Sickness!...This was the week that sickness overtook our household. And sadly it just seems like a continuation of the previous weeks. Ugh! No more sickness, please. Over the last few weeks, the kids have taken turns with strep. Last weekend, Jacob had strep Fri-Sun. Monday he was ready to go back to school. Monday morning at 3am, Julia started throwing up and didn't go back to school until Thursday. Friday morning, Jacob started throwing up. John got home Wednesday night and didn't feel good for a couple of days and then threw up yesterday morning. Needless to say, I spent most of yesterday cleaning and sanitizing the house. Will finish the project today (which means floors...ick!). If I have any say in the matter, this sickness will not continue! Please....I am begging....

More Snowflake Ball pics...

Pics From Snowflake Ball...

Wow!...So much has happened since the last post. The kids went back to school on Jan 4 and that afternoon I was offered a temp job for 3 weeks. I started the next day and that temp job has turned into a fulltime job with a raise...yea! Right now it is a contract job but I am hoping by the end of summer that I will be fulltime with benefits. The people are really nice and it is only 10 minutes from home. Plus, on the few occasions that the kids have been sick or we've had snow, I've gotten to work from home. That has been so great!

Jacob participated in the UIL Music Memory competition in early February. He came in 8th place (94%) in his category which included 28 people. We are so proud of him. That same day, Jacob and I got to go to Great Wolf Lodge for a birthday sleepover with his friend, Anthony. We had a GREAT time! While we were gone, John and Julia had Daddy/Daughter Day complete with going to see "Princess and The Frog" at the movies, dinner out, and new roller skates for Julia. What a day!

At the end of January, I got to meet up with old college friends, Annie and Mary Kay, for a girl's day in Dallas while Annie was in town for a gymnastics meet. We had a great time catching up, window shopping, and good food/wine. Been a long time since I had a great girl's day like that!

John and I also got to go to the Cotton Bowl to watch OSU play. Although the outcome was stinky, we had a great time with college friends, Kristen and Steve Terrell.

Last night was the Daddy/Daughter Snowflake Ball in our neighborhood. John and Julia went out Thursday night to pick out a beautiful new dress. I got her all ready yesterday with manicure/pedicure/curled hair/makeup. She was absolutely GORGEOUS if I do say so myself. I can't believe she is growing up so fast. They had a great time at the ball and I am posting a bunch of pics for you to see for yourself.

This coming week we start the process for Jacob to get braces which is both exciting and nerve racking for him (and us). But luckily he is only supposed to need them for about 14-16 months and only on the top. Wish us luck

Well, I think that brings us up to speed even though it still feels like I am missing something...oh well...maybe I'll remember later...ha!

Have a great week!

Happy New Year!...I am so far behind with blogging. We had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. I have a lot of pictures to post once I get them downloaded(with the new camera John got me for Christmas). But besides Christmas, we have enjoyed spending time with the kittens (who are now 2 1/2 weeks old...so cute), Jacob and Julia each had their first sleepovers during Christmas break, Julia lost her first tooth, and John and I went with our friends, Kristen and Steve, to watch OSU play in the Cotton Bowl. Very fun and the new Dallas Cowboy stadium is very cool. However, the game sucketh. That is putting it mildly. Good thing our tickets were free...ha!

Anyway, kids went back to school on Monday and I started a temp job yesterday that is supposed to last at least the next 3 weeks. Maybe it'll turn into something more permanent. That would be great! And I've lost 4 lbs in the last week and a half since I started Jenny Craig. So, keep us in your prayers and we'll do the same. May your 2010 be wonderful!

Sweetie and Family...Our stray cat, Sweetie, had 4 baby kittens over the weekend. She is a great mama and so sweet (hence the name) and doesn't care how many times a day we come in to look at the sweet kittens. They were born sometime during the night between Friday and Saturday. This was our surprise as we brought her food the next morning. As you can imagine, the kids (and the adults) are excited about this sweet new family just in time for Christmas when we celebrate the most wonderful baby of all. Thank you, Jesus, for all your blessings.

Daddy Daughter Day...This week has been a catch up/get back into the routine for us. And I finally got the house fairly clean...yea! That feels good. Here are a couple of pictures from John and Julia's last Daddy/Daughter Day. So cute! She does love her make up! So funny. I just love that sweet face.

Christmas is zooming in fast. But other than the Christmas tree, the inside and outside is decorated. And after school today, John and the kids are heading out to get the Christmas tree. Tonight will be a fa-la-la-la-la tree decorating extravaganza at the Elliott house. Will post pictures of the completed product. Tomorrow night John is taking us all the see the Nutcracker. Now that Julia is in ballet/tap, I think she will really love seeing all those dancers. Can't wait!