A Compassionate Care Christmas

This year Stacey (my program director) hosted our company party on Friday, December 17th.  She made a prime rib and the sides, and I made the appetizers and desserts. Most of our employees came and brought their families. Unfortunately Bryson was really sick (He started running a really high fever the night before. I took him to the pediatrician that morning and he was so sick that he had to have a shot of Rocephin {antibiotic} and was started on oral antibiotics. They said it was a horrible ear infection. And yes- tubes have now been mentioned. I spent the day at home taking care of him and cooking/baking while he napped. Thursday night was a long terrible night followed by a long terrible day on Friday.), so Jason and Bryson had to stay home. I was exhausted and sad that my family didn't make it to the party, but thankful for a sweet husband who was willing to stay home and take care of a sick baby.

We had a really nice dinner. I managed to get a few pictures of {most of} our staff.

Stacey (Program Director) and Me (Clinical Director)

 Mingling

 Janice (our Chaplain) and her husband Tim

 Joe and Annette Bryant (Hospice Aide)

 Tammye Anderson (RN) and Dr. Vance (Medical Director)

 Abby and Mollie

 Dana and Stacey

Overall we had a great time. I made it home at about 10pm and fell into bed.

We had another long night with Bryson (definitely not as bad as the night before).  Luckily the shot worked wonders and he was much better by Saturday around noon. Jason said that he would gladly pay $500-$600 for that "miracle shot." :)

We spent the rest of the weekend lounging around and loving on Bryson.  I love Christmas, but can definitely say that I was really really tired at this point. Next year I am going to focus on slowing down (I probably should have gone and bought desserts and appetizers instead of killing myself all day while I had a sick child at home). I plan to have all of my Christmas shopping done and gifts wrapped by the Saturday after Thanksgiving (of course I have to shop on Black Friday). All of December will be spent watching Christmas movies with my favorite men and drinking lots of hot chocolate...

New Favorite Game

This is Bryson's favorite thing to do these days. I don't know how it got started; and yes, I know that it is probably not the safest thing ever to have a plastic cap in his mouth (it is definitely way too big for him to choke on). He loves "shooting" this cap at us and laughs and laughs. He asks for it and is only allowed to do it with us watching him. :)

{scroll down to the bottom of the page and press pause on the music player in order to hear the sound on the video}

Enjoy!!!



Wait a minute!?!

Nativity Set Playtime

 Meet the new characters...



So I'm pretty sure there probably wasn't a construction chick with a shovel and hardhat on that Christmas night so long ago. Yet somehow, she keeps making it into the Nativity scene in our house...

December 14, 2010 {Bluebonnet Christmas Party}

On Tuesday December 14th I rushed to get Bryson after work and we headed out to Jason's golf course for their annual Christmas party.  I didn't know if we were going to make it or not because Bryson was being so fussy. Luckily he napped for just a few minutes on the way there and then caught his second wind. 

Family Photo Op:

 There was caroling in the back room...

 ...complete with books.  We would sing a song, and then someone would yell out the page number of the next song they wanted to sing. Then the next song would start. It was so much fun, and Bryson danced the entire time. The funniest thing was to watch all of the adults dance with him!

 Bryson and Wes

 Gary and Tim

 Bryson is in a phase {at least we hope it is a phase!} where he LOVES to turn lights on and off. That evening he let anyone hold him who would stand by the light switch and let him flick it up and down. And let me just say- he controlled the room. He would turn the lights off and everyone would stop singing to say "Ohhhhhhhh." Then it would stay really quiet as he looked around the room, grinned, then switched the lights back on. Everyone would then say "Ahhhhhhh!" He would laugh and laugh, and then do it again. Seventeen months old and controlling the crowd. We are in trouble!

 Jason, Joe, and Earl

 High-five!

 More high-fives!

Bryson stayed awake the whole way home and then crashed immediately after his bath. Last year Bryson had an ear infection during this party so we had to miss it. The rush to try to get there was definitely worth it. So glad we made it and looking forward to next year!

Bye bye?

I keep reading posts (Janet and Amy) about toddlers we know giving up their pacifiers. I'm thinking Bryson isn't quite ready...

Hoping we don't have a future hoarder on our hands!

Zach's HSU Graduation!

On Friday, December 10th, Jason and I both took the day off of work and headed to Abilene for Zach's graduation from Hardin Simmons University. Granny came to watch Bryson for the weekend, and Jason and I got a chance to get away alone (which has only happened once since Bryson has been born!). We got to see Amy and Zach's apartment, and enjoyed a lot of laughs as the men discussed how much alike the "Strawn" women are. Good times...  :)

Friday evening we went out to eat at one of Amy's favorite restaurants, TaMolly's...

 ...and then headed to Zach's graduation celebration. Amy called it a "Cake and Skate" on her face book invitation. Zach works at a place called the Family Life Center. It is a Christian-run organization with a bowling alley, skating rink, ping-pong tables, basketball courts, pool tables, and many other types of activities that kids, teens, and families can enjoy and it is very inexpensive. It is a way to keep kids off the streets and out of trouble. We had the entire place to ourselves for the whole evening. We had a BLAST! I can honestly say that I have not roller-skated in at least 15 years (how am I that old??). We were regulars at the roller skating rink in San Marcos when I was growing up, so this brought back a lot of really great memories. The music was loud, we were surrounded by family, and they even had a disco ball! I know that I am sounding like a huge dork right now, but we really did have a wonderful time. Here are a few (or maybe a few more than a few :) pictures from the "Cake and Skate"...

Amy put a lot of effort into the details and it all turned out so cute.

Zach's mom brought tons of pictures of him as a little boy. They were put in the middle of all of the tables. This one was my favorite!------>

 Grant and Kelso

 Zach passing out skates...

 My mom and Zach's mom getting ready to skate the night away...

 -Sisters-

 This picture cracks. me. up. Jason is pretty athletic. He can do almost anything. Bowling, golf, football, basketball, skating. He fell down one time, took his skates off, and walked off the rink. I laughed so hard. He said he was done, and he meant it. He didn't skate the rest of the night! Of course he made up for it in ping-pong...

 Zach's mom, Debbie, doing the limbo!

Old school...

 A verse I found written behind the counter...

 My dad and Grant playing ping-pong...

 Sweet Friends

 That night we headed back to our amazing hotel. It was called the MGM Elegante, and it was really nice. The guys played shuffleboard until well after midnight, and Amy and I hung out in our room. We were exhausted but wanted to soak in every minute that we could.

Saturday morning we headed to Zach's graduation.

 The Lamberts

 Yeaaa Zach!

 Hardin Simmons has a really neat wall where they engrave all of the names of their Alumni. Here is a temporary sign placed showing where Zach's name will be.

After graduation we all went out to eat lunch and then we headed home. We had an amazing time and were also excited to get home to Bryson. I honestly don't think Bryson missed us too much. He had so much fun with Granny {thanks Granny!}.

****************

Zach is starting seminary in January.  Congrats, Zach, on all of your achievements! We love you!