First day back at work

My first day back is here and gone.  My part went well.  When I went back, I started in the Float Pool (nurses who fill in for short staffed  floors).  I got to orient with one of my best friends Ashley, so that kept my mind off of home.   

Devon and Colby didn't fare so well.  Devon ate aprox 4oz the entire day, and was a fussy butt for him.  Devon did let Victoria hold him for an hour or so, other wise he wasn't comfortable in any way.  Needless to say it was a stressful day here at the Miller house.  I guess Devon is going to have to learn the hard way, that just because he wants mommy on the weekends, doesn't mean he gets to have me.  Believe me Devon, if I could stay home with you, I would!

January Goal update #1

Went on a date with my husband Friday night.  Dinner and a movie. (a fancy date considering we count going grocery shopping without the kids a date too.)

I went back to work so I am at least making money now and no coasting off of my PTO.

I am 5 lbs lighter and went to 4 Jazzercise classes last week (don't be too impressed, now that I am working one day during the week, and babysit at Jazzercise one day a week, my available Jazzercise days are limited)

What goes through his mind?

  The last few nights, when kissing Jake goodnight, we have found Woody hanging from the blinds.  This morning I asked Jake about it.

me: "Jake, why is Woody hanging on the blinds?"

Jake (standing with his arms shrugging) : " Because...Woody WANTS to sleep on the blinds"... (he walks off shaking his head)

Jake is a Ladies Man...already

Today I babysat at Jazzercise.  Jake has several good friends there, he has known them for a couple of years now.  One of them is a girl named Carmen.  Carmen is a cute little blond haired, blue eyed tomboy who likes to dress up and be girly sometimes (a girl after my own heart).  Today, I glanced down at Jake and Carmen, just in time to see Jake's first kiss.  Jake was watching the video that was playing, and Carmen gave him a kiss on the cheek.  He just looked at her all confused, then back to the video.  Then Carmen called his name, and when Jake turned his head, she kissed him on the lips.  He looked at her with a "what just happened" look on his face and wiped it away.  What a heart breaker...ladies everywhere beware

It was fun while it lasted

I can't believe that Devon is already 11 weeks old.  It seems like yesterday that I was thinking I would be pregnant forever.  I have to go back to work this Sunday, and I am very sad.  I love being home with the boys everyday, and my whole family on the weekends.  I love being able to goof around with Colby more than just a few hours each evening.  I will miss this very much.  The funny thing is, we are very lucky that I am able to work every weekend.  As much as I sacrifice every weekend that I go to work, we gain so much more every day that I get to be home during the week.  I will be working "extra" one day during the week to help us pay off our debt, and I am still blessed to be home as much as I am.  

I guess the bottom line is that, if I had made better choices with my money throughout the years, I would be able to stay home all but a couple of days a month.  It is the grace of God that has allowed me a job that I can work and still be a stay at home mom.  I will try to remember that when I have to be away from my wonderful husband, my new baby, my crazy toddler, and my hormonal teenager for a whole weekend.  

Calling Bridget Jones...

Happy New Year!...typically late of me I know.

It is a new year, a time to start all things new.  This is the time of  year to make resolutions.  I have decided that this year, I will be more realistic.  The main reason "New Year Resolutions" fail, is that it is one big goal.  If you make one big goal, you should have several little goals in place leading up to that big goal.  If you don't have a map to get to your final destination, then you most likely will end up lost.  In light of my new philosophy, I am adapting a new sort of resolution.  I resolve to make monthly goals in the following areas: 1.Family, 2. Gaining Financial Peace, 3. Healthy Lifestyle.   

What does this mean in English?  It means that at the beginning of every month, I will set a goal for each area that month.  I will update my progress or lack thereof on my blog.  I am going to use public humiliation as my "accountability partner".  If you have ever read the Bridget Jones books, you will feel right at home.  I will be reporting my weight loss and my Jazzercise attendance weekly (unlike Bridget, I don't smoke so no cig updates).

Here goes........

January

1. I will go on at least one date with my husband. 

2. Put a pre-determined amount of money to my debt snowball (for security reasons, I am not going to put the amount)

3. I will be 10lbs lighter than I am now, and will have gone to at least 11 Jazzercise classes.

Miller Christmas 2008

We had a Great Christmas this year!  It was full of the stuff that counts...Family!  I was worried earlier this year, when we started our debt reduction program, that Christmas would be bleak.  I was wrong.  We set a budget and stuck to it (with $20 left over).  I am amazed at how well our Christmas turned out.  Santa is a bargain shopper it turns out...who knew?

We started out Christmas morning at our house, it was so fun.  Jake ran down the stairs saying "hold on Walkin, Talking Lightening McQueen, I'm coming ..." .  It was so cute, he just knew that Santa brought it for him, luckily he did : )  I was also very happy to have Victoria back home, it wouldn't have been the same without her.

Next stop, Grandma Hayden's house in Fort Scott, KS.  My Grandma, all of my Aunts and Uncles, and most of their kids were there.  We had a great time, I am blessed to have each of them in my life.  We stayed the night at Grandma's and my dad taught Colby and I how to play Chess.  We are now Chess nerds, I win more than Colby.

Friday was on to Colby's Dad's family in Baxter Springs, and his dads house in Grove, OK.  Jake got to play with his cousins Seth, and Jared.  

Saturday we had breakfast with Colby's mom and sister.  He just knew that she had bought him  "Handy Manny, when he grabs his tools".  He had been asking for this toy at every stop, he finally got it. We also got to go see Colby's  Gogi (his grandma), we love her very much.

Devon, spent most of his time being held.  He had a good Christmas too...he just doesn't know it yet.  
We managed to get back in time to be on the road most of the snow storm on Saturday, we had the 4x4 though...we made it.  

I am so glad to have been able to have such a great Christmas...and such a great family!