2010 Hopes and Wants.

I don't have any resolutions for 2010, but I do have many hopes and wants.

• To have Bubba potty trained by the end of the year.
• To have more paying photography gigs.
• To pay off all our debt.
• To buy our first home...after paying off all our previous debt.
• To be able to have Jordan start preschool in the fall.
• To have my photography "business" lead off.
• To have more family pics taken.
• To get out of the house more.
• To have at least one female friend that I can call my best friend. I think every woman should have one!!

I wish all of you a very Happy New Year's and hope that 2010 will be good do you in every way possible!!

My 2009 resolutions!!

So before I make my 2010 resolutions, how about seeing how I fared on my 2009 ones.

1) Losing 30lbs?? Yeah, didn't happen. I don't think I even lost 5!!

2) All my pictures are organized by months! I am so glad that I decided to do this, because it helps me look back and see what happened in which month...when I actually remember to take my camera!

3) I'm still working on praying more, worrying less. It's still a struggle for me to leave EVERYTHING in God's hands...though I know I should!

4) Sissy was potty trained before her 3rd birthday. In fact she was potty trained, 3 months before!

5) We did go outside a little more this year, and probably would have more, but 2009 was the year for rain here!

6) I had 2 paying photography gigs this past year, and have another lined up for this weekend!!!!! YAY!!

7) I am still working on playing more with my kiddos...but I have managed to quit picking up so much after them. I've learned that as soon as I pick up, it all gets messed back up.

8) At church, I am on the Nursery Committee, work with the 4th and 5th graders on Wednesday nights, lead the drama kids, help the Children's Minister whenever I am needed, and I have just recently agreed to be the 0-1 yr old Sunday School teacher.

9) I chopped off all my hair in August!

10) I do NOT have ANY resolutions for 2010, just lots of hopes and wants.

One thing that I was planning on putting on my 2010 list was to have Bubba broke from his pacifier....I got that one down before the New Year even started! He has been without it since last Saturday!!! YAY!!

So how did you fare??

2009 in Review

Well, hello 2010! It's wonderful to see you. I ask that you please be as kind/if not more kind to us than 2009 was. Thanks ~Shauna Mama!

Here is a recap of 2009...enjoy!

January

• We celebrated Christmas with my dad's family. We also took our first family picture since Bubba was born in July.

February

• Valentines Day I made some heart cupcakes for Hubby, which was our 7th Valentines Day together.

March

• We lost my great aunt this month. It was very tragic, she was killed in a car accident.
• The month was fairly pretty so the kids and I went outside quite a bit for some pictures.
• A fever virus started going around, and my kids both got it. Thankfully it lasted less than 48 hours!

April

• The hubby decided he wanted to take the kids up on the mountain...on a cold, rainy, dreary day...yeah, let's not do that again!
• My niece was baptized.
• My Granny passed away later that night after a battle with her kidneys shutting down on her.
• The day we buried Granny, a tornado hit and devastated our small town.

May

• For Mother's Day, Hubby surprised me with a 5 day vacation to Dallas/Plano. We went and stayed with his aunt and cousin, went shopping, lots of eating, and went to the Dallas Zoo.
• I turned 27!
• My little sister graduated from 6th grade...she was heading to high school!!

June

• Sissy and Daddy had their first date night where they went to see Transformers 2, which btw, is too long of a movie for a 2 1/2 year old to sit through.
• Hubby and I took the kids on their first fishing trip...not that anyone but Hubby fished.

July

• Bubba got to experience his 1st Fourth of July celebration at my parents house.
• At that same celebration, I thought I broke my ankle!
• Bubba turned 1!!!!
• Hubby's mom and step-dad came in for vacation from Florida.
• We were determined to potty train Sissy that week....we succeeded!

August

• My uncle came to visit us, it's the first time I had seen him since Sissy's baby shower. Which meant this was also the first time he had met either of my kids.
• I chopped all my hair off...and I love it!
• Our church started up a Mother's Day Out program which my kids attend!
• Hubby started working overnights. :-(

September

• I had my first paying photography gig...in which some of the pictures where featured in the local paper!
• Hubby and I celebrated 7 years of marriage!
• Hubby got his much anticipated job promotion!!!

October

• I made cake balls for the first time for a family Halloween get-to-together. Hubby criticized me in saying he didn't see the point of them. He then tried one, and then another, and another, before long, half of them were gone before we made it to the function!
• My niece, KH, was born the day before Sissy's birthday. Which in turn makes my cousin's son's birthday on the 15th, my niece's on the 16th, Sissy's on the 17th, and my Granny's would have been the 18th.
• Sissy turned 3 and had a Princess themed party!
• We sold my SUV and bought me a truck!!!!

