End of 2010

I can't believe 2010 is almost over! 2010 has been a year we won't forget, it sure was a tough year with lots of ups and downs, and lot's of challenges. It was definitely a year that has made Greg, Landon and I stronger. There were times where I thought, "Gosh, now what?" I am happy to say the year has ended great, I am happy and blessed to have Greg and Landon by my side, to be loved, alive and healthy. 

I'm excited to see what's in store for 2011 for us.

I have a few resolutions for 2011. My main one is to get back on track with my hypoglycemia and loose some more weight. I lost 20lbs, and since Greg's been back, I've gained about 6 back. I just want to get healthy, and eat healthy again, I can beat this!

What are your New Year's resolutions? Do you have any plans for New Year's Eve? We are headed to some friends house to bring in the New Year! 

Happy New Year to you and your family. May 2011 bring you good health, lot's of love & happiness!

Wordless Wednesday

The boy and his bike:

New Toy

Landon is still having fun with all his new toys he got for Christmas and from Santa. They are all still scattered all around the living room. Some under the tree, some in the middle of the floor, some on the couch, in the corner. When I try to move something or put it away, I turn around and it's back out again. 

One thing he got that makes me laugh is his bouncy ball. It's one of the ones you sit on that has a handle and you bounce up and down. Ava and him decided to have a battle with them and run around Oma's house with those things above their heads screaming. I cringed, scared they would knock over something while yelling, "Keep them on the floor please!" A few times they would be bouncing, miss, and land on the floor. I know I shouldn't have laughed, but it did make me chuckle.

Since we've been home Landon's been bouncing all around the house, and rolling on that ball. He sits on it to take a break, and comes after me with it laughing. 

He was bouncing last night and fell backwards off the ball into his new stunt track. It was one of those 'oops' moments, poor baby, now he has a little scrape on his back! He is definitely all boy, won't let anything stop him! 

Can we get some help around here?

Today we had a few exchanges and returns to make, just like I am sure every other person in America had to. 

I got some lotions and stuff from a child in my class from Bath and Body Works. I am not a big fan of the Twilight Woods smell, so I decided I would go and get something I know I would use. I figured it wouldn't be a big deal. I had to exchange for exactly what I got, a bubble bath, two lotions and body wash. Cool. Of course there wasn't much inventory, especially of the scent I like. I found some stuff and went to exchange it. Then the girl told me some of the items weren't eligible for me to exchange. Fine, I went back and selected a few others. It was packed, people were going bonkers. I get back in line, the girl who was helping me said, "Oops, I can't do it for you, she can." and pointed at the lady next to her. Fine, I waited. And waited. The lady who was now 'helping' me, wasn't paying attention to what she was doing, and returned what I wanted. Ugh. I pointed it out, and believe it or not, she finally returned what I didn't want, and then, tried to put that in a bag to give me! (Not what I wanted!) Then she proceeds to say, "I can't believe you don't want Twilight Woods, that is the most popular scent, everyone loves it." So I said, "Well I don't like it at all." Ha! I was so annoyed with her, it was a run around, and if she would have been paying attention to what she was doing, and not being ticked off because I wanted to exchange my stuff then it wouldn't have taken FOREVER! 

Greg is supposedly, or so we thought, due to upgrade his phone as of today. So we went over to Verizon to check some things out. Come to find out, NO, not till August 2011. 8 months away! So whom ever we talked to a few months back that told us that, told us the wrong thing. I was mad. It just seems like every time we need something from Verizon they give you the run around, and don't really help. SO, we went over to AT&T to see what they could offer. We might be switching over, depending how much it's going to cost us to early terminate our contract. I think I am done with Verizon. Plus I would like and iPhone :)

Besides not getting good customer service and help, we've enjoyed some nice relaxing time as a family today. 

Landon is enjoying all of his new toys, and he LOVES his Leapster! 

Back to work tomorrow, only 3 days of work, I hope those three days go by quickly.

Christmas Weekend

Our Christmas weekend was fantastic! We are so lucky and blessed to be able to spend the holidays with family. (well, half the family) We spent many Christmas's away, by ourselves, and a few Christmas's with Greg deployed. One Christmas when we were stationed in Germany I was by myself, and woke up to an empty house, and a tree with nothing under it. It was sad. I/we feel for all those families that have to be away from their loved ones during the holidays, especially the troops and their families. I am always very thankful to have Greg home for the holidays. 

