What We're Lovin'

Playing with our Veggie Tales Nativity scene...

Warm Christmas socks...

A little girl's curiosity...

Watching Christmas classics like How the Grinch Stole Christmas...

and liking it...

Watching a little girl get hysterical when she realizes you can't always fast forward the commercials...

Her daddy gets the same way! :)

Packed

Like every Monday after Thanksgiving, my work pants are a little tighter and my eyelids half open but that only means we had a wonderful holiday!

On Thanksgiving, my parent's hosted dinner for my mom's side of the family.

Cecilia had been/still was sick all week so she wasn't much for the festivies.  She was super clingy and not in the mood for visitors but I did get her to enjoy our little time outside around the firepit where roasted marshmallows for smores!  Best Thanksgiving dessert EVER!

And to keep her happy, Pap gave into Cecilia's Mickey Mouse addiction...

I had already declared no more Mickey earlier in the evening but when they both came up MIA, I busted them upstairs glued to the computer.  Grandparents never listen!  :)

Friday morning, Brent had to head off to work (at a normal hour for the first time in 6 years!!!) and I stayed home to decorate the tree.  I'm not a Black Friday shopper, so staying at home sounded lovely to me!  I did, however, hop online at Toys R Us Thursday night to enjoy some of their sales.  No crazies, no lines it was perfect and everything should be delievered end of this week first of next! 

Cecilia thought she would help with the decorating this year.

But I quickly had to distract her with Beauty and the Beast because she was mistaking the ornaments for her play balls and keep trying to throw them!

Saturday, we had lunch at my Granny's and I have not one picture because lunch was during nap time and we all can imagine how well that went!  Needless to say we didn't get to stay long but at least we got the visit for a little while.

And to finish off our weekend, Sunday Mom and I took Cecilia to see the Muppet movie.

We had a little time before the movie started so we stopped by Barnes and Noble.

To say Cecilia was in heaven is an understatement!  She picked up books every corner we turned!  We managed to find one that held her attention pretty good, Beauty and the Beast no less.

We made it to the movie and Cecilia did fantastic!  Between the Muppets and the popcorn she had a blast!  There were times she would sit totally still with her eyes glued to the screen.  We left about 20 minutes before it was over which I thought was pretty darn good for a 20 month old!

Can you tell she was super excited?

Back to the Monday grind!

Give Thanks

Since Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I thought I would compile a list of some things I'm thankful for.

*My family.  I have an amazing family who has supported and cheered me on for 28 years.  Without them I wouldn't be the person I am today and I'm not sure I would be able to function without them.  My parents and Nanny have come through for Brent and I in some big ways regarding Cecilia and for that we could never say enough thank yous to them.  We are beyond blessed to have family close that is willing to take vacation days or rearrange their schedules to help us.

*My husband.  He has stuck by me for 9 years and even though I'm crazy 85% of the time, he still loves me and willing to spend his life with me.

*Cecilia.  I wanted nothing more than to be a mom and she has made that possible.  She is a dream come true.

*My friends.  Not everyone can say they have friends that will come running when things get bad but I'm lucky that I can.  I have a small group of friends that has always opened their arms wide when I needed them.

*My job.  It may not be my dream job but I like it and these days I'm just thankful I have one.

*Our troops.  They sacrifice themselves and their time with family so that I can feel safe at home with mine.  They give up everything for people they don't know and for that we should all be thankful.

*Brent's job.  This year I am so very thankful that Brent got a new job right before the holidays.  We can now enjoy the holidays together instead of him leaving mid-day to go home a sleep so he could be at work by 2am.

This is by no means my whole list but a list of things I don't often give thanks for.  It is so easy to take things for granted so I hope we all take time this week to reflect on all the good things we have been given.

Happy Gobble, Gobble Day!

I'm A Big Kid Now

I am not a coffee drinker.  In my 28 years, I've tried it twice and it almost came back up both times.  There is no amount of creamer/sugar/additives you can put in it to make me like it.  My ENTIRE family drinks coffee as if it is the only beverage ever around and I can't stand the stuff!

Or at least until now.

Yesterday was a bit chilly around here and I had suggested to Brent I needed some hot chocolate.  He was thinking the same thing only he wanted coffee, aka Starbucks.  I'm not a big fan of Starbucks' hot chocolate but I was willing to suck it up so we didn't have to drive across town in rush hour traffic.

When we got to Starbucks, we realized they were having a 2 for 1 holiday drink promotion.  Being the tightwad I am, I decided to try one of the holiday drinks since it was free.  I picked the one that sounded less coffee-ish and had mocha (aka chocolate- my second love) in the name.

Meet Peppermint Mocha...

 

I didn't think to take a picture when I first got it (mainly because I had an active 19 month old trying to stick her hands in my drink and wanting a "bie"!) but imagine 2 inches of whipped cream and chocolate shaving on top.  It was surprisingly good.  Think peppermint bark (my FAVORITE candy this time of year) but hot.

Who knew all you had to do was add a LOT of whipped cream and chocolate for me to like coffee!  I felt like such an adult!  Brent was so proud of me.

And I was proud of Cecilia for sitting in a coffee shop being the best kid ever!  

She sat next to me playing with her notebook and some blocks Starbucks had sitting out.  Who knew it was so toddler friendly! 

Now that I can semi stand coffee, maybe we could be one of those urban couples who sits in coffee shops, smart phone and newspaper in hand chatting about whatever it is they chat about while there kid sits quietly with their own drink playing with their smart phone.

Or we could be the couple that wrestles the hot drink away from the toddler who insists that she needs a drink while trying to look like we have it together and not spill the hot drink all over the table next to us.  Yeah that sounds more like us.

