I was driving. I coasted to the side & started it right back up, but I had a feeling this was an indication of much bigger problems. We took it to the shop that night and were told that the cost to repair it was going to be over $1,000, which is more than the little car is worth. We decided that it was time to shop for a Saturn Outlook, something we were planning to do this coming summer. Don’t worry about my poor little car; I sold it to the mechanic who was very excited because his family only has one car. It makes me feel better knowing that it is going to a good home.

We went to two Saturn dealerships yesterday and found exactly what we were looking for at the second one, well minus a dvd player. They are going to put one in for us though. Since I plan to keep this vehicle FOREVER too, it feels like I am starting a new phase of life. I am excited that we have a vehicle that we actually fit comfortably in, and that it will be more difficult for the kids to fight because they can’t reach each other, and that we can actually go on a driving vacation if we want to. Today, I am in love.

Next month, when I have to make the first payment after seven and a half years of not having one, I’m sure I’ll cry.

Wii Giveaway

I am putting a link to a WiiFit Giveaway, because I know lots of people would like one and mainly because I like Crazy Bloggin Canuk. Click on the link and leave a comment, so you'll be in the drawing.

Christmas Disco Fam

I saw this and thought it was absolutely hilarious! All of you can click on the link and turn your families into disco dancing elfs:

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Not a Hot Chocolate Freak this Year

Anyone who has been reading my blog for a while knows that I think the best thing about cooler/cold weather is drinking hot chocolate. I usually look for any dip in the temperature as an excuse. When I lived in Miami, the dip didn't have to be much for me to decide I needed a cup.

I can't explain it, but right around Thanksgiving time this year, my taste buds changed. Lots of things that I normally crave or enjoy don't appeal to me as much. One of those things is hot chocolate. Who would have guessed? Instead, I prefer hot peppermint tea (herbal). The funny thing about this particular drink is that my Grandmother used to make it for us using fresh peppermint from her garden. She would heat it up and then add a little sugar and milk. I bought tea packets from the store, but I have to add a little sugar and milk like she used to. I made a cup this morning and remembered that today is her birthday. I'll drink it in her honor.

**By the way, googling taste bud change isn't a good idea. You'll think that:
a) I am getting old (ok, so I am)
b) I have cancer
I am thinking that it isn't exactly a taste bud change, but a craving/in the mood kind of change. It might be hormonal since I am working on weaning Jordan. It could also be that I ate horribly over the Thanksgiving weekend and now my body is trying to recover.

He Surprisingly Changed His Mind

About three weeks ago, my husband was reading a book to Lexi and announced that he was thinking it would be nice to have another baby. I was absolutely stunned to hear those words come out of his mouth, because he has always been set on two. In fact, the entire time I was pregnant with Jordan, he made sure to tell everyone that he was done and that he wanted a vasectomy. So…his little announcement wasn’t taken too seriously. I figured that the next time both kids are screaming, he would change his mind. My response to him was that if we are going to have another one, we’d better not wait long because I am not getting any younger.

The entire time I was pregnant this last time, I knew that I did NOT want to be pregnant again. I even fantasized about mailing my maternity clothes to my sister-in-law. As soon as Jordan was born, I wanted another one though. This last year, I have been mostly on the fence. I’d say I have been in the 50 – 75% range of wanting another baby. Until Steve’s announcement, I would have said that he was mostly against it. To my surprise, he now has decided that he really wants us to have another one. He is even telling other people (family and friends).

For now, I’ve decided that I will not be ready to even think about “trying” until after my birthday, which is in January. At that time, I will be 36 years old and it might not be easy or happen quickly. We’ll see. In the spirit of thinking of a third, I decided to google the idea this morning. I found this amusing site: http://www.havingthreekids.com. It made me laugh.

Birthday Boy/Party Pooper

Today, my little baby boy turns one. I really can't believe it. We had a party for him last night and the picture pretty much sums up how it went. Everyone had a great time, except for him. He has TWO teeth coming in. When the party started, he decided that he needed to cling to me. He wasn't too happy when anyone gave him attention. He'd turn the other way and fuss a little. About an hour into the party, he fell asleep. I took him to bed and let him sleep for a half an hour while the adults socialized and the kids played. I woke him up to open presents and eat cake. Of course, he wasn't exactly enthusiastic for either. As the last few guests were heading out, he choked on a piece of apple. I rushed him to the sink and he puked. Sounds like a fun party, right? Despite how it sounds, the rest of us had a great time.