Christmas . . . better late than never!

Ever so slightly behind on blogging . . . but I am trying to catch up! Here are a few pictures from our Merry Christmas!

Brevin had to pose with everything he opened! Love the face!

Dilyn . . . love her toothless grin!

Mommies was ever so slightly tired!

Grammy made each girl an apron and gave them each a recipe book . . . so cute!

Haidyn the Grr . . . she finally got her DS . . .

Caitlyn wanted Lego's . . . luckily she has aunts and uncles to answer the call!

What every dad should be doing on Christmas!

The Eve of Christmas

Just a bit of fun waiting for the fat man in the red suit . . .

Dance . . . Christmas Style!!

One of my favorite things at Christmas is watching my girls dance . . . Well, that is one of my favorite things to do anytime! I am so proud of them! They are so amazing! I love to watch them as they continue to progress with their abilities. They never fail to bring tears to my eyes!

This year was no different in the tears department . . . I had failed to realize that I worked the night before . . . so I got home at 6:00 AM and they had to be there and ready at 10:15 . . . so needless to say, with less than 2 hours sleep, I was tired and emotional and I know I offended and was rude to a few people along the way . . . oops.

Dilyn danced to "Santa Baby". Check the bling on her finger! Dilyn has come such a long ways! From running off the stage crying to just standing there scowling to now doing her entire performance! Fabulous girl! Just fabulous!!

Haidyn is becoming very accomplished in her Ballet! Of course, she tells me it is her least favorite.

Haidyn was a present in the production number . . . I love this picture of her . . . isn't she beautiful!!

My only complaint this year was that Caitlyn only performed one dance and it was the production number . . . didn't get to see her dance much, but thanks to an extremely short costume, we saw LOTS of her!! Can you tell which one she is?!

I love these beautiful girls!

Haidyn's Birthday . . .

Well, I have been a slacker as of late . . . so I will be updating over the next week or so . . . I hope there are those who still check us out!!

Haidyn turned 10 back in December! I can't believe it! She is getting so tall and is such an amazing sister! We had family over as well as a big friend party . . . she got lots of fun presents!

For her "theme" she only wanted orange and green . . . we try to deliver!!

Just look at that cake! I love the look on the little boys faces! So sweet!

For her friend party, I borrowed my wonderful neighbors dance studio (Thanks Tiffany!) as well as her daughter (Thanks Maddie!) to teach the girls a dance. They had so much fun!

We played a bunch of different games too! Silly girls, I think they had fun!
Happy Birthday Haidyn!

I Love What I Do . . .

Two years ago I decided it was time to change jobs . . . while I loved (chuckle) working in the deli at the neighborhood grocery store, it wasn't what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I grew up wanting to work in the healthcare world, first I wanted to be an ob/gyn, I determined I didn't want to go to school for that long and decided I would rather be a nurse. Unfortunately life happens. I didn't go to the school I wanted and wasted two years of my life doing what my mom wanted me to do. Then I got married and dropped out, big mistake.
So two years ago I took the first step to doing what I really wanted to do and took a CNA class and got my certificate. I then got a job working at an Alzheimers facility. I absolutely loved it!!! I loved my patients and there was never a dull day, not to mention every day was different. The only thing I didn't love was the 30 minute commute. Then a Rehabilitation facility was being built just down the road, luckily I got a job there. I have been working there for a year now and still love my job.
Back in August I switched from working in the afternoons to working the graveyard shift. So I go in at 10:00 at night and get home at 6:00 in the morning. And I couldn't love it more. A lot of people tell me how sorry they are for me to work the hours that I do, but I love it. Yes, I do lack in the sleep department, but I get to be home with my kids during the day, and get to help them with homework in the evenings and have dinner with them at night and even get to tuck them into bed before I leave for work. Another thing that is nice, I don't have to deal with management. How many people complain about their boss and the other people in the office. I don't see those people. How great is that! I see them on payday and that is about it. I also hear a lot that is must be quiet and not much goes on because everyone sleeps . . . HA! Yes, we do have nights where there are few call lights that go off, but I am usually moving all night long. Some nights are quieter than others and I have the opportunity to watch a movie, but it takes all night to watch the movie. Yes, there are some unpleasant things I get to do also, like change briefs and deal with some unpleasant people, but we all get to do things we don't want to do.
The best part of my job is that I get the opportunity to work with people that make work not seem like work. Lynette and I laugh and have fun all night long. Not to mention that she has become one of the best friends I have ever had. She has the ability to make a long and sometimes frustrating night to be fun and full of laughter!
Two weeks ago Caitlyn had to opportunity with the Young Women in the ward to spend an evening there visiting with the patients I have to opportunity to work with every night. I was so excited to have her spend time with these amazing people. It was fun to have her come home and tell me about what she talked about with my patients. I think she had fun learning a little about what I do.
I am getting my nursing degree. This isn't the ideal time to do it, but I am not giving up on my dreams and that a great thing to teach my children! I love my job, I really, really do!

