New Year New Blog!

Happy New Year!

I changed over to the new blogger which means I don't have to fuss with HTML and I could change my background to add a little pizzazz for your reading pleasure. Hope you like it!

Don't know what I think about New Years resolutions, but I am going to make an attempt to become more consistent in blogging. I can almost guarantee there will not be one everyday, but if I can pause and sit down once a week to collect the thoughts of that week, I will be pleased. I am also ready to start running again. I have missed the solitude and the consistency of the pounding of the pavement. It might be chilly out there, but after the kids are in bed, there is nothing like separating from the everyday and just running it all out for a couple of miles or so. It seems most resolutions are kept for the first 3-4 months of the year, just based on how insanely busy the gym gets at the beginning of the year. I say, "Good for you!" on the people that stick it out, but if ya just wait out the crowds until mid-March, it all goes back to normal. But, if I resolve to do stuff I've missed and truly enjoy, then I won't have any reason to fall back on that resolution. I've missed the emptying of my soul, if I can say that much, in blogging and I've missed the emptying of the everyday that comes from just running. Anyone want to join me? I love the conversation and the quietness that comes from running with a partner. You talk when you want and let your cohort unload and then it just becomes peaceful, like when you are out of breath! HA!

Christmas was an absolute blessing. It was so hard at parts of it, like when Camille wouldn't go to sleep at the hotel in Atoka, Oklahoma until almost 11pm both nights, or just getting the stuff into and out of the suv to get to anywhere while we were gone. But, it was a great time with all the families. It seemed much more relaxed on both Jason's and my side and for that I am truly thankful. The kids rocked on with tons of gifts and neither Jason nor I were left empty-handed. To all the family, thank you for your thoughtfulness, we had a blast!

I guess I can just give a download on what's going on and take the "thankful for" list from those.

1. Isaac is sleeping about 11 hours every night. I never know which direction or on what side he will be on when I walk in there in the mornings. I've started puting him at the very end of the bed, because he almost always scoots himself up into a corner by the time morning comes around. So cute.

2. As I bet you can grasp from number 1, Isaac is rolling tummy to back and vice versa and scooching around everywhere. Probably the best was when we were at Jason's mom's house and I put him on a blanket by the tree so that he could have some downtime and entertainment all at once and he ends up directly underneath the tree so he could get a better look at the lights.

3. Little dude will sit on his own for a few minutes now. He's totally cute too, because he gets such a look of excitement on his face when he does it.

4. Being home is so nice.

5. Christmas gifts coming a little later for some. Our dear friends Jason and Becca were able to finalize everything for their adoption of Caleb and legally change his name. You can click on the Maddox Family Blog and read the whole story. They will be featured in the Tulsa World next week. I am just so happy for them and so proud of their faith and strength through this process. It wasn't easy, but they are reaping the enormous blessings from their tenacity. Congratulations again!

6. I have a great support system in my friends and family. Crazy pediatrician wants Isaac to be obese it seems and I wouldn't have made it through a horrible week of tears and "Can I really provide for him through nursing?" bouts of depression without my dear ones. Thanks to Jason, Keri, Karen, Mom and Dad. It meant the world to me to have you say you can do it, but you don't have anything to prove. By the way, Isaac is just fine and will never be a huge baby. Stinkin' pediatrician sabotaging my confidence.

7. 2007 will be a good year. It will be the first year since 2004 that I will not be pregnant. Think about that. I have been pregnant every year since 2004 and twice in 2005. Yikes...get away from me Jason!

8. My sister will bring a new life into the world in 2007. I can live with her being pregnant and not me! Hee Hee!

9. So much has happened this year and it has happened so quickly. I can remember writing my first post in this crazy technical contraption. I can remember calling Keri and having the conversation about second babies that led me to writing this. I think I'll scroll through some of the old posts and just read what was up back then. What a novelty. I love this online diary.

