18 December

My Christmas present this year.

In November, LM  and I sat down to Read the kids the new book they  had gotten at the book fair...."Bad Kitty Christmas"  It is a book, with a comical, only the kids would like cover and definitely not classic material, I thought.  It was a story about an old woman, and some run away animals and to make a long story short, the old woman talks about not having much on Christmas spending it by herself with only her tree of  photographs and her "memories", and that she was happy ust to have that.  LM couldn't get through the book the first time without getting teary eyed and then I took over and couldn't finish myself.  Fast forward to today, LM came bearing gifts for our Christmas as we are all on vacation next week.  We had given her some homemade books, cards, cookies and the button tree she had been admiring on our mantel a few days before.  She gave us some really good hot cocoa, an antique "Big Book of Christmas" with recipes, songs, stories and poems with an inscription about how our family had rekindled the "magic and spirit" of Christmas for her.  As she went to leave tonight, we wished each other a Merry Christmas and She said to me "You're a good mom".  For someone who sees the ups and downs and the not so good moments of my daily life, to acknowledge the very thing that I pour my heart and soul into day in and out and sometimes fail miserably at....wow. there are no words.  Best Christmas present ever.  I know that  people come into your life for a reason, and  some people are the answer to your prayers about what you need right now.  Thank you LM.  May God bless you and never give you another lonely,  sad "bad kitty" moment again in your life.  Merry Christmas.

PS I love how to remind J to send me gifts when he goes away on his trips.....and your chicken chili is to die for!

15 December

The weekend lens.......

There was the church fair, the one where J gets to BBQ all day and the kids get to shop without adults.  Some little elves made gifts for all their teachers and friends in front of the tree on a snowy afternoon (with a little help from Mom).  There was shopping and wrapping as a family or our adopt-a-family.   There was a little cookie making and delivering.  There was an impromptu date night.  there was reading (to each other)!  There was squabbling, and wrestling.  There was family, and love and a weekend at home together.  Just soaking up all the blessings that make up the merry and the joy right now.  Love this life. 

12 December

{This moment.}

Caught UP!

After a little blogging break, I am caught up with all the picture sharing from our holiday season so far.  Keep scrolling down (and hit older posts) to see back all the way through Thanksgiving, Enjoy :)

7 December

 The weekend lens......It was Icy and cold.  I still got a really icy run in Saturday morning as a part of the December 20.

 There was some Santa letter writing going on. 

 The littlest wants a marker maker.  He was so excited to leave his letter for the elf.

 Not sure where he stands on the whole thing (and I didn't ask....yet)

 The grandmas arrived Saturday afternoon.  Words cannot express how special it was to me to have my Grandmother visit for the first time in ages.  She is the kindest most generous person I know, always caring, always helping.  She is honest about the struggle in Grandpa going to live in the nursing home, but her attitude is always so cheerful.  Her positive attitude is a bright, teaching light to this world and a gift to our family.  She helped me with a knitting lesson, I've been trying to learn for years. 

 She got me started on a couple of rows. and She had a blast Playing and drawing with Bre all day Sunday.  Apparently there are some pictures on B's iPod of Grandma posing with some stuffed animals that I have to check out! 

 then they worked on some gifts.

 We sat by the warm fire and tree and talked the afternoon away.  So nice to spend a day at home away from the hustle and bustle. 

 Then onto our book reading for the evening.  So amazing to have the grandmas share in our nightly advent book reading.,

 Sunday......The Candy Cane classic.  I love this swim meet, always well run and the kids do well. I got to be the "team photographer" for the older kids session....obviously I loved that :)

 T set a PR in every event and won his heat in the 100 breaststroke.  (You get a candy cane for winning your heat!) 

 Then right after, it was onto the piano recital.  I love the chance to hear all the kids performances, especially at Christmastime, there is just something about the music. 

L was sick Friday and then Saturday night and on the couch all day Sunday, so he missed playing :(  It was such a bummer because his teacher says L is such a performer (I believe it!).  He so, so wanted to play.  Stay tuned until Spring.  T did great, but is working on a much harder song for the Spring, can't wait!  Hope your weekend was warm and cozy!

5 December

{This moment.}

4 December

unwrapping and reading a Christmas book book a night.  Love this tradition. (and so do they!!)

2 December

The Annual Christmas dinner with the ugly sweater party thrown in.  Seriously, we laugh so hard together we pee our pants.  Big dinner, drinks, outdoor fire, gifts, kid talent show and fun.  The kids are SO big now.  I can't think of a better way to kick off the season that with these friends.  SO. MUCH. FUN..