This will probably be my last post for a couple of weeks. We are heading out of town and going North......i am unsure why we picked somewhere colder, it was -17 where we are going with lots of snow, what happened to Christmas in Florida!! Uggg...but family is important and we don't have enough time to enjoy being with them so this is a much needed trip. It will be nice to have a family trip to relax and enjoy each other. We have a big christmas party planned with all my aunts, uncles and cousins! I am very excited.only once every 4 years or so do i get to come up for the winter festivities. My husband hasn't been up there with my for over 6 years..maybe longer! Unfortunately it seems like my latest visits have all been somber and deaths in the family. We all hate to visit for those reasons. My kids are ready for some sledding and ice fishing as am I. My hubby is wanting to go hunting but it seems liek a hunting license is about $160...so he might have to skip that!
We are rounding up the gear and starting to pack today and it is amazing how much stuff we actually need for four people for up to 10 days is sub-arctic weather!! Especially with a baby..pack-n-play, highchair, formula, diapers, wipes, gear, toys...then again a six year old diva isn't much better! Luckily we are taking the 300 with heated seats...ahhhhh!!! And one of our christmas gifts included a portable DVD player that we have been begging for, that should make the 10 hour(in good weather) trip go a little smoother! We had lots of freezing rain, snow/rain mix today but it is supposed to be in the 40's the next couple of days so hopefully we have a safe trip and it doesn't take forever to get there.
Today i had to drive and it wasn't fun. Hailey has her 6 year molars comign in and i was worried it had an absest but luckily it is fine. It is about to erupt to it is sore and she has numerous canker sores/legions around the area. She has been very sick lately so that could be the cause or she said many kids get these when they have teeth coming in. she told us for the next three days to keep her on Motrin, to reduce swelling and gave us a mouth rinse called peroxyl that is more kid friendly(tastier) so her mouth can heal faster. We were very concerned that this would be something yucky and then we would be out of town for the holidays and she would have to see some strange dentist...she just starting liking our new one i dont want he to be scared anymore. So we are lucky it isn't much. She seems to be doing well just has some pain when eating and things like that.
---Another note totally off the subject. I got my 3.0 this semester..woohoo!!! FIVE CLASSES and two kids and i still did it. I am so proud of myself..pat on the back!! I was really concerned because it was a very hard semester(fall seems to be harder with so many holidays) and with the kids doing so much and having all the sicknesses this year but it all worked out! Now i am on to a relaxing break with no worries until school starts back up in the middle of January.
Also update: my litle nephew Brady will be making his arrival known in January most likely within the first couple of weeks. His momma has had gestational diabetes and he is measuring big(she has a small frame but has delivered three already) so they will do an ultrasound and see how he is doign and see if they want to get the ball rolling! They better not even think about it while i am out of town. I have been outside the door for my other neice's and nephew's and i am not missing one now. I will be driving back from our trip early! So baby Brady just hold out for a couple of more weeks..around the 14th of January is great for me..he-he..and your momma would like a little bit longer to prepare!~Pray for their health and a safe delivery!
Merry Christmas everyone and have a joyful holiday season! Hope God blessed you all!
Love Always,
The Steele Family
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
School is over and vacation has finally begun!
Ahhh...my life has just simplified, for at least three weeks. I am done with school for the semester. It is such a relief. I feel like this huge weight has lifted. I am so excited to have some time with my kiddos and hubby. We need it. I am home everyday but usually busy with housework or homework.
Now i can get Christmas completed and just sit with the kiddos and enjoy seeing them. I know hailey is excited. We already have projects planned for the next couple of days that have to be done for christmas presents. I am very excited to get to watch her read and play games all day in our jammies. No school for her and no school for me!!
I did well so far...three grades are in...an A in my CIS class, a B+ in my Management behavior class, and a C in environmental conservation. My finance and humanities class havent posted grades yet but i am hoping for passing grades. It was a rough semester with two kids, 5 classes, holidays, and trying to keep the house organized, sports/organizations organized, and everyone healthy(hasnt really worked but i have tried)!
I dont have to go back to school until January 12th and i am so grateful that we are going to travel to my daddy's house for the holidays. We are leaving shortly after christmas and coming back right before hailey starts back to school on the 5th. My dad said he was nervous about us coming up. I thought it was really sweet. I miss him so much ...living so far away(over 9 hrs , 11 with kids in car).
