I am so ashamed that it has been almost a full year since our last post, but we are excited to say that 2010 has definitely been exciting for the Bains family.

Today was such a beautiful day, so we headed to the park with Clayton (Uncle BF) and Reece from next door. Jack had such a good time climbing and sliding, we even played on the swing a bit. I was amazed today of how quickly he made it around the jungle gym, climbing all over the place. I can't believe that his 2nd birthday will be here in no time.

Random updates...

Just a few random updates from the Bains Family...

I signed up to take a few graphic design courses at Clayton State University and I am very excited to get started! I have been working in Publisher for the past two years while I worked at the Tourism Association and during this time away from work, I thought it would be nice to hone in on those talents. After some research, I found a 4 course program that covers all of the software in the Adobe Creative Suite, so I signed up and my first class starts February 9. I am really excited so keep an eye out for my latest creations!!!

Last night, I was on the "nighttime" duty with Jack. This is something that Pete and Jack have done together since Jack was born, probably the reason that Jack started sleeping through the night when he was a month old. Each night, we wind down, dim the lights and Jack and Pete head off into the living room. With nothing but the TV on (usually catching up on their sports center), Jack sits in Pete's arms and has his last bottle of the day. Although, it has changed a bit as Jack gets older, the outcome is still the sweetest thing you could ever experience. It's a nice quiet time to spend with Jack as he slips away to snoozy snoozy town and last night, I had the honors. When Jack finished his bottle, his thumb went right into his mouth and minutes later, he stretched and sprawled out in my arms. The whole routine is so sweet that I just had to get a few pictures to share with all of you, and NO, taking the pics didn't wake him up.

The weather has been really crappy for the last few days, but Monday was a nice warm. After we picked Clayton up at the bus, we hopped on the golf cart and headed up to Taco Mac. What a great "late lunch" we had. Sometimes, it's just nice to spend some good silly time together. I included the video of Pete and Clayton sharing their elephant noises...something they have done together since Clay was a little baby. I also included a few pictures of Clayton and Jack...their little friendship just amazes me everyday as I see it growing and developing into something wonderful.

When we went to visit grandparents this past weekend, Jack found a new place to explore...grandaddy's workshop, "manville." I walked out with him first, to do a little exploring and of course he found ALL kinds of things to get into, most of which were not good for him but one section was just up his alley...the folgers cans with different sized screws in it. We played, and he studied everything he could before we walked back over to the patio area. I set him down and before I knew it, he was headed back out there. I snapped a few photos because I thought the moment was too cute to miss. However, the sweetest part was the pride I could see in my dad's eyes when Jack headed back to his workshop, or "manville" as he referred to it.

And finally, last but definitely not least...Bibi and Pops (Pete's Dad and Step-mom) got Jack his first 4 wheeler. Anytime he gets around the thing, he is nothing but smiles...pushing it all through the house...bumping it into every wall and piece of furniture...next step, motorized-oh boy!

Yay for 2010!

I am so thankful to be starting a new year! I can only hope that 2010 brings our family better luck on the "Financial" front than 2009 did. Although everyone is feeling the pressure from the hard economic times, I can't help but feel that our family has a large target pasted right on our backs.

The Recession "in short"according to the Bains Family: As many of you know...in January of 2009 The Sundried Tomato closed suddenly and without notice, leaving Pete without a paycheck for 2 weeks already worked and suddenly having to look for a job, only 2 months prior to Jack's birth. In March, teeter tottering on the end of Pete's Unemployment and with my income already cut while out on Maternity leave, Pete found a job with Dolce, a hotel here in Peachtree City. Finally...a job with benefits, vacation, decent hours and the possibility for advancement. In June, after being out for 4 months of maternity leave, I returned to work, only to walk back into the front lines of a full blown recession, and be laid off at the end of July. A blessing in disguise? Pete has a stable job and I was able to be back home with Jack while searching for another opportunity. Or so we thought...After 9 months of struggling with a company trying to find their own path, Dolce let Pete go, 1 week before Christmas. "In order to meet the owners financial needs for 2010, your position..."

So, in summary, here we are...facing the tough road ahead, again. This is the second time within 1 years time that Pete has been laid off and once for me. It makes me so thankful to be where we are. If we had stretched ourselves too thin with a home and more financial obligations, there is no telling what position we might be in...foreclosure, debt collectors, drained savings, etc. Pete and I talk about this at least once a day, we have pushed off buying a home until our Savings and finances are "just right" and because of 2009's events, we are very thankful that we have waited. We have both worked so hard to build a savings for a down payment on a home and we both would be devastated if it was wiped out during this tough time.

This past year has definitely been trying for both of us. We are ready to get our lives on track and find jobs that will support that. I know our time will come but in the meantime, we will continue to make the best of the best and enjoy the one great thing that 2009 did bring us...Lil' Jack!

On a happier note, let's talk about Jack...he is just over 10 months old and continues to surprise me each day. He has been standing alone, like it is a piece of cake, and taking steps like a champ. I wouldn't call anything a full fledged walk, just yet, but he is definitely taking steps. I think that the only thing holding him back is that he knows he can go faster if he crawls :)

We had our first snow today, Jack's first snow! It isn't enough to really play in, just enough to coat the ground and make everything beautiful. Still we couldn't resist the opportunity to get out there and get some pictures of Jack playing. It is hard for me to believe that it was less than a year ago, 4 days before Jack's birth, that I stood in the snow, 9 months pregnant.