Life

I could not be more proud of Derek! This month, he earned 2 certifications for his job which now makes him very valuable to his employer! One of them he earned the week he was in Wisconsin. While there, he had 3 days of intense training, and on the 4th day he took an 8 hour test.... a test that he was told only 60% of people pass on their first try. He, of course, passed with flying colors! I knew he would, he's a smart guy, especially when he applies himself.
Unfortunately, in March he has to return to Wisconsin again for another week of training. :( And unfortunately it falls during a very bad time.... Jadon's birthday.

Avery started her gymnastics class last weekend, and she really enjoyed it. At first, she was timid and didnt want to do anything, but once she started having some fun and seeing that it wasnt so bad, she liked it. She especially liked when she got to do things on the bars. She loved hanging on the bar and swinging, she got to hang on the bar with her feet on the bar too and she liked that, and she also got to climb a ladder that was about 7 or 8 feet tall, and she liked that too.
Its a parent involved class, so the parents were all there working with each kid.... let me tell you, it was a workout! I was sweating! But it was alot of fun, and if it worn me out, id like to hope that it worked off at least a little of Averys energy! :)

If you've been following the weather for our area, we've had quite a week of weather! After having a BEAUTIFUL October, November and December.... quite rare for our area..... the typical Oregon winter weather came. The week started with possibilities over several days for snow... but of course, why would we get any snow??? We woke up to snow a few times, but it was just a dusting, almost like a very heavy frost, and it melted off by mid morning. And it snowed off an on for a couple days, but never really stuck.
Then later on in the week, the temps warmed up, and a series of rain/wind storms came through. It rained non stop for over a day. So, with the heavy rainfall, combined with the warmer temps melting the snow, we have some flooding, and theres no end in sight for the rain showers.

The other day I noticed how incredibly small the kids pajamas are looking, especially Jadon's. His shirts have seemingly overnight shrank into belly shirts. Pajamas that I just got him in early fall....size 5 pajamas.... are getting too small for him. Remember a couple weeks ago I was talking about him being hungry and wanting to eat constantly? I guess I know why now- he was having a growth spurt.
When I bought Jadon's jammies, I also got Avery some jammies as she had outgrown hers. I had bought her a pair of 2t footie jammies, and a couple pairs of 3t jammies that she could grow into. The 2t pair is too small all of the sudden.
So, the kids and I made a trip to Costco and got some more pj's while we were there. Sizes? Jadon- size 6. Avery- 3t. These kids are just growing too fast, I cant keep up. They are both getting so tall! (big surprise!)

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Derek finally comes home in the morning, and I could not be more excited to see him!!! I might not sleep tonight! I'm actually giddy, and its kindof nice to know that after over 12 years, he still makes my little old heart go pitter-patter and my stomach go flip-flop! :)

A new year

Its hard to believe its 2012! Derek and I met 12.5 years ago! And I have to say, I love him more and more every day! And since he's halfway across the country right now, i'm reminded of that phrase "Absense makes the heart grow fonder." Sure is true! I really miss my best friend. :(

2011 was an eye opener for me. I came to realize just how important family really is. And i'm not just talking about my husband and children because i've always felt that they were incredibly important, i'm talking about our immediate family. You know, that time in your life when you realize that your parents really arent stupid like you thought as a teenager. ;) I couldnt be more blessed to have such wonderful people as my family. I couldnt ask for a better set of parents and siblings. Of course, there's always black sheep in every family it seems, but hopefully someday those black sheep will come to their senses.
I'm also talking about Derek's family as well. I'm so very lucky to have gotten inlaws that I like! I've heard such horror stories of horrible inlaws.
I've also got two awesome sister-in-laws! I've heard horror stories of horrible sister-in-laws as well, and i'm soooooooooooo glad that my two sister in laws are normal... for the most part! ;) just kidding.
To my younger brothers: you had better marry nice girls as well, I dont want to break the chain!
My grandparents also are so amazing, and some of the most generous people I know!

So what is my new years resolution this year? Well, I plan to take more pictures of the kids. Not JUST pictures of the kids; in creating my 2011 slideshow, I came to realize that most of the pictures we have are just of the kids. We have very few pictures of Derek and I, and our families. So one goal is to take more pictures of family. This will be hard for me as I hate having my picture taken, so i'm going to just have to suck it up and do it.

Also, i'm going to keep my distance from drama that seems to always arise from the dumbest things. Whats the point in drama anyways? I have no idea, but its always the same people that cause it! I'm tired of drama. I'm not a dramatic person. I am washing my hands clean of all the petty drama that 2011 held!

Of course, almost everyone has a fitness or weight loss goal as a new years resolution. This year, I am starting off the year 40 pounds lighter than I was 2 years ago, and i'm pretty satisfied now. I'm a little shocked that I actually met my ultimate goal, as I first started out hoping that I could lose just ten. So this year, i'd just like to maintain my weight and continue exersizing for my health.

And speaking of weight, Jadon has been eating like a P-I-G! He's eating me out of house and home! I dont know if he's having a growth spurt, or if he's trying to make up for the weight he lost when he was sick. He's requesting to have a snack just 30-60 minutes after a meal. And its not like he's not eating much at mealtime.... he's been having seconds, and thirds, and eating more than I do! The boy can definitely put the food away! From what I hear, boys are pretty good at eating alot, but I always thought this was just teenagers, but apparently its boys of all ages!