Performance!

Caitlyn had to either take band or choir this year . . . she did NOT want to sing, so she chose band. She wanted to do percussion, but you had to either have one year of band first or taken piano for two years . . . she only had piano for one . . . Then she decided she wanted to play the Saxophone, but first you have to take clarinet for a year. So, this year she has been learning the clarinet. She is not necessarily loving it, but she is doing a really great job! She has unfortunately gotten a little bit of flack from a few so-called "friends" but she has continued her pursuit! She had her first performance two weeks ago . . . I am such a proud mommie! She did a great job! We love you Caitlyn!

She did such a good job!

Can you see her? This is the best picture I could get . . . most of them you couldn't see below her nose.

Brevin was asleep by the second song . . . he did not even hear her perform . . . I am sure he was heart broken. And yes, he slept through the entire performance!

Here is a sampling of her work . . . Jingle Bells . . . the Clarinets play second. Caitlyn is right in the middle, second row back.

The Tree!

Even though no one reads my blog, or if the do, they never leave me any comments to read, I will continue charting out progress through life. Now that it is just about Christmas, I thought I would let you know what we have been up to the last few weeks. We got up the tree . . . my favorite part. Although I gave in a few years ago and purchased a heavily discounted artificial tree (when working at Roberts) I still love the tree. I light my Christmas tree candle and call is good. I grew up with homemade ornaments on my tree and John thought that was good enough for our family too. It is one of my favorite traditions. We try to add new ornaments every year, most years we succeed at adding new ones.

Caitlyn and Haidyn adding their favorites. And of course they have to fight over which ones they get to put up.

Can you say attitude?

Can you say dork?

Brevin enjoyed and seems to understand what is going on. He is so excited for Santa to come, as long as he doesn't have to see him or talk to him.

Dilyn, what a sweet girl . . . I think she has written 3 or 4 letters to Santa this year.

The mom . . . inspecting everyones work . . . I gave it an A+. Super Job!!

Happy Birthday Haidyn!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HAIDYN LEIGH!

I can hardly believe it was 10 years ago that the sweetest baby came to our home!

Haidyn Leigh . . . born 13 December 1999, 2 weeks early, weighing 8 pounds 13 ounces! I just remember saying over and over how TINY shy was and being told she was a huge baby! Not after her sister!

From the moment she was born her eyes opened, she saw her Dad and fell in love! She has been a Daddy's girl ever since!

I love this picture of Haidyn and my mom . . . What a good Grammy!

A little girl and her pacifier! This was at Gary and Amy's wedding, wasn't she a cute Flower Girl!

Her first dance recital . . . No dancing occurred . . . she said it was because of the circles on her cheeks.

Not a fan of performing or having her picture taken . . . a little frustrating for her mom.

She started climbing right after crawling . . . which she did early too . . . there was no holding her back!

Did I mention she liked to climb?

Haidyn at one-year-old . . . such a cute girl!!

This was at Scott and Sharley's wedding . . . did I mention she didn't like having her picture taken?

My sweet girl!

She has fallen asleep in many different places, not to mention fallen out of bed and never woken up on numerous occasions! Crazy girl!

Luckily she loves to dance now! She is an amazing dancer!

One of my favorite picture of her!

She loves to play and have fun!

Thanks for being such a sweet girl! We love you Haidyn!

Living Planet Aquarium . . .

The day after Thanksgiving, when everyone else goes shopping, we decided to take the kids to the Aquarium . . . I didn't even know it was there until recently . . . The kids had a lot of fun . . .

This was checking out the eels . . . too close to snakes for me.

They have some fun interactive things . . . you can touch the stingrays and touch starfish and a few other things. This just made me think of our cruise . . . and how much I want to go back!

