and so it goes: December 2009

Well, after starting the holiday season with a little stress (previous post), it actually turned out quite nice and not so stressful after all! I enjoyed going to the stakes Christmas concert with Jayna and also taking small presents/treats to some individuals who could use a little extra love and attention this season- one lady from the neighborhood (who talked our ears off when Jayna was selling Girl Scout cookies) and one lady from church. One of the items in one of the women's basket was just from the dollar store, but she really thought it was great, and I felt good because I knew her well enough to think it might be a good idea.Those things helped me keep the true spirit of Christmas- which is something I always try to do, but for some reason it seemed easier this year, maybe more inside me???

Here are some pictures of the kids opening presents that were made for each other. We always pull names of someone in the family to make for. This is how it turned out this year: Andrew made me yummy chocolate suckers, Whitney made Jayna a coupon book (I'll play a game with you...) and a scrapbook, Jayna made Richard a carpet rectangle with "I love Dad" on it, I made Andrew a no sew fleece blanket (Really my "making" skills are very limited), and of course Richard made a super cool gift- I call it a Fairy Light, but it's a solar powered light, that glows in the dark.

Everyone got some lovely presents and I was thrilled that Richard bought me some jammies- he had sworn off buying me clothes, but maybe he's coming around. He did a great job! And the unexpected winners?? Flarp the kids all got a canister of flarp noise putty. Being called Flarp, you can probably guess the noise that it makes. They had a fun time sitting around having "flarp contests"! Only thing, Santa should have put some in Richard's stocking too! Okay, I'm hesitant to admit it, maybe I should have gotten some too! After getting played with a ton, it didn't last more than a day, but definitely worth the $1 each! The other surprise??? My new balance ball (which I am sitting on as I write)- has provided the kids with a lot of fun and an opportunity to try some new "tricks". Will all be fun until someone busts up their head!!

Well I have finished my on campus classes- wahoo!!!Still waiting for one last grade to be posted. It feels good to be done. I'll start clinicals Jan. 4th, definitely nervous, but also looking forward to it. I'll be doing one in a rehab setting (hip replacements are big at this setting), then a pediatric setting.

Nice having some break time, I'm trying to enjoy it. Today I took the kids shopping, tomorrow Whitney and I are getting pedicures together, next day I'm taking Jayna to the aquarium, and Thursday is Andrew's birthday/New Year's Eve. Plan on some one on one time with Andrew in January, just haven't decided what yet.

Did something new for our Family fun activity this month- we went to Old Fort Niagara for a Firing of the Christmas guns and walking around the Fort and sites there. It was a nice relaxing night. I like doing our family fun activities, gives us an opportunity to try new things.

Just Read- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - loved it, a great book, it's the 2nd book in the Hunger Games, I think I like it better than the first one even!

And so it goes...