I want I want I want...

I feel like I could get along real well with Brother and Sister Berenstein bears in the "Case of the Gimmes" book.  I have so many things I'd like to be able to purchase, change, decorate with, wear, use, etc.  So, I'm just going to keep a mini-bucket list of sorts and what better place to do it!  Wants (as of 1/7/12):
*New house- big-- 5 bedrooms! With a big backyard, finished basement, and more storage than I know what to do with.  Those are 3 deal breakers as we search for a new home.

*A new car...I know I know, we have 2 really great cars, but there always something nicer and newer.  I fell in love with a car on my uncle's lot, so maybe something like this: 

*After an accident, I'd like to purchase a new screen for my phone...but that's like $180 for parts and labor.  Considering I spent $0.01 on the phone in the beginning, thanks to my upgrade, I probably could spring for it, but I'm also going to have an upgrade in 16 months.  (That's a lot longer when you write it down)

*A maid- dusting, vacuuming, toilets, scrubbing tubs.  Ahh--that'd be wonderful.

*A rose colored watch such as this: 

*A trip to Disneyworld!  Oh how I love Disney and I have been wanting to go with my family for a couple of years now.  Maybe 2013 is the year!? 

*A romantic getaway to somewhere...all I want is a beach, sun, all-inclusive food/drinks, and fun activities.  I think that's doable.  2013 Anniversary trip will happen!

That's about it for now.  I know there are several a million other things I'd like to buy, but these are the main ones I keep thinking about most frequently.

Until next time...

I went to jail...

No really...I went to jail.  But...not because I was under arrest, but because we had to tour there for our Community Health nursing course.  And yes, that means classes have started again and life is off to the races again.  It's a little crazy how much I didn't feel like I had a break, but that's neither here nor there.  I loved getting to spend time with both of our families and we have been blessed with B-E-A-Utiful weather this "winter".  Here's hoping for no serious snow this "winter".  I can't even imagine it, but I would be totally fine with it happening. 
Life around the Kirby's is busy...as usual.  We're finishing up holiday parties this month and I'm working at Children's Mercy almost every weekend.  We will hopefully get to go celebrate Emery's birthday (my cousin's first born) at the end of the month, so maybe even a quick getaway.  We'll see how the weather plays out! 
A few facts/quotes from Jack's world:
1) He's moved up to the 3-4 year old's classroom.  No, he's not 4 and not even 3 yet, but his teacher from the 2-3s moved up and asked if he could move too.  He does very well with her and he communicates very well for his age, so I guess it's good.  He loves school so much and came home after the first day in his new room basically bursting with excitement about all the fun things he was doing.  I love to see my baby happy, so I'm happy too.
2) Jack weighs 37 lbs.  We haven't had him weighed officially on the doctor's scale, but he likes to jump up on ours occasionally and that's the latest weight.  I cannot believe it.  He's solid because he weighs as much as some kindergartners but I don't think he looks like one! 
3) Today he saw a commercial for the Fresh Beat Band concert tour and he looked at me and said, "I wish I could take you to it."  So. sweet.  I had told him that probably a week or so ago when we saw it the first time and he remembered it and said it to me.  Can you say sponge?! 
4) Jack's room has been transformed into a 'big boy' room!  All the baby decorations are down (and ready to sell).  CARS has taken over.  Jack got an awesome sheets set for Christmas from my parents and we hung 2 posters up.  I took his old letters and painted them solid colors to go more with the sheets, instead of the previous jungle theme.  He loves it and calls it a "big kid room". 

That's about it for now.  I'm procrastinating for my 1st test tomorrow; maybe my next blog will come on Thursday next week, since we have another test next Friday....oh the joys of accelerated nursing...4.5 months people.

Until next time...
A few pictures from our Christmas:

 Jack and his new CARS stocking cap and book

 Our little family

 Jack had to pose with this duck

Grandma and Jack made Christmas cookies

Aunt Sarah and Jack matched!

Kisses fix everything?!

