Christmas Eve Night

My brother shared the photos he took from Christmas Eve night. I LOVE them!!! I am so thankful that I was able to be there with everyone!!!

Jack Banner hates the muzzle but since he needed to mind his manners I used it on Christmas Eve

My mom's brother and his family

I was explaining to Jack Banner that he needs to behave

My beautiful SIL

My aunt (mom's sister) and my Mom. My aunt has gone thru chemo and radiation this year and she looks amazing!

Mom, my SIL, my cousin and me

Cousin, Aunt, Aunt and SIL

My aunt and my cousin

My brother and SIL, and baby BOY!!!

I snuggled with Jack while everyone opened presents. Since it was a surprise that I was there I didn't do the name drawing for the gift exchange. I didn't care I was so happy to be with everyone!

I LOVE this picture!!!

It was truly a magical Christmas Eve!!!

A very full few days!!!

I mentioned in my last post I had no idea why I was up at 4:30 except I did. I was still furious. It's been a few days and I'm much calmer now.

Friday night when I left for dinner with my parents and Audra I forgot my phone on the kitchen counter. I had to take Jack out, had to move Audra's seat to my parent's car and then we got to the restaurant and my parent's friends were there and we got to talking. I really wasn't paying attention to the fact that I didn't have my phone.

We left for dinner at 5 and we got home at 7:30. Before I went in I moved Audra's seat back to my car and then walked into the house. I picked up my phone and what I didn't know was that it had been ringing and Daron was on the line. So I said hi honey how are you. He was livid. apparently because I wasn't picking up and wasn't responding to texts we were rolled over into a ditch somewhere. He was further livid because I didn't think to call him. He was so furious with me that we had a 12 minute phone conversation in which I got my rear end handed to me. Lovely, that just made me want to go home so much.

I said goodbye to my parents and got Audra in the car. Of course my mom is now upset because she's had this awesome day with us and now I'm leaving on this note, not a great way to have to say goodbye.

We got home and Audra showed her Dad all the presents she received from my parents. It was close to bedtime when we got home so I got her in bed and put a movie on. I was so mad that I didn't sleep all that well.

When Daron gets scared he goes into attack mode and it's not pleasant. I understand that he was worried and that worry turned into full on anxiety and his mind was spinning a thousand miles an hour. Next time if I realize I left my phone I'll call. It honestly, didn't occur to me. I had no idea that we would be gone 2 1/2 hours. I don't think that's such a long time to go without contact, I would have figured he left his phone and just waited a few more hours before I contacted him again. It is what it is. He thinks I'm the one who is wrong because I think he overreacted. I've decided to let it go and make sure that I don't leave my phone again any time soon. Not like I did it on purpose anyways. I did apologize regarding the fact that he was so worried. I have more thoughts but I'm letting it go, it's over.

Saturday morning I woke Audra up and got her to ballet. Daron and I had a conversation on Saturday morning and he offered that I could go to my parent's for Christmas Eve and spend the night and I jumped on the chance! I asked if it would be ok if I went to the gym after ballet and he agreed.

After ballet we arrived home and D needed to go to the store so Audra and I played while he ran his errand. Then I got to go to the gym, which was awesome! I stopped for gas on my way home. Saturday night was low key and easy, which is a good thing considering how busy the next 2 days were.

Sunday morning I took Jack for a very cold run! It was 24 degrees when we started. I got home and ready and got Audra up and bathed and dressed. She looked so adorable in her little dress!!! We got to church early since we knew it would be crowded. Audra's Sunday school class was singing Oh Come All Ye Faithful.

Amy arrived a little bit after the service started, we were both so excited that she was able to come! Audra's class came out and sang, and they were just too cute! Audra saw her mom and made a beeline to her and did not go back to class. She kept asking her mom if she could go home with her. When she was getting her way it started a meltdown of epic meltdowns.

