Monday, December 28, 2009

Merry Christmas!

It's been awhile and I'm sure there are lots of things I could update so we'll see what I remember to add here.


On Thursday, the 17th, Matt, Madelyn and I loaded up the car and headed to Michigan for Christmas. It's a 12 hour trip so we stopped that night at one of my best friends house in Indianapolis. We arrived at 3:30 that afternoon, so much sooner than we thought! Mady did great and was able to have some fun playing with Rebekah's two boys, Luke and Jackson (Jackson is a couple weeks younger than Mady). It was so nice to take a break and get to spend some time together with her since I don't see her very often. It was a rough night for Mady but we made it through and hit the road around 8 that morning to get ot my parents house.

Friday night was the Treece party (for my mom's side of the family) and Saturday was spent getting ready for the Mouw party (dad's family). Sunday we spent the day with Matt's family and Madelyn got more toys than she will ever know what to do with! She had quite the pile! Later that evening, we went to see our former neighbors and spend time with them and their little one (Clayton was born 9/11) We had such a great time with them! I didn't want to leave but it was late and we had some things to do the next day and they had to get to work.

Monday was relaxing and we went to see my cousin Austin's school Christmas program. Tuesday I got to go to Olive Garden with my best friend, Sam! We had a wonderful time with our usual "soup, salad and breadsticks" lunch. Mady even behaved well! Wednesday I went to Panera Bread with Melanie and then we watched "The Blind Side." What a great movie! It was nice to get out and spend some time with her since next year she is going overseas to be a missionary. That evening we had another Christmas party at my uncle's house. Mom and dad were nice enough to take Mady home so Matt and I could go out with a bunch of friends from high school. We had no idea there would be that many people there but it was nice to see all of them since we are all over the place now.

Christmas eve was spent playing cards at Matt's grandparents house and then going to a Christmas eve service at their church. After the service, per our tradition, Matt and I opened our gifts to each other. He got me the game, "Settlersof Catan" which I am addicted to now, thanks to Joel and Katie! Christmas morning we celebrated with my parents and I"m sure they enjoyed watching Mady open her presents, although she enjoyed the paper more than anything else. We had a great time teaching them how to play "settlers" and just relaxing at home.

Saturday afternoon we headed back to Georgia and stopped once again at Rebekah's house. Twice in 10 days was great! We made it back here yesterday around 4:30pm and celebrated Christmas with the family here before Jon had to go back to Memphis today.

That about sums up our trip I suppose. This is my last week as a stay at home mom since I start my new job next Monday. I'm excited but a little sad too that I won't get to spend the days with my baby but I know it's necessary right now. Anyway, I suppose that's all..... Oh, and Happy 1st Birthday to Dylan James!!! Rejoicing and celebrating his special day in the arms of Jesus! (http://www.fromgummybeartosweetbaby.blogspot.com/)




Madelyn opening her presents on Christmas morning.... she liked the paper the best!



Her first time in the snow! I had her all wrapped up and we went to watch Grandpa use the snow blower!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Christmas time

We are in full swing with the Christmas season and I'm loving it! We have our tree up, decorations around the basement and all but 1 Christmas present bought! I'm getting so excited for next week though. We leave Thursday to go to Michigan for Christmas and I can't wait! We leave Thursday morning and plan on staying at my friend Rebekah's house that night. We stayed with her on our way to Georgia with my dad and this time, hopefully, we'll get there a little earlier in the day (we didn't arrive until 11:45 pm when we moved!) and the babies can play and Rebekah and I can catch up a little. Madelyn didn't get to meet Luke last time and we only saw Jackson for a few minutes in the morning before we left. It will be great to see them all again! We'll finish our trip on Friday, the 18th. Hopefully we won't run into too much trouble with snow, since there's a huge storm this week.

I must say, I'm having a great week so far. It all started on Saturday. Matt, Mady and I went to our friends, Joel and Katie's house to visit with another friend we went to high school with. He was interviewing for a residency program here in Atlanta. Anyway, we played the game, Settlers, and I won!!!! Joel and Katie introduced us to the game and I'm addicted. Sunday, we went to church and then back to Joel and Katie's for the day again. We had a blast. Plus, that morning, I won tickets to the Atlanta Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker." We're going next Wednesday before we leave for Michigan. Monday, I wasn't feeling too well but I took Madelyn to the mall to see Santa and she did great! We got some great photos that I'll post later. Our Christmas cards are made and ready to be mailed out this week. Then, to top it off, I got a job today!!!!! I'm going to be working at the Cobb County Health Department with a childrens program. I interviewed last Tuesday and was told I would hear one way or the other by the end of this week. My mother in law goes to church with another RN at the health department and she told my mother in law that they really liked me and I would be getting a phone call either yesturday or today. Well, I got it today!!! They needed another reference and when they got two more, she called me back (about 20-30 minutes after the first phone call) and offered me the job. I am so excited! I dont' start until January 4th, so there aren't any issues about me going home for Christmas and it gives me more time to get ready to leave Madelyn again. She's going to be with "Nonnie," Matt's step mom and I know she'll be well taken care of, but I know I'm still going to miss her. I think that's why God didn't have me get a job until now. He knew I wanted to be home with Madelyn and I have been so blessed to have been home with her everyday since mid-September. Now, I feel like I am able to go to work and not be so anxious to get back to her.

Well, that's about it!