This morning my head was pounding (thanks to the champagne I drank while wrapping presents last night).  My little sweet bubba came  in an wanted to go get his breakfast.  I said, "Oh buddy, let's just cuddle for a minute.  Momma has a headache."  He said, "I will kiss it and make it feel better" and proceeded to kiss my forehead.  "Does it feel better momma?"  ....I hated to tell him 'no' because it was the sweetest thing ever!
Until next time...

22 Days until Christmas

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas around here.  Yesterday we were supposed to drive to Nebraska to watch my little brothers Tim and Tom play basketball, but the games were called on account of snow.  So...change of plans.  We went to "Arthur Christmas" and it gave me the bug...the decorating bug.  This year I have to balance school and prepping for Christmas so I was wondering when things would get done, but we did good.  We got the tree and mantle decorated (the extent of our decorating) last night and had a great time doing it.  We made hot chocolate with marshmellows, had warm jammies on, and Justin Bieber Christmas CD in the background. 

Jack was a big helper, but had problems getting the ornaments anywhere but his eye level.  :)  He called them "ottomans".  I had to work with him to say "ornaments" several times.  He'd pick one up and say, "Oh look at this pretty ottoman".  He'd walk to the same spot on the tree and attempt to hang it and I'd gently suggest, "What about up here?"  "Oh yes, mommy, that would be perfect!"  He's so stinkin' sweet. 
Here's the finished project:

After Mr. Jack was in bed and daddy went out to see some friends, I drank some bubbly and wrapped a bunch of presents.  It was definitely a productive night and now we're feeling a bit more prepared for my favorite holiday. 
Until next time...

Breaks. my. heart...

This morning was particularly rough for Jack at school.  I can speculate that it's a) not enough naps this weekend (we were just having too much fun), b) he is experiencing the same lack of motivation that his mom is, after the long break from school, c) he just wants to be held by his momma. 
My poor baby screamed when I left this morning and I had to restrain myself from running back in the room and squeezing him one more time.  It just tugs on the heart strings when your baby is crying.  I pray for him to have a good day with no outbursts, a nice long nap, and lots of laughter with his friends.
Today I'm thankful for his daycare teachers that love him when he's at school. 
Until next time...

And heeeeere we go!

It's here-- the race to the semester finish line and boy have I got a LOT to do!  But, it's going to fly, I know it.  19 days until Christmas break.  I. CAN. DO. THIS!  It's surreal to think we're almost in our last semester at school.  It's so close I can taste it! 
This past weekend was awesome.  We got to spend time with both of our families and that hasn't happened in the past 5 years Reid and I have been together.  Reid's family from Texas was in town and we had lots of food, laughter, and pitch playing.  I love that his family knows how to play pitch!  Me and Reid's cousin Neal beat everyone!   It was fun to play with him; he reminded me so much of my little brother Thomas.  They are the same age, so maybe it's just a 15 y/o boy mannerism. 
Thursday night Reid and I braved the Wal-mart crowds for Black Friday specials.  We have 2 more gifts on our list to purchase and that's IT!  It feels good to have that almost completed.  We put our Christmas lights up in our trees outside and we have plans to put up inside decorations this next weekend. 
My family came to KC on Friday night and left today (Sunday).  It was so wonderful to have them visit.  They came for a special Mass at our church.  Reid and I have been attending RCIA classes at St. Andrew's.  For those who do not know what RCIA is: Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.  Laymans terms: a class for those considering entering the Catholic church, or for anyone that just wants to learn more about the church.  Anyways- Saturday was the official "welcome" by our priest, to those persons in the class.  My dad and mom wanted to be here and it worked out perfectly.  All but Tim was present (Tim had basketball all weekend) and we got to enjoy our family time with good eats, fun game time together, and celebrated my dad's 54th birthday. 
Tonight we went to meet William Joseph Altenhofen, one of my best friend's new baby.  He arrived 17 days early and we are so excited to watch this beautiful baby grow up.  Little Will has a full head of dark hair and he's just a tiny little peanut.  Jack picked out a glow worm to take him and was so sweet to him when he held him.  It made me excited for someday in the future when we're blessed with a baby brother (ok, or sister) for our little Jack.  He's going to be a great big brother someday. 
And now, since I didn't take ANY pictures in the past 5 days, I will leave you with some recent funnies from Jack:
*Last night at 54th St Jack spotted a peanut M&M character on the wall that was sitting in a armchair with his head resting on his hand and Jack said, "That M&M is sad!" 
*This morning I went in to wake him up and told him it was Ye-Ye's (grandpa) birthday today.  He replied, "And tomorrow is Jesus' birthday?" 
*He told my family today that "we put up Christmas lights for Jesus' birthday."  I said, "who puts up Christmas lights?"  Jack said, "The city does.  The whole city puts up Christmas lights for Jesus' birthday!" 

