Happy New Year!

Hello, World! :) Well, gee, Christmas has come and gone and now it's going on February! It's unbelievable how time flies these days. I can't keep up with my life, much less this blog, but I enjoy trying. Bear with me!!

We are staying pretty busy lately but not overly so, for once. Susannah's playing indoor soccer, one game a week and no practice. And that's really all we've got going at the moment, besides school, work and church. We've already been getting e-mail reminders to sign up for the regular soccer season, though. I think Greg's planning to coach Makaley's team again and assist with Susannah's, like he's been doing for several seasons now. So we'd better enjoy this lull! Makaley is planning to play t-ball this summer as well. Susannah tried that two summers ago and didn't care much for it, but I expect that Makaley will like it better. I enjoyed the games a lot, especially when it got dark and the field lights came on. It brought back fond memories of my two years playing softball!

Both girls are planning to start piano lessons soon. Uncle David brought us his piano and as soon as we get it tuned up, we'll be good to go. I was happy to learn that the elementary music teacher gives lessons after school. I've already spoken to him and he told me what slots he has open and how much he charges. They are excited! I am, too. I didn't realize that I have missed playing, myself! I'm itching to get my hands on some of my old piano books from my parents' house.

We got lots of ice yesterday so there was no school or work today. School is also out tomorrow; we'll see about work. Of course, the newspaper could care less about weather; I don't get any snow days from doing that job. Last night wasn't too bad, really, just time consuming because I had to go so slowly. Oh, and I had an adventure. Lately, several cars have been broken into or stolen during the night here in Waukomis. Very unusual for this little town. I mean, I know several people who usually leave their keys in their vehicles! Coming from Pine Bluff, that seems insane to me, but anyway ... Since that has been going on, I've started killing the engine when I deliver to this one apartment building because I'd hate to come back out and see someone driving off in my car. Last night, though, when I came back from delivering that paper, the car wouldn't start back up! There happened to be a man outside working on his own car (at 4 AM, no less), and he spent an hour of his own time trying unsuccessfully to get me back up and running. Finally he gave up and my friend Sandra took me home to get our van so I could finish my route. I'm guessing it's the fuel filter again. The exact same thing happened a month or so ago. I'm just glad we have two vehicles these days!

The kids are doing well. They are running around all wild tonight, a little too hyper and definitely testing my patience, but at least they are happy. I am freezing cold in the house and the girls have on bathing suits. Go figure! They ought to be getting into bed, but Greg is working on sealing up the window in the girls' room and they can sleep in a little tomorrow morning. All I can say is that I am still appreciating the extra room we have in this new house!!

Oh, here's some exciting news: Makaley has her first loose tooth! It's one of the front ones on the bottom and could very well come out within the next few days. She's pretty excited. Susannah's canine teeth, three of the four, are also loose, but they probably have a while longer yet before they pop out. She informed me that when those three come out, she will have lost a total of 13 teeth.

I am struggling to accept the fact that Greyson and Makaley will be four and six in April. They are both looking and acting older lately. Makaley has been learning to read at a remarkable pace this year. In fact, I think she's a little ahead of some of her classmates. She is so proud to be in Kindergarten and really likes her teacher. Greyson is talking very well. He surprises me every single day with what comes out of his mouth. He is already talking back, though. Not a good sign! :) He has gotten taller lately, too. For some reason, I don't have as much trouble with the fact that Susannah is already eight years old. Maybe because she has always seemed older than her age. Or maybe because she's our first child, every new thing she does is new to me as well, rather than a reminder that my babies are growing up!!

I spent my Christmas money and paper route tips on a Nintendo DS Lite. I thought it would be fun for the whole family, and it is! I didn't expect that Greyson would be the one who uses it the most, but he does. He knows how to put the game cartridges in correctly and navigates all around from game to game. I was pretty surprised, but maybe it's a boy thing. He can also work the DVD player. I bought a game called Clubhouse Games for the DS that has tons of fun stuff like bowling, pool, dominoes, other board games like checkers and chess, as well as all sorts of card games from Rummy to Old Maid to Solitaire. I also have a game of crossword puzzles, wordsearches, etc. I haven't regretted spending that money yet!

Well, I'd better sign off of here for now. Until next time ...