Mr. President

As much as anyone else in the free world, I was moved to tears more than once as President Obama was sworn in. The warmth I felt from the exiting President and his family put a "feel good" touch on the day for me. I feel full of hope and ready for change in this great country of ours.
Since we live in Texas now, in a suburb of the Big D no less you can imagine the fanfare of Former President Bush and the Mrs. returning home that same day. My hubby is from Midland, home of both G.W & Laura so that was cool to watch them touch down in Midland before heading to their ranch. The folks in the neighborhood where the Bushes are moving to are rolling out the red carpets for them, signs, flags, banners, you name it. For the most part people here seem to be happy to welcome them home. I for one couldn't believe the look of relief and pure joy on GW's face as he was wrapping up the festivities at the inauguration. While he may not have wanted Mr. Obama to follow him into office, he seemed genuinely happy to be giving the job to someone else. Can't say I blame him.

Nightly Tale of Despereaux

Ms.J has loved books since the beginning. She will usually pick a book over a toy if given a choice and we typically have at least 3 books in the car with us at any given time. I thought we'd give a chapter book a try and see if she could sit still and focus on it if we did just one chapter each night. So New Years weekend we went to the bookstore and I helped Ms.J pick out "The Tale of Despereaux". She had been seeing the previews for the movie,so it was a pretty easy choice for her. We settled in that first night to read our chapter but she didn't understand why I stopped when the story clearly was not over with. I let her know that the good thing about books like this were that you got to read a little bit each night. We are now about half way through the book and each night, without fail she makes sure to ask me to read her chapter to her. We look at the pictures from the movie that are included in the book (8 or so total)and she's doing really well keeping all of the characters straight - which is impressive because there are A LOT. I'm already looking for our next chapter book, I'm so excited that she is enjoying the addition to our nightly routine.

It's Baaaaaack

I used this stuff by the gallon back in high school, after every shower, after swim practice - the almond-cherry smell takes me back. My best friend and I used to take turns buying it and sharing it in the locker room. LOVE this stuff. I saw it the other day while Ms.J and I were at WallyWorld. I turned into a 17-year old on the spot - I immediately unscrewed the lid, took a big whiff and was transported back to those days of swim caps, speedos and great tans. I was so happy that I bought one big bottle and may have to go back to stock up before they take it away from me again. Old School Baby!

2009 - Create

For this new year, I have decided to change things up a bit. I'm starting off small and going to see where this year takes me and add to it from here. I have never been one to make resolutions and I don't know that my new ideas necessarily count as such - more like an action plan of sorts. After reading for a few years about others choosing a word that represents what they want for themselves in the coming year, I have been inspired to do the same. I am hoping this word will keep me focused and not let so much extraneous "stuff" derail me. My word for 2009 is "CREATE". I love this word and always have and toyed between this and 2 others that are also on my list of favorite words (I'm holding on to those for possible use down the road if this works for me). I hope to "CREATE" more organization, more great memories, more fun, my dream career, a better way of life for my family and a plan to start a foundation to help those with children affected with Type 1 Diabetes.

I am also trying to take stock in the good things that take place. So for this reason alone, I have begun a gratitude journal. It's nothing fancy at this point, but I do find that focusing on the good things can take the edge off. I spend 5 minutes every night writing down all the things I'm grateful for. It really makes me take stock in those sweet moments or that wave from a neighbor we haven't met yet, even that smile from a stranger at the grocery store.

I'll update periodically, but I did want this in print so that the accountability is there. Out with the old, in with the new. Challenging yourself is good and this will be a challenge for me.

Happy New Year!

To anyone out there that might read this blog, Happy New Year - I wish you and yours all the best in 2009! WOO HOO!

