Thursday, December 31, 2015

Post Christmas

We have been purging, cleaning, organizing, and rearranging post Christmas.  It's been refreshing, frustrating, maddening, wonderful, and freedom all wrapped up in one!


The girls did a great job going through their stuff.  Oh sweet Layla keeps everything.  That entire dresser was full of just stuff.  All the stuff on the floor is hers.  There was stuff everywhere!  But, she did a fantastic job of sifting through it all and was able to consolidate her treasures into a little box.

Layla is my girl who loves her notes and pictures from people, special items that remind of her places or loved ones, and is just genuinely very sentimental.  I, in no way, want to squelch that.  I adore (and it breaks my heart) how she cries when her cousins leave or after a fantastic weekend of great memory making is over.  Her little things in her box remind her of these times, and I want to honor that.  Within reason.  :)

I have also been working on pitching.  Yesterday I got rid of four trash bags and the chair we bought for $25 and rocked four babies in.  I might have cried.  But mostly celebrated.

We are enjoying today and tomorrow while we ring in the year together as a family, plus a few extra kids.  We have so much to be thankful for looking back on this blessed year!

Monday, December 28, 2015

Christmas Day

And, Santa did come!

The kiddos came down about 7:30, so excited to dig into their stockings!  I love their sweet morning faces.  Ruby opened her gifts from the night before, and we had a relaxing morning.





The blanket of snow was picture perfect for Christmas morning.  What a great surprise!


We packed up earlier than expected to head to Papa and Nana's so Dallas could go into town to get treated for his shingles (boooooo).  Although he was discouraged that morning, it all ended up fine and we had a fantastic day.  

The kids exchanged cousin gifts, we did sister gifts, and Alisa gave her gift of personalized notepads (a tradition started with our aunt!).  We enjoyed a beautiful and delicious meal, followed by the annual Nativity story and Papa and Nana's presents.  The kids did such a good job of waiting patiently and loved everything they got.  They ran off to play while the adults did their gifts and sat around visiting.  We played some games, the men devoured chicken wings, and we just chilled out.  It was absolutely lovely.



Charlie got $5.00 in his stocking and you would have thought he won the lottery!



The photo that will make us ugly cry on her wedding day.


The animals.  :)

I LOVE this photo.
Baby Jesus looking at Papa.  Julia laughing.
Joseph playing his part perfectly.
Absolutely adorable.


This year's cast.





We ventured home to get a good night's sleep and start the festivities all over again.

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Christmas Eve 2015

It is the Sunday after our Christmas marathon.  The kids are busy and happy playing with their new toys, I'm putting everything away and doing dishes from the past few days, Dallas is assembling, burning boxes, and inserting lots and lots of batteries, and all of us have the delighted sigh of another fantastic Christmas.

We worked hard on house projects and festivity preparations up until the 23rd.  And come 4:00, I said I am done and entirely enjoying now.  I didn't do kitchen work or clean up.  We just relished in the sweet moments and soaked it all in.  Of course there were some tears, fits, and fighting; don't they get Christmas is magical and they are supposed to be perfect those days?!  Life still happened.  Dallas got shingles for Christmas and kids had meltdowns here and there.  But overall, it was great!

We kicked it all off on the 23rd with our special Christmas meal; ham balls, mashed potatoes, real deal frozen corn, Grandma's canned peaches, rolls, and a special chocolate layered cake with peppermint ice cream.  This has become a huge deal to the kids, from getting out the goblets and sparkling juice, to receiving their annual Christmas ornament.  This year Maleah got a violin, Layla got dolphins, Charlie got a Nellie looking puppy, and Ruby got Olaf.  We also stoked a fire in the fireplace this year, and I feel that could be a new tradition coming on.  Dallas can't wait to add another tradition to our list.  :)



Christmas Eve morning we headed to Rod and Bonnie's.  It was a fun time with all the cousins, and Santa coming is always a highlight.  It's fun (and funny!) to see the kids' reactions and so magical as their eyes grow larger than life.












With her cradle made by Grandpa Rod.



While we were opening presents, a most beautiful snow fell.  It was gorgeous, warm, and allowed for a delightful "white Christmas."

We headed to Christmas Eve church service, and then back home for our own little family celebration.  Ruby fell asleep on the way home, and we didn't even consider not doing our special evening without her.  She is two, and next year will do just fine! :)  In fact, we were able to fully enjoy it with the big kids.  It was a near perfect evening.

Dallas popped his delicious popcorn, we had little smokies, and bottles of pop.  We sat in the living room and enjoyed our snacks, then handed out gifts.  The kids were each absolutely tickled with every present they got.  What a feeling of sweet success that is for a Momma!  












They played and played until about 9:30 when Dallas commented that if Santa goes by and sees our lights on, he won't stop.  Layla ran around the house and turned off all the lights, we put out cookies and milk, got snuggled into Christmas jammies, and while we tried to tuck the kids into bed, Charlie said, "Just go!  Santa's coming!"


Thursday, December 10, 2015

Annual Review '15

This is what I call my annual review.  I'm kind of joking, kind of not.  I ask the kids the same question every year in January/February (whoa am I behind on blogging, but the questions were asked then!), and some of them make me laugh hysterically!  But, some of them teach me a lot.

