OUR CRUISE

So Rick and I are taking a Carnival Cruise at the end of March. We are joining our friends Wally and Michelle in Ensenada, Mexico. CAN'T WAIT. There is so much to do between now and then. I must tan, I must shop, I must tan.

I want to thank nonny and papa and nini too for keeping the kiddos so that Rick and I can have some time to ourselves and get away for a few days. Did I mention I CAN'T WAIT?

FUN TIMES

The past couple of weeks have been crazy. My little sister celebrated her 16th Birthday and then she broke her foot a few days later, my little brother and his wife found out that they are expecting a daughter, Madison Keileen, in July. CONGRATULATIONS. Emily received her first of many Daisy Girl Scout badges and she also made her first public debut in a Kindergarten Concert. WHEW!!!

The kiddos and I met with Briana and Reagan at the Children's Museum on President's Day. They had a blast exploring all kinds of things. The girls had fun spending the afternoon together.

Ty was quite handy with the screwdriver (I wonder where he gets that from). He never ceases to amaze me. Ty isn't quite 2 years old and has absolutely no fear. He will play with the big boys given the chance. He loves to follow around my nephew, Jordan. Because "Jord," as Ty calls him, is 4 1/2 years old and is his buddy. It was funny to watch him on the playground. He was quite the little thug. Walking around the way he does and just checking out the other little boys and measuring them up. THAT'S MY BOY!!!

Rick and I took the peeps to see the Disney Playhouse Live at the Broomfield Event Center. We had a great time. This was Ty's first experience and I do have to say he did AWESOME. Emily loves to go to shows like this. I have to remember that someday my kids are going to grow up and I will no longer be able to see the Disney shows, unless I go by myself. How embarrassing would that be?

Going Back to School

OK, so I've decided to go back to school. I've spent the last few weeks researching my options and after much consideration, I've enrolled. I'M SO EXCITED. I'm going to get my Bachelor's in Business Administration with a Concentration in Human Resource Management. I'm going to go part-time so it should take me 2-3 years to earn my degree.

I figured Emily and Ty will be in school full time in the blink of an eye. I will need to go back to work. Rather than look for a "job," I thought I'd venture out into a new career.

Emily and I were discussing my going back to school. She asked me if her and I could do our homework together and she asked if I get to go to the library on Fridays like she does. She's also offered me the use of her cool colored pencils and crayons to do my work. I thought that was really sweet. It actually brought a tear to my eye.

I was explaining to her that when she and Ty are in school full-time, there really wasn't a whole lot for mommy to do. I told her that I would have to find a really cool job. With all her innocence, she turned to me and told me, "mommy, you already have a cool job, you're our mommy." That was truly a moment that brought tears to my eyes and made me heart swell with all the love I have for this little girl.

Now that I think about it, my little girl has touched a spot in my heart today. She can make me cry with just the little comments she makes in passing, she can make me laugh like no other and she can frustrate me like no other. That's what kids do. Life is great being a mommy. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

January 2009 HAPPY NEW YEAR

We rang in 2009 with a rather small celebration at home with family and our close friends. Tyler didn't make it to the New Year. But his sissy did enough celebrating for the both of them. She didn't last much past midnight.

Emily is already planning for Valentine's Day. She thinks I need to find a "heart" tree to decorate. Thank goodness there aren't a whole lot of decorations for the "Love" holiday. She's also explaining to Ty that the Easter Bunny will be visiting us as soon as it quits snowing. I love how she likes to explain things to her little brother.

Emily has joined Daisy Girl Scouts. She is so excited to go on this journey. I think she'll enjoy it.

Tyler is starting to say more and more words. We try to teach him a new one each day. So far, DA DA is the hardest one for him. For whatever reason, Ty likes to call Rick mama. Who knows why.

I'm excited for this year to get started. The rest of this winter seems to be quiet so far with nothing in sight. We have a few weddings to ATTEND this year. I say that jokingly. Only because, we had so many weddings we were part of last year.

New Year's Eve

As we prepare to ring in the new year, I reflect on what a wonderful, crazy, busy year 2008 has been. We had births, weddings, vacations, the announcement that my youngest brother and his new bride are expecting their first child together. I’m sure Jordan will make an excellent big brother. It was a great year. I couldn’t be happier that we lived through it. I like to think that I have a great family. They all mean the world to me. I couldn’t imagine life without them.

I remind myself every so often that it is because of my parents that I am the adult I am today. It is thanks to them and I am the kind of parent I am. I take pride in calling them my parents. I have two brothers that I am close to and getting to know their families. I have a sister that I can do silly things with. I thank her because I get to act like a kid every now and then. Most of all, I have a husband that loves me dearly. He has given me the best gift of all. I get to share this wonderful life with him. We are a blessed family. I couldn’t imagine a happier life.

I hope you all have a very HAPPY NEW YEAR. Best wishes for the year to come.

I am looking forward 2009. We don’t have much planned yet. In March, over spring break, I am taking the kiddos to Indiana to see Grandma and Grandpa Joel in Kentucky, Rick is taking his 2nd annual guy golf trip to Phoenix, I have my 20 year high school reunion in August. In June, I am taking my mom to Las Vegas. This is my way of saying thank you for being you and for being such a GREAT BIG help when I needed her the most. Then in July, we are taking a our family trip to Cabo San Lucas. Can’t wait!!! Ok, so that is quite a bit going on before the year has even began.

Christmas

My Tyler did not really get to experience his first Christmas last year as we he was still a baby. So this year, I was very excited to see how he would react to the Christmas tree and all the trimmings. He was in absolute awe. Throughout the month, Ty would wonder into the living room (which is dubbed the “no play zone” by Rick) and just stare at the tree. He didn’t care if the lights were on or not. I was extremely worried that the tree would be dismantled by this little guy and thought the gifts would all be unwrapped before Christmas. Much to my delight, I only had to rearrange a few of the ornaments. We only lost two bows. Just days away from Christmas, Ty couldn’t take it any longer and tore open a gift. I have my suspicions that he had a little bit of help from big sister.

My mom and I spend one day making homemade tamales and another day baking goodies with my kiddos and my sister. They enjoyed themselves decorating the sugar cookies. There was frosting everywhere. I’m afraid to say that all three were wearing most of the frosting than the cookies.

Just a couple of days away from Christmas, Emily, Ty and I were all blessed with a stomach virus. As were my mom, sister and my youngest brother. Unfortunately, we all caught this virus from my twin nieces. Not only did we all get sick, but so did my brother James and his wife. We actually had to cancel our traditional Christmas Eve celebrations at my parent’s home and had made plans to cancel our Christmas Day and were prepared to celebrate a few days later. It was a sad day. Poor Rick, he took such excellent care of us. But by Christmas Day we were all on the mend. By 9AM that morning, we were in full swing rushing about the house getting ready to celebrate the holiday with our family.

Emily had tons of fun opening her gifts. Santa left "twins" for her. Emily has been fasicanted by my twin nieces. Imagine my delight that I was able to find twin dolls. These dolls are quite cute. They talk to each other and carry on. I may have to separte the twins.

Ty wasn't all about opening up gifts. He liked the car Santa left him. His big sissy helped him out. He was more all about the milk since he hadn't any milk due to the stomach virus. He loves his milk.

Since we have a while before we are able to play outside, Santa thinks of everything. The kiddos got a jump castle and a sports climber to play with in the basement.

Just Goofing Around

I love getting to watch my kids play together. Emily enjoys being a big sister. She is very good at the bossy thing. Ty loves to torment her. He loves his sissy more than anything. They play very well together, they fight well together. Most of all they love each other.