Happy Thanksgiving!!

I am so sorry to have fallen so far behind. I have given up on catching up on my thankfulness, although I have so much to be thankful for, and make sure to thank God daily in prayer. I am proud of myself because I have been doing so well with school and homework, but I am trying to get better about managing my time more closely so I have more time for things I love, too-like blogging...and working out, which I desperately need, sadly-and not just my responsibilities.

It's been a very busy week at the Mack household! It was a surprisingly relaxing and enjoyable!! We did not have to be anywhere until 1pm, and we decided that we would only travel to TWO of the FOUR family events that occur for our holiday. What ever family we did not see on Thanksgiving, we make sure to see for Christmas. We came up with this last year, and it was awesome again this year. We feel less stressed because we do not have to go to as many places and focus solely on the time, it is overall more enjoyable.

We first went to Chris' aunt's house [mom's side] at 1pm. We saw aunts, uncles, cousins,grandparents, great grandparents, and friends we'd been missing. It was wonderful. Everyone noticed how big Aiden was getting, and Aiden loved being the center of attention. He especially loved the pretty girls that were there to give him some attention! I snapped some photos while he was being super adorable loving on two of Chris' cousins--Tessa, Larissa, and both of them together! :)

We, of course, got too see Grandma and Papa which Aiden was so excited about. He loves his grandparents so much. I couldn't help but take some photos. Below are also Olivia [Chris' brother's girlfriend and Aiden's unoffical aunt!] and Chris' cousin, Conner, who is way too old for my liking, but who Aiden adored.

Then came what I am sure was Aiden's favorite part of the day. Tessa was kind enough to let Aiden look at and touch her pet hamster. I was a little nervous, but the hamster was nice, and Aiden was very gentle.

We had a lot of fun at thanksgiving at Chris' aunt's house! We ended up leaving around 4:30pm to head to my dad and step mom's house. Aiden did not nap and started getting restless. I could tell because I found him doing this....

We got to my dad and step mom's house at about 5:00pm and the fun continued. Aiden slept for maybe 20 minutes in the car ride there, but he was still in a great mood!! Aiden was being silly and played with his newest [2nd] cousin's toy that he is obviously too big for.

I managed to sneak a photo of my cousin Kelsey and Josie [Aiden's 2nd cousin] having a tickle fight :)

All in all we had a great Thanksgiving, and we have so much to be thankful for. I wish I would have remembered to get a family photo, which I always desperately want, but always forgot!! Hope you had as blessed of a Thanksgiving as we did.

Holiday Family Fun!!

I apologize for my lack in blogging the past 10 days. Honestly, I haven't snapped many photos, or had many exciting things happen worth posting about. My life some weeks are beyond mind numbing. Sure, I get great quality time with Aiden being part time, and I love it more than I can express, but most days we are just hanging at home and playing, or cleaning. Aiden is such a great helper. I know I'll regret saying this, especially since I have a hard time keeping everything caught up as it is, but I can't wait to have another little one running around, MY school to be OVER and just my kid's school to worry about and run around because of. Play dates and mommy dates. I need more to fill my calendar, more of what I WANT to be doing, more fun so that the responsibility and chores don't feel so condemning. I know God will provide more mommy friends who I can become friends with, and that my friendships I have now will blossom more than I could have imagined. It is just hard sometimes, being so busy with my own personal things-- homework and time on campus mainly -- that make it hard to not just keep up with housework and being truly devoted to being a wife and mom, but it also makes it hard to be able to fully devote myself into the friendships I have, as well. I am blessed to have friends that understand, and still love me, but man I am really feeling the weight of how much frustration is caused by being forced to focus on my things. May 12, 2011 is a day I dream of seeing. Mother's day, 1 day before my birthday, and extremely excitingly, my graduation date from college. I'll have a bachelors in Business Management and a minor in Healthcare management, no masters, but I will be pretty proud of myself.

On another note, today was actually a wonderful day. A family day, which are my favorite. We had family photos taken, which we've been excited about for a while now. [[Really, I'VE been excited about]] They were so much fun, even Chris admitted it... he isn't much for picture taking, but did it for me anyway. I cannot wait to see how they turned out. Only have to wait about a week :) I'll be posting when I receive them, for sure. So stay tuned my loyal blog readers... if I have any!! :) [[I know I do :)))]]

I was blessed with a wonderful day with my boys after our pictures. We had eaten lunch because out pictures were actually at 1pm-it was kind of crazy how the first part of our day went by so fast, preparing for photos, eating lunch, and getting to photos. After photos we came home for a nap for Aiden and homework for momma. I am proud to say I got 2 1/2 assignments done for one of my classes. An accomplishment for sure. After Aiden woke up from his nap we went to the mall, did a little Christmas shopping--idea getting more so. Chris and I are going to do some Christmas shopping for Aiden tomorrow, I'm hoping. After some time at the mall, and dinner, we surprised Aiden by telling him we were headed to the Zoo!!

