Sideris Baby on the Way!!

I just got a phone call from my good friend Gayle Sideris and found out that she will most likey be having her baby girl today! They are naming her Simone Alexis Sideris and she will be born at St. Vincent Hospital in Beaverton, OR. Gayle has been such a trooper throughout her pregnancy and is VERY excited to move on to the next step of being a Mommy. Please say a prayer for the Sideris Family today as they go through this amazing experience.

St. Theresa's Prayer
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing,
dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

Randomness

Lately I Like/LOVE:
-to watch Law & Order SVU re-runs, Gossip Girl, New season of One Tree Hill
-my black boots I got for Christmas
-anything and everything graphic design at work (new hobby)
-to download CD's that aren't played on the radio
-Camisole pj's
-Sonic's Watermelon Creamslush Smoothies
-skirts with tights
-the book I'm reading "Come Back"
-Ryan's sweatpants
-Rockstar Drums
- Super addicting!
-getting auction items for my work fundraiser in Feb.
-warm mittens...so cold here
-when friends visit my office for coffee, lunch or just a "hello"
-Better Homes and Gardens Magazine -such cute ideas
-painting my fingernails
-Solitare on my Treo

Things I could live without:
-the hunting channel...sorry Ry
-RAIN! and/or snow/sleet/hail...it's just not the same as home
-Watching the news
-The Wind- especially when Ryan is working
-Junk Mail
-Grey's Anatomy re-runs...End the writers strike!
-not getting enough sleep
-people being rude for no reason...smile!
-being in the airport for a bit - no more layovers
-LAUNDRY...I love clothes, but I dislike putting them away :)

The Little Things

You know how you have those days/weeks that just seem to be loaded with stress? I know it's all relative - one person's stress is another's holiday and people might look at me and wonder why I am the way I am - but I've had one of those weeks...and it's only Wednesday (not to mention Monday was a holiday..ha). I was talking with Grandma Brown this past weekend and she told me that everything is going to be fine if I can learn not to stress. Like my mother in law said following that comment...telling me not to worry or stress is like telling me to stop breathing. I was just born a natural worrier - thanks mom!

With a major event coming up at work and a VERY busy month ahead of me, I decided to do a little research on stress. I found that it takes a million years for one gene to change in our bodies. One million years! Physiologically, we're the same humans we were 300 years ago. But look at how things have changed in that short time. Some things make life easier now: washers and dryers, transportation, abundance of food, electricity, etc. But some things make life today more insane: cell phones, traffic, increased population, TV, busy schedules. I heard a statistic that we make more decisions in one day than people used to make in a year. No wonder I'm stressed out :)

Research says that since we can't change our genes, we have to create a map to navigate this crazy life. What can I do to try and stay on top of the stress so it doesn't affect my health and happiness (and those of others around me when I can't sleep and wake people up in the middle of the night..ha)??

My mom always tells me that the only person that can change the way I feel is me. SO, I'm going to focus on working on the little things that can make a big difference.

1. Take my Vitamins - I made a vow to remember to take my medicine and vitamins everyday in order to help myself be as healthy and as full of energy as possible. When I don't feel good I start to think I will never get anything done.

2. Eat More Often - I would really like to get into the habit of cooking "real food" more often for Ry and I as well as eating more throughout the day at work. Even if I don't have a lot of time and it is just a granola bar, there should always be a few minutes to take a break.

3. Notice. I need to try not to let the stress overtake me. It is helpful when I am able to recognize the situations that cause the stress and notice them coming my way. Sometimes I take on more than I can handle because it just feels right, even when I know it will cause more stress later on.

4. Get it off my chest. Stop saying "I'm fine" when I talk to friends, family members or co-workers. Sometimes just getting it off my chest can help unload some of the burden...even if I think it is just something little or silly.

5. Keep my sense of humor. I will try to see the irony and humor in the things that I can not change. Going through life without as many smiles as normal is never fun.

6. Ask myself, "What's the hurry?" Have some fun. Sometimes I feel like we just miss enjoying the moment. I'm only 24. Everything happens for a reason and their is a time and place for everything.

7. Take a deep breath. Lately I have realized that sometimes I just need to get away, even if it is only for a few minutes, to be with myself and my thoughts. The internet suggested take to take a walk, meditate, lock yourself away in a beautiful bath, or go to church. Find the peace and the silence.

8. Keep it simple. Simplify all of the things that I am trying to do. Do I really need to worry about trying to finish unpacking a few random boxes in the office right now? No, they will still be there in a few days...even though walking by and looking at them sitting there bothers me :)

9. Drink water. Everyone gets on my about staying hydrated, so I am going to try and do a better job of getting on myself so they won't have to.

Our First Christmas

Christmas was different this year than anything I have ever experienced. We spent a short time in Colville before the holiday and Christmas and the rest of our time in Tigard, OR with the Browns. SO, it was my first Christmas away from Colville! I have to admit, it was very hard for me to get used to the idea ~ but Ryan was very understanding and we had a wonderful time with both or our families. This Christmas we were able to... bake cookies with the girlies and see them open a few presents, see both sides of the family in Colville within 24 hours (thank you for changing your plans for us everyone), watch my brother make his own snowboard park in the back yard, go bowling with my grandma on the Wii :), eat my mom's Christmas dinner (she is a great cook), spend time with Taylor and our niece from Hawaii, watch Kaley witness her first snow (which she couldn't take her eyes off), play Guitar Hero on Christmas Eve for about 4 hours after everyone had went to sleep, play dress up with Tara and Audrey, watch a little football of course, eat turkey dinner (thanks Jimmy for catering to my distaste of ham), take a few naps ~ and most of all...spend time together. Thank you for a great first Christmas Ry. I love you and I look forward to making more of our own traditions.

Special thanks to Meg for encouraging me to post Christmas Pictures! Some of these pics were sent to me from my mom and sis but I wanted to share them with everyone. Happy New Year!