Our Elf Dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

My sister-in-law, Britanie, showed me this. I think it is absolutely hilarious!

Recent Happenings

Recently, I have been finding myself wondering how RRD convinced me to go back to work for them. In the four short months I had off I managed to suppress the memory of how horribly busy and stressful this time of year is. I know I shouldn't complain, especially with the economy, the fact that I get to work from home, flexible schedule, limited hours (although my work ethic becomes an issue and I still work mega-hours to get my deliverables out) and the pay is really good. Hmmm. . . now I remember how they convinced me. I must admit the hardest part is not working, it is the 11 to 12 hour days that are already starting and the fact that during the most important time of the year my family gets less of me. It is sad to say but at one point in my life I loved Christmas time and now I have to try very hard to not let it become just another thing I have to find time for. My goal this year has been to remember my priorities and to try my hardest to be better about having the Christmas spirit. To be honest, overall it is going well and we have been doing a lot of fun things but I am just too busy to post. So, below are a few snapshots of our recent happenings.

Decorating the Christmas Tree. This is such a fun year because Draven is loving every minute of it!Draven loves the snow and wants to play outside any time we get some. Kurt is such a good daddy and usually takes him outside. Kurt also took Drave to the movie, Bolt, the other day. They are buds!

Draven with the live reindeer.

Kurt trying to keep Audrik warm!

Santa! Draven cracks me up. The line was really long and so Drave just kept hollering, "Santa" over and over again trying to get his attention. Draven also loves to go around saying, "Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!" and of course every once in a while "Trick or Treat" still comes out. . .

6 Months Old

Audrik is 6 months old. I can't believe it. He is a bundle of fun and brings so much joy into our lifes! It is so great to watch him light up when Draven enters the room or to hear his little giggle. I tried to catch him on video but it is just a tiny one - I will try and get a better video of him later. We also found this wonderful jumper for a great deal at Walmart and he loves it. Draven never really cared for the jumper but Audrik loves his and he will jump and jump and jump. He has also recently found his tongue and has started reaching for people . . . so cute!

More Blessing Pics

. I know it is almost two months later but I have been told multiple times that I needed to post more pictures since you can't even see Audrik's face in the previous post. All of my pictures are still on my mom's camera so thank you to Kathleen and Barb for posting there pics so I could borrow some.

Moving

This last weekend went pretty well. Jan (my sister) helped me all day on Thursday and we got a ton packed up. Janet had a great time stuffing Audrik in all sorts of places: the closet, boxes, and anywhere he would fit. It made Thursday a lot more entertaining. Then on Friday we moved everything and got our old apartment cleaned - very impressive in my opinion. We would never have been able to do it without everyone pitching in and helping. My family is the best! I have never been good at asking for help and even when people offer I am bad at taking it, so. . . thank you for just stepping in and being there!

On Saturday we went bowling. It was Draven's first time and of course I couldn't find my camera but Barb took some pictures with her Blackberry so they are a little fuzzy, sorry. I was just happy to have some.

Big News!

I know in previous posts I have discussed the fact that although I am a true planner and really like to be organized - my life just doesn't work that way. Nothing is simple and no matter how well I plan nothing goes the way I envision it to. We are moving in a week (yep, number 7 since we were married almost 7 years ago). This isn't the big news but I should have known something else was coming since we never move without something else happening at the same time. Twice it has been an addition to the family, once I had work meetings (and Kurt packed and moved us), and on and on the list goes.
To the point of this post. . . a few weeks ago I received a very surprising phone call. It was my previous boss from RRD in Thurmont, Maryland. After the pleasantries he came right out and asked if they hired me back on under Thurmont if I would be willing to come back to work. Without a second of hesitation I said NO! Then I had to be the logical soul I am and say but maybe I would be willing to work one to two days a week depending on the offer. Since, he is only working as a contractor for RRD on Fridays he said he would pass the word on. I received an email a week ago offering me a position at 20 hours a week and with a slight increase in pay. So, I made an extremely ridiculous counter offer (in my opinion) thinking they would never go for it. Well, who would have guessed but they called and agreed to all of my conditions and now I am going back to work. Aaaahhhhh. I really don't know what else to say. I have no desire to go back to work but I logically can not say no (they made it nearly impossible). Plus, to be perfectly honest I see the Lord's hand in this and what a huge blessing it will be for my family. We can save for Kurt's doctorate school and it will help in the long run. We are so truly blessed.
Sorry for the rambling . . . you can tell I am still a little shocked :).

Geocaching

Last night we went geocaching for FHE. It was so much fun! Jim and Britanie planned the night and they did an awesome job. We split into three groups and we each had four caches to find. After the caches were found we went back to their house and ate pizza, veggies and angel food cake for Maddie's birthday. I hadn't ever been geocaching before and had a blast!

Bill, Dusty and Caleb after finding one of the caches.
The Gang
What a hottie!
Kenzie and Maddie - Maddie turned 4 years old.