Our vacation is almost over. This time last week we were sitting in a hotel south of Atlanta and I was just thrilled to be away from home with a week of excitement ahead. Tonight, I am sitting in a hotel room south of Savannah and I can't wait to get home. I think 5 days out of town is about my limit. We had a wonderful time and experienced some new adventures with the kids.

Can I just say that I have a new favorite hotel??

La Quinta Inns & Suites

We stayed here on the way up to Tennessee last Saturday and again tonight. They were both in the $70 price range with free wi-fi, free breakfast and they are pet friendly. Both rooms were very clean and the beds comfy.

I am crazy tired and just had a giggling attack - laughter tears and all! I haven't been more than 10 feet away from my kids in an entire week and I think I've gone crazy!! As I sit here typing, Mason is turning the lamp beside me off and on and off and on. Somehow I have had an incredible amount of patience this week. I have had to take some deep breaths a few times but managed to stay calm and sweet (all while un-medicated).

We're Here!

We finally make it to Tennessee. I already feel more relaxed.



This is my current view -

We are staying at a cabin named Starry Hope and I think I'm in Heaven. After staying in a hotel on the road last night - this definitely feels like a little slice. We have 3 (yes - 3) floors all for our little family of four. We have flat screen TVs on every floor, along with video games, pool table, board games and much, much more. No, I don't plan to spend the entire time indoors but when the weather is chilly it sure feel nice to sip hot chocolate by the fire (even if it is only gas logs).

Couch to 5K

Tonight was my first Couch to 5K meeting. I have been waiting for weeks to finally get started. I have always wanted to try running but just couldn't get the technique down. The Fit Niche (a local athletic store) will give us a weekly schedule and pointers to help master running. After 8 weeks of training we will run a 5K as a group. This all sounds great and fun in theory but it probably won't be so much once the hard work begins. Especially next week when I am running the hills of Tennessee in 35 degree weather. I hope our little cabin community has a gym.

I bought these great running shoes last month - I hope they help!

Singing in the tub!

I have been meaning to blog a little story about Mason for days now. Mostly, so I can read about it for years to come.

The other day I put Mason into the bathtub to soap... for anyone with boys, you know what that means. How do they get so dirty? I crashed on the sofa to watch a little TV when I heard Mason singing/humming. He hates to sing and hates for anyone around him to sing. I think this is the first time in all his 6 years that I have heard this coming from him. He was simply humming the tune to Indiana Jones. He has never actually seem the movie so I can only imagine that commercials do work. I don't know why but this whole thing just brought a smile to my face. It was a moment of complete love. Sometimes it's the small things. I just wanted to jump up and give him a bear hug. Instead, I just sat there smiling and enjoying the tunes.

Sleep?

I have been awake since 6:10 a.m. What do you do in house when everyone else is sleeping? I need to stay quite, so I'll just blog. I have been having problems with sleep this week. For the past year (since giving up caffeine after lunch - most days) I have taken great pride in my ability to sleep. Maybe, it's the excitement of Christmas. Maybe, it's the horrible diet I'm consuming. Whatever the reason, I need to sleep.

The funny thing about all this - If this was a work day for my, I would be begging for a few more minutes and prying my eyes open to stumble to the shower. Isn't it funny how that works??

Maybe, I'm just excited (nervous) about bringing the new addition of our family home today. His name in Bruno (I hope to change that) and he is a 9 month of American Bulldog/Boxer SPCA rescue. Bobby and the kids have fallen in love. I'm sure I will also. My only concern is Boomer. I sort of feel like I'm bringing a new baby home from the hospital. Will Boomer feel replaced and unloved? We have our happy routine in place and I am uneasy about changing it up.

-- Boomer always sleep with us - I'm not so sure about a 55 lb. dog.
-- Boomer feeds on demand. We have never had a scheduled meal time.
-- Boomer always gets the last few drops of milk from my cereal and Bobby's evening snack.
-- Boomer always rides with me to drop the kids at school every day.
-- Boomer scratches at the door to go potty.
-- Boomer was finally getting to go on vacation with us this year.

How will a new dog fit into all this? I'm sure everything will work out O.K.

Last weekend we took our annual trip to our church to see the live version of the Christmas Story. It was really impressive. It kinda takes you back to what it was like in those times. They had live actors and animals playing the parts - and even had a real baby playing baby Jesus. In addition, there were thousands of lights, hot chocolate, cookies, Christmas carols, plenty of photo opts and yes, Santa.

That brings me to the rest of the story.

It seems that this event is growing each year. This is great news. It provided many people their first opportunity to hear about the birth of our Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas.

The lines were really long but everyone was happy to wait while enjoying the choir singing. It was finally our turn to visit the Ho Ho Man (I like to call him that) and the kids were oh so excited. Santa's Elf opened the door only to find that a family had sneaked in the back door (avoiding the 45 minute line) and were taking our turn. The sweet Elf just said Oops! it'll be just another minute. What!! Are you serious? I wanted to say - but it is church after all.

No, problem we were still having a good time. We brought our neighbors along with us and while the kids were confused they didn't seem upset. It was finally truly our turn. When we entered the room and saw Santa and Mrs. Claus I noticed that Kaylea did not seem very happy. I didn't have time to question this expression before we were instructed to hurry because Santa had a line over 1 hour long waiting to see him. What! Are you serious? I wanted to say - but it is church after all so I just quickly guided the children onto Santa's lap and we took one picture.

After leaving Santa's "Workshop", Kaylea informed me that Santa isn't real because they had another identical Santa in the room across the hall. Of course, we all know that Santa couldn't possible do all the work on his own so he hires helpers. Our church just needed extra help on this busy night so Santa sent two. She understood!

I am sitting here at work reading blogs, a little bored (which doesn't happen often at work) and thought I would do a post.

I am really quite dreading the dreadful after school hours. I feel a little jab of guilt as I write that. How lucky I have to have a flexible job! I leave work at 2:30 everyday in time to fetch my kids off the bus. I truly love that I am able to do this everyday. But, it is the most challenging time of the day. I usually go home to a messy house because all chaos breaks out in the morning rush to get ready. The kids are cranky, tired, and LOUD all rolled into one and my patience level is -10. I have been trying for years to solve this problem. I haven't solved it yet!!

It is also my most unproductive time of the day. I'm not sure why!! I just can't get things rolling. I have every intention of starting laundry, cleaning house, cooking dinner, helping with homework... but all of a sudden it's 6:00 and I haven't accomplished any of these things and I have nothing in mind for dinner. Why does this happen?? I think I will make it my New Year's resolution to change this about myself (even though I don't believe in resolutions). The good news is - my sweet hubby comes home to this everyday (after a hard days work) and is just happy as can be - even in the midst of the chaos. I just love this easy going side of him!!

Anyway, I am ready to leave work now. I have a positive and a little energy (due to my slow day of work) - maybe today will be the day for change - Oops - that sounds like a campaign slogan. I'll keep you posted.