November

• We took the kids to deer camp and stayed the night for the first time. The kids loved all the food and fun.
• We celebrated my dad's birthday. He doesn't look bad...for a 53 year old!!
• We had a nice Thanksgiving lunch, and then went out to the mountains for another Thanksgiving lunch with my dad's family.

December

• We had to make our first ER trip for either child. Bubba fell, ripped his ear, and had to have 3 stitches in it. The trip traumatized us all!!
• Bubba found my "not so hidden" hidden Christmas present...a Canon Rebel XSi!
• I had my second paying photography gig....before I got my new camera!
• We enjoyed spending Christmas with both our families without any much drama.
• Sissy got a Princess Bike from Santa!
• Sissy helped me bake a cake for Hubby's 32nd Birthday!

So all in all, 2009 was a pretty good year. It treated us well. 2010, here's to you, and the greater things yet to come!!!!

Until next year!

Yesterday was Hubby's birthday. Old man turned 32 this year!! LOL

He had to work, unfortunately, so I fixed a crock pot of beans, made a pan of cornbread, and Sissy helped me bake him a 2 layer red velvet cake, which he got to enjoy on his lunch break. Needless to say, a day later I think there is only 1 large piece left! All in all, I think he had a good day...except for work.

Today, the kids and I just laid around the house. I did manage to pick up toys in the living room and clean the kitchen. But as usual, when Hubby came home from lunch, the kitchen was destroyed again. Once he left, the kids and I laid down for a much needed nap! I've still been feeling a little puny, so I haven't been sleeping as well at night. So of course, naps have been nice!

When we woke from said nap, my sister-in-law had left a message that they were going to Joe's here in town. Which is a local hot dog place that has games, miniature golf, and a play area for kids. So we got ready and met them, my parents, and my little sister there. We all had so much fun!

Today is New Years Eve, and unlike most people, we are going to bed early. Hubby has to work tomorrow, and has to be there at 7am...so no staying up late for us. The kids are already driving both of us crazy right now and I am at my wits end. So this post is ending short tonight.

I plan on doing a recap of 2009, seeing if I was able to keep my 2009 New Years resolutions, and placing my 2010 resolutions. So all in all, there should be at least 2 posts planned for tomorrow. I hope you all have a safe and Happy New Year Eve's night!!

2 weeks!

2 weeks, 14 days, 336 hours, 20160 minutes, 1209600 seconds...however you want to say it, it's been a long time since my last post. Unlike before when I haven't done much of anything, the past 2 weeks we have been busy!

My little sister turned 13 on the 10th. Unfortunately, they had her birthday party the same day that I was doing my first family photo. So the kids and I were only able to be there for about 30 minutes. It was a fast visit, but I'm glad she liked her gift. My parents bought her a Acer notebook for her birthday, and I bought her a lapdesk with a light to go with it. She loved it! Yay!

On the 12th, I think, we had Hubby's associate Christmas party. We opted to leave the kids with a sitter this year, unlike last year, which was a total nightmare with them there! It was so very nice to be able to enjoy the evening and not having to tell 2 toddlers to sit still, be quiet, and behave.

On the 17th, we had our MDO Christmas party. It looked like the kids had a blast. I got some pics of some of the kids. Unfortunately we had to leave Bubba at home with Daddy. He was sick and I didn't really want to deal with his "separation anxiety" during the day.

On the 18th, we had Hubby's management Christmas party. All members of management and their spouses went to eat at PPs, a local Mexican restaurant. We had a blast!

On the 21st, Monday night, we went to Sissy's friend's birthday party. The kids had so much fun, and it was nice to see Sissy interact with other kids other than the ones she goes to church. No, we don't get out much. LOL

On the 23rd, Hubby had off of work and we agreed that would be the best time for the kids to open their gifts from us. They had so much fun with all their toys, not so much enthused about the clothes though.

On Christmas Eve morning, the kids and I woke up and headed to my parents house for Christmas breakfast and presents with them, my brother, my sisters, and their families. Hubby had to work. So he didn't get to go with us. My parents always do too much for everyone, meaning the kids always get spoiled waaaay too much. I know they didn't mind though.

Christmas Eve night, the kids and I went to Hubby's A. K's house for finger foods and visiting. Hubby came out there once he got off of work and man was it entertaining. Whenever that group gets together, it's always very interesting and side splitting.

