This & That

Not much to report on the Jensens. Spencer had the weekend off (the last time that happened, I believe, was on Ella Ann's birthday party weekend and he was sick) so we were happy to have him around. We are really, really looking forward to January 1 because Spencer will then start two full years of research. This means he will work NO weekends! Spencer has always worked on the weekends so this will be crazy! He will still have to moonlight, though, to make money for us to actually live on so this does mean he will work one weekend a month and sometimes more...but at least that is voluntary...no one is making him do it! He will have more flexible hours and will pretty much make his own schedule. If we want to leave and go to Kentucky or Tennessee to visit family on a Thursday we can! Wow! No more sitting in Friday rush hour traffic....EVER! On the other hand, though, I hope Spencer doesn't get too bored while he's home more often (it's inevitable...he's biting the bullet to get back to work if he's had more than 2 days off....he's weird) and that we don't kill each other....I'm not exactly used to him being around a lot!

So back to the weekend. On Saturday we went to Atlantic Station for a little shopping (one last little gift and to replace some of the jewelry that was stolen). That was fun! Saturday night a girl from across the street came over and babysat while Spencer and I went to a Christmas dinner at one of his friend's house. It was wonderful! We haven't been out alone since we went to Disney with my parents in October! Ella Ann loved having a playmate for the one hour she got to play with her before bed and Spencer and I got to enjoy a very fun night out with friends. It is so strange to be in the car alone with him...at night to boot! When you think about it, when does that ever happen? It's the little things that make me happy! We got home around 11 p.m. and it was great that the sitter just had to walk across the street. Today we went to church and I took down all of our Christmas decorations. After dinner Spencer took Ella Ann back to Atlantic Station (Rane wouldn't have made it that late) to watch it snow. At 7:30 p.m. it snows (fake snow) in the middle of the square around a huge Christmas tree. The outdoor shopping area is decked out in holiday lights that stream across the streets as well so it is a beautiful place during the holidays. Ella Ann went in her pajamas so she was thrilled! Unfortunately, though, it did not snow. Booo. Spencer didn't know what happened but they had a good time anyway. Her and Spencer have been spending a lot of one-on-one time together lately. Ella Ann hasn't had her Daddy all to herself much so she is loving it and I know Spencer feels the same. A couple of weeks ago he surprised her and picked her up from ballet and he said that when she saw him she started squealing and saying "That's my Daddy!" Evidently when Miss Heidi called her name to be dismissed she shot out of the room and right into Spencer's arms (a resounding "Awwwwww!" was said by the other moms). It's the sweetest thing to see them together. She adores her Daddy.

So that's about it. We head out of here on Tuesday. Ella Ann has two more paper chains to tear off and it is eating at her to do it. She thinks that if she goes ahead and pulls them off right now then we can leave. There is no talking any sense into the child at this point. Excitement fully takes over all reasoning. I don't blame her...Christmas is going to be a blast this year!

In front of the Advent Tree. Jana made this for our family last year and we love it. Ella Ann will stand in front of it and tell me the story behind every single symbol on the tree. She's really paying attention! It is the highlight of her day!

Checking out the big tree at Atlantic Station.

Isn't this the cutest????