Christmas Recap

We are slowing returning to our regular scheduled program.  This Christmas was less stressed than previous ones as we chose to spend Christmas Eve at home,  On Christmas morning, the kids eagerly opened their gifts and once that was done, we enjoyed our traditional cinnamon bun breakfast.  The same one that we've been eating since I was a little girl.  While I was cleaning up, the kids hurried off to enjoy their new treasures.  After Sarah had a much needed nap, we headed out to Doug's parent's place for a turkey dinner.  Although I'm not a real fan of large groups (you can read about that HERE), I managed to enjoy the afternoon nicely.  We made sure we were home on time to watch one of the new movies received and spend the last part of the day together as a family.  On Boxing Day, we headed back to Doug's parent's to exchange gifts with them in a more quiet setting.  Their guests were mostly gone and it was nice to be able to talk to them one on one and really visit.  Again, we headed home in time for Sarah to have a good nap in order to be good for our evening.  A long standing tradition is that my siblings and I get together on the 26th for a quieter get together and exchange presents.  Because there are 7 of us adults, we draw names and that way each couple only needs to buy two gifts.  It's easier on the pay cheque that way.  Our meal consisted of delicious appetizers and yummy baking treats.  My kids (including Sarah), didn't settle down until we left at 11:00.  It was a very quiet ride home though! 

This might very well be the first time that I didn't get to the end of the festivities with thoughts of how to simplify for the following year.  As the kids get older, they are becoming much more well behaved which truly helped in the enjoyment of the holidays.  I wasn't behind the camera much.  I wanted to be there to help take the dolls or Barbies out of their packaging, to inspect the newest Lego set or get excited at the money in hand as my children's faces glowed in the excitement. 

I hope you and your family had a blessed Christmas and we pray for a happy and wonderful New Year for all of you!  God bless.

Christmas Eve

This is the night that our family has been eagerly anticipating for a year.  Tonight is different from many.  We went to church at 4:00 and then delivered cookies to the firefighters who have to work tonight.  We were treated to an all out tour of the firehall, trucks and some equipment.  After ordering pizza in for supper, we opened one present (jammies of course) and snuggled on the couch for some movie time.  What a wonderful and blessed Christmas Eve this has been.  I am sure this is the first *annual* Christmas Eve tradition for our family and I look forward to many more like it.
Tomorrow we will enjoy our traditional Cinnamon Sticky Buns... the very same buns we ate growing up at home. We will take a few minutes to read the Christmas story and remember why we truly celebrate Christmas.  While the buns bake, Doug and I will watch the kids open their presents which is a highlight of the day.
I hope this Christmas is as wonderful and special for you and your family as it is for ours.

Dear Sarah

You have reached a milestone today... you are exactly two and a half years old.  I am so excited to see what the second half of this next year brings us.  Here are things about you that we love and make you who you are:

• You do not sleep through the night (this isn't a good thing)
• You are still nursing.  I love the connection you and I have this way.
• Your vocabulary is increasing and you try to repeat us as best you can.  My favorite words are: Joshie, 'Nana (Arianna), cupie, downie, movie, all donie, bah-bee (baby- think Martin Short from Father of the Bride), need you mom, daddy, mine, Mama (grandma)... Everything you say ends in *ie* sounds.
• Your favorite foods are cold cereal like cheerios or rice crispies, Ritz Crackers, cheese in any form, sandwiches with peanut butter, bananas, yogurt and oatmeal.  Notice the lack of veggies and meat in that list?
• Your face lights up anytime one of your siblings walks into the room.
• Bolt is your favorite movie... especially on Daddy's iPhone while sitting on his lap.
• You look for trouble and get into EVERYTHING.
• You are the sunshine that greets me in the morning.
• You hate your carseat {still}.
•  Everything is yours in your opinion.
• You love to help bake with me.
• You have not been blessed with much hair yet, much to my dismay.
• You are not potty trained.
• You are pretty much the center of attention in this home.
• You are still really small.  About 22.5 pounds.

