Whew...big update ahead!

This past weekend Grandma (or as Turner says "Maw Maw") and Pop were in from Phoenix. The kids had such a great time. Although I had to work both days this weekend, and with Aaron loosing his job, I'm sure it wasn't quite a happy go lucky vacation for them, but it was an important time for us for them to be here. And Denise was such a huge help around the house, and the Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner that she made was her best yet. Way to go Denise! So here are some cute pics of the weekend. We had Christmas with them Friday night so that they could see the kids open the presents from them. And come on, who doesn't want more Christmases!

So the kids had a blast and have already made out like bandits.

Saturday night they had a lot of their friends over to visit. Aaron and I were supposed to be at his Christmas party and staying at a nice hotel for the night (boohoo) but it was nice to not have to be running around all weekend and get to enjoy time with them and the kids. Before the party started, Denise was getting ready, and i told Mackenzie to go get dressed for the party, like wear the new outfit that she had gotten.

So she come back in in a black shirt and jeans and said that she wanted to match Grandma - so cute. Even had to have on the same color socks. So then I had the idea to put her hair in curlers so she could really match Grandma. I mean how cute is this?!

They wanted me to take a picture after the curlers were out but we never got around to it, but this is the picture that is priceless anyways.

Turner has been on a big kick of wanting to feed Austin lately. The other day I let him have a go at it.

But I guess Austin didn't think Turner was spooning the food in fast enough and took things in to his own hands!

Last night we went to a Parents as Teachers program and got to see Santa. Turner was all ready with his big list of things to tell Santa....train, cars, puzzles. Mackenzie finally told him what she wanted, a baby doll that swims under the water. Hmmmm, I don't think Santa has that in his workshop :(

And one more photo op before we left.

Aaron had an interview yesterday. He said it went well except for the guy said he had reservations about Aaron switching jobs too much. But that is what we are going to be up against this round. He is supposed to call him this morning to see if he is in the running for the next round. My fingers are still crossed.

Too Funny

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Bad News

So we have a bit of bad news to share...Aaron lost his job yesterday. It is very hard on him right now. He really liked this job, the people he worked with, and he put so much in to it. Unfortunately he just ran out of time. Last night we met up with some friends and two of his work colleagues to drown our sorrows. But we know that we will come out of this on top. Everything happens for a reason. They say that the things that don't break you only make you stronger, and this is not even close to being something that could break us, so we will use it as an opportunity to prove what we are made of. Last night as i drove home, I was reflecting back on another blog entry that I had read regarding finding something to give thanks for in every situation. So I started making my own list....

1. Thanks for The Reba Greatest hits CD I have in my car that I could belt out last night while driving for an emotional release
2. Thanks for no one being in the car with me to hear the mix of screaming, crying, singing, screeching as i drove home last night
3. Thanks for my in-laws being in town so that I was able to leave the house to be with Aaron last night
4. Thanks to our friends who showed up to give us their support.
5. Thanks for the opportunity to make us stronger
6. Thankful that our test right now is only this and not something that could be so much worse
7. Thankful that as bad as this might get, we still have it really good
8. Thankful that I already have the job at NY&C to help us
9. Thankful that we have a strong enough family unit to get through this
10. Thankful that we always have a network of friends and family who are always willing to help us out however they can
11. Thankful Aaron already has another interview on Monday
12. Thankful I still have my job
13. Thankful our benefits and insurance are through my job and were not impacted.
14. Thankful they are paying us through the end of the month
15. Thankful that they had respect for Aaron and our family
16. Thankful they are willing be a strong reference for Aaron
17. Thankful that we will still have a roof over our heads and food on the table, able to provide for our children, and everyones' health (we TOTALLY realize it could be so much worse, trust me)
18. Thankful that we have money in savings
19. Thankful for the new doors that will open as this one closes
20. Thankful that we are able to still have the attitude to be thankful

Thank you everyone for your support. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

OK, so here are the rules

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Don't mind my wild and crazy Turner running around like he has been raised by wolves. he was actually doing better singing along which is why I originally grabbed the camera, but by the third try it took mommy to capture it on video correctly, he was pretty done. But Mackenzie still sounds beautiful, and you can still here Turner's inserts here and there.

So funny story to share....

Last night I pick Mackenzie up from school and on our way home we had this conversation...

J - We've got to hurry up and get home so I can fix dinner for you guys because I have to go to work tonight

M - Why do you have to work mommy?

J - So I can make more money so I have more money to buy you gifts for Christmas

M - You never buy me anything.

J - what do you mean dork, for Christmas?

M - Yeah you never buy me anything for Christmas

J - Hmmm it just so happens that I was just looking at pictures today of last Christmas and it sure looked like you got a lot of presents

M - You just got me an outfit for Chou Chou and The Last Mimzy

J - Hmmmm there were a lot more presents than that

M - No, you and daddy just got me those, SANTA brought all the other presents

J - Oh that's right!

That darn Santa, stealing my thunder! So this year I've got to one-up Santa?!

What a difference...

a year can make. This was me 1 year ago!!!

OK, now this is directed to my so called "friends" - CLEARLY I cannot trust you to tell me when I've gone miserably wrong with the hair and look like the New Year blimp! But maybe I was just that scary of a pregnant chic for you to dare! LOL And honey, oh honey, I am so sorry....and I wonder why you may not be enthused to knock me up again!
Check out how much Turner has changed too, he turned in to a little man this past year.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Got our tree all decorated last night, now we are officially ready for Christmas! When I got home there were a bunch of needles on the floor and I was like "Wow this tree is really loosing a lot of needles" Aaron's reply "That might have something to do with the fact that Turner was fighting the tree with his light saber this morning"! Such boy behavior!

How do you like the unhappy faces in the picture. Austin was PO'd that I wouldn't let him get down so he could crawl over and check out the camera and Turner was mad that he wasn't on my lap, and there is me smiling through it all before the timer went off!

We got our Christmas lights up this weekend.

Poor Cameron was so terrified on the roof. He lasted for about 10 minutes of pure agony on his behalf, pure entertainment on mine! See he couldn't even smile for the camera! LOL

With cousins on Thanksgiving. Ali and Kayla are getting so grown up, it really makes me feel old. Ali was like 2 when I met her!

I found this picture today of Turner at the same age as Austin is now. He was getting in to mischief even then! lol

(for comparison purposes)

Yesterday we went shopping for our tree, got the lights on it, but then I had to leave for work. We will put ornaments on tonight. Our house smells so wonderful now. This is going to be a busy week with working, working, Aaron's parents coming in to town, and Aaron's Christmas party - but all good things, so it should be a good one. We get to have another Thanksgiving dinner this week - yum yum. And we get to celebrate Christmas. Oh how I love the holiday season!!! This truly is the best time of the year.