Wow! What a year!

This year has flown by! I'm sad to see it go, but I'm also excited for the things to come. We had a wonderful Christmas Holiday, although it was very busy. Christmas eve was spent at home. My parents and sisters came over. We had dinner, exchanged gifts, and watched a movie. They spent the night so they could see the girls open their gifts from Santa. We made a big breakfast, and then headed off to Nani's for Christmas there. Then Christmas afternoon, we traveled to Cullman to see Chris' family. We spent the night and had Christmas lunch with them the next day. Madelyn was not very interested in opening her gifts this year, as expected. Makenzie was all too excited. We were all so blessed this year. Now, that Christmas is over, I am planning for Maddie's 1st Birthday party. So far, my theme is all pink.(pink cupcakes, strawberries, pink rubber duckies, and pink tu tu's for my girls) It will be so much fun(for me) Madelyn won't remember but we will have lots of pics for her to see one day. I can't believe how fast everything is going by. Makenzie is 8 yrs old. It feels like yesterday that we were celebrating her very first birthday. She has grown so much this year. She looks so little in the pics when Maddie was born. Now she is taller, and much more muscular with long blonde hair. I can't believe how big she has gotten. Madelyn's arrival was so anticipated for so long, and now it is time for her birthday. Savor every moment during that first year, because it will be over in the blink of an eye. She is walking everywhere now and babbling. Her favorite words are mama and baba. Sometimes she will say dada. Her hair is filling out and she has a mouth full of teeth. Her and Makenzie have filled up this year with so many memories. Chris and I are so lucky to have the family that we have. I love you all so very much!

New Pics of Maddie

I was playing around with the camera today- got some good results!

Halloween pics

The past two weeks around the Rasco house have really been upside down! We are in the process of insulating the garage and sheet-rocking the walls. We have heating and cooling problems in the playroom. This should fix it. The reason for all the remodeling is because Chris left his job at AES- he's been there pretty much since we have been together. It has been a very trying time, because he loves his old boss and coworkers, and been really sad about leaving them. He left to grow his business and now he works from home. So, we are converting the playroom back into Makenzie's room and making her old room into the new office. Chris's parents have been great about doing pretty much everything! Anyway, it has been so hard to accept the fact that he left a carreer right here at Christmas and the economy is not helping my doubts at all. So far it is going well, and if everything works out, the risk will be well worth it! Makenzie and Maddie are doing great! They had a good Halloween, lots of candy as always! Also, I went on my annual trip to Christmas Village with my mom. I also took Sarah and her mom. We all had a good time, and got lots of goodies for Christmas. It really starts off the holiday season for me. It is absolutely my favorite time of the year!

bread festival

Yesterday Valley Intermediate had their first ever bread festival. They showcased many different countries by a bread tasting from each country. Makenzie's class was Vietnam. I was the server. It was pretty difficult serving over 200 children bread without them touching other peices. They came in 6 rotations, so that helped a little. While eating the bread, they got to watch a video on Vietnam and also see the hats and dragons the kids made. It was lots of fun and the kids really enjoyed it. I was exhausted afterwards, but Makenzie was so glad that I helped out. This is the perfect example of why I work every weekend night. I get to share in her experiences at school, and not all parents are able to do that. I am so grateful!

This week has been like always- BUSY! Makenzie is doing better(behavior wise) in school. Report cards came in this week, and all was good.She has not complained as much about chores either. She has mastered her back hand spring, back walk-over, and round-off back hand spring/back walkover. She has come a long way in a short time at Cowboys. The first competition is in Nov. The team is going to a pumpkin patch tomorrow after church. I have to work the weekend, so I can't go. Kinda sad about that! She also has a field trip to the 4-H center on Wednesday. Luckily, I get to chaperone. Madelyn is changing everyday. This week she has begun laughing out loud at everything we say or do. It is the cutest laugh I've ever heard. She will also wave at you- not like bye bye waving, but entire arm waving! I love it ! My in-laws came over early last week and stayed overnight. Terry is insulating our garage and about to start on the office/playroom remodel. If I didn't have him, well... the house would have fallen in by now. Chris is FOR SURE NOT a handy man! Thanks mom and dad Rasco for all your help! Plus, they get to spend time with the girls, so it's not all work.
This week I am going to put up our halloween decor- Makenz has been bugging me forever about it. Also, I started Christmas shopping. Everyone better get started. It will be here before you know it! I love it!

