Inch by Inch

Well, I honestly can't believe tomorrow will already be Valentine's Day. To me, it seems like this year just started, and yet I know that I am going to blink and the summer is going to be here and all that it brings with first birthdays, graduations and more.

Anyway, there still isn't too much going on in our neck of the woods. But there are a few things I guess that may be blogworthy-- things that are coming together slowly, or inch by inch-- there you have the title folks, if you watch "Family Guy" like Daniel, and thus I, do then you can reference Peter here and his love of titles being thrown into dialogue.

First of all, our little guy is so close to crawling. He is constantly putting himself up on his knees and rocking back and forth until he just decides, the heck with it, I am good army crawling everywhere or whining until some sorry sucker (me) picks him up and carries him away. So, inch by inch, and slowly, but surely, I know he will get there soon.

Secondly, my internship search, is coming to a close, fingers crossed at least. On Friday, I interviewed at the Alumni Center with the Director of Marketing and Membership. The job sounds like my dream job and is such a perfect fit with where I see my career path heading, however, it is completely public relations based. I am, as you know, a journalism major, begrudgingly, and that is where the hang up comes in. I was offered the position on the spot (the lady I interviewed with was a founding charter member of my sorority, and I may have happened to mention that I was a member when I saw all of her stuff-- hey, network where you can people).

Sure, it all sounds wonderful, but the problem is convincing my advisor that I should be allowed to do a p.r. internship instead of a journalism one. So, I am inching closer to closing the internship gate, but it's not quite there yet.

And finally, Daniel's inch by inch news is the work on his preliminary dissertation. He was originally supposed to present his prelim in March, but due to some catch ups his advisor had, he has had to postpone his presentation until April. I think he is OK with this, but we are both just eager for it to be over with and his research and work to be one step closer to getting his hood and becoming Dr. Daniel Horn.

So, in a world where so much is made of going the distance and reaching far, I am perfectly happy with our inch by inch happenings, if you will, of the week.

Mission Impossible

OK, maybe not impossible, but seeing as I haven't posted in so long and have started, yet obviously not finished, four different blog posts, I am hoping to start and finish this post. It's not that life has been much more crazier than usual, but I guess I have just been focusing my attention elsewhere.

There's not too much to report from our little corner of the world. We bought a new car to replace my poor, wrongly attacked Freida.... haha, that is my way of saying from the wreck that totaled my 4 Runner.

December also included a trip to Memphis for some pre-Christmas Christmas-ing with my family. It is so neat to watch Annabelle and Caleb interact. It definitely excites me for future children-- but no time soon people, no time soon.

New Year's Eve was rather uneventful. Katie came in town and we had a fire in the backyard and just hung out.

What really capped off the holiday season was the BCS national title game on January 10. Auburn won the BCS title. Ya'll, let's just be honest, it was thing of beauty. I even went as far as to awaken sweet Caleb so he could say he witnessed the win. With two seconds left in the game, and Wes Byrum running onto the field to make the game winning field goal, Caleb was up and confused. After the game we all journeyed to Toomer's Corner with thousands of our fellow Auburn family members to celebrate. It is something I will always remember.

The rest of January was quick and rather quiet. School resumed, Daniel had soccer tryouts for his team, oh yes, and Daniel also celebrated his 26th birthday.

I am now in full internship mode, looking here, there and everywhere for the perfect internship to cap off a great college ride. My parents may beg to differ, thinking this ride has gone astray for a few detours, but hey it's not how you get there, it's just getting there, right?

I have my first interview next Friday and I ask that if you think of it that you say a little prayer. It is with the Alumni Center. I feel it would be a good match. Another avenue I wouldn't mind venturing down is the non-profit sector, so I am keeping my options open and trusting God that He knows the right place for me to be.

Well, I guess that is enough for now. We are having terrible storms and my Internet is being rather finicky.  I cannot upload photos at the moment, but will come back in and edit this later to add some photots and bring in little color to this drab mess!