10. Here we come 2007! I wonder what blessings God will bring this year!

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Almost a month

Okay, I realize it has been almost a month since I last updated, however this is my third attempt at updating. Two other times, I started, was interrupted, and tried to go back only to find the computer had been shut down and therefore, by blog update kapoot! So many times I thought in my mind, "ooooh, I need to remember that for my update." Well, those thoughts have come and gone my friend. But, I can cover the basics...

Camille is growing up at light speed. I looked at some pictures of when Isaac was first born and the difference between then and now is crazy! I guess having a child doesn't only age the mom and dad! Hah! She is a little chatterbox and definitely a proficient mimic. With that being said, she learns a lot very quickly, and as every mom believes of their own child, she is incredibly intelligent. She is singing the majority of her ABCs and counts 1-10.

Isaac sat up on November 22 for the first time. I have pictures and will post soon. He rolls over from tummy to back almost immediately when placed on his tummy and almost has the tummy to back thing down. He gets to his side, but can't get past the legs. He has an incredibly infectious smile and goes into full body breakdance when he spots a familiar face. He has also started to put himself to sleep with no fight or tears (most of the time). He is still just 4 months old, so we gotta give the guy a break when he has a tough night. Last night was the first time in a while where the little dude just needed that extra bit of lovin' to snooze on into dreamland. But, he slept until 6:45, God love him. Sweet blessings indeed.

Thanksgiving was a blast. We spent time with each and every grandparent and one great-grandparent and loved every second of it. It was definitely a reminder of the blessings we have in every member of our family.

We had our hardwood floors put in the week after Thanksgiving. It was quick and painless, and they are spectacular. The gross thing is now we can see all the dirt and dog/cat hair that was infesting our carpet as it lies very visibly on our dark floor. Thank the Lord for Swiffers. It is unbearable to not go over the floor at least 3 times a week. I still don't vacuum the bedrooms that often so I know they are just infested with filth. Blech.

Camille was in her first Christmas program at church, which is now The Life Connection, long story made short, we found another church we are checking out to see if it is really our home church. Back to the program, Camille didn't sing a note, but she sure was cute standing up on stage just smiling her fantastic huge smile. She will now sing a few bars of Away In A Manger as she plays with her baby Jesus and his house (Nativity set).

Jason and I realized last night that we start our Christmas festivities next week and we have only part of one Christmas gift bought. Yikes, nothing like leaving it until the last minute. Wasn't it just August and I was going into the hospital to deliver?! Where have 4 months gone?

So, I am immeasurably thankful for the following:

1. The great snow we had a couple of weeks ago. When Camille was playing in it, she kept calling it "My snow. That's my snow." Yep, girlie, God did give you that snow to play in. That snow, by the way, was almost up to her waist. What fun!

2. People that install hardwood floors. They did a great job and we didn't have to add it to our already crazy schedules.

3. The spa manicure and pedicure I had yesterday. I didn't have to talk, think, wipe poo, feed, burp, or entertain at all. Thank you Jason for watching the kids and thank you to the amazing women at Infiniti who I can't understand at all as they point to my feet and talk amongst themselves. Awkward, yes, but they do a fantastic job.

4. Knowing that when we give God control over our lives, He really does manage it for our best purposes, even when it is beyond understanding. Praying for wisdom in all things makes it easier to know that it isn't just us trying to muster through some very tough decisions.

5. The very calm and enjoyable dinner out as a family on Saturday night. It was the first time that we, as a family of 4, went out to dinner on our own on a Saturday night since Isaac was born. It really was so much fun and the kids did great.

6. The relaxation of easing into a fairly predictable routine with Isaac and Camille together. It is not an exact science, but I appreciate knowing where we will end up at the end of the day.

7. Jason for being a cool dad and great husband.

8. Jason's semester is over, and he is all ours until January. He walks in May for his Master's diploma, and only has that summer semester to fulfill all his hours. Sweet!

9. Christmas season. Stressful to many, but I love it more and more every year!

10. The gift of God's son and the reason why Christmas is here. Remember that!