Change Is the Only Constant

As I sit here, once again in relflection.... 3 days before we ring in 2011... and thus begin a whole new year...
it feels like only yesterday I was in this exact same chair reflecting on 2009 and wondering what 2010 would bring.  It's a feeling of both hope and of nervous anticipation, esspecially considering the state of our economy these days!  Jeff and I have come to realize that the only constant, is change.

We are certainly seeing many changes for us on the horizon, some we like, most we don't .... but either way, I suppose it doesn't much matter since these changes will most likely change again before too long!  All we really ever have is our health God willing, and each other... the rest is just details.

Our details.... could be a lot worse!

One of the first things the new owners of Jeff's company began doing, is shutting down a lot of restaurants... including Jeff's.  Thank Goodness he is still employed.  Then they took away the  managers comp cards, and so we will no longer be able to eat there for free... which we can live with out.  Then they just changed our insurance, more then doubling the monthly cost to us, which was just way more then we could afford.  So we are grateful that we live in Illinois, which happens to be the only state in the country offering All Kids, a healthcare option for families who don't make enough to pay for private insurance, but make too much to qualify for medicaid...like ourselves, so I am enrolling the kids in that.  Jeff will be covered since he is the employee... and I will not be.  I'm okay with that since I'm finally done having kids, and I grew up with out medical insurance so I don't really worry too much about it.  You get the bill. you pay it, or make payments... and God forbid, as long as nothing major happens, it's fine.  I'm the sorta person that refuses to take anything for anything, or go to the doctor unless I'm dying or something's broken... so it'll be okay.  At least the kids and Jeff, our bread winner.... will be insured!  I'm just waiting and praying that they don't start docking pay...

So anyhow, it's the sort of the thing that feels like a kick in the private parts, when you've worked as long and as hard as Jeff has for our family, but we have to remember how lucky we are just to have a job in the first place.  So we are, grateful, and learning to roll with the punches so to speak, and accept if not be grateful that we can count on change as the only constant... for better or worse. 

We've been fighting two different colds and the stomach flu this entire month, so we are sick of being sick....
but hoping we are done with illnesses for the season!

All of this not to overshadow the fact that we a had a great year and a very wonderful Christmas!!  We have a new found faith in God, ourselves and our future that will see us through the coming years.  Thank you so much family for the wonderful gifts/gift cards and such you all sent for the kids, really made their Christmas an abundant one!!  Holy Cow!  I need to go find places to put all these fantastic new toys!!
We hope you are all doing well, healthy and embracing the New Year!
All our love... the Sugdens~

Happy Birthday Jesus! We ♥ U!

It's Christmas Eve, and this Santa has yet to wrap let alone deliver the presents... but as I sit sipping Santa's Pear Cinnamon Cider and eating the warm "booger cookies" or, sugar cookies we just baked for him.... I sit in quiet reflection while the children are nestled all snug in their beds!  Chistmas day is upon us, and I can't help but feel like a marathon runner, eagerly approaching the finish line, exhausted if not relieved to almost be done!

Yes, I admit, although this time of year is one of my favorites, it is also one of the most challenging when your name is MOM!  Holding fast to traditions, I caved and let the kids bake cookies tonight...despite the fact that they're all sick (hence the term booger cookies).  Luckily, I was smart enough to give them their own dough to play with but threw it away when they were done while I salvaged the untainted dough to make cookies on my own!  It was challenging... as AJ cracked his egg on the table instead of into the bowl and dumped his brother's soup left out on the table all over himself and the kitchen floor.  Then he tripped over the cord to the mixer and dropped Santa's cookies... it was one obstacle after another... but when AJ said, "Mom, this is the best Christmas ever, I just love spending time together, and making cookies and getting presents..."  I remembered why I undergo the stress... and if that wasn't convincing enough, their bedtime prayers, which included "Happy Birthday Jesus, I love you" about put me into sobs... SO sweet!  God, I love those kids!
The cookies weren't bad either! 

AJ had his first Christmas recital, we were so excited!  He did great, the kid is a natural... he was way too cool for the movements though, not a one was done with out also a roll of the eyes just to show his obvious contempt if not embarassment!

We finally went to see Santa the other night... it was snowing and picture perfect!  The boys were so cute as we waited in line to see Santa, they were on their tippy toes to peek in at him... AJ even gave Jack a boost!  Too precious!  Maddie wanted new binkis, Jack some Legos and AJ, a firetruck.... then we drove around looking at Christmas lights while sipping our hot coffees and cocoas!   In addition, we even snook in a little sledding!!  Hope you enjoy the photos!!  Thank you so much to you, Aunty's and Uncles, Grandma's and Grandpa's, for all the wonderful gifts you sent for the kids!  They are going to be so excited to open them!  I'll update before the new year with pictures of Christmas Day!  May you all have a Merry one, happy Ho,Ho, Ho to you!!!  And,... "Happy Birthday Jesus... we love you!"

Maddie in her cool new hat, thanks Aunty Tricia and Uncle Mark!

It's like Where's Waldo, can you spot our boy?

Spying on Santa.....

Given Jack a boost... what a nice big brother!

Um, I want "wego" = Legos...Thank you to Grandpa Thom and Grandma Karen....

"I want a firetruck"  Me: A fire truck, why? AJ: "I don't have one..."  well okay then....

"man you're hairy!"

Woopsi... no use cryen over spilt egg!

Jacky Crocker!

mmmm........ and to all, a good night!

