Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Christmas Memories

Reflecting on 2008....

This year has gone by so quickly for us, just like so many others in the past. I spent so much of this last year waiting for the next big moment. It started with me wishing for the end of the school year. Let's just say I had somewhat of a "handful" for a class last year. Each day was a struggle. Once school was out, Mark and I were laid off again, and I was just anxious to be finished with my master's degree in July. Once I finally finished my degree, I was only weeks away from giving birth to Liam. Liam was born, we got our positions back, and life has now brought us to this moment.
We're not sure if Liam will be our last child or not (although with all of his issues he is really trying hard to gain that last spot in our family), but I have realized from watching Julian grow that this time is so short. I'm making 2009 my year to slow down, relax, enjoy my friends and family, and stop wishing for time to go by just so that I can reach the next milestone. I really need to look at all the good things in my life! So this is my year to finally just be me and not define myself by the next "thing" that I am working on. It's time to really start living.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Thanksgiving everyday!

In the past year so much has happened in our lives: I'm back to work full time from part time, paying out the whazoo for daycare (I could probably afford 2 or 3 vacation homes for this price), finishing my master's degree (finished 21 credits in a year), Mark went back to school and is gone more, I've been battling fibromyalgia, Julian is two (need I say more), we had to replace the air conditioner, furnace, all outter doors and storm doors, repairs to the car, we got our landscaping finished and patio poured, and Liam has colic and acid reflux (so much screaming and puke everywhere)! Needless to say, it's been a rough go at times.
I've realized over the past few weeks that I need to change my thinking and appreciate all the goodness and blessing that God has brought into my life. Thanksgiving should not just be practiced one day a year, but everyday. I know we've all recieved email forwards that remind us of this, but I'm making it part of my daily routine. How can I not when all we hear are stories of our nieghbors, friends, and family loosing their homes and jobs. I've come to see that I'm fortunate to have a job, I thank God everytime I pay a bill (because I can), I'm fortunate that my kids have the best care in the world (they did take care of me after all), I was given the opprotunity to get a master's degree, Mark was able to get most of his master's degree paid for by a grant, I could have a disease that is much worse than fibromyalgia, and I have the two most beautiful boys in the world! And even though it can be difficult dealing with Liam's colic and reflux, I'm fortunate to know that I don't have to hesitate taking him to the doctors because I don't have insurance.
So on Thanksgiving this year, I enjoyed a day to sleep in, enjoyed wonderful cooking with our family, and really became thankful for everything in my life!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Monday, November 3, 2008

Busy October

October was filled with so many exciting memories for us. The first weekend, Mark suprised me by taking me out for my birthday. Since I've been so exhausted from Liam, I really didn't feel like doing anything special, but I knew it would be nice to get away for a couple of hours. Julian stayed with Mark's parents and my mom came to babysit Liam. On our way to dinner, Mark hit a detour to downtown Detroit and suprised me by pulling up to the new MGM. The bigger suprise was that he had booked a suite there. I was a little apprehensive at first thinking that I was going to be leaving my little 7 week old baby for the night, but I knew this was also the chance to get some sleep! We had a great time going to dinner and playing the machines. We even won a bit too! The hotel is gorgeous. It really was a once in a lifetime experience!!
A few days later, everyone gathered at our house to celebrate my 29th birthday. I'm informing everyone now that this was the last birthday I'll be celebrating! I always reflect on the past year on my birthday. I can honestly say that in the last year I have accomplished so much. I'm proud of everything I have worked so hard for in my life to this point and I'm truly blessed to say the least!
Getting ready for Halloween this year has been so much fun. Julian is now at the age when he really is beginning to understand what is going on. We spent the whole month doing various Halloween activities. We usually go to the apple orchard every year (even when Julian was a baby), however, Liam is a little more particular about his surroundings and between him and the weather, it just never worked out. Julian did get to go to the "Giant Pumpkin Farm" with his Pop Pop. They brought home a 106 lb. pumpkin! Of course, it was lots of fun to carve and play with.
We also participated in the neighborhood associations "Halloween Spooktacular" the weekend before halloween. Julian dressed as Captiain Feathersword from the Wiggles and his friend Marcus was Chris Osgood (goalie for the Red Wings for those of you who don't know). Marcus won best costume! It was such a cold day and rain was approaching, and of course, in true kid fashion, Julian wanted nothing to do with putting a coat on over his costume. Needless to say, he froze!
Since I'm still at home on maternity leave, Julian, Mark, and I had fun making treats for our halloween party and our friends in the neighborhood. The treats were easy enough for Julian to do. He did a lot of the work in helping me put them together. He had so much fun. Of course, he had lots of fun eating them too!
On halloween, family and friends came over to see the boys. Mark and I took Julian around the neighborhood while the grandparents took care of passing out candy and watching Liam. You've seen neighbors who go all out on Christmas, but our neighborhood takes halloween to a new level. Hundreds (I'm not exaggerating) of people came through in just a few short hours. This year we set a new record of passing out 750 pieces of candy!
Julian loved everything there was about halloween. I just can't wait to see him experience the joy of the Christmas season! I'll be posting about that before we know it!
Here's the link to our photo album of Halloween activities:
http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=14131225736700225/l=432113383/g=100450860/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB
Till then....lots of love! Kelly

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

More Pics!





As requested.......

Thursday, October 2, 2008