We are helping him with our huge family christmas party. All of my aunts and uncles(8-9 present this year) and their spouses and kids. It used to be at my grandpa's and grandma's before they passed away and now it rotates between all my aunts/uncles/dad...the family seems to be separated more since their deaths. It is very sad. I pray that everyone can get along and realize the happiness family brings and that everyone enjoys each others company. Two of my aunts have passed away in the past couple of years both cancer related deaths. Obviously it has hit the family very hard. Sometimes the holidays are spent being sad instead of celebrating life and knowing that all the deceased are in a better place-HEAVEN!! I miss them also but i am not as sad anymore. I know that they are happy and pain free now.
My aunt chrissie especially was so grateful for life. She was happy and put on a happy face until her death. I try to live my life with as much joy as she did. She was happy for every moment and every day that she had with her family. She understood how precious life is. She had the most wonderful outlook and tried to please everyone. She was a role model..just like my grandma....i miss her every day!!..alright enough of the sad stuff...back to talking about vacation.
Snow...Grant will see his first snow up there. But he will also have to deal with very very cold weather. It was 5-10 below zero last time i talked to my dad. UGGG...i complain about our 20-30 degree weather. Why can't he live in Florida again??
After vacation, we might have to come back a little early because hailey has a cheer clinic on Jan.3 and i would love for her to go. I dont know..she is just getting started i dont think she is ready yet! I am loving it, she is so cute practicing. Cheer is very exciting. I never tried it in school but always wanted to...hailey seems to love it and also loves learning the scriptures. I am just happy to have her active and out doing something.
First we must finish our christmas shopping and finish making some presents. We are running out of days for this..i am guessing we will have to do it on monday and tuesday next week. Tomorrow hailey has school then christmas shopping. Might have time tomorrow night for a couple of things. Saturday is christmas at my moms then we want to go to the fantasy of lights. We think the kids will really enjoy all the bright lights then maybe we can drive around and see some houses with lots of lights. We used to do it when i was little and it was so exciting! Sunday is Jason's b-day so the day is for him and whatever he wants to do..except it is also my neice Jasmine's b-day so we have her 8th b-day party sunday afternoon. Then we have monday and tuesday free to do whatever need to be done for christmas. Wednesday is Jason's side of the families christmas parties taking up the whole day and night.
Then christmas is alwasy spent at home. We made this rule when Hailey was born. We never go anywhere and we prefer not to have any visitors unless it is immediate close family members. We make a huge breakfast of pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream, sausages, bacon, and whatever else we decide is yummy. Then for lunch we usually have ham and dollar rolls with a couple of easy sides and pie. Simple, giving us time to spend the whole day with the kids watching never-ending episodes of Christmas Vacation or some other cute christmas movie.
I love playing with the kids and seeing their eyes glow as they open each present and see everything they have. One year it took hailey from 8 am to almost 6 pm before she opened her last present. SHe took her time and opened one at a time and played with them before wanting another. It was amazing to see how excited she was with every gift!
With our new camcorder i can't wait to capture all of these wondeful memories. We have went a couple of years without one and i have no record of so many pr4ecious moments that i dont want to miss again!
Now i can get Christmas completed and just sit with the kiddos and enjoy seeing them. I know hailey is excited. We already have projects planned for the next couple of days that have to be done for christmas presents. I am very excited to get to watch her read and play games all day in our jammies. No school for her and no school for me!!
I did well so far...three grades are in...an A in my CIS class, a B+ in my Management behavior class, and a C in environmental conservation. My finance and humanities class havent posted grades yet but i am hoping for passing grades. It was a rough semester with two kids, 5 classes, holidays, and trying to keep the house organized, sports/organizations organized, and everyone healthy(hasnt really worked but i have tried)!
I dont have to go back to school until January 12th and i am so grateful that we are going to travel to my daddy's house for the holidays. We are leaving shortly after christmas and coming back right before hailey starts back to school on the 5th. My dad said he was nervous about us coming up. I thought it was really sweet. I miss him so much ...living so far away(over 9 hrs , 11 with kids in car).
We are helping him with our huge family christmas party. All of my aunts and uncles(8-9 present this year) and their spouses and kids. It used to be at my grandpa's and grandma's before they passed away and now it rotates between all my aunts/uncles/dad...the family seems to be separated more since their deaths. It is very sad. I pray that everyone can get along and realize the happiness family brings and that everyone enjoys each others company. Two of my aunts have passed away in the past couple of years both cancer related deaths. Obviously it has hit the family very hard. Sometimes the holidays are spent being sad instead of celebrating life and knowing that all the deceased are in a better place-HEAVEN!! I miss them also but i am not as sad anymore. I know that they are happy and pain free now.