SO, our weekend started Thursday. I packed the car Wednesday night so when I got off we could get on the road. I ended up getting out early, so we made it to Greg's parents by 4. We spent the afternoon and evening relaxing. Friday we got up and went in to Austin to go shopping. I was craving our favorite Mexican food place, Serrano's. So we went to the mall, grabbed a few things then went to eat. We brought Ava with us so Landon had company. Those two were so funny, and SO good!

Serrano's gave the kids magna doodles to draw with instead of crayons and paper. They loved them!

I was craving their salsa. I LOVE it, my mouth is watering right now as I think about it. Greg and I used to have fajitas here all the time when we lived in Austin. 

I should have asked for a gigantic serving to go. MM! Greg and I shared some chicken fajitas and they hit the spot. 

We came home and made cookies for Santa, and then poured him some milk... 

After getting Santa's milk and cookies ready, it was time to spread the reindeer food. Ava made it special at school, and we had to sprinkle it outside for them... 

Then it was time to read, The Night Before Christmas. 

It was time for bed now and to wait for Santa to come. Landon was out quick, he played so hard he didn't move all night..... 

Santa came! He sure was good to everyone this year. We had a ton of presents to open. 

I think Greg woke up asking me what time it was all night long. He was more excited then the kids I think! We were finally up about 7. I had to wake Landon, but when I told him Santa came he jumped out of the bed so fast, and ran to the living room, then we told him to find Ava, he was still half asleep, so the poor baby was running so fast and running in to everything. It was SO cute, I am so mad I didn't record it!

(I'm so mad this is blurry, dang it!)

My mom made that cute little apron. I love it, and can't wait to use it! Thanks mom!

One of the first things Landon opened was his 'cheetah girl' and he wanted to just play with it. So he took some breaks on the floor to play with her, then dug in to some more presents.

Then it was time to start opening some presents. My fingers are hurting and sore today from opening all those toys. There are SO many little wire things and ties, it drove me banana's. Landon wanted to play with Ava's things, she of course got some My Little Pony's. 

We made breakfast and relaxed, then went out for some fresh air. The air was pretty cold, so we had to go right back in... 

After our amazing dinner we packed the car and then went to Johnson City to look at the lights. It was REALLY cold, and we were bundled up! 

Greg's head was cold, Landon didn't want to wear his beanie, so Greg did!

Landon was really upset to go. He didn't want to go home, he wanted to go back to Oma's house, but we had to head home. Greg had to work today. We had a great day, and were sad to come home! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas. (I'll edit some photos and post more on here tomorrow!)

Merry Christmas

We wish you a very Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Happy Christmas Eve

Happy Christmas eve! We've been busy preparing for Santa's arrival. We've been checking up on him on the Norad tracker, and he's getting close!

First we woke up and played! We went in to the mall to walk around and see all the crazy last minute shoppers! Then we came home and made some cookies for Santa. 

Watched a movie while the cookies cooled off, had some popcorn and juice. 

Then we decorated the cookies for Santa. And each child probably had 4 or more cookies! 

Then Ava and Landon exchanged gifts. 

Then it was time for the feast. Oma made SO much food, and it was SO good, I am stuffed and ate way too much. 

Stuffed mushrooms, cheese and crackers, Brie cheese with bread, jalapeño poppers, veggies and dips, salmon, shrimp and sauce, hot wings, chips with queso, salsa and guacamole....

Home made Sangria, and pumpkin pie cheese cake with whip cream..Yes, I am stuffed...I am sure my bloog sugar is through the roof!

The kids hid under the table because the were 'tired.' 

So now we are relaxing with friends and family, munching on the food, talking and laughing, and checking on Santa every few minutes. Soon we will slip on our Christmas Pj's and head to bed and wait for Santa to get here!

Merry Christmas eve!

Christmas is almost here

And I'm SO excited!

There are only 2 days left on our Advent calendar to open. It feels like yesterday we just started it. This month has flown by. Poor Landon isn't going to know what to do in the morning not having calendar to open and a piece of chocolate to eat! He gets so excited when he opens it, today the number 22 was on Santa's face, and it was Santa's sleigh with lots of presents, he was in awe, and when I showed him there were only two more boxes to open, he looked at me with his mouth open, and I told him, "Two more days till Santa comes!" A huge smile, the biggest smile ever is what I got, with a little chocolate drool in the corners of his mouth..

