TAGGED

I was tagged by my aunt Tara. This is too weird Tara, my 4th is my dog too. She's is a 6 year old Maltese. Her full name is Fancy "Nyla" Caver o Salmon Road. Chris got her for me on Valentine's Day the year after we got married. We love her!

Big Cedar Lodge Vacation

We love to travel as a family. This past Christmas holiday Chris and I took my parents along with our son Carson to Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, MO. Chris took me last spring and we fell in love with it. We had to bring our family back. The word was, Christmastime in the mountains was beautiful there overlooking Table Rock Lake. There are so many activities for kids too. This was a plus for us. So, we booked it and off we journeyed with a 15 month old. We stayed in a cabin with a loft. It was really nice. Full kitchen, jacuzzi, walk in shower, balcony with a grill, fireplace, Christmas tree and a view of the lake. We scheduled an Elf-Tuck In for Carson. Sugar Plum read Carson a Christmas story, gave him a stocking and tucked him in bed. He didn't care to sit next to her at all. It was fun though. We took all of our groceries and cooked every night. We also made a trip to Bass Pro in Springfield, MO. Last minute Christmas shopping. Last night we drove around the Lodge and looked at Christmas lights. We are going to try to make this a family tradition. We hope to bring along our other family members as well. If not, we are taking Carson for sure. I'l add some pics of our Cabin and the Lodge.

LiStEn MoRe...TaLk LeSs...

My new saying for this season....LISTEN MORE AND TALK LESS! Sometimes when we talk to much we miss what's important. I'm going to vow to do more listening and less talking. It's sorta like holding your tongue. This could get dificult at times! No normal person I know wants to admit they grip or complain too much. Any suggestions on my new outlook on life for this season?!? Send tips!

And the World Paused....for my hubby anyway!

It was finally lunch time at work. I was so ready to eat my Subway sandwich when I received a text from my hubby, Chris. "Call when you can." Normally this isn't anything I need to rush to do, but when I received a second that said, "Call Now." I began to panic. I took my kids to lunch rushed to the workroom and called his cell phone. His brother answered, I really thought I called him by accident. He said, "Chris is ok, we're at the ER, he broke his ankle. Don't worry about coming up. Your dad is here too." Umm...ok! I said "what?" I'm coming up. So, I took my sandwich, scarfed it down on the way, and ran in to the ER. He was in so much pain. They sent us to a speialists in Texarkana. This Dr was supposedly waiting for us. Almost 6 hours later, no more pain meds since 10am, and no food all day, the Dr finally came in. He had scheduled Chris for surgery on his ankle, but after studying the xray realized his ankle was the least of his worries. He was more concerned about his knee. My hubby doesn't sit still for 5 seconds. He's up at the crack of dawn and in at dark. His life is cows and building roads. Well, until Carson came along. Anyway, he's now in a recliner for at least 8 weeks and we're waiting on possible knee surgery. Oh, it all happened working cows. They had a few pinned up and one came over the panel and over Chris. His ankle is broke in 2 places, he's wearing a hard cast and knee brace. His knee came out and they kinda put it back in. We went for an MRI today. Results to follow in a week. On top of all this, my baby boy is in Tyler with his Nonna for a few days. I'm really missing him. Say a prayer for Chris, or me, whichever!

Bride Wars

I went out with my girls Saturday night. It was so nice to have some Mommy time and some much needed adult girl conversation. We had pedicures, went to dinner, and to the movies. We saw Bride Wars with Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway. It was really cute. The perfect movie to see with your best friend(s). We had lots of laughing moments. A few of the "wars" in the movie you could actually relate to. I don't think this movie got very good reviews, but we all enjoyed it. The movie actually sold out that night. If you want to see a good girlie movie I suggest it.

1st week back...

Well, our first week back wasn't too bad. I felt extremely tired the first few days and wasn't able to keep up with my reading like I had planned. By the end of the week, I got back into it again. Since Carson's older now, Chris has started picking him up from school and taking him to feed cows and bush-hog. Carson loves the tractor. Not only did he pick him up all week, he took him to school in the morning as well. I found myself trying to figure out what to do with my time. I have to say it's been really nice. I'm going to the movies with my some of my girlfriends tonight. I'm not so nervous about leaving Carson now. Well, enough for now. By the way, From A Distance is really good. I can't put it down at night. I wake up with it in my hand. Ha!

Holiday Reading

I love the feel of a good book in my hand. When I was pregnant with Carson I was put on bedrest for what seemed like eternity, but was only 9 weeks. I say that lightly because it was a real time of rest for me mentally and physically. That summer 2007 I read 17 books all by Karen Kingsbury. Since Carson came 15 months ago, I haven't had one second to read again. This Christmas I began picking up books and I feel like myself again...well somewhat...I wanted to share some books I read this Holiday Season. I also love Christmas stories as well. I usually read Christmas stories by Donna VanLiere, but there wasn't a new one this Christmas. I picked up Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews. It was a great start for my holiday reading. Next, I picked up Every Now and Then by Karen Kingsbury. It was the last book of the 9/11 series. Another great book. At the same time, I loaded Sunrise by Karen Kingsbury on my IPod and listened to that as well. I listened to that at night when I went to bed so I wouldn't wake everyone up with the light. Now, I'm reading From A Distance by Tamera Alexander at home and I'm starting Marley & Me at school during DEAR time. The kids love to see me reading a book too. I also read 2 chapters from a book by Beverly Lewis called Girls Only. It's going to be good too. I have so many books and such little time. I'm branching out and trying new authors too. Well, that's my Holiday reading season in a nutshell. I start back to work tomorrow. I have vowed to not stop reading though. We'll see how it goes. Any good books send them my way.