Our Christmas

I'm procrastinating a bit today.  I had big plans to take down the Christmas decorations today and get everything packed away.  But the littles and I aren't ready to see it end so soon.  This was the very best Christmas.  I never managed to send out Christmas cards.  I didn't do much baking.  We spent more time at the pediatrician's office than we spent at church.  Mamie only got to wear her special Christmas dress one time.  And still, as simple as it was, it was just the very best.  

This was a year of firsts-our first Christmas in our new house; Mamie's first Christmas; the first time I hosted Christmas dinner.  It took me a long time to get the house decorated, and I never did finish.  I think it will take a few Christmas's in this house to really get in the groove ;)

I was pretty nervous about the Christmas tree in the living room.  I was sure that our three curious kids would send the tree crashing, but they loved it and were just excited to see it lit up every day.  Peyton would turn on the lights constantly, and he gave people tours of the tree, pointing out all of his favorite ornaments.  Jackson immediately claimed all of Brian's Star Wars ornaments and moved them up to the tree in his room. Mamie never tried to take the ornaments down.  It was a big success!  I didn't have a plan for our stockings, so I found myself digging for push pins on Christmas Eve.  I'll be better prepared next year!  My Starbucks tree found a home in the kitchen, and we kept all the cards we received on display in our main hallway.  

Peyton's Tree * Jackson's Tree * Guest Room Tree

The hat.  Peyton has been wearing a Santa hat since Thanksgiving.  I'm not sure he'll give that up so easily.  One day we were at Target and Peyton picked out a box of red star ornaments.  He had to have them!  He carried them all through the store and didn't want to let the cashier scan them.  He loved his tree.  We would unplug the lights in the morning and he would sneak up to his room and plug them back in.  He loved reading Christmas stories, drinking hot chocolate, his Mickey Mouse Christmas shirt, and all Christmas movies/shows.  He still didn't really understand the concept of Santa, so when he came down on Christmas morning, he was confused but happy. 

 

Peyton on Christmas Morning

Jackson has a good collection of ornaments already and he loved all of Daddy's Star Wars ornaments.  His tree is almost full!  His favorite Christmas movie is Elf.  He was able to explain advent to me this year in the sweet way that only a child can.  He sang Christmas carols and made magic reindeer food.  This was the first time he made a Christmas list.  He was concerned about our visit to see Santa because he knew that Santa was super busy this time of year.  He and I went to the children's vigil at our church on Christmas Eve.  He asked me questions and was so well behaved.  I love that he wants to understand the story of Jesus.  He made our Christmas magical, joyful, and one I will remember and treasure always.  

Mamie was so lucky-she had TWO trees in her room!  My mom gave her a little tree that we kept on her dresser and then she had a bigger tree, just like the boys.  They loved coming into her room to check out her white tree and sparkly ornaments.  I even wrapped some tulle around the tree to make a tree skirt.  I made Mamie a Christmas crib sheet-you can see she was completely unimpressed.  Mamie's first Christmas was so much fun.  She loved her new toys and was a pro at opening presents.  It is so much fun to add some pink to our house!  The boys are so sweet with her-they've had tea parties and picnics and in the last few days the boys Star Wars toys have made themselves at home in Mamie's new princess castle.  

We made some Christmas art with the kids and even sneaked in some fine motor skill practice for Jackson.  He made a paper chain and he took his paper cutting VERY seriously ;)

I didn't bake, but we did enjoy some special Christmas treats.  One morning I surprised the boys with Christmas tree waffles (and snowman donuts).  I think their favorite treat (and Brian's too) was the chocolate chip candy cane pancakes.  I found the idea here .  It was easy to do and the boys were crazy about them!  (I actually found all of these ideas from blogs through Pinterest-there are so many awesome people out there with fun and easy ideas).  We made candy cane shaped pancakes (I actually just made mini pancakes and made the candy cane from there-I am terrible at making shaped pancakes).  And Jackson proudly made reindeer cookies which we gave to his teachers and the pre-school director.  He had so much fun being my kitchen helper, and I was able to sneak in some more fine motor skill practice.  Win, win.  

But these last pictures sum up our Christmas, our year, our life the best.  We spent time together.  Snuggling, laughing, playing, making each other crazy.  But always together.  Our house is so full of love.  I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store for us.  

A Heart Full of Thanksgiving

Image from Here

It's been an eventful year for our family.  As we lived our lives this year, I was tempted several times to stop and write down what was happening.  I never wanted to forget the things that were said, the feelings that were felt.  I of course want to remember all of the beautiful things and it is impossible to forget the terrifying things.  There are so many moments I wish I could freeze in time.  There are so many things I wish I had said out loud.  But on this day set aside specifically to give thanks, I wanted to take a moment to do just that.

I am thankful for our house that is such a happy home.  We welcomed so many special guests into our home this year.  I hope that every year our house hears more laughter and is filled with more love than the year before.  

