Life changes

December was an eventful month to say the least. I am SO glad its over and we can get back to some sort of "normalcy". I feel like I am constantly in overdrive mode. If I'm not working, then there's always something around the house that needs attention, tons of unfinished projects, homework, bills, and so on. It's so hard for me to shut down and relax....I've never really been wired that way.

Speaking of working, I started a new job this past week. I had been asked a few times if I would be willing to transfer to a new location by that store manager (who is also a great friend), but I was never too interested because I was already working for someone I really looked up to. Long story short, things fell apart (not related to me) at my old job, and my new boss called me again and this time I agreed to transfer. I am really glad I did. It feels good to be in a new (and much nicer!) location!! The people are wonderful and It's fun to be able to come in and really shine at what I do. I really looked forward to getting to work every day last week. My new boss is AWESOME to work for, I love him. He's been a good friend of Paco's for years. As a bonus, I am much closer to home and don't have a giant scary hill to worry about in the winter. My commute has went from 30 minutes to 10 minutes.

We've been presented with several new challenges over the past few months, and I keep reminding myself that somewhere behind all the mess God has a plan at work. My mother in law gave me a great devotional book that I sit down with every morning with my coffee and a candle. It helps me quiet my mind and change my attitude for the day. One of my goals for the new year is to get our family back to church regularly...I can feel the void since we haven't been going regularly for the past few months.

The kids and I went to Yakima for New Year's. My sister and brother in law were here from Virginia and we had a fantastic New Year's eve celebration....to celebrate their wedding in October. SO. FUN. I'll post pictures later today.

On another note, Gracie has her first Upward basketball game this morning...she is very excited! Go Gracie!

Check out these adorable Sutton family photos...taken at the annual Christmas party at the Stern's home. Their house is AMAZING...so I always try to take our family photos there.

My beautiful little girl. Obviously, we all can see where she gets her striking good looks.

 Helloooooo, handsome!

 Our little family

 Melanie, me, Megan and Gracie. I LOVE this picture because Meg and Mel have always been such an important part of my life!

 Gracie and Wilhelm...she loved holding him!

 Getting my baby fix!

 

*bed at 11:15, alarm at 4am.

*one load of laundry this morning, a few papers sorted

* this afternoon's"To Do" list made and a busy workday ahead

*working on my second cup of peppermint coffee

*reading my devotional, watching the Christmas tree lights

*Cole sleeping snuggled up with both dogs

*Gracie, who yet again has managed to sneak her way into Mom and Dad's bed for the night

*she's having another "snore-off" with her Daddy

*this morning, she wins

Happy Tuesday!

Ahhhh, my Christmas shopping is DONE! I'm still waiting for a few things from Amazon....oh how I love online Christmas shopping! I already have most of the gifts wrapped and under the tree, just have to address and mail the Christmas cards tonight and then I can call it good. I kept things within a reasonable budget this year....it feels good to know my kids won't get buried in "stuff", and lose sight of the real reason of Christmas.

Gearing up for a busy day today. We're moving the bulk of my mom's stuff into storage, and then she will move in with us for a few months until she can get to feeling better and start a new chapter in her life. I am so hopeful that staying here for a bit will help turn her health (and life!) around.

 Afterwards, the kids and I are off to a birthday party and some laser tag! Tomorrow, the kids and I are going to Polka Dot Pottery to paint our Christmas ornaments, and to enjoy some family down-time. It's one of my favorite things to do. We have done this with the kids since the years they were born. The first few years, we just had their handprints put on the ornaments, and then when they got older they got to paint their own. My hope is that sometime in the future (weddings, first Christmas in their own place, etc), I will be able to take all of their ornaments and give them to the kids for their own trees. That is, IF I can part with them...sniff. Here are a few from over the years. The top two are from the years they were born...aren't they SO sweet?

Here is Gracie last Christmas with her ornament....she always does such a nice job and spends lots of time getting it "just right"...

Paco's sister took Gracie to Polka Dot Pottery and helped her create this beautiful Christmas plate to give me for my birthday! Isn't it wonderful? I love it!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I know that this has been around for a few years, but my kids LOVE watching it!

Changes

These days, I am just feeling so grateful that nothing horrible has happened to our family, as it seems to be happening to everyone around us. Numerous broken bones, job losses, cancer, deaths. Heartbreaking at any time, but especially around this time of year. I think of my friends and family and hope I am doing enough for them, when I know I'm probably not. I miss the carefree days of childhood when you don't feel other's pain as much. Now, with family and friends, it's all so vivid and I want nothing more than to have the time, energy and money to do everything I can for them. Instead, the best I can do is try and be a better friend, sister, daughter, wife and mother.

