Today was Alivia's last day of school at Standing Bear Elementary. Oh, it was so sad! She has made good friends already with many in her class, so the adjustment may be difficult on her to start at Bell Elementary in Papillion come January 4.
In celebration of the upcoming holidays, Standing Bear eases their way into winter break by having Pajama Day. Alivia wore her Christmas Eve pajamas and was excited to do so. I snapped pictures of Alivia and her friends as I pushed back my big Mommy tears. All of Alivia's classmates drew her a picture and Miss Moran put it into a book for her. It is so cute! Mrs. Archer made Alivia a name plague that is just adorable that Alivia can hang in her room. I had friends move away when I was a little girl and know how much friends are missed. We are confident that Alivia will do great at Bell, too.
2 days ago while getting my hair done, as I do every 8 weeks, I decided to be bold and change colors....drastic colors...For the first time in my 30 years I am not blonde!
My hairdresser was shocked at my request, but didn't question it she just did it. The new color is called Chestnut.
After 2 hours at the salon i walked through the door and Ryan was shocked! He scooped me up in his arms with the biggest grin and said he LOVED it! (Whoo Hoo) I like it and love how blue it makes my eyes look!!!
I've had many different reactions from family, friends and coworkers and my favorite was while cuddling on the couch when my husband said he felt like he was having an affair!
Hopefully I did not already post a review of this book. This was the other book that my Mom let me borrow. It was also a real inspirational story about a Pastor who was in a severe auto accident, his near death experience, and his 90 minutes in Heaven. He went through numerous months to years of crueling recovery.
90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper is an inspirational book that I would recommend.
Now, what will I read while I wait for Asher to fall to sleep at nap and night? (so he does not hurt himself crawling out of the crib).
When we first initially moved into the apartment on October 26, we did not have any TV or Internet. I was bored during nap time and in the evenings. So, my Mom provided me with a couple of books.
The one I just finished, The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, is from the staff of books she provided me. Can I just say, what an awesome book! I would highly recommend it. It was a book on setting goals and living to achieve them. It was, however, quite sad as it was the author's last lecture. He died within a year of his lecture to cancer, leaving behind his wife and 3 small children. With that said, I would highly recommend reading the book and watching his last lecture. It is a valuable investment of time. Would love to hear your comments!
Before we knew WHERE we would be living, Chris and I went shopping for a TV. We wanted a TV to install above our mantel, wherever that mantel shall be. Well, today it FINALLY got installed. It looks wonderful, however a little small for THIS mantel. Chris wanted to return the TV, but found he had to return the surround sound that came with the TV for free. So, Chris decided to keep it, for now. I think I see a bigger TV is in our near future, though, and this one in our bedroom! For now, we will enjoy this new look and sound.
And, there you have it...our first BEFORE and AFTER of our new home.
Isn't that the most beautiful picture? I "borrowed" this from a friend, Jerry. Hope that's alright Jer -- it was so beautiful that I had to use it in a post!
James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything."
Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and might things, which you do not know."
I wish I had something great and inspiration to write tonight, but I really don't. I do know this, God is good and He is faithful to His word. I know that He loves His children more than we can even imagine. I know that His word says that He will never leave us nor forsake us. I know that His word says that when we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. I know that His word says that if we delight ourselves in Him that He will give us the desires of our heart. I know that His word says that if you train a chlid in the way that he should go that he will not depart from it. Plus so much more. This is what I need to keep in mind during times that are more difficult. I need to grab onto my Heavenly Father for dear life, and never let go.
Thank you Lord Jesus for all of the blessings you have given me in my life. You are amazing, awesome, and wonderful. Thank you for my life.
