Thankgiving 2009

Thanksgiving was a busy one as usual. Great food, family and football what more could you ask for. Jackson enjoyed his first Thanksgiving. Once the olives were on his fingers he knew what to do next... Eat them!

So the beginning of the month I had a friend that posted a challenge on Facebook. To list something that I was thankful for each day up to Thanksgiving. Considering everything that had just happened I thought it was a good challenge.

Here is my list:

• Anthony - It was rough getting him here, and he had a rough start. However I don't know where I would be without him.
• Jackson - It has been such a joy watching him over the last 10 months and I can't wait to see what he has in store for me.
• Veterans - Without you there wouldn't be the freedom we have today.
• Shane - He can drive me crazy some days but he is an amazing father and is there for me no matter what.
• My parents - I wouldn't be who I am today without them. And they are always there for me.
• Next I was thankful for the fact that Jackson actually slept in his crib. After 2 nights of him not feeling good and having to sleep in the recliner with him. I don't think I would would have been able to handle another night in the recliner.
• My home - I love having a house for my kids to grow up in with a yard for them to play in. Something I have worked so hard for.
• Next I was thankful for the chance to spend the Holidays at home with the kids.
• Today I was thankful for the chance to receive some great classes on coping with change and resume writing... Again...
• Friends - I have some amazing ones!
• Next I was thankful that my jury duty fell through. I was not looking forward to spending the day in a court room.
• Paydays - Even if it isn't my payday.
• Girls nights out - even if it's just movie and dinner... It's great to get out!
• Lazy Sundays - Great day to unwind, take a nap, enjoy the day with family and watch football.
• Dvr - It drives me crazy to watch things live with commericals.
• Cleaning the basement - Shane was home to watch the kids and I was able to get the basement cleaned up.
• Today I was thankful that tomorrow is Thanksgiving. This was so much harder then it seemed to come up with something new each day.

Below is something that made me smile. Anthony brought this project home from school on Monday. This is what a 4 year old is thankful for:

• Playing video games
• Giving his brother hugs
• Grandma & Grandpa
• Mommy helping him
• Dragon Eggs

Which should read Dragon Age, a video game that Shane has been playing but I'm sure when he was telling the teacher his items she had no idea what Dragon Age was she must have thought he was saying Dragon Eggs.

Now it is time to start preparing for Christmas!

Movie Review: New Moon

I have been waiting a year for New Moon. I really wanted to do the midnight showing unfortunately that didn't happen. However I was able to go see it last night. I must say it was 10 times better then Twilight. It followed the book so well and got all of the important facts about the book in the movie. Along with some wonderful special effects. One thing I don't understand is why everyone claps when the movie starts and goes crazy when Jacob takes off his shirt. Come on people they can't hear you. Anyways I would see this movie over and over again.. Best part I only have to wait 7 months for Eclipse.

October Festivites

October was a very busy month. Brace yourself there are a lot of pictures on this post but it was sure fun this year with Anthony. Besides the zoo in a previous post this is everything else we did in the crazy month of October.

Anthony picked his very own pumpkin.
He was so proud of it.

After a full day of "is it Halloween day yet?" I decided the best way for him to understand how many days until Halloween was to make a paper chain for him to count down.

Me and Daniela decided to take the boys to the corn maze. We let them run ahead and be the guides.

It was the prefect length. By the time the end was reaching we started receiving complaints about tired legs. The boys really enjoyed it.

We of course had to carve pumpkins. Anthony told me the shapes he wanted everything to be.

He than helped clean out the pumpkin.

I did the responsible thing and did the carving.

Tah Dah!

I could barely handle carving the 2 pumpkins. I don't get how people can do the ones that require a ton of work.

Meet Master Yoda

Along with Harry Potter and Commander Fox.

Trick or Treating was so much fun this year. Anthony had a blast. Running from house to house yelling trick-or-treat and happy Halloween to everyone.

I think Jackson is going to be my candy baby..

Halloween happens to be Shane's birthday also. So before we fill up on the candy we went to dinner. Here is Anthony's attempt at chopsticks.

Shane is not a cake person at all. However when Anthony knows it is somebody's birthday. He wants birthday cake. Anthony chose the Raiders cake and helped his daddy blow out the candles.

A New Chapter

Today is a bittersweet day. It is my last day at AAA. I have been here for a little over 4 years and have absolutely LOVED my job. I've survived 2 layoffs, made some great friends, and traveled to some great places.

Last thursday we received word that they are elimanting my posistion. I'm still not to sure how to feel about the whole thing. I'm not bitter but I am sad. I love what I do! I'm sure as I walk out the door for one last time today the emotions will hit me like a ton of bricks.

I do have to say with all the layoffs I've been through with AAA (without loosing my job). They do take care of you. We are being paid through the end of the year and will get a decent severence afterwards.
On the upside of things. I can enjoy the Holidays with the kiddos. I might even try and find a part time job through Christmas just to get me out once in awhile. I can go to the Festival of Trees before the crowds on saturday. I can see New Moon durning the day instead of waiting till the evening it comes out. Best news of all I don't have to drive down town in the snow. I know I will be ok. It is just time for a new chapter in my life.

Movie Review: Michael Jackson This Is It

So I have never been a huge Michael Jackson fan, I actually never listened to his music until I was in High school. Yes he did become really weird in recent years but he was a great performer. I decided I did want to see the movie about his final concert. So I became a 3rd wheel with my friend and her husband and went to the movie.
The concert would have been fantastic. He didn't seem weak at all and was dancing and sining in the footage. He really wanted the concert to be his vision. I would have loved to see if they had footage of a dress rehersal. I bet the costumes would have been amazing. I felt it was a little long but still really really good and worth watching at least once.

Counting down the days to New Moon.