A New Year, A New Me

2009 will be my last year in my 30's. OMG, I can not believe how close I am to 40. YIKES!

With that in mind, I really want to make this year count. Not that I don't attempt to make each and every year count, I just want to go out of my 30's with a spectacular BANG! So, here's the plan. I want to be a better wife and mother. Without a doubt, being happier with myself will go a long way toward accomplishing that. Two words ~ gym and church (not necessarily in that order). The other thing that will undoubtedly make me happier is to get our home in order. I am tired of feeling overwhelmed with stuff. I can't believe I'm actually going to put this in writing but I want to be a better homemaker. Blech! Next thing you know I'll have a martini waiting for George when he gets home from work. Goodness, he'd love that! Well, maybe a Guinness! : ) And, finally, I want to start giving my children the opportunity to build a relationship with Christ. For years now, I've intended to find a church home and I keep finding myself saying the same thing each new year but it's not just me anymore and I want Gavin and Joey to have a second family in the church.

Okay, that's it! If you remember, from time to time, ask me how it's going .... I need someone to hold me accountable!

Christmas 2008

I can't believe what a whirlwind Christmas was this year. Everything just seemed to fly by. It was important to me that George and I start building our family's holiday traditions. I remember growing up, Christmas was like a finely tuned instrument ... from the cookies to the Christmas lights to our family's gathering on Christmas Eve to lounging around on Christmas day and watching a movie with AT, to going to the movies Christmas night with my cousins .... I remember it all. Things may have changed a litte from year to year but being together as a family was always the cornerstone. As much as I love living here in Katy, the holidays always make my heart ache a little more for my family in San Antonio. I do have to say though, focusing on the boys and trying to make things extra special for them was a great distraction!

Aside from putting up the tree, one of the first things we did was decorate a gingerbread train. I had half of the moms in my playgroup on the lookout for one since I couldn't seem to find one anywhere! Gavin (our little train lover) was beyond excited about it. He worked so hard decorating it. Joey helped a little but he was more interested in eating the wheels (oreos) than anything else.

Looking at Christmas lights turned into a daily event rather than a one-time thing. Our street actually had several houses with enough pizazz to wow the boys. Gavin and Nana are already planning all the things we'll have in our yard next year! If we were out and about after dusk, I would be, ahem, persuaded to take the 'scenic' route home each and every time by the boys. ** sigh **

Here the boys are on Christmas Eve, super excited about finding some new 'fancy' houses.

Christmas Eve was strangely chaotic. I attempted to take the boys to the 'kid-friendly' service at church in the morning and we lasted about thirty minutes. It was undoubtedly the longest thirty minutes of my life! We also made tea cakes for Santa (my grandmother's recipe) and they turned out great. That was the first time I've managed to get the recipe right. I'm not sure if Nana or Gavin had more fun making them! Again, Joey was slightly interested but we did manage to get him to cut a cookie or two. We took another drive to check out the Christmas lights before opening the boys' Christmas Eve present. I was planning on watching the Polar Express since their present was a Polar Express train set but it was already time for bed. Maybe next year! Santa's elves had a lot of work to do after the kids went to bed. I will say that Elf G was in bed at 12:30 while Elf S worked away until 3:00! : S

Christmas Day was just a great day! We opened presents at home followed by lots of play time and then Christmas dinner with George's extended family. This Christmas was extra special in that Margo and David were here to celebrate with us and Jennifer and Cameron announced their engagement.

We rounded out the festivities with a trip to Santa's Winterland (near College Station). We got a very late start so since Joey didn't nap that day (and George wasn't going), it was just Gavin and me joining Teta, Gido, John, Joy, Ally and Natalie. This will definitely be an annual tradition as long as we are in driving distance! It was so much fun and entertaining. We really enjoyed the hay ride!

Christmas Programs at Grace

There are certain moments that just get you. Several weeks ago, Gavin graduated from his elastic waist jeans into 'real' jeans with a snap and zipper. I have no idea what it was about those dang jeans but the first day he wore them I just burst into tears (several times!) .... it was one of those random milestones that reminded me just how big my little boy is getting. The boys' Christmas programs was another one of those moments. We had back-to-back programs so it was a little hectic with Joey's performance and Gavin's classroom party overlapping. While George was running back and forth, I sat there taking pictures with one hand and making a video with the other. Gosh, I am so 'that mother!'

I'll start with Gavin .... George and I were amazed at how much he's matured since last year. He looked completely out of sorts walking into the room but as soon as he saw us, he cracked this big grin and went on his merry little way. He was fantastic, even with the nose-picking incident that happened toward the end. : ) And Joey .... my sweet little boy didn't know what the heck was going on! As soon as he walked into the room, he ran over to us for kisses and then joined his friends on stage. I love this age .... you never really know what to expect and the kids were all over the place!

George and I are so very proud of them both.

The Christmas Miracle

Hallelujah!