I love you sweet girl.  Happy 2.5 years!

From a 6 pound little doll...

To a 22.5 pounds fun, talking toddler

Christmas 2010

I made a decision for my family this year.  That the entire day of Christmas Eve would be spent together.  We wouldn't go visiting anyone this year and that the day would be full of *us* and things to do with just the six of us.  For the first time in many years, I don't feel the crazied rush and hub-bub of the Christmas season.  I have all the presents wrapped and under the tree, baking is done and in the freezer, the cards were mailed out in the last week of November... I was on the ball.  Being this organized has really helped me relax and take in some of the beauty and magic of Christmas.  One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Luke 2: 1-20... the written account of how the birth of our Saviour came to be.

¹In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.
 ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
 ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
 ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
 ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Camera Strap Giveaway

Ok, I LOVE these straps from CITY STRAPS.  They are giving away one of these super cool and cute camera straps and oh, I'd love to put one around my neck!  Check out the giveaway here:

Camera Strap Giveaway

Mr. Chairman

And I'm the chairman's wife.  That means I have to share him when we go to church.  I don't like sharing too much and I don't do it well.  It makes me sad when he has to leave in the middle of the service to take care of something that only the chairman can do.  Communion is lonely since he has to be one of the men who serves.  He has spent full days (weekend days) doing chairman duties.  People call him at {almost} any hour of the day.  Maybe I'm selfish. 

I'm happy

Since Sarah was born, we never had a full set of stockings.  There were only five because Sarah came four years after Arianna.  Of course, I would never have found a match, and yes, it was crucial that they match.  (Call me crazy) When I was getting groceries yesterday, I saw these and fell in love!  The color, the size, the style... so lovely.  

We don't have a nice fire place to mount them on and I didn't want to hang them on the railings where the kids' hands would always be touching them.  So, until Christmas morning, they are pinned to the window valence in the living room.  Oh but they are so pretty!

Last night

When Sarah woke up, I slipped into her room and held her close.  She nursed for a few minutes and then with the rocking of the chair, fell asleep.  I had mixed thoughts of how big she's getting while at the same time, thinking how little she still is.  It was precious and sweet to hear her steady breathing, knowing she was about to slip into a deep sleep while held in my arms.

For the first time ever...

I AM DONE ALL MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EARLY!!

I like it when

• all of my *babies* are home for the night
• Sarah says to me "I need you"
• Doug is home on time for supper and has no plans to go out
• the house is quiet and peacefull
• the coffee is ready for me in the morning
• I clean the kitchen the night before
• the snow starts to melt and signs of spring are coming
• the only lights on are those that are sparkling from my Christmas tree
• my kids sleepily greet me in the morning all soft and warm
• I know what I'm having for supper early in the day
• I have time to myself in my huge bathtub
• people remember my birthday
• my kids are home from school
• we take family trips together
• friends pop in for coffee
• I get together with my sister
• my two year old sleeps in my arms
• the house is clean
• I hear my kids playing together happily
• I have a visit with my mother in law
• the furnace kicks in and I'm reminded of how blessed I am
• I get into my van which is in the garage
• I hear the older kids teaching the younger ones
• Arianna reads to me
• Andrea tells me how much she appreciates talking to me
• Joshua confides in me
• we have an entire day of no TV
• I remember to trust God and lean to Him
• He shows me I should have trusted in the first place

I have two of the BEST

kid watchers in the world! 

*Disclaimer: they are not a "babysitter" because my pre-teen children don't like that word*


As my children get older, childcare becomes more of a gray area.  They aren't really old enough to stay home on their own at night and yet, it isn't right for me to hire someone who is only a couple years older than them to "watch" them.  That means I need to have someone quite a bit older to come over. 

I consider myself extremely blessed that I am usually able to get one of my two cousins to come and watch the kids.  Both of them are willing to come to my house and hang out with my four.  My kids love it when they come over and I can go out, knowing that they are in very good care.  Also, not having to drive someone home late at night is nice!

 Ashley is on the left, Megan on the right and their lovely mom is in the middle.