Christmas Card 2010

Here is a sneak peak at our Christmas Card for 2010!  





Decisions, Decisions

I have been terrible about blogging and taking pictures lately - sorry!  We have stayed busy the past couple weeks and the next several are going to be just as busy.  We took family pictures on Sunday at Maclay Gardens but I'm going to wait to share them until our holiday cards go out.  I'm looking forward to Jingle Jubilee on Friday (craft show), Bradley's on Saturday (bigger craft show), date night Saturday night with Justin, and celebrating my 28th birthday Monday with the family! 

There are lots of changes coming up for my family - I'm trying not to let everything stress me out, but it is. I think it's because everything seems to be happening all at once.  In the next several months, Kate will be starting a new daycare (where I do not know), Justin will be starting a new job, and I will be working full time.

The reason Kate is starting a new daycare is because Betsy is expecting (very exciting!) and will be closed for three months while on maternity leave.  I keep telling myself Kate will be fine and will love her new daycare, but it still stresses me out.  My mom went with me to tour Good Samaritan Academy (where Sterling will be going) and we liked it, I just need to tour another place or two before I can be confident in my decision.

Justin also has a new adventure - a new job.  He and his current boss, Lanier, are going to be starting their own business and Lanier decided to make Justin a partial owner from the start.  I'm really excited for Justin but again, I can't help but worry.  I'm trying to prepare myself for the financial responsibility (thus the reason why I am going full time) and at the same time, hoping for the best.  I know Justin can do whatever he puts his mind to, but with this current economic situation, it makes me wonder how many weeks or months will go by before the business is profitable.

As for me, I'm just trying to keep my head above water.  I have the hard decision on whether to stay at my current job or look for something new.  For months, I said when I went full time I wanted to find a different job (because of all the overtime) -but it's stressful looking for a new job.  Here are my choices:  stay where I am, transfer to a different office within my current agency, or go to a new agency?  I have had a couple interviews at two different agencies, but I haven't heard back from either one yet.  My boss has offered to transfer me to a different office - but is that what I want to do?  I would have less adjustments as far as starting a new job, but is it the best decision for me?  Is God telling me to stay where I am and be content? I don't know!

Needless to say I feel like I am carrying the weight of the world (or at least the weight of my family's future) on my shoulders.  But I know God is there for me and he will guide Justin and I to make the best decisions for our family.  I need to focus on my blessings and pray for those that are having to make much more difficult decisions than I am. I'm blessed with each day I get to leave at 3 and pick up my little angel. I'm appreciating each day I drop Kate off at Betsy's.  I'm thankful for the reliable paychecks Justin receives every two weeks.  These small, everyday blessings I take for granted. 

I'm praying that a little sacrifice now will reap big rewards in the future.  Only God knows and time will tell.  

Happy Halloween!

We had a big Halloween weekend and it started with a last minute trip to the Pumpkin Patch Saturday morning to take a couple more pictures.  Gigi and Grandaddy met Kate and I up there and between the three of us we managed to get a couple decent pictures. Justin was in Marianna all day working on the hunting lease so Kate and I spent the morning with my parents. 

That late afternoon, Justin made it back in time to go to a Halloween BBQ at the Reavis' house. Kate had a great time playing on Audrey's swing set while the adults enjoyed some good company and wonderful food - thanks Reavis family!

 Kate and Daddy getting ready to go down the slide.

 Sunday was Halloween so I put Kate in her costume to wear to church that night - isn't she the cutest FSU Cheerleader?!   

 After church, we went over to my parent's house to take Kate Trick-or-Treating for the first time.  She held on tight to her pumpkin and let us take her to a couple houses before she saw an giant inflatable cat (which was a little scary looking to me) and decided she was done. 

Hope everyone had a great Halloween!

Ready for Halloween

Kate has been practicing all week for trick-or-treating. We picked out her pink pumpkin at Walmart and she has toted it around the house everyday since. I think she's ready for Sunday night!

First Family Pumpkin Carving

Last night, Justin carved the pumpkin we bought last weekend at the pumpkin patch.  We all went outside and he got to work while I chased Kate all around the deck.

The finished product! 

We lit the pumpkin just before Kate went to bed so she could see it. 

Side note - while we were outside, I took a picture of our brand new air conditioner.  Our old air conditioner quit working last Wednesday night and our new one was installed Monday.  Thankfully we had nice weather all weekend so it wasn't too bad being without air.  Justin and I are so blessed to have had an emergency fund to cover this unexpected expense.  But hopefully it will help us sell the house faster whenever it goes on the market!

Sleeping Beauty

Last night, Justin went in to check on Kate before we went to bed and here is what he saw:

She fell asleep "reading" her book.

 
Sweet dreams Kate!

The Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend, Betsy was doing mini sessions at the Pumpkin Patch and unfortunately we missed our opportunity since we were out of town for the family reunion. I was determined to get a picture this year so Saturday morning, Justin and I took Kate to the Pumpkin Patch to take some pictures and pick out a pumpkin. Needless to say I was extremely disappointed in the pictures - I can't blame it all on my photographer (Justin) because Kate was not cooperating either. The first part Justin couldn't figure out the camera settings to offset the harsh sunlight and once he did, Kate just ran away or refused to look at us.

 My Little Pumpkin

 Whee!  This is what she did most of the time we were there - running up and down the pumpkin aisles.

Right after this picture, Kate's bottom slide off the bench and she was wedged in this position (folded in half) - she didn't think it was funny.

And to bring back memories - here we were a year ago....

October 17, 2009

And now!

October 23, 2010