My aunt chrissie especially was so grateful for life. She was happy and put on a happy face until her death. I try to live my life with as much joy as she did. She was happy for every moment and every day that she had with her family. She understood how precious life is. She had the most wonderful outlook and tried to please everyone. She was a role model..just like my grandma....i miss her every day!!..alright enough of the sad stuff...back to talking about vacation.
Snow...Grant will see his first snow up there. But he will also have to deal with very very cold weather. It was 5-10 below zero last time i talked to my dad. UGGG...i complain about our 20-30 degree weather. Why can't he live in Florida again??
After vacation, we might have to come back a little early because hailey has a cheer clinic on Jan.3 and i would love for her to go. I dont know..she is just getting started i dont think she is ready yet! I am loving it, she is so cute practicing. Cheer is very exciting. I never tried it in school but always wanted to...hailey seems to love it and also loves learning the scriptures. I am just happy to have her active and out doing something.
First we must finish our christmas shopping and finish making some presents. We are running out of days for this..i am guessing we will have to do it on monday and tuesday next week. Tomorrow hailey has school then christmas shopping. Might have time tomorrow night for a couple of things. Saturday is christmas at my moms then we want to go to the fantasy of lights. We think the kids will really enjoy all the bright lights then maybe we can drive around and see some houses with lots of lights. We used to do it when i was little and it was so exciting! Sunday is Jason's b-day so the day is for him and whatever he wants to do..except it is also my neice Jasmine's b-day so we have her 8th b-day party sunday afternoon. Then we have monday and tuesday free to do whatever need to be done for christmas. Wednesday is Jason's side of the families christmas parties taking up the whole day and night.
Then christmas is alwasy spent at home. We made this rule when Hailey was born. We never go anywhere and we prefer not to have any visitors unless it is immediate close family members. We make a huge breakfast of pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream, sausages, bacon, and whatever else we decide is yummy. Then for lunch we usually have ham and dollar rolls with a couple of easy sides and pie. Simple, giving us time to spend the whole day with the kids watching never-ending episodes of Christmas Vacation or some other cute christmas movie.
I love playing with the kids and seeing their eyes glow as they open each present and see everything they have. One year it took hailey from 8 am to almost 6 pm before she opened her last present. SHe took her time and opened one at a time and played with them before wanting another. It was amazing to see how excited she was with every gift!
With our new camcorder i can't wait to capture all of these wondeful memories. We have went a couple of years without one and i have no record of so many pr4ecious moments that i dont want to miss again!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Saturday night we got to see one of the best, if not the best concert ever. Jason suprised me..well tried to suprise me..with a special night out..possibly even part of christmas or whatever but he took me there none the less. It was fabulous! He was amazing! Jason and Kenny! Jason was sick with a stomach bug so i am unsure of how much he really got to enjoy it but i just took it all in and relaxed and enjoyed the night. Anytime i get to go out with Jason and not the kids is such a blessing and very very rare. We love it and soak it up! We really miss our one-on-one time we used to get before the kiddos..we get along perfectly..haha...It was very romantic and mind blowing. The music just took you to another place. If you haven't heard kenny's newest CD it is great as well as his christmas CD which is amazing also.
He played all of his early hits and even added in some comedy! I got to meet him twice!!!! Yes, twice!! It was so awesome and he was a very freindly and a relaxed kind of guy. The band was amazing also. The guy kenny has on percussions was exceptional. I have never seen such talent. A couple of hte guys have books or their own CD's out. It was a very nice night on the town. I hope we can do it again soon. I love you honey and thanks for the great night out!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Coughs and sniffles
Nights in our house over the past couple of weeks havebeen an endless rush of trying to figure out who to help sleep through the night the longest. Everyone has colds but at different stages. Some are starting the stages over again with a new cold. But last night was the last straw Grant is hitting hte doctor today at 4pm. I need over 3 hours of consistent sleep..sleep without a 20 lb. baby flopping around on my chest and/or wheezing and gagging coughs all around me. i was so desperate last night i even used a little vix mixed with vasoline(tomake it not burn so bad) all over his little chest and back...it made him cry but then he slept for about 3-4 more hours.
