Snow

Well, the first signs of winter are here. I woke up this morning and let Harley outside and was surprised to see our yard covered in snow. Unfortunately we didn't get much time to play in the snow because we had to rush off to work. I did get a few pictures of the snow.

Missing Dad

I was going thru my summer vacation photos earlier this week (I know I'm really behind on things) and I found this photo that just made my heart melt. We went on vacation in Galveston this summer and my Dad was staying overnight nearby. We drove to Kemah to meet him for dinner and we snapped this photo on the boardwalk. I will treasure these memories forever.

New Post Coming Soon

I know I am really behind on blogging these days. I promise when things settle down I will write a new post.

Summer Fun Photos

Rascal Flatts & Darius Rucker Concert





Fun at the pool





Rough Riders Game



Fourth of July




Jaden showing off on his scooter

Busy Summer

I realize it has been a while since I have posted. Summer finds us very busy this year. It started off with potty training that has been very successful. We find ourselves at the pool on most days and Jaden loves it. He wants to swim everyday. So I guess you can say we are all working on our tans. We also went to the Rascal Flatts & Darius Rucker concert. They were awesome. I really hope we can go again next year. And then there was the fourth of July. We had a great time with friends, eating hotdogs, swimming, and watching fireworks. Jaden had a great time and actually enjoyed the fireworks this year. Not so much last year. Well anyways, I hope this catches you up with what we have been up to. The next thing on our list is our trip to San Antonio & Galveston. Its going to be really hot but I hope we have a good time.

I will post pictures of our summer activities soon!

Potty Training

**** UPDATE **** Potty training is going surpisingly well.

Well its official. We are now potty training. It happened a little quicker than I was expecting but the girls at Jaden's daycare think he is ready. We have been doing pull ups for the last couple of days, but Jaden can't really tell the difference between diapers and pull-ups so today we are trying big boy underwear(and lots of extra clothes). I am really anxious to see how he does today. I guess I am going to be spending my long weekend potty training.

Eczema

Jaden with his "big band-aid"
Well after months of fighting eczema I finally gave in and took Jaden to the doctor expecting to get some miracle cream that would make it all go away. Instead the doctor suggested we try wet wrap therapy. This means I get to convince my 2 year old every night for 2 weeks that he gets to wear bandages on his hand while he sleeps. We also get to cover it with a sock. I thought this would be a big ordeal for Jaden but he did really well. Last night before he went to be we wrapped his hand with some wet gauze and then I let him pick out a colored sock to put over it. Once that was done we put a spiderman sticker on the sock to make it "cool". I was surprised he handled it so well and I am anxious to see how it goes tonight. I really hope this works because his poor little hand looks so bad. Anyways...I took pictures of Jaden with his "big band-aid" on and I will post them later.

Scavenger Hunt

My office did a scavenger hunt today for a team building exercise. My team did an awesome job. We had a great time taking photos. We only had a few people look at us like we were crazy. Anyways. Here are a few of my favorites.

April

These last few weeks have been so busy around the Willett house. We have had full weekends planned since about the middle of March. I don't see things slowing down anytime soon either with Easter right around the corner. We are looking forward to driving home to Louisiana to visit with our families. It has been close to 4 months since we have seen them. Jaden has been talking about everyone and I know he will be so excited to see everyone.

Saturday was a trip to Canton. The girls took a day and shopped til we dropped. We came home exhausted with lots of goodies. Some of my purchases included 10 jars of pepper relish(I know!!!), some new flip flops, a wagon for Jaden, a new badge lanyard, a cute key chain, a key holder, and some cute Easter yard art. It was alot of fun and I can't wait til our next trip.

Yesterday we took some bluebonnet pictures. They didn't turn out the best but we got what we got. It was freezing because he wind was blowing and we were on the side of a busy road. So we got out of the car, snapped a few pictures, and then got back in the car. It took a while for Jaden to agree to take some pictures. The first time we got out of the car walked over to the bluebonnets and Jaden started crying. So we got back in the car and headed home. He then decided that he wanted to try again, so we turned around and headed back to the bluebonnets. On the way home we got a call from the neighbor that Harley got out of the yard. So we rushed back home hoping the foster dog Charity was still in the yard. Sure enough we get home and there is Charity but no Harley to be found.

I also said goodbye to a dear friend of mine (Trudy). Her family is moving back to North Carolina on the 17th and we had a big brunch at Church to bid them farewell. It was very sad to say goodbye even though I will see her in the fall for the next scrapbook retreat. She is a sweet friend and will be missed dearly.

Anyways...just a quick recap from our busy weekend. I will post pictures later from the bluebonnets.