 

 Aiden was so excited for learn that he was going to the zoo, although he did not fully understand that there would not be animals to see, but he had fun nonetheless.

It wasn't as cold as we thought it was going to be, but it was chilly for sure. Aiden was such a good boy and kept his Thomas hat [and gloves which we put on after this picture] on all night, no complaints!

There were so many people there, we should have expected it since it was a Saturday night and the Zoo Lights just opened 2 days ago, but we were surprised regardless :) Luckily, it wasn't hard finding a parking spot and we headed right in, pass in hand :)

Daddy and Aiden were excited for our first trip to the Zoo Lights. We are hoping for more visits in the near future, and hoping the weather cooperates. 

I've only personally been one other time, recently and hat I remember, so it was a lot of fun for me, too. And not only because it was a family activity, ha! there were so many neat lights and decorations everywhere, no wonder so many people come to this with their family!! I tried to take as many pictures as I could, but there were so many people and not a lot of opportunity to stop and take a whole lot of pictures.

I did manage to find a spot we could stop and snap a few :)

There was so many neat light decorations, and they even have a portion of the park set up to be in sync with the music they were playing. It was so awesome, Aiden had such fun listening to it!

It is not that long of a video, and it's really neat! Even if you've seen it before.

That pretty much raps up our fun family trip to the Zoo Lights tonight. I hope you enjoyed reading this, and how we begun out holiday fun :) How do you get into the holidays with your family?? 

I will be going to bed now, but have plans on posting about our hopefully fun day tomorrow, and catching up on my thankfulness. So sorry for getting behind, for I have SO much I am blessed by and thankful for. I have also been trying to be more organized, and creative, so when I finish this project I've only partially begun in Aiden's room I will definitely be posting about that. I am so terrible, I might need to bring in reinforcements. If only I had them. Stay Tuned!! 

God Bless

Wasteful Wednesday, and Thankfulness

Today I have very little productive or happy things to post. My little man is not feeling well-bad/deep cough and runny nose. He woke up last night coughing and crying. :(. ... on a positive note, Aiden did AMAZING today at the doctors. Did not even flinch when he got his LAST semi annual shot. We are now officially in the "once a year well check visit" stage. He is so so big. Growing up way too fast!

Sadly, there is not much to post now besides my thankfulness. I am just sitting here watching the CMAs, coming up with so many Christmas list ideas [CDs] I need to put on my list, when I start it. Hoping to do something fun with my little man tomorrow, or at least snap some photos! God bless!

1. I am thankful that the professor of my new class I started tonight is funny

2. I am thankful that my hubby picked up what I didn't get around to finishing around the house some

3. I am thankful for my Aunt Judi who so lovingly cares for my Aiden on Tuesday's

4. I am thankful for my mother in law, Lisa, who cares for my Aiden on Monday's

5. I am thankful for good wine :) accompanied by great music

6. I am thankful for the gorgeous weather we've had this week!

7. I am thankful that although my Aiden was not feeling well today, that he not only did well at the doctors, but he always was a VERY good boy for mommy !

8. I am thankful for getting out of class 45 minutes early tonight

9. I am thankful that my Aiden loves to cuddle. Especially when he is sick, which I hate because he is sick...but love oh so much!

10. I am thankful for the CMAs and all the country music I get to listen to tonight before lying down to sleep.

11. I am thankful for how good God is.... always.

I'll end with that....:)

Daylight Savings, a train ride, and Thankfulness day 6!

Sitting here next to my hubby, watching Zack and Miri, and STILL POSTING!! I am going to make this quick, I love this movie, and I love the man sitting next to me who needs a cuddle buddy :)

First, today is the first day that daylight savings time ended. I was very excited for the extra hour of sleep, but unfortunately Aiden woke up from what I can only guess was a nightmare. Again. Poor little guy wakes up crying and wants to be held or wants to sleep in mama and dada's bed. Sadly, we've caved. At 4/5am we are weak willed and half asleep . First time this happened where he would not go back to sleep he stayed with us the rest of the night. Luckily, this is not a common occurrence where he won't go back to sleep after he wakes, but we've been trying to be good about NOT taking him into our bed. Last night, I was weak and brought him to our bed, but just to cuddle for a short period. I stuck with this. After about 20 minutes, I took him back to his bed, I talked to him and gave him kisses and told him how it is night time. I went to leave and he cried for me. He eventually gave up, asking for his door to be opened which helped him be okay [not sure why]. I am at a loss here, and definitely did not get the extra hour of sleep I was hoping for.. it took me an extra half hour to get back to sleep!!
 


