2008 In Review

I know it is a few days late, but I had to take the time to sit down and actually write notes for this post. We said goodbye to 2008 and Hello to 2009 with some friends at our house. It was a low-key party, but it was fun and successful. As we sat around the table and talked about babies and kids, we realized how different things are now than 4-5 years ago.

2008 was a great year for us. Here's a quick recap of 2008:

• The boys experienced a Hibachi restaurant for the 1st time (for Allen's b-day).
• My brother and Sister-in-Law moved up to Dallas from Austin.
• Colby turned 10 in February.
• Boys kept us extremely busy with baseball.
• Jason played on 2 softball teams.
• We took our annual trip to Shreveport to see Jason's family for Mardi Gras.
• Our BFF's had an adorable son (our psuedo nephew).
• House hunting, found a house, & closed on a house.
• Jason and I made a quick trip to Wink to see a friend's graduation.
• My 10 year high school reunion - that I was unable to make it to. :(
• Our 1st anniversary.
• Colby tried out for and made a Select Baseball Team.
• Colby was selected as 'MVP' from his team in the Tara Sawyer Baseball Tournament.
• The boys started new schools.
• Tristen began band and worked his way to 1st chair.
• We slowly but surely have been decorating our home.
• Tigger ran away (b/c I didn't latch the gate all the way). Tigger came home 36 hours later.
• Jason bought a 1964 VW bug. (Not that I need a reminder as has taken my garage parking spot.)
• My brother Bear graduated from Dallas Fire Academy.
• Tristen turned 12 in November.
• Thanksgiving and Christmas came and went by so fast.

2008 was fabulous, but I expect 2009 to be even better. Life is about to get pretty hectic for us. Mid-terms for Tristen next week. Tristen leaves for Denver on the 16th. Jason is starting school in later this month. He will be at school 3 nights/week. Colby's birthday in February. Trip to Shreveport for Mardi Gras in February. Colby's trip to Denver in early March. Colby doesn't start baseball until probably late March/early April. Before we know it, summer will be here again! *Possibly* later this (late) summer or (early) fall, we will start trying to have a bebe! :)

Christmas 2008

*Preface: pictures are missing from this post, but will be added soon. I was playing hostess on Saturday, so I will have to wait for my sister-in-law's pictures.

Christmas 2008 has now came and gone. It seems this year that it flew by. Christmas Eve after picking up with boys from their mom, we drove around and looked at Christmas lights in Flower Mound. Our outing was cut short due to Colby being sick. We had to get him home to get him some medicine for his horrible cough. When we got home the boys were uber excited to see all of the gifts under the tree (b/c there were not ANY gifts under the tree when they had left). I had been hording all of the gifts in our room.

The boys finally went to bed and we stayed up for about 30 minutes (even though we knew they weren't asleep). I couldn't stay awake any longer. We got their bikes out of our closet , set them up in front of the tree, and filled stockings. Morning finally came and I heard Tristen wake first. He hadn't been into the front room yet to see the bikes (b/c all of the gifts are usually wrapped). He had tried to wake Colby up, but Colby didn't crawl out of bed until I went and got him. They were SOOOOOOO excited about their new bikes. They boys also got some new clothes, a Tony Hawk hoodie, and a Wii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They were beyond thrilled. One last gift to be opened was a gift from their Uncle Shane who lives in Denver. He is flying each one of the kids (separately) out to Denver for a weekend snowboarding trip. The boys were ecstatic. Neither one of them have ever flown, nor have they ever been snowboarding. Tristen's flight is already booked and he is going January 16th. Colby will be going in late February. They are going to have the time of their lives. I'm pretty jealous that I'm not going!

So, of course, Christmas Day, the Wii was turned on and wasn't turned off until about 11 hours later. The boys had a blast playing Wii Sports. I decided to go rent 2 games (to try them out before we buy them). I rented Mario Super Sluggers (or whatever it is called) and Mario Galaxy. The boys weren't crazy over the baseball game but they've enjoyed Mario Galaxy.

Saturday, we did Christmas with our families and the boys scored Guitar Hero and an additional Guitar from Grandpa & Jeannean (Jason's dad and wife). From my mom and Paul, they got Mario Kart. They got some really cool shirts from Zumiez from their Aunt Marty and Aunt Brandie.

It was a very nice Christmas for us and our families. We are truly a very blessed family.

Tagged - Random Facts About Me

My friend Kelly - GrandPooba - tagged me to list 7 random facts about me. I'm not sure how random these are since I've done quite a few of these, but I'll give it a shot.

1. I was adopted when I was 3 weeks old. I don't know my birth parents, but hope to meet them one day. My adoption was done through the state of Louisiana and they have a voluntary registry. If both parties (adoptee and birth parent(s)) register with the registry, they will put the parties in contact. I'm hopeful one day I'll get the chance to meet them.



2. When grocery shopping, I have to go in the same order through the store every time. It isn't possible for me not to. I start at the back and work my way to the front.


3. I grew up in a town of 900 people. I said I'd never move back. Jason and I *kind of* wish we had the capability to move back to raise the boys there, but it isn't possible due to the boys' mom living here.

4. I never get gas before my gas light comes on.


5. I graduated college in 3 1/2 years.

6. I've busted my chin open 4 times!

7. I don't have a middle name!

Now that you know some random (or maybe not so random) facts about me....I want to know some random facts about you. Tag the person by leaving them a comment. I'm tagging:

1. The Kim Family
2. The Roberson Family
3. Andrew & Krysie
4. The Haring Family
5. The Brodt Family

Recent Happenings...(w/pictures..finally!)

