New Year, New Me?

Well, I thought the Countdown to Christmas would get me hooked on blogging but it didn't.  Guess I enjoyed having a break from it and just reading other blogs.  (I'm still trying to win something on Pioneer Woman but probably never will with a 100,000+ other people trying.)  

I really didn't make any New Year's resolution, but I did stop drinking sodas a couple of weeks ago.  I thought I could hold out but I think I'm eating more because I don't get a daily Dt Coke.  Probably just need to kick off a new exercise routine for the stress eating.  Robert has been really stressed out at work which I think I'm getting "sympathy stress."  He's trying to get is Reactor Operator license after being in class for the past 13 months.  It should all be over in the next two weeks. I can't wait.  But no one is as anxious to get it done as my husband.  

Chase moved up in Church nursery and in his day care class.  His new class at day care is more like a preschool class with daily lesson plans and everything.  He has struggled being dropped off now though, not really b/c of his new class but b/c the kids play in the big playroom until 8:30.  He's always disliked the playroom for some reason, at first he was scared of the mounted TV (or as Chase calls it: wee-wee) but he's used to the TV now.  He especially hates it if a lot of the big kids are in there.  I guess he's just intimidated.  Robert took him to school on Friday morning and got to experience the little fits when he has to go in there.  He found it funny though that the door was open to the playroom and two girls were waiting and calling Chase's name, but he still didn't want to go in.  Maybe he doesn't like having so many girlfriends....

Chase got a new potty the other day so we could just have it in the bathroom when he was ready.  He immediately wanted to sit on it, but he had to strip down.  And then he actually peed in it!! I was shocked.  He then needed a bath and wanted to take it in the tub too.  After a very short bath, he went back to the potty.  He sat a while and then grabbed one of Daddy's hunting magazines and proceeded to "read" while he peed again!! He was there a while, and I grabbed the camera.  I think we need to send a pic to the Ducks Unlimited site.

Can't believe he's about to be 2!!  Where did my "baby" go??

Christmas!!

Christmas Day

Well, I haven't been keeping up with my countdown to Christmas very well.  Maybe that will be one of my resolutions next year...Anyway, Christmas was great! Chase knew what to do when he saw the presents after the Christmas Eve present opening extravaganza.  However, he was not in a hurry....he had to eat his breakfast first.  

Robert and I got our part of the dinner made (without the sweet potatoes) without too much trouble.  I did forget the gravy and luckily mom could find some gravy mix at Walgreens, who would of thought you could get that at Walgreens?  My side of the family came up (except for one uncle and aunt b/c my uncle had the flu) and we enjoyed some good ham, turkey and all the fixins.

Mimi and Grandpa got Chase his very own recliner.  He was a little reluctant at first, but later he just wanted to be one of the guys.

We opened more gifts.  I still haven't finished my gifts to everyone. I've been working on a family cookbook, but it has gone slower that I had thought.

Chase got a leap frog Potsy and learned how Great Uncle Bob could juggle.  But with Chase's OCD tendencies, he HAD to juggle the broccoli, corn and tomato.  He still wants just to play with those three and have me juggle (which I can't do, but need to learn I guess).  

It's wonderful to have such a great family. Thankful that Katie could come in from New Mexico! Wish all the "kids" could have been here!

Even with the fun of presents and food, we still remember that Jesus is the Reason for the Season.  Merry Christmas!

Countdown to Christmas Day 24

Christmas Eve

We always celebrate Christmas with the Bradford's on Christmas Eve around lunch.  I usually have to work a half day and I'm usually a little late for lunch, but not this year since Christmas landed on a Saturday.  I did have to go into work for an hour though to do wound care for a patient.  Then, I still had to finish some last minute stocking stuffers.  As much as I try to get prepared, I never am.  Well, there's always next year...

We had a great time eating and spending time with family.  Of course, Chase loved opening gifts and playing with his and everyone else's presents.