Two weeks i have been battling his and everyone else's sickness. He had a cough and runny nose last week and lack of appetite. Then over the weekend a low grade fever, very putrid diarrhea/poo newborn stuff(from lack of solid foods i assume), and the inevitable lack of sleep...along with a temper and screams of pain...i assumed he was dying a couple of nights. Then by Monday he seemed to be doing better no more painful cries and his appetite picked up a small bit but the stinky poo seemed to be escalating...uggg. But by sleepy time he was hacking this yucky cough that was so bad he was almost vomiting. I figured since during the day he seemed okay it would pass but now 4 sleepless nights later i have decided enough is enough. I am hoping it is just a cold and they will tell me is fine or even better/worse they will tell me he has something that they can give me some meds for and it will knock him into a beautiful slumber for about 10 hours tonight! I dont know if i can study for finals without sleep!! We will see!
Two weeks i have been battling his and everyone else's sickness. He had a cough and runny nose last week and lack of appetite. Then over the weekend a low grade fever, very putrid diarrhea/poo newborn stuff(from lack of solid foods i assume), and the inevitable lack of sleep...along with a temper and screams of pain...i assumed he was dying a couple of nights. Then by Monday he seemed to be doing better no more painful cries and his appetite picked up a small bit but the stinky poo seemed to be escalating...uggg. But by sleepy time he was hacking this yucky cough that was so bad he was almost vomiting. I figured since during the day he seemed okay it would pass but now 4 sleepless nights later i have decided enough is enough. I am hoping it is just a cold and they will tell me is fine or even better/worse they will tell me he has something that they can give me some meds for and it will knock him into a beautiful slumber for about 10 hours tonight! I dont know if i can study for finals without sleep!! We will see!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Hailey had her school Christmas program last night and she rocked the show. My shy child sang every song and was perfect! I was so excited she did it. She told me afterwards, " I was sooo scared but I just did it anyways!" I had threatened her(nicely)with us never coming to another program again..if she sat their looking at her toes like the past 4 years worth of programs we had been too. Obviously she has grown up alot this year! It was fabulous. She looked like a little princess all dressed up in her Christmas colors and singing away! I am overjoyed! My baby is a star! (;
This is our Christmas present from my momma! A family gift that will be fabulous for the family over the holidays especially since we will be traveling to Iowa! A lovely 9+ hour trip with a five year old and a 10 month old. This DVD Player was much needed.
It is a Sony DVP-FX820, Black with an 8" screen
It is a Sony DVP-FX820, Black with an 8" screenPerfect! Thanks momma!!And yes she is still momma even though i am almost 30!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
sniffles snuggles, and shopping
Everyone has had the sniffles but everyone but Grant has gotten over it..he just seems to be getting worse. He is still peeing and pooping(sorry for the details) so i am not overly concerned. BUT he is barely eating solids anymore and 1/2 the time no bottles either and has been running a low grade temperature. I haven't slept in two nights as he has been up and down not able to sleep comfortably in any position, except on me for the most part. I have tried Oragel since tooth #9........yes 9, is coming in(Early Bloomer)! And i have tried tylenol but he still acts like he is in horrible pain. Mainly at night! He just arches his back and cries. I am worried it might be something else but during the day he seems like he is okay other than the lack of eating! I am thinking we might make a visit to the doctors on monday if this doesnt get better soon. I really need some sleep..consistent..4-6 hours would be nice!!
Also tonight i got a one-on-one with hailey..it was wonderful. We went out with her and my sister-in-law and her three kiddos to a friends birthday party at Pump it up(which was awesome may i say). It was a great time! I miss spending so much time with my baby girl. She is growing up so fast! She is so much fun and such a little smartie pants. She is getting ready to lose her second tooth and is getting her first permanent front tooth and her 6 year molars. She is starting to really catch on at school also. She is writing alot of sentences and can write alot of words by sounding them out. They arent all spelled properly but for her age she is doing great!! I am really really proud of her. I have been spending alot of time with her on christian teachings and songs and it is really paying off. She is really starting to get it. I think if i try harder it will sink in even more. I am an example for her...i need to do bettter and be better!!
We went shopping at gymboree my favorite place to splurge! They had Jingle deals on pajamas...so cute!! I got hailey a pj dress and grant some rockstar pjs for next year..under $12 a pair..woohoo! Also i got hailey a t-shirt and some bows to match some outfits she already has. Also it is gymbucks time! That alwasy makes it worthwild also. Another savings of around 25% when cashed in! Hailey is set for winter except for shoes..now i am ready for the summer shopping to begin. I think it is time for another girls trip to Nashville or Edinberg in January or February!! Who wants to join me???