Giving Thanks...

November has come and gone and I have neglected to blog it! 
It was a wonderful month of much to be grateful for... beginning with the fact that Jeff got to keep his job!
At the end of October, the company claimed bankruptcy and sold at auction... the new owners shut his store down... he had to lay off his entire staff!  It was difficult, to say the least, but we are grateful he was
saved! 
I am grateful, that Jeff's Aunt and Uncle, Mark and Tricia just happened to be in town visiting for Halloween when it happened so they could help me with the kids, and I could help Jeff break down the restaurant and close it up!  It was sad.  As Jeff said, he openned it... so he saw the first check come through the window and the last!  We ended up with a lot of great loot out of the deal, they were just getting rid of stuff... so we took a lot home with us... which Jeff considers his payment for running the restaurant for 3 months with out the title or pay.  Anyhow, that chapter is closed.  He is now working closer to home, and still working... so it's all good.  We're anxiously awaiting to see what else they change in the new year as they close escrow and take over the reigns!  BIG thanks to Mark and Tricia for all you do and have done to help us, and the kids!  Taking the kids shopping for toys and costumes, on walks to hunt for snails, decorating pumpkins and swimming at the hotel!  Don't know what we'd do with out you!!  We sure enjoy our time together, and we all treasure you and the memories!!

Also in November, my Mom came for a visit for 10 whole days!  She was sick and tired from traveling, and let's face it.... overwhelmed because my 3 kids are 5 and under and loud and need something constantly, and my house generally resembles this!  So it took a couple days for her to settle in and get used to us, and me a couple days to figure out what roles I should be pickng up as she lent a much needed hand with the house and kids!  Then of course we're still adjusting to her being gone now, and it's been a few weeks!  We miss Grandma every day and can't thank you enough for all you do for us!  She even helped me paint the family room walls while she was here which are like 30 feet plus high?!  I felt so bad cause I could tell she was not really in the mood to tackle such a project, but I persisted that I would do it if she could help with the kids, cause I couldn't bare the thought of another long winter with cold white walls.  She gave in and of course ended up helping me paint as well!  :)  Thanks again Mom!  Also we celebrated our own Christmas morning with presents under the tree while she was here too... the kids love the hot wheels toys and the moon dough collections!  And we made pickles and jam, and cookies and soup, and ice cream and candy... Mom cooked and baked up a storm and we all REALLY appreciated it!!  I've still got the extra pounds to prove it! ;)

I also finished my kitchen island I built out of a cabinet for extras storage and counter space, mom helped me finish the grout on my kitchen tile backsplash, put up chair rail and wainscotting in the family room and on the stair case and alas, the house is finally starting to feel like a home, esspecially with family in it and the Christmas decorations up!

before

                                   After

Before 

After

corner/contrast

We enjoyed Thanksgiving as a family, at Jeff's restaurant with him...since he had to work.

Austin brought home the flu bug this week from school I imagine, it's presently working it's way through our house!  So far, poor Jack has suffered the worst!  I'm doing my best to beat it, armed with Vitamin C, Lysol, Bleach, my washing machine and Chicken soup w/ lots of garlic and ginger..... good news is, we got it out of the way for the season!
Uncle Mark just flew in for the day on December first to go to the UNLV vs. IL. basketball game, where the Rebels slaughtered 'em by 30 points!  It was a lot of traveling for a short amount of time... and he may have even acquired our flu bug while here?!  Hope not..... all proof positive how much he loves his God Son and his very lucky family!
Maddie took her very first step on the 18th of November and then took 5 whole steps before sitting on December first, while Uncle Mark was visitng!

So here we are, in December already!  Just can't believe another year has come and gone so quickly!  Time to get the Christmas cards out and the cookies made... and enjoy another beautiful season with the one's we hold dear!  Wishing you and yours the sort of love and peace that only the good Lord himself can provide!
BELIEVE in the joy, love and miracles of the holiday season! ♥ the Sugden's

Fall Fun!!

Another fun filled month gone by already!!

We spent Jeff's 36th Birthday in the Presidential Suite at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin for 3 days!  It was a blast!  We had a jacuzzi on the balcony of our suite which the boys enjoyed as much if  not more then we did!  We had a great time as a family at the indoor waterpark, and it was the first year the boys went down the BIG waterslides!  I was so shocked and amazed!  They sure are growing up!  We also went bowling, which was a blast.. and had tons of fun in the arcade and theme park... it was a great short trip! 

We got to go, as a family along with AJ for his first official, school field trip to Tom's Farm!  And even though we have been there every year since his very first Halloween in Illinois 4 years ago... it was the first time we got a tour behind the scenes and a hayride out to the actual pumpkin patch where the boys were able to pick their own pumpkins and gords right off the vines!  I am, well... as old as I am, and I have never gotten to do that before!  So cool!  The kids are sure getting to experience so many cool things out here in the midwest... if we had our family closer, it would be perfect and there'd be nothing missing!

In addition I finally finished installing all the new flooring... got the kitchen done in 14 hours, we love our new floors!  Next I'm putting a tile backsplash in, more frameing with the wainscot and paint!  I love doing projects!  We're looking forward to Halloween, even though the boys aren't sure what they want to be for sure yet... we are most looking forward to having Mark and Tricia, Jeff's Aunt and Uncle here with us!
And my Mom comes next month, we just can't wait!!
Here's a shot of the new kitchen floor....  til' next month or so... all our best, LOVE!~