Had a good time at Thanksgiving with the Good family. We missed the Burns' and Grammy and Grandad, but we heard they had a good time up in Columbus. Looking forward to Christmas. It will be a nice long visit with the families. I think Ryan and I may invite ourselves out with Joe and Meredith. I want to feel young again and have fun on New Year's eve. It's been awhile.

We got our Christmas tree last night. It's not one of our bests, but it's still got a nice shape and it's full. Ryan made a fire and we decorated it last night when the kids went to bed. We saved a few ornaments for Hannah to hang today. I don't think she would have had the attention span to make it through the whole decorating event. I took a break to watch the end of the biggest loser finale. Has anyone else watched this show? Wow is all i can say! I cannot believe how good those top 3 looked and supposedly it was all done by diet and exercise alone. surely they had to have some skin removed you would think to be able to have abs that look like that, but if not then it gives me hope at restoring my baby blobbed belly.

Hannah has been waking up around 4am and just talking to herself for who knows how long because i usually fall right back to sleep. but as a result she hasn't been getting up until 9 or 9:30am which is why i am able to write this blog right now at 9:30. and Caleb has been sleeping until 8 or 8:30am so i am enjoying the "sleeping" in while it lasts. but i do hear hannah talking away in there now so i must depart.

have a great rest of the week!

you know that balance i was talking about last blog..well it was nice while it lasted. actually it's not that bad, but my house is a disaster area. Ryan was in California this past weekend and left me once again as a single mom. So I packed up the kids and dog and headed to Cincinnati. I had a great visit with Mom Good and Dad Good. I don't think i have been up there by myself since I stayed with them when Ryan and I were engaged. Mom and Aunt Dee dee watched Hannah and Caleb on Saturday while i drove back down here to go to a conference on creating a life you love. It was awesome people! If a Jennifer Degler ever comes to speak your way, i highly highly recommend going. She just had a way with words that were so simple yet profound, not to mention a really funny lady. It was all about finding balance in your life and what your really value and making sure you make decisions everyday that honor those values and saying no to everything else. That was so awesome of mom and aunt dee dee to take on that task. But they had a great time too getting to know Caleb more and playing with Hannah so it worked out great. Then Saturday we had a girl's night out and dad Good stayed home while mom and aunt dee dee and i went to Caribou(sp?) coffee. it was a cute place and had a yummy turtle mocha. we stayed there chatting until midnight! they closed at 11pm, but the workers said we could stay there as long as they were there. Ryan had a great time in Cali too, which I am glad he was able to go. And get caught up on football watching time. 6 hours straight..that's impressive.

welp i'm done procrastinating. time to make dent in the disaster called the kitchen and living room. have a great week all and i look forward to reading a blog soon from Tracey! ;)

Just enjoying life and being content which is something that i'm not usually so that has been a nice change. Last week Ryan diagnosed me as an extreme thinker. When things are good, i'm floating on cloud 9, but when they are bad it's the worst ever. i've actually come a long way in this area, but his words are still truth. So being content is a huge step for me. I'm sure it won't last long, but i'll enjoy it while it comes. It's the first time in a very long time that i have balance in all areas of my life. Physically i feel great and have been working out, which also helps in the emotional department. Spiritually, God and I have been on this really cool journey where i'm really enjoying him as a friend and we have little conversations in my mind thru out the day. thats been really uplifting. Ryan and I are doing great, and the kids and the house routine are coming together. ahhh i sigh in peacefulness just thinking about it.

i'm looking forward to this weekend. our semi-annual girl's trip is on once again. we have yet to go anywhere else but cincinnati, but none of us really have money to do anything else and just getting away and being girls for a day or 2 is all we need. plus we have become spoiled with our belgium waffle maker at the hotel we stay at. actually we did change that up. this hotel not only has the waffle maker, but a pool and outdoor. look out! :)

ok question for you all...do you think that God is ok with wanting to retire and travel a lot? i've heard different christian speakers talk about how we should be working our whole lives. that's what God called us to do. that really depresses if that's so. just thought i'd see what you all think. reading about the Ireland plans and watching Amazing race has been putting me in the mood for a great trip, but alas that season is not quite here yet for us. but before we know it we'll be able to get up and go again.

i think there's more to say, but my fingers don't want to type anymore. have a great weekend all. i know i will!