(The kids at Aunt K's)

Christmas morning we woke the kids up early and headed to Hubby's dad's house for breakfast and gifts. Santa left the kids' gifts at Papaw's house and they were more than surprised! After that, we headed to his grandparent's house for lunch and visiting. Once the kids started getting cranky, which wasn't very long after arriving, we headed home for some much needed naps. 3 hours worth to be exact!!

(Sissy with her gift from Santa..a Princess Bike!!)

Early Saturday morning, like at 3:30, I woke up to the stomach bug. Yep, I spent the next 15 minutes on the toilet, and the next hour sitting in the bathroom floor, leaned up against the bathtub, unable to move for fear of having to clean up a mess. I finally was able to crawl back in bed around 5:00, but was woken up by the kids at 7:45. Not ideal, no. So we made our way into the living room, where I then dozed on and off on the couch. (Disclaimer: Hubby's aunt LW and cousin CS have been staying with us during Christmas break, so CS was up and watched the kids while I dozed. I did NOT leave them unattended!!- Just thought I'd throw that in there.)

Saturday was also my mom's birthday and around 8:30 my sister in law calls me to let me know that they were taking my mom out to eat for lunch if I wanted to meet them....interesting since she is MY mom and they are inviting ME to lunch with them on her birthday. Anyways, since I was sick and did NOT feel like eating ANYTHING, I was unable to make it. I hate that I had to miss it though.

Sunday, I still didn't feel 100%, in fact, I barely felt 60%, so we stayed home all day, and since Hubby was off work, he took care of both the kids and I since I couldn't. Such a good man...when he wants to be. I had to run CS to a friend's house that evening and decided that I would venture on to WM for some stuff that I needed to pick up, and let Sissy spend her Christmas money on her new bedding for her new bed. She LOVES it!!

Monday, yesterday, I felt a lot better and decided to take the kids to spend the rest of their Christmas money. After shopping for 3 hours, we came home and crashed for around 2 1/2 hours!

Today, I plan on going to WM to get some stuff to make some beans and cornbread for supper and then trying to get my strength back up before our last Christmas get-together of the year on Saturday. It's my dad's family and there is always SO much food that I can't wait! Oh and Hubby has off, which makes it so much more exciting!!!

I don't plan on taking this long of a break again...for one, it's too long of a post when I have to make up for it! LOL Tomorrow is Hubby's 32nd birthday, and I hope to make him at least a cake for his birthday. He has to work though, so it will be a late dinner and cake.

Until then...

You gotta do better than that!!

Hubby is always really good at buying things and hiding them until just the right time....until yesterday.

He had bought some gifts and told me to go through them, decide who to give them to, and make a list of who else to buy for. He had them in his room, so I went in there yesterday to do what I was told to do. Bubba followed me in there, and started getting into some stuff. As I was putting stuff back in an open box laying on the bed, my irritation quickly turned into happiness and pure giddy! I was replacing stuff that went to a Canon Rebel xsi! Yes! Hubby had bought and hid it away from me for Christmas!

When we saw him later for lunch, I told him about Bubba finding it for me. Needless to say, he wasn't very happy! He said he has tried his hardest to keep that hid from me. To which I told him that if he wouldn't have left it in an open box, on the bed, I never would have seen it!!

My only irritation about it, I did a photoshoot Sunday afternoon. It definitely would have been nice if I would have had it before then. In fact, after the shoot, I was complaining about my "old" camera that I used. I could take the same shot, without myself of my subjects moving, and the lighting would be different on both of them. It was not only annoying, but I wasn't able to fix them enough once I downloaded them.

I did a great job of covering by telling me that my camera was a good camera and there was nothing wrong with it. I said, "Yeah, but I want an awesome camera. Like a Canon Rebel!" He then proceeded to ask me what the difference was between a 'Canon Rebel' and the one I have was. He played it up good. I wish I would have found it before then!!!

Anyways, so get ready for lots of pictures this Christmas season! I will be taking a bunch!!!

In the spirit?

So my blog is all the "decorating" I am doing this year. The first Christmas we lived in this house, Sissy was just 2 months old. I have always loved to decorate the inside of our house, and that year wasn't any different. The next Christmas, she was a little over a year old, and trying to keep her out of the tree and not touch my handmade ceramic nativity scene was torture for all of us. So the next year, last year, when Bubba was 5 months old and crawling, we opted NOT to drag all of our decorations out of the garage and put them up.

This year we, again, opted NOT to decorate. Hubby and I very much wanted to, but thought we would be yelling telling the kids to get out of it and not touch. I have decided that next year, we plan on being in our own house, and we will most DEFINITELY decorate it!!