K & K

I remember the day she was born.  I was 7 and anxious for her arrival.  I remember sitting in the tiny waiting room with the rest of my family wondering what was taking so long.  It's when I believed babies just appeared.

When she was finally here, she was the greatest thing I had ever seen!  She was just like my baby dolls but real.

I always had to be around her.  If she was at my Nanny's house, I rode my bike over there because I felt my Nanny couldn't handle her without me.  I loved when my aunt and uncle let me come over to play and when she got to come to our house, I was in heaven!

She was such a happy kid...

always laughing and being silly.

I remember her potty training days and having to watch the 'potty movie' a million times.  To the point that we were all singing the ridiculous potty song. (I'm singing it right now in my head!)  I didn't think things could get any better.

Then his guy entered our lives...

Spitting image of his daddy and the sweetest little boy I had ever seen!

He taught me the importance of keeping things covered up on little boys when changing their diapers.  I'm not sure who screamed louder, me or him that day.

We would sit on the couch snuggling with his 7 blankets watching The Rugrats movie over and over.  His favorite foods were cereal, ham and Doritos.  My Saturday mornings were spent watching his baseball and basketball games.

I've watched them grow all these years...

and I wonder on a daily basis where the time has gone.

 

 Today, Kelli turns 21.

And Kristopher turns 18.

 

They are quickly turning into adults and as much as I want time to stand still these days, it won't.  So I guess instead of wondering why they still aren't babies, I will raise my glass and celebrate this big moment!

Kelli, Happy 21st Birthday!

Kristopher, Happy 18th Birthday!

I love you both and hope you each have a fabulous day!

Travel/Brithday/Surprise

This weekend we headed to Indy to celebrate our niece's 1st birthday.

I feel like it was just last month that we got the text that my sister in law, Kaci, was in labor.

Nora's party was owl themed so I made her this little outfit...

I'm attempting more sewing projects and I thought this one came out pretty cute.  She actually got a lot of cute owl outfits.  Who knew owls were so popular.

Cecilia finally warmed up to Nora after dinner.

She was so funny trying to tickle her and play.

Of course at the house when Nora wanted to play, Cecilia would have nothing to do with her.  Even threw a MAJOR fit when I was holding/playing with Nora.  Jealous much?  But she made up for it giving Nora a goodbye kiss when we left dinner.  A good Kodiak moment had either of our husbands thought to pull out a camera.

We had a really nice visit with Brent's family and celebrated the news of a new arrival come June!  Nora will be a big sister this summer and we are all excited!

*For those of you who for a second thought it was me who was expecting, I will slap you.  With 3 girls in my Sunday School class pregnant, my best friend and now my sister in law, I refuse to drink the same water as them.  I'm sweating just thinking about it.

So Much Like Her Daddy

Cecilia is a very good mix of both Brent and I.  For the most part, she looks like me and occasionally acts like me but it seems that she takes after her daddy too.

Like unable to focus on eating when the tv is on...

and enjoying the milk after her morning cereal...

Do I really need two Brents in my house?

I Missed It

It seems that Christmas is here.  I had no idea that Thanksgiving had already come and gone.  I missed the turkey, the dressing, the desserts and the whole bit!  I didn't even get to complain that I shouldn't have eaten that second piece of chocolate pie!

Oh wait.  It' just November 8th?  Oh well by the HUGE Christmas tree greeting me at Wal-mart along with Christmas carols playing in the background coupled with everyone running around like idiots, I could have sworn it was Christmas Eve.

I know you are going to tell me (like my brother did) that Hobby Lobby has had their Christmas stuff up but they don't count.  They put their Santa hats on while I'm still trying to figure out why bathing suit are made so your hind end hangs out.

I've even read where a few people are pulling out their Christmas decorations this week.  Come on!  You have to get through one holiday before you start on another one.

Maybe I'm just getting all worked up because I have been doing a little Christmas shopping already and I feel all out of sorts.  I usually don't Christmas shop until, uh December 20th and shopping this early is throwing me off.

I like my holidays and I like celebrating each one individually.  So I may take Brent's advice and chill on the Christmas shopping.  Our reasons are different (he is not enjoying watching money fly out quite so early!) but maybe then I won't be burnt out on Christmas spirit December 1.

Ma vs Mama

For some time now, Cecilia has called me Ma.  She's heard her daddy call me that from day one.  The funny part is, sometimes I'm Ma and others I'm Mama.

Usually Ma comes out in our everyday interaction, especially when she is trying to get my attention.  You can hear Ma being shouted from across the house or across the aisles at Wal-Mart.  She whispers it when we are laying down to go to bed when she can't see me in the dark.  Ma is her everyday.

I am Mama during sweet, affectionate times.  When the tears come, Mama is the one who makes everything better.  It's who she asks for during the day when I'm not home.  Mama is her love.

Whether it's Ma or Mama she knows what each means and that no matter what name she calls out, I will love her deeply until my last breath.

Much Needed

I had a crazy week at work this week and it left drained.  I was barely functioning on Friday and I needed the weekend badly!  

We've spent most of the day in our pjays watching cartoons, doing housework, playing and taking LONG naps.

We managed to get dressed to go run some errands this afternoon.  I've got a few projects on my list so I needed supplies plus I'm trying to get my fall centerpiece together.

Still needs some work.

We continued our day of laziness with a group snuggle while watching Beauty and the Beast and staying up way past bedtime.

I'm so glad the time changes tonight!  I just hope my daughter knows to sleep that extra hour!