Nothing Worth Buying...

Ok, is it just me, or are the stores filled with crap this year? I went shopping today with my sister in law and Stella and we walked the entire mall and also went to Old Navy and Best Buy and I bought 2 Christmas presents. I was hoping to get more of it done, but I just didn't see anything that I thought anyone would like. I don't get it. I realize that the economy is awful and that people are not spending as much as they usually do, but maybe if there were better choices, we'd spend more and the stores would make some money. My sister in law had every intention of buying a pair of boots today and we went to probably 8-10 stores and she didn't find any that she liked. The assortments just are not that great this year.

I did find another toy for Stella, but those are not hard to find at all. I could spend thousands of dollars on her if I bought her everything that I saw that I think she'd have fun playing with. I'm sure that will get to be more and more fun every year. This year I think she'll be able to open the presents on her own and she'll even get excited over some stuff, but it'll be next year and especially the year after that when she'll really understand and get crazy over Christmas. This year will also be the last year that I won't have to worry about her getting into the presents and trying to grab ornaments off of the tree.

Anyway, I guess I can trying looking around some more for things that people might like and want over the next couple of weeks, but if there not anything new from what I saw today every body might be getting gift cards this year. I honestly don't mind them. Then I can go shopping and pick out stuff for myself. But I know a lot of people think they are impersonal. We'll see, maybe I'll find some good stuff soon.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We just got home from John's mom's house for Thanksgiving dinner. We had a nice ham and all the trimmings. It was kind of nice to have ham instead of turkey since we already had turkey at my parents house on Sunday. Stella slept through dinner today, she took a cat nap and then played with everyone for a while, took another cat nap, played some more and then we came home. She's now tried mashed potatoes (not that impressed), pumpkin pie (not so much either), whipped cream (now we're getting close) and cranberry sauce (that's yummy!).

It sucks that I have to work tomorrow, but at least I have the weekend. I think that the corporate office should be closed on Black Friday so all of us that work there can support the company and shop. Although, to be honest, most of us will be shopping anyway. I haven't even looked at our ad yet to see what all the door busters are. Shows how ready I am for Christmas Shopping!! I do have a few gifts for Stella already though, of course.

I want to take Stella to see Santa Claus at the mall and get her picture taken but I think I am going to wait until next week to avoid the After Thanksgiving crowds. Plus I want to go to Hawthorn instead of Regency because the Santa set up there is much nicer. Let's face it, everything about Hawthorn Mall is much nicer than Regency Mall.

John and Stella are playing on the floor behind me right now and I am going to get her ready for a bath shortly here. We've had a fun first Thanksgiving today and last Sunday. I can't wait to see what she thinks of the Christmas Tree.

Stella's First Snow

We had our first measurable snow on Monday and I actually thought to grab the camera on the way out the door to work to get a picture of Stella all bundled up in her car seat. I knew it would be dark once we got home and they said it might get warm enough to melt all of the snow throughout the day. My how motherhood changes you, I used to be in a hurry to get to SBUX for a mocha. But this day it was more important for me to capture Stella and her first snow.

A Thankful Time of Year...A Thankful Time of Life

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I decided today that I was going to take the time to get this blog set up so that I can start posting updates on Stella and everyday life. I've been planning to do this for some time now, but just haven't had a spare minute to get it going. Today is really no exception, but I figure I've worked hard for the last few weeks and I can take a few brief moments and just get the ball rolling. Once the start is up, I can keep it going much more easily I'm sure. I'm looking forward to the day off tomorrow to spend with Stella and John. I cherish every moment we have together as a family. Stella is growing so fast and now she's at the stage where she's really entertaining to watch. We love playing with her and making her laugh.

I hope everyone enjoys their holiday tomorrow and takes a minute to remember what they are thankful for this year, for me it is certainly my beautiful daughter and the family that I now have. I feel that having her has made me a whole woman and that I have changed in so many ways since she has come into my life. Being a mother is more than I ever could have imagined it would be. I am also thankful for John and that we continue to love each other so much everyday. He is a wonderful husband and an awesome father and I am amazed how much my love for him has grown since we've been married. Marriage is something that I think a lot of people think is not that big of a deal, but to me it is, and I am grateful that I have a husband that I can't wait to come home to every night and that I miss when he's working nights and I don't see him except for a few minutes in the morning as he goes off to bed and I get ready for the day. I'm thankful for my family and the happiness that I have in my life.