10 years baby!

Colin and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary on January 15th. It feels good for some crazy reason. I feel like we have reached a milestone. It is certainly not even a drop in the bucket when you think of eternity but we are that much closer. It's been a fun ride. I never thought that we would go the places we have. I know Virginia and Ohio aren't exactly exciting but they have been GREAT places for us. I love that we have been away from "home" to make it on our own. It has taught me to really rely on Colin and appreciate his strengths. We went out to dinner at PF Chang's and it was delicious!!! Colin had a bit of a thin Christmas no thanks to me and trying to get everyone else's together. Next year he gets to do the running around and help out with the many homemade gifts. He does only have one person to buy for after all. I wanted to make it up to him so he got a gift certificate for a one hour massage at Massage Envy. He was certainly surprised. We watched our video from our wedding, wow, we looked young. It was a nice evening and it has been a wonderful 10 years.

Colin, thank you for sharing your forever with me. I love you!

Happy New Year!!

We had a fun New Year's Eve with great friends. We started a tradition of egg rolls and finishing it up with gorging ourselves even more with the chocolate fountain last year and had such a great time we decided to do it again.

The beginning of Christmas break

Mia and I had been debating on whether we should cut her hair or not. I just love to put long braids and ponies and buns and put curlers in it but it just takes too much time. I just decided to do it one day. It was long and I was sad to see it go but relieved at the same time. She can now brush it herself and all we need is a clip or a "crown" aka: headband.

Here Cole is enjoying some snacks at Mia's school party. The party was a hit but so much work. I needed a nap afterwards. Thankfully Colin was able to make it and take care of Cole. I don't know how I would have done it without him.

We had the kids make a human snowman with toilet paper and cut outs. It was a race and CRAZY for sure but the kids liked it!

Ahhh, I love the thought of not needing to get up in the morning and nagging my kids to get dressed, eat, turn off the TV, gets coats on, walk straight to the car, get out of the snow, get in the car, please, get in the car. If you don't get in the car you can't watch TV anymore today Jack. Jack, 5,4,3,2,1. Thank you for finally getting in the car Jackson!!! It was sooooo GREAT. Colin also had from Christmas day all they way through the 4th off. I needed him home that week very, very much! Here are some picts of what went down. Or really, what didn't go down.

I suffered, more so this year than any other, with after Christmas depression. I am not sure why. I am always sad when the new year comes and the big causes for celebration are over. We had a beautiful tree and lots of Christmas music. It was such a wonderful time. I have to stop thinking about it because it makes me sad. I think I am over it and now it is time to get more organized and start getting rid of things. Ahhh, getting rid of things makes me so happy!!

Hope your holidays were as fun as ours!

Happy Christmas!

Man, Christmas seems like it was forever ago but really, it has been just about a month. It was nice and quiet. Just the way we like it. We hate flying over the holidays. It was frustrating when we did the first two years after Mia was born and I shiver at the thought of doing it with 3 kids. We do miss our loved ones but ya know, you all are welcome here.

The kids had a great time and I just LOVE their reactions!! It really makes it fun. The kids and I made cookies with M&Ms for Santa. We had to run out the door so they weren't quiet done baking. Santa ate them anyway. Big surprise, right? We didn't do traditional PJs for Christmas Eve. All my kids are LOADED for jammies and I knew they were getting some from their Grandma. We decided to get them a game instead. Elefun has been a hit and even Cole likes to get in on the action. IMy favorite part is when Jack's voice gets really high pitched and his eyes really big. Mia is happy to get the things she asked Santa for. He's pretty cool! Jack just loves to get anything. Cole just wanted breakfast. It was a good day!

We went to our friends for a supper yummy prime rib dinner! Ahh man, I love prime rib!

Our friends kids found another Christmas gift in the basement that some elves left during dinner. Our cousins have one and they looked very fun. The kids had a GREAT time. Well, maybe not as much fun as the elves did blowing up that ball.

Health Care

I came across this interview with Tom Coburn, senator from Oklahoma. He also happens to be a physician. It's nice to see opinions on the health care bill from people who actually know something about health care.

http://www.epmonthly.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=645&Itemid=28

Thanksgiving

Good food! Good times! Great Friends!

Per our tradition, we had Thanksgiving with our great friends from back in the days of medical school. My kids have such a great time with their kids. Jack loves Kylee and Kylee is so sweet to him. She plays and takes care of him like a little nanny. She loves Cole too. Who doesn't?! Mia and Kiari play, play and play and play some more! I don't have to worry about entertaining them, just keeping a controlled mess. They are very creative and can imagine anything and pretty much do. We had a full house but it sure was fun. Colin and Ted caught up despite Colin's work schedule and Kashia and I visited our hearts out. It is so great to have friends like these. I really treasure our friendship with them. It's great to be able to pick up right where you left off. It's also great to have someone completely understand your situation and life because theirs is almost identical. It was just so much fun!!!

Sooo behind!

I know, I am very far behind in blogging. I thought tonight I would just start current then I realized that I would be missing some very important holidays so I will do it. It's going to take me some time. I've been in a funk and I think I am coming out of it. Gotta get it in gear, especially for the new year. Pray for me. Well, wish me good luck.