Holiday Season

After loading my pics to Facebook, I realized that I've hardly taken any photos since this summer.  Maybe I'm too busy?  Maybe there's not much going on?  I'm going to try harder from here on out because life is so much better when it's captured on camera.

Christmas has come and gone.  Vacation hasn't been the least bit relaxing until today.  As soon as I got out of school for break, it's been crazy.  We adopted a family for Christmas and I took on the task of shopping for them.  It actually was much easier than buying for my own family.  I got all their clothes & toys purchased in two days.  At the same time I got family shopping done too, so it all worked out.  Then I had to get Mitch's office staff gifts together.  Not a big deal, except he usually does it.  

Poor guy has been so busy it's scary.  I'm talking around 50 patients a day!  and at least 4-5 surgeries a week.  It's a Catch 22.  It's good because he'll make more money...It's bad because he's at work after hours typing notes he doesn't have time in the day to get done.  Here's my beef with podiatry DPM vs MD.  They can't have/afford PAs, so there's no one to do a lot of the work for him.  He has MAs and they do a lot of work, but he needs more.  The only reason I'm complaining is because poor Dr. H is out & Mitch is doing all the work around there.  I keep telling myself that it'll be worth it next summer when she's back, but right now it sucks!  Dr. H is going to be on bedrest until forever...the baby is due in May I think (I hope she makes it that long for both mom & baby's sake).  But geesh!!! Mitch doesn't want to work 80 hours a week.  I don't want him to work that much either.  When the drama settles and things are back to normal, I truly hope he has a consistent schedule that doesn't stress him out and make him go to the office at 4 in the morning because he wanted to come home the night before to see me.  A person can only last so long with half the amount of sleep they should be getting.  I'm praying that his health holds up and patients are fewer in 2011.  At least in the beginning anyway.  My man needs a break.

Positive note - Dr. H had only finished out half of her building originally...Now...they are almost complete with the other side...Mitch's side!  I know he's excited...I'm just happy that I get to decorate his office.

Back to Christmas

My mom, sister, Mitch & I delivered presents to family in need on Christmas Eve.  I knew she would be overwhelmed, but nothing beats the happy tears we saw from this mom of three beautiful children.  Ayron (5) & LaMondre (18mo) where the cutest, most excited kiddos I have ever seen.  Jafarie (9) wasn't there, so I can only imagine his reaction when he got home.  I called the mom that morning to let her know we were coming, but the boys didn't know.  Her little apartment with hardly anything turned into a wonderland of presents.  There was a tiny Christmas tree in the corner...it was only about 2ft tall.  Had I known, I would have brought a tree and decorations to complete the scene.  She was quiet.  The boys all smiles.  The four of us each brought in a couple of presents...then we went back out to the car for more.  Tears were flowing by the end of it.  We didn't stay long.  I wonder if they waited until Christmas day to open their gifts or if the excitement was too much and they opened them that night.  Either way, I hope our small contribution made it a little easier on her this year.  I hope that the boys always remember this time of giving and do the same for others.

For Ayron

For Jafarie

For LaMondre

Side note - I will have to remember next time to give the family a disposable camera, so they can capture the memories of Christmas.  Mom got gifts too.  They just aren't pictured.

I think every family that can afford it should do something like this every year.  Each couple in our small family gave between $100-$200.  When it all added up, we had about $700 to spend on another family.  Get an angel from the tree.  Adopt a family.  Volunteer at a shelter or soup kitchen.  Remember that you are more fortunate than so many people and your contribution goes a long way.  It's the season of giving.

After delivering gifts to our family, we headed to Fort Worth for our traditional Christmas festivities at my grandmother's.  It seems we've turned it into Mexican themed everything.  Mexican food, Mexican  desserts, & Mexican games.  Ok, so some of it isn't traditional Mexican, but we have opted not to have turkey, ham and the other traditional Christmas stuff anymore.  Katie & Wade did all the cooking.  We opened gifts & played Mexican Train Dominoes...It's my new favorite thing to do!!  

Mexican Limon Popsicles...could be dipped in tequila for a margarita popsicle maybe?!

About to play Mexican Train Dominoes

What one might see if they drank all of these beers...I did not.

Dominoes that lasted well into the night & had me making strata at 2 in the morning

Christmas Day was spent at our house.  I made strata for brunch, we relaxed all day, played games, watched Christmas movies...It couldn't have been better.  I don't think I got out of my PJs all day.  I will give all credit in the world to Leslie for showing us Liverpool Rummy.  We played several times in two days...each resulting in ME WINNING!!!  Mitch got a 15 game set of traditional games like checkers, chess, Chinese checkers, etc...We played lots of those too.   After snacking on yummy goodness all day, no one was hungry for dinner, so no Christmas dinner was had.  Is that bad? I guess I can't force people to eat if they don't want to.  I'm so glad that we finally had Christmas at our house.  I'm hoping it becomes tradition.

Cute new scrub caps for mom

Sleepy bunny

Could our fireplace be anymore 1985?  I wouldn't complain if it was from 1921.

Eww...gross kisses from Rox

Cruiser makes my dogs so happy!! He played king that day :)

How did my dad manage to steer clear of the camera?!

Here's some other stuff from this season...

Do you see what I see?  All of the Christmas lights at Deer Field & Highland Park were beautiful.  Really, in HP, I think it's the homes, not the lights so much :)

Our house - Thanks Wade, Mitch, Mom, & Katie...I didn't lift a finger...ok...I did put the garland & lights around the door & hung the wreath.

Tacky Christmas Sweater Day at work...Won't wear it again...got too many compliments.  Will have to find something worse for next year.

He couldn't be sweeter

This post is dedicated to Angie & Dave's sweet boxer Colt who passed away on Christmas day.  I can't imagine how hard it was for them.  We loved him like he was our own.  What a good guy!

Love you Colt!