Tristen - right before his Christmas band concert
(note to self- the fireplace, does not make a pleasant background for pictures)

Colby - at his 5th grade Christmas party. They had to wrap a package with one hand tied to their friend. It was quite comical.

My girlfriends and I at Pete's Piano Bar. Jolee and Beth were in town from Midland to see the Cowboys last game at Texas stadium. I loved having them in town and wish they lived closer. Our Friday night was fun filled at Pete's. Saturday, we headed out for a power shopping trip. (Side note: the malls in West Texas pale in comparison to even Vista Ridge Mall.) I tried to take them to Stonebriar or the Galleria, but a) we didn't have time and b) they were pretty much spent after our 2 hour power shopping trip.

Jolee, Beth, Me & Haylee (my sister-in-law)

Since it is has been awhile....last, but not least, a recent picture of the hubby and me.

My Life (thus far...)

The things I have done in my life, thus far, are in bold. I guess I need to travel more. Looks like that won't happen until we retire. LOL!

1. Started your own blog. Uh, yeah. That is what this thing is, right?
2. Slept under the stars. Many times! As a kid, we spent many nights on the trampoline in the backyard.
3. Played in a band. the BAAD Cat Band, thankuverymuch! Yes, that would be the band at my alma mater Wink High School.
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland/world. When I was young.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo. If you count singing in my car, as a solo. Fortunately, for the world, I have not actually sang a solo in front of an audience.
11. Bungee jumped. Not exactly, but some friends and I did the skydive thing at Six Flags on our Senior Trip.
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child. No, but I was adopted.
16. Had food poisoning. Once.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked. - yeah, but it was in Wink, and in Wink, you KNOW everyone!
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill. And I forsee many more in the future due to the changes that were just made to our Paid Time Off.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a Marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run. Yeah, right! Softball didn't really work out for me.
32. Been on a cruise. I prefer the land.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors. - if I only knew who my Ancestors were. (see ques.15)
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. One day....one day..... a girl can dream, right!
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David.
41. Sung karaoke. Uggghhhhh, yes, but only after a few adult beverages
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight. Yes, on our honeymoon - fabulouso!
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain. Yes, but it wasn't all romantic like you see in movies and pictures.
53. Played in the mud. I grew up with 3 brothers, how could I not?
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie. Not really, but I am in a training video for one of my previous employers.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business. We tried, and will try again once J finishes school.
58. Taken a martial arts class. Didn't make it past the white belt with yellow stripe level. Yeah, call me a quiter.
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies. Hell yes! I was the top seller in my Daisy troop!
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason. Yes. :)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving..
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper. Growing up in a town of 900 people, it isn't hard to get your picture in the newspaper, so yes, I've had my picture in the newspaper. I was lucky enough to have the most unflattering picture of me plastered on the front page of the Tech newspaper my senior year. I was shaking some seasoning onto crab cakes (in my Restaurant/Hotel Mgmt class).
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox. Yes
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous. Bob from the Bachelor, Mike Modano, Willie Nelson, I'm sure there are a few others, but my memory fails me at times like these.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one. Unfortunately too many.
94. Had a baby. Not yet.
95. Seen the Alamo in person. Uh YEAH.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee. Yes, but not anytime recently.

Christmas

Christmas season is finally here. We usually put the tree up the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, but the boys were at their mom's and they wanted us to wait for them. Jason put lights on the house on Wednesday and we decorated the yard. We put up the Christmas tree on Friday and got it all decorated.

Jason - putting up our lights

The old tree...

Little did we forget, the stupid cord had a short in it. (It is a pre-lit tree.) Jason thought he had fixed it, but the lights would not stay on. Finally, after messing with the cord more times than he would've liked, he told me to go buy a new tree. Off on my trek I go! Of course, before I headed out at 8:30pm to Lowe's, I researched online to see what was on sale (everything was 50% off) and comparable to what we had, even though I wanted a bigger tree. I wanted a tree w/a wider base than our previous one. I went to Lowe's searching for the tree that was listed as $49. I found it, but decided it wasn't what I wanted! It looked just like our old tree. So after debating with myself and w/Colby who came along to help, we found the perfect tree. My luck, they were out and so was every store within a 10 mile radius! UGH! So, I called around and found that Lowe's by my work had 3 in stock. On my way to work the next morning, I went and picked up the tree, which was the last one!!!!!!!!!!

So, I brought home the new tree and got to go through the fun of undecorating one tree and redecorating the new tree. It really wasn't that bad, but I did have to go buy more ornaments b/c our new tree was so much bigger..

The new and improved tree...

Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving came and went a week ago. Our Thanksgiving was very low-key, but enjoyable. Since there really is not point in posting about it now and we really didn't do any very exciting, I'll just post what we are thankful for. With the state of the economy and all of the other stresses, we are a very lucky and blessed family.

• Our jobs - With myself being in the banking industry and Jason being in the automotive industry, with are both very fortunate to have not been HARD hit by the tough economic times. At Jason's previous dealership, they laid of both techs and advisors this week. Jason fortunately has been fairing pretty well at work and making good money (his pay is pretty much straight commission without having to go into a long drawn out explanation.
• Our healthy family
• Our home
• Our surrounding family
• Our marriage
• Our friends (even though we don't get to see some of them as much as we'd like)

Even though it is late, I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!