Maleah, age 7

1. What is something mom always says to you?  You're nice.
2. What makes mom happy?  When I clean up.
3. What makes mom sad?  When I don't obey.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? You tickle me!
5. What was your mom like as a child? I don't know.  I never saw you!
6. How old is your mom? 29.
7. How tall is your mom?  How should I know that?
8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Wheel of Fortune.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Clean.
10. What is your mom really good at?  Cleaning and cooking.
11. What is your mom not very good at?  Being a kid.
12. What does your mom do for her job?  Teach music.
13. What is your mom's favorite food?  S'mores.
14. What makes you proud of your mom? When you do stuff for me and give me surprises.
15. What do you and your mom do together? Play games.
16. How are you and your mom the same? We look like each other.
17. How are you and your mom different? You're a grown-up and I'm a kid.
18. How do you know your mom loves you?  You always give me hugs and kisses.
19. What does your mom like most about your dad? That he is so nice.
20. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?  Von Maur.


Layla, age 6

1. What is something mom always says to you?  I love you.
2. What makes mom happy?  When we clean and respect you.
3. What makes mom sad?  When we don't clean.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? She does funny dances.
5. What was your mom like as a child? She had sisters and played with barbies.
6. How old is your mom? 29.
7. How tall is your mom?  I don't know.
8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Wheel of Fortune.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Make supper and clean.
10. What is your mom really good at?  Helping others.
11. What is your mom not very good at?  Carrying the mantel.
12. What does your mom do for her job?  Music.
13. What is your mom's favorite food?  Meat.
14. What makes you proud of your mom? When you clean.
15. What do you and your mom do together? Watch a movie.
16. How are you and your mom the same? Same color of hair.
17. How are you and your mom different? You have long finger nails and I have short.
18. How do you know your mom loves you?  Because she gives me hugs and kisses!
19. What does your mom like most about your dad? That he helps you.
20. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?  Trips.


Charlie, age 4

1. What is something mom always says to you?  I love you.
2. What makes mom happy?  When you're a happy girl.
3. What makes mom sad?  When people don't like people.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? Be silly!
5. What was your mom like as a child? Toys.
6. How old is your mom? I don't know.
7. How tall is your mom?  High.
8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Shows.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Look for me.
10. What is your mom really good at?  Driving the car.
11. What is your mom not very good at?  Driving the truck.
12. What does your mom do for her job?  Clean up.
13. What is your mom's favorite food?  Tacos.
14. What makes you proud of your mom? Being happy.
15. What do you and your mom do together? Stay home and hang out.
16. How are you and your mom the same? We are together at home.
17. How are you and your mom different? We have different clothes.
18. How do you know your mom loves you?  Being good.
19. What does your mom like most about your dad? Hanging out.
20. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?  Home.


Monday, December 7, 2015

Christmas Traditions 2015

Our Christmas traditions are in full swing!

It's no secret that I am a complete sucker for these sweet moments we have year after year.  This year has been extra special, it seems, as the kids are really starting to remember years past and anticipate the traditions this year and moving forward.

First up, the Christmas tree hunt.  Last year, if you remember, wasn't so glamorous.  This year the weather was beautiful (although a little muddy!) and the kids had a blast!





The fun thing about the tree farm we have come to love is that Santa is there!  They each took a turn telling Santa what they wanted, and he told them he would see what he could do.  He said, "No promises," but that they would find good replacements if not.  What a good Santa he was! :)








When we got home, it was decorating time.  Our tree is now completely adorned by the kids' special yearly ornaments and homemade pieces.  The kids come over to Dallas and I, and we hand them their ornament, one by one, while telling them how old they were when they received it.  I never imagined what a huge deal this would be to them.  While the tree isn't as "uniform" as I would like it to be, it's very personal and very much ours.  This year was Layla's turn for the star on top!





We are loving our tree lit up at night, the smell that fills our home, and all the love on it.  The bottom is filling up quickly with gifts, and the excitement might be more these little ones can handle for another couple weeks yet!

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The next tradition we just started last year is this Advent book.  We read it every night during supper, and it provides great conversation around our table.  There are questions at the end of every chapter, and even a family activity if you choose to do so.  The book is so beautifully illustrated and written that all of us thoroughly enjoy it.



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Tonight, we finally put up the nativity.  We read our Jesus Calling story of Jesus' birth, and all recite the Luke 2 scripture together (yay Christian school!!).  I am amazed (and slightly ashamed) that the kids know it, word for word, even better than myself.  As we read the story and the "characters" come into play, we place them in the scene.







The last picture nearly made me cry.  We do not give them much direction, if any, on where to place their figures.  After they left and I went to rearrange a little, I noticed they had the three wisemen right by baby Jesus.  The heart of a child is such a beautiful thing.  They totally get it.

I just adore this time of year.  Yes; it is hectic, crazy, busy, and there's a lot of pressure that surrounds the holidays.  But beyond that is the incredible opportunity to worship a newborn King.  I want our home to reflect the joy and great hope that brings us.  We desire our family to do things this month to anticipate His arrival and remember why we celebrate.  It's an honor creating these traditions that remain the same, year after year, even when everything else is ever changing.