New Year!

So a new year is now upon us and it's not making me slow down at all unless you count the slow down on the stitching. lol  Life got crazier with Ryan's testing out of ESE but it's worth it!  Today is the fifth day of the new morning routine and only the second time I've had to get a late pass for Kaitlyn.   I'd say we're well on our way to getting used to the new routine but don't quote me on that. lol

We did have a slight hiccup on the first afternoon but that wasn't anything you could plan for.....thank GOD!  Marie had a problem at school and ended up taking a walk instead of getting on the bus.  Tell me, why are kids so mean to each other????  It turned out fine but I have to say I hope I never have to go through that ever again.  It was the scariest hour of my life. lol  She's got herself one heck of a guardian angel that watched over her until we could find her.  I know she's twelve but still, when your child disappears and you have no idea what happened or where she could have gone it scares the *#@ out of you!  She only received a half day in school suspension and she's not allowed on the computer unless it's homework and it has to be supervised.  Doesn't seem like enough punishment for her but I believe she scared the you-know-what out of herself so that makes up for a little.  (That and the kids that caused the problems also got in school suspension)

Not much stitching for me but I have put a few in the LHN Snowflakes piece.  I've also frogged quite a bit too.  I found myself getting pretty frustrated and almost gave up but then I thought perhaps Rene' was visiting and decided to rip it out one more time.  It worked so I do believe that those frogs were sent from Heaven! ;)  Hopefully with my new work schedule and morning routine I can sit on my off days and stitch before Ryan gets home or after I pick him up.  Depends on how much I get done before that. lol

Tomorrow is Kaitlyn's 6th birthday and I can't believe how time has flown!  Seems like just yesterday my little munchkin was two weeks late and I insisted that I had to be induced because I couldn't carry her any longer. lol  She was too snug and warm and didn't want to make an appearance whether mommy was exhausted or not.   She finally did and what a joy she has been ever since!  Okay, she's been a joy 99.9% of the time but what kid isn't right?? ;)  We have a cupcake cake ordered and ready to go to school to celebrate with her.  She was so funny this morning.  "Mommy, will we celebrate at home too????"  She was scared that we wouldn't have a cake at home for her.  Since Marie got to go to Universal with Daddy for her birthday I had to attempt to make it even by getting cake/cupcakes for class and maybe doing goody bags for her.  Will have to do the same for Ryan as well but that's not for another two weeks. lol   

Hopefully I will have some pictures to show how much I've stitched when I post again.  I hope everyone has a wonderful day and that you find lots of time to sit down and stitch.  (I took Logan's frog and have set him right next to my stitching chair to ward off any other frogs that come visiting.  Figure they'll want to play with him rather than mess with my stuff. lol)

Hello again!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with their families/friends.  We had a wonderful weekend.  We started off by going to my oldest brother's house on Christmas eve for a few hours.  Logan and DH had to stay home as Logan started running a temp that morning.  We missed them but still had a good time.  I have to say, not traveling on Christmas or Christmas Eve is a good idea.  I couldn't believe how many people were still shopping at 5:00 p.m. when we finished up and headed home.  There were so many cars out in the lots and on the road that it took a little longer than usual to get to the highway. lol

Christmas Day we had my other brother and his son over for dinner and presents.  It was a great day with fun visiting, playing games on the new Wii and good food.  We made a roast which we finished up last night by having BBQ beef sandwiches. Yummo!

No stitching for me for the past week or so but that's okay.  Soon I will have more time to do that again.... I hope. lol  Today it's back to work again (if I have any to do lol) and finish up cleaning up from the presents.   Wish me luck with the cleaning!  lol

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 Behind the presents is one of my favorite Christmas displays.  My Santa and Reindeer but alas, it's hidden. lol

 The other side of the tree and somewhere in there is my snowglobe collection. lol

 One of Ryan's favorite new toys.  Imaginext Gorilla Mountain or something like that. 

 Kaitlyn and her Ni Hao playset.

Marie and her new PS2.

My poor big boy was so sick on Christmas.  He didn't play with much that day but he's feeling better now and making up for lost time. lol

Tried to get Logan, my brother and nephew in a picture but as you can see, both boys decided they didn't like the idea. lol

One of my absolutely favorite memories from this holiday.  The boys sitting watching a movie together and then giving hugs. 

Another great giveaway but hurry!!!

Check out New England Stitcher's Retreat's great giveaway but hurry, she's going to pull a name on the 22nd I believe!

Another great giveaway!

Check out Mel's blog to see what she is giving away for her 200th follower milestone!

So much fun!

Oh Joy from 2010 JCS Christmas magazine 

Another 2010 JCS ornament 

Prairie Schooler Freebie 

Snowflakes by LHN

Here are the promised progress pics of the ornaments and my Snowflakes by LHN.  I have more stitched on the LHN but as I took the picture that morning and then stitched that night I don't have a more updated picture.  I haven't been able to sit down to stitch at all this week but, today I am going to get a serious case of stitchers butt. lol

The three kids are now well and going to school and Ms. Katie who was able to avoid getting sick these past three weeks has finally succumbed to it and is home with me again today.  What a month with the germs this has been!  I'm just thankful that everyone else (KNOCK ON WOOD!!!) is better and back to school.  I've been working and taking care of the sick little ones and I have to say that is no fun and way beyond stressful. lol   I've been working so late each night because you can't get much done in between getting meds, food, blankies and just snuggling with them when they are feeling poorly.  I decided to skip work today and just take some time to get the house in order, throw some soup in the crock pot, hit the store for some yogurt and ice cream for Katie's sore throat and then get the serious case of stitchers butt this afternoon. lol

The weather has been cold for us here in sunny Florida.  It hasn't got above 55 degrees since Monday I think.  Today it's 59 but it's cloudy and rainy.  Yuck!  I'm enjoying the cooler weather but I could do without the rain while it's slightly cooler.  I don't mind rain when it's warm out but when the wind is out of the north and cold, you can keep the rain, please and thank you. lol

We did manage to get the Christmas decorations out of the attic but alas, they are now sitting stacked against my sliding glass doors in the living room.  Tomorrow come Hell or high water (as my Mom used to say) the tree will get decorated and all the inside decorations will be put up.  I will post a picture or two if I'm not too exhausted after I get them all up.  Now, it's time to fold some clothes and get to work on the serious stitchers butt. ;)

Have a great weekend everyone!

A pretty wonderful giveaway!

Check out Jennifer's giveaway over at Feathers in the Nest.  What a wonderful giveaway!  Go over there and put your name in the hat!!!