It's a BOY!

This is the official announcement of our expanding family. As you all know, we bought our house a little over a year ago and have some extra room. Corky is getting up there in age and has mellowed out some. So we thought now would be a perfect time to add to the family. Although I wanted a girl, I'll love this boy just the same...maybe even more.





















What did you think I was talking about?!


Corky and Riley




Riley sleeping on the ottoman

Very Merry Day.

Merry Christmas indeed. The last two days I have been able to spend an abundance of time with family. This time of year always reminds me to be thankful for what I may take for granted. Last night, Ben and I went to my in-laws house for dinner. It was a very eat-and-run scenario on our part because I had to finish making my mom's scrapbook (her Christmas present).



This morning, we woke up early to exchange gifts before spending the day at my parent's house. Ben had already gotten me the Wii Fit that I have been begging for but then he got me this PIMPIN digital photo frame that plays music from an MP3 player...kind of like a soundtrack. It's awesome. I got him a bunch of clothes and stuff that he needed (not necessarily wanted). However, there were two good items in there. One was a shirt with some video game reference on it. The other is a hoodie I had custom made. Those of you that have spent any significant amount of time with Ben recently will appreciate this... ESPECIALLY those that attended the reunion. The picture is below.



We had breakfast at my parent's house, opened some gifts and then Elizabeth, Ben and I went to see Marley and Me. I have been DYING to go see it. It was SUCH a great movie...ever so sad though. There was not one person that wasn't crying...and that theatre was packed! Afterwards, we went back to Mom and Mark's to finish opening gifts and eat dinner. On our way home, we got to talk to Daniel. Things just worked out perfectly today. I hope everyone's holiday was as good as ours!

XOXO

xoxo

My doctor called today and said that my MRI was normal and he was able to rule out MS. I thought "that's good...I didn't even know he was concerned about that!" SOooooooooooooo-we meet next week to talk about how to get a handle on my symptoms. When I got home tonight, my neighbors were at my house waiting for me to get home. They bought Corky a santa outfit and wanted to see my reaction. He is so cute. He is a little chubby though so it's snug but so adorable. It lights up and sings. I love my neighbors and I love my dog even more for letting me dress him up in a bunch of annoying outfits.

Ho Ho Ho...Corky on the GO.

I bought Corky a little holiday neck scrunchie today. I want him to look festive for the holidays. When I got home, I saw this mess he made with his toys today. It looked like my living room blew up with the cotton from his toys. He ran up and jumped up on me as if to say "look what I did today!" It made me laugh...so I put his neck scrunchie on him and took a picture. He can't wear it all the time because it has bells on it and they drive him and I crazy...but he sure does look cute.

Busy day I say...

I had my MRI on Thursday. That wasn't the best experience of my life but it wasn't the worst either. First, the test was scheduled for 11 but I had to check in to the hospital at 10:30. After they get me registered, they take me back to start an IV. It was then that they tell me that they were down one machine and running about an hour and a half late. Great-but I was already there and just wanted to get it over with. So I get in my gown and robe and they take me to a waiting room where I waited for about two hours. Once I finally got into the machine, I was freaking out because I didn't really know what to expect. After I had been in it for about twenty minutes, I started to relax, which made the remaining hour easier. Once I was done, I had to race back to work in time for the afternoon group. Needless to say, it was a busy day and I had an excruciating headache after the test. I'm so happy that it's over with and all I have to do is wait for the results and hope that I never have to do that again.

Beneath the facade.

As Christmas approaches, it comes time to take our kids at work on a holiday outing. Every year, we have a different group of clients with different interests. So today, I asked the group what they wanted to do. I had some ideas like the movies, bowling, Dave and Busters but the kids all had a different idea. They all said they wished we could go to Build-A-Bear so they can make teddy bears. None of them had ever been and had only seen commercials. It broke my heart a little, because while I'm thinking about lame activities that they have done already, I overlooked the small things that they hadn't done. I know of many people who have never been to Build-A-Bear by choice, but none that hadn't because their parents couldn't afford it. One of my students who is leaving Excelsior at the end of the semester (after 3 years and is very sad about it) said that she wanted to add a recording accessory to her bear and record me saying "get it together Jasmine" as I often do-so that when she is struggling in public school, she can get a 'reality check'. Outsiders hear about our facility and think that our girls are bad, crazy and scary...but underneath it all, is a little girl that wants a teddy bear for Christmas.

Beach vacation=one word...WOOT!

The family reunion was quite simply a blast. I had so much fun-much more than I had expected. It was so great to see most of the family together again. The weather was fantastic up until the day we left...hmmmm...maybe a clue there :) But even on that day, it just rained....it was absolutely a surprise to come home to snow! I did miss Corky dearly but he fared fine over at my mom's. Just like everyone, he enjoys the zoo on occasion.