Ice Skating

We took the girls Ice Skating for their first time last night! It was so much fun. Sweet Pea managed to stay on her feet much more than I had expected and her stubbornness has advantages. She insisted on being able to go around the rink at least once without my assistance (although she did use the wall). Pumpkin Pie, on the other hand, took off from the moment that she hit the ice. I really played up how it is so much easier than roller skating and how I was sure that she would know how to do it. She proved me right!
We also enjoyed the company of some close friends and their two children. That was a barrell of laughs, as well. Their youngest one spent more time on her bottom than on her feet but she never gave up. Their oldest one has this natural ability to pick up on anything and succeed at whatever she tries. She is a very blessed young lady! She decided that she wanted to skate fast like the other people and TWIRL! With much debate, we all convinced her to perfect the skating before she attempted to maneuver the twirl.
I did fall once, but I continue to blame that on attempting to stop before I ran into Sweet Pea, who would not watch where she was going. I have a large bruise on the inside of my left knee! We had such a good time though and I have really enjoyed all of the extra time that I have been able to spend with my girls (and my husband). We plan on going ice skating again in the near future, but don't be looking for any Olympic hopefuls here!

Resolutions- sorta

I said, last night, that I would post my new year resolutions. After putting some thought into it, I have decided that I would like to maintain some perspective and look at what I have accomplished over the past year.
1. We finally found a church that we absolutely love!
2. I lost 54lb.- now I have to work on that flab that is left over.
3. I achieved my LPC-MHSP (Licensed Professional Counselor- Mental Health Service Provider designation).
4. I think that I am accomplishing quite a bit with my job and making a difference in the world. (and my boss is wonderful)
5. I have a wonderful marriage and adorable husband that I feel is my best friend.
6. I have been blessed with so many others that I am friends with.
7. I have learned to let go of some of the smaller things, such as feeling like my house has to be absolutely spotless all of the time.
8. We are getting some of Pumpkin Pie's medical issues under control.
9. Sweet Pea is following directions better and is going to sleep in her own bed at least half of the time. Keep in mind that she is five and I haven't had the heart to break her from falling asleep in my bed and then moving her to her bed until several months ago and this has been harder on me than on her.
10. I am proud of who I am and the morals and values that I have.

For the new year, I have the basic goals of getting closer to God, being a better mom and wife and friend, losing weight/toning up, etc... But last year is going to be hard to beat. I am very fortunate that I have had such a wonderful year (actually a wonderful 7 years with my family) and have only hit some minor speed bumps along the way. I have been blessed and I know that there is plenty left to come. I am looking forward to every minute of it!

Fishing "Lure"

While cleaning Sweet Pea's room, we called her in to her room to try on a couple of articles of clothing. Her comment: "Why are you always trying to lure me away from my game?" (referring to Webkinz). She is such a ham.

True Story

My best friend's daughter just turned 14! She is a very sweet, beautiful, and sometimes intelligent young lady. I say sometimes because she often has those moments that leave you thinking, "what?!" She had one such moment several days ago. Bean went to get her belly button pierced for her birthday. When the piercer person (don't know correct term) asked if she was there to get her navel pierced, Bean responded with, "No, I'm getting my belly button pierced." What's even sadder than that...I started to ask her what she thought a navel was and then thought better of it because I did not want to hear her response.

Happy New Year

The house is clean (and I do mean clean), with the exception of the play room! We have spent the past couple of days cleaning and organizing every inch of the house-shampooing carpet, scrubbing floors, cleaning baseboards, etc...just because I have this weird belief that I need to start the new year off fresh, with the house clean and organized.
I hope that each of you have a wonderful and blessed new year. I do plan on creating some new year's resolutions but I want to put some thought into it first. I would like to see what everyone else is planning on accomplishing this year!

I'm addicted

Saturday afternoon, it started! My Wii addiction is now full blown. I have never been a big video game person anyway. We played about seven hours of video games with the kids. Normally, I would not have allowed this because I think they need other interactions. However, I made excuses for this system--the kids are getting activity, we are spending family time, blah, blah, blah. I guess it is the holidays and it is all right to be flexible right now. I will overcome my addiction when I have to start back to work, maybe!

Sweet Pea and Sugar Cookies

Christmas was very pleasant this year! We opened gifts with the kids on Christmas Eve (as we do each year). The girls loved their presents, of course. Christmas day, we spent the afternoon with my grandparents, mom, brother, aunt, and cousins. That evening, we visited with my mom.

We spent last weekend with my husband's side of the family. His mom stayed all night Friday. We traveled to visit all of his mom's family on Saturday. His aunt, uncle, and cousin came over on Tuesday for dinner. The girls have been blessed with so much family that loves and spoils them.

To the sugar cookie story...Sweet Pea asked my mom to get her sugar cookies for Christmas. My mom purchased and wrapped the cookies and then told Sweet Pea that she could only afford one present for her this year. Sweet Pea opened the sugar cookies and graciously said, "thank you" and "it's all right that you could only afford to get me cookies for Christmas this year. I still love you." Pumpkin Pie, on the other hand (thinking that was the only present), states, "what, I don't even get a present?" It amazes me that they are so different but I was very touched by Sweet Pea's ability to be thankful for the cookies, thinking that was all that she was getting. I would have been more like Pumpkin Pie! The children were excited that they received many other presents.

Tonight, we visited with some very close friends to just hang out and play Wii. The girls love spending time with close friends. We have many other things planned for this week- Dollywood, ice skating, playing with the new items, and just enjoying some family time. I need much more family time than I get and I think the kids are looking forward to the extra attention as well. I am also hoping to get together with a few other friends that we so greatly miss, so be expecting a phone call from me to make some plans.

I hope that everyone's Christmas was as wonderful as mine! I am so thankful for the family and friends that God has placed in my life.