Ringing in the New Year with a Birthday!

Today was a MUCH better day. I stayed at home from work so I could catch up on some strength! And I got to play with my daughter all day too! The last three days were much more painful. We didn't do a whole lot even though today is New Year's. My dad went home early this morning and Justin is away in Wichita hunting. My mom and I just lounged around and watched Jaina play with all her toys.

She is getting so big and is becoming such a mess! She is into everything. And if she has something she knows she's not suppose to be playing with and I catch her with it she takes off in a full speed for the nearest exit. She also knows when she's not suppose to have something because if we tell her no she will repeat, "no,no,no" to herself, lol. Tonight my uncle came over for his Birthday. A Happy 59th Birthday to him! My mom fixed her famous fried chicken and mash potatoes and we had a teeny tiny cake for him too. (Literally) It's one of those baby cakes for one. and of course then we gave him his gifts. This was the first birthday in the last three years he did not have to spend in the hospital with my grandma. Jaina really really enjoyed her piece of cake. I think she made a bigger mess tonight then she did on her Birthday, lol. Then it was off for a bath for jaina after we were done and then we just hung out and watched t.v.Not much of a New Year's for us but it's not like I'm in college going to parties like I use to. I'm a mom now and I would much rather be at home spending it with my daughter. Not that I have to become this old maid now that I'm married and have a kid but I just cant fathom the thought of not spending the holidays with my baby. So now my mom and I are just going to watch the ball drop on t.v. and then check out for the night. (If I make it to midnight! Ha!ha!) and I will be thinking of my New Year's resolution as well when the ball is dropping.

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVERYONE!!! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR IN 2010!!!!!!

First picture of 2010 taken at 12:09 out like a light!

Wow that hurt

I never thought having surgery would hurt this bad! I have been laying in a vertical position for the last three days in bed hurting. Monday, Justin and I had to be at the hospital at 8 in the morning. My dad and uncle met us down in the waiting room. And my mom was snoozing away with Jaina. They called me back and had me get into my gown and stuck needles in everywhere. I was so nervous about them giving me the "velvet Hammer" the doctor asked if I wanted something to calm my nerves down. It helped a little but I was still scared to death. When it was time to take me back I kissed Justin goodbye and told my dad and uncle bye. They took me back and the last thing I remember was them telling me to lean my head back and then I was out. After 2 hours of surgery I woke up in the recovery room and OMG! it felt like my insides had been torn out of me (which they were). It hurt so bad! They wheeled me back to my room where my dad and Justin were. The nurse asked me to eat 3 crackers and a cup of sprite before she could give me some more pain medicine and it litterly took me an hour to eat those 3 crackers, lol. I was released from the hospital and Justin came and picked me up in the front, I thought I was going to die on the way home! Every little bump we hit hurt so bad. As soon as we got home I went straight to our bed to lay down and have been there ever since. I never thought it would hurt this bad. I actually thought I would be back at work by Thursday, lol. I am so thankful my parents are here to keep Jaina. I can't lift anything for 2 more weeks. And I am SO thankful for Justin because he has been doing everything for me and helping go to the bathroom, take a shower and helping me get up. I never wish this upon anyone. I just hope this all goes away soon.

Nature of Lights

Last night I had big plans for everyone to go and see the Nature of Lights around Lake Belton but nobody wanted to go except me, my mom and uncle and I'm so glad we went!My sister stayed at home with Jaina while she slept so we could all go out to eat. I forgot how easy it is to do simple things like getting into your car and eating with out a child screaming and throwing things the whole time. Sad huh? After dinner my Dad and Justin headed back to the house while my mom, uncle and I headed to Lake Belton.

I know they put The Nature of Lights up every year but I never really thought about going until my co-worker said something to me about how amazing they were and I thought hmmm I'm right down the road so lets go and check them out. I figured there was going to be nobody at the park looking at them and boy was I wrong! There was a whole string of cars behind us and a whole string ahead of us.

