January's Mid-Month Update

Outside my window . . . it's pitch black out & I just got home from work. I can't wait for it to lighten up more. This darkness is depressing!

I am thinking . . . of all of the things I'd like to do with our tax return....wishful thinking, huh?

I am thankful for . . . heat. It's a simple thing to be thankful for but I'm such a baby when it comes to cold weather that I couldn't imagine not having it. Plus, it makes me think of those who go without it (whether homeless or can't afford it). I will say an extra prayer tonight for those people. 

I am wearing . . . my comfy clothes while I wait for dinner to finish. 

I am going . . . start tracking our expenses this month. Brian & I did this for a couple years but lost the vibe when we moved last fall. New year, new intentions. It's time to get back on track!!

I am wondering . . . how soon we can get Levi into an ENT. My poor baby needs tubes in his ears. 8 ear infections last year has lead us to this point. :(

I am reading . . . 'The Auschwitz Escape'. I'm normally not a history buff but this book is interesting & has opened my eyes to what Germans suffered.

I am hoping . . . for good news when the Trailblazer goes to the repair shop on Monday. Brian started having trouble with it last week & replaced the battery (thinking that was the problem). Unfortunately, it wasn't. So Brian has been driving without heat the entire week because every time he turns it on, the truck tries to die. So off to the repair shop she goes...

I am looking forward to . . . the weekend. It's my long work week so I'm ready for some times with the kiddos.

I am hearing . . . Madagascar going in the living room.

Around the house . . . are piles of clean laundry waiting to be put up. All of the laundry is COMPLETELY caught up & that is a miracle within itself. I need to bask in this moment. :)

One of my favorite things . . . seeing the boys greet me when I come home from work. It melts my heart.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . Work tomorrow then spend the evening at home, Brian has to work on Saturday but we're taking Logan to the Ice Men's game that night (I won free tickets from work!!!). Then we'll spend a relaxing day at home on Sunday after church.

Christmas 2014

I know I'm WAY behind on posting about our Christmas but here it is. We had a lovely Christmas Eve spent by having lunch with my grandma then dinner at Brian's uncle's house. It was a long day for everyone since we were gone all day but the boys were troopers & behaved extremely well. 

My niece, Lily

She doesn't realize it yet but I'm her favorite aunt! :)

The madness of our Dirty Santa exchange

My grandma loved the Dirty Santa gift she received (Donut Bank coffee, gift card, & cookies courtesy of me!)

The excitement of Christmas continued into the night as Brian & I helped Santa by wrapping all of the boys' gifts. I sure don't remember buying that many!!! When Logan woke up on Christmas morning, at 5 a.m., he checked on the gifts but luckily he was so tired he fell back asleep for another hour :) He told us that Santa brought him & Levi 100 gifts & he was so happy. Here are a sample of the pictures I was able to get of our Christmas morning madness:

Santa went a little over board :)

Levi knew exactly which presents were his

Logan was very excited about his super hero underwear!

Logan couldn't believe that Santa brought him & Levi his own Ranger! Now he can drive next to Daddy everywhere they go.

After we cleaned up our mess & played for a while, we ventured to my parents' house to exchange gifts with them. Of course, Logan had to drive his new Ranger up there. It was the cutest thing ever!!! For those of you who don't know, we only live a stone's throw from my parents. Mom made a couple breakfast casseroles while Brian made his biscuits & gravy. We enjoyed a delicious late breakfast before digging into the presents. We didn't even get out of our pajamas--it was awesome! Here are a few pics from that craziness:

Mimi went WAY overboard.....as usual

Lily loved the Dora chair we got her :)

Happy boy!

Levi's favorite toy

Our Christmas Day wound down by playing with all of the new toys & watching Polar Express one more time. Unfortunately, the stomach flu woke us up at 1 a.m. when Levi was hit with it. We spent the next 4 days sharing it with each so that was a bummer but at least we enjoyed the day. We have 2 more Christmas gatherings this weekend to make up for what was cancelled while we were sick. This was a memorable (and unforgettable) Christmas.