No Stroller!

I met my mother-in-law at the local mall this morning to pick up some freebies from Macy's and Dillard's. Gracie stayed home this morning because she is feeling under the weather, so it was just the boys and I. Of course I forgot the stroller in the rush to get on the road and I was a bit apprehensive about keeping the boys close. I shouldn't have worried. They were (for the most part) little gentlemen. They held grandma's and mommy's hands while we walked the mall and were even pretty good while we waited in the long line at Dillards. (we decided not to press our luck, and skipped Macy's) As a reward for their good behavior, we went and rode the carousel. They were big boys and each rode their own horse. Grandma and Mommy got to ride, too. They loved going round and round, up and down, and enjoyed the lights and music. When the ride was over, they hopped down without complaint and thanked the attendant as we exited. We watched the ice skaters for a few minutes and then said goodbye to the mall. I was so pleased with my sweet, little men. Who needs a stroller, anyway!!

Hi/Lo Thursday

This post is part of "Hi/Lo Thursday" on Riggs Family Blog (www.riggsfamilyblog.com):

This is supposed to be a post on a high and a low for the week, but our high and low both occurred today, so it really is Hi/Lo Thursday.

Our high:

Grandma bought the kids a fish and brought it over this afternoon. Cass named it Nemo (of course) and the kids each got to feed it one pellet of fish food tonight. It was also nice that Grandma is feeling better and was able to bring Nemo home and visit with the kids a little. We miss her when we don't get to see her for several days.

My low:

Today is Bryan's birthday and I miss him. It makes me a bit sad to be here in Texas and unable to place a flower on his grave. It makes me even sadder that that is all I can do for him anymore.

January 15th

Today is Bryan's birthday. He would have been 28 and I find it sad that I remember his birthday now that he is gone. I don't know if I remembered every year that I knew him when he was alive. Now, when I hear the date, it stands out and I am reminded of loss. The loss of his smile, or his sense of humor. The loss of my friend. It has been 5 1/2 years since Bryan died, and still I think of him often. I miss him often. I wish for one more day, one more hour often. I wish I had known the last time that I saw him that it would be the last time. What would I have said? Would we have talked about the important things, or would we have joked around and just enjoyed each other's company? Time is a funny thing. It eases pain, but it can never erase it completely. Today, like many days, I miss you, Bryan. I've missed you since May 25, 2003 and I know that I'll continue to miss you for the rest of my days. For now, Happy Birthday, friend. I love you.

Holidays 2008

Cass and Ethan on NYE. Elijah rockin' in the New Year.

Ethan parties!

Christmas Eve 2008.

Trey, Great Grandma Donaldson, and the boys.

The Donaldson family chose to spend a quiet holiday season at home this year. As I type "quiet", I am chuckling on the inside. Quiet is relative with 2 almost 3 year old boys. Trey's grandmother was in town over Christmas, so we all got to spend a bit of time with her. It was neat to see the kids get some time with their great-grandmother. We attended Christmas Eve service at our church, First Baptist Mansfield, and the kids did pretty well. We drove around and looked at Christmas lights. The boys loved this activity and got really excited when the lights were on "their side" of the car. Christmas morning is a blur of wrapping paper and ribbon. The kids had a great time and Mom and Dad enjoyed watching them play.

We stayed in for New Year's Eve also. Grandma and Grandpa came over and the kids stayed up late (til about 10). We ate snacks and watched TV. The kids loved blowing on the party horns and putting party hats on Grandma, Grandpa, and Daddy. Altogether, it was a really sweet holiday and we hope to have many more in the future!

Confession Time

I have to confess that Christmastime is my favorite time of year. Starting at Halloween and running through New Years, I am always excited about the season. However, this year I am also excited to get back in my normal routine. I have had a wonderful holiday season and we've made some sweet memories and started some new traditions, but I have also missed some of the normal things that we do. I am ready to get back to Life Group every Sunday. We have so many great friends there and I miss seeing them on a regular basis. I am ready to see Baby Gracie again, too. Sleeping in for the past two weeks has been nice, but I bet she's grown even in that short time and I can't wait to see her first thing Monday morning. I am also excited for Choir and Bunco to start back up again. It is fun to get out and have a few adult conversations (not that Cassie can't talk...and talk...and talk.) and of course enjoy yummy treats at Bunco.
While I love all of these activities that I am already involved in, I am also looking forward to making a few changes in 2009. I have been working at Fashion Bug for the past few months and hope to continue doing so even though the holidays have passed. I am really enjoying it and love that it's part time. It's fun to go to work for a few hours and then come home and not worry about how things are going at the store. I also signed up for a 2 year membership at 24 Hour Fitness. The gym is just down the street, so I am hoping to really give it a go and get in better shape. (Maybe Cass and her gymnastics lessons will be an inspiration.) I am also determined to get Elijah and Ethan POTTY TRAINED. I am so not looking forward to this endeavor, but it has to be done. It will be so wonderful not to be changing diapers all of the time. (It's been 5 1/2 years and counting of diaper changing at the Donaldson's!!)
So, 2009 has arrived and I am looking forward to the coming year. I can't wait to see what this new year has in store for the Donaldson family and I vow to try to enjoy each day as it comes. I hope to see some old friends and family in the coming months, deepen the new friendships that have been forged in the past year, and maybe make some new friends along the way.