This was my favorite displayWe got into the park and the lights were really cool. You follow a 2 mile road which takes about 2 hours to get through of all different kinds of lights and animated characters. They had gingerbread houses (my FAVORITE thing about Christmas) reindeer, Santa's everywhere, the 12 Days of Christmas, baby Jesus and anything else you can think of that has to do with Christmas. These pictures don't really justify how pretty they were but you get the picture.
I was kinda sad that Jaina and Justin didn't get to come and see them with me but my mom and uncle were there and we had a good time. Jaina probably would have slept the whole time anyways. I will definitely be bringing her back when she gets older. She would love it!After we got done we headed over to Mickey D's and got us some ice cream and boy was it good!Tomorrow is my big day! Surgery....booooooooo. I'm so not looking forward to it. I'm just trying to keep my mind occupied for now. Jaina will keep me entertained tonight when I get home from work. Tomorrow Justin and my dad will be there with me and my mom will be home with Jaina sleeping away. I just hope everything goes ok and we are in and out in now time. Wish me luck!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!! Yesterday we got up really early and drove home from Justin's mom's house. Jaina was smooth out for most of the morning. Justin and I exchanged gifts first thing when we got home. I was anticipating Jusitn opening his present because he had no clue what it was and had been very curious about it too. His actual real present was a chiminia for the back deck that he wanted but I had to throw in a little side gift. He is always moaning and groaning about how he is always playing Mr.MoM when I have to work and how luckily I should be to be married to a man that would actually play Mr. MoM. So I decided to buy him a little black apron and some hot pink iron on letters that said Mr. MoM and I also bought him a little trophie that said # 1 Dad 2009. HA! He thought that was really funny and like it.

Jaina had barley woken up when the family started to arrive. She was so excited to see everyone and probably had no clue what was going on. I put her in her Christmas dress after my mom gave her breakfast. She spotted one of her gifts right away, her own personal leather chair my uncle got her. It is so cute! So now she can sit in her chair and watch cartoons!Traditionally we would all go to my granny's house and have a big traditional turkey dinner but since this was our first year without her we decided to do it at our house and have barbecue. And it turned out really good too! Everyone was very pleased and we hardly had any leftovers which was awesome. (Cause I don't know about yall but I can only eat leftovers one time before I can't stand it anymore).Jaina sat at the table with us and had some Mac & Cheese and some Mash potatoes but wasn't really interested in eating. She was more focused on all those presents on the floor.
After dinner it was time to open presents! We all had a good time opening gifts and seeing what each other got. I was so excited for Jaina to see all her gifts. She got a ton of stuff and a ton of toys. She was so excited and just looked and looked at all her stuff. but what she really wanted to play with was the bows, Christmas paper, our cameras and cell phones. I don't get it. A ton of toys and still wants something I'm using.
She did get one really important gift that I was really hoping someone would get her. A potty Chair!!!! I think I was more excited then she was. Justin and I plan on introducing the potty chair to her after the beginning of the new year. I know she's only a year and a half but she can do it. Hopefully she will learn quickly. I think she thought it was just another toy because yesterday she was sitting on it backwards trying to ride it like a pony! haha! I did have a couple very spacial gifts this year from my granny. She had ordered them before she passed away and that I will cherish forever. I also got a bunch a things my granny sewed throughout the years including an apron that was her momma's which makes it almost a 100 years old. Now those things Jaina can't play with but will be passed down to her :)
After a long 2hours of opening presents we sat around and talked and enjoyed our presents. Jaina was due for a much needed nap so I put her down. Everyone stayed pretty late and then it was time for them to go. Jaina enjoyed everyone coming and celebrating her second Christmas with her. She was too excited and sad to see everyone leave.I love this time of year. Being with family and especially now, being a mom, having a family of my own and starting our own traditions. I hope everyone had a good Christmas. Again Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!Oh and Jaina said her first sentence-- Hi Kitty!!!!!

Santa Randomness

Well Tuesday we set off to Wichita Falls to visit Justin's family and guess who left their card to their camera at home. Me! of all times. I wasn't a happen camper either because Justin and I hardly ever have time off together and much less to go out of town together. So I was a little disappointed in myself but I did manage to get some pretty crummy pictures with my phone.

