Easter and everything else

I realize I haven't kept this thing up. I will do my best to update it the best I can. Since Christmas, a lot has happened. Noelle has had her first (professional) haircut. James changed jobs. Nothing really has happened to me. I guess not that much has happened. Although, the job change was pretty significant. James left Albertson's to work for our brother-in-law. He owns a couple of franchises of a painting business and needed someone to run the one in our area. It has been a good opportunity and has been a stress reliever in most aspects. It does carry a lot of responsibility but it's nice to have had James home more often, and more importantly, during the evenings and weekends. As for me, I am almost done with this semester and have been trying to decide whether or not to take the summer off and whether I should transfer schools or not. I'll let everyone know when I've decided. Noelle got her first haircut and flipped out. Now we're deciding whether we should attempt getting her haircut again or just let her continue to look like Shaggy the dog/John Lennon. Easter was fun this year, the Easter bunny came and brought Noelle a few bath toys and a toy tea set, which she just adores. It's the only girly thing she likes the play with. She's still young, but I am convinced I have a tomboy on my hands. We'll see. I'll post a few pictures and hopefully I won't wait as long to post again.

Christmas with a brief update.

So I thought I would post the pictures of Noelle from Christmas and give a brief update of our lives. We had a wonderful Christmas despite the weather. It's always lots of fun for us to spend the Holidays with our families and we're grateful that we get that opportunity. James is still working away and we're so appreciative that he still has work during these unsure economic times. I am (somewhat) enjoying my winter break before Spring Semester, but sometimes feel as if I need more to do without homework. I start the next semester on January 12th and am looking forward to it. Noelle is as cute as ever. She loves watching "Monster's Inc." and her new horsey she received for Christmas. She has also started saying small phrases, like, "thank you" and "you're welcome". We pretty much think she's the cutest thing around and we're looking forward to seeing what else she accomplishes. Nothing much else is going on in our lives and I'm struggling to find what else to write, so I'll leave it at that.

Sub for Santa

So this is an unusual post for me. But I thought I would let whoever reads this blog know, that we have a neighbor who is in desperate need of gifts for her kids this year for Christmas. I think it's too late for her to sign up for Angel Tree or any Salvation Army charities, but her kids needs some things, and she can't provide for them. We're on a tight budget ourselves this year, but we know she really wants her kids to have some kind of Christmas. If anybody wants to help us out, in providing something for them, let me know. I have sizes and a want list. Email me, or comment to let me know, if you're willing to help...even a little.

Fall 2008

Not much to blog about, but wanted to post our Fall 2008 pictures courtesy Alder Photography.

Halloween 2008

Noelle's second Halloween is officially over. It was lots of fun. We went over to Lindsay and Adam's to paint pumpkins and then went to my parent's empty house and took her trick or treating. She only lasted a few houses, but I figured she really didn't need the candy anyway. It was a blast. She ran through the leaves to get to the doors and then tried to steal the whole bowl of candy. That's my daughter for you. I look forward to next year.

Witch's Night Out

So I was finally able to find the time and the event to allow a girl's night out. Lindsay and I went to Gardener Village to "Witch's Night Out", which was designed for women 18 and older to go out without their children to have a good time. Although we only wore witch's hats, there were many elaborate costumes, including the ones I've posted. Maybe we're the only ones that were excited to see "Glenda, the Good Witch", "Maleficent" and "The Snow White Queen", as well as many others. There was a soup bar there with some awesome soup in a bread bowl. We had fun waiting in line for fortune telling and dancing with all the other witches. I totally suggest it as a pre-activity for Halloween for women to ditch their children and husbands for a couple of hours. I think it's going to be a tradition for Lindsay and me. FINALLY!!! A girl's night out!!!


On another token, school is going mediocre. If possible. I'm finding myself in a mid-semester slump. It's hard to stay motivated and I'm looking forward to the end of this semester and a start of something new. I now know that this Philosophy of Religion class was not one to start with. I'm, of course, passing, but not getting what I want out of it. I should have started with something different. It's not an introductory class although it's presented as such. Which is frustrating to the professor and his whole class of 7. The 7 that didn't drop out. I'm the only girl left and feel the pressure to succeed. It's amazing how many people dropped out. Somehow, I need to show the remainder boys that I can make it. That I can finish this class.........and pass. So far, so good. However, I need you all the cross your fingers for me.

James is doing well, he hopes to get some tests done so he can finish applying for some police jobs. Ideally, he would love to be in the highway patrol, but we'll see. I support him in whatever he wants to do, as long as it doesn't harm himself or his family. I would love to see him follow through and become a great police officer. As I know he has the potential to become one.

He loves the fact the I've finally gone back to school and is so proud of me. It makes it all worth while.

He is so proud of his daughter as well. Noelle progresses at an astounding rate and we're both so excited to see all the new milestones she has reached. Everyday is amazing to us. Especially me. I get to see all the little things she does. She seems to perform just for me sometimes, which is frustrating and special at the same time. I love being the one she does things for, but I wish I could share these things with other people.

And to end, I would like share a little celebration. I officially weigh less than I've ever have in my adult life. I lost all the baby weight and how. It's very exciting for me, as I've worked very hard for this. It's such self-esteem booster and a relief to get this done.

Now, to finish my other goals...............

Surgery

Noelle's most favorite toy came to the age of retirement. "Ducky" had seen better days. Especially in a big basket with other cheap Easter specialty items. Her leg was almost severed, after seeing many hard days at work. So I did what any good mom would do....surgery. It was a gruesome process, but it was worth it in order to save my daughter's favorite cuddling buddy. Now all I need, is a new nickname for this amputee. "Stump", anyone?