Holy Blogging Vacation, Batman!

So it's a little pathetic how long it's been since I've blogged. There have been SO MANY changes and happenings in our lives since I last updated! In January of 2010 Chris had a major accident at work that changed the career path he was on....and the changes and adjustments just continued to roll. His shoulder had to be completely replaced by titanium followed by months upon months of physical therapy and then another surgery to attempt to regain range of motion. All with minimal amounts of success. Almost a year after the accident, he was officially released from Con-Way and given a percentage of total body disability. His range of motion and strength in his left arm/shoulder is so minimal that he had to completely leave the trucking industry. When that is what has been our "bread and butter" and our only "career plan," we found ourselves at a loss. So, we both very insanely decided that this was a blessing in disguise that would allow us both to return to school! Wow. What a change ! Let me just say that college this time around is a VERY different experience that has seriously tested both of us.
With all of our craziness, I also started teaching Preschool. Who would have thought? I could not have ever predicted or considered that teaching Preschool would bring me such joy and sense of accomplishment! So with that said, I focused my schooling on Early Childhood Education. I have truly found my calling in life! The simple things in life are really where it's at! Playtime, snacktime and storytime, baby! I have the BEST JOB ever!
I can't believe all of the wonderful events of the kids I missed blogging about! What a shame! Taylor turned 8 and will be getting baptized in two weeks. (HOLY CRAP!) She is in 2nd grade and loving every second of her life! Danny is 6 1/2, in first grade and one of the most incredible spirits I have ever been blessed to know. He is so wise beyond his years and such a Mama's boy! I LOVE IT!!
On a more somber note, my sweet Grandma passed away on October 13th. It was so bittersweet. I'm glad she's not suffering anymore and that she is with Grandpa, but I sure miss her. She was truly an incredible woman and source of strength for me. I love you Gram!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJu79lM4ZR0
I know that there is so much more, but it's going to have to come in pieces! I'm just glad to get going again!

Taylor's first dance recital!

Last week Taylor had her very first Dance recital!! Her class danced to Frosty the Snowman. It was so much fun for me to watch my little girl do something that I have such a deep love for. She truly loves to dance and perform and I just can't put into words the things that makes me feel. She worked really hard and practiced at home all of the time, and the night of the dress rehearsal she finally admitted to me that she was nervous. Well, after a little pep talk, she marched up on stage and danced her little heart out! I am so proud of her. The next night as I was curling her hair and getting her ready, she says to me "Mom, I'm not nervous tonight...I've already been here and done this!" Haha! She is so funny! She did such an incredible job! Afterwards, Daddy gave her a dozen red roses that she proudly carried everywhere with her. Good job Tay! I am so proud of you!

Happy Turkey Day!!

Every now and again I get this crazy urge to see just how many people we can possibly fit into my kitchen...it always seems to happen around Thanksgiving! :-) I am very nostalgic and love the idea of the family coming together to eat. This year (like the last two), I volunteered to do most of the cooking and baking. I know, it seems crazy...but I LOVE IT!! We had such a nice meal, good food, and even better company! Hopefully we can continue this little tradition and keep having these nice get togethers!! I am so thankful for a wonderful family that indulges in some of my crazier ideas!!

Happy Birthday Taylor!!

I cannot believe where the time has gone! My "baby" is 6! She is growing up so fast. This year we decided to have a little more low key party than last year (THANK GOODNESS!!) She invited a few friends over for pizza, cake and then we watched "Bedtime Stories." I am so grateful that she has such a wonderful group of friends that love her as much as she loves them! They had a great time playing with her new stuff!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! This year Taylor wanted to go as Hannah Montana and Danny was Spiderman...aren't they cute!? About five minutes into trick-or-treating, the kids both announced their plans for next years costumes...Taylor wants to be Candace from Phineas and Ferb (HAHA!!) and Danny wants to be Iron Man (I'm sensing a bit of a trend here..Superman last year, Spidey this year and Iron Man next year. Hmmm..) Then after about a half an hour, both kids were complaining that their legs were getting tired! What!? When I was a kid, it was so awesome to go trick-or-treating! After a few threats of going home, they decided that they were okay enough to continue..sigh. We trick-or-treated in my parents neighborhood for a little over an hour and then came back home to our neighborhood. It was so much fun! Not to mention that now the kids are in bed and Chris and I can enforce the new legislation recently passed in the Sanders Senate: The Halloween Candy Tax. One for the kids, Two for us! :-)

Danny's First Preschool Fieldtrip!

Last week we got to go to Danny's first Preschool Fieldtrip to the Pumpkin Patch! He was so excited he could barely see straight! Unfortunately for us, it was raining pretty good that day and it was relatively cool to boot! After trudging in mud through the corn maze, seeing some farm animals and picking out our pumpkins we were soaking wet and almost completely covered in mud! Oh well, we had a good time and hey, I just pretended that it was a really expensive mud treatment at a spa! Nice delusion, huh?! Whatever gets me through, right? :-)

Danny's Itty Bitty Football!

So this month has been Danny's turn for extra curricular activities. He started itty bitty football and had a blast!! They had 6 different "stations" set up and the kids grouped into teams. (Danny's team was the Broncos) At each station they would practice a different skill: kicking, passing, tackling (well not contact, but flag style) and terminology etc. Danny is a total animal! Everytime they were playing flag football, the kid running with the ball NEVER had a chance! Danny got the flag almost every single time! He is so cute! After a couple practices, his coach came up to me and said "when Danny is a famous football player, please remember that I was his first coach!" How fun! He's had a pretty good arm since he was little and adding a little direction and coaching to that and He is a really good football player! Hmmmm...maybe I've got a little retirement plan in the making! :-)