Amy said goodbye, and we got a crying Audra in the car. She fell asleep on the way home. We left her in the car while we loaded up the presents for Daron's family. After lunch Audra and I opened our presents from everyone and they opened our gifts to them. I received a gift card so I can finally get new running shoes and a VS gift card, so thankful!!!

One of Audra's gifts was a furby, oh my gosh that thing is ridiculously creepy!!!!

Sunday night we were in bed early, we were all exhausted! Monday morning I got to the gym and got a workout in. I got home, showered, and ready and Audra woke up and we did Christmas morning with her on Christmas Eve.

Amy arrived at 2:30 and she and Luke opened the presents Audra had for them. Amy gave us presents as well which was so sweet!

After they left I loaded up my car and took Jack to my parents while D headed to his. It was so amazing to see my family. Probably my favorite part of all of this is that I had the opportunity to spend that whole night with my family. I was able to spend the night and wake up on Christmas morning with my family and it was wonderful!!!

We had breakfast at 9, which Daron joined us for. Then we opened up our presents. It was such a great Christmas!!!

The rest of yesterday was spent just hanging out at home. I took Jack for a walk and we were in bed early. Driving in to work this morning was a challenge, the rain was pouring and I almost hydroplaned a few times on the standing water.

The rest of this week will hopefully be fairly easy.

I hope that everyone had an amazing Christmas!!!

how much can I get done in 2 days???

This week has been full! We wrapped up the time study at work. I had my one on one with my manager on Thursday. My counterparts and I had a Christmas breakfast on Thursday morning. I had a Christmas lunch set up with the ladies that it has become tradition each year around Christmas we go to lunch.

My manager mentioned a job posting and gave me a nudge to think about it. So I posted. If it works out then I will write more about it.

Thursday afternoon I left work and my day was just getting started. I stopped and picked up dinner on my way home. After I ate I went to walmart because we were out of TP and I needed socks. It's been so long since I bought socks, and since I've been working out so much, all of mine seemed to have holes in them.

I went to the gym after walmart and then home to wrap presents. I finished up most of the presents and got 2 loads of laundry done. I was in bed by 11.

My plan was to wake up at 5 but that didn't happen because I went to bed so late, and may have had a few bud light limes while wrapping.

I was at the gym by 5:30 and ran 3 miles. Still made it home before Daron was up so I could get a shower in before he had to start getting ready. I was at my parent's by 8:30 and got the bathroom cleaned for my mom. I had my dtap shot at the doctors. Brian and Jenny are having a BOY and they have requested we (the family) make sure our whooping cough vaccination is up to date.

I went to lunch with my parents. and then picked up Audra. She and I went back to my parent's so she could open her stocking gifts and presents from Grandma Gail and Grandpa Del. She was so excited with all that she received!!! Then we decorated Christmas cookies with Grandma Gail. I have no pictures because Grandpa Del was taking his afternoon siesta.

We went to dinner with my parents at my favorite fish place. I've been wanting to get over there and it hasn't worked out so I was so excited to go last night!!!

We got home and practiced Oh Come All ye Faithful that Audra will be singing on Sunday. Then it was pretty much bedtime.

This morning I was pretty much wide awake at 4:30. I have no idea why. My arm hurts maybe? The dtap shot is given in the muscle and it feels sore and achy. Hopefully this goes away soon!!!

I'll be waking Audra up soon and getting her ready for ballet. After ballet we have no plans so I am taking advantage of that and heading out to the gym!

I am so excited for Christmas!!! It's going to be a full few days but I am totally ready for it!!!

program, saying hello, dinner

Yesterday I worked 6:40 to 11:40 and then I left the office for the day.

I went to Audra's school Christmas program. I met Amy and her mom and dad and we sat and beamed as our girl sang with her classmates.

To watch and appreciate the innocence and joy, and know that we have hope. As I offer prayers for the families of those who were taken, I know how much God loves children, and I believe that they are in Heaven. Those left behind have so much to work through and question but the children are held in the arms of the loving Heavenly Father.