So for now, my blog is the only thing getting decorated for Christmas! Thanks to my friend, Ashley, for making my wonderful header!!

ER TRIP

OMG!!!!! My stomach is so upset! So upset, in fact, that I think if I threw up, I would feel much better! We just got back home about an hour go after our first trip to the ER with one of our kids! Bubba was walking through the kitchen, in his socks, slipped and hit his head on the edge of one of our kitchen chairs.

He let out that cry where you know he is hurt, so I ran over and picked him up. Not thinking that anything was wrong with him, except a bumped head, I laid his head on my shoulder. He started screaming worse. I pulled him away from me and looked him over. To my dismay...his ear lobe was TORE! Like ripped! I mean, it looked like Mike Tyson got a hold of him, it was hanging!!!

I think my exact words to Hubby was, "Ohmygod!!! Daddy!!! We gotta get him to the hospital!!! NOW!!" He jumped up, ran over, looked at his ear, and told me get everything together. While in the process of getting Sissy to put her clothes and shoes on, grabbing Bubba some clothes, throwing my shoes on, grabbing Hubby's sandals, grabbing coats and a blanket to wrap Bubba in, I was on the phone calling my aunt...who is a nurse...and my parents.

My aunt met us at the hospital, and I am glad she did. The doctor told Hubby that they could give Bubba some medicine to be able to stitch him up, but that it would leave him in a catatonic state...uh, NO! So instead the strapped him down to a Papoose Board. Neither Hubby or I could stand being in there with him, screaming, so my aunt went in there with him. When they needed us back there, she stayed with Sissy.

3 stitches and about 2 hours later, we are home, and I am still shaken up! Bubba is sleeping peacefully right now, and I am hoping and praying that he sleeps okay tonight.

Here is some pics of this memorable occasion...

(The dark bloody spot, is the top of where he ripped it. If you look closely, you can see the bottom part of the rip...just hanging! Gross, I know!)

(3 Stitches later)

(They wrapped his head so that he wouldn't pull at the stitches!)

Playing Catch-Up

I, finally, went through my pictures and organized them from the past 2 months. I have been slacking with everything going on lately. So I thought I would share some pics I took of the kids last month. Our wonderful neighbor, Mr. RC and his wife have two kids who, I think, are both in college. So they love that there are two little ones living right next door. Mr. RC does quite a bit for us around the house. During the summer months, he mows our yard from time to time, and this fall, he raked the leaves out of our front yard. He knows with Hubby working all the time, and me at home with two little ones, we just don't have the time to do alot outside, plus he loves doing stuff like that...so he says. LOL

Anyways, back to the pictures. When Mr. RC raked our yard, he piled them all up so that the kids could play in them before he loaded them up to take them to the burn pile behind our house. So here are some of my favorites from that day.

Last night, I took the kids to the local Christmas parade. They loved it, except for the bigger kids that where beside us taking all the candy. Not that my kids needed any, but it really upset Sissy that she couldn't get any before they took it all. The only think that made me mad was the kid that pushed Bubba's stroller out of the way to get a piece of candy that was under it. I mean, really??? Here is a pic of them all bundled up ready for the parade.

Last Saturday, we went out to the mountains for Thanksgiving lunch with my family. My dad wanted us to go to their cabin and help with some stuff. Plus it was the first time we had ever been out there. Well, while out there, Hubby found some of my dad's cedar planks he had. He was teasing Dad about taking them, so Dad told him to go to his barn out at the house and take all he wanted. So we did, and Hubby built Sissy a cedar bed. Here is a picture of the finished bed...without the bedding on it.

Cold or Hot Natured?

The other night, while lying in bed freezing my bootay off, I was thinking about if I was cold natured or hot natured, I'm natured, err, normal...I think. When it's cold, I'm cold. When it's hot, I'm hot. My dad used to get so mad at my mom and I when I was growing up because during the summer, we would want it so cold in the house that we had to wrap ourselves up in blankets. During the winter, we wanted it so hot that we had to run around in tank tops and shorts. I'm still that way today.

Hubby, on the other hand, is just plain hot natured. Sissy took after him. They both sweat no matter what the temp is, especially if they are sleeping. That's when it's the worst! So of course, when we go to bed at night, the air gets turned on. It's annoying as all get out to wake up at 3am to a frozen nose, ears, toes...yes I have to sleep with my feet uncovered...when it's 30 stinking degrees outside!! Bubba, like me, freezes. We have to have tons of blankets just to stay warm. I guess he and I will just have to grin and bear it!!

So, what are you? Cold or Hot Natured??