My Blindside (literally)

I am having lasik eye surgery tomorrow and though I am slightly nervous I couldn't be more excited about it. I've worn glasses and contacts for almost 20 years. Yikes, that's a long time! A couple of years ago my eye doctor dropped a big bomb on me - no more contacts. Yes, I was well aware that I had been way overusing my contacts for years and that I had caused a lack of oxygen on the surface of my eye. I was reprimanded each year at my eye appointments. Hence, I've been in glasses for the last two years with contacts only for special occasions. I don't hate glasses, sometimes they make me feel smart. But I definately don't love glasses, or contacts for that matter. I won't miss having a "frame" around what I am viewing or dealing with putting contacts in and cleaning solutions. So I thought I better document just how bad my vision is before my surgery. So here goes:

*I cannot read "the big E" on the eye exam chart, yes, I know it's an E but I can't read it.
*I cannot read street signs at all without glasses at even the closest driving distances.
*I cannot put on make-up without being a few inches away from the mirror.
*I have to get a few inches from the alarm clock to read the large numbers.
*I cannot tell the shower is dirty until Matt tells me.
*Most objects only appear in blocks of color even within 5 feet. There is no detail and definition.
*Ceramic tiles for flooring appear just one color instead of the terracota look they often have.
*Any lighting looks like a big blob of glowing yellow.
*Wood appears with no grain until I get very close.

I'm sure there are many things on this list I've missed. Right now I cannot even imagine my life without glasses or contact, until TOMORROW ...

Let it SNOW!!

While we were in Larned for the holidays the weatherman had forcasted for western Kansas to get hit with blizzard conditions. However, not one single flake fell from the sky!!! But we did come home to several inches of wintery powder in Basehor. Fenway couldn't wait to get out and romp around in all the snow but Madelyn really didn't want to, she just kept saying it was too cold. So, we showed her the sleds that Grammy and Grampy had given to us and although they haven't been used since Matt was a kid, they were a hit. We spent quite a while out in the snow making snow angels, throwing snowballs at Fenway, and sledding around the backyard. Thanks Daddy, you were such a sport when I wouldn't let you take a break to catch your breath!!!

Whee!

This stuff is cold but yummy



Snow Angels

Mmm, hot chocolate with marshmellows!

More Christmas

I know Christmas was a couple of weeks ago, so I'm trying to wrap up the rest of it in this post. We decided to go home a day earlier than planned on because western Kansas was forecasted to get a blizzard. How much did they actually get?? Not one single snowflake in Larned!! How is it that the meteorologists can be that wrong and still have a job? Anyway, we were able to spend some quality time at home with lots of family. First up, Christmas with the Eaves'. We were a little concerned about Madelyn's manners during present time because she had already opened a few a our house and said she didn't want them. Yes, I know hon, pajamas aren't what you asked Santa for but you still get some. Usually it is a very low key Christmas, we all open one at a time and each take turns, but not this year. Someone thought they should unwrap all of hers first and then help everyone else. Oh well, it was fun!

Matt's dad has started a tradition of getting him a bottle of Crown Royal every Christmas. He loves it!

Mommy, I'll take your picture too!

So tired!

At my parent's house, we had to wait until my sister and brother in-law arrived to open gifts. This was a killer for Madelyn! She did a little better this time, she opened hers and then just wanted to play with them. She didn't want to stop playing with them to open the next. I'll help you Papa.

What is it?

My new table!

We also got to see many extended family and some friends. Then we drove home with no snow on the ground and the further east we came the more snow we saw. It was amazing to pull into our drive with several inches of the powdery white stuff already there!

Christmas at Home

What a difference a year makes!! Last year we tried our hardest to get Madelyn to say Ho, Ho, Ho and had absolutely no luck. But this year she really got into it and we had tons of fun!! She liked Santa but wasn's shy about the fact that she was a little bit scared of him too. She learned several Christmas songs that we are still singing now. Some of the favs: Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer, Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman (although the words aren't quite right), and Oh Christmas Tree. She belts out the lyrics anywhere she can, even in restaurants when she should be quietly eating!! Making cookies for Santa and putting out carrots for the reindeer were each a hit.

Before she even glanced in the direction of the presents, she had to check to see if Santa ate the cookies and go outside to see if there were any carrots left.

The new vanity.

Daddy getting all dolled up! (hee,hee)

Yeah, candy necklaces in my stocking!

My new books

Cheese!

And some amazing dress up clothes, thanks Cameo!!

We celebrated at home a little early so that we could spend some extended time in Larned. We decided to drive out west a day early in anticipation for all the snow they were to get. However, they didn't get any, we did in Basehor. More pictures to come soon of Christmas with the rest of the family!

Can You Tell By The Look ...

...that she wasn't fond of Santa?!! We had talked about Santa coming to Daddy's work all week and she was so excited to tell him to, "Peas, Peas, bring a Barbie!!" and then she totally clamed up. When we walked into the Y there were reindeer hoof prints on the floor and she looked everywhere but couldn't find any reindeer so we opted to make reindeer "food" aka dry oatmeal with red sprinkles. When the line for Santa dwindled a little, she got brave enough to go up but then with each step forward she squeezed my hand tighter and tighter. Eventually Matt had to sit on the couch with Santa (thank goodness it was his work) and she was able to super quietly tell Santa she wants a Barbie. Oh well, I am never hopeful for good pictures at things like this so I skipped the cute holiday dress she would have thrown a fit to put on. It is as if the child thinks to herself, "hmmm, I bet Mommy would like a pretty picture now, I think not!"

Catchin' Up

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! We were fortunate to spend some quality time with family. I'm just trying to catch up on some of the photos and events from the last month and ran across these.

Madelyn loves playing with blocks these days. We build castles for all her dolls.

We soaked up the last rays of the fall sun several weeks ago. Here are some photos I took. It's hard to believe a year ago this particular playground was a little too big for her and now she mastered even the really big slide by herself!

Concentrate, Concentrate

Silly Faces!

Look who got into Mommy's Make-up. We can't keep her out of my jewelry armoire either.

Window crayons are a wonderful invention. They keep Madelyn busy while I'm cooking dinner.

Helping Mommy make Kool-aid

Stress Relief

A couple of weeks ago several of my best college girlfiends and enjoyed a relaxing day at the spa!! We decided that in honor of our 30th birthdays we would celebrate in style. So we drove out to good ole' Hays, Kansas and had a wonderful time at Rock Haven Spa. We were treated like royalty and pampered with a dip in the hot tub complete with champagne and a platter of yummy treats. Then we sweated away our worries in the steam bath with aromatherapy scrub. And finally we each had 1 hour massages. It was awesome to spend some quality girl time together. It was a perfect way to celebrate!!

Mindy, Beth, Sara, and I all awaiting our massages!

Chillin' after our appointments, don't we looked relaxed!


Yummy Treats while in the hot tub!


Thanks girls for an amazing time! We should make this a yearly event!