2013 Resolutions

New Year Resolutions 2013

1. Stop snacking after Reese's bedtime.
2. Try to roll more with the punches and live in the moment.
3. Keep up the blog.
4. Try to go to church more regularly.
5. Cutback on the worrying.

Well, keeping up the blog is the only resolution I kept this year... better luck next year.

Reese Quote

I bought home the One Direction documentary this weekend so I now have a four year old who is crazy for them too. She just said " I love to watch this because it makes me dance and does me right!"

Fangirl

I am completely obsessed with Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell right now.  I am listening to it on my drive and I cannot get enough of it.  I highly recommend this read!

Teleporting

I'm going to start donating to whoever is developing our teleporting ability. 

I'm so happy that I was able to video chat with the Waznys today. They have a way of refueling my soul. 

2013 Ornament

Today we stopped at the Hallmark store so Reese could choose her ornament for the year. Last year she chose a Merida ornament. This year she went down a different path. She chose the most expensive, loudest, brightest ornament they made this year. It is called Steamboat Journey, with a boat and train that go around. It plays a honkey tonk version of Good King Wes... Whatever the words to that song actually is. I couldn't believe that is what she picked. I had to call to tell Amy about Reese's choice and sure enough, that was the exact same ornament that Charlotte chose!!! I couldn't believe it! Silly four year old girls!

Get ready Conch Republic, here we come!

Reese will be able to dip her toes into another ocean.

I just booked flights for us to go to the Florida Keys in February!

Wide Open Spaces

Please look past the crud on my window to see the full moon still out in the beautiful sky this morning as I drove to work.  

I am constantly amazed at how free I feel driving through these fields.  

In Arizona, driving through the untouched desert always made me nervous. 

It is different here. 

Winter Wonderland

We have had some really pretty snow lately. 

This morning even and it looked like everyone was in the same predicament I was having no idea this batch was coming.  Not a single road I drove on looked like it had been plowed.

Thank goodness for Saint Christopher because I wore his medal today and I think he may be the only reason I made it to work safely.  I can only hope the roads will be clear when I head back to get Reese this afternoon.

Why

I'm having a day where I wonder why I moved to Indiana.

 Career-wise I have no doubts why I moved because I love being a childrens librarian (I was in the paper today dressed like a conductor and reading the polar express). 

But personally, what was I thinking? I really miss the family I made out there. The one who understood me and supported me and kept their word. I only hope they know just how much they mean to me and how much I still need them. 

Christmas at the Library

 Christmas at the Library is an annual event at my library.  This year the children's department participated by making a Polar Express trail out of sheets of cardboard.  We also made a ticket booth, dressed up as railroad workers and I read the story.

I also had a little helper with me.

This may be one of the reasons that she likes going to work with me.  Her and Thomas (a coworker's son) played for a long time at the train table when she wasn't being my shadow.  

I like that she is able to see me at work, where I have other responsibilities then what she sees at home.  It helps that she would think my work is a cool place even if I didn't work there and the giant panda stuffed animal doesn't hurt either.

The Polar Express

The Schultz family (minus Myles) joined Reese and I to ride on the Polar Express in Connersville on Sunday.

We rode in a historic train, drank coco and ate cookies as we rode to the North Pole.

When we arrived at the North Pole, we had to sing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and then Santa came out of his workshop and walked over to get onto the train.

On the ride back to the station, the conductor punched our ticket.

Then Santa came to see us.

And gave each child a bell.

It was a great experience to share with the Schultz's.  Anthony drove which saved me from having to worry the entire drive there.  I also discovered that the silver lining to cold winters is that the layers and winter coats will prop up a sleeping child in her booster seat so she can sleep the entire drive home!

Happy Birthday, Sophia!

Happy Birthday, little Soapie! 

Reese and I love you more than words can explain and we will always be there for you no matter what. 

We hope you have a great third birthday!

Santa and Reese through the years...

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Christmas at Conner Prairie

Reese and I had breakfast with Santa at Conner Prairie this morning.  

Reese had two plate fulls.

Then Reese decorated and ate a cookie.

Then she asked Santa for a choo choo train and a pony.

Then we looked at the gingerbread village.

And went to walk around Prairietown to see how the holidays were celebrated in the 1830s.  

It was chilly but we were prepared.

I was looking forward to this and it did not disappoint.  We even picked up a Headless Horseman ornament for our tree so we can remember all of our adventures here this first year.

Thanksgiving

It's beginning to look a lot like...

...Christmas!

Breakfast with these ladies.

A Christmas Carol, take 2.  Just as good the second time!

Look at me, I can made a decent fire!

With Thanksgiving falling so close to December, I decided that we would put the tree up the weekend before.  Of course, we had to watch Home Alone while the tree went up.

Many ornaments reminded me of people and places in Arizona.

I bought this one at the Kristkindlmarket last year at Heritage Square with the Wazny Family.

Fancy lost an arm in the move... I cried a little.

Not too shabby, if I do say so.