A Day Behind the Screen

I am jealous of people who work behind a computer all day.  Oh...how I envy the calmness, collective, and slow pace.  Well, today was a day behind the computer.  I enjoyed completing a few ce courses, sipping on my hot chocolate, and catching up with the blogging world.

I took a break midday to visit Caroline and school for her Thanksgiving lunch.  I am thankful this year that Matt is home and gets to enjoy the holiday with us.  Now...back to the computer.

Our Saturday

 We woke up this morning to find that Elfie had decorated our tree last night while we were sleeping!  He did not finish and he left the hardest part for Mommy, but at least he got off to a good start!  Caroline has been keeping a close eye on him today.

Caroline and I spent the day at Jack Mason's birthday party.  He turned the BIG 1!  We enjoyed time with friends and watching Jack Mason enjoy his cake and party.

 We came back to the house this afternoon and spent time with Nenaw.  Matt and Mr. Donnie had a father/son day at the Razorback game.  I decided to make salmon bites.  They were unusually good...not certain if I will make them again, but glad I tried a new recipe.   Let's hope for a week full of cooking at the Ritchie house!

Ready for Christmas

Do not worry...I did not forget about Thanksgiving, but I am ready for Christmas!  Our church had our annual chili cook-off Wednesday night and Matt got to be a judge this year.  He got to taste and sample every single type of chili.  Yummy job!  After the chili cook-off we began our Hanging of the Greens.  My job was decorating the children's bulletin board downstairs.  I have not finished, but when I do it is going to look great!

We went to pick up up Mom at the airport yesterday and I was reminded of the happiest day of my life.  Most people would say their happiest day of their life would be their wedding day, the day of their child's birth, or a special vacation.  The happiest day of my life was waiting on Matt to arrive at the airport from his deployment.

Caroline and I stood at the airport yesterday waiting on my mother.  While standing there I had the feeling of that special day all over again.  My throat started swelling and tears started bulging.  I smiled big, real big.  Thank goodness that anxious day has passed, my husband is home, and our family is as happy as ever.

While standing there I was more observant than the previous visits to the airport.  Love is everywhere.  People have tears of joy when their loved ones arrive home. If you need a smile, go visit the airport and experience the love.

 Jensen and Caroline helped me decorate a few ornaments for our bulletin  board.  They giggle and fight with sibling love.  I just love it!  I am reminded of all the time that Jared and I spent growing up giggling and fighting.

Sleepy hair for silly cousins

Today we might put up the Christmas decorations...

Date Night

Matt and I celebrated our marriage with a random date night this past Friday evening.  I enjoy getting out and about with my husband.  We enjoyed dinner at Loca Luna and a little Christmas shopping.  Marriage is the most important gift that God has given me.  I adore Matt.  I am also very protective of our marriage and the older I get the more I see the importance of putting our marriage as a top priority.  

Photo taken by Caroline Photography:)

Jeff and Peggy kindly volunteered to watch Caroline Friday evening.  Caroline was excited all week and had been anticipating her McDonald's trip.  She also got to purchase gifts for Operation Christmas Child, and see Santa!

Caroline and Uncle Jeff

Caroline and Santa

Saturday morning we had family photos taken at the East End Holiday House and then we had cupcakes as a sweet treat.

Jill and Aaron are back!  They came over last night for crock-pot pizza casserole. After dinner we had a friendly game of Catch-Phrase....let's just say that Matt and Aaron got lucky!

80 degrees in November...beautiful weather.  We worshiped this morning, stuffed our bellies with family, and then spent an hour outside washing the front porch and working in the flower beds.  I soak up all the memories of family time spent together.  I wish I could bottle up all the laughter and memories we have made together.

We watch Elf yesterday, and now Caroline and Matt are cuddled up watch Home Alone.  We are welcoming the holidays our way.  I am returning to work tomorrow after being off an entire week with strep throat.  I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Straight Hair

 We made a family outing last weekend and began our Christmas shopping.  We made a stop by the hair supply store and Caroline got a free straightener.  She was anxious the next day to put that straightener to work.  Within five minutes she looked like a different child.

Having fun at Lowes

 We went to watch Free Birds with Aunt Karen and Hannah.  This was Caroline's second time at the movies and she enjoyed the popcorn just as much as the movie.  The movie was a cute movie.  I am always the person that dreads going to the movies, but once I get there I have a great time!

