Back to work....what?!

Last week I got an unexpected call from my principal who left a message saying that she had a "proposal" for me. When I called back, she explained that one of the Kindergarten teachers was going to take on more of an administrative role, and they needed someone to take over the morning Kindergarten class! After the shock wore off, I sat down and told Kyle about it. At first we thought, although it would be a great opportunity, we had no idea how we could make it work with Jackson. I mean, I was not even thinking about going back to work for another 6-7 months (maybe). Where would he go? I hadn't even thought about a daycare....plus, was I ready? So I called my Mom because she always gives me perspective and then I prayed about it. Well, I think God was giving me a little shove because Kyle came home the next day and said his boss was willing to work with him so that he could basically make his own schedule! So, after a day or two of going back and forth, I decided that I would take the job! And I start Monday....Ahhhhh!

I think this will be really good for me. I mean, it is only 3 1/2 hours of teaching a day (so easy!) I am home by noon and I have the rest of the day with Jack-man! Plus, it will ease me back into work. I am working with the best Kindergarten team too. They are truly amazing and have made me feel so good about coming back. One of the teachers even said in an e-mail, "You can bring Jackson to meetings anytime you want. He is part of the team now too!" It will also allow Kyle to spend more time with Jack which is awesome! He will have him 4 mornings a week so we don't have to worry about finding and interviewing a daycare last minute.

And even though I am at peace about starting back, I can't help but feel anxious about meeting my new kids and their parents, a little nervous (Kindergarten is a whole new ballgame) and a little bittersweet about leaving my little man (I know, I know, it's only 3 1/2 hours a day!!) But we have been connected at the hip the last 10 months and he is getting so big so fast. I am afraid if I blink, I will miss something. He is truly the light of my life!

So I am enjoying the last few mornings with him and feel so grateful that I was able to stay home with him this long. I am really looking forward to being in a classroom again and seeing all of my wonderful colleagues. I think it will be great and I am so blessed to be given the best of both worlds!

Who could leave this face?

Jackson's first Christmas!

This Christmas was especially meaningful because this was the first one with our sweet little boy! Celebrating the holidays are always so special, but experiencing the sights and sounds with Jackson made it even more joyful! He is the best "gift" I have ever received!

We spent Christmas in Oregon with Kyle's parents, Kyle's brother and his girlfriend, my Mom, my sister, brother-in-law and precious nephew Bo and Grandma and Grandpa! Lots of family around us! The week was filled with parties and lots and lots of people in the house. Kyle's Mom hosted a Christmas Eve breakfast for 60 people in honor of Jackson!!! All of their closest friends stopped by to meet Jackson and have some yummy food. We also had a dinner/gift exchange one night with another family and their kids. Christmas morning was so fun! Even though Jackson was only 91/2 months, he had a great time "opening" all of his gifts from Santa, Grammy, Nana and Papa. So spoiled! :)

I definitely gained a pound or two from all the eating that always seems to take place when we get together......but, it's the holidays, it's ok to have a second piece of pie right??

It was a great week full of new memories, laughter and joy! And for the cherry on top, we even had a little snow! Jackson was memorized watching the little flakes fall from the sky!

What a special year! We cannot wait to teach Jackson about baby Jesus and the reason for the Christmas season. We are so thankful everyday for our little miracle and we are looking forward to many more Christmas' together.

1st Christmas as a family!

Ready to celebrate!

Christmas Eve with Dad

Nana!

All the girls with their matching necklaces

My sweet boy!

I love my Great-Grandma and Grandpa

Time for Bo to open his presents

With cousin Bo!

All the kids minus Bo-Bo

Christmas morning in my robe!

Look at what Santa brought me!

How are we going to get this back to CA?

The Milligans

Its snowing!!!

Watching it fall...

What a wonderful Christmas we had!!!

Getting ready for Christmas...

The Hammans household has been very busy decorating and celebrating the holiday season. This year is especially exciting because it will be Jackson and Bo's(his cousin) first Christmas! The past few weeks have been filled with fun and exciting events like Christmas parties, gift exchanges, looking at Christmas lights and getting our own house ready.

