Christmas at the Hejnas '09

Several people have asked to see our home decorated for the holidays. Well, here ya go!

Steve and my mom did a great job on the outside

Our "pretty" tree

The Living Room

The reason for the season

You can't really see it, but the garland is lit too

Dining Room

All of the LOVELY Christmas cards we received

And, yes, that is a life-sized Santa you see in the mirror (Thanks Dad!)

View from the sofa in the Family Room

View as you enter the family room from the kitchen

Toby likes to lounge in front of the fire

This is our "fun" tree.

The ornaments on this tree have been given to us and each has a fun story.

Isn't this just picture-perfect?

Even our entertainment center has a hint of Santa

Ornament Exchange '09

As promised, here are some pics from the Ornament Exchange on Dec 19.

I was pretty proud how the invitations turned out. Not too shabby!

Me with Aaron

Heather, Amy, Kate & Katie

Aaron with his "two wives" (Missy & his ACTUAL wife, Aimee)

Missy, Heather & David

Katie, Kate, Amy & Jon

Steve, Aaron, Chad, Rob & Angie

We Were on the "Nice" List

Santa Claus has been to town and we HAD to be on the "Nice" List! This was an amazing Christmas!!!

Christmas Eve we spent the evening with Steve's Dad's (Doug) family.

Back Row: Natalie, Danielle, Emily, Kacy, Kathryn

Front Row: Matt, Kyle, Steve

Our first Christmas in our new home, Steve and I were very excited to wake up Christmas morning. My mom and dad came over and watched us open our presents to each other.

Steve bought me new golf shoes, a Titleist hat, Some new sweats and...

A ROOMBA!

Steve checking out his new book. He also got a Wii, a bluetooth and a couple of scarves from me.

Toby wasn't forgotten Christmas morning...Here he is with the new "carrot" my dad bought him.

Later in the day, Steve's Mom, Mark and two of his sisters came over to our house. It's the first year they made the drive our way and we were SO happy to have them

here. It really helped not having to run all over so we truly appreciated them being here.

Shannon, Steve and Allison playing Mario Kart

Steve's Mommy, Laurie, getting to "just relax" Christmas morning

Early evening Christmas day, we went to my parents house to celebrate with my family. Mom made a super yummy roast and the kids were in perfect form. Patrick told us all about Santa bringing him a bicycle (A "Woody bicycle" if you ask him) and was very excited to open more presents.

Mom and Dad gave P & Eva a play kitchen and OH how they loved it! Watching them play was just enough to make you melt.

My purse was put in an unknown location during that gathering, so I will post pics once I receive them from the other cameras in operation that night.

Really though, we are loved ABUNDANTLY by our families and are so blessed. Thank you to everyone for helping us make this Christmas SO very special. We love you all!!!

1st Annual Hejna Christmas Ornament Exchange

Saturday, December 19, was the 1st Annual Hejna Christmas Ornament Exchange Party at our house. It was GREAT fun!

I spent the afternoon cooking food and trying to get everything ready. At 7 people started arriving and I was still finishing things up. We had Filet Mignon on Garlic Toasts (SO yummy!), Thai Chicken Skewers, Teriyaki & Pineapple Meatballs, Shrimp & Avocado with Wasabi Mayo on Cucumber, Bruschetta, and then the general veggies, rye bread with dill dip and such.

It was so fabulous getting to spend time with friends. Sadly, we don't get together nearly as often as we should. I can't locate my camera at the moment, but as soon as I can I will post the pictures from the evening.

YAY!

Last night Steve and I received a phone call from his best friend, Brandon and wife, Mary. B & Mary asked us if we would be God Parents to their beautiful baby boy, Caleb Christopher Smith.

We, of course, said yes and are VERY excited to watch our Godbaby grow and develop.

Progressing "Perfectly"

Well, I went to the doctor on the 5th. The doctor said while I still have a long road ahead of me, my "spine looks perfect" for where it should be. I'm still very restricted, but happy to report I have been officially released to OCCASIONALLY leave my house. I still can't lift anything 5lbs or over, and I am to work on weaning myself off the back brace and the narcotics.

Needless to say, I am optimistic at this point. Thanks again to all who have sent well wishes, food, or items. I really appreciate it all. I still love visitors since I am primarily here at the house, so let me know if you are planning on stopping by!

Rough Waters Ahead

It's going to be some unsteady waters in the months ahead for the Hejnas.

As you all know, I am on the road to recovery from my back surgery. I hurt a lot, but each day seems to get a little easier. I just can't wait to get to leave my house for even a lunch out!

Some of you know Work Comp has decided the payment for my surgery will have to be fought for in court. They are trying to say my injury was not a result of my traffic crash a year and a half ago. We all know differently and we will fight for what is right. SO, I am off work for at LEAST three months without pay. Not entirely sure how the mortgage will get paid, but we have a few ideas.

Then, I learned this week, The City of Alton is officially broke. In the paper they reported that at least 4-5 officers will be laid off by April. I am #6 from the bottom and talk is that they are not sure how safe my job is.

What's that saying-When it rains it pours? Well, I guess we should put out our buckets these days. We're giving it up to God and leaving the worrying to him. It will all work out in the end, we're sure.

We are very lucky to have such good family and friends. Thanks to all who have stopped in to visit since the surgery or sent cards, food, or something else. We love you all!