This past week

So this week and last weekend have been so extremely busy. Last Saturday, Sarah and I took the girls to the state fair at Oak Mountain. It was really fun. Makenzie rode everything there. She is not afraid of anything. Sunday morning was her Baptism. I'm going to post a few pics of it. Then, on Monday night, Chris and I went to see the movie Fireproof. It is a well written faith-based movie about marraige along with the up and downs it brings. This is the movie to see if you need any type of encouragment in your marraige, or if you need help bringing a spouse closer to The Lord. The website is http://www.fireproofmymarraige.com/. I really encourage everyone to go and see it. Thursday night kicked off the next two weeks of Kids market. I was there from 5:30 till 10 pm looking at all sorts of cute things for children. Please, if you need anything for your children, go to this sale. You won't believe the magnitude of this place until you see it for yourself. It is really one of Birmingham's best secrets. Tomorrow is Pelham city fall festival. Makenzie and I are runnung in the juvenile arthiritis one mile fun run. I haven't ran a mile since...well, I don't know when. This ought to be interesting! That all for now!

More new pics

So I took more pics of the girls with the new camera. I think I'm getting the hang of it. Let me know what you think of them. I think they're gorgeous! By the way, for those that are coming to Makenzie's baptism, please be at my house by 10:15. You can also meet us at the church, but be there around 10:30. Oh yeah, I did color my hair and cut it pretty short. It looks great. I'll post a pic as soon as I get one. Sarah and I are taking the girls to the fair tomorrow night. It should be fun!

New pics of Maddie

I took these with our Cheerbook camera. I still have lots to learn, but they are cute anyway. Makenzie missed out. She was at school.

Chit/Chat

So...I am sitting here at work in the cube, and finally all is quiet. YEAH!! As everyone knows, Auburn lost to LSU yesterday. I guess Chris' good luck charm wore off. By the way, that's me. He says that Auburn always wins when I am at the games. I guess not anymore. He was totally bummed, and now says he is taking a break from AU football. Yeah, Right! If you know him, then you know how emotionally involved he is with AU. A little too dedicated if you ask me! Anyway, both the girls went to Grandpaw's this weekend, and it is the longest I've been away from the baby. I miss them so much. I got to say hey and bye as they got out of the car and I was leaving for work tonight.
This week I am going with Sarah, Jennifer, and my mom to a new hair salon for total makeovers. I'm a little nervous about the outcome. I want to color my hair dark brown and cut it short like Posh Spice, but no so edgy. What do you guys think? I need some advise because I don't want to turn into a fashion nightmare! I've always been blonde, and I'm ready for a change.
Kids Market and mom is coming up next week. For those that don't know what it is... it is the largest consignment sale in the southeast. It comes twice a year, once in Oct. and again in March. I am a contributor, and I love the deals you get and the GREAT quality. The public sale starts Oct. 6th. Check out their website@ www.kidsmarketandmom.com.
I guess that's all for now, till later!
Crystal

I'm new to this

This is my first time setting up a blogging page, so it is not complete yet. I love to keep in touch with family and friends, and sometimes, the computer is the only way. For those who are interested, this is a snapshot of our lives.
Chris and I have been married for six years in Oct. He is Makenzie's step-father, but that is not a word we use in our house. He has helped me raise her since she was 8 months old, and we haven't looked back since. He is a great husband and father with a big heart. He LOVES football, watching Auburn and coaching little league! He has a new company, www.squadmedia.net That along with his full-time job and coaching, he is a little busier than I like. It will soon pass, and I will have him back. Makenzie is our 8 yr old. She is into everything girly. She recently had a spa/princess birthday with a hot-pink limo(thanks to daddy Michael) That day was the talk of third grade! She is a cowboys all-star buckaroo. They are a competitive cheer team. I'll keep everyone up to date on her competitions when they start. Madelyn or Maddie is our new precious baby girl. She is 8 months old and will light up the room with her beautiful smile! She looks just like her daddy! She is into everything now. I can barely keep up with her. She has been crawling since early August and is about to walk already! I feel like she was born yesterday. Her birth was such a special time in our lives. It's sad to see her grow up so fast! I just stopped nursing her, and for those who have breastfed, you know, it is such an emotionally difficult thing to stop doing. Before, she had to be with me, now anyone can take care of her. My days usually consist of helping Makenzie get off to school, taking care of Maddie , dinner, Cowboys, and bedtime (not very exciting, but completely rewarding). I work weekend nights at CHS on the surgery floor. I love my work and how meaningful it is, but it is so hard to leave my kids at night. Chris does a great job, but it's not mommy. Also, try going to church after working all night. Sometimes, all I want to do is crawl in my bed and not get up till time to go back to work! By the way, Makenzie was saved on Aug.24th. She will be baptized on 9/28/08. I will post pics when that day comes.
This is our daily life for now. I will post more later.