Layers of an Onion (Thanks again, Rachel)

Layers of an Onion
Peeling back the onion that is my life.



LAYER 1:Tell us your...

* Name: Alyssia

* Birthday (month, day): March 7

* Birthplace: Virginia

* Current location: Texas

* Eye color: Blue

* Hair color: Brown

* Height: 5'4"

* Righty or lefty: Righty

* Zodiac sign: Pisces



LAYER 2:What's...

* Your heritage: English

* The shoes you wore today: Slippers

* Your weakness: Chocolate

* Your fears: spiders, snakes

* Your perfect pizza: Mushroom

* Goals you’d like to achieve: Raise my kids to love the Lord!

* Your first waking thoughts: "Snooze, please."

* Your best physical feature: Eyes

*Your most missed memory: I had a great time at my wedding! That would be fun to do over. I also wish I had treasured the time more when the kids were itty-bitty.



LAYER 3:Do you...

* Smoke: No

* Cuss: No

* Sing: In choir and the shower

* Do you think you’ve been in love: I am in love.

* Did you go to college: For a bit.

* Liked high school: Sure

* Want to get/stay married: Of course.

* Believe in yourself: Most days.

* Think you’re attractive: Sometimes.

* Think you’re a health freak: Nope. Maybe that'll be my New Year's Resolution (again).

* Get along with your parent(s): Yes. They are awesome!

* Like thunderstorms: I used to, but then we moved to Texas. Storms down here are wicked scary!

* Play an instrument: Nope, but I'd like to learn to play guitar and piano.



LAYER 4:In the past month have you…

* Drank alcohol: No.

* Smoked: Nope.

* Done a drug: Cold meds. count?

* Made out: Wouldn't you like to know.

* Gone on a date: I got Trey to take me to see Twilight.

* Gone to the mall: Yep. Christmas Shopping.

* Eaten an entire box of Oreos: No.

* Eaten sushi: No, but now I'd like to go get some.

* Been on stage: Yep, choir.

* Been dumped: Nope. Still very happily married.

* Gone skating: No.

* Gone skinny dipping: No, it's winter.

* Stolen anything: No



LAYER 5:Have you ever…

* Played a game that required removal of clothing: Yeah. Not one of my best moments.

* Been trashed or extremely intoxicated: Unfortunately.

* Been caught “doing something”: No

* Been called a tease: I hope not.

* Gotten beaten up: No

* Shoplifted: Nope



LAYER 6:

* Age you did get/hope to be married: I was 24.

* Numbers and names of children (either you have or want): Cassandra (5) and Ethan & Elijah (2 1/2). Maybe someday we'll have more. Who knows?

* Describe your dream mate: My husband, Trey, fits the bill. He's sweet and smart and I've always thought he was good looking. He's an awesome father, a thoughtful gift giver, a friend and supporter.

* How do you want to die: In my sleep.

* What did you want to be when you grow up: A wife and mother and also a writer/journalist.

* What country would you most like to visit: England



LAYER 7: Now tell...

* Name a person you could trust with your life: Trey

* Name a favorite CD that you own: WOW 2007

* Number of piercings: 4 in each ear and I used to have a tongue ring.

* Number of tattoos: One butterfly on my back.

* Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper: Does my old high school paper, The North Star, count? I was on staff.

* Name a past experience that you regret: I wish I had set a better example for Bryan and in so doing been a better friend to him. I miss him so much and it's a hard lesson to learn that tomorrow is never a guarantee.

Catching Up

Well, it's been a busy couple of weeks. I guess tis the season. We've had Christmas parties, Christmas shopping, Christmas Extravaganza, Christmas Cookie baking. Our internet was also out for over a week, so that kept me from checking in. In the upcoming weeks, we'll have family visiting and lots more Christmas stuff going on. Trey's grandmother is coming down to stay with his parents for the holiday. We are so blessed to still have her with us and it will be neat to watch her and the kids get to know one another. Trey's sister and nephews are also coming down for a Christmas visit and it will be great to see them again, too. I love this season. Despite the business, I just love it! I am so excited to share this Christmas with my family in our first official "home of our own". Merry Christmas, everyone.