Christmas 2010

Our Christmas seemed to be flooded with sneezes.  Fevers everyday for almost a week.  Pressure in the head. Aches and pains.  Coughs keeping us awake.  We consumed every color Triaminic makes.

The morning arrived on the 25th...we waited for the children to wake up.  Billy and I so excited to see their reactions...yet Alayna was so out of it, she just wanted to go back to bed.  Eventually she did.  

They unwrapped every gift, with bright eyes and gasps.  It made them giddy.  I videotaped it all.  And because I had a camera in my hand, the boxes, bags, and paper piled up high.  But as I was taping, I realized it was the beginning of the end.  Soon it would be clean up time and back to the routines.  

This holiday season has been busy, yet filled with so much love.  It seemed like there was a constant wave of activities to enjoy.  I’m so thankful Christmas is a season and not just a day to open gifts.  Because after we unwrapped presents, the chaos drove me nuts.  The mess. The clutter. The cranky kids. I’m thankful Christmas is a season when all my efforts are for others.  A time to share God’s love with others.  

Days after Christmas my efforts are geared towards still digging my way out of the mess. (Okay, it’s not that bad.) But the we are still recovering from the cold monster.  We are playing with toys and still I hear, “Mommy, I don’t know what to do...”  Well, I certainly have lots of ideas for them.  

I’m looking forward to thinking about New Years...the hope, the promises, the pleasantries of wishful thinking...but as for right now, I have noses to wipe and a neglected bedroom to attend to...

30

My 30th Birthday. (11/27/10)

Sniffles for Christmas

My parents tell me I was always sick at Christmastime.  I remember always being sick on my birthday, too.  I have always been prone to a good head cold or chest cold or strep throat or tonsillitis.  Well, I have my fingers crossed right now.  Little Ella has a chest cold.  The kind with a fever.  The kind where she must remain on your hip ALL DAY or else.  And now Cailin is passed out on the couch...yes, she doesn't feel well either.  We are taking our vitamins and Tylenol and praying for speedy recoveries.  We are hoping this cold doesn't claim more victims.  

I am continuing to prepare for Christmas.  Now I am doing it with two ill little ones and two anxious little ones. No matter what December 25th holds for us...this Christmas season has been a blessed one.  Hard to believe that there are hours spent in preparation and next week this time it will be a memory.  I suppose that's how it is with most things in life.  That's why we need to live in the moment and make it count.  

Here's my moment: One the couch.  One in the crib.  Two watching a movie.  Dinner to make. Cookies to bake.  Presents to wrap.  What to do?   Take time to pray for my little ones.  Curl up with the two watching a movie.  Then start dinner, dessert, and gifts while I can...before it starts to get loud again in here....(As a hear Alayna starting to cough. Ahhh!!!)

Kids' Christmas Party

God laid it on my heart, a month ago, to have a party for the kids to kick off Christmas break.  This time of year is about sharing God's love, as He did with us.  So, it was a nice way for my little ones to take part in sharing their home with others.  The plans were easy: make an ornament, eat lunch (pizza), watch a movie (with pillows and blankets and popcorn), and then games outside.  There were some challenging moments with 18 kids ranging in age from a year and a half to seven.  Much thanks to my many helpers or it would not have been possible.  The kids truly enjoyed spending time just being kids together. 

So Much to Say

It is hard to decide what to write about after not blogging for so long.  So much to get off my mind.  The thought of writing sometimes is too overwheleming, but as soon as my fingers start to type, I'm relieved.  The wheels are turning, sometimes I pause and put on the brakes.  And sometimes I feel like I'm at a red light that just won't change.  But when the trip is over and I have a result, an entry, I feel much better.

So here I go:

Christmas- I love little white lights glowing in my house. I love that red and green compliment my living room quite well.  I love that my kids finally eat the cookies we bake and don't just pick out the chocolate chips anymore.  I love that the kids are so excited to GIVE each other gifts.  I love that they know that Christmas is about sharing God's love, as He shared with us.  I could go on....

But I have to get a lot off this mind....

KIDS.........(pictures are on the dud computer....still working on moving them over.)
Ella- Such a copy cat.  Every move the kids make-she's there following along.  If they cry-she cries.  If they want more-she wants more.  If they drag out all of their bedding because they are going on a flight from "Los Angeles to Miami," she is right there with her pillow and blanket in hand ready to roll.


Cailin- Still sweet. Still shy.  Still screams.  I can't believe that next year she will be in PreK.  We took a break from our ABC time when I started to sub more often.  I'm looking forward to getting back on track after Christmas.  She knows most of her alphabet...need to work more on handwriting...she's showing  more of an interest.  She, too, is still a copy cat.  She loves her some Alayna...her hero.


Alayna- Oh Miss Lanie.  She is four.  And I admire her too.  Not much phases her at all.  On the playground a few weeks ago, she runs into a little boy who is blocking the entrance to the tunnel.  "Hi. I'm Alayna.  My sister needs to get through.  Could you move? What's your name? How old are you? Could you move now?"  As a little girl I would have gotten my mom and had her tell that boy to move...much too shy.  But not her.  Maybe that's why she's Cailin's hero.

Eric-  He loves superheroes.  He loves football and most sports for that matter.  He loves chillin' out with Daddy.  He loves making plans for his family.  And when he tells me he loves me...his eyes sparkle and I know he means it.  


Yes, there's more....


House-I don't like clutter.  I don't like objects not in the right place.  Dusted. Organized. Vacuumed.  Sprayed. Scrubbed.  Mopped.  Shiny. Fresh.  That's the way I like it.  However, it's an uphill battle everyday.  If I'm not doing something for or with my kids, I'm  cleaning.  


Work- I truly love being in the classroom.  I truly love "staying at home."  I'm thankful to have my parents help on days I sub.  Slowly working on finding the balance.  


Back to Christmas- So much still "to do."  Gifts, cookies, wrapping, cards, activities, and yes...cleaning.  I am so very blessed.  Thanks for sending your Love.  What a time of year to share it :)