I'm not sure if anyone still checks this...I don't really blog much anymore, but am thinking about getting back into it. I think blogging is good for my mentality...and I still think it's a great way to journal about day to day life. I'm on facebook so if you want send me a friend request..Christy Wooten Newman... facebook is a great, easy way to stay in touch with everyone.

also, I still blog on Chloe's site from time to time.... www.caringbridge.org/visit/chloenewman

It's birthday week!! Happy and sad at the same time. Hayley will be eleven on Wednesday she is growing up way too fast. We are having her birthday party on Sunday since papaw Jimmy has to work (2nd) shift during the week. I redid her bedroom for her birthday...all by myself!! (with my honey's money of course) Well almost by my myself, my mom helped make sure her hardwood floors didn't end up covered in paint. I painted it, then we changed out her bed (went from a queen size to a full since her room is so small) bedding, curtains, decorations, etc. etc. Aaron didn't think it was a necessary change, so I didn't even ask him to help me. He does enough work around the house, so it's okay that he didn't help with her room. We'll probably do some type of birthday dinner on Wednesday, and then celebrate with family and friends on Sunday.
The blood drive for Chloe's birthday is this Friday. Her birthday is Monday. I don't have any major plans for that day...I'm off...haven't decided if that's a good thing or not. I'm actually thinking about getting a massage that day (I have a gift cert. I need to use) and maybe getting my hair done. I think I'll just stay busy that day so I won't dwell on the fact that Chloe isn't here.
Aaron and I joined a Fantasy football league through my work (I have my own team, and he is sharing a team w/my mgr). My team isn't doing so well, but it is so much fun! For those of you who don't know me in "real life" let me just tell you I LOVE SPORTS!!! It's been interesting having a fantasy team. We watch more games, and pay attention to teams and players we normally wouldn't. Now I can see how people get so into their Fantasy Teams. I used to think "what's the big deal", but now I get it. We are Eagles fans...and of course we like the Colts, too.
Hayley on the other hand, has absolutely no interest in football. :)
Hayley received her midterm grades last week. I'm happy to say she had all A's with the exception of one B, an 88% in Science. So, hopefully she can maintain her A's and get that B up to an A. She is doing well in the classroom, but a little bummed she isn't in the same class as the majority of her friends. We talked about it for a while tonight...I told her she can't dwell on that, to try to make new friends. Most of her really good friends are in the other class. I think the main problem is at recess...apparently she isn't very good at jump roping and I guess the kids aren't really nice about that. :( So she decided she would be the spinner, only to have kids tell her she isn't spinning fast enough. :( She's at a tough age. We'll keep an eye on her...encourage her and reassure her that she can be good at anything she puts her mind too. And honestly, I think she may be having some problems because she has some of the higher grades in the class, and she is a little brown noser...so maybe some of the kids are jealous or annoyed because of that? It's hard to try to figure out the minds of 10 and 11 yr olds.
Aaron and I have both been working quite a bit, which is a good thing. Only problem with that, is it doesn't leave much time to visit with my friends. Between the blood drive on Friday and Hayley's party on Sunday we should actually be able to spend some good time with family and friends. YAY!!!!

Wow, it's been a while since I've blogged...not sure if I remember how to do it or not. :) I really do want to blog on a regular basis, but for some reason I haven't been up to it. Also, I figure anyone who really wants to keep on me probably follows me on facebook...and we all know how easy it is to update on that. :) I do like blogging though and I think one day Hayley will look back on my blog (and caringbridge for that matter) and be glad that she can read all about our lives.
We have been staying pretty busy. Hayley is adjusting to fifth grade pretty well. Her test grades haven't been exactly where we one them to be, so we're working on that. They haven't been terrible, but she has been getting some B's and she even got a C on a Social Studies test. We would be okay with those grades if she was studying, but for some reason she has decided she doesn't need to study. I told her that's not going to cut it in 5th grade. She isn't going to be able to make straight A's without applying herself. Needless to say, she WILL be studying for every test from here on out.
Hayley burned her arm on the iron this past Wednesday evening. Aaron had just finished ironing, so the iron was still out on the ironing board. Hayley was messing with Izzy so Izzy bit her on the back, which caused Hayley to jump her wailing her arms (and being overly dramatic) causing her to bump into the extremely hot iron. It really is terrible looking, but it is healing okay. I took her to the doctor just to make sure we were doing what we should be doing. (cleaning it day and applying silvadene cream) I really hope it doesn't scar too badly. It's a pretty good size burn on the inside of her arm (from her elbow to about halfway to her hand). I felt so bad for her, but she really has been a pretty good trooper about it. It was weird to be texting nurse Leslie about a problem with Hayley instead of Chloe.
Aaron and I have been getting along really well. We've started having "date nights" on Fridays which I think is really helping us. Hayley spends a few hours with mamaw Janet so he and I can have a "date". We've just been doing dinner and a movie...this weekend we actually just stayed home...had a pizza delivered and watched a movie. Hayley enjoys hanging out with Janet and Janet enjoys having her so it's a win win for all of us.
Izzy has been keeping us quite busy! She is doing pretty well with the potty training...as well as being really good at chewing just about everything in her sight. Cell phones, laptop cords, toilet paper, socks, etc etc. She hasn't really damaged anything of value (yet!) but she does keep us on our toes.
September is birthday month for both of our girls. Hayley will be turning 11 on the 23rd and Chloe would've been nine on the 28th. I think Hayley is going to have a swim party at the Y. We are hosting a blood drive for Chloe's birthday...people will be able to donate blood and/or a toy in her memory. We will be taking the toys to the kiddos on 7west (oncology unit at Kosairs). If anyone is interested the blood drive will be on Sept. 25 from 4-8 at Silver Street Elementary here in New Albany. If you want to donate a toy it can dropped off at the school during the blood drive or if you aren't local and want to participate you can mail a toy (or gift card and I will purchase a toy) to 1902 E. Elm St, New Albany, IN. 47150. I was trying to decide what to do for Chloe's birthday and I decided what better way to honor her than to do a blood drive, then I thought some people may not be able to donate so if they want to do something for her birthday than can donate a toy for other sick children. Chloe was at an age where she she was starting to understand what it was to "give back and help others".
I can't believe it's already September! This year is flying by. I do love this time of year. Summer used to be my favorite time of year hands down, but it seems like the older I get the more I'm starting to like Fall. I've already gotten my fall decorations put up...I know, I'm crazy! I just love fall decorations and I love the smell of fall...we went to Walmart earlier so I picked up some pumkin spice, mulled cider and vanilla/cinnamon candles...my house is gonna smell so good!
Well, I think I've ramble enough.....especially since I'm not even sure there are people who still read this. :)
don't forget to drop me a line!