I read a book on my way home from Florida called Heaven is for Real, I appreciated it so much I recommended it to the lady sitting next to me.

After the program I stopped by the agency where I worked. I am far enough out that I was able to stop in and say hello. While the time spent there was a challenging 2 1/2 years I wouldn't be where I am today without that job.

It's a good thing I no longer work at that office. They have built a Goodwill next to it. I stopped in after saying hello to check out the jeans. Audra has maybe 1 pair of jeans right now. I found 3 pairs of Old Navy Jeans and a really cute pink jean jacket for $13.

Before going home I stopped at the grocery store and picked up stuff for dinner. I decided to try a burrito casserole. It turned out fairly well. I need to see my mom's recipe so I can adjust my recipe a little more.

I had my chair fit class last night. Kicks my tail every single time!!!

Aahhh FB

I used to have an all love mentality towards this social media giant. I was reconnected with friends. I received endless entertainment while at work.

I accepted the current position and FB became something I could only visit in the afternoons. I still loved it but I just didn't have the time for it like I used to.

I still appreciate the way that it connects me to friends and family. I have found friends who I had lost touch with, and I am thankful. I only accept friend requests from people I know. I have my privacy settings set as best I know how.

I don't like the constant changes because it makes it difficult for me to navigate. I hope that I have the privacy settings all set correctly.

I have been more sporadic over the past year for personal reasons. I find myself on more now then in the past year and a half.

I shared a post that my brother and sister in law posted, the big news has finally been revealed!!! I'm going to be an aunt again, and I am so excited!!!

Here's the deal though, I have 2 nieces, I have 3 nephews. My 2 nieces are Daron's sister's girls. Margs' 2 boys and Patrice's little boy, I already consider nephews. So while I am beyond thrilled for my brother and SIL. I cried, and squealed with glee when I got the call, I also realize it's not my first little nephew although it is my first biological (if that's even the correct term).

I had to sit on the news from September until now. For very good reason, and I respected the wishes of Brian and Jenny, I love them to pieces and totally understood why. I will say that it was ridiculously hard to keep my mouth shut while in Florida snuggling baby L!!!

I also had a comment from someone I used to work with saying how wonderful and up next motherhood. OK there is no good way to respond to that one without coming across badly. Knowing the source of the comment I understand that she was excited and that just sounded good. However, I am a mom. I only plan to have one little girl, and she is with us every weekend.

The other week we noticed that Audra called me mom a few times and I kept just saying Lori, because to me it's always been Amy is Mommy and I'm Lori. Daron brought it up when he took her back last week and Amy explained that she and Audra had been talking about Mary being baby Jesus' mother and that it had come up that Audra has two mommy's. Amy said that because of how much she appreciates me it's ok with her if Audra does call me Mom.

So after that, especially, that comment, innocuous as it is, is just bothering me.

In my Mom's Christmas letter, she wrote out that Brian and Jenny are expecting their first baby, because it's their news and she understands that. See Audra already calls my mom Grandma. Because last year I asked her what she wanted to call my parent's and she said Grandma Gail and Granpa Del. The other day she saw movies we had borrowed from my Mom and said oh we need to take those back to Grandma's house. Of course I called my Mom as soon as I could.

Brian and Jenny's little one is a huge blessing and highly anticipated, we are all just beyond thrilled just like we all felt when they got married. This is amazing and wonderful, and fantastic. I don't take anything away from the joy and expectation we are feeling.

I just had to write all this out because while on FB it wouldn't come across well it's my blog and on here I can write it all out to let it go.

5 Minutes

Friday as I drove to pick up Audra I listened to bits and pieces of news updates. My heart hurt.

I picked her up and we talked about our weekend and what was coming. We talked about her day at school. I told her I love her, many times over.

Friday night we decorated Christmas cookies. 2 batches turned out beautifully. The batch where she and her Dad decided to use pastel mini marshmallows and peanuts with chocolate syrup to get them to stick, well if they didn't have chocolate they would have made great treats for Jack.