But anyways we had a lot of fun visiting with his family. We got to see everyone and exchanged gifts. Most of the presents we gave away this year all had to do with Jaina. Jaina calendars, Jaina pictures, Jaina books so everyone was excited about their gifts. And guess what I got from Justin's grandma, a Snuggie and I was excited too! Later that night we headed over to the Fout's house. Their son Blake is such a cutie pie and such a big boy! When they saw each other they just hugged and hugged each other and played so well together too. It was so funny because Blake had a pacifier in his mouth and apparently Jaina thought it was hers and pulled it out and put it in her mouth, sucked on it and then took it back out of her mouth and stuck it in his! Ha! Talk about sharing germs. I hope she doesn't do that to all the kids when she starts day care in a few weeks. Wednesday we had to leave cause we both had to work on Thursday. And guess what I heard today, that Wichita had a ton of snow! That's just our luck. I would have loved to see Jaina playing out in the snow today.

But today we both had to go into work and I am on call. Jaina and I are at Justin's mom's house which is good cause in case I get a call all I have to do is get up and go. But hopefully I wont have to get up in the middle of the night in this freezing cold weather! Jaina got a new pair of green Christmas PJ's tonight. A lot of people have that as a tradition. Who knows we might make that ours.

While it is Christmas Eve and all I would like to share my top three favorite Christmas songs of all time.

# 1 Feliz Navidad- By Jose ? I love this song because I remember when we had to sing it in music class in elementary and I thought I was so cool because I knew how to speak Spanish, Ha!

# 2 Wonderful Christmas Time- I think that's by the Beatles

# 3 Last Christmas- By Wham

And you know what I am dieing to have, one of those old school plastic Santa's that light up that you can put on your front porch! Does anyone know where I can buy one at?

Christmas Pictures

So last week we went and had our Christmas pictures made so here they are! Don't mind the bad job I did with using the scanner. There were smudges, finger prints and stuff all over it, so you can see it on the pictures. This little outfit my mom bought for her. She's my little Miss Claus
My two loves

And I saved the best for last. A repeat from last year

(notice our laughter as our daughter is crying)Merry Christmas Yall!!!!

Chocolate sweets

Tonight I'm making some delicious sweets. I love to cover things in chocolate at Christmas time. So far it's my favorite dessert to make and it's so easy.(That's probably why I cant loose any weight!) This little project takes about 10-15 minutes to do so you can whip something up while the baby is sleeping or the hubby is in the shower and surprise them when they get up.

Here's how you do it:

First thing you need is some baking chocolate. We have H-E-B here so I just buy whatever they have out. This bark chocolate Ive used before and is pretty good.

Then melt the chocolate in a pot. Melt is low and slow cause otherwise you will burn the chocolate. I melted about six bars but if your making it for gifts or company I would do the whole package.

Then you need whatever food your going to cover. I love pecans and pretzels. The pecans I picked and shelled from our old house. We had a huge pecan tree in our yard. Also strawberries and bananas are good too.

Once the chocolate is melted you can start covering.

Then place them on some wax paper. If you don't have any wax paper handy like me just use the bag that cereal comes in. It makes great wax paper.

And after they cool you can stick them in a fridge or in a container. And there you go a sweet treat that you and your guests will enjoy for Christmas.

yesterday

Yesterday was a rather somber day, we buried our co-worker. She was the most sweetest lady you would have ever met. She worked with me on the weekend shift. We would talk the whole time about all sorts of stuff, she would tell me about the "old days and working on her farm" and she taught me so much this year about gardening and gave me so many good tips. She found out that about 2 weeks ago that her cancer had come back and it was already in stage 4. She said she was ready to go and trusted in the Lord to take care of her. I wish that when it is my time to go I could have the courage and strength to say and be like that. Last weekend I went and visited her and she gave me two pots of her strawberries and a plant called Angel wings. She told me to take real good care of them and I will. We cried so much yesterday and will truly truly miss her.

But on a positive note my cousin Rachel graduated from Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Justin's cousin Brady graduated from Texas Tech. Go them!!! Yay!! That is such a relief to finally be done with college. I totally know the feeling. You think you will never get done but you will. I called her yesterday and wished her good luck and was sorry we couldn't make it. She said it was fine her dad was their and my uncle and parents were there to cheer her on! You know the only down fall to graduating college is actually having to find a job and work everyday! Congrats again to both of them!

T.F.D Christmas Party

Tonight was the Temple Fire Department Christmas Party. Justin was on duty and asked if Jaina and I wanted to come. It was actually alot of fun and over 300 hundred people came. They had a nice dinner and then a raffle and gave away gifts and Justin won a prize! Jaina had an absolute blast. She found a friend there to play with and literally would not let go of her. Chris who is on Justin's shift with him has a 22 month old baby girl named Hannah. She is just a doll. They hugged, twirled their dresses around, danced and played on the floor. When it was time to go I felt so sorry for her because she just cried and cried for her little friend. I think we need to schedule them a play date!