I am thankful for friends, both old and new.  Thank you for letting me cry, making me laugh, reminding me that I can get through anything, loving me, loving my children, being here, listening, praying, and being such incredible people.  Thank you for being such a special part of my life.

I am thankful that my sister is my best friend.  Amanda, thank you for feeding me, distracting me, keeping me company, making sure I always have something to read, and for doing the dishes even when you're the one who cooked.  I spent so much of the last year feeling like I was running in circles, but you always managed to get me moving forward again.  I love you.

Mom and Dad.  Thank you doesn't seem sufficient.  I hope you know how much I love you.  How much the kids love you.  It will take me a million lifetimes to thank you for all you have done for me.  Thank you for making the scary days less scary, the great days memorable, and all the days in between special.  

I am thankful to have my Mother In Law living close by now.  I love watching the kids spending true quality time with Grandma.  I am thankful that she was "ready to rumble" with me when I felt two of my babies were disrespected.  I enjoy having her in our day to day life and I am so thankful that she is here.

I am thankful for my family (cousins, aunts, uncles) because they helped make me who I am.  I miss you all so much.  Every day.  And I can't wait until we're all able to be together.  I am thankful for whoever created text messages and the ability to share pictures instantly because it makes everyone feel not so far away.  I love yous guys.

I am thankful for my three precious and HEALTHY children.  Thank you sweet Mamie girl for being you.  You made our family complete.  Thank you Super P for reminding me how incredible life can be.  You have forever changed me.  You are the toughest little guy I know.  Thank you Jackson for being my buddy.  I love talking to you, and you sure do have a lot to say.  I love watching you grow and I am so proud to be your mommy.

I am so incredibly thankful for Brian.  Thank you, for everything.  I love you with all of my heart.

And I am especially thankful to the cashier I had at the grocery store on Saturday, April 14.  He taught me a very special lesson that day that I hope will make me a better person.  I never shared the story because we were pretty busy, but I feel it's one worth sharing now.  We had only been home from the hospital for a little while when I ran to the store to pick up something for dinner.  The store was crowded and I had to wait in line to check out.  The two women in line ahead of me definitely looked put together-they were each nicely dressed and clearly had bigger plans for the night than I did.  I was well aware that I smelled like stale hospital air, had spit up on both sleeves of my shirt, my hair was filthy, and I hadn't showered in at least a day.  The cashier asked each of the women ahead of me what their plans were for the night and he made other polite chit chat with them.  When it was my turn, I started to get excited about what I could say about my day.  But the cashier didn't talk to me.  I don't know what he assumed about me based on my appearance, but I guess he didn't think I'd want to talk.  He didn't even say "how are you doing today."  I had the most amazing answer ready.  I was going to tell him that after a week of complete hell, of watching my son's body become covered in bruises for no reason and bleed from places he shouldn't bleed, I finally knew for sure that he didn't have cancer.  He denied me the chance to say out loud, "I'M DOING GREAT! I JUST FOUND OUT THAT MY SON DOESN'T HAVE CANCER."  He reminded me instead that you should just be kind because you simply don't know what kind of battle people are facing. 

I am thankful for each morning.  I am thankful for each breath I take.  I am thankful for life-on the good days and the bad days.  And I look forward to the year ahead with a grateful heart.

A Very Special Tree

I finally got around to decorating my main Christmas tree today.

It might not be much to look at, especially if you're into designer or theme trees.  I have a few themed trees as well.  But this Christmas tree is special.  It has taken thirty five years of love, friendship, creativity, and life to create.  I consider my Christmas tree to be one of the greatest gifts ever given to me.  I have ornaments made by my Mom.  I have ornaments made by a very dear family friend, Bonnie.  The ornaments on my tree tell the story of my life.

There are a few ornaments on the tree from my "blue" period which wasn't much of a blue period at all.  No, it was more of a lazy period.  I made this ornament in nursery school and it is blue simply because I was too lazy to find another color.  When I lived at home, I tried to give my blue ornaments a place of honor on the front of the tree, but somehow they always found their way to the back of the tree.  You can be sure the blue ornaments are front and center now!

There are ornaments that tell the story of my past.  This is the Evans Critter-the mascot from the first elementary school I attended. 

There are ornaments documenting my hobbies both old,

and new.









There are ornaments for some of the best days of my life,

and for Christmas' I don't want to forget.

There are ornaments made by Bonnie.  This is the ornament she created this year and it is quite possibly my favorite.

There are ornaments made with love by my Mom.

There are my husband's ornaments, mostly Star Wars.

And there is an ornament so special that I save it for last and cry when I put it on the tree. 

I started collections of ornaments for both the boys already and I hope that one day when they decorate their Christmas trees in their own homes they have the same feeling of love and nostalgia.  What an incredible gift.