Christmas 2009

On Christmas Eve, Chris and I packed up all the gifts and our clothes we would need for the following few days, dropped Baxter off at Jon and Emily's, and headed down to Hot Springs.  My side of the family always gets together Christmas Eve and it's always a blast.  We used to have it at my Grandma's, but it's now held at my mom's and dad's house.  There was flooding on I-30 from Little Rock to Benton, so a portion of the highway had been closed.  Family that lives in Little Rock had to get a little creative on how to bi-pass the highway in order to make it there!  My cousins Keegan and Morgan are getting married and they brought their fiances with them...it was so great to break them in! :)

Uncle Robert, Aaron, and Ken

Uncle Robert, Aunt Susan, Shane

James and me

Jimmy (Keegan's fiance) and Morgan

Hubby!

Keegan and Grandma

Christmas Eve was so fun!  I can't wait for Luke to be here for next year's festivities!

Christmas morning we woke up and did Christmas with my little brother, James and my mom and dad.  We had breakfast and the plan was for Chris and I to head to NWA to do Christmas morning, but NWA and Fort Smith got snow and ice Christmas Eve, so we were stuck in Hot Springs for an extra day.  We made the best of it and really ended up having a great time.  Finally, on Saturday, we came back to Fort Smith via Little Rock and went over to Jon and Emily's for a bit.  Sunday the four of us and the pup dogs trekked to NWA to do our Christmas with the Beaty's!  We had a great time there, and I only ended up with one picture, so I'll have to steal some at a later date.

We were so blessed this year!  So many wonderful things have happened!  We love our family, we love our life, and most of all, we love our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  Next year will be our first Christmas as a family with a child!  We can't wait!

To Wrap or Not to Wrap, That is the Question...

I usually LOVE getting ready for the holidays, but I'm having trouble finding the motivation.  Maybe it's the little ninja I'm carrying in my womb, or the big decisions and work that lie ahead of us in the next month.  Either way, I just need someone to give me a swift kick in the butt and shake some magic Christmas spirit over my head.  Do you think you could handle that?  Thank you.

I have all the Christmas shopping done, it's actually been done for about a month.  The last hold up was finding some gift worthy for my mom, but I finally bugged her enough to tell me what her heart really desires...pinking shears.  How lame is that?  But alas, that's what her heart desires, so that's what her favorite daughter has gotten her.  Can you just imagine the scene as we are all opening presents Christmas morning?

Mom, this gift is for you.
Oh!  What is it?
You're going to have to open it and find out!
Just what I wanted!  Pinking Shears!  Thank you!
*silence* *birds chirping*
Look! Here's a gift for dad!

And I know I should wrap my nephews presents, but I'm tempted to just put them in a decorative box.  And to all my family (all 3 of you that read this), don't be surprised when you're handed a bag instead of a cutely wrapped gift with bows and all that jazz.  It just ain't happenin' this year.  Uh uh.  No way.  So now you've been forewarned, prepare for the awesomeness of the bag (with tissue paper that may or may not match the theme/color of the bag) coming your way Christmas Day.

Letter to the Womb

Dear Baby Squash (aka Luke),

Luke, you are 29 weeks in the womb now, which makes you about the size of a squash.  Kinda neat, huh? But I do have one favor to ask.  Do you think you could keep your little squash feet still for more than an hour at night?  That's mommy's favorite time to sleep, so if you could accommodate me, I'd surely appreciate it!  I'm pretty sure a moving truck has brought in a disco ball and beat box while I wasn't looking, and while I'm glad you are decorating your little space in my body, let's use the daytime to rock out and leave the night to a little rest and relaxation.

I also think I felt you have the hiccups yesterday.  I was talking with a patient and working on their hearing aid when all of a sudden the hiccups started!  It only happened about 4 times, but it sure was cool feeling you jump around!

I love our little talks, and I hope you enjoy them too.  You're still being a stinker whenever someone else (aka daddy) comes over to feel you move around.  I can just imagine you getting a big laugh out of it when you all of a sudden become so still!

But most importantly, son, we love you.  Happy 29 weeks in the womb!
Mom and Dad

Love, Renewed

Last week I made a quick trip to Hot Springs to work with my dad a few days.  I had this uncontrollable need to fiddle with some ears, so off I went.  The past 6 months, Audiology lost some of its' luster, but last week, I totally fell in love again.

I am so grateful that I have my dad to fall back on, although that was never part of the plan.  He has graciously opened the doors of his office to me and his patients have welcomed me with open arms...so far.  I love collaborating with him and having his knowledge to fall back on, and I think he enjoys talking with me and seeing how the new school of thought works.  It's been 20+ years since he has worked with another Audiologist, so this is totally new for him.

I hope that I'm able to continue working with him for a while, it will be great to be able to take Luke with me to the office.  It's such a blessing to have my dad in my life!

The Dangers of Walking a 5k

A few hours after walking the Jingle Bell 5k, I had some serious pain in my left foot.  I was hardly able to put my weight on it, which made walking lots of fun.  After putting up with this for several days, I went and saw a podiatrist in Hot Springs.  He took x-rays and couldn't really see anything, but ultimately decided I had either a stress fracture or a sprained ligament.  Either way, the only way for it to heal is to stay off of it (which I've not been good at doing) or wear a boot when I insist on walking.  So blog world, meet my new friend:

Isn't it pretty?  Pretty ugly (haha).  It's heavy and cumbersome, and it's making my calf sore from lugging it around, but my foot is feeling better.  I'm glad to be home so I can really stay off of it tomorrow.  And next time, I won't walk the 5k one week shy of 7 months preggo :)

Jingle Bell Run: Take 2

This morning I woke up in Jon and Kricia's guest bed (which is super comfy) and knew that later in the morning I'd be waddling my way through a 5k that benefits the Arthritis Foundation.  And I was not looking forward to it.  Last year I walked with my mom and some of her teacher friends and had a great time and sure enough, this year was great, too!

Kricia joined us this year, but she ran (in 27:24) the race while we walked it.  I was a little concerned about being able to make it the entire 3.1 miles being one week shy of 7 months, but I was determined to do it!  Last year mom and I made it to the finish line in about 53 minutes, and today we made it just over an hour.  Not too bad for a waddler!

After the race we got our goody bag and water and went to Canon Grill in the Heights for lunch with everyone.  We had a great time chatting, and one of the teacher's teenage daughter admitted she did not know the Lord's Prayer and vowed to never marry a man whose mother lived in the country or if she was alive. We all got a big kick out of that!  Apparently her 'Nanny', her mom's MIL gave her mom a dust pan and a book on how to keep a tidy and orderly home.  We all cracked up!

Today was so much fun, but I'm so sore!  I hope Chris doesn't oppose to giving me a back and foot rub! I'm gonna need it!  And here's to next year with the 'St. Nick's Chicks'!