Many days as we get settled in our new home, we feel a bit home sick. Chris and I have said many times, we feel like we are on a vacation of sorts, staying at someone elses home, but just want to go back HOME. I miss the comforts of our old home. We fixed it up to meet most of our needs. That was so nice. Yes, it needed updating. But, we are having to fix up this house to meet our needs, too. Additionally, I many times drive by our old home as I go from dropping Alivia off at the school up the street from our old home to taking Addison to preschool. I find myself going the wrong way to avoid driving by our old house. Asher has even cried when we have driven by, "Go home!" Oh honey, I so wish I could. I only have a few more days of taking Alivia to Standing Bear as she will be transferring to Papillion schools after the New Year.
And then it comes time to pick up Alivia in the afternoons (or even sometimes at drop off) and I see our old neighbors. Then it all comes rushing back to me...why we really moved. Oh, I will take the discomforts of not being at our home I think over all of that unnecessary immaturity living next door anyday.
In our new home, we currently have few neighbors around. Actually, there is nobody living right by us. Neighbors are those we can see a street or 2 away from us. Looking our Asher's window at night, I can see the old owner of this home's Christmas tree (yes, he lives that close). Chris and I do not have any window treatments yet. I am working on estimates for our beloved shutters. I just can not find it to spend our hard earned money on them just yet. I don't know what the rush is right now anyway. Afterall, who is looking in here? And, do I care? Nope.
Chris and I also miss St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. We have tried going to the Parish near our home, but it is not home. It is so much different. Mass had not even started and Chris asked me if we could leave and go to SVDP. So, we are going to start going to our old Parish again, Saturday nights when I work, Sunday mornings when I don't. We are dealing with a lot of change right now. And, Chris and I just do not feel the need to change our Parish family right now.
So, for anyone thinking of moving...think long and hard before doing so, and then think some more. Reasons for moving can outweigh the cons, obviously. But, the grass is not always greener in another lawn. Actually, our grass looked nearly dead when we moved in here. :) A home is just a roof over your head. A family makes a home. I have to thank my amazing Mom for giving me that perspective.
Sunday was Addison's first birthday party. Her preschool friend Max turned four and celebrated by inviting his classmates to BOUNCE U. Addison was super excited, and I was told, Max could not stop talking about Addison since school started in the fall.
We arrived at 2:30, got some quick instructions, and then started jumping. Addison jumped and ran all over as I watched. The birthday party kiddos were the only ones jumping, but it was still busy. After an hour of jumping and play, Addison was exhausted. She did play a bit with her friend Max. They seemed to get along well. Now, if she was a teenager, I would have been worried. But, since Addison is only 3, I found it to be cute. Little Max is a sweet little boy just as Addison is a sweet little girl. Next came cake and presents, then Addison was more than ready for the treat bag and to go home.
Addison had fun! Bounce U is a fun place to have a party. However, in the winter, be prepared to bring home more than a few memories. I brought home a cold and have not had a voice since early Monday morning (I worked both Saturday and Sunday night and then did not sleep much on Sunday or at all on Monday, so that did not help). But, if you ask Addison, it was so worth it!
We have been on several dates over the past week. I was able to get a photo from Ryan's Christmas party at the Hilton.
Our winter garden has sprouted, we now have 4 kinds of radishes, broccoli, winter squash, green onions, lettuce, jalapenos and yellow onions. Christian picked a few heads of broccoli over the weekend and I made the most delicious veggie and chicken pizza.
Madyson got a student of the month award last Thursday. I went to her assembly and was not only able to see her get her award, but also to see her class perform 3 Christmas songs.
Both Saturday and Sunday we got special Christmas deliveries from Friends. The first was a basket of homemade jam and bread from Shane and Bree. All I can say is mmmmmmmm!
Next was a platter from Aaron and Michelle, complete with 6 of each item for our family of 6...so cute and yummy!
Miss Olivia was fixed on Friday and has not skipped a beat! She's just as playful and sassy as she always is. She has a new favorite place to perch.
I had ugly Christmas Sweater bunco at my house, but fortunately for the girls didn't take any pictures. Let me just say there were indeed some VERY hideous Christmas outfits that night!
Last week was emotionally exhusting. This week I will be better about posting.
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