I love the whole holiday season: decorating our tree, the Christmas cards, the music. It just puts me in a wonderful mood. I love sitting by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa. I love the smell of pine and cinnamon floating through the house. I love making cookies and soup and other yummy holiday treats.

We are looking forward to a "white" christmas up in Oregon with the whole family. Something about the Northwest makes it feel a little more like Christmas! 70 degrees in southern California just isn't the same :) Even though Jackson is still too little, I am so excited to start new traditions with our family and watch Jackson tear open presents, come running down the hall on Christmas morning one day and learn all about baby Jesus and the reason for the season. I am especially blessed to have this precious little "gift" this holiday....my heart is full this Christmas!!!

Taking our family picture for our Christmas card!

Our little Christmas tree...

Santa's helper

Watching the lights on Garrison St.

Jordyn and I being silly

Jack's favorite girl Emery!

Dads and their babes

Look at all those lights

Jackson visiting Santa

Helping Dad with the tree

Time for the ornaments

Where should this one go?

Our beautiful tree...

Holiday Card Time!

Ok, I know I am a little early but Christmas is right around the corner which means it is time for my favorite part of the holiday.....the Christmas cards!!! I absolutely love getting the mail around the holidays and opening up all the unique cards from my family and friends. So I am jumping on the bandwagon and letting everyone know about this FABULOUS deal that Shutterfly has going on right now for the holidays. They are giving away 50 holiday cards for FREE. If you have a blog and would like to pass on the great news then go to http://bit.ly/sfly2010,

answer a few questions and voila!

We LOVE shutterfly. Every year we pick out the cutest designs for our family Christmas cards. They also have great ideas for Christmas gifts too, like albums and mugs. We just made Kyle's Dad a mug for his birthday with pictures of him and Jackson in Hawaii.....He LOVED it!

So.....if you are looking for a Christmas card (it's just right around the corner!) go to Shutterfly and take advantage of this great deal. We can't wait for you to see ours this year.....the hard part is just picking out one.....there are sooooo many!!!

Aloha!

I am a little late with this post but at the end of October we went on our first family vacation to Maui. Kyle's parents have a timeshare at the Westin Villas....soooo beautiful! The month leading up to Hawaii, I swear I was having ulsers thinking about the flight. Not only do I have a little flying anxiety, but now we were attemping a 5 hour flight with an almost 8 month old. Jackson did AMAZING! We were lucky to have an empty seat between us so he could lay down and play. Such a good baby...Phew!

Maui was so great. The villas are so beautiful and we got hooked up with a ground level villa looking out to the ocean and directly in front on the pool. It was perfect! We brought the baby monitors so we could take them to the pool while Jackson was napping because we were so close! We also rented some baby stuff from a company in Maui and it was so helpful. He got a baby bath, and jumper. Super cheap and they delivered it right to our hotel when we arrived. (For all you Moms out there, seriously check into rental companies when you go on vacation! It was awesome!)

Kyle, Jackson and I had such a wonderful week swimming, kayaking, eating and just relaxing with his family. They are so wonderful and they LOVE Jackson so much. Kyle's Dad (Papa) and Jackson were attached at the hip. They would go on walks together, swim in the pool, run errands and just play. We are so lucky to have such an incredible family. On a sadder note, 1/2 way into the vacation, Kyle's Mom got a call that her Dad had a major stroke. Kyle is very close to his Grandpa and the new devestated the whole family. Kyle's Mom had to jump on a red eye that night and leave Hawaii early. It was hard to see her go but we knew she needed to be with her Mom and Dad. We tried to make the best of the rest of our vacation despite the sad news. We left Hawaii with a ton of pictures and a lifetime of memories. Jackson loved Hawaii and we cannot wait to bring him back for years to come.

Aloha, I'm in Hawaii!!!

Swimming with Papa

Family pic at the pirate ship.

The whole Hammans gang!

Just hanging out by the pool in my jumper.

Snuggling with Mom at the pool.

I love the water!!

Dinner in Lahaina

Best Mai Tai on the island!!!

Last night in Maui...

A beautiful way to end our fantastic vacation!!!