A day in the life...: January 2012

This picture, in my mind, sums up our Christmas. Do not get me wrong, Sarah Beth LOVED it, but with Christmas being on the weekend we decided to cover all 3 families in 1 weekend... So this picture even though it was taken at the first Christmas in Tifton probably more accurately describes our household after it was all over.

We have never been to Tifton for Christmas and I grew up with certain traditions, church on Christmas Eve, dinner at the Bowen's house, the Christmas story being read at home and advent, opening the sibling gifts before we went to bed and Santa in the morning, followed by the advent wreath again. Manheim Steamroller being the everpresent soundtrack. We did some of that this year with Sarah Beth. We went to church which was great and had dinner with the Bowens. Dutch, Sarah Beth and I left early to go to bed because well, we had already opened gifts and spent time with Joycie and we were just plum tired. Also, Sarah Beth had an upset stomach which we later discovered was a stomach virus. Sarah Beth I must say got more gifts than I EVER remember getting from my grandparents. The shopping cart I believe was her favorite! I got Mercer memorabilia and Dutch got among other things another heat lamp for our porch. We woke up Christmas morning, had breakfast and headed back to Athens for Christmas lunch with the Guest family.

Sarah Beth's big gift from Nana and Grandaddy was a table and chairs set and a radio flyer wagon (this one was a surprise for mommy and daddy too!) Dutch and I got an assortment of gifts. We tried to get her interested in playing in the boxes but that was a bust. Amanda was showing her how to get in, almost fell and terrified Sarah Beth. Sarah Beth is very protective and cannot stand people getting hurt... especially loved ones! So Sarah Beth screamed, we laughed and the box was over and done with. We had a WONDERFUL lunch and headed back home to nap, unload and do dinner with Dutch's mom.

Grandy came over on Christmas night. We had a new creation I found in a Paula Deen Cookbook which was basically Christmas meal in a casserole and fresh bread Grandy made. Needless to say we had LOTS of great food. Monday we woke up to discover that Santa did make it to our house, just a day late and he brought a kitchen set and elephant ball popper. Sarah Beth could not stand it and could hardly get breakfast down because she was more interested in her new toys. Grandy brought her weebles, an interactivebook and one of Dutch's old nice wooden toys which she also LOVES! Grandy gave Dutch and I among other things a DVD of our beach trip this summer, which was an awesome gift!!! I gave Dutch a TV (it was an early gift so he could get what he wanted) and Dutch gave me a new set of pots and pans. I know it sounds terrible... kitchenware, but for those of you who know me I LOVE cooking so this was actually a perfect gift... the earrings didn't hurt either!! We spent the rest of Monday recovering from the weekend and are now back in the swing of things. We spent New Years at home while the rest of our family went to Tampa. We enjoyed spending a quiet New Years but did not enjoy watching the dogs get beat. Now Dutch and I are working on our New Year's resolution to get back in shape (I know...typical) but thanks to P90 bootcamp I do think we might complete this resolution even though we can hardly move. Other resolutions for me this year:

1. Become more involved in the church
We have started visiting Sunday Schools.

2. Plan more family activities
Last Friday we took Sarah Beth to her first Gym Dog meet, which has led to me researching mommy and me gym classes.

3. Pray for my marriage daily.
So far so good.
I think 4 resolutions are good!
So far 2012 is shaping up to be a good year!

Hope your Christmas was festive and 2012 is a blast!

Much Love, MB