I decided that Friday night will be our only cookie decorating event for this year. I will be using the leftover M&M's and peanut butter chips to make brownies for our neighbors to share the holiday cheer.

Saturday morning I took Audra to ballet. I will say again how thankful I am for the other sweet mom's who have daughters in her class. It makes the 45 minutes fly by!

After ballet I packed a bag, and packed Jack's bag. He went and stayed with the Granparents and after dropping him off I headed to Durham.

I SO needed the break and to get out of town!!! I arrived just after 2 and Margaret asked me what I wanted to do. She had 2 friends whose wine shops were having tastings and I thought that sounded like fun so we went.

After the wine tastings we went by the store where she sometimes works, so many pretty things!!!

After the store we went for a glass of Sangria, it was yummy!!! After Sangria I got my sushi fix! There is a sushi place in Durham that has buy one get one free rolls. We ordered and indulged! It was so delicious!!! Daron has offered to buy groupons for sushi places that have come out and I've always told him no. I am a very expensive sushi date! It works much better if I go with a friend and it's just me!

After dinner we went to a party that was a combined birthday/engagement celebration. I enjoyed talking to Margaret's friends, and  really had a great time! By the time we got back to the house it was after 10 and I was definitely turning into a pumpkin. I had been up at 5:30 that morning to make sure to fit a run in for the day and that was catching up with me!

Sunday I said goodbye and drove back to my parent's to pick up Jack. He was exhausted from all the fun he had!

I took Audra back to her mom and fit a trip in to the gym.

While life goes on, and I understand how blessed I am, I have said many prayers this weekend.

On hold, and My heart and prayers go out

I looked at the calendar for the next 2 weeks and texted Daron that the diet is on hold. Yesterday was a "regular" day and I did fine. I was so glad it fell that way since we had our office Christmas lunch.

Next week I have another holiday lunch planned, and when I looked at the calendar I realized it was on a "down" day and I figured let's just put this on hold!

I actually do believe that I can do this. Tonight I'm decorating Christmas Cookies with Audra, and tomorrow I'm going to Durham to see Dr. Margaret, so I just thing I will do better after the holidays.

I know no one in Connecticut and yet that doesn't stop me from crying as I read the stories here at my desk.

These are babies. I think of Audra and her brother, and the other children in my life and I am devastated and my heart hurts.

I simply can't imagine. I just can't.

Christmas shopping, diets and we miss her

Last night after cleaning the office I didn't make it back out to the gym. Daron wanted me to help look for presents for Audra.

Last year we purchased the big doll house, and that was her big gift and it was awesome and we were done.

This year we said we would create a dress up space, but that's not really happening.

So last night I suggested microphones, dance mats, and various other things. The one thing we purchased was a pair of rainbow earrings.

I know that she's going to receive a lot from Daron's mom and I know that there is a lot of baby doll stuff coming from my mom.

I makes suggestions and then they are shot down. So I really don't have anything further to offer.

In other news this up day down day diet is ridiculously hard for me right now. I think I need to just watch what I eat between now and Christmas and try to really seriously focus in January. Today is our Christmas lunch at the office.

I have yet to purchase anything for Jack Banner's stocking but Daron and Audra's stockings are done!

I love this time of year, however, I will randomly start to cry, and my Mom said she's going through the same thing. We know that Margaret (Grandmommy) is where she wants to be, and we rejoice but we miss her!

over but it's OK, or not

Yesterday I had an "up" day or regular day for eating. I didn't go too crazy but I did catch up on all the desserts that I missed out on Monday. This may have defeated the whole purpose of Monday but I'm not going to stress over this. I already feel like I can tell something of a difference.

Monday night I did my chair fit class, she kicked my rear for another week. Yesterday evening I did an old school VHS abs video, the moves are still tough and while it wasn't a cardio workout it was something! Jack could not figure out why I was on the floor yet did not want to be licked or stepped on.

