Change

I am not great with change. I know change is inevitable and don't get me wrong - sometimes it's good. But good or bad I have a hard time adapting. I like consistency and I'm not a huge surprise person unless it's receiving money or some pampering thing I would never do otherwise. I am the kind of person who would pick out her own gifts so I know it will go in my house or fit or just that I'll like it. Jason has a hard time shopping for me unless I go with him or he just gets me a massage or pedicure. (You can't go wrong with gift cards!) I love my children to death but the change that brought to our house was HUGE! and I had a very difficult time adapting. (Especially to the change in my sleep patterns). I like quiet time - that changed. I like to read a lot - that changed. I used to exercise a lot.....if you could see me you would be able to see that has changed too. I have worn my hair virtually the same my whole life. (Color has changed but it has always been long) I have clothes in my closet (this is almost emarrassing to admit) that are from college. I have a hard time adapting to the new styles. I am always the last one to change to the new style and then they change the style again! I figure if I hold onto the clothes long enough they'll come back in.

I say all of this so you understand how hard this next change in my life will be. Jason will be changing to a different shift this month. After being on red shift for almost 8 years he will be going to blue shift. I know you are probably thinking, "What's the big deal - at least he didn't lose his job." While this is true and I am thankful he has a job you have to understand that I work around Jason's schedule. Therefore, when his changes mine has to also. We just changed to this schedule in January and now I have to go to my office and tell them we have to completely rearrange my schedule. This wouldn't be so bad but we just set it all up for the next 2 years. I wasn't sure they were going to let me work around his days off at first and after going through and moving a bunch of patients and marking days off around red shift I now have to do it all again around his new shift. Like I said.....I don't do well with change. Even good change can be hard for me. I am sure God is trying to stretch me and make me grow .......... to be more flexible and adaptable ..........and just trust Him. It will take some time but I'm sure I'll get used to it - but watch - just when I do they'll change something on me again. I might adapt eventually but that doesn't mean I have to like doing it!

Colton is 3

Colton celebrated his 3rd birthday this year. I can't believe he's 3 - time goes too fast! He was so excited about his birthday this year and had a lot of fun with his cousins at his party. He loves "Cars" so we had a Cars party. The race track must have been too realistic, though as I found he and a cousin driving the cars on it. We repaired it as best we could - I just wish we had taken pictures before they found it! Colton has been asking for a bicycle for quite a while so Jason and I decided to get him one. He is still getting the hang of riding it hopefully we'll get more nice days so he can practice. I'm afraid we won't be able to keep up with him once he gets going. Thanks to everyone for the fun party and gifts!

Colton wanted all his cars on the cake - I did my best!

Blowing out the candles

The kids are ready for cake

Colton's new "Cars" bike

Colton goes to Walking with Dinosaurs

We took Colton to see the "Walking with Dinosaurs" show. I thought he might be afraid so we warned him the would be loud. He put his hands over his ears before the show started and barely removed them through the entire performance. He wasn't scared, though. He was in awe of the big dinosaurs. He has been coming into the living room saying "It's walking with dinosaurs" and telling us the T-Rex is walking with him. I love that he is pretend playing now - it's so much fun to watch. (Kinzie came to the show as well - she slept through the whole thing!)

Walking with Dinosaurs

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

We began Monday at the "Bouncin' Craze" with some of the other Mom's and kids from Church. They had a great time - but it got very icy while we were there. We went home very cautiously and haven't left since.

Colton has been wanting to throw snowballs and make a snowman all winter. Kind of difficult with this snow/sleet/ice mix. He did manage to throw a few snowballs at Jason and I - he even tried to put snow in his bucket to build a snowman but it didn't work. He thought the snow tasted good. But it was cold going down his slide. We also found out his Jeep does not have 4 wheel drive as it just spun the tires when he tried to drive it! All in all he thought the snow was fun - but he enjoyed the hot chocolate when he came inside.

Kinzie wasn't quite ready to play in the snow. She enjoyed keeping warm by the fire and likes her new chair - especially when Colton sits by her!

Snow Tubing

We went "snow tubing" at The Brick a couple of weeks ago with Jason's family. I had been told it was fun and thought Colton would enjoy it so off we went bundled up for some sledding. It should have been called "ice tubing" as the man-made snow was now a slide of ice. Colton went down the smaller slide close to 2 dozen times as everyone took a turn or two going down with him. The real workout came carry 2 tubes around the baseball field, up the stairs and back to the pile. Maybe next year he'll be able to carry his own!

"That was fun - let's do it 'gain"

Daddy and Colton

Kinzie kept warm in an area blocked from the elements with a heater - she enjoyed being held and cuddled all evening.

Christmas at the Hazzards

Christmas was a lot of fun at our house this year. Colton really enjoyed decorating the Christmas tree and watching Christmas movies. It was fun for us to see him be so excited by everything. We enjoyed our time at Nana and Papa's house and Sugars and Papa Ray's house the weekend before Christmas. Santa Clause made an early visit at Sugars and Papa Ray's. He sang songs and read the kids a story before bringing the presents out of his bag. Colton sat on his lap and was so excited for the Buzz Lightyear he got! Kinzie did great, too! No tears this year. We then had Christmas at home and at Gran'pa and Mimi's on Christmas Eve. I had strep throat - but still had fun watching the kids. The tree is now down and Santa is sleeping to rest up for next year - but I have a feeling the spirit will live on in our house all year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We pray that 2009 will be a wonderful year for everyone.

Merry Christmas from the Hazzards

Kinzie's First Christmas

Colton says "Santa"

"Look at my new scooter"


Daddy helps Kinzie unwrap her gifts

"I've been good..most of the time"

Santa thought I was a sweet baby!

Mommy even told Santa what she wanted for Christmas... He said her list was out of Santa's price range.