Look at my cute kids! We actually all got along for a whole afternoon! Imagine that!

John showing the kids this cute little fish in a homemade marsh. What a good Dad!!

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving! It is my favorite holiday! It really is! Main reason, I love the food! Funny thing, is that I hardly ever take pictures of this day . . . why is that? Probably because I am too busy cooking and shoving food in my face to pick up the camera and actually use it. This year Thanksgiving seemed so different than years past . . . probably because I was working graveyards this year and I worked the night before and the night of the Turkey day. So I was TIRED, but thank goodness for my Mommie! Shei s the best! She came and cooked up a storm for me and my family! I did help, but not as much as usual. I am so happy she came! I did take a few pics . . .

Isn't that boy just the cutest! With Caitlyn and Dilyn having, what I can only imagine, a very interesting conversation!

Look at that little posing boy! I think he learned it from his sisters! My mom, I'm sure giving lots of extremely helpful advice! Haidyn trying to avoid the picture altogether . . . so like her!

John carving that yummy turkey!

I thought I would list a few random things I am thankful for in the spirit of Thanksgiving, not the typical family and stuff . . . I have to be different!

Four-wheel drive . . . how do people drive in the snow without it!

My sleep mask and ear plugs . . . with working graves, a must!

Snow! . . . yes I know, lots of people hate it, I don't!

My 64 ounce mug . . . love it!

The funny things my kids say . . . they keep me laughing!

Trashy Romance Novels . . . don't ask.

Pink, Funhouse CD . . . gets me through cleaning the house with much fun!

My kitchenaid mixer . . . seriously, how did I get by without one!

the Internet . . . how did we get by without it!

NASCAR baby!

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving!

He Likes IT!!

My boy! He likes his sugar! He gets it from his daddy! I am sure of it! Whenever I am doing any baking of any kind, I have one little guy that must inspect everything! he grabs the stool and climbs up to see what Mommie is mixing up! And of course he always just wants a little taste. He comes at me with a spoon begging PLEASE and then puckers up those cute little lips to give me a kiss. He knows how to get what he wants!

Look at that face! Isn't it the cutest smile ever! He has started saying some pretty entertaining things, I am not sure where he comes up with them . . . for instance, the other day I was getting him dressed and he lifts up his arms and says to me "Mom, my armpits look like cheese." Now, if anyone can explain that one to me, I would greatly appreciate it! I love my little guy! He is full of fun! I love his hugs and I love it when he tells me he loves me! Nothing can be better than that!

Zzzz . . . . sleeping . . . . Shhh!

Everyone needs sleep . . . and sometimes we have to take it where we can get it . . .

This is Haidyn, the day after a sleepover . . . One reason I don't like sleepovers, they come home tired and ornery!

Brevin was watching a movie in the office . . . I'm guessing he got a little tired too.

And this would be me! This is how I have to sleep now, at least when I get to sleep. Please note the purple earplugs! They block out phones ringing, children yelling and the complaints of a husband. I highly recommend them!!!

I'm Alive!

I have neglected my poor blog! What's a girl to do! I told John he should take a picture of me this weekend with my sleep mask on and my earplugs in . . . seems to be the only way I can sleep anymore. Working graveyards 4 and 5 days a week has taken it's toll on me! I have been neglecting my family, my house, my cooking, and most likely my husband. I haven't even kept up on my favorite TV shows! How depressing is that! I just wanted everyone to know that LIFE still exists in the Baker house! The girls are all doing well at school. Caitlyn is seemingly adjust to middle school thus far! She has taken to her 7 classes and playing the clarinet surprisingly well! Haidyn is thriving in the 4th grade and will be 10 this next Sunday. Dilyn is loving Kindergarten and is enjoying her new friends! All the girls are still going to dance every week and I am impressed as usual at their abilities! (I am just glad they haven't taken after me! Not sure where they get it from, hard work most likely, because John ain't that graceful himself, remember falling off the roof?) Brevin . . . is adjusting to Preschool. He never seems to want to go, but I am told he warms right up after I leave and he says he has fun! Oh, and of course his teacher says he is brilliant! John is still with Richmond American Homes, he has survived all the lay-offs and is actually really busy at work! That is always a good thing! I will post some recent pictures this week . . . I promise! And I will let you know everything we have been up to!