Hope

Or the lack there of..... Michael and I talk a lot about the things going on in the world and the economy. People are so consumed right now by fear/worry/doubt, and many talk about the fact that they just have no hope that things will get better anytime soon. Isn't 'hope' the key to happiness? I mean, we couldn't have faith without hope. So, no, you will not see the Erwin's losing hope. We are fortunate that Michael has a great job, and his company is actually growing. They have held a few meetings lately to reassure everyone that they are in good shape, and that there is no need to fear. My business is doing good as well. And of course, we are young and healthy. There are lots of things to be hopeful about in our lives.

I read that it is in times of economic downturn that true fortunes are made. I know that they were speaking of dollars, but there are other fortunes to be had. When you are living your life as you should, following fairly simple rules, your 'bank' will be overflowing with deposits.

Didn't mean to get too deep there. Just had some things on my mind I felt like sharing.

I'm an awful blogger!

Man! It has been a while since my last blog! I've been incredibly busy, but fortunately things are slowing down around here. Last weekend I catered a wedding that had been consuming all of my time. And I am happy to now have it out of my head!

Quick update on everyone- Jacob & Isabella have been sick for the last couple of weeks. Jacob lost 4-5 lbs., and now looks skinny. Boy am I glad he was chubby to begin with! Thankfully they are both on the mend, but now I'm sick, and it's killing me!!! I can't sleep when I can't breath!!!

Michael is done with his contract at Boeing, and is now back and his main office. He's happy about that since it is maybe 10-12 minutes away from the house. It'll be nice to see him for lunch every now and then!

OK, I've got to sign off for now, but I plan on lots of blogging this week!

Happy Birthday Jacob!

One year ago today, my sweet little Jacob was born. We was a big guy, weighing in at 9 lbs 6 oz & 22 inches long, and has not slowed his growth for even a minute. Here are some fun facts about my main squeeze-

Jacob has never met a calorie he didn't like. He LOVES to eat, and here he is experience a moment of what must have been pure bliss.

Speaking of food, at time of press, Jacob's favorite food is raisins. He just can't get enough.

Jacob rarely, if ever, fusses. I mean, if he is hungry or has a dirty diaper, he will absolutely let you know. But other than that, he's a pretty chill kid.

Jacob's favorite toys (as of today) have to be these cute little plastic Tonka trucks he got from Nana for Christmas.

New Year.... New me?

I always found it kind of funny how people needed the year to change to get them do something. With that said, not a day goes by that I'm not writing some sort of list about things to do, goals, dreams, etc. So I thought I would share with you some lists I have for everyone in my family:

Jessica

Organize ALL areas of my house
Wake up at 6am every morning (so that I have just a little time to myself)
Lose 30 lbs
Finish a few of the MANY projects I have going

Michael (I made this just for him....)

Take my wife on lots of dates, and not once mention how much it costs
Surprise my wife with flowers on days other than holidays or her birthday
Put the laundry away, just because I know Jessica hates it
Wipe the mirror & counter off in the bathroom after I shave, because I know it leaves a mess
Finish a few of the MANY projects Jessica has going for me

Isabella

Stop wearing Pull-ups at night & during naps
Eat dinner without complaining (Hey, I can dream!)
Stay in my bed

Jacob

Hmmm.......
Stop throwing my socks behind me in the car

Christmas Pictures- Isabella

Christmas Pictures- Jacob

Merry Christmas!

Well, this year was one of the best ever! Isabella has been so excited about Christmas and Santa (every prayer she said this month included something about Santa). Santa put a bell on her door so that we would hear her when she woke up. She came out of her room and yelled "It's morning!" She ran into our room to wake us up, and the woke up Nana & Aunt Kristie. Michael ran down the stairs so that he could get everything on video. Isabella made out really good on gifts, that's for sure! Jacob slept in that morning and we were all able to open our gifts before he came downstairs.

Michael and I exchanged lots of fun gifts, but the best gift we opened was what my mom gave us- a Wii!!!! It is really fun, and even Isabella gets in on the action.

Jacob is really enjoying the dump truck that Santa left, and trying to take all of Isabella's new toys. Can you believe that he will turn 1 next weekend?!?!

Tonight, we will have more company arrive- Michael's parents- Dennis & Jo Ann, sister- Amy, and Brother & new wife- Mark & Tara. Isabella is VERY excited about the visit, as are Michael and I.

I'll post pictures & video soon!!

The little man in my life....

I couldn't get one with his eyes open- my camera is soooo slow!!

12 Dates of Christmas- The 1st Date

I heard about this cool thing to do during the month of December, and I thought it would be fun to adapt it to our family, and make it a neat tradition. So, we have to go on 12 'dates' before Christmas. It can be as a whole family or split up. It doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate, just a good time.

Michael and Isabella kicked it off with a daddy-daughter date to Santa's Village. They had a BLAST!! Isabella got to talk with Santa, and tell him all about what she wants (and she even asked him to get Jacob a dump truck), hear Mrs. Clause read a couple of stories, make an ornament, go through an ice maze, decorate cookies, see Santa's bedroom, and lots more. Jacob and I couldn't go because it was kinda late, and Jacob is sick, so I didn't want him out in the cold. I'm totally jealous, so I think that we will all go again when my mom & sister get here. Here are some funs pics that Michael took.

