All about the Darringtons

I was reading an article in the paper on Monday that said that one in 11 credit cards are in default. I saw on the news that 60% of Americans experienced some negative impact regarding their jobs ( pay cut, lay off, loss of benefits, etc). I have also seen the heart wrenching destruction in Haiti. I feel so grateful for what we have. Kiev has a stable job that provides medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits. We have savings and no debt, and we are getting ready to purchase our first (and hopefully lifetime) home. Our children are intelligent and very healthy, and quite spoiled. I have been blessed with the best friends that a person could ever ask for. I mean truly amazing people that are absolutely incredible. I have a wonderful husband that works hard for our family, and puts up with me in a way no other man could. :) I am just so humbled by our circumstances and so grateful for this amazing time in my life. :)

We are having a wonderful start to this year. It has been so lovely to have Kiev home on break from school. The kids are absolutely in heaven having their daddy here to play with. Holiday toys are getting much use. :) I think the kids are really enjoying their time together. I know that he is really, really enjoying his kids. This is the first time he has really been able to hang out with Madi since she was a newborn. He's looking forward to being done with his degree. Liam has taken some interest in potty learning. Im really laid back about potty learning, I totally just waited for him to let me know. :) A little bit of nakkie time and a few potty seats around the house plus a motivated toddler (he gets an m&m when he goes on the potty)equals marginal success with little effort. :) Hes not so motivated when he has a diaper on, but does well with just his big boy underwear. :) WOOT! We are ending the first semester of Alex's 5th grade year. I cant believe how time has gone...

What a year 2009 was. Most of us started by the twos; Alex's started her second half of 4th grade, I started my second half of my pregnancy, Liam started his second half of his second year of life. :) Kiev had a first; his first day of his new job with EDS, now owned by HP. We had a once in a lifetime experience when the Special Olympics came to Boise in February. Many members of my family, including my mother, step-dad, niece, grandmother, and some aunts, came to watch my cousin, Christine, figure-skate in this worldwide event. Not only did she take gold in every category she qualified f0r, but we had an amazing and enlightening two weeks. My niece and Alex got to see their first ever motorcade when Joe Biden came in to talk to the athletes, they learned to play floor hockey, and even got to meet a few celebrities! It was a great time for all. Spring came and I got bigger, and started feeling the effects of having a one year old and a big pregnant belly. :) But I would only be tes...