Catching up.. (this is a common title for me)

Our Christmas Present arrived this week. We have grown out of our house. We needed room to store decorations, tools, and "stuff." So this is what we asked Santa to bring us this year.

This is Michael installing the blind... We do not want to show off our junk.

Lowering the blind... Notice the peg board to his left. This is where he hung a lot of tools. Sorry after moving in yesterday, I was exhausted and did not take any pictures.
Michael installing the shelves.......
More shelves

Ok so I got really bored over the Christmas break. I'm not used to being at home with nothing to do. I bought a puzzle. It was HARD!!!

This is Jacob riding with Michael and I to the Christmas Parade. The sun was in his eyes. He said, "Aunt Amy do you have any sunglasses for me." I gave him my extra pair. Isn't he cute?

I got Jacob this easel for Christmas. He loves to draw. He is our future artist!!! Colin always has to do what "brother" does.

Colin and my brother at the Eifler family Christmas!!!!!

Proud and EXCITED

These two words describe how I feel today. Why you ask?

Well, I'm excited because tomorrow is my first day of student teaching. I will be in a second grade classroom at a local school. I'm excited because it's an experience that I will never forget and because I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. My studying, writing papers, creating lesson plans and curriculum units, and not spending every night as a newly wed with my husband is paying off.

I'm PROUD because my MOM has lost 11 pounds. Yes, eleven pounds!!!!!!!! I am so proud of her. She is doing great and this time she is not only dieting but she is exercising which is AWESOME!! She is participating in "the biggest loser" at work...and.... SHE WON THIS WEEK!!!!! This week was the first week they weighed in and MY MOM won!!!!!!!! I am so excited for her.

Hope you are all having a great week!!!

Happy New Year

As I sit and reflect over the past year many things come to mind. 2008 was a rough and exciting year for me.
Last year on this day, I attended my Nana's funeral. Michael and I rang in the new year alone. I just wasn't in the mood to celebrate. Just a few short weeks later my nephew Colin was placed in NICU with pneumonia. He spent just over two weeks in the hospital some of which was spent on the vent. Late January brought a new baby, my best friend Julie had a beautiful baby boy. February Michael announced that he was running for Clerk of court and March was uneventful and quiet. April was full of celebrating. My aunt Diane got married. My nephew Colin celebrated his first birthday. My parents both had birthdays. Frank and Chaney celebrated their anniversary and Michael and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary, which was wonderful. In early May Michael and I took a trip to Chat, TN and spent the week knocking on doors. In late May early June Robyn announced she was expecting.... can't wait until little Andrew comes. The rest of June and July was spent knocking on doors. Mid July was the election, unfortunately Michael lost but gained from the experience and opened new doors for a new job. August was the beginning of a long three months. Jason had his surgery in early August and fought three and half long months. On Nov. 15 he was called by our heavenly father to come home. We miss you J-bo!! The holidays came quickly and were enjoyed with our closest friends and family. And now I'm off to celebrate the last few hours of this year with the best group of friends. Happy New Year EVERYONE!!!!!!

Not me Mondays

I decided to copy Robyn and BooMama and join in on the Not me Mondays....
Yesterday I did not put my pajamas back on after attending church (at 9 am) and go back to bed. I did not sleep until 1:00 in the afternoon. I did not wake up and eat a huge plate of Christmas food.
Yesterday I did not lay around all day long.
Yesterday evening I did not decided to clean the house. I did not clean like a mad woman.
I did not go to Michael's grandmother's and eat another huge plate of food.
In the middle of the night I did not wake myself up because I was talking in my sleep.
I did not press my snooze button three times this morning.
I did not come home and eat a lot of honey roasted peanuts.

3 more days

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. Michael and I were so blessed this year. We were able to celebrate Christmas with healthy families. Michael's uncle and aunt and cousins were here from Nebraska and it was so much fun seeing them and spending time together. My brother, sister-in-law, and nephews came for the weekend before Christmas. That was a weekend filled with excitement.
I asked "santa" to bring me a cross necklace this year... Well, Santa brought that and a new zoom lens for my camera(which unfortunately has to go back, it's not going to work). I also got a few other things I had asked for.
Michaels family and my family spoiled us with a variety of gift cards, gifts, and money!!!
3 more days left in 2008!

Inside the house

The shower curtain. Again more snowmen! Just something cute.

All beach ornaments. Most of them are from Michael's mom. We have added a few.

My dresser.

Cute Kitchen snowman.

One of the few Santa things I have.

My table... Plain and simple.

Another BIG snowman

Did not know where to put all these guys. I need to add snow and lights.

Look under the table, it's a frog santa in a sleigh

Outside

This is the wreath I made. I have it when you walk into the living room. I'm going to add some snow to it. It's a little bulky for the door. My door mat... I love Snow men

Another snowman. Don't you just love the cute sign... I got it for $10 at a craft show!! And even better... all proceeds went to the Toys for Tots.

Excuse the GA tech umbrella, we actually had rain in GA. I forgot to move the umbrella before taking the picture. The lights are blue and white. I'll have to take a picture at night.

I found these wreaths in the attic at Michael's dads house. I took the red ribbons off and did some fluffing. I made the blue ribbons and thought they were perfect for the windows.