Moving on.... :)

Today we had a most exciting day! I surprised Aiden with a trip to the Ohio Railway Museum that is not far from us. Andrea was kind enough to join us in the fun, since Chris had to work :( ((We tried to do this yesterday, but they were closed)) Aiden absolutely loved all the old trains we got to see, and the most exciting part was the train ride we got to experience. Aiden's first one, of course :)

We began the fun filled day with lunch at Steak and Shake. It was actually a little frustrating because I was running later than I was hoping for and the service took FOREVER, but it ended up working out for the better.

After lunch we had to make a quick stop at the bank to get some cash. We forgot they only accept cash, they are very small and on a very small budget. After the quick stop, it was off to the Ohio Railway Museum. We saw so many neat, old trains. Aiden was definitely excited!


The first train we saw began with where the common seating, or coach if you relate it to a plane ride.

A very old and tiny sink, and a heater were one of the first things you saw walking in

 So neat, this is where they would divide the mail. There was way more slots that I would have thought. I didn't even know you could retrieve mail while on a train

A little sad, but this is right after the mail area. A coffin. Aiden didn't notice it or understand

Down the way there was an area with some seating, a lot of sinks, and a restroom. 

Then we began to get into the nicer area, or "first class" I imagine

These old trains were so neat to see, and imagine life when they were still running!

Aiden enjoyed all the areas he was allow to run and climb!

This is the engine of the huge steam engine train they had that we were allow to go up and in!! It was so big and neat, I had to snap some photos.

These were some of the other trains we got to see...

Aiden on the front of the steam engine! He did not want to sit still for this, but we still managed to get a couple pictures

The red "bus" train from a couple pictures up was our next stop!

These  "bus" trains, as I call them, have 2 drivers seats! Yep, 2. The take you one way, and when they have arrived at the destination, and it's time to go back, the driver moves from one end of the train to the other while the train is stopped. We saw this on our train ride, it's pretty neat. The seats adjust, as well, so you never have to face backwards if you don't want to.

Another smaller steam engine of sorts. We got on it, but there were little to no rails so I was a nervous wreck having Aiden up there wanting to explore without holding my hand. It was pretty tall!

FINALLY! TIME FOR OUR TRAIN RIDE!

This is the signal used to show when it is safe to go and not for the drivers of the train

Someone is super excited for the train ride that is about to begin....

Nevermind the giant green monkey beside us. There was no explanation as to why it was there besides the fact that we were on the green train!


Needless to say, we had a great time with a great friend on a new little adventure. Aiden got a new t-shirt and a whistle to remember today by. We had our own guide to told us a lot of the history of the railway and the trains that lay on them. There was also a fantastic view at some points.

The had some really neat things inside, as well, which is where I bought Aiden  his new shirt and whistle!

Overall, it was a great day, and my little man was so tuckered out!!I feel I should also mention it was only $5/each for Andrea and I, and children are free until they are 4!

Hope you've enjoyed the little tour of our Sunday :) Now it's time for my thanks givings for the day


1. I am very thankful for the beautiful weather and the wonderful day I had with my little man, and my best friend Andrea.

2. I am thankful that my husband had time to get us into his work and get my oil changed today, so I don't have to worry about it later this week.

3. I am thankful for the wonderful double date dinner we had with our new friends Kelly and Jess. We have much in common, and I look forward to our friendship growing

4. I am thankful for the changes that are happening at work, even if I am nervous. It is nice to feel important.

5. I am thankful that my house has stayed clean for 3 days in a row, with only a little picking up here or there

6. I am thankful for the medicine I have available to me, especially tonight, when my arthritis is hurting quite bad

7. I am thankful for the conversations I've had with my cousin Sarah Liz recently, they've been wonderful and I am loving growing closer to her!

8. I am thankful for blankets. Today I have been cold a lot, and right now I am underneath and cozy warm blanket we received as a wedding gift from friends, and I'm enjoy how warm I am!

9. I am thankful that my loud neighbors are not making a peep tonight!! Hoping to not wake up in the middle of the night wondering what they could possibly be doing!

10. Finally, I am thankful for the photo session I booked tonight for November19th!!! SO SO excited to get our first batch of professional photos taken as a family!!

What are you thankful for? Did you do anything fun this weekend, or have any fun plans in the future??? I need more ideas for when winter is here!