Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey

As 2010 draws to a close, and quite frankly I am taking a break from putting decorations away and cleaning up, I figured it would be fun to reflect on the year. It has been quite an adventure! Some fun things that happened:
-Trey got promoted to Store Manager
-I have an amazing class this year and am one class away from being Gifted certified
-Ruckus turned 1!
-Rwwar turned 1!
-Brett got a cat named "Kit Tey!"
-Brian is in his final year of middle school
-2 of Trey's cousins got engaged (and one got married!)
-Several friends got engaged and even more seemed to have babies (or are in the midst of it!)
-Trey and I spent our 3rd Christmas together


It truly amazes me how much can happen in a mere 365 days! As for my "resolution" last year about taking Ruckus for more walks...like all resolutions it started off with the best of intentions, and fizzled off. I'll try it again in 2011! As for 2010, take a look at some of best pictures!

Falcons versus Saints 2010-Just like last year, the Falcons lost.

This guy's AMAZING Al Pacino jacket!

We've had good seats to this game for 2 years in a row! Go Falcons!

Trey was SUPER pumped about seeing the Monday Night Football crew!

Ruckus was hanging in the kitchen during Christmas hoping for some ham to drop!

Brian's Nerf dart set! They had too much fun!

Apparently Brian has been watching too many action movies!

Ruckus and Banjo love their play dates!

Since Ruckus has destroyed so many beds, we've started getting her smaller ones because they are cheaper! 

Clearly they love each other!

Finally got Trey to buy a Snuggie!!!

Ruckus got love from everyone on Christmas!

This is Kit Tey. She has become our holiday visitor as Bretty makes his family rounds!

She and Rwwar don't exactly love each other.

Our first real tree! We both agreed that more is better in the case of a Christmas tree!

We traded in the reindeer costume for a pink bandana. It lasted about 2 weeks before she tore it apart!

This is not the first time that this fat girl got a bag stuck on her face while trying to get crumbs out!

As time goes by, they love each other more and more I promise!

As do these two!

Rwwar discovered that backets, bags, and boxes are the more fun for a little cat!

Ruckus came to tolerate our crazy antics.

This used to be one of Ruckus's beds.

Perhaps one of my all-time favorite pictures!

Despite the cone, Ruckus still manages to be goofy!

So as the year comes to a close, I found Oprah's quote to be a bit inspiring. A new year and a new chance to get things perfect!
Until next year, Happy Holidays!

If I were a boy...

So Trey and I are coming up on our first year living together this summer and well....let's just say, it's been a learning experience. It turns out that living with a male is TOTALLY different than living with a female...throw pets into the mix and well...occasionally I know what a "stay-at-home" moms job is like...only without the actual kids! So to those of you considering living with the opposite sex anytime soon...here's a few things I have learned (and I am sure that Trey could say many of these things about me as well!)


1) Boys need to be "trained." No, I don't mean this in such a negative way, I really don't. But they don't see dishes in the sink and think "I should put those in the dishwasher." Or "clothes haven't been washed in a week...maybe I'll sepeate clothes and wash a load." They have to be asked....or have it suggested. Otherwise, the result is pure and utter frustration! I put this one first because it's the one I have had the most trouble coming to understand!
2) Lounging around takes on a whole new amazing meaning. Sure, chilling on the couch with girlfriends is fantastic, but "at home date nights" are the best!
3) Compromise....compromise...compromise. It just cannot be said enough. 
4) Sometimes walking away/going into the other room for the night/doing something on your own is the best medicine for irritation. Everything does not have to be talked out. (Hmmm...I should underline that one!)
5) Spelling out expectations up front saves a ton of trouble later on. Letting things slide for a while because you are in the "honeymoon" phase only leads to arguments later on.
6) It will only work if you become a "team." Being on the same path, same page, same plan and communicating those things are invaluable.
7) You don't have to go everywhere together. A shopping trip does not always need 2 people. Feel free to say "I am just not up to it tonight."
8) And finally, laughing. Enjoy each other. Don't fret over the way things look, or things you want to happen that don't. Learning to laugh at dumb, gross, and weird things makes the experience so much more enjoyable. Loving the quirkiness and manly differences help ease the constant wonders and worries.


I know that I have much MUCH more to figure out and I certainly don't have it down, but one of the best things I have learned in this year is how to enjoy the lazy, small, "in between" moments that make me able to survive....living with a boy!


Until next time, happy last day of school eve!!!