the start of a new year...a new decade.

2008 was an amazing year for us so I was pretty excited to start 2009. So here I sit looking back on this year and wonder was or wasn't it a good year. Throughout the year I kept thinking it was a really bad year because Dave lost his job. However, as I have been reflecting over the year I wonder...was it really a bad year or just a year that wasn't a good as 2008. I keep focusing on the fact that Dave lost his job and that makes things uncertain but when I really look back it has been a good year. Looking back with the glass half full...
1. We went to the Dells twice...once in Jan and once in Nov.
2. Dave and I went to Naples...finally
3. Our kitchen got remodeled.
4. Dave celebrated his golden birthday..with a surprise party
5. We spent a week in Michigan with the Bruinius Family
6. James established a really good friendship with the neighbor boy and Dave and I made some new friends as well...Henderson's and Ross's
7. We have James 3-5 nights a week since school has started (during breaks even more)
8. James played baseball
9. I started internship
10. We had a very blessed Christmas
so overall it was a good year...its just being more conscious of the unknown that creates the anxiety since no one really ever knows what tomorrow brings.
Looking forward to 2010...
1. James will move onto to the intermediate school building
2. I will graduate with my masters
3. Our basement will continue to be finished..maybe even a complete project
4. I will quit my job at southwest dermatology of 7 years
5. I will be finding new employment
6. Hopefully a vacation somewhere in there
and who knows what else

christmas 2009

Getting in the Christmas spirit was difficult this year because of being so busy with school, work, and internship. Most shopping was done online in the wee hours of the night and only a few batches of cookies were made. Christmas eve rolled around and things changed. We had James on Wed night and were planning on opening gifts in the morning. He was up early and so excited. We had a nice big breakfast and opened gifts and spent the rest of the morning/afternoon enjoying them. Christmas eve night was spent with my dad's family and James went to his mom's. We picked James back up at 10 christmas morning for the first time without having to wait forever. That whole scenario worked out well this year...usually that puts a big damper on things. We headed to my mom's side for most of the day and finished the night at dave's mom's. I had a terrible headache so christmas day was a long one. Sat we spent the day relaxing from the late nights/early mornings. Today we finished the festivities at my mom's. It was a great christmas for all...we all received much more than we needed. I know I am looking forward to having this week off from work and school...hoping to get things done and rest for a very full next couple of months.

"sledding" at 3am

Since we've gotten Jack I've wanted to have him pull a sled and see what would happen. Know we have Jill and she is a little bit bigger than Jack so I figure this year will be the year if we get the snow. However, I didnt expect it would happen at 3am in the morning. We got some slushy snow last night and it covered the grass. Around 3am Jack woke me up to go outside. (unfortunately this is a nightly thing) I climb out of bed and hook Jack to his leash and then Jill (she gets leashed at night b/c if she sees an animal she'll take off and I can't see her/ don't want to chase her when I could be sleeping)Jack does his thing and Jill starts going crazy. Since it snowed I could see pretty well and sure enough the coyotes were out. Now Jack and Jill see them and take off. The next thing I know I'm "sledding" down the hill in our back yard. Crocs + snow= no traction. I have a hard time controlling Jack with gym shoes and concrete. My only saving grace before the creek was the fact that I was able to wedge my foot in a hole Jill had dug. By time it was all finished every part of my clothing was covered in slushy snow. Dave found it pretty funny when he woke up and took the dogs out to see the "tracks" I left in the snow...well he found it funny until he put the shoes on and they were filled with water from the melted snow :)

its that time of year again

the holidays have arrived....I'm not sure where the time went this year but I'm glad it is almost over...hasn't exactly been the best year. So far this holiday season we celebrated Thanksgiving with the Cosentino family. I cooked and we had a nice quiet night. A lot has changed since last thanksgiving but we still have a lot to be thankful for. This time next year will also we a lot different. thanksgiving weekend we also went and got out tree. It is not has big as years past but looks great none the less...well until jill knocked it over monday night and broke some of my favorite ornaments. :( I'm getting over it. This upcoming weekend St. Nick comes and will bring some goodies. The following weekend is my work christmas party and Dave and I have a tentative plan to go downtown for my birthday. the 15th we'll spend out to dinner with mom's family for the big 26. That weekend will most likely be celebrated by making cookies and ginger bread houses (out of short bread..ginger bread is kinda gross). then the week of holiday chaos will begin and just like that it will all be over again. Im off the last week of the year and greatly looking forward to it. Hoping everyone takes some real time to celebrate with family the real reason for the season.

halloween...late (sorry)

I have been so busy that I am really far behind....so here is halloween. Halloween was a great day. The sun was shinning and it was just a bit chilly but not too bad. We trick or treated with the neighbors the full 3 1/2 hours...James got a lot of candy. We finished the night with some pizza at our house and then the boys had a sleep over...all in all a sucess.

school is underway

James seems to be enjoying school so far...based on what we've seen it looks like he is going to have a lot of responsibility this year. Seems like they are starting to prepare the students for middle school. He is working hard and we hope he keeps it up.
I've had two classes and feeling very overwhelmed! I'm sure it will all be fine but internship is seeming like A LOT of work. I just need to get onto a schedule. I am only working 3 days a week now and having wed off as well as fri is taking some getting used to. Currently I am working mon, tues, and thur...internship tues and thur nights to see clients. wed and fri to work on whatever needs to be worked on at the site...on top of keeping a house and running james around for baseball. I dont mind the baseball part since James is staying home alone after school and we aren't too fond of that. Plus is allows us more time with him since he is staying the nights he has baseball. Its a little tricky getting in routine when hes only here some nights.

baseball 9-9-09

James pitched his first game tonight...he did great...even got a strike out

dirt and bikes...

The plainfield park district has created a "bike park" with jumps and different types of "skills" to practice. Its really a nice set up but scary at the same time. James got a kick out of it, wiped out, but no tears...

fall ball

tonight was james first baseball game of the fall... the neighbor boy jacob plays and james has become good friends with him. he begged us to play so we changed around a lot of schedules and are able to attend all the game. he hasnt played in a year so we were curious to see how he would do. he is doing well and thing it will be a great season. the coaches are great with the kids...

daves baby

school update

tonight was my last night of class.... I officially only have my internship left. I start back up sept 2 for internship supervision.I am going to do some independent studies along with internship on parenting, step families and love...my internship is at v&r behavioral in orland park and homer glen. it is going to be a great experience.

James starts 4th grade on aug 31st. I cant believe he is going to be in 4th grade already. time just flies.

Until we both start back up I hope to do a lot of things to enjoy summer. we are looking forward to the beach and swimming now that it is finally warm enough. taking the dogs for walks...we have not done this yet!!! im so disappointed about that!!!! We will also be going to the will county fair and areosmith concert. Hopefully we will fit some other fun things in the next 3 weeks. I cannot believe it is half way through aug already. We had a good summer despite all our rainy days. James spent 4-5 days a week with us the whole summer. it is going to be weird when he goes back to school.

MySpace Countdowns

MySpace Countdown Clocks

kitchen..finished product

Finally I took some pictures of the kitchen done. I love it! Thanks Dave and John.

Jilly bean....she is getting so big

james 4 wheeler