Today is a down day. I've already gone over by 112 but since I have to clean the office and I plan to go to the gym afterwards I'm not beating myself up about this.

I am supposed to be doing a time study tracking worksheet today. I just leave it up and as I do things I add them. It's such a drag to have to record everything!

Tomorrow I'm trying to figure out if I can fit a 6:30-7:30 zumba class in along with christmas shopping and making cookie dough.

Happy Hump Day!!!

1/2 way thru Monday

I mentioned that I started the up day down day diet on Saturday. It was easy because I wasn't sitting at my desk.

I have gotten into the habit of always having food to munch on. There is always available candy in the office. It makes restraint difficult.

I'm on a down day, which means my calorie intake for today is super low. Today is the day that they brought in the cakes and cupcakes for the December birthdays. I resisted. I have stayed away from the candy bucket. There are Hershey kisses sitting on the desk behind me, I'm staying away.

I just had a meeting for my SC team and we exchanged ornaments. I did not treat myself to the icing covered brownies, a scone, or a cookie. Those treats are now sitting mere inches away on the table on the other side of my cubicle.

I figured out foods that I can eat that keep me within the allotted calorie range that are real food and not just meal replacement drinks. Unfortunately I did hit today's calorie ceiling at 2pm.

Once I get home I'll be fine. It's just sitting at my desk that this really truly gets to me!

5 Minutes

I picked Audra up from her mom's on Friday. We had a dance party Friday night. I uploaded videos to FB but trying to upload them to here was painful. It was taking so long I just didn't have the patience.

Saturday morning I took Audra to ballet. Then we went home and I squeezed in a quick walk with Jack. We had pictures scheduled at 1:15. We took Audra to her favorite, Chick Fil A, before we had to be at the appointment.

Our picture turned out beautifully. Daron purchased a deal of 1 picture each month for $20. For December we decided to do a family shot. We are both super excited at how well it turned out! We purchased 4 more 5X7 pictures for our families.

Saturday after pictures we hung out for a little while longer and then Daron took Audra home while I fixed a batch of scotcharoos and disappearing brownies. I discovered the brownie recipe a while back, and it's so delicious! Preheat the oven to 350 and grease a 13x9 glass baking dish. Then melt a cup of butterscotch chips and 1/2 a cup of butter in the microwave. I stir at 30 second intervals until melted. In a separate bowl mix a cup of brown sugar, tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, tsp vanilla, 2 eggs and then add butterscotch and butter. Then add a bag of chocolate chips, 3/4 cup peanuts (optional), 2 cups mini marshmallows, and put in the microwave for 30 seconds, then add 1 1/2 cup of flour. Pour batter into the 13x9 dish and bake for 22 minutes. You have to leave this alone and let cool and set and then it's ready to go and it's gooey and delicious!

Daron put soup on before he left to take Audra back so we had soup and relaxed on Saturday night.

Sunday I took Jack for a run and then we went to church. After church we got out to the garage, aka storage building, and organized and purged and moved Audra's big doll house out there. We were so excited to have that done!

The rest of Sunday was a low key easy day!

I did start the up day down day/alternate day/intermittent diet on Saturday. Even baking, I was good. I found a calculator online that let me know how many calories for my down days and up days so I was able to enjoy the soup on Saturday and stay within the allotted calorie range. Yesterday I was actually able to enjoy a brownie. The hard part will be today sitting at my desk all day for a down day. I can do it, I know I can!

Happy Monday! Back to work for me!

Finally Friday

This week has been one of those retrospective weeks. I think because I am in a state of remembering. I keep thinking of Grandmommy and keep seeing women who remind me of her. My mom is going through the same thing right now. Pretty much I can tear up at the most inopportune moments.

I worked out after cleaning the office on Wednesday. Elliptical and strength training for my arms. I ran 3 miles last night.