Impending Surgery

I haven't been on here in a while. Wednesday I am going under the knife. I have tried not to whine, but it has really sucked for a while.

So, Wednesday I will be having disc replacement surgery in my lower back. Discs L4-L5 and L5-S1 will be removed and then replaced with a prosthetic.

I am not allowed to leave my house for 3 weeks and I will be off work for at least 3 months. The doctor said he would rather me be off the full 4.5-6 months, but I don't think I can afford to be off that long since Worker's Compensation has recently said they don't want to pay me.

Either way the surgery will happen and I will fight it out in court later to try to get them to pay the debt we are about to incur. Please keep me in your prayers and if you get bored, I'll be here.

It's Been a While

Sorry it has been so long since I last posted something.

Things in the Hejna Household are great. We have been super busy, but I am not sure if I know with what. It seems the days have been flying by this month and I don't know that I have much to show for it.

I guess I do really. Last weekend I hosted, along with Kate and my mom, a bridal shower for my cousin's fiancee, Megan. It was lovely. I am shocked at just how many people will fit in my family room comfortably! Megan had quite a stash of gifts when she was done...Nothing says I love you like new appliances!!!

Later today I am going to present to the employees of Riverbend HeadStart at their meeting at the Gateway Convention Center. The topic? Personal Safety. I think I have the presentation timed perfectly, but I hope I am able to talk slowly so they get all of it and it doesn't turn out to be only 15 minutes. I'm sure it will be fine.

I hope to have a party at the house in the next month or so to sort of show it off. We wanted the back yard oasis to be complete prior to the party, but it's just not in the cards. So keep your eyes open for an invite. It will just be an open house and I would love it if you are able to make it.

Okay. I'm back to bed now. After my presentation, you see, I have to go to work for the night.

Destin Day 3, The Armament Museum

Well we started our day on the beach but the rain
came and quickly dampened our fun in the sun.

After showers and lunch at Taco Bell; Mark, Shannon, Steve and I went to the Elgin Air Force Base Armament Museum. It was really neat looking at all the planes and weapons from the various wars/eras in our military's history.

Not to mention learning about all the advancements!

Mark knew a lot about all the planes!

Steve, Shannon, and Mark in front of Mark's favorite plane!

Steve and I both got to sit in an A-10 Warthog Trainer cockpit!

Destin, Florida - Days 1 & 2

We got up early Saturday morning and joined Steve's Mom (Laurie) and Dad (Mark) and kids (Andy, Shannon and Allison) in the Yukon XL for the 12 hour drive to Destin, Florida. 7 seatbelts and 7 people = oof.

It was a long ride in tight quarters, but we made it here without any problems. The first night we unpacked and went to the beach with Mark, Shannon and Allison. Laurie and Andy missed out on the fun the first night while they went to the Urgent Care. Turns out Andy has MONO! The poor kid feels like crap. The rest of us are stocking up on Vitamin C and just trying to stay away as much as possible. Hooray for Clorox wipes!

Today was fabulous. Steve and I woke up around 0630 and sat on the balcony for our coffee and breakfast. Laurie and I went to the store and bought food for lunch and dinner. When we returned from the store, we all went down to the beach. After finding a few jelly fish in the water, the boys removed them with the lacrosse sticks Steve brought and we headed to the pool.

Swimming, tennis and a trip to Target led up to a fabulous dinner cooked by Laurie. Chicken Parmesan and spaghetti, I am STUFFED! After dinner I helped Alli with her math summer homework and realized I am WAY out of practice. Who has summer homework anyway?!

Tomorrow should be either beach or the armament museum. Maybe both! We'll post as we can and I will try to actually take pictures over the next few days. Love you all!

SO much fun!

Since Steve and I are spending more time at home now that we have our house, that means Patrick and Eva are coming over more to play with or help us. Here are a few pictures of our good times. (Can you tell I just downloaded pictures tonight?)

They were being so sweet!

Eva was hangin with the monkeys

P is just like his mama...Gotta have the Humm Dingers!

Uncle Steve built P a fort. He LOVED it!

Look at me go!

As I just promised in the previous post, here are some pics of us moving in. I got busy moving and unpacking and didn't take very many, but here ya go!

This stairwell proved to be difficult

Getting our bedroom set upstairs was "interesting"

Dad definitely didn't want me taking his picture

YAY! Look at my guys go!

Even Patrick got in on the action!

The "before" pictures

A few of you asked for pictures of the house we bought in May. Since it is the reason I haven't posted in a while, I figured I would get on that.

We didn't really have to do anything to move in, but there are still a few small projects on the list for inside and a couple of larger projects slated for the outside of the house. We do have one big project in the back room we want to accomplish, but that won't happen for another year or so.

We should be getting the last chair this week and that will complete the furniture buying for this phase.

Here are the "before the move" pictures of the house. I will post the "during the move" pictures soon and then I will take and post some "after the move pics in the next few days, or let's be realistic, weeks.

1821 Evergreen Ave; Alton, IL 62002

The view as you walk in

The living room is to the right just inside the door

More of the living room

The dining room is directly across from...

The kitchen!

The family room is an addition at the back of the house

It is "L" shaped and GIANT!

The upstairs bathroom

Our bedroom

The guest room

A second view of the guest room.