I've got boogers!

Yes...my son told me that he has boogers. I could hardly contain my laughter as he says this when we are laying down trying to take a nap on Sunday!

Thanks for the information Jaden!

What can happen in a month!

Its amazing the changes that happen to a 2 year old in a month. Don't get me wrong...Jaden's terrible twos are in full swing but he had made so much improvement. Here are just a few examples:

(1) Bedtime - This is probably the biggest improvement yet. A little over a month ago bedtime was the most stressful time of the day. Jaden would cry for an hour or longer in bed and he often woke up several times during the night. Now, he actually tells us he is ready for bed. He reads his book, says his prayers and then goes right to sleep. No more sitting by the door listening to him scream.

(2) Prayer - Jaden loves to pray for his friends before bedtime. Here is a list of the people he prays for. It is quite lengthy. (Daddy, Mommy, JJ, Harley, Ethan, Shana, John, Nana, Papaw, Grammie, Papa, Ms. Jenn, Ms Mandy, Hayden, Jack, Hunter, Marcus, Lisa, CJ, Paige, Logan, Kylie, and so on) Sometimes we have to go thru the list a second time.

(3) Daycare - a few weeks ago Jaden would cry when I would drop him off. He wanted me to hold him and would get so upset when I would leave. Soon I was able to bribe him with a morning snack and he would do okay with this. Now he runs to his classroon, opens the door and is ready to push me out the door before I can even get in the classroom.

He just really amazes me at the progress he has made. Maybe he will be this good when it comes time to potty train.

BUSY BUSY BUSY

There are 3 words that can describe this week. BUSY BUSY BUSY. OK, so its really only one word repeated 3 times but it still tells you how BUSY I am. The week started out with superbowl. We joined our friends the Muzykas, Waddells, and Paynes for a fun night. It was fun to watch all of the kids play and we only had to break up a few fights (mostly over Thomas the train). The next day was my first day on the new job. Although things have started off slow...it is to be expected. I have alot of software to download on my pc and not to mention about 10 boxes to unpack. Oh and lets not forget I have to setup my pc in my new office. This is always fun...there is so much to plug in. Unlike my old office I actually have enough outlets. I think I am finally settled in and now its time to start some training. I have alot of new stuff to learn(java, etl, weblogic, etc). I have alot of challenges ahead of me but I am up for it.

If thats not enough, Jaden's terrible twos are in full swing. I am so tired of hearing the word NO! We do plenty of time outs and even some spankings. I'm not sure how efficient these are...especially when he says "No hit my JJ". I really try hard not to laugh and keep a straight face but his is becoming more difficult.

Last Days

Well I am down to my last 2 days here with my AP team at JCPenney. I have turned over all of my work and I am now in the process of packing my office. First things first though, I must clean out all of the junk that I have collected over the last 6 years. Its amazing the stuff I am finding. Mostly old documentation that isn't even relevant anymore. Its a long process and it gets me thinking about the last six years and how much I have celebrated with these people. They have really become like family. I have my farewell lunch tomorrow and I think its really going to hit me then. I hope I can keep it together.

Well I just wanted to drop a quick note. I mean these boxes aren't going to pack themselves. Although I wish they would.

Facelift

I gave my blog a well deserved facelift. I am pretty happy with the results. Since I am in IT an all it was time for me to put those skills to work. Anyways...I think it turned out nice. What do you think?

***Update***
Nothing on my blog seems to work correctly after the facelift, so I am still working on this.

Jaden's 2 year portraits

I just got the proofs for Jaden's 2 year portraits and they are really cute. Here are a few of my favorites.

I love this one. It just shows his innocence.
Trying to show us his pockets.

Look how big and tall he is.
This one is precious. It just shows the silly side of a two year old.
We even managed to sneak in a few family photos

New Year, New Me

I am very excited now that we are in 2009. I know there will be many great things in store for this year. I have many resolutions to become a healthier and happier me. It may all start with a job in a different department. I have a meeting next week with the manager to discuss the position a little further. Althougth I am very comfortable where I am a change will be good for me. I am starting to get stale in my current role and just want to do something more exciting. Anyways here are my new years resolutions.

(1) Live Healthy - eat healthier, waste less, exercise more.
(2) Volunteer - I currently volunteer with the SPCA but I haven't been very active with them lately. I hope to become more active in this area of my life.
(3) Study the word - I would like to become more involved in bible studies and church activities. This is one area of my life that sometimes gets neglected.
(4) Become a better wife/mother. Sometimes I can let life get in the way of the things that are important to me. I just want to dedicate more time to my family so we can continue to grow closer together.

Well I guess that is enough for today.