I had my bloodwork done this morning. We were in and out and home by 8! Landon had a TON of questions, and watched them draw my blood with so much intent. He told me I was brave, and a big girl for not crying. The tech got me first poke, and I didn't even feel a thing! I had to get a urine sample, and Landon was shocked I had to pee in a cup. The techs were laughing because they could hear Landon questioning me in the bathroom about why I was peeing in a cup, and if I was going to drink it. (NASTY I know, but it made me laugh!)

I got a ton of stuff done this morning, now I am headed to work. I have to figure out tonight how I am going to get all the presents in the car.. 

This isn't even half of them!

What?

Seriously, it's been over 80 degrees here in Texas these past two days. It feels like the beginning of Spring, or Summer, it doesn't feel like Christmas is 4 days away. Last year it was SO cold, and it snowed a lot, it was wonderful. Not this year! Only in Texas.

So tonight after dinner we went to DQ to get an ice cream. Well I didn't get a tasty treat, Greg and Landon did, I went along for the ride. Landon is in shorts and a short sleeved t-shirt, and wearing his crocs....

Anyway, Last night Landon and I played a little game of memory. He is pretty good, but he doesn't like to take turns, he wants to keep playing! ha! He was pretty good at finding the matches though. 

You know, you have to concentrate really hard, and try to remember where the match is... 

Here is a picture of Landon when we got home from DQ. Now, don't look at all the dishes piled up, and the fact the Landon has blue striped Mickey Mouse socks on under his Crocs. 

There doesn't seem to be enough time in the day lately. I worked the afternoon shift today because I was supposed to go get some blood work done. I need to have my 6 month check and have my cholesterol checked. (I've never had my cholesterol checked before, but I guess it's normal to have it checked, especially with the Hypoglycemia.) You of course have to be fasting 12 hours. So, I made sure to have a snack last night so I would be good to go. I planned on going at 730am when they opened. Well, I woke up at 2am with a killer, I mean killer migraine. I checked my blood sugar to make sure it was OK, it was perfect, I did my flonase because it kinda felt like a sinus headache. Nothing. I went and laid down, then started to feel dizzy, and just not right. So I checked my blood sugar again, it was perfect, and now my head was throbbing even worse. I tried to lay down, I wanted to take some motrin, but it was 2am and I couldn't eat to take anything. Finally, at 4am I had to eat a cracker and take something, it was terrible. I was now dry heaving because it hurt so bad. Luckily I woke up at 6am and it was gone, I am glad I didn't have to go in to work till 10, I was able to lay on the couch and rest.

So, because of all my drama, I have to switch again and go in the morning when the lab opens. I've been drinking water like crazy, hopefully my veins will be cooperating and I will be in and out! I seem to have a ton of things to do tomorrow, cleaning house, laundry, packing, the list goes on and on....

A day in the kitchen

Today I've spent 3/4 of my day in the kitchen! I've been baking then cleaning, then baking some more, then starting dinner, then cleaning, then testing the goods, stirring dinner, then cleaning, then tasting the goods. You get the idea.

I love baking and cooking, sometimes I secretly wish I was a professional baker, or maybe just that I know what I am doing! ha!!

First I made peanut butter balls with chocolate, yum, I need to stay away from those for sure.

Then I went on to make peanut butter fudge. I love fudge. Peanut butter fudge is SO good, I love it, and I am SO not supposed to be eating any of this... 

I went on to make my fudge, and I was a tad short of sugar. Dang, time for a trip to the corner store. 

I am making goulash for dinner, It smells fantastic, I am ready to eat it now! 

It kinda looks like stew, it's stew meat, red bell peppers, onion, paprika, salt, pepper and a splash of wine. Cook it on low till the meat is tender and melts in your mouth, then add a brown gravy packet or two, then eat over mashed potato's. YUM-O! 

Landon brought home this ornament from school Friday. It's his hand, and they made the fingers into snowmen. So simple, and so cute. We got one last year too, it's cute to see how big his hand has gotten from last year! What did you do today?