Christmas and a New Puppy!

I can't believe another Christmas has come and gone! But alas, it has and in a few days 2011 will be over and 2012 will arrive and I couldn't be more excited. 2011 was quite the year. We've been living in SC for 6 months now and I have to admit, it's been hard at times. I have questioned more than once if this was the best move for us, especially lately since I have missed my family and friends so much with the holidays and we're just not where I wish we were financially. But I know we WILL get back on track eventually, and hopefully with tax season coming, we will get something back and can pay down some debt and maybe treat ourselves a little bit. :) But other than that, the move down here has had a lot of positives. Its December 27, and we have the sliding door open because it's still so beautiful out and it's been 70's everyday for the past few weeks. Definitely a lot nicer than shoveling snow! Work is going great for Bill and I and we have a great sitter (a couple now!) for Allie so the anxiety of always worrying if she would be cared for while we're at work is lessening. Now that the holidays are over my work schedule won't be so crazy and I can focus more on making myself happy and doing the best that I can for my family. And in order to do that, we adopted a puppy! His name is Dexter and he is a yellow lab/terrier mix which is my ideal dog. I've always wanted a Yellow Labrador and a dog that had some "scruff" to him. Dexter is a perfect combo of that. House training is going a little rocky but I am really working with him and hopefully he will catch on. He's not even 8 weeks old yet so he's still young and is adjusting well. Allie was a little tentative of him at first but she knows how to handle him now and has no problem telling him "NO!" when he's bothering her. Puppies are certainly a lot of work, but when he cuddles with me at night, it's worth it. It's definitely like having another child but I'm glad he will be a big dog and will grow up with Allie and be her protector. And we were able to give Allie a great Christmas which as a mom, is a great feeling. I know she won't remember it but to see her face light up when she opened her gifts was the best thing I could have asked for. Her bedroom looks like Toys R Us blew up in there and watching her play is so funny. I wish my parents and sister could be here to see her grow and play but we will see them in March when we go home to see Court and baby boy Denton (his name changes so often I will not call him anything else until he's born!) I can't wait to go home and see everyone. We hope to have Allies second Birthday party while we're there and see all our friends and family so hopefully that will pan out. I can't believe my baby girl is almost 2! Where did the time go?! But anyway, I know this blog had a lot of thoughts but I hadn't written in a while and other than work and just the day to day mom stuff, my life doesn't change a whole lot. But we're really settling in down here in SC, we are thinking of buying a house so hopefully I will have positive updates on that soon! Happy New Year all, I hope God blesses you all and gives you all you are hoping for in this coming year.