still busy............

Hello! Hello! Is there anyone out there? Smile if you can hear me......... okay, okay I'm crazy I know. I haven't blogged in a while, so I thought I'd jump on here and do a quick update for any of you who may still be following me. And well, I really like having some type of "journal" to look back on about our life..
Since my last update we have been quite busy! Hayley started school last week..she is now in the fifth grade, her last year of elementary school. CRAZY! I can't believe she is going to be eleven next month. She and I have been getting along a little better. I'm so hopeful things can continue to improve. I really think being back in school is going to help ALOT. She gets so bored, and it was pretty hard to keep her entertained and happy over the summer. She really thought we had to be doing something fun everyday....when I say fun, I mean something that cost money:) I was also thinking that this summer was a huge adjustment for her...it was the first summer she didn't have Chloe and the first summer where I worked since Chloe passed away. I didn't work at all last summer, so it was different for Hayley. I know she missed Chloe, but she had me every single day, all day. Aaron went back to work a week or so after Chloe passed away, but Hayley and I were able to have the whole summer off. This summer we did have some fun times, but I also worked which meant Hayley didn't have me at her beck and call. Granted she was with my mom or mamaw Janet, but it wasn't a fun filled, lets go somewhere every day summer like she had last year. So, I guess overall we survived the summer okay, and we did have a great vacation as well! It was just different than we're used to and I think going from having a sister to being an only child is more on an adjustment for Hayley than I sometimes realize. So, like I said I'm hopeful things will continue to get better for us as we learn to live our lifes without Chloe.
Aaron and I have both been working quite a bit (he works more than I do, but I'm averaging about 35 hrs a week)...which I think is a good thing...for all of us (more normal). We've also been trying to spend more time at home which is another good thing for all of us. I think the more we are at home and the better routine we get into will make our overall quality of life better. I've been cooking alot more and we are all trying to eat better. I've always made Aaron veggies when I do cook, but now Hayley and I are both starting to eat some of those veggies. She whines about it, but is getting better with trying new foods since I've been trying them too. We have also been working on Chloe's area in the backyard...it still has a long way to go before it's where I want it to be, but we're making progress. Izzy is doing pretty good...keeping us busy with potty training. She does well for me, but seems to not do as well for Aaron and Hayley. I think its because I take her outside more than they do. They're both so hot natured, they can't hardly stand taking her out in this heat. I, on the other hand, could stay outside all day. Aaron is not really satisfied with her potty training progress... I'm really hoping she quits having accidents so he doesn't make us get rid of her. We are crate training her so that does help.
Well, I think I've rambled enough for one night......I'd love to hear from you all...don't forget to leave a comment. Also...I can't believe no one left a recipe or a suggestion of new foods to try. Any takers? Oh yea, I tried to make chicken and dumplins today.....let me just say...total flop...had to throw it all out, guess I over cooked the dumplins? ugh!!!!!
night night!!!!

no time to blog..........

between work and all of my arguing with Hayley I have little time to blog. Please say prayers for us...we are having such problems with Hayley and her attitude towards me. I'm really at a point I don't know what to do. We (Aaron, Hayley and I) were planning on going to Holiday World Friday with my friend Suzanna, her husband and her son. I have cancelled those plans...which is really a bummer for all of us. At this point, Hayley doesn't deserve a fun filled day at Holiday World. So, I'm really hoping to make some progress on her attitude and our relationship soon.....

Hello friends!! Just a quick post tonight, since I really should be in the bed! We had a pretty good week. Still need LOTS of improvement on Hayley's attitude towards me (and in general). Aaron and I are going to really try to come up with a game plan or I guess I should say a "Life plan" to improve Hayley's attitude and our qualities of life. All three of us really do have so much to be thankful for, we really do have a great life...we just have to make the best of our lives each and every day. Happiness is a choice, so I am choosing for us to have a Happy Life..sure, everyday isn't going to be a happy, go lucky, peachy kind of day and yes, our lives will never ever be the same without Chloe, but it is what it is...and we have to make it the best we can! This week coming up is the last full week of summer for Hayley. It's so hard for me to believe summer is almost over! I will share some thoughts on our summer soon........it's definitely been a fun summer, but one with some tough emotional days! I hope all of you had a great weekend...here's wishing you a great week, full of love and laughter!!!!
love, Christy
p.s. I tried a sweet potato yesterday..with butter and brown sugar...didn't care for it, reminded me of mushy babyfood!