New Year with New Changes!

2005 has come and gone with many things to be thankful for.

Here is a list of Top 5

1. My baby girl is happy and healthy and has been a joy in our life
2. Justin is happy and healthy, recieved a great promotion at work
3. I have been able to stay at home with Makena
4. We went from one vehicle to two
5. I managed to lose all my pregnancy weight and than some...thats one to be proud of :P

Changes in 2006??

I have decided to go back to school. Yes you heard me right family...I am going back to school. After many years of enrolling, than withdrawing and having only earned a semester worth of credits, I have decided it was time. I had such a wonderful experiance during my stay at the hospital when Makena was born...I realized I would really love to be a nurse and make a difference in people's lives. I really want to be a labor and delivery nurse and I am sure I won't really have a choice of the matter when I first get out of school, but that is my goal. I will go to Collin County Community College and earn my Associates Degree in Nursing, take my registered nurses exam and start working first, than I will go back to earn my bachelors. Through research and speaking to student advisors, an RN is an RN whether you have an Associates or a Bachelors...everyone takes the same RN board exam and salary is the same for both. A Bachelors will help when I am ready to move up into management positions, so I really want to earn my bachelors...eventually. I will be doing night, weekend and distance classes for a little while and than once I start my actual nursing classes, I will have to go full time during the day. I am really excited!

Other changes?? Holli and Faith are moving back to Oklahoma City this month. I am very sad and will miss them both, but it willbe a wonderful change for them both as they will be home and close to their family. We will visit as much as we can though!

Ok, thats it so far...Happy 2006 everyone!

Training Potty is to sit on not stand in!

ALRIGHT!! I will post already :P

Okay, Jan...I have gotten off my arse and am now giving you an update. Seriously, I needed the motivation...so I thank you :-)

Anyhow...where do I begin...

Christmas was so much fun this year. Last year Makena was a month and a half old and of course had no concept of Christmas. We did the whole, presents under the tree and even woke up Christmas morning to open gifts with her. It was definately uneventful though. NOW..this year...this year was great fun! My mother-in-law is the queen of gift bags, but I think this last Christmas and years to come, she will be wrapping Makena's gifts. Makena, tore into her gifts and than everyone elses gifts. She made out like a bandit this year! Hopefully next year we can leave cookies for Santa. We didn't put up a tree as I was not up to the task of keeping her away from the ornaments all month long. Our fireplace served as our tree this year. On Christmas Day when it got dark out, we went to look at Christmas Lights. I hope this is a tradition we will continue for many Christmas to come. All in all, we had a fantastic Christmas and I can't wait for next Christmas...I just hope she isn't scared of her Playskool Vaccum Cleaner by than.

Here are some pictures to share...

Special gift from her Daddy on Christmas Eve...

"These boots where made for walking"

Our make-shift tree this year

Christmas Morning

Christmas Night in front of Justin's Co-worker's house