Christmas

The 23rd, really??? Is Christmas only 2 days away. We have really scaled back this year and I think I am a bit more relaxed because of it. No credit card debt this year because of Christmas, woohooo!

I received the photo books from my very first maternity shoot yesterday. I was really pleased with the result. I ordered one book to give to Rochelle (the subject) as a gift and I got a free smaller version to keep. The small book is almost like a mini portfolio. I really enjoyed taking the pictures and I hope she enjoys the end result as much. The possibilities are endless!


Feeling thankful for:

Target
Chipotle Grill burrito bowls
Cherry Cordial Kisses
Mp3 Panda- .20 cent song downloads!
Robin Thicke
puppies
My Sony point and shoot camera that lives in my purse
My new set of hot rollers
Headbands (for bad hair days)

Sundays

Church, Teach Centergy, Football, Referee Kids... This is my Sunday. First was the Christmas Cantata at our church with Tori singing. The church was packed and it was a pleasant program. Next, teaching Centergy at the gym. Only 2 attendees, but I enjoyed the class. Each time, I look forward to it more and more. I have spent the remainder of the day editing photos from Las Vegas. Click on the photo below to view them all.

From Vegas Baby!

Sweating the small stuff? I try not too, just grateful for...

My life
My husband
My kids
My mother
My laptop
My friends
My video camera
My digital SLR
My son's Mini Twix bars
My Cheese popcorn hiding in the pantry

Bolt

The title today has many meanings. Bolt is the name of the movie we took the kids to see today. Bolt is what Cole did after the first 15 minutes of the movie. Fortunately, there weren't many people around us and we were in the handicap seats for Pea-Dad. I guess he is still a bit too young for the movies. Bolt is what I want to do sometimes when the weight of everything seems too much. Being an only child gave me a sense of comfort in my solitude. I like the time by myself and there is little of it these days. Sometimes, changing diapers, stopping kids from fighting, doing laundry, getting something for my walker bound husband can all be a bit overwhelming. I am not complaining, simply stating facts. I think that is one of the reasons this blog is becoming more important to me. It is a place where I can remind myself how lucky I am. Do I really want to Bolt? No, I know how good my life is and that these challenges will pass and I will miss the times when I changed diapers.

Grateful for...

Technology and my new blog header
Photoshop
Jessica Sprague classes
My camera
Netflix
Pizza Hut
Christmas lights
Life
Movie popcorn
Anything covered in fleece

A Shower

Funny title, huh?? I just wanted to talk about the importance of a shower in the morning. I have been getting very little sleep since Pea-Dad's surgery, so my mornings are pretty foggy. I was not able to get a shower yesterday morning, so I was not only tired, but I also felt pretty gross. My day pretty much felt the same way. It was a tired and yucky day! Today however is a very different day! Pea-Dad took 2 pain pills last night so he slept, which meant I slept. Woohoo! I was able to get up, get a shower and get all 3 kids off to school and daycare. Got to work and my attitude has been much better. So, in all fairness to sleep, the difference was a shower and defintely more sleep. Not a lot more, but enough to make a difference. Starting to feel more like myself. I cancelled my Weight Watchers membership today. $40 a month that I don't need to spend. I know what to do and I just need to do it and save the $480 a year! I can spend that money on more creative pursuits.

I thank my lucky stars for....

Good Friends
Crystal Light Peach Tea
My new "For the Love of Nie" t-shirt
Creative Pursuits
The Inspired Inchie swap
Good Pain Killers for My Hubby
My 2 year old speaking clearer
Food made by others
My Little Pony (blinking figure)
Centergy (http://www.bodytrainingsystems.com/pages/bts_programs/GroupCentergy.htm)

Day 10

Back from Vegas, woohoo! We had a very enjoyable time, but I was so ready to come home. I couldn't wait to see the kids and just hug each one of them. It is nice to have a little time with Pea-Dad alone, but after about a day, we are sooo ready to see them again. I am glad I was able to take PD to Vegas but I think it would have made more sense to wait until after the hip surgery. Anyway, it's done and surgery is Wednesday. I am so hoping he will finally get some relief.

Lately, I have been feeling the need to do something... take pictures, write, something creative. Making the time seems to be the challenge, finding ways to stimulate the creative side of my brain before it dies. Struggling, knowing there is more to me and trying to express it. Feeling on the precipice of something, but not sure what?

Knowing I am lucky to have:

A great husband
Wonderful children
A job I love
A roof over my head
Food to feed my family
An open mind
Good Neighbors
GPS
My Mommy
A candy apple in my refrigerator

Things I miss:
My Dad

Day 9

SO LUCKY, my feeling for today. I can't explain it, but I feel hopeful today, excited, ready for new challenges. My family is in good health, my job is challenging and going well and I am headed to Vegas in 2 days! Woohoo! Tonight is Clay's holiday program at school and I am sad that I will have to miss it. I am getting Pea-Dad to video, and I think Clay will enjoy watching me watch him even though I can't be there. Can't believe we are already into December. Even thought presents will be slim this year, I hope to teach my kids the importance of being grateful for what we have.

Thanking my lucky starts for...

1. My family
2. My job
3. A car that runs
4. Spring is right around the corner :)
5. Hot chocolate
6. My iPhone
7. The ability to help a friend
8. The ability to accept that my hair WILL grow back
9. Cheese popcorn
10. New perfume (thanks, Megan)
11. Trouser socks
12. Silly face photo of me and Tori
13. Left over Chinese food
14. Blogs!!!
15. All the creative souls in the world willing to share their gifts

Day 8

The Vegas countdown begins! We leave Thursday and I can not wait!!! Just the thought of alone time with my husband is enough and then the chance to go somewhere that he has never been doubles the excitement. I am a bit worried about leaving the kids, but I know they will be fine.

Yesterday was a great day, 8 people in my Centergy class. A big step up from last Sunday's whopping zero! I really love the music and the chance to do something that is not only calming, but challenges my strength and flexibility. After class I headed over to my neighbors house and took pictures of them. Bud has struggled with cancer, but has been in good health lately, so I thought now was the time. I had told Martha that I wanted to take their portraits some time ago, but things kept getting in the way. Bud will be 80 in Feb. and I did not want to let another thing stand in the way of spending some time talking and photographing this very special couple. SO glad I took the time!

Grateful For:

1. Time with special people
2. My job
3. Gossip Girl
4. Go Diego Go!
5. Mickey Mouse pajamas
6. The new Jet- Puffed Mallow Bites (chocolate covered mini marshmallows)
7. My fun laptop
8. Photoshop CS3
9. Free Actions
10. Digital Scrapbooking
11. Nestle Hot Chocolate w/mini marshmallows