It has been awhile...

I know, I know...I dropped the ball over the holidays.  For some reason I found myself made myself really busy over the last couple of weeks.  Not to mention I think I got to a point where I was just over being on the computer.  Christmas and holiday season were incredible this year.  CJ and I traveled to Nashville to spend Christmas with my family then made it home to have Christmas with our own little family.  It was a nice and relaxing time for us.

We were also able to spend some quality time with one of my close friends who I don't get to see very often, Jessica.  It was great catching up with her and letting Elena and Lily get to spend some quality 4 year old time together.

2012 will be a big year, I can feel it!  I start my new job tomorrow which I know will be challenging as I am going to be doing something very different from what they teach you in school...I will be spending half of my time doing clinical work and the other half doing administrative/expansion/management type work.  It will be fun to learn the business side of things but I have to admit that I am not sure how to do that.  Good thing I am a fast learner.  I have the opportunity to work with some experts in Autism and developmental disabilities.  I am beyond thrilled to start this journey and so thankful for the people who fought to create this position for me.

Here are a few snapshots from the holidays...more to come later!  And this year, no resolutions!

Fun holiday get together with my small group girls to hear Misty sing and do a little dancing!

 Jingle Jog with Jessica, my running buddy!

 Elfie Belfie saw us painting the night before and decided to paint so pictures while we were sleeping!  He even painted Lily an ornament to put on the tree.

 Jessie came to visit!

 Christmas at the Brantley house...

Lily was SSSOOO excited to give me this dress.  She didn't want to open any of her gifts until I got to open my present.  When she wrapped it a week or so before Christmas she wanted to give it to me and CJ said not until Christmas morning.  A few minutes later she handed it to me and told me it wasn't a Christmas present but a present for my birthday or any day and I needed to open it right then.  Minor meltdown when I put it under the tree and told her we had to wait just a few more days.  She has a very similar dress and wanted us to be twins.

 I love CJ's face in this one.  His grandmother gave me a bunch of his childhood pictures when we were there over Thanksgiving so, for one of his presents, I made him a scrapbook of his childhood.  He was excited.

Making Jesus a birthday cake (thanks Waumba Land for making this a holiday tradition that Lily wants to do every year)!

 Mmmmmm, yummy birthday cake.  She made us put a candle on it and sing to Jesus as well.  Of course Lily helped him out and blew the candle out!

 Jessica and 2 of her beautiful kids!  What a fun day to play in Piedmont Park :-)

 And this is where the fun really began...

 And this is what happened when we got home...