Santa Claus also made an appearance as well. All the kids jumped for joy. Jaina had no clue who he was, haha not this year at least. We did go and have our picture made with him. Jaina actually smiled this time and was not scared. I guess that's because mommy and daddy took pictures with her on Santa's lap.

This morning Jaina and I went into town to do the last of our Christmas shopping and my favorite store in the whole wide world-Hobby Lobby is having their 50 % of everything in the store sale and I had to stop by to browse around. I have been eyeing these lamps since the summer time and have been dying to buy them but they are 70 a piece. I did not have the heart to break myself down and buy them and when I went in today guess what they were 50 % off. I still hesitated to buy them but I had some extra doe come my way (thanks to my Christmas bonus at work) and bought them. And I love them! I got one for each side of the bed in our room and they go perfectly!

The old boring lamp....blah

And now the new and updated one.......ahhhh

And if you haven't noticed I am a blondie now, I heard they have more fun!

Cabin Scramble and chocolate covered anything!

A couple of posts ago at Kelly's Korner she had everyone tell about there favorite holiday food or snack. So here is one that I got from Justin's grandma and it's really good, really easy to make and a fun snack to have. Enjoy!

1/2 Box of rice chex

1/2 Box of wheat chex

1/2 box of plain Cherrios

1 can mixed nuts

1/4 Box stick pretzels

1 cup Wesson oil

2 Teaspoons Garlic Salt

2 Teaspoons seasoning salt

2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

Pour this mix all together at one time then bake at 250 degrees for 2 hours, stirring frequently adding in 2 tablespoons of Chili Powder and Ta - Da, you've got handy trail mix at anytime for at home or on the go!

Chocolate covered anything!

During the Holiday season I love baking if I have the spare time, these days I really don't but for the last couple of years I love covering food with chocolate! At our old house we lived at in Temple we had a large pecan tree in the front yard and I went crazy with making chocolate covered pecans and they are SO good!

Super easy: all that you need is baking chocolate and a pot

Heat the pot up and melt your chocolate. Then dip, pecans, mixed nuts, pretzels or strawberries and let them sit on some wax paper and instantly you have fun party favors for your holiday guests!

Home Tour Christmas Decorations

Well I have to be honest I'm not a big decorator for the Holidays though I want to be but that takes alot of money so each year I just have to add little by little. So we don't have much of any decorations up besides our trees this year. I am excited though because my mom is making Jaina's first Christmas stocking for her, its a little Santa stocking. I thought that would be more special to her then just buying one.

And her Grammy Carolyn made this little hat for her last night.

Jaina and Mommy in front of our treeOther then that we do have an angel out on the front porch that lights up though you cant tell what she really is unless you stare really hard. She just looks like a blab of lights from the street, haha. And I had big plans this year to line our winding side walk with lights and hang ice icicle lights on the house but I was a couple strands short and I never went back to the store to buy more. Christmas gifts got in the way!

Daddy and Jaina's turnBut as far as decorations, here is a couple, enjoy!

These ornaments are actually real glass so I have to watch her every more this year because she has already shattered to balls on the kitchen floor.

Last year after Christmas I purchased a ton of ornaments on sale. These are plastic which is SO great if you have little ones. My tree ornaments have slowly moved up the tree to keep away from her.

I decided to go with a Red and gold tree this year with all white lights.

This little guy I wasn't for sure what to do with. I just stuck them randomly in the tree.

Again another picture of the Christmas Box that Justin's grandmother made for us.

Justin's grandma also sent us this cute Santa box with a bunch of goodies inside. As you can see Jaina got her hands on this little man and destroyed him. No more glasses and a broken hand.

All of these ornaments are on Jaina's tree. This ornament was one of Justin's when he was a little boy.

Another one of Justin's childhood ornaments

Justin's grandma sends us fireman ornaments every year So I just put them on Jaina's tree so she can enjoy and play with.

MERRY CHRISTMAS YALL!!! I hope yall all enjoyed!!!

P.S....... No wonder my daughter makes so many different faces, SHE GETS IT FROM HER DADDY!!!!