Joy

Merry Christmas!

We hope you had a day filled with joy!

We did!

A Sampling of our December

As are most homes this time of year, we've been busy.

Good busy.

Some work, some play, some family time...

I really like my new job, but it puts me a new realm of "normal" people.

I do all the things non night-shifters do, and as much as I love it,

its' still an adjustment.

For instance, when I was working nights, I had 3 days all to myself every 3 weeks.

I was off work, and the girls still went to daycare their scheduled 3 days.

3 days to take care of whatever needed to be taken care of.

3 days to abide by my own schedule and do what I wanted, when I wanted.

Sure, I felt like crap most of the time, but I still had my 3 days of ME time.

I don't have ME time anymore.  And often, like most people I suspect,

by the time my girlies are tucked in bed... all I want to do is follow suit.

I don't want to work on the massive amounts of photos I have yet to tackle.

I don't want to wrap the pile of presents tucked in our store room.

I don't want to fold the laundry (well, I never want to do that, so I guess that's not really valid).

So as I look back on my lack of posts in this month of lots of things going on, I try to

figure out how I'm going to cover everything.

Now yes, I realize, no one is stressed out by my lack of blogging, but when days slip

into months gone by, this is often the only place where I can look back and make any sense

of what has gone on in our lives.

I'm going to share a smidge of some of our December events with the hope that at some

point, I will get around to sharing more on some of the biggers things.

There are a lot.

We made cookie dough and froze them to pass out to the neighbors to bake at their leisure. 
The girls hand delivered them to each house all by themselves along with our family Christmas card. 
They thought it was so much fun!  How sweet is that?!

Last year I made an Advent calander and each day we have a little activity. 
A favorite was making Cinnamon ornaments! So cute and easy, and my house smelled fantastic!

We have an elf.  His name is Mike.
Mike likes to move around and hide each night, and the girls find great joy in searching for him each morning!



We continue to enjoy our bedtime stories. 
"... Jingle was a good dog!" 



We Holidazzled!
Actually, we weren't really dazzled... long drive for a few lighted floats.
We asked the girls if they had fun on the way home and Lila said "eh,... not really.  i didn't even get any candy!"
I mean, really... what's a parade without candy ;)

Lila had her little Preschool program at church.
She's my firstborn, and this was the first time she was involved in anything like this.
It melted this mama's heart!  How cute are a dozen 4-5 year olds singing songs?!

We've played in the snow!  Our snowman is already gone away... but the girls had so much fun!
Clearly the dogs enjoyed it too!  We had to rebuild Frosty about 4 times due to over-excited houds running into him! Ha!

We hosted the first of 3 Holiday events at our home last Sunday.  I have decided I really like having family in my home at this time of year!  It was fun having Ryan's family there and the kids excitement is a joy!
(i have no idea why Ryan is making that face, and yes... I realize I'm wearing a tiara, but Lila got it as a gift and thought it would look beautiful on me... okey dokey)

And lastly, I've cried.
And prayed.
The events of last Friday are weighing heavy on my heart.

Last night I went to check on Lila before going to bed myself and when I touched her little
hand, it grasped mine... just like a baby does. In her sleep, she still responded to my touch.
I fell asleep last night with tears on my pillow.
So many families will be hurting this Christmas, even with their angels safe now
in Heaven, it's going to be brutal for those left behind.

I'm so grateful for those precious little moments that warm my heart. My girls are two of my
greatest blessings and I will try each day a little harder to treat them as such!

Happy Birthday Angel

Today you would be 3.

You are loved, you are missed.

Happy Birthday sweet Anna!

heartache

My heart aches today.

I grieve for those young innocent souls who were robbed of all their possibilities.

I hurt for the families facing the holidays without their children and all the magic they add to the season.

I pray for those connected to those responsible for this devastating day.

I'm blessed.  I will go home to my healthy family and hug them tight.

 “In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can’t build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery and death.” ~ Anne Frank

Sweet

I haven't taken actual Portraits of my girls since Lila turned 3.

I typically favor outdoor, and a little more candid.

However, the other day I had my "studio" set up for a shoot and 

the girls asked me to take their picture.

So I obliged.

They put on their pretty little Christmas dresses and I snapped a few.

Sometimes, a nice portrait is just perfect!

The craze of the holidays is in full force at our home, but through it all... I'm truly enjoying myself!

My girls are full of the magic of the season, and I'm getting to bask in their glow!

I may not have time for deep thoughts and well designed blogs... but I'm living it!

At some point, I'll take a breath and share with you the fun times we're having!

Christmas-y Stuff

Santa and Christmas trees... it doesn't get much more holiday than that!

This year is going to be Fabulous!  I just know it!

Crazy, yep!  A little stressful, absolutely!
But I'm so excited!

We are hosting 3 holiday events in 3 weeks, and although that gives me a touch of panic, 

I also remember how nice it is to have everyone at my home!

Plus, it gives me good reason, to really go out and decorate the house!

Last week I took the girls to see the Big Guy in red and this was the first year they both

really ENJOYED it!  

A few nerves at first (I mean honestly... he's a little "intense"), but then they were

chatting and high-fiving Santa!

They both voluntarily sat on his lap at his request, and yes, I did purchase the ridiculously overpriced $17 single photo, but they loved it, so it was well worth it!

We supported our local Boy Scouts and purchased our tree on Sunday!  I think this is the Best tree we've ever had!  It's tall and full, yet slim... so it doesn't take over our entire porch!

Last night was time to decorate!  

I did the lights and garland, and the girls and Ry helped in putting on the ornaments!

Lila was after my heart with "oohs" and "aahs" and exclamations of "Oh Mommy, It's BEAUTIFUL!"  She was so into the whole thing... magic I tell ya!

Ellie enjoyed it too, just in a little less attentive way.  

She only broke 2 ornaments, not too bad ;)

I think it must be hard to pay attention when your pants keep falling off.

I think this is the most beautiful ever!

I love Christmas!

Hubers

A lovely co-worker of mine asked me to snap a few pictures of her lovely family.

It was hard to stop at just a few.

So I didn't.

And I would like to mention, that sometimes it's very handy to have train tracks in your backyard!

Preschool Feasts, Our day of Thanks, and a cousin sleepover!

Last Wednesday, Lila's Preschool had a little "Feast with a Parent".

I tell ya... you would never think a little macaroni in a styrofoam cup could be so sweet!

They did a few of their usual activities, sang their prayers, then showed us parents to our seats.

They had colored us placemats, and then (with help from their teachers), they served us our Feast!

It melted my heart!

We also made a little Turkey magnet to put on the fridge!

Ryan celebrated Turkey Day in Wisconsin with his Dad, Grandma, and extended family.

I spent the day with my Mom and family and although we missed each other, it was nice that we each got to see our families.

The day was nice, the girls did well, and I was reminded of all the things I have to be Thankful for!

(My mom does a wonderful job hosting, everything looked So Pretty!)

Black Friday was spent with me at work, then rounding up my nephews for a weekend of kid-crazy chaos!

As Ryan was still in Wisconsin, it was just me and the 4 rugrats until Saturday night!  

While I feel I managed fairly well, and all the kids has fun, and we remained without major injury...

I'm confident in my choice to NOT have 4 children!

Whew!

Pizza, Pancakes, Bounce Houses, Playgrounds, and Play-Doh... there wasn't a dull moment!

Sunday, Ryan took the boys home and my Dad came for a nice visit!

We had a good lunch and got some work done in the garage. (THANK YOU DAD!)

We're off to visit the Big Guy in Red today and then it's BASEMENT COMPLETION MODE

until it's finished!

I can't wait to show a few pictures... it's going to look Great!