We're putting Audra's big doll house from last Christmas in storage. I put all the furniture and accessories from inside the house into boxes, along with the Barbies and found a place to store these boxes.

Christmas gifts are quickly being checked off the list. We are now down to just a few to buy for and I'm thankful!

This weekend I will be making scotcharoos to go in boxes for Daron's clients for Christmas. I can't forget to do this, and I have to allow time for them to set up.

I read on Jess's blog about the intermittent diet, I found most information under the alternate day diet and I plan to start this tomorrow. I thought about starting it today but I realized that I would have an easier time doing the low calorie day on a Saturday rather then a Friday when I'm at my desk. I'm contemplating buying the book but it's $10 and I'm cheap and I think I can figure it out based off what I found online.

I emailed Daron a link and told him I'm going to try this. This means he gets every other day off from cooking for me. He'll still have to cook for him, and I'm hoping that this gives me a good jump start to finally start losing some weight.

I pick up Audra tonight and tomorrow after ballet we are going to get pictures made. I'm planning outfits in my head. Currently I'm thinking we're all going to wear jeans and black long sleeve shirts. Easy, and will photograph well!

Happy Friday to all!!!

Foreshadowing

I was going back through my archives on Tuesday and I came across a post I wrote 12/22/2009 I ended with this paragraph:
"While I still see little girls who remind me of what was, that is no longer. Eventually I hope to be fortunate enough to have my own little girl. One who if she loves pretty dresses and baby dolls then I'll be ecstatic. However if she loves to run outside and play and be rough and tumble I will be ecstatic about that too. Children are such a gift and a blessing. I also understand it's no easy task. I have trouble being consistent with my dog so I can't imagine how much more of a challenge it will be if I ever do have children.
God's plan for our life is completely different then our own. I'm still learning to accept and move forward instead of planting my feet and trying to force my own way."

What a foreshadowing for what was to come! I have a little girl who loves pretty dresses and baby dolls, and yet she also loves playing in the dirt and picking up sticks.

I often find myself getting lost in the daily must do's. Sometimes it's nice to read back and remember.

chair fit, house wishes, presents

I've managed to stay fairly consistent with my working out. I ran 4 miles with Jack on Sunday. Last night I went to a chair fit class. Oh my gosh it kicked my rear!

The name sounds easy enough, but what a workout!!! Using a chair to sit, lean, anchor, etc. every part of your body is worked. While it was not a cardio class it was definitely a workout!

I've been searching homes in Huntersville. I wish that we could move closer to Audra. It's not that we are that far away now but 25 minutes is an hour round trip. Once she starts kindergarten we would like to be able to work out a one week on one week off schedule. The way this would work best is if we live closer to Amy.

There is time and I see no way to sell my condo anytime in the near future. The house market is recovering but not that fast. I'm just wishful thinking. I would LOVE for Audra to have her own room. Currently her room is the front room. You walk in the front door and you are in her room.

D talked about putting a wall up and I think he would still like to do this. The catch is, it's not our house. We pay rent to his parent's, it's his grandparent's house, the house his mom grew up in.

I don't think about all these facts often. I can't change anything right now so I have to accept and appreciate where we are and what we have. I just wish that we could get Audra into her own bed.

Daron and I did a little online Christmas shopping last night. We've knocked out both our mom's, my brother and SIL, our niece, and his Grandmother. That leaves our other niece, his sister, both Dad's and the rest of Audra's Christmas.

I was given more of a budget this year to spend on each person. It's been awesome! I tried to buy something pretty and sparkly for me, but it wasn't "in the budget" so I had to take it back. I could have very easily hidden it, and snuck it into the house but I didn't. I'm trying to do better, somewhat...

I'm so ready for a nap, unfortunately that's frowned upon at work!

Looking Back

It's no secret I dated a lot before I got married. I'm pretty sure I never thought much about how that would affect my thoughts and feelings once I got married.