Jolly Ol' St. Nick

Today was the big day! Caleb met Santa for the first time.

I was so looking forward to this.

Growing up, this was always a big deal in our house. Mom always put out all of the Santa pictures from the preceding years and would always drag me to get a new one that year. No, seriously, I was the 15-year-old awkwardly sitting on Santa's lap getting my picture taken while three and four-year-olds pitched fits in the line as they waited for me to "tell Santa what I wanted."

Anyway, we just headed out to our mall, or what they call a mall, this morning and waited in line. Due to technical difficulties we had a rather long wait and we weren't the first in line as it was, so I started telling Caleb about Santa. When I told him that he too would be getting his picture as long as he lived under my roof the mom in front of me rolled her eyes. OK, so maybe it's not as acceptable for boys to get their pictures with Santa once they are in their teens, but my daughters will undoubtedly be subjected to the same Yuletide torture that I was.

As for how Caleb took to Santa, he loved him. He was so enamored. He just smiled, talked and looked at Santa and was very dismayed when we were trying to get his picture. So although  he may be looking at the camera in this picture, he would have much rather be talking to his new pal in red and as soon as the picture was taken he resumed his obviously important conversation with Santa. Santa loved it and asked me if he always was this happy. Why, yes he is, Santa. But why are you asking me, don't you see him when he's sleeping, know when he's awake? Don't you know if he's been naughty or nice? Shouldn't you know this? Tsk, tsk, Santa, I'll expect better next year.

Hope you all get to make happy holiday memories of your own this year as well. We are looking forward to a month full of them!

Memories

It's the last day of November, and while I'll continue to be thankful for so much in my daily life I will not be blogging about it as much because quite frankly my sweet readers are probably sick to death of my raving.

Many moons ago at a petting zoo

My first haircut

  

 Anyway, today's post has a little extra incentive for you. But before we get there, let's consider the topic -- memories.

Way back when!

 
      To me there are few things as sweet and treasured as my memories. Memories keep alive the past and help us to remember the fondest of times with friends and loved ones. Oftentimes we are forced to say goodbye to people before we're ready. Sometimes it's because of a move, other times someone passes on and so on. But when we hold on to our memories it seems as though


     My favorite way to keep memories alive is through pictures and videos. I am constantly playing paparazzi and since becoming a mom it has only increased 10 fold. The problem, however, is that now in this digital age photos often just sit on our camera because we never seem to have the time to go to the store and wait for all of our photos to upload and then select and edit all of the ones we want. these people and moments are as close as can be.

Junior Prom

8th grade dance

 Well, thank goodness for Shutterfly! Shutterfly has so many great services that make keeping your memories alive so much more convenient. You can order pictures off of Shutterfly and two of the great things about this are-- 1) you upload from home and can do it at your own pace so you don't have to wait in the store  2) the pictures are delivered right to your house and you never have to bother with remembering to pick them up (let's be honest, things like this always slip our minds, especially at holiday time!)

The day we showed up dressed alike.

Not only does Shuttefly have photo developing services, but you can capture your memories in many different ways. They make photo books, calendars, home décor, gifts and more all from your favorite pictures. I have also ordered everything from Caleb's birth announcements and christening invitations to Christmas cards and stationery from them. This Christmas you can check out their blog for details about earning 50 of their beautiful cards for free! Seriously, can we say Merry Christmas to us!

Friends

Sorry about the delay in posts, I was home in Memphis with Daniel and Caleb visiting my family. It was a great time and I am so thankful for that. I just never found the time to sit down and blog and even feel that the brief post I gave my sweet baby boy ripped him off of the credit he is due, as I am truly thankful for him each and every minute of the day.   