 As of mid-morning yesterday I was finally not contagious and I was anxious to get out of the house.  I felt like I have been on bed-rest the past few days.  I went to meet Mamaw, Mom, and Megan for lunch at my favorite place...Panera.   We had the best time chatting about Christmas events and laughing about past funny moments.

November Swim

 November's swim session has ended.  Caroline's class got to end with a big splash off the diving board.  Caroline has learned and gained so much knowledge about swimming over the past few months, and most importantly has fun.  Caroline has went from not wanting to wear goggles, to wearing her goggles and swim cap.

In a couple of hours I will be on antibiotics for 24 hours and will be making my way out into the real world again.  It is misery to me to have to sit on the couch all day and stay cooped up in the house.  I still feel awful and I am hoping that Caroline and Matt do not get this nasty bug.

strep.

I NEVER get sick...until now.  I started feeling as if I was getting a sore throat.  Oh no, a cold was  brewing....until it got worse last night.  Much worse.  I tossed and I turned last night, shivered, woke my sweet husband up all night, and pondered with misery.

After getting up this morning I knew I was not going anywhere.  I could not swallow, I could not talk, and I had a fever.  Strep.

I called my doctors office and got in this morning first thing.  The culture came back positive for strep.  My patients at the office had to be rescheduled (first time for that).  My poor husband has been so sweet and caring to help me with every little need today.  He made me lunch.  Most say you should loose weight with strep...Not this girl.  I have been craving carbs all day.

So what to do when you cannot swallow without wanting to cry.  I know...work on ce hours, read a couple of blogs, and create a blog post myself.  I took an online ce course on saliva today.  My brain is packed with saliva information and I have now turned to reading daily blogs that I enjoy.  I have watched useless tv and feel as if I am on bed-rest all over again.  I hope that Caroline does not get this nasty bug.

On a happy note... 1) Caroline finishes another session of swim tonight.  2) Holly, my college roommate and friend, had her second baby.  Sweet Elliot is so adorable. I had plans to go to Jonesboro this weekend to see the new addition, but I am not risking the chance of getting a newborn sick.

This strep is going to make for a lllllooonnnggg week.  I feel like it already the weekend.  I do not like sitting around the house!  Hope you all have a good week!

Family Yogurt Night

David and Goliath for Pre-k

 I am teaching a pre-k class on Wednesday nights this semester.  I usually have anywhere from 8-10 loving, energetic, and sweet kiddos each week.  This week we studied David and Goliath and learned with God's help and God's strength David was able to defeat Goliath.  Caroline helped me paint our giant this week, and then each child was able to defeat Goliath with water balloons last night.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from our family to your family! We have enjoyed the festivities over the past several days and I have been glowing inside that Matt was home to celebrate with us.  Caroline is loaded up on candy....I have to admit that I am tempted to toss it little by little in the trash.  I will not do that...but this girl has candy overload!  We will be sharing it with her friends every chance we get.

Miles, Caroline, myself, and Matt

 We began our Halloween celebration at church Wednesday night.

Caroline and Jensen

Karen and Greyson

Caroline, Greyson, and Jensen

Ryan and Caroline petting chicks

Donetta and Peggy

Ms. Jo Beth applying a Mickey tattoo

Mrs. Shea painting a spider

Go Fish!

Mamaw and Papaw and their popcorn balls

Our Family

Caroline and Bethany 

 Yesterday we went to school for SCDC's Halloween fun!

Caroline's Class

 Each year the children have a pumpkin decorating contest.  The kids/parents do an outstanding job and are very creative with the pumpkins.  Your child picks his/her favorite book and then decorates the pumpkin as the book character.  Caroline picked Penguin Pete.  During the week of Halloween the center has a penny contest to see which pumpkin's penny collection wins.  Caroline got second place this year!  Thank you grandparents for collecting pennies!

Miss Amber and Caroline

 Last night we went Trick-or-Treating in the area.

Aunt Julie, Caroline, Uncle Roger, Jensen, Will, and Cooper

Aunt Martha and Caroline

Waiting patiently

Mamaw, Jensen, Papaw, and Caroline

Happy Halloween from our family to yours!