Where have I been, you may ask? Oh, living the life of Work, Home, Work, Home…the endless cycle. Luckily for me, I don’t mind either the work or home life right now.

For Work – I am working a project that is about to roll-out. It has it’s moments of being ready or not ready – this depends on which way the wind is blowing at that particular second I ask the team how they are feeling. But for all the complaining my dear Rick must endure when I come home at night, I honestly do enjoy the excitement of it all.

For Home – it is busy as usual. Aiden is nearly 100% potty trained. Now if we could just convince him to stay in his bed when it is bedtime, then we would be making strides. He is my little wanderer.

Other Home news – Brandon has really taken to skiing. He is loving lessons and is really excited about riding the chair lift. I can’t wait to see him in full action on the slopes. His last lesson is this upcoming weekend – from his score-card, he has mastered most lessons.

As for crafting time, it has been limited. That urge to clean or straighten up has gotten in it’s way. But I have sewn a few stitches here and there, and am always thinking of great pages I could make with the kids’ latest antics. I have pictures taken for use when I get the time. Next post I will have Rick help me upload the latest antics of the boys.

And surprisingly to myself, I haven’t let this cold weather get me down yet. But it is only January, we will have to see how I feel come end of February.

Until next time, Danith

To finish Brandon’s ‘First Haircut’ scrapbook page. I have had it laid out in my paper mess since last December, screaming ‘Finish Me!’ every time I looked at it. What took me so long, you may ask? Kids, work, my obsession with quilting, you name it, it got in the way of those two simple pages. But now I have motivation to get more done…the kid is so darn cute, I have to scrap about him some more! One day I will share some of my pages.

Today we celebrated Christmas with my mother-in-law, Ellie. She braved the icy roads to spend the day with us. We went out to lunch, as I didn’t get up in time to get a roast in the crockpot for lunch. We also stopped by Best Buy to pick up a digital camera for her – getting ready for her cruise later this month.

Tomorrow Rick and I go back to work. I am going to miss my time off, but may find it a bit quieter and calmer in the office, than at home. The kids can sure keep me on my toes.

And now for my ‘quote of this blog’: ‘The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams’ – Eleanor Roosevelt. (Ellie gave me a book of inspring quotes by women…I love it!)

Well…we survived 2008! The years seem to be flying by – especially as I see the kids grow. Just in the last few days Aiden has taken leaps and bounds – by talking non-stop (with us actually understanding), moving into his ‘Big Boy’ bed, and will begin potty training next week. Brandon has grown inches taller in the last few months – I should learn to go school clothes shopping for him in January, rather than September.

Rick and I have had an enjoyable holiday vacation. We hosted Christmas Eve with my family and New Year’s Eve with my sisters and their families. We did our annual fondue celebration – having cheese, meat, and chocolate! As with the last two years, I always add a new recipe to our fondue menu…but we always agree that the standards we started with back in 2003 are the winners. This year I noted that on the recipes – but that won’t stop me from trying new things on my unexpecting guests!

On the quilting front…I have gotten lots done during the last few days I have had off of work. I finished two table runners, put binding on two other wall hangings and finally pre-washed fabric for a future Christmas gift of 2009. I am feeling a bit more organized now. I also am very proud of my restraint from not visiting all quilt shops in the area for their end-of-the-year sales. I did get to Bear Patch Quilting Co and puchased 2 yards of red fabric for a future project – but that was it!

New Year’s Resolutions….I can always come up with something. This year I would like to continue fitting fitness in my life and busy schedule. I would also like to get the house a bit more organized – by going through all of our closets, cabinets, and all other nooks and crannies. Number one goal…start piecing together my dream closet organizing system. The sticker price shocked me in 2008, but if I buy in parts – maybe I can justify it for 2009. Besides, it’s my 2009 resolution, and we all know we have to follow those!

Well, sad to say, no pictures to post of my New Year’s party – forgot to get the camera out. But I promise in other posts to share pictures of us throughout the year.

Happy New Year – here we come 2009!