We visited Santa today and, surprise of all unexpected surprises, it went great! No tears, no drama, no mommy or daddy in the picture! ; ) My friend Donna concocted the brilliant idea to go together and let my boys see her boys (a little older) sit on Santa's lap. You know, peer pressure works! So, we get there and Donna's getting her boys ready to head Santa's way when out of no where, Joey bum-rushes Santa and gets in his lap. Gavin's looking around like he doesn't know what's going on so I start frantically telling him to 'hurry' and 'go with Joey.' Before he even realizes it, he's sitting on a stool in front of Santa and they are snapping away! And then, Gavin moves to Santa's other knee! Who knew!

Without the TUH!

This had Joey and me cracking up all evening! And, sadly, I suspect it's only going to be amusing to those who have seen Cars as many times as I have.

It's Up!

We finally decorated the tree last night! It's perfect! Gavin was such a great little helper. Joey, however, preferred to watch Caillou while we decorated. Although he did seem quite determined to demolish anything within his reach once everything was on the tree. I had to back track a little and make the lower half of the tree a little light on the decorations. There is a train track the runs around the tree (actually on the tree, not under it) and there is a very definite 'other side of the tracks' distinction going on! As soon as I can figure out the lighting with my camera, I'll add some pics of the tree.

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas!

We got our tree on Friday! Yea! And here it stands .... in the living room without a single light or ornament .... but it's here!

We had a lot of fun selecting our tree. Joey had zero interest but Gavin took the task quite seriously and decided on a gorgeous tree that I think is our best tree yet!

Here's a few before shots ....

Yes, it touches the ceiling and that's AFTER we cut a few inches off!

We also did a 'pilot' Santa visit to start the boys warming up to the 'big guy.' We are hopeful this year will be the year we get a picture of the boys with Santa that doesn't include us! There happened to be trains galore so we lost Gavin immediately. And Joey was in a mood so it's safe to say we'll be trying again!

Joey's Shiner

My baby has a shiner! : (

We were at the mall play area and I saw Gavin flailing his arms around and then wham, he popped Joey in the face. It really didn't look that bad so I minimized it with Joey. BAD MAMA! The next day he had a black eye. Not a very bad one but still .... a black eye. Poor baby!

Joey's Talking - - - YAY!

Ah, FINALLY! Our little man is finally starting to say things we can understand. He's been talking for months but only Gavin has been able to understand him! Sure, he's been saying the usual hi, bye, mommy, daddy, nana, goo goo (for Gido) .... but he's making little sentences now!



Here are some new tidbits ....

~ Speed. I am speed. (quoting Lightning McQueen!)
~ I poo-poo. (when he toots)
~ Again, Daddy. (when George was throwing him up in the air today)
~ Dirty. (everytime I change his diaper)

My baby is growing up!

Our First Parent / Teacher Conference!

George and I always poke a little fun at Kamal and Nawal about the tag-team phone conversations. Bless their hearts, they are just too cute and always both on the phone when you call. Ahem, George and I are Kamal and Nawal.

Gavin's teacher, Ms. Cynthia, just phoned us and there we are .... both on different phones taking part in the conversation. We were both just left in tears over the wonderful things she had to say about Gavin. I will admit, sometimes I get lost in the day-in, day-out monotony of Gavin not listening and Gavin going to time out and Gavin just being a turd at times. It's certainly not intentional and certainly short-lived but sometimes I lose sight of what an incredible son I have. His teacher did not have one negative thing to say about him. She commended his patience to do things correctly and his desire to please his teachers. She recognized his independent streak as well as his sweet spirit AND HOW POLITE HE IS! Gavin respects the rules of the classroom and if correction is needed, he quickly gets back on track. I think my heart burst at some point during the conversation.

Before I had the life I had now .... when I was working and defined myself by what I accomplished professionally, I never would've seen myself as a stay at home mom. I imagined finding a great daycare and balancing my working self and my mommy self. And I distinctly remember that moment, laying on the bed with Gavin and George when Gavin was maybe a week old and making the decision to quit work and be a full-time mommy. I've second-guessed that decision so many times .... especially when I've let myself down and, more disappointingly, when I've felt I let my family down in some way. But I'm starting to realize, everything George and I do to give the boys the best possible upbringing, the concessions we're making now, it's more than worth it. To see Gavin and Joey grow into the young boys they are becoming .... there isn't anything I wouldn't do to let them know how much we love them, how they are the most important things in our lives, how we will always sacrifice to put them first, and that nothing is more important than their mommy and daddy being there for them. I thank God and my husband that we are able to provide a full-time parent to them and that we are willing to make the sacrifices we need to do that. It's not always easy but things like that call from Ms. Cynthia, they remind me what's really important. And that's my boys. All three of them.

Happy Birthday Gavin!

Gavin turned three years old today! He is getting to be such a big boy, with so much to say! I can't believe there was ever a time when we were concerned about how little he talked. Gavin had a very busy day celebrating. We started off at Pump It Up and had a great time with Ethan, Christopher, and Sydney. Oh, and Zoe too! We headed on over to Chick fil a afterwards which was somewhat insane but fun! We had a surprise visit from Emily which made the things that much more fun! Gavin had a cookie cake with "King" on top from Cars. I only mention this because after King was taken off the top of the cookie, he was covered in icing which Gavin took upon himself to remove. Ew! I'm not sure why we didn't stop him!

After opening presents at home, we headed over to Aunt Joy's for a family dinner. It was a very fun-filled birthday for our little guy! Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Halloween