We Are Blessed

Christmas itself is over, but we had such a special day as our first Christmas in Texas. Christmas Eve was so much fun, my SIL from Houston came up without her hubby - so there wasn't too much worry over the girls. My other 2 SIL's immediately took over with Ms.J & Little G as soon as I hit the door. Dinner was delicious, how I LOVE me some tamales, chicken, beef, pork I love them all! The girls surprised everyone by eating an entire tamale a piece, plus cornbread, plus chips and spicy salsa - have I ever mentioned that my girls are great eaters and will try anything (knocking on wood). Wayne had to work until 10pm, but he came to his sister's afterwards. The girls were in the spotlight and everyone appeared to enjoy them - my MIL couldn't believe how much they had changed since we saw her last June. I came home around midnight (both girls still WIDE awake) and put the girls to bed and got to wrapping and getting the cookies ready for Santa. Wayne got home around 2am, it was good that he had the chance to catch up with his sis from Houston. He jumped in and helped finish wrapping and around 4am we finally went to bed. I told Ms.J that she was in charge in the morning and she couldn't come past their hallway until she got permission. Lets just say that at 6:30am she strolled in to our room, claiming that it was time for us to get up and that Santa had left the lights on the tree on. I told her to go back to bed and we'd come and get her after while - she stomped off, but we didn't hear from her again. We went to wake the girls up at 8:30am and Little G was SOOOOO not ready to get up. She was tired and cranky and not at all interested in the excitement that is Christmas morning. The girls emptied their stockings, Ms.G got distracted by this cool snow-globe type bouncy ball that Santa brought and didn't want to unwrap anything else. Ms.J finished all of hers and then sweetly "offered" to help Little G open the rest of hers.
Once we finished, we had a yummy breakfast of sweetrolls, coffee and juice. We then got ready to head up to my SIL's house, where the whole clan was meeting up again for dinner and more presents (for the girls anyways, we agreed not to buy for each other, just them). We had a great day there as well, the girls had lunch, took naps (only one bout of SUPER low blood sugars with Ms.J - she was at 24 - OMG). We then had the opportunity to educate the in-laws on the procedure and what is the best thing to give them in those cases. We had dinner while the girls napped, nice to have adult dinner every once in a while and worry only about cutting my food for a change...LOL. We woke the girls up and got them ready to open their presents...there was an ABUNDANCE of gifts and everyone seemed to enjoy spoiling the daylights out of the girls. Auntie D bought them clothes...clothes that I never would....DKNY, Polo, etc. for a 4 year old and a 2 year old? DARLING clothes though, she has wonderful taste. Between the other 2 Auntie's and my MIL, I'm having a hard time remembering who gave them what. I know we have 2 mini chairs & ottomans (geez these are sweet). Each of the girls got little pink scooters, they have a tv-dance camera thing - which the Auntie's opened to make sure it worked, wink,wink. We now have a ball pit and a tunnel type set up for the playroom and clothes...lots and lots of clothes, a great "play" laptop that is a just plain awesome, Ms.J has carried it around constantly since we got home. It was a wonderful Christmas, I feel a little guilty writing this, but I didn't miss Christmas with my family nearly as much as I thought I would - I miss them every day and I love the craziness of the cousins all together, but this was a really sweet Christmas and I really enjoyed spending it with my in-laws.

Here's to Christmas Eve

Tonight I will be, for the first time in 12 years of marriage, spending Christmas Eve with my in-laws - all of them. I'm excited for this new to me tradition and I want to make sure that my girls enjoy being part of this side of the family. Wayne has 3 sisters, 2 of whom live in the greater Dallas area. My mother-in-law lives in Vegas and is spending Christmas here in Texas - the littles are so comfortable with their 2 aunties & uncles that live nearby and their grandma that it will be an easy going evening. My other sister-in-law and her hubby are coming from Houston and to say they don't care for children in an understatement. She has only been around Ms.J once, 2 years ago and has never acknowledged Little G. I'm a bit torn on if I should try to keep them away from these 2 or let them be children and then these adults can do their thing. We're doing chili and tamales for dinner and because of the girls I'll be able to escape early if need be - bedtimes and Santa and all.
On a side note, I had a very brief catchup conversation with one of my dearest friends today and she told me some very special news.....she and her special guy are getting married - it's official! The date has been picked and the planning is in full swing. I cannot express how happy I am that the wheels are in motion, this is one wedding that I have been looking forward to. She has also asked Ms.J to be a flower girl - which I know she will LOVE! I love great news, the more the merrier - especially at the holidays and as this year comes to an end. To have something so special to look forward is a gift unto itself. Congrats to them!
Happy Christmas Eve and Merry Christmas to everyone - may Santa be good to you and your families. Much Love....