Thanksgiving Recap

We had such a great Thanksgiving! There were 17 of us- 8 adults and 9 kids (all age 4 & under). The kids did a great good, and we feasted on some delicious food. It might have been the most delicious Thanksgiving meal I've ever eaten.....

Here is the menu (and no, I didn't make it all- my friends contributed lots)

Brined Turkey & Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
2 kinds of Stuffing- one with apples & sausage, and one without
Sweet Potatoes with Pecan Streusal Topping
Cranberry-Orange Sauce
Cranberry Salad
Rolls
Corn
Broccoli Casserole
Deviled Eggs w/ Cheddar & Bacon
Wassail- Yum!
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie
Cherry Pie
Chocolate Cream Pie
Praline Ice Cream Pie

Office Update

Bet you thought I forgot, huh? Well, it took quite a bit of time, but I've made some serious progress in my office as well as other parts of the house. I still have to paint, put some stuff on the walls, and add a couple pieces of furniture, but I am pleased with the preliminary results.

As for the rest of the house, I'm not quite ready to post pictures.

Soon..... I hope....

Tag!

OK, normally I don't do these, but I actually liked this one. I'm not going to tag anyone specifically, but I'll be watching your blogs to see who did it!


A- Age: 28
B - Best Friend: Hmmm... I've got a few really good friends, even though we don't get to see each other or even talk very much anymore. I guess that's how you know they really are good friends- you can always pick right back up where you left off- Cat, Michelle, Jacque, Felicia & Sara
C - Cake or Pie: Neither are really my favorite, but I'd have to say cake- Costco cake!
D - Drink of Choice: Cherry Coke, with lots of ice. Mmmm... I'm thirsty...
E - Essential Items: Diaper wipes, yoga pants (my fancy way of saying pj's), and my dvr. I'm an addict.
F - Favorite TV show at the moment: I have so many!! Lost, 24, Top Chef, Heroes, Judge Judy......
G - Gummi Bears or Worms: Bears. But only Haribo.
H - Hometown: Hesperia, CA
I - Indulgence: Fried potatoes/hash browns
J - January or July: January
K - Kids: 2
L - Life is incomplete without: Family
M - Marriage Date: June 5, 2004
N - Number of Siblings: 2- 1 brother and 1 sister
O - Oranges or Apples: Apples. Fuji are my fav.
P - Phobias or Fears: The 3 S's- Snakes, Sharks & Spiders
Q - Quote: There never was a child so lovely, but his mother was glad to see him asleep. --Ralph Waldo Emerson- I totally stole this from Sara because I couldn't think of anything....
R - Reason to Smile: Both kids asleep at the same time.
S - Season: Fall
T - Time you woke up today: 6:00ish
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I absolutely hate latex balloons. I hate the way they smell, the way they feel, and the sounds they make when you touch them. I totally get the hebe-gibes just thinking about it.
V - Veggies or Fruit: I love them both too much to decide.
W - Worst Habit: Biting my cuticles. I know, I know, am a freak.
X - X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds
Y - Your Favorite Food: Sushi
Z - Zodiac: Virgo

TOFW

Last weekend, I was able to go to Time Out For Women up in Nashville with a few of my friends. We had a great time! Hillary Weeks & Kenneth Cope preformed and were both awesome, as were the many speakers they had lined up. There are about 20 new books I want now!! And, guess what some of you are getting for Christmas????

It was a lot of fun to get away with my friends. We gabbed for hours and ate good food. It definitely wasn't a restful weekend, but that's fine by me. Next year, the closest TOFW is in Cincinnati (about 6 hours away), but I think I'll try to make the trip so I can see my good friends that live in Dayton. I'm already getting excited!

He walks!

Well, about 10 minutes ago, Jacob took his first step! But, not just any step. He let go of Michael to walk into the kitchen and proceeded to take 4 steps. Just like that. Then, Michael and I got him to do it over and over again walking back and forth between us.

He is 10 months old, and I fully expect this ball of energy to be running before Christmas. Please pray for me!!!

Every fat girls dream.....

About a month ago I went to my new Dr. (Primary Care), to get a routine physical. She put me on a great weight-loss drug because I can't seem to lose any of the weight I put on with Jacob. I had to go get some blood work done and make another appointment with her in 1 month.

So, fast-forward to today. I've lost 12 pounds (yeah!!!), and was hoping just to renew my prescription for my wonder drug. Well, it turns out that my labs came back with some problems. I've got hypothyroidism & something is going on with my liver (I don't know too much about this & have to make another appt.). I was doing some research on the thyroid issue, and it can really mess you up. It can cause weight gain, depression, lack of energy/exhaustion, and a lot of other problems. On one hand, I'm bummed that something is wrong with me, but on the other hand, maybe I'll start to feel a little more like me soon.

Sorry if this was way too much information for some of you!!