2009

We've been busy this season, just like most of you have been too. Here are some of the highlights:

Addie and Daddy dancing...


Cooking Christmas goodies...


celebrating Jesus's birthday on Christmas Eve...




Opening gifts with Cousin Rowan...


Playing with gifts from Santa...












Playing with cousins...


(Joyce's dog Elliott & Lucas got acquainted and became buddies)

hanging with the grandparents...



wearing new clothes...


Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! Blessings to you all in 2009!!!

Santa X Three

Addie's seen Santa 3 times this month! I think he knows what she wants for Christmas by now: a candy cane. I know it's pretty extensive, but I'm hoping he'll be able to come through for her.

The first time we saw Santa was by accident. We were at Bass Pro Shop and we went downstairs to look at the animals (Micah was upstairs drooling over shotguns). Santa was sitting there waiting for us with no line at all. We just walked right up to him and Addie had no problems sitting on his lap and talking to him. In previous years, she wanted nothing to do with him.
I don't have a digital photo to share...but it's cute----trust me! lol

The second time we saw Santa, we went to Village Heights Church (we met the Wilson's there). Addie got to meet Santa AGAIN and make some really cute crafts (photo frame, ornaments, and a Birthday Card for Jesus). We also got to eat pancakes and sausage.



Andrew and Aaron sat with Santa and Mrs. Claus too. They've been visiting this particular Santa for years. I thought the photo turned out well. Interesting Tidbit: This Santa is in the Garmin GPS ad!!!

The third and final time we saw Santa was this morning when we went to Crown Center with our friends from PAT.

They had a great obstacle course set up for the kids to play on instead of waiting in line the entire time.

Addie Sue with her friends: Kaden and Noah





We saw a huge train town @ Union Station too.


I was thrilled when we got home and Addie decided a nap would be a good idea today. She's been trying to skip her nap more often these days....drives me crazy.

Addie is still crazy for princesses. She usually hates to have her hair done, but one morning she wanted every hair bow we own in her hair. Here's what we came up with.


Funny quotes by Addie:

"Can you stop it?"

"Stop poking each other!"

"Just a minute. I'm trying to ______."

Things I'm thankful for...

We went to my mom and dad's home for Thanksgiving. It was a small group of us, but the food was amazing- as usual- and we had time to relax. WE also managed to get out early Friday morning to do some shopping. I was up anyway so when I heard my mom upstairs getting ready, I jumped in the car with them. We had our eyes on a computer in Best Buy's ad-- and I got one. We really like it so far. It's a lot faster than our previous one.
Anyway, on to the pics...

Addie made a Manger Mobile


Lucas helped me crochet hats for the new little babies born in my caseload this month.


Addie was princess Aurora most of the weekend. She loved this dress Memaw has for play. Memaw also got her a small Christmas tree of her very own!

Things I'm Thankful for...

1. this new computer- we can watch video again...so nice!
   
2. warm home
3. job that I enjoy
4. health- in spite of sleep issues
   
5. stable finances- we live within our means which helps reduce stress over money
   
6. My daughter knows how much she's loved
7. I have sweet doggies that follow me everywhere I go. I don't think anyone could love me more than my chocolate lab
8. Husband that works hard to support our family.
9. my parents who never let me down and pray for me often
   
10. being a mother- I'm so glad I've had the chance
    
11. two reliable cars that are PAID for.
12. good books and movies
    
13. a sister I can talk to almost anytime of the day
14. a couple, really close girlfriends I can tell anything
15. quiet time to pray and study God's word- I don't get to it everyday, but it really helps me frame my mind for the day
16. working out- I feel so sloppy if I don't get a work out in a few times a week
17. friends I've made at work- they're a good group of gals
    
18. my family in town- we really only have Micah's sister close by- but she and her family are a GODSEND- my parents should live in town...they help out with Addie so much!
    
19. a phone call I got from my brother in Australia a couple weeks ago
20. my walks with Supavan
21. Freedom- people all over the world don't have it
    
22. my dishwasher, washer and dryer- all the conveniences of home
23. safety- or at least the illusion of it
24. my vacuum cleaner- it's a Dyson, and I have two huge dogs, need I say more?
25. hugs, kisses, and sweet loving words from my precious toddler- "I love you beary much."
    

First movie

Wearing Daddy's sweatshirt- with the hood on, she looks like Yoda.


One of Micah's patients made Addie a quilt for her dolls, isn't it cute?

We took Addie to see her first movie last week: Madagascar 2. She loved the first one and the second one too.


She sat very still during the whole movie. This is serious business!!


Helping daddy trim his goatee


making faces in the mirror: this one's a favorite



We celebrated Epa's birthday last week. Addie helped him blow out his candles.


Addie has the entire pooping/potty thing down now. Every time she went #2, we were giving her a sucker. Here she is enjoying the "fruits" of her labor. She's been consistent for about two weeks, going on her own- no reminders and waking up dry. I'm not so nervous about going places and seeing accidents.


Bed Head

Addie's doing well....I'm hanging in there. Poor Addie sees me cry so much from pure exhaustion, she often comes over to me and pats me and says, "It's okay Mommy! Jesus loves you." It just breaks my heart.

I'm really praying for a healing so that Addie can have a healthy mommy. The endocrinologist told me to go get my blood drawn and we'll see what it shows. I have to wait until a certain time in my cycle to go and it doesn't look like it's going to work out right. I'm not sure if I'm too stressed out, or my body is just responding to lack of sleep, but I'm no longer functioning like a normal woman. I'm completely out of whack. I really appreciate everyone's kind words...they mean a lot to me. I've still got options- although they are getting more slim by the day. I'm so thankful for your positive thoughts and prayers.

Trick or Treat

We had a good time this Halloween. Addie totally gets the whole concept and is a huge fan. Let me tell you, this girl has our neighbors wrapped around her finger. Some of them bought a special treat just for her. She got candy by the handfuls and was very polite and thanked everyone fervently.

Getting ready for Trick or Treating


Standing on the front porch beforehand

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Checking out the decorations


Addie and one of our neighbors, Hardy


Addie with Mrs. Edith and Mr. Bill- our other neighbors


Enjoying the yummy treats afterward


Addie and her friend, Andrew, at the dock at Bass Pro Shop


Look at how cheap our gas prices are!!!


Me and my girl, singing and dancing

Please Pray for me:
My insomnia is at an all time low. Many of you know that I've been dealing with this problem since Addie was five months old. I've run through the whole gammet- visited several doctors, tried different meds, and am now trying to survive with out prescription drugs right now. I'd really like to add on to our family, but that isn't really an option right now b/c I'm completely unable to function like a normal person. For example, to get the two hours of sleep I got last night, I took 1/2 pill of unisom, one melatonin, hot tea with valarian root, magnesium, and a high quality multi-vitamin. Once I woke up at 12 am last night, I took two Benadryl and then the rest of the Unisom later that morning and still never got back to sleep. I'm planning on going to see an endocrinologist to see if I have a hormone imbalance- but don't have my hopes up. I didn't get much help from the Sleep specialist I've been seeing since July. Anyway, to make a long story short, I'm a shell of a person right now...very tired...very scared...and I'd love to know that I'm being prayed for. The night is really lonely, and I don't know how much longer I can take this.