Santa Day

On Saturday, I (with the help of my mom - thanks mom!) took the kids to Santa Day at Lincoln Trail. I had never been to this event before, but Macy really had fun. She got to make some ornaments, decorate and eat a sugar cookie, get her face painted, make some reindeer food, and have a balloon flower made for her. Oh, and of course we can't forget that she got to see Santa and Mrs. Claus too. She was all stoked about seeing the big guy, but of course when it was her turn she got scared and wouldn't even make eye contact with him let alone tell him what she wanted for Christmas. So I just plopped Holden on Mrs. Claus' lap and snapped a pic. I'm surprised she even half smiled in it.

Then later while we were doing the other activities, she kept asking about Santa and saying she wanted to see him. This is exactly how it went last year... all excited about seeing him until the actual moment arrives. Last year we were walking away from him when she apparently realized she better tell him what she wanted, so she yelled back to him that she wanted a baby doll. So far this year she hasn't been quite as specific in her Christmas request, she says she wants candy and toys. I'm pretty sure santa will be able to deliver on that!

Macy showing off her balloon flower and candy cane on her cheek. Neither lasted much longer after the picture was taken.
















I'm really excited for Christmas this year... it is going to be so much fun with two kiddos!

I'm thankful...

• for a supportive and loving husband that is always there for me no matter what (even when I wreck the van!)


• for two of the most beautiful and loving kids a mom could ask for


• for wonderful friends and family
  
• that no one was hurt in the accident (see previous post for info if you missed it)


• for DVR... seriously, this is a life changing invention people!


• for Netflix... Shanon and I have 'date night' every Friday after the kids are in bed thanks to this gem.

On a more serious note... I don't understand why, but God has and continues to bless me more than I deserve. It's easy to let the day-to-day activities get you down, but when you take a step back and think about the big picture, does all that really matter? This holiday I'm looking forward to spending time with my family and remembering just how much I have to be thankful for and to give all the thanks to God.

The curse of the van

Well, I did it. On exactly the one month anniversary of purchasing the van, I wrecked it. Yep, yesterday I rear ended a car at one of the bagillion construction sites between Oblong and Robinson. Aside from being shaken up and severly embarrassed (thankfully no one was hurt), it got me thinking. I've only had this darn van for one month and so far:

• After having it for a week, it died on me twice and had to be towed to Mattoon for the dealership to fix it. Apparently the fuel pump had come loose and was leaking fuel... can you say scary?!


• Saturday morning one of the tires was completely flat, it apparently had a nail in it.


• The accident yesterday.

A couple other fun facts:

• The man that came to tow the van yesterday was the same one that fixed the flat tire on Saturday... of course he recognized me. I really wanted to melt into the pavement.


• We had just increased our insurance deductibles a couple weeks ago since "we never use it anyway". Seriously, is somebody laughing at me up there?

Did I also mention that I was just coming off a two day migraine 'episode' and that I was headed from work to Newton to have 'Thanksgiving lunch' at daycare with Macy? Talk about a gynormous case of mommy guilt for missing that! I tried to make amends with a quick trip to DQ that afternoon. Surely she won't be scarred for life.

Maybe this van thing just isn't meant to be for me? Or maybe just this specific van is cursed? Either way, surely things can only get better from here on out! Embarrassment aside, I'm just very grateful that no one was hurt!

Joining the rest of the universe

Alright already, I caved. I was really thinking about trying to be the very last person on the planet to join Facebook... then I found out that even my mom has a page and is in fact giving me updates about MY friends via Facebook. I love ya mom, but something is wrong with that picture. So.... between that and constant prodding from pretty much anyone with a pulse, I got a wild hair and decided to finally join Facebook. Crazy, I know.

So now someone needs to teach me what the heck to do. The word on the street is that 'the wall' is where it's at... whatever that means. Now somebody be my friend please!