Playing Catch Up

I feel like I don't have much to write about. We've been going through the motions of life and I feel like we've been pretty busy. Jeff and I are taking a class called Dynamic Marriage and we both have homework everynight so that takes time but I'm enjoying it. I think it will totally be worth it all. I've been working extra hours at the bookstore and still doing preschool so this week I won't get a day off during the week or Saturday either. We're having Shayne's bday party with Jeff's family on Saturday and since I have to work Jeff will be taking control of cleaning and getting everything ready. He's already got a jump start and is doing a great job!!

This is my excitement for the week.....many of you know that Shayne struggles with school. He hates it and doesn't want to do his work. We implemented a new system right before Christmas and he is expected to do at least 55% of his work or he stays after for an hour to work on it. Well, I think he's had 4 days out of the 14 days so far.. Here's the good part...yesterday he did 74% of his work and we were soooo happy. Today was even better 92%!!!!!!!!!! He was so cute when he told me. We were outside and he said he needed to hold onto me so I wouldn't fall over when he told me so he wrapped his arms around my waist and looked up with a smile and said 92!!! The best part is he is excited about it and seems to be getting a desire to work harder to achieve the goal. We have another meeting in the morning and his goal will probably be raised some. I'm just hoping not too much. So anyway, we are very proud of him!!

I'll post pictures after his party.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Can't believe 2008 is here already. Shayne is half way done with 5th grade. WOW!! He actually goes back to school in the morning, which he is NOT happy about.

We had a great christmas. It seemed busy but relaxed and not stressful. We went to a lot of places but we didn't have to rush at each place. Christmas Eve was with Jeff's parents and his siblings. Shayne got new legos which he put together almost immediately. Christmas morning we had brunch with my family and then that evening headed to Granite City to spend it with Jeff's grandmother and the huge Horton Clan. Lots of people in Grandma's small house. But it's always fun to see everyone.

Shayne got a pellet gun from Santa which I shot with my eye too close to the scope and now have a bruised eyelid. Maybe I'll let Jeff take my picture and put it on here. My sister thinks I need to do a scrapbook page about it. I was just showing him how he didn't have to be nervous b/c Jeff said the gun had "absolutely no kick". Well, it did and I have proof. It actually cut my eyebrow and I bled some and now I'm bruised. Shayne did eventually shoot the gun. I felt like I'd been in a scene from Christmas Story and Shot my eye out!! I can laugh now but I was mad when it happened.

Happy 2008 to everyone. God blessings for a healthy and wonderful year!!

Reindeer Games

Brooke is the reindeer. They thought they won but Steve,Dave and Cody's team were about one second faster. After you stuff the pantyhose with balloons then someone has to wear it and the team sings Jingle Bells. The best part for me was watching everyone come up with ways to accomplish this.
The winners!!
Vicki, Shayne, Jeff and Bethany

This was my favorite. Dad told Matt to put the balloon into the pantyhose and then blow it up. I was laughing so hard I almost cried. Thanks Nancy and Carla for showing us how to play this game. It was a blast!!

A Quilted Christmas

Our trip to Searcy was wonderful. No troubles on the rode (for some of us). And we had a great time all hanging out at Matt and Jenny's. Mom made quilts for all of us this year. All the great grandkids listen to her tell a story of how Mrs. Claus needed help making magic christmas quilts and she helped her out. They loved listening to the story and getting their quilts. So did the grown up!! They are all so beautiful.

We also had fun playing some reindeer games. More pictures later.

Merry Christmas to All!!!

Star's 1st Snow

This was Star's 1st experience with snow. She loved it. She just ran everywhere and would dig her nose down in the snow. She and Shayne played together some too. He liked tossing snow at her and she enjoyed trying to catch it.

Shayne has been spending lots of time outside sledding and snowboarding. He isn't as much of a daredevil as the boys up the street and I'm very thankful for it.

We have a busy week this week. I'm working everyday between both jobs. Thursday night is our preschool progam and Saturday morning (6am) we are leaving for Searcy and coming back on Sunday morning. I'm excited to be going because my whole family will be together. I don't think I've seen Kelly and her family since April 2006. Her girls will be so grown up. We are all meeting at Matt and Jenny's for a day all together. Pray for all of our travels. Lots of my family is heading that way.

We are geared up for the christmas season. I only have one present left to buy and a few to wrap. I'm feeling good about that. I'll be much more relaxed after we get home Sunday. At least I hope we will.

Merry Kissmas

Star visits Santa

okay, so at 1st I thought this was a fun idea. Then the more I thought about it I thought are we crazy to take our dog to see Santa?, well....apparently not because there were many people there with their dogs visiting Santa including a teacher from Shayne's school. We actually had to wait quite awhile in line. Star did ok but she didn't like it. Her ears were back the whole time. She liked Santa and smacked a big kiss on him but didn't like the "Kodak moment" So now we have a cute picture in a frame and helped out a dog shelter in the process. Are we crazy? Maybe so but it was fun and Shayne really thinks Star needs an ornament that says "Star's first Christmas". Oh, and she does have a stocking too.