I had no idea that I would think so much about the past guys in my life. Not with longing or wishing for what might have been but rather in a reflection of what I learned from them.

I broke up with guys for a reason. I always had good reasons. I have no regrets in looking back on the decisions that I made. For a long time it was a running family joke that I would change jobs and boyfriends at the same time. Then I started actually staying with my jobs and just started changing the boyfriends.

In all honesty I'm so glad that I dated at much as I did. I was thinking about this the other day. I realized that if I hadn't dated as much as I had I would always wonder about what else might be out there. I might have been more willing to walk away last year when things were so awful.

I had dated so much that I realized that maybe there was something with me that needed to change. I understood I needed to figure some things out about myself.

I have 2 friends going through divorces. One is dating again. She's sharing her stories and experiences and I listen. When asked I share my thoughts. I think if I hadn't dated as much as I had I might have found myself jealous of her new opportunities. Instead I find myself thankful that I'm not in her shoes. I know for her she made the choice that was right for her. I think she's enjoying these new opportunities. I'm a willing supporter of her.

I would never ever suggest or advise anyone to get married within the time frame that I did. There is so much to be said for knowing someone for a year. I felt like I didn't have that kind of time. I thought I knew the person I was marrying. It's said that you can't really know a person until after the wedding anyways. I don't know if this is true or not.

I do know this. I'm thankful that I dated the way that I did. Despite the heartache and frustration and drama, it brought me understanding and the ability to evaluate what does and does not work for me. I appreciate the ability to look back on lessons learned with the freedom of knowing that everything worked out for the best.

5 minutes

Friday I picked up Audra. We talked about the movie she was going to watch, Brave, and how that wasn't what she wanted to watch because she wanted to watch Busytown.

Girlfriend is obsessed with Busytown right now. Which is fine, as long as I have my Kindle.

I had time to go to the gym before dinner. I did strength training for my arms but my cardio was lacking. I don't know if they had someone tight up the elliptical machines or just this particular machine but the resistance was super high and I kept having to stop because it was that hard!

Saturday morning I was up early to take Jack for a walk. It was COLD! We walked and then I got ready, and got Audra up. It's a process to wake her up. I know that I have to give her a few minutes, and then I am able to talk to her about breakfast or bath first, what the plans are, and what we are going to do.

I love the moms who have little girls in her Saturday morning class. We sit and talk to each other while watching the class on the TV. It's a fast 45 minutes!

After ballet we decided to do a little Christmas shopping. Daron's Mom and Grandmother and my Mom's gifts are now purchased. We took Audra to her favorite place for lunch, Cracker Barrel. For a kid who doesn't eat much it's always impressive to watch her put away the double serving of dumplings that we order for her from the kids menu.

Saturday at 7 I had nursery.

Sunday morning I was NOT feeling a run, not at all. I really just wanted to sleep. Daron has not wanted to go to the 5 Saturday service the past few weeks because he feels to pushed for time. So we have chosen to go to the 11 Sunday service. Which is fine, but it means I have to wake up early enough to get my run in, get myself ready, and then get Audra up and ready. All he has to do is just get himself ready.

Since I'm not training for any races right now I am not saying anything. I make it work.

After church I took Jack down to my parent's house. Mom and I went through all my stuffed animals and baby dolls and the clothes and accessories. My mom still had my cabbage patch doll, with the birth certificate, and my corn silk doll, with the birth certificate. My dolls are in great condition!

We pulled down the baby cradle that my Grandaddy made for me. Mom is going to clean all this stuff up and this will be Audra's Christmas from my parent's.

I had to be home in order to pick Audra up to have her back at her Mom's at 5.

On my way home I stopped at the grocery store. I decided I was going to try my hand at making lasagna. I've never even attempted this before but I had read a few easy recipes and figured that I might be able to do this.

I would add a little more sauce, but that's about the only thing I would change. I was very pleased with my results and Daron was absolutely thrilled to not have to cook!

It's Monday, and I have a few emails to get through!