Uneventful Update

I know the Christmas post is getting a little old, but there really hasn't been anything exciting to tell you about. This is the best I can do and it is by no means interesting.......

We finally entered this century (Ashley's comment, not mine) and purchased a flat screen HDTV that my husband is SO EXCITED about I think sometimes he would rather the TV be in the bed with him than me. His project this week is mounting it above the fireplace. We are going on day 3 of this project and it is supposed to be completed today. The key words being "supposed to". Let's just say this would be record time for project completion in my house!

Max, the miracle dog, is back to his old self again! All wounds finally healed over the weekend and besides a small gimp he is good as new!!

My brother flew out for a quick visit a couple of weekends ago. No pictures from this visit because he absolutely hates it when my mother and I get out the camera. So, I saved him some frustrations and kept the camera away.

Lastly, we are counting down the days until we leave for Jamaica.......we leave on February 7th and I can't flippin' wait!!!! I will think about everyone while I am on the beach relaxing and eating and drinking my face off!!!!!

See, I warned you it was by no means interesting.......

Christmas 2008

Ashley and I started our Christmas 2008 started a week before actual Christmas. We celebrated Christmas with his family before we left for Arkansas. We were showered with wonderful and way too many gifts, but all much appreciated!!! The most original gift came from my awesome father-in-law who got me a University of South Carolina cap and koozie......Ashley didn't think it was funny, but everyone else got a kick out of it. Thanks everyone for all the gifts!!!

We then left out for Arkansas with both dogs in tow. We actually left the afternoon of the 19th and came home the 29th, so we had 10 days in Arkansas. The longest visit we have ever had and we definitely took advantage and enjoyed every minute of it!!!!

One of my very dear friends, Alana, had a little angel on December 6th and so I definitely got plenty of visit time and rocking chair time with Corbin Max Barker, well when my mom wasn't holding him that is. She is very selfish!

This is Alana before Corbin came out. Alana only gained 12 pounds and was back in her pre-pregnancy jeans within 3 weeks. She is my idol!

Isn't that the most precious face??!! I couldn't get enough.

Corbin and I getting in a little rocking time. His little outfit had Santas on the pockets.

My mom cross-stitched mine and my brother's stockings when we were little and now that Ashley is a part of our family she cross-stitched him one this year. It is absolutely beautiful and she did an awesome job! It really meant a lot to me and Ashley that she took the time to do this for us. Thanks Mom!

Christmas Eve is spent at my great aunt's house. This is my dad's side of the family. There are tons of people there and is always a crazy, but fun time! After dinner we play Bingo for presents that people bring. Most of the presents come from the dollar store, but its still fun to play. Normally Zack and I dominate the Bingo game, but this year some of our cousins took over and needless to say we didn't take this very well. Here are some pictures at my parent's house before we took off for the Eve festivities.

Christmas morning we wake up to my dad banging a metal spoon in a metal pot yelling "Merry Christmas!". My parents got us all a ton of gifts and we loved them all! My brother came to visit around Thanksgiving and while he was here I had him take pictures with Ashley and I to give to my parents for Christmas. She absolutely loved them! She had to wade through the tears to see them. At lunch time on Christmas Day, we have all of our immediate family over for lunch. We even had Santa Clause come by with gifts.

These are my awesome grandparents!!

The rest of the time was spent with my friends and doing some serious relaxing and eating! I got to spend a lot of time with my best friend Kakki. We only get to see each other when I go home, but I honestly could not live without her. She is my heart!

This is Kakki's son Gatlin, or as he likes to be called.....Gun, G-Man, G-Unit....he has several nicknames and no one really ever knows which one is his favorite at the time. He is definitely the oldest and funniest 10 year old I have ever seen. He got a half-pipe skateboarding ramp for Christmas. His grandmother had it built in her back yard. It is like a half-pipe you see on the X-Games....it's huge! Oh and did I mention he is 10!

Max and Gatlin are best friends and they had no idea I took this picture.

I am trying to rap this up, but we were there for 10 days and I am sure there is stuff I am leaving out. But, it wouldn't be a trip home if I didn't go back to the place I worked in college (Kakki and my mom both worked with me). It is a restaurant with karaoke. I know it sounds cheesy, but it is super fun! I think they were up to something....they look guilty!

It wouldn't be complete if we didn't sing!

We had an awesome time in Arkansas! I am definitely blessed to have the family and friends (both in SC and AR). I love you all!!!!!

It just isn't my day

I have come to the conclusion that December 30th is just not my day.

The reasoning behind such a conclusion would be that December 30th, 2007, I spent the entire day in the ER in Arkansas while Ashley and I were visiting my family for Christmas. I had to have a shot and a CAT Scan, which said I was normal, but I know quite a few people that would argue that fact.

Second reason, December 30th, 2008, our dog Max got attacked by our neighbor's dog (this was the day after we got home from a 10 day trip to Arkansas for Christmas.....what a welcome home??). For those of you who don't know, Max weighs 10 pounds soaking wet and does not meet a stranger or strange dog. He loves to lick people/dogs in the face b/c that is his way of showing love. The neighbor's dog which is an Akita is VERY large. So after a punctured lung, 15 staples from a deep muscle laceration in the shoulder, a chipped vertebrae in the neck, bruised lungs, ulcers in the eyes, and air in the chest wall........well, Max is working his way back to normal. He gets his staples out on Monday and I am hoping we will be good to go!!!

Dealing with a very sick/hurt dog that can't tell you where it hurts and what is wrong is something that I would compare to dealing with a sick baby that can't tell you where it hurts either. We were up round the clock giving medicine. I didn't get much sleep for about a week b/c I was to consumed with worry that he was hurting or going to pull a staple out. This said, I am still not ready for children. I feel like I have two already with the dogs and sometimes three if you include Ashley.

December 30th, 2009, I plan on locking both dogs in the house, taking plenty of Tylenol and not doing anything. I am not taking my chances this year.

Christmas post to come over the weekend.