The last few years, I will admit that I've been less than enthused with my career. Not because I work for a bad company, I have just felt so...unfulfilled. I've been at the same location for 15 years, and have always been thankful for my job. The past few years I have had an amazing mentor who I loved working for. This week that all changed and everything was turned upside down. Shortly before this, I was approached about a possible transfer to a location closer to home. I declined, because I really enjoyed working for my boss, and really felt a loyalty towards him. After the "shake-up", I was approached again, and accepted the position.

Now, usually I am the type of person who constantly second-guesses my decisions. I've just always been that way. This time, it felt right and I haven't really had any second thoughts that this is the direction God is leading me in. I really feel everything happens for a reason and God's timing is perfect for me. I'm starting to feel excited about my job again, and I'm hopeful that my move will make room for others to have their chances for change.

Hoping everyone is well and enjoying this season. Remember to count your blessings and be thankful for those that are dearest to you!

Wow, we have had a BUSY month! Lots has happened and I'm hoping to catch this blog up this evening. Until then, here is a photo of the kiddos...they're getting sooooo big!

TO DO

To Do:

• rake the leaves
• finally pull the enormous corn stalks out of the garden and finish winterizing it
• drool endlessly over husband's new phone
• rake more leaves. Oh boy we have lots of leaves.
• make caramel apples with Gracie. She has reminded me that I promised to do this a month ago
• swoon over my little girl who voluntary cleans her room and organizes her sock basket
• secretly steal my husband's new phone when he's in another room
• catch up on filing, sorting, organizing
• quit complaining and feeling sorry for myself
• compliment my son when he makes great choices
• celebrate my blessings!
• get my tail back in gear on my weight loss plan....slacker!
• got those leaves raked yet?
• snuggle with my husband
• insult my brother-in-law
• hug my kids
• clean up the HUGE mess in the basement
• return a million phone calls
• get off the computer and get ready for work!

Home

I'm home. Oh, and so, so tired. Trying to adjust back into the swing of things. My trip was amazing, fantastic, remarkable. Can't wait for next time! For now, I'm focusing on settling back into the family and work routine. Looking forward to sharing some pictures and stories of my trip...soon!

Virginia bound

Eeek...it's been awhile. It's also been a whirlwind month or so. Work has been busy, I've had my Mom in the hospital....and then throw in our regular hectic life and well, you can imagine. There's been a certain eight NINE year old's birthday sleepover, another birthday party with family, Halloween and so on. However, there's no time for all that stuff now (although I WILL eventually get the blog caught up with pictures!), because tomorrow morning I fly out for Virginia!

Since I've been so busy trying to wrap up every possible loose end for the past week, such as:

• making sure bills are paid
• picking up prescriptions
• organizing the kids' school stuff for the coming week
• leaving multiple obsessive notes for my husband about pretty much everything
• returning almost-overdue library books
• schooling myself on the new rules of airline travel (it's been TEN years!)
• trying to squeeze in a haircut (NOT gonna happen)
• tracking down ipods, chargers, etc. (am I the only one that has a million of these piled sky high?)
• attempting to print out boarding passes and itineraries, only to discover the printer is out of ink
• worrying about how my Mom will do for the week
• getting audited at work (GREAT timing)
• putting on a taco feed for my co-workers
• not letting myself slack off at the gym

Oh, I could keep going...but I always feel like I'm whining so I won't.

My point is, I've been so busy going, going, going that I haven't had the time to think about the fact that I will be away from my family for 5 days. This is big. The kids spent a week with my Dad at the cabin last summer, but that was different since Paco and I were home together. This time....I'll be on my own without my "people" as I like to call them. Of course, I will be with some of my other favorite people....Kelly and my brand-spanking new brother in law, Brian! Yep, my sis is an old married gal now. Also, my "Mom" Sandy is meeting me there too, so it will be quite a fun week!

A few things on our agenda:

• helping Kelly out in her new yoga studio, Bend
• going with Kelly to a Bikram yoga class (think: yoga in a room heated to 105 degrees)
• hopefully a day trip to Washington, D.C!! WOOT!
• plenty of time to banter with Brian, my FAVORITE brother, and drink wine with my "mom" and sis.

I am so thankful for my wonderful husband who surprised me with this trip!!