Apparently Jack's excited for Jesus' birthday and I LOVE that he knows it's Jesus' birthday.  Jesus IS the reason for the season.  :)
Until next time...

Random 10

So, I haven't blogged recently, primarily because I haven't had time.  Secondly- I lack inspiration at the moments that I actually have free time.  So, I'm stealing from a friend's (yes, Molly you!) blog to write "10 random things in 10 minutes.....ready....GO!

1) I'm so happy to have my feet up after a long day.  Gerontology clinical was today at a nursing home and as much as I was dreading it, it turned out to be a great day.  My 2 patients were so sweet and friendly.  One said to me- "I hope you learned something from me and have a great future.  Lots of kids!"  :)  He was adorable.

2)  I'm really excited for the chicken, scalloped potatoes, dinner roll meal I'm about to whip up for my boys! 

3)  I don't really care about any of the dancers on DWTS and yet I CAN'T STOP WATCHING...ugh.  Such a waste of my little TV time I get.  I have SO many shows to watch so I suppose I could stand to "trim the fat".  But, again...can't let go! 

4)  Speaking of "trim the fat"-- yesterday I signed into Facebook and was absolutely apalled to see a porn picture blazing at me on my news feed from a "friend".  Apparently some stupid bug is going around posting bad pics without the owners knowing.  So, I have decided I'm trimming the fat. I do NOT need all these "extra" people on my sight.  Yes, I may know you and I might have talked to you 4 years ago, but really you're out.  However, the process of deleting people is taking WAY TOO LONG...so I got 30 off last night...probably need about 300 or so more done.  Maybe in class tomorrow!? :)

5)  I'm so ready for Thanksgiving break next week!  I have Tuesday- Friday off-- woo woo!!  I cannot even tell you how busy this week is and I am going to L-O-V-E some time off.  I will have some schoolwork to do, but I just need a break. 

6)  I wish I had more money.  Who doesn't, right?  I have so many things I wish I buy.  And things I wish I could pay off (loans, house, cars, water purifier...but that's a whole other story).  I should count my many many blessing and not complain about money...but I guess not having a job makes me wish it a bit more. 

7) I can't wait for Jack to get home in a few minutes.  It is one of the best feelings for him to run through the door and yell "mommmmmmy" and squeeze my neck so hard.  He is the sweetest boy ever.  The other day at dinner I said, "Jack Kirby..do you know what?  I love you."  He replied, "Aww- thank you.  You're so nice mommy.  I love you too."  Ah- melt my heart.

8)  I do not want to go to class tomorrow.  Or write my research paper.  Or go to clinical on Thursday.  Did I mention earlier I'm ready for break!?

9)  I'm running out of thoughts...oh here's one- I miss playing the piano.  I need to schedule that in some time....since i have to schedule everything.

10) I'm looking forward to a trip to the KC Zoo this weekend (weather permitting).  Free entry for KC, MO residents with a proof of residency.  We love the zoo and didn't get to go this summer, so I suppose November isn't too late, right!?

DONE!  Hope you enjoyed. 
Until next time...