NaBloPoMo – January 2

Ok, so as usual, I’m a late. I’m here, though, and that’s what counts. Right? What is NaBloPoMo? It stands for National Blog Posting Month. The goal is to post everyday on your blog for the entire month. Not sure I have that many interesting things to talk about, but I thought I’d give it a try. This month’s official theme is BEST. However, you don’t have to stick to the theme in your posts. Which is a good thing for me. How many BESTS can there be? Or, as my word of the year has me FOCUS on different areas in my life, maybe BEST is what I should blog about. Hmmm… Lots to think about as I endeavor to write a post each day this month…

Word for 2010

My word for the year 2010 is FOCUS. Last year was a tough year for me. After our move from Cinci to Texas, I turned into a “turtle”. I climbed in my shell and hung out there by myself for the better part of the year. I lost focus, and couldn’t focus on anything.

In short, I feel God is calling me to focus on the following things:

• HIM – I plan to do this in a few ways. I plan to attend the membership class at church with Matt, and we will join the church we have attended since moving to TX. I also plan to read through my One Year Bible this year.
• FAMILY – I plan to do this by utilizing our coupon books (more on these later) which entitle the kids to choose an activity each week or a “date” with Matt or myself. I’m also going to work on a “365” scrapbook which will help me focus on my family in an “everyday” way – not just focusing on events.
• ME – I am clearing off the treadmill, and I’m planning to run a 5K each month this year with my aunt, sister, and two boys. I am also looking into some “work” related things. One is getting my sewing business back to where it was when we moved. Also this year, I will train to become a Disney travel agent. If you have any future plans to travel to Disney, let me know!!

I’m open to anything the Lord calls me to focus on. For now, he’s got me hard at work on the list above.

Snow Again!

We got snow again yesterday. I decided last night to let the kids play outside in it. Emma has been eager to build a snowman. I’m glad I decided to let them play outside at 8:00 last night, because when I got up at 8:00 this morning all the snow is GONE! That’s the good thing about snow in TX – it doesn’t linger. I remember in Cincinnati when it snowed it would hang around for days or weeks before finally clearing off. But, for those days and weeks we were stuck looking at grey slush everywhere! Not here. If it snows, you must play in it immediately or not at all.

Emma is all bundled up and ready to go in her new hat and gloves Santa brought her. I have created a monster trained her well. Every time I pull out the camera, she strikes a pose.

My angels making angels in the snow.

The snowblob snowman…

Party Time!!

WooHoo!!  We are excited to announce that after 39 LONG months….

Logan got his braces off!!!  Would you just look at that expensive beautiful smile!!  I love him it!  We really were beginning to wonder if he would ever get them off.

When we moved to Texas last year, we weren’t sure where we would end up buying a house.  Therefore, we couldn’t look for an orthodontist.  I needed to find an ortho close to our new house.  So, Logan went without treatment (tightening, bands, etc) for a couple of months.  That couple of months extended his treatment for about 6 months since his teeth shifted during that time.  Uugghh!!  Then came the issue of him not wanting to wear his bands.  They are uncomfortable and “uncool” when your 15yo and in high school (or anywhere else I would imagine).  So, that added on a bit more time.  We thought he would get them off last Monday (his 16th birthday), but the orthodontist wanted to wait one more week.  Today he got them off!!  We were all very excited for him.  He has been smiling ever since!  

Sweet and Sassy

My girlfriend called me up the other day to tell me that Sweet and Sassy was having a sale. Sweet and Sassy? What’s that, you say? It’s a little boutique where girly-girls can go have their hair and nails done. They had a one-day where they marked down the price of their up-do’s for Christmas. We (Carol Beth and I) thought it would be fun for the girls so we headed out.

I must mention that the girls were very excited. They were excited about getting their hair and nails done. They were excited about wearing matching clothes. I happened to have a duplicate sweater vest Hannah could wear. And, they were just excited to be able to spend the day together.

Here are some pics from our day…

View Full Album

Winter Recital 2009 – Day 2

Today was even busier than yesterday. We started the day with a dress rehearsal for Emma’s competitive dance team. Then, it was time for the second day of the winter recital. Emma performed her tap routine to Polar Express. She did not like tap last year and quit after the winter recital. She decided to try it again over the summer, and found a new love for it. She did really well on stage this afternoon.

Here is a picture of Emma and her best friend before heading on stage to tap. There are two boys in their class, but I couldn’t get the group together for a shot.

Emma’s jazz class performed to Go Fish’s version of Joy to the World. They did a fabulous job!! This was her favorite from this recital.

That’s the end of our “winter” season. Next up, they will begin working toward the spring recital after Christmas. Also, Emma’s team will polish up their routine in anticipation of their first competition in February.

Winter Recital 2009 – Day 1

I love dance!! Well, at least when Emma does it (not me!). This weekend is our winter dance recital. Each winter the studio performs The Nutcracker. Emma’s ballet class danced the Russian Divertissement. She really enjoys dancing in the “big ballet”. Not all the ballet classes perform in The Nutcracker, but hers does. Here are pics of her in her Nutcracker costume…

Emma is ready to go onstage.

Emma in the dressing room ready to go on stage.

Emma and a few classmates waiting in the hall before the ballet.

Emma and her best buddy (and her buddy’s brother) after they performed in The Nutcracker.

Emma and her ballet teacher after the recital.

Tomorrow, we have day 2. She will perform her jazz and tap routines tomorrow, as well as The Nutcracker again.