A Step Inside

Christmas 2007 has come and gone… Seems like we were just counting down to the day, weren’t we?.. Can you tell I’m like a child around the holidays?.. I get so excited to have all of my family together, good food, watching the kids go ecstatic over what Santa brought… Listening to holiday music.. Except for the insane amount of people crowding stores when you need to make a quick stop, I love everything about the season! =) We had a nice holiday this year.. Lots of unwrapping, untwist-tying (gotta love how much they tie up toys these days), lots of sweet treats… We made it all the way through the holiday extravaganza and awoke at 5:30am to “Mommy, I threw up in my bed…”.. Oye! Poor girl.. I thought maybe she just ate a bit too many sweets, but it seems she actually had a touch of this flu type bug going around.. Erik was off work today, so was able to stay home w/ her. She’s tucked snugly in bed now, but hopefully she’s seen the worst… Fingers crossed my baby is feeling better by morning!..

Visited the library last week.. does anyone else every feel excitement about all the new books that are out? However w/ time constraints, I typically have to renew a book before I ever get through it.. I still feel giddy over the *possibility* of new books to read.. Yeah, yeah, I’m a little different.. lol

As of last week, Kaylor is officially a member of the YWCA now.. She went there this summer for their camp program and got to swim every day, play outside, go on field trips, etc. It’s awesome that we have this sort of thing for working parents! They also host child care for school break days, so during the holidays, she’ll have 2 “Y” days where she can swim and then 1 day that she will be going to the Children’s Discovery Museum.. Hopefully those will be enjoyable for her!

Burt’s Bees chapstick… if you have never tried this chapstick, you seriously must! You know when you get home from the store, and that little something that you have bought, just tickles you pink when you take it out of the sack at home? That’s me w/ my burt’s bees chapstick… I know, I’m easy to please, but hey, it’s really good stuff! I recommend the original verison, “soothing, cooling, refreshing”… ahh…. Now go get some! haha..

We stopped by Kelly’s Bakery a couple of weeks ago for the annual gingerbread house decorating!.. We had so much fun that Erik even decided that he had to purchase a house of his own to decorate! haha… He & Kaylor both did such a great job though!.. And eating candy while decorating, that always makes for a good time… Here are a few pics of the fun that was had. And even a rare couple of photos w/ me!

More holiday pictures to come…

Only 7 shopping days left until Christmas! Does that seem really crazy to anyone else?!? Although the nice bit of snow we got over the weekend does confirm that it is officially winter, and the holidays are here… I think I’ve officially got 1 gift to buy!… Not bad, for a typically last minute shopper!

Do you ever have find yourself thinking, “only by the grace of God”?… Over the last couple of days, I’ve found myself saying this quite often. At times when you can’t quite figure out why certain things are happening or what the meaning is behind it, to only realize it’s all by God’s grace.. He has a plan and things happen to steer us down the path to His calling.. My faith has been tested over the last couple of days, and I’m proud to say that I have pushed forward and trusted in Him. It’s very clear to me what has happened, and again, it’s “only by the grace of God”… Stronger, more dedicated, grateful, loved.. those are just a few of the many emotions flooding me right now..

Horrible blogger… I know, I know… Someone recently mentioned to me, “You haven’t blogged in a MONTH”… I laughed and replied, “Oh come on, it hasn’t been THAT long”… Um.. sure enough.. it’s been OVER a month now! Oye! Sorry readers… Keep w/ me though, the new year brings a better blogger out of us all! And for certain ones out there, stepping into the blogging world all together! haha..

Updates on us… Erik is currently fighting a cold. I think actually the very first time he’s been sick since we’ve been together! Um… I think I understand the reason that women go through pregnancy and child birth.. haha.. Just kidding honey.. You’ll feel better soon!..

Kaylor attempted to do her best at snow angels yesterday.. I was later informed that I’d have to help her make a snowman (OR girl, as she tells me) so we’ll see how that goes.. Or rather how long this snow lasts before it’s all melted!

Stumbled upon a couple of pictures recently from my brother’s HS graduation.. thought I’d share.. Also a couple of pics from Kaylor’s winter program in her “pretty blue dress”..

And what other fun things have I been keeping busy working on? Why a holiday card for my mom (and Brock).. hehe.. I especially designed the card for her, considering she loves greens & well, her dog, Brock, too! We even did photos of him in the studio.. he did a super job! Purina, if you’re looking for reps… I’ve got his contact info!