Also tonight i got a one-on-one with hailey..it was wonderful. We went out with her and my sister-in-law and her three kiddos to a friends birthday party at Pump it up(which was awesome may i say). It was a great time! I miss spending so much time with my baby girl. She is growing up so fast! She is so much fun and such a little smartie pants. She is getting ready to lose her second tooth and is getting her first permanent front tooth and her 6 year molars. She is starting to really catch on at school also. She is writing alot of sentences and can write alot of words by sounding them out. They arent all spelled properly but for her age she is doing great!! I am really really proud of her. I have been spending alot of time with her on christian teachings and songs and it is really paying off. She is really starting to get it. I think if i try harder it will sink in even more. I am an example for her...i need to do bettter and be better!!
We went shopping at gymboree my favorite place to splurge! They had Jingle deals on pajamas...so cute!! I got hailey a pj dress and grant some rockstar pjs for next year..under $12 a pair..woohoo! Also i got hailey a t-shirt and some bows to match some outfits she already has. Also it is gymbucks time! That alwasy makes it worthwild also. Another savings of around 25% when cashed in! Hailey is set for winter except for shoes..now i am ready for the summer shopping to begin. I think it is time for another girls trip to Nashville or Edinberg in January or February!! Who wants to join me???
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Thanksgiving and a Reunion-update
Thanksgiving was wonderful and special just like always. It is one day that i do nothing(no laundry, no dishes, no cleaning) but spend time with all my family and enjoy their company. It was wonderful seeing so many people that i haven't seen since the holidays last year. We need to spend more time with the extended family. My husband's grandma is getting up there in age and we don't visit often, even though she lives relatively close.
I feel sad about how busy life has been and how little time i have had for my family. School has been overwhelming this semester and has taken up so much of my precious time. I have missed so many firsts. Hailey starts her first cheerleading practice tonight and i will be in class instead. This si what i am supposed to be doing...time is just passing me by. I am thanksful for the chance to go to school and pray i am able to finish and help make life better for our family. BUT for now i need more time. I need to manage my time more closely and regulate what is important to me. I need to spend less time on the internet mindlessly browsing and spend more time reading to my kids! My goal for the new year is to turn off the computer and just do...do whatever is needed to give my kids some extra attention. They deserve to have their mom not just in the room but actually there for them. I want to be that mom.
Our class reunion was interesting. Not as good as expected in some ways but better than expected in others. It was alot like high school...no one openly talked to you unless they were friends with you in high school. It wasn't this big freindly gathering like i had prayed for. Most people expected a dinner and instead found some appetizers that were not so appetizing. Drinks were pricey. Also food and drinks were where everyone smoked. So for us non-smokers it sucked to go in there. An in there was where everyone basically stayed all night long.
I found so many people that i had lost touch with and was grateful for that. I missed all these people. I had wanted to reconnect and i did. I hope that i keep in touch with the friends that i saw. Many of them live in Evansville so it should be easy but we will see how it all works out. But then a couple of them live out of town and that might be more difficult but i am going to do my best to not let another ten years pass me by with regrets about what i should have done.
I feel sad about how busy life has been and how little time i have had for my family. School has been overwhelming this semester and has taken up so much of my precious time. I have missed so many firsts. Hailey starts her first cheerleading practice tonight and i will be in class instead. This si what i am supposed to be doing...time is just passing me by. I am thanksful for the chance to go to school and pray i am able to finish and help make life better for our family. BUT for now i need more time. I need to manage my time more closely and regulate what is important to me. I need to spend less time on the internet mindlessly browsing and spend more time reading to my kids! My goal for the new year is to turn off the computer and just do...do whatever is needed to give my kids some extra attention. They deserve to have their mom not just in the room but actually there for them. I want to be that mom.
Our class reunion was interesting. Not as good as expected in some ways but better than expected in others. It was alot like high school...no one openly talked to you unless they were friends with you in high school. It wasn't this big freindly gathering like i had prayed for. Most people expected a dinner and instead found some appetizers that were not so appetizing. Drinks were pricey. Also food and drinks were where everyone smoked. So for us non-smokers it sucked to go in there. An in there was where everyone basically stayed all night long.
I found so many people that i had lost touch with and was grateful for that. I missed all these people. I had wanted to reconnect and i did. I hope that i keep in touch with the friends that i saw. Many of them live in Evansville so it should be easy but we will see how it all works out. But then a couple of them live out of town and that might be more difficult but i am going to do my best to not let another ten years pass me by with regrets about what i should have done.
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