Christmas On Our Own

This was the first Christmas since Derek and I got married that it was just us...and our kids. And I loved it. I loved not having to travel and be stressed. I loved that it was OUR tree that the presents were under. And I loved not going out in the cold. This is Ashley in her Christmas dress. Brian and Danielle got it for her. It's adorable.

This is the giant Tonka truck we got Alexander. He loves it. He has turned into quite the pack rat. He puts things in the back and pushes it around the house or just sits with it. Usually he puts his sippy cup, flashlight, his guns, Mike the buffalo (which he named), and his cell phone. It's pretty funny. Asher didn't get very much. Considering he's pretty much aware of only his hands and feet I don't think he cared. This is him in his santa suit.
I made dinner which turned out o.k. Overall Christmas was awesome.

I'm sad that it's over now. I'm always plagued by depression after Christmas. I've been trying really hard this year to focus on the blessings God has given us. That has helped me tremendously. I hope you all had a blessed Christmas.

Are They Twins??

I don't really have much else to write about so I will write about a recent and kind of funny conversation I had with complete strangers.

This is the second time this question has been asked, btw. After the Santa Clause Experience I was leaving the mall with Alexander and Ashley (they were in a double stroller) when I passed by a lady who was doing the car seat thing, you know piling the blankets on and putting the cover on. Anyway, I heard her baby cry and being the curious person I am (some would say nosy) I asked her how old her baby was. The exchange went something like this:

Me: "How old is your baby?"
Her: "2 months old."
Me: "Oh, I have a 3.5 month old."
Lady next to 'Her': "You have a 3 month old?!?, are they twins (pointing to A&A)?"
Me: "No, he is 2.5 and she is 1.5"
Her: "Wow, you must be busy" and in my mind she said something like "You must be Super Mom"

I get that a lot, not the Super Mom thing, but the busy thing. I am busy and some days it is really hard. But not as hard as some people think. I wouldn't trade it for anything, in fact I love how close my kids are. I love seeing peoples' reactions when I tell them how old my kids are.

It's comical.

The Santa Clause Experience

We got our car back today, Yay! I decided to take the kids to see Santa after dinner tonight. Alexander was excited and Ashley had no idea what was going on, but she was going along for the ride.

As you can tell by this picture they had a great time. They loved Santa. I may be a horrible mother because I didn't rush over and comfort them. I just calmly told the lady to take the picture and then I comforted my kids. I was just thinking that someday we will look back on this picture and laugh.

It's all about the memories.

And The Grand Total Is?

Brian picked Derek up at work and they came and got the car and then took the car down to get a new battery. Then they come and said they are testing some things and that they would call when it was ready. They said it would be $69 for a new battery.

That isn't too bad I thought to myself.

So we are waiting and waiting and waiting for the call. But no call. So Derek calls them and guess what? Just guess.

We need a new alternator because the battery won't hold a charge. Now guess again how much a new alternator is. $350!

Now it is my belief at this point that God is teaching me to rely completely on Him. I know He knows we need a car. So I need to have faith that He is going to work it all out and provide.

I saw Him provide so much when I was a kid. I just need to remember that.

The Christie Curse Strikes Again

I'm all ready to go shopping and take the kids to get their picture taken with Santa. I also had a bunch of errands to run which is exciting because I got to get out of the house. I even put my make-up on today which is a rarity. I also curled Ashley's hair and put their cute outfits on.

Derek went and started the car (he was home for lunch) and then came in and helped me get the kids' shoes and coats on. I got Asher buckled into his car seat. We go out to the car and get everyone buckled in and the car dies. Yep, my car died!

Being the genius mechanic that I am I say to Derek "I think it's the battery" So he called his "boss" and he says the same thing. He jumped it and it started, Yay! So the new plan was to drop the kids off at Grandma Kay's and go get a new battery, then go on with the original plan.

Did you know that the Christie Curse doesn't work that way?

I'm driving and I could tell it was going to die because the ABS light is on and the windshield wipers barely work (there is a blizzard, of course). The car died again, but this time it's right in the middle of the road. Thankfully Derek was behind me and gave me another jump, it started and Derek told me to just go home. Wouldn't you know the car died right as I pulled up to our house.

So no shopping or Santa today which is really sad. Alexander started crying which almost started my tears. He was disappointed. He was looking forward to seeing Santa.

Derek has to get a battery after work. So maybe tomorrow, but who knows what The Curse will decide to affect.

Super Excited

I'm super excited because I get to go shopping today. Grocery shopping. I love it. It makes me feel wifely and motherly. Getting food for my family, things they enjoy fills me with happiness.

Derek snickers when I come home from the store because I always some type of little surprise for him. No big deal, it's usually some kind of candy or food that he likes. I guess it's my way of showing him how much I love him and that I was thinking of him.

Anyway, I get to go BIG shopping today.

When I was a kid and my Mom would go to the store me and my sisters would always ask "Are you going BIG shopping?" It was pretty exciting when she did because then we would have snacks. Not a lot, but some. I think my mom was the same way. I think she liked to get us little things from the store that she knew we liked. I remember her buying Sarah Ritz crackers. Sarah loves them, I don't know why though.

I'm buying stuff to make Christmas dinner today which I'm really excited about. I'm a little nervous though. Grandma Kay is coming and I've never really cooked for her before. I'll have to blog about Grandma Kay. You'll get a kick out of her. She is a pretty amazing woman, even though she can drive you crazy sometimes; I love her.

Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming! I'm so excited! Shopping makes it seem more real.

It's Really Out Of Control

Remember my post about getting books every once in awhile? Well, since that post I think I have read 4 books. Yes that's right 4!

Now before you get all judgemental I haven't been neglecting my kids or house. For reals. I read when they nap and in the mornings. Sometimes at night if there isn't anything on T.V. and Derek is on the computer.

I finished reading the Redemption series by Karen Kingsbury and wouldn't ya know it she has a series after that called The Firstborn series. I just finished number 4 and am dying to know what happens next.

This sounds pathetic I know, but Karen Kingsbury truly has gift. She is able to suck you in.

I get the books from Hastings and they have this wonderful system. You can bring your used books in for credit. I'm actually not paying the $13.99 it costs for each book. I took back some books and the last book only cost me $2.62. The good thing is that my addiction isn't costing me a fortune. I think I need a 12 step program. Either that or some self-control, but we all know that isn't going to happen.

I'm dying to read book 5, but I'm making myself wait. Derek probably thinks I'm insane, but in my defense he should have known that when he married me :)