We had a great week last week minus the cold and cough we were all getting over. We spent all of Friday together since both of us didn't have to work. We took Ella to a couple different parks. She had a blast, but didn't want to leave. Charley didn't have to work over the weekend. It was nice to have him home. He made us pancakes Sunday morning. Perfect breakfast for my long run! I was able to clock in 26 miles last week. I am trying to get more runs in since I'm not working as much. I think I might have to change my routes soon because Ella is getting way too heavy to push up some of the hills I run up.

Ella's ear infection cleared up, but she woke up last night with the flu. The poor girl just never gets a break... and neither do we! We seem to get over one thing just as we get something else.

I applied to the nursing program yesterday. I was told that I should know where I stand by mid-April.

I don't work again until Saturday. Hopefully I'll get to enjoy these next three days off...

Slow Going...

I can't believe it is Wednesday already... My nephew Luke Monroe is already a week old! He was born 1-14 at 1:14 PM. He is seriously perfect. My sis is of course a superwoman. I swear she was given the gift of being an amazing mother. I couldn't imagine having two children and she easily has four. Wow... And no, there will be no number two for us anywhere in the near future, or most likely never at all. There are so many reasons to that decision, but I don't feel like listing them all...

I had a nice long weekend at home with the family. I lost my voice on Friday morning, so I couldn't go to work Friday night. It was nice to just do nothing! Especially with the wonderful weather we've had. Not a cloud in the sky and up in the 60's!! Our run on Sunday was refreshing. I'm bummed the clouds and icky weather are back. Saturday night Charley and I went out for sushi while Ella went to Grandma and Grandpa's. It's so nice to get out alone every now and then. Sometimes I feel like we never see each other with our work schedules.

Ella has yet another ear infection. We're trying to treat it with ear drops alone. She's been on antibiotics too many times. We'll see how she does today. Other than that, life is good. ; )

Happy 2nd Birthday Ella!!!

Ella had her 2nd birthday on the 9th. We can't believe she is already growing up so fast. She's getting so good at communicating with us. She is saying so many more new words that we can't keep up. Sometimes I still have trouble understanding what she says.

We had a gymnastics party for Ella on Saturday. She had a great time playing with all her friends. She's gotten really good at opening presents. She is very spoiled and we are extremely blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives.

I'm working a lot this week, but have Saturday and Sunday off. Charley and I are planning a date night since I am always stuck working on the weekends.

I am so excited for tomorrow. My sister Sage is going in at 6 AM to be induced and have my nephew!! I am going to head to the hospital as soon as I get off.

We've been having amazing weather here the past few days. It was nice to get out today and take Ella to the park.

2009!

Goodbye 2008 and hello 2009. I can't believe another year has come and gone. So many things happened in 2008 like losing my job, getting a new job, and finishing up my pre-requisite classes for the nursing program. Ella has grown a ton since last year. This time last year she wasn't even walking yet! Hopefully this year we are able to tackle potty training and getting her to sleep in her toddler bed.

It's also been a year since I lost all my weight on Weight Watchers. I lost over 45 pounds and have kept it off for a year. That was such a milestone in my life because I was able to accomplish something that I never thought would be possible. I would have never imagined in my entire life that I would be able to borrow my little sister's jeans. Now we are the same size. ; ) I am still weighing in once a month just to make sure that I am on track. My job has been helping me to stay on track because of all the running around that goes along with waitressing! Plus I'm not at home eating all day long anymore. I do miss my Ella when I'm gone, but it feels good to actually be bringing in good money.

I do have a couple resolutions for this year. Okay, maybe about four... 1. Like almost everyone else, I want to get to the gym more often. Now that I am working I find it hard to get there since I have Ella whenever I am not working. Sometimes I'm afraid to ask for help, but it's something I need to do for myself. I need to fit it into my schedule again. 2. I'm trying to get over living in fear. I've talked about this with my Dad before... I am always fearing something in my life. Whether it be getting in trouble at work or being attacked, I am always fearing that something is going to happen to me. I need to let go of that... 3. I want to start getting to church at least once a month. and 4. I want to sleep less and not be so lazy! I have been finding that if I don't set my alarm I sleep in too late. This makes me grumpy and groggy and I'm sick of it! I hope I can work on these resolutions this year and get them all accomplished by the end of 2009!

I am looking forward to Ella's 2nd birthday on Friday and her party on Saturday. I'll be sure to post lots of pics from that next weekend.

Happy new year!!