 

We got home around 8:30 that night and I needed to start preparing for Christmas dinner at our house.  I was going to get the sweet potatoes mashed and ready.  I had bought them the Monday before, but when I started peeling them, I realized they were rotten.  I drove around to 4 stores but they were all closed....doesn't anybody stay open for pre-Christmas dinner emergencies? Well, I guess that is one less thing I have to do.  I was also going to make some sugar cookies for Santa.  I thought I had all the ingredients, buying most of the stuff recently but I knew I had powdered sugar in the cabinet.  I guess it has been a while since I baked anything, because the best by date was 2005, so needless to say, the sugar cookies didn't get made either.  But I did make some Peanut butter kiss cookies with all new ingredients so Santa could have something to eat.

Santa is a Razorback fan too!

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar plums danc'd in their heads,

Countdown to Christmas Days 18-23

Not much went on the week before Christmas.  I was sick all weekend and pretty much the whole time I was on vacation from work, but felt better to return to work on Monday.  It was a busy few days, but managed to get off an hour early a couple of days to finish some last minute Christmas errands. 

Countdown to Christmas Day 17

The Spirit of Christmas

We adopted a family this Christmas along with all the co-workers at RVT.  I went by the Main St. Mission since they interview all the applicants to make sure they qualify, and there were so many, it was hard to pick one family.  I chose a family with three children since I wasn't sure how the response would be at work.  Boy, did they ever come through.  I know one family will be very happy this Christmas. 

Many more employees participated; I just couldn't get them all together for a picture!

Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Countdown to Christmas Day 16

Our Tree is finally UP!!  I used the ever popular deco mesh this year along with all the stuff from last year.  I think it is a good update with the mesh.  Chase is tempted to take some things off; only one ornament so far, but he may get a little braver or a little more obstinate.  After I decorated the tree, I got to feeling really bad so I spent all afternoon in bed.  It isn't fun spending days of vacation from work in bed. 

Countdown to Christmas Days 9-15

Well, I didn't keep up with my blog like I wanted to...but I've been taking a few pics and using the calendar to remind me what's going on this busy holiday season.

December 15

Robert & I celebrated our 3rd Wedding Anniversary!

The day didn't start out so well.  I was going to meet mom to do a little shopping in Conway so I stopped for some gas.  When I went to leave, my battery was dead.  Rob had to leave work to give me a jump and I had to get a new battery.  We went around Conway and some of the old flea markets and antique stores up to Greenbrier.  Didn't come home with much except tired feet and a sore back from walking in boots with no support.  I should know better being a PT.  Robert made the day better when I got a right hand ring and some earrings and a necklace to match.  They are amethyst, but I have to get the ring sized.  The skinniest bones on me are my phalanges.

December 13

We attended the Christmas program for Day Care.  We weren't at the best spot to see Chase, but he was just sitting quietly by a teacher.  I don't think he shook his little noise maker at all. He has been singing a lot more lately...he likes Old McDonald.  He sings "EIEIO".  I think he will be good at all the vowels before he learns the rest of the alphabet. 

Such a Handsome Boy!

Sandwiched between a few people (The baby is looking at him)

December 12

Chase and I decorated his Christmas ornament for Day Care.  He helped with his hands for the reindeer and he put on a few stickers. I also got to use up some of my scrapbooking supplies.

December 11

Wow, what a busy day.  First I had signed up for a winter crop at the Boys and Girls club so I went to drop off all my scrapbook stuff in my pj's to get some tickets (I never won anything).  Then Chase and I headed to his friend Matthew's house for his 2nd Birthday party.  Chase was shy at first but he had a blast with the boys from the church nursery as they ate Elmo cupcakes, wore Birthday hats, sorted out crayons, and played with Matthew's birthday presents.  Chase especially loved the Toy Story legos (which we gave Matthew) and the Elmo Karaoke toy.  I guess I have some ideas for Christmas/birthday presents.

 

That night, Robert and I went to the ANO Christmas Party.  We had a good meal and got the door prize which was a Walmart giftcard and some cash; it's always nice to come out ahead when you go to a party!

December 10

Chase got a spiffy new haircut.  They are getting a little easier.  Couldn't imagine it without a sucker and the DVD player.  Mimi came over to spend the night so she can watch Chase on Saturday.  Robert cooked up some wild pork and we all had some good BBQ.

December 9

Happy to report that Chase has been going to bed earlier and sleeping great 11-12 hours again.  He's still struggling with a cough due to drainage, but it's better at night with the humidifier.