Luvin my Munchkin

Her little hands still pull my heartstrings :)

Some days are so nice with Ellie. While we've been in Maryland, we've had lots (and LOTS) of time for just me and her. I'm giving her more big girl chores, and in return, she's acting like a big girl. That's not to say we don't have our sweet cuddle moments. She still loves to hang all over me. Pop Pop has dubbed her Reynolds, as in Reynold's Wrap, because she clings to whoever has her. And we've had lots of playdates with Addyson and Kayleigh, her cousins. It's been nice being with family, since this isn't something we can enjoy very often. Having dinner together. Shopping together. Or simply just hanging out. I've managed to get one or two (or tons) of pictures of our trip here. I'm grateful to have family that could afford to bring Ellie and I up here for the holiday season, Ellie's and my niece's relationship hasn't faltered, and that my own relationship with my family hasn't wavered. Back in San Antonio, I know that my pups are being taken care of, and we've got a temporary home for us to return to, thanks to two amazing friends!

Ellie and Addyson decorating the Christmas tree and Ellie making her first snow angel.

Using chopsticks at Sakura's and using my knitting needles for drum sticks.

Mission : Knitting : Accomplished

I'm proud to say that I have officially learned the basics of knitting. I even went so far as to make myself something! I posted a video that is the sole reason for my "knowledge." I've had numerous knitting books, and have watched a couple of videos, but I could never seem to really "get it." I have no clue why this video made so much sense to me, but it did. I will say its definitely slower than crocheting, but I do really like the effect. So know, I have yet another craft to add to my repertoire. I'm not the kind to shy away from a challenge, and knitting has been one helluva challenge for me for years now. I'm glad I didn't give up on it.

I made myself a cell phone holder :)

Mission: Knitting

Momma's "Christmas" Present

I feel quite accomplished today. I have been "working" on my mother's Christmas present for the past year. Well, to be completely honest, I wasn't working on it, at least it was a sporadic project. It was a new stitch I had learned for crochet, and it actually went quite quickly once I started really pushing myself. I always work best under time constraints, and unfortunately I didn't make my timeline (Christmas). Once I realized that it wouldn't be finished, I decided to take a break from it. Give my hands a break. Now, its done. I thought I would share my finished work here, since, like I said, I really do feel accomplished. The size covers a queen size bed.

A Time for Resolutions

Over the past couple of days I've been watching my nieces, who are 4 1/2 and 1. There were definitely moments of, aww, look how sweet they all are together, and others where I was about to pull my hair out. I was able to finish a surprise scrap page for my brother-in-law, and am attempting to finish my mother's Christmas present. Christmas just snuck up a little too fast for me, and the project was just a little to large given the amount of time.

I've been sitting around trying to figure out what resolutions I am going to have this year. My biggest resolution was to change my outlook, and that was last year's task. I'm in an ever-evolving process towards the completion of that goal. What do I do now? I'm comfortable with my weight, so I don't feel I need to say I need to lose any. I'm happy with my nutrition choices. I quit smoking. I'm honest. I'm, in a nutshell, quite content with my life. I have my religious convictions and my faith in God is still strong and ever present. I have yet to find a church I enjoy going to, so maybe that could be my resolution. To find a church. I do know I want to read more. I want to expand my literary genres. I enjoy reading. I really do. I also enjoy crafting. There lies my battle. Which do I do? Maybe another resolution will be to create a better routine for myself... I'll figure it out soon enough.

2011 will just be another chapter in the most entertaining book I'll ever come across.

December 31. 2010

Tonight is the last night of the year. This time last year, I was telling myself how I had to change what was happening to me. I had to figure out where the kinks were that were making me so unhappy. I believe that, throughout the year, I have done just that. I do think that I've only just begun this process. I believe that this is something that will be continually evolving, and continually changing.

That's life. I've become much better at accepting my faults and learning the things about me that I need to appreciate more. I've learned to let things go as well as which battles to fight. My appreciation for my life has increased exponentially. I feel my goals and ambition striking once again. I feel like I'm ever so slowly turning back into myself. Let's hope that this new year brings many more promising revelations!

Happy New Year!

December 27, 2010

Christmas was wonderful this year. I really didn't know what to expect out of it. All season, it had never really felt like "Christmas" to me. When I traveled up to Maryland, I had every expectation that it would finally feel like Christmas. No luck. It honestly didn't start feeling like the "days of old" until I was able to watch Ellie opening her presents. She made out like a bandit too! We have such amazing family members. On both side. So much thought and effort was put into making this holiday fun for my little munchkin. It was a great feeling watching her upwrap all the gifts and wanting to play with EVERY SINGLE TOY!

Tom's family is ridiculously crafty. And I have to put something up about Auntie Beth's gift to Ellie. She crocheted the cutest little sweater for Ellie. It was made to look like Alfred, our cat. It was gray with dark gray stripes on the back, little cat ears on the hood, and a striped tail. It is absolutely adorable, and it came with a little cat book to match it. I really don't want to put down all the gifts that were given to ellie and I received this year for two reasons. (1) It would be too many, and I'd be worried that I'd forget someone or something; and (2) I think its kinda tacky to put all that down. I'd feel like I was gloating.

I remember wanting to tell every single person I saw about every single gift I received as a child. I loved it. My parents always got the three of us so much, or so I thought. The thing was more that my parents knew us. They knew we didn't need lots of toys. They knew that we were easily pleased. The three of us, (Mandi, TJ and myself) will still sit around and talk about how we never really felt like we hadn't had good christmases as children. We were happy. I realize now that all the crayons and coloring books and little barbies were exactly what we wanted.

Now, as the parent, I'm consumed by the idea of getting Ellie lots of toys. My mother has told me time and time again, "Why, she's gonna have her favorites and not bother with the rest of them?" And, she's right. Again. Yes, I've got a wise momma who I really need to learn to listen to more. Christmas is still about being around family. And honestly, that was the best part of this Christmas. Once the chaos of making the dinner and getting everyone situated subsided, I remember smiling a lot more. The kids were playing with PopPop, his kids were picking on him for picking on their kids, and we even got MeeMaw to tickle him. It felt like everything was right. It felt like I would never trade that moment. Watching everyone smile so much and seeing everyone so happy is what Christmas has always been about in our family. I was hard for me to break away from the commercialism of "Christmas," but know that I've gotten the opportunity to experience our family's christmas again, I know what standards I'm really supposed to hold myself to when next Christmas rolls around.

Until then, Merry Christmas to you all, and may you always remember how grateful you should be to have the love of your family.