Ready for a New Year!!

I have not posted in a very long time, partly because we have been very busy and partly because everytime I thought of posting I was at a loss of what to post about. Things here since Tanksgiving have been very hard and I don't like to write about the yucky stuff.
Joe was laid off Monday December 1st. They made several cuts within the company and are trying their best to stay in business. The new housing market in Indianapolis came to a screaching halt. CP Morgan (the builder they did the most business for) slowed to only one house a day, during their best they were up to 15. There was no severace, he was simply paid his left over vacation time. He immediately applied for his unemployment, however, they are so backed up with claims he has still not received a single check, which will be a mere fraction of what was being paid.

For 30 straight days now we have applied for every conceivable job in a 60 mile radius. Jobs he is over qualified for, underqualified for. New industries, same industry. Pay cuts, night shifts- you name it. He has had one interview, which we are still very hopeful about, but no ther calls. I have also been applying as well. I have tried to find a part time or full time job- but have had no luck either. My college girlfiend is due any day now with thier first child and am excited about the possibility of providing child care for her. But that is all stil to be decided, and a personal decision to be made after the birth and her maternity leave. We shall see what happens, we are willing to do whatever we can to make it work. If I work part time he can take a pay cut job etc, if I work full time temporarily- he can stay with Hanna and draw unempyment until something comes...we are up for any scenario that works!

We will continue to pray, apply and hope for an answer and do the best we can. We have enjoyed the extra time we have been able to spend as a family, the help we have been able to lend some friends, like house projects and moving help and the help they have been able to provide us. We have truly seen how much we are loved and feel so blessed that we are rich in friends. Please keep our family in your prayers and wish us luck as we try to find our sliver lining in this situation.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours! We are hosting both of our families today, over 40 people will be celebrating with us!!!! It will be a crazy, crowded, fun time. I am so thankful that both my mom and dad are both healthy and able to come celebrate with us !We are so blessed and thankful for family and friends, and all that we have.....wishing you all the same!!!

My Happy Monday!

We slowed down, snuggled up and had a great day yesterday...
Our only goal of the day was to give our sweet dog, Daisy a bath. Mission accomplished!! Hanna LOVES to help out when it comes to Daisy!

Look at that face!!

Squeaky clean!

Then we thought we would make some cookies. Hanna wanted to make up her own recipe and I was having a "yes" day...so why not? We made Oatmeal, Peanut Butter, Brown Sugar, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies- and boy were they were good!! She loves to cook with me, which is nice, I don't remember doing that, much with my mom when I was younger.


And as if we weren't having a good enough day- we looked out and saw this.....

The first snow!!! It didn't stick at all, but it made us so happy. It is the simple things that make us really smile, I am so thankful for my happy girl, happy dog and Happy Monday!

Getting Involved!!

It is hard to believe that we have lived here for well over a year now, and with everyday that passes we try our best to get involved in our community. I am now taking that to a new level...I will be serving on the board for our neighborhood homeowners association! I am very excited, there is not a lot of neighborhood involvement now- but I intend on changing that!! I will be suggesting a directory, block party and an increase in our beautification efforts! I am excited to meet new neighbors and see what we can all accomplish. Stay tuned for updates....

Also, we are becoming bigger and bigger Colts fans! We even went to a Colts in Motion day last week, where Hanna got to meet some of the cheerleaders, take some fun pictures and get some cool stuff for Daddy. That was really fun!!




I am also feeling good these days about some projects I am trying to get done. My sister is finally moving out, after over a year...we are so proud of her and the exciting opportunities she will have with her own home. And I can't wait for the extra room. I believe we are trying to do a functional office/scrapbooking/guest room type of thing. This sounds complicated and I am sure it will take a while, but it will be so nice to have the room! I will be sure to do some before and after pictures!

Our trip to Disney World!!!

We are home,trick or treating and my birthday are now over and I can finally get to an update and downloading the pictures...and Jen really wants to see these:)!! Wow- we had such a wonderful time...I can't say enough, October is such a wonderful time to go! The weather was overcast, mostly cool, lines were short and it was such a blessing while traveling with Hanna to have those advantages.

We left very early in the morning and we were able to see the sunrise on the airplane, that was a true thing of beauty, we will not soon forget! Hanna loved the plane ride, colored and chit chatted with our flight attendant about things she was excited to do. We landed and used Disney's Magical Express to whisk us off to our hotel, no bags, no lines, wonderful! They delivered our bags to our room for us a few short hours later, Joe loved that;).


We stayed at the Disney All Star Movie Resort, it was so fun. A Fantasia pool, Herbie the Love Bug room and great food court. Hanna got a "1st visit" pin when we checked in- she was treated like a princess from the very beginning .....

We visited each park and left 3 days for the Magic Kingdom, which was a good decision, there was so much there she loved, it was time best spent. I underestimated how much she would want autographs and meet every character possible!!! She loved this, no matter how long the line, she wanted to meet everyone. So, we did just that.

We also had some wonderful surprises for her, such as Cinderella breakfast in the Royal Castle. We kept this a surprise from her until the very moment we walked in. The look on her face was priceless. And of course the experience This was amazing, all the trouble booking it was well worth it!!




The Princess Dinner at Akershus Banquet Hall in Epcot was also wonderful! The Princesses were so nice, stopping by each table and talking with us, This is were Hanna got to spend them most time with Sleeping Beauty- her FAVORITE!!


We also did a Winnie-the Pooh buffet at The Crystal Palace. The dining plan was such a great fit for us, I highly recommend it to any family considering it.We had our reservations, no waiting for a table and ate where and when we wanted. It was well worth the money, if only for the stress it takes away, but also, we found it to be a great value.

Some of our favorite things were: The Fantasmic water and fireworks show at Hollywood Studio's- really- this was simply amazing!! The Spectromagic Parade at Magic Kingdom, Story Time with Belle at Magic Kingdom, Lion King Show at Animal Kingdom. Soarin', a flying ride at Epcot, Turtle Talk with Crush, where he talked to Hanna!! There are too many to list...:)

This was truly the best trip we have ever taken, I feel so blessed that we were able to take her at such a magical age. Joe was never able to go as a child and he was so excited that this is something she will cherish forever. So, here are some of my favorite
pictures.....

Hollywood Studio's

The whole family(even PB) and Chip & Dale

I really like this one!

Hanan signed Mickey's autograph book:)

At Epcot

Ariel's Grotto

Joe really likes Donald- I love this one!

She loves her Minnie Mouse Ears!

Fantasmic Show!

And the Winner is......

Hanna got THIRD PLACE!!!!! All her hard work paid off and she was so thrilled to get third place in her pumpkin decorating contest. She received a certificate, ribbon and a $5 gift card to Metropolis Mall. She spent it at- no surprise here- Claire's, her very favorite store. She got two new pair of earrings. She picked butterflies and pearls (to match mommy- how sweet is that?!) It was such a great time!






So, now I am ready for bed, as we head off to Disney World at 5:30AM tomorrow! Look for a new post about the happiest place on earth in a week or so:)

Hanna's first contest!

We were visiting our local library the other day, when our librarian told Hanna about a pumpkin decorating contest!! She had just gotten a pumpkin on our preschool field trip and begged me to enter the competition...she couldn't wait to get started! So, Hanna made the perfect "Hanna " type pupmkin...and is now entry # 3 and can't wait until the judging party on Saturday. Wish us luck!