Merry Christmas!

I've been a bit of a slacker with trying to keep up with my December Daily project!  I've been taking a fair amount of photos each day; I've been carrying my camera in my purse and snapping pictures of "every-day" things like a big nerd (such as the heavy snow fall out my car windows as I sat in the Starbuck's drive-through yesterday! Ha!).  Also, Ive been keeping a small collection of mementos from the month (movie ticket stubs, the bulletin from our church's Christmas Eve service, etc...).  But, I haven't been doing very good about blogging/recording the little memories to add to the scrapbook.  Speaking of which, I havent even started the book....at all! I hope to have a bit of time to devote to that this week :).

Here's a few highlights from the last few days...

Monday, December 20

I worked a somewhat long/busy day.  The workday started at 7:30am with a meeting at High Road school, where I see 3 students.  I got to learn a bit about a AAC app available on the iPad, which was kind of neat.  I saw a bunch of kids throughout the day, and as usual didn't have enough time to quite get all of my documentation completed....and then actually left at 5:15 (a rare occurence for me!) to go finish up some Christmas shopping.

Later, I spoke with my friend Jillian....who was going in to the hospital to be induced at 9!  Sooooo excited/anxious for her!

Tuesday, December 21

I waited on pins and needles for news of my friend Jillian's baby's birth! She called me at 9am...no baby yet, but she was in labor! That was the first time I spoke with a woman who was in labor! ;)

A little after 1:30, I received a text with adorable photo....Oliver Alexander McGriff had arrived safely at 12:24pm!

That night I went over to the McGriff's house to get a few things (Cheese-it crackers and the boppy pillow!) and then went to the hospital.  I brought a balloon, gift (outfit from Old Navy), and some bright flowers. Tears came to my eyes as I hurried through the quiet hospital corridors.

He was beautiful.....and holding him felt amazing!   Nothing in the world quite compares to the miracle of a newborn.

Jeremy and I met for dinner around 8 at Herradura, our favorite Mexican restaurant.

After dinner....we went home. I actually went to bed shortly after 9 because I was so exhausted and felt like the exhaustion might actually be making me physically sick as well. This time of year is just crazy with all of the hustle and bustle!

Wednesday, Dec 22

This was my LAST work day before eleven consecutive days off!  It was a busy, but good, day.

We ordered Firehouse pizza for lunch....it is one of my favorites.  They have some  AWESOME gluten free pizza there!

Thursday, Dec 23.

Jeremy and I both had the day off and spent most of the day running separate Christmas errands.

Thursday night we went to Peoria to meet our good friend Aaron and Katie for dinner to celebrate Aaron's 29th birthday!  It's always a lot of fun spening time with them :).

On the way back, we (just J and I) decided to stop at Starplex Cinemas and went to the 10:25 showing of Tron. It was AWFUL! I really didn't like it at all! I'm sure it didnt help matters that I was super tired....but man, was it BORING!!

Friday, December 24

We slept in to about 10!  Since we'd gotten home late (thanks to that awful movie Tron!!), we didnt get to bed til close to 2.  So, really, we didn't sleep a TON more than usual! ;)

We went to the gym in the afternoon...and then I went to the grocery store and Starbucks, while Jeremy went to Lowe's, Menard's, and Home Depot (he is working on finishing a few things in our basement).

I made a cheesy potato caserole to bring over to his parents' for dinner.  After cleaning up from the gym, we headed over shortly after 5.  It had snowed excessively, so the drive that usually takes 12 or so minutes took close to a half hour!

After a delicious dinner, we went to the 9pm candlelight Christmas Eve service at our church. It was great...and nice to see some of our friends

Saturday, December 25

Merry Christmas!

We started the day off "right" again by sleeping in until around 9.  After getting ready for the day...we opened our presents to one another.   As usual, Jeremy outdid me with his thoughtfulness :).  He's a great gift-giver!

We headed over to his parents' house around 10 and ate some hors d'ovres and opened/exchanged more gifts.

Highlights include a digital camcorder to J and me from Jer's brother Jon (AWESOME!), and a large frame/shadow box with a bunch of my race medals displayed really nicely inside from J's parents! It was one of my favorite gifts, ever, and I can't wait to display it in our home!

Posted by Rachelyn via Blogaway

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