Cheers to you!

My two favorite gifts!

Sweetest moment of the holiday:)

I have to admit, it is always a bit sad for me when the holidays are coming to an end. I find myself starting to count down to the holidays around September and anxiously await this time of year. So,when it's all over, I am sad that yet another holiday has passed. This time of year is just so magical in so many ways, but here's to a new year full of more wonderful memories.

Kylie had a great last day of school before break. Many moms helped to put together a fun party for the class. They ate some yummy snacks, did a book exchange, and then made homemade snowglobes (I was in charge of this-yikes!). The kids got to wear fun Christmas outfits and Christmas socks instead of their normal uniforms, and they all looked so cute. The next week was full of playdates and more fun for Kylie. She has really made some sweet friends at school and enjoys spending time with them. The parents are all great too, which makes it that much better! She actually had her 2nd sleepover this past week! She had so much fun she didn't want to come home when I went to pick her up. I have to say, though, it is hard for me when she spends the night out. I don't like going in to her room at night and seeing an empty bed! Gosh, there are times (many) when I want to hold on to her so tight and never let go. I am really going to have to pray about it, because I know she's not mine to keep forever. Easier said than done though.

We spent Christmas Eve at the Biehlers' house with the whole family. Kylie and Jackson both love to spend time with their cousins so much. It's crazy with everyone there, but it's fun too. They are playing trains, playing Wii, chasing each other, building things, and generally making a big mess! I think they will all be really happy when the D'Amura's move to Austin. The cousins have never lived in the same town, so I know they will be excited to see each other more often.

Christmas morning was amazing of course. Kylie and Jackson both woke up about 7:00 and then we had them come out together. I will never forget how adorable it was to see them walk around the corner hand-in-hand. It will be a memory I treasure forever! Kylie was happy to see Santa left her a cookie and a letter. Some of her favorite gifts from Santa were a Nintendo DSi and games, Squinkies, earrings, and Hello Kitty rain boots. Jackson immediately started playing with his little basketball hoop. He got a Chuck the Truck (he's still not sure about this one yet), and lots of bath toys. Bath time is always a fun time at our house!

When it was all said and done, the kids ended up with a plethora of new toys and games to play with. Many more than they will ever need! They have been so blessed beyond measure by the family and friends who are so gracious to them.

Adam gave me a beautiful jewelry box which I really enjoyed organizing (I'm a dork). It is perfect! He also got me a sweet new cordless vacuum for my tile (again, I'm a dork)-best gift ever!!! He got a coffee mug made for me with Jackson's handprint made into a Santa face. Oh, it is precious!

Christmas Day afternoon was at my mom's house. Again, more presents, great food and fun! Kylie looks up to her older cousins so much and they take good care of her. Grandma got her an American Girl Doll, which she has been asking for for a while now. It's really a beautiful doll.

The rest of the holidays have been spent just hanging out and playing with our new toys. I managed to get pretty much nothing done around the house that I had wanted to and I even had to work over the break, even though I was supposed to be off. A little bummed about it, but moving along...

Now, on to 2011! I have to be in College Station next week for what will surely be the biggest change my company has made yet. We will hopefully launch a new computer system on January 10th. We will be going from being very paper-driven, to being almost paperless! Very scary transition, but a huge step in the right direction.

My hopes for 2011 and really pretty simple. I want to be content and peaceful. I want to enjoy my family and be able to make more time for them. I want to stress less about stuff that just doesn't matter. I want to invest in people's lives and open my heart. My theme for 2011 will be "Let go, Let God." Gosh, my mom has witnessed this to me so many times. Just let it go and let God do with you what He wants. Stop getting in the way of his work!

Okay, God, here I am...

Cheers to you!!!!