Anyway, it's time to get back to the thankful posts and it is without a doubt that I have to dedicate a thankful blog to my friends. I, like everyone else, tend to believe that I have the best friends in the world. My friends are both relatives and non relatives, male and female, old and young, lifelong friends and new friends, and each and every one of them brings something to my life that I am thankful for.

These are in no particular order- just the way the pics uploaded:)

 Island Friends
 These are the friends that bring fun and randomness to your life each and every time you are with them. They are a crazy group, but I love and miss them all. This is obviously one of those random times we just broke out in the macarena.

 

Old Friends

Katie is among one of my oldest friends. She and I met in preschool and have remained the closest of friends since. From girl scouts and elementary school to freshman roommates and more we will always be the best of friends. I have a few other who have been there for a lifetime of memories as well, like the Nicholson girls and Jess and I love them all equally and know that my life would be missing much joy and worth without them.

College Friends
This picture is a bit dark, but these are some of the girls that made my first stint at Auburn fun and worthwhile. We may not all live close anymore, but we will always remain friends and cherish our memories.

 

Sideways Friends

Just kidding, but for some reason this did upload this way. This is my roommate friend. So what if he's my husband, he's also my roommate and I couldn't ask for a better one :)

Family Friends
Mom, Dad, brother, sister-in-law, Aunts, Uncles and cousins. I am thankful for all of my family and that not only are we related but we are friends. Thanks for choosing to love me and be my friend not just because you have to since I'm related.



There are so many other friends I am thankful for. This blog doesn't even break the tip of the iceberg, but I just want you all to know that you truly are appreciated. Thanks for always being there and accepting me for me.


And just for a little something extra (friends theme song). Enjoy. If you're like me though it 's going to make you want to go Netflix some seasons!

4 Months of Joy

Today's topic is a no brainer. Hands down this blog was easy as pie to choose. Today is Mr. Caleb's 4 month birthday and there is no doubt that I am incredibly thankful for him.

In these 4 extremely quick months he has brought more joy to my life than I could ever imagine and has taught me so much. To think that a little bitty guy like he is could teach me more about life and myself than I have learned throughout college is a crazy, but true, thought.

A girl couldn't ask for a better family.

I don't need to bore you all with how I could watch him for hours as he discovers more and more every day. If I could I would rock him to sleep every night and always read bedtime stories to him. Unfortunately, I know the day will come when I am not cool and he will be a "big boy" and he will no longer "need" his momma. So, until that dreaded day comes I am enjoying every moment, even if it includes the occasional 4:30 wake up call, I am soaking it all up and am thankful for absolutely every moment with my little boo boo.

Thanks for everything little guy, you will never know how much I love you and how grateful and blessed I am to have you in my life.

Domo Arigato Mr. Daddio

I know, I know, it's pretty cliche to write a blog about my mom and then about my dad, but it's true I am thankful for them both so very much and honestly could not have asked for a better set of parents (another cliche I know, but would I lie to you? I think not).

Hugging Dad before leaving our reception

 While Mom has always been my best friend, I am also very much a Daddy's girl. Dad has always been very busy with work but  never once that I can remember did he miss out on important things in his children's lives.

He was my date to the daddy/daughter square dance with Girl Scouts all those years ago, my number one fan at my boring swim meets and always my coach in softball. I would say for a CFO who works harder than anyone I know he deserves extra points for putting in all of this time that most dads miss out on.

Fighting back the tears as he walks me down the aisle

Sure there have been times I haven't always seen eye to eye with my dad (some of these times were even brought on by his involvement with my extracurricular- cough, cough- softball- cough, cough) but we always seem to get past our differences.

Now watching him as a "Papa J" is even cooler. He can't wait to teach Caleb how to fish (NEWSFLASH Dad, you may want to learn how to fish first :) ) and I know he will wear out all of the same jokes that my Grandpa Ehrhart told me, and I can't wait. I know he will be just as great of a Papa as he is my Daddy, and even though I'm a mom now, it's always comforting to know I'll always be his brown eyed girl.