How do you like my new background? I will keep it for a week or so, then move on to something new. Can anyone tell me how to remove the yellow & green dots surrounding my entries? Krystal, it's time for you to pay me a visit!

I have to admit that I had a little anxiety about all 4 kids being home ...all day...everyday during the Christmas break, but it went really well. I am also very glad that our schedule will return to "normal" this week. I'll send the 2 middle ones to school tomorrow, then the oldest on Tuesday on my way to week 2 at the new job. Wednesday I should have some much needed time to catch up on housework. I've taken down & put away our main tree, but there are 4 more smaller ones still up. I don't remember the last time I mopped my floors. That's pretty nasty considering I have a crawler at home! It's just been so busy, but I promise to turn over a new leaf this week.
I have a girlfriend whose going on a ski trip the end of Feb. & wants to lose a few pounds before her trip. Another friend & I have decided to join her, so now it's a competition. Starting tomorrow I have until the last week of Feb. to lose 10 pounds. Girls~eat my dust!

Krystal- I have to admit I feel a little silly typing this blog knowing you are the only one who reads it. I need some more blogspot friends! Not that you aren't completely fulfilling as a friend all by yourself :)

I think I'm going to go indulge in some fattening treats before the big weigh in tomorrow morning. Good night!

Our special gifts

To follow up on what the kids picked out for us for Christmas:
For Dad:
Daniel- A deer figurine. I was pointing out different things they might like to buy, one being a favorite snack. Daniel wanted to choose something that "would last". He was very thoughtful.
Andrew- originally picked out a large striped melomine plate, but once he saw his brother's choice, he wanted to give dad a figurine too, so he settled on a black bear.
Victoria- picked out a fluffy blue pouf ball for dad to use in the shower. She said it reminded her of the Dallas Cowboys.
For Mom:
Daniel- A striped plastic tumbler (cup)
Andrew- The original plate he chose for dad
Victoria- strawberry scented bath salts

They were so excited to shop for us. This will definetly be a new tradition. They got to wrap & lable our gifts as well. Great fun!

My friend Donna spent the holiday with us & she,too, seemed to have a blast. She had never had a family gethering at Christmas time (how sad). I didn't realize that when I invited her to stay with us. I think since our family is the extreme opposite- pulling out all stops at our gatherings- we were a bit of a shock for her :) She sat on the couch with her jaw dropped open in amazement at the chaos of 16 people (5 being young children) crammed in my in-law's living room as Jason played Santa (b/c he failed the weigh-in between the brothers)tossing gifts around. We wouldn't have it any other way. We made sure she had gifts under the tree & a special stocking. They were the first wrapped gifts she had opened this year. I love her & hope she had the best Christmas possible with lots of fun memories.

The kids got a Wii from Santa. Tonight was my first time to play on it after they went to bed. I took the Wii fitness test to see what my "Wii age" is. I thought I was doing great, especially at bowling. I was thinking those 6 weeks at college really paid off since I took bowling as my p.e. credit...that stupid machine told me I was 71!!!!! I think I may have to return it for a new one. Stupid game! Lots of room for improvement I suppose.

We have a few days to rest before the big New Year's Eve blow out. I cannot wait! I live for our get togethers!!!!

I hope you all made lasting memories with your friends & family this Christmas.

Ashley update

Well, Ashley does have a virus- and an ear infection. We started her antibiotics today and I selfishly asked for narcotics to help her sleep. Am I bad, or what? I have an excellent pediatrician who happily obliged. Thankfully, Ashley is sleeping this very moment and as soon as I finish typing this note I hope to join her in dreamland.
I made my first ever batch of spiced pecans and they are wonderful and were much easier to fix than I had thought. I didn't make it around to the tiger butter or house cleaning, but now I know what I can start with tomorrow :)
We started what I think will be a new tradition tonight. Daniel had expressed the desire to go shopping for his dad & me, so we all loaded up in the van and headed to the Dollar Tree. We parents took turns taking them in to shop for each other, then we came home to wrap our purchases. The kids had a blast & it only put us out $6.50. Daniel, especially, put alot of thought into making his gift personal for his dad & wanted it to be something that would last for a long time. I can't wait to post pics so you can see what a great job they did!
I'm not even going to take time to proof read this entry, so forgive me if it's horrible. Off to bed I go at a record 8:41!
Good Night!

Sleep Deprived

Day 2 in blog world! Today is starting off in a slight fog being that I only got about 4 hours of sleep last night. It's not unusual for me to have a night like this on occassion, but in the past week there have been way too many and it is catching up with me! My baby is sick. I thought last week that she had fifths disease b/c she had spiked a fever & gotten a rash. Now I'm thinking the rash is viral xantham & she has a cold. We have an appointment with the pediatrician this morning & it irks me to know that I'm about to pay a copay to hear,"it's viral, just keep doing what you're doing". She has not slept more than 8 hours total in the last 2 days. WE need drugs!!!!
On a brighter note: I plan to get groceries this morning and spend some time in the kitchen doing my favorite thing-cooking! I'm making tiger butter for my brother so I'll have something to wrap with his Lowe's gift card, them I'm going to make some spiced pecans. This will be my first attempt so wish me luck! This afternoon I will pick up the house to get ready for my friend who's coming to spend Christmas with us. I'll be back this evening to let you know what the doctor had to say. Have a wonderful day!

Here we go again!

Well folks, this is my 3rd attempt at starting a blog. Twice now I have started a blog and forgotten my password/which account I opened it from and been unable to keep it current. They say the 3rd time's a charm...we'll see! I have written all of the info down this time and placed it in a top secret location. (hopefully I can remember where that is next time I log in)
A quick introduction to my family; My name is Courtney. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Jason. We have 2 boys; Daniel-8 and Andrew-5, and 2 girls; Victoria-3 and Ashley 1. Jason is a part-time youth pastor at our church. I am a SAHM and have recently accepted a very part-time position working 1 day a week as a medical assistant for a gynecological oncologist at our local cancer center. I will start a week from tomorrow & feel very honored to have the opportunity to work with these ladies who are fighting cancer. I pray that I will be an encouragement to them. I know they will be a blessing to me as well.
Today has been a pretty lazy one at our house. We're just enjoying the beginning of our Christmas break. The shopping is done. I finished my wrapping this morning with the exception of the kids' gifts which are hiding at DML's house. I plan on frying some drumsticks for dinner and serving them with potatoes and green beans. Then I hope to cut the boys' hair before bath time so they will look decent in photos Christmas day. I will post pics soon so you can see my cutie patooties :)
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas & hope you are taking some time to reflect on the reason we celebrate- our wonderful Savior's birth!