A Day in the Life...

This Christmas Vacation I Have: Gone for a walk in the cold air. Red nose or not, I love being outside. I have also played myself silly... And then played some more. When I was tired, I slept. Then cleaned myself up... And played some more...

clothes may not be so nerdy... I got a new crochet pattern book... and made this... and this. Doesn't she look cute?

We spent Christmas Day at my mom and dad's. It was nice to all be together; though I admit I was very ornery, very fed up with Copper, and pretty much snapped at everyone. Copper + two days of stimulation and excitement + late night and early morning = an impatient Cassie. Ignorning what doesn't matter = fail. Sigh. On the bright side, we really are blessed to have such wonderful family. My parents must have cooked all night and day- we had ham, potatoes, yams, shrimp, veggies, rolls, salads, and lots of things to munch on. Yummy! I got this very cool pasta maker attachment for my Kitchen Aid mixer. I am excited to try homemade ravioli, and filling it with shrimp and cream cheese. Yum. Tim and I also got a DVD player, which is really great since we've never had one. Now we don't have to play movies through the XBox and cross our fingers they'll work. Tyrel and his wife Amber gave us a great present- a new baby for next fall! Now my bro and Tim's bro are both ex...

Christmas Eve was so fun! We spent the evening with Tim's family. Copper had fun, but all she knew was that it had been way too many hours since her nap, too much excitement, and much stimulation. Still, despite her occasional crankiness, she had a ball! We are extremely blessed for good family who cares about us and loves to have us over. It is hard to imagine life without family, especially around Christmas time. Plus, giving and getting is always fun too! Copper got so many fun toys! Her favorites, and I agree, are the stashes of little books. Just her size, okay to chew on, and full of fun noises, textures, colors, and stories. Plus, some even go in the tub- very awesome! She also got a Leap Frog learning table. It counts, sings, says ABC's, and much more- and in English and Spanish! It's also chock-full of lights, sounds, and things to do. She's going to love it. If it hadn't of been past ten o'clock and she wasn't whining, I would have liked to get ...

We considered the need for a camera. Translation: early Christmas present. And, since it's so close to Christmas, I thought I'd post some pics of homemade presents for this year... hopefully folks don't read this before the big day and get spoiled. I made my mom a magnet board, cute with button magnets. When I say I made it, I mean I bought the steel, wood, and paint. My very cool redneck-like bro put it together b/c he's super talented like that. He's also putting a cut up water heater on his lawn mower for a handmade slow plow. That's a different story. I made our niece Shawntee this apron to go along with a kids' cookbook. Note to self: sewing is not fun or relaxing. I have no natural talent for it, and though it often sounds fun to start sewing projects, it leaves me frustrated and annoyed. Hence, plenty of unfinished projects. However, this craft I can handle. I crocheted a very cute black bolero to cover my niece Taryn's Christmas dress. It turne...

1. Copper's bottom tooth broke through yesterday, or Sunday night. I attribute that to her crankiness and inability to self-soothe, play, and sleep. I would love to show you her ornery face and random tantrums, but... 2. Our camera broke. Tried to turn it on last night and it wouldn't. And still won't, despite new batteries, being plugged into the computer, and being sworn at. Today I went online looking for good camera deals. Then decided that a new digital camera wasn't really in the "needs only" budget I put myself on. With this new budget, I have thankfully... 3. Finished Christmas shopping. Except for my dad, and who knows what to get him. He has everything. I may just make a few pounds of cookie dough he can keep in the freezer for instant cookies when he wants them. Why not, since I've been non-stop cooking anyway getting ready for: 4. SFP graduation. Fourteen weeks later and the program I run is finally coming to an end. At least fo...

Today was busy and full of non-stop thinking! I decided to make some goals- some immediate, some long-term, and some wishful thinking. 1. This week, I am determined to send in that apparently important application for my "L". Really, $120 later?? 2. This week, I am also determined have work come second to my family. It's sort of slipped... 3. I also had a thought that I should go get my master's in school counseling. Don't know where this thought came from but it popped in my head intensely enough I convinced myself to toss the idea around. More school, really? And, more time- really? 4. And then I thought: Why can't I just stay home and raise my daughter? Sometimes it's annoying spending my time helping other families and not being home with my own. 5. And then I think: Even if I were home full-time, knowing what I know about what goes on in this world, I'd still feel some sort of obligation. And, what life's about anyway, but learni...

I decided to try and make my own baby food. Really, it just takes time to cook and puree fruits and veggies. I read this great idea of putting them in ice cube trays to freeze in perfect serving sizes. These are peas. Copper really liked them. Those, plus formula and a bath to wash off the green goop = one happy (and cute) baby.