The aftermath...

I know these pictures look staged.

Like, seriously, who could possibly have a floor this messy??


(Well- if you could see me in person, you'd see my arm raised in the air.)

We could!... We DID!




After Christmas, I let the kids play with their things and store them in clear bins in the living room for 5 days. But, enough is enough. I couldn't take it anymore. So... out dumped the bins and the organization project was started.

Holy Moly- if you think THIS is bad, you have seen our basement! I didn't take pictures because, frankly, I don't want to remember what it looked like.

But I persevered and carried on- in between trying to get the kids to help. Seriously, I felt like a cowboy with a whip. METAPHORICALLY speaking, that is. Sheesh... don't need anyone calling CPS on me!

I think, in the end, I did about 96% of the organizing. Isn't this how it always ends up for the mothers?

OH- and by the way- I don't normally place the baby playcenter on top of the ottoman. Just in case you were worried for my little one. No, he's safe. Well, relatively speaking, anyway- can you find him in amongst the chaos? It's like Where's Waldo?



But he was happy....



... at least that meant someone was happy today.

Did anyone else have to face the "Post Christmas" war zone disaster cleanup!??!? Or was it just me??

It begins! A "Christmas" story of giving gifts...

Merry Christmas EVE!

I let the kids open a couple of Christmas presents this morning. They (or was it I??) just couldn't wait for them to open.

To be honest, every year I'm a little bit torn about the whole "gift giving." I LOVE to give my kids gifts.  On the other hand, turning Christmas into a present extravaganza seems wrong to me for obvious reasons. However, we live in a country where Christmas- unfortunately-  has become extremely commercialized. Not even in just the last few years. It's been that way ever since I was growing up. And when I think about Christmas when I was growing up- I remember the incredible excitement and fun of looking forward to opening presents. As a child, our Christmas' were FILLED to the brim with presents. Too many. Trust me.

Which brings me to the conundrum that I face each year. Do I skip out on presents all together to teach my kids a lesson? Which seems entirely unfair to my kids. Do I give just a couple small gifts? But then wonder- if I give 2, what's the difference between giving 2 or giving 4?

I have truly struggled with this for several years but finally feel like I've come to the answer...

For us, "Christmas" is not defined by one day. It is not 'one' church service we attend once a year. It is not acknowledging Christ's birth 'one' day throughout the year. It is not trying to pretend that we give each other presents to somehow symbolically represent gifts given to Jesus at his birth. I've come to realize that all of that is just trying too hard to make it something that it's really not.

In our family, we celebrate Christ's birth throughout the year. He is not acknowledged just one day - which happens to be December 25th. He is talked about every day... throughout the day. He is part of every single day of our lives. And it's not only on Christmas that we celebrate His glorious birth. It's truly something that our family celebrates, discusses and recognizes throughout the year. On most days, at least one of my kids thanks God during their nightly prayers for sending Jesus to earth for US.

So that leaves us with Christmas. What to do. Gifts? No gifts? One gift? Three gifts?

For me, it doesn't matter anymore. We've come to explain to our kids that they are giving and receiving presents because it's a fun thing to do once a year. It happens to coincide with Christmas. We wish it didn't- but that's what American's do. So we give our kids gifts. We don't pretend we are giving gifts to each other on behalf of Jesus. Frankly, that's just too phony. And, honestly, when I think about myself- I realize that all of the heaps of presents I received on Christmas' growing up did not shadow or negate or in any way diminish the love I had and continued to grow and develop for Jesus.


 
We don't spend the entire day exchanging gifts. But we do take our time. Because it's fun. Because I'm a mother and I don't know what Mom doesn't absolutely revel in seeing her children's face light up when they open a gift you chose with care and love.
 

And when we are finished opening gifts, we spend time together as a family. Playing, eating, sledding, listening to music, playing new board games... just loving each other.

Yes, we read the Christmas story. But that is not something we do only once a year. It's a story that is shared many times throughout the years.

I feel so thankful that my kids love Jesus. They really, truly love Him. He is the center of their parents lives... and my heart is overjoyed as I see then choosing- for themselves- to make Him the center of their lives as well.

 

That's not something that happens by celebrating Christ one day a year on the 25th of December. It's a choice they are making because they have come to know Him and love Him by seeing His goodness, protection, provision and love become evident in their daily lives.

So on December 25th, we will celebrate the birth of Christ. We will open too many presents, stay up too late and eat too many Christmas cookies. 

But the celebration will not end on December 26th. We will continue to celebrate His coming throughout the year. 

May you also feel the LOVE and presence of our savior on this day and EVERY day.

Where has Mommy been?

Besides the regular hussle and bussle of daily life and coming up on the heels of Christmas, I had the misfortune of having my laptop break. Never a good thing. Never. Especially when I do accounting for a small business and need to have reporting and tax information prepared by the end of the year.

I've been - for the most part- off line for the last few days trying to get myself up and running again. And here I am. Up and running. On my new laptop. Loving my Toshiba laptop. Loved my last one, too... until it broke, that is.

We've had several events in the last week... so many pictures I've taken that someday I will transfer to my new computer! But, for now, I'll leave you with my precious little peanut and promises of more later...

Baby, it's cold outside...

Wherease that has, unfortunately, prevented my car battery from starting my car, it most certainly has not stopped this little adventurer from riding her bike in the house...

Frankly, nothing's gonna stop her from riding her bike(s). She loves her bike(s) so much that each and every night at dinner she recites the same prayer...

"Jesus, ride my bike. Amen."

Yeah. I have no idea either.

Because it's cold outside, she scoots around on her "indoor" bike. I had to designate one of them an indoor bike after repeadedly losing battles where she would drag in any number of outdoor bikes that she was in the mood to ride. Now it's only the giraffe that scuffs up my wood floors.

But better that than scuffed floors and dirty carpet.

Yeah, it's cold all right...

But we don't even have to leave the house for food!

"May I take your order, please?"

Mmmm... fresh, hot pizza...

Straight outta the oven...

Yes. I said, 'oven." What else does that look like to you?

This is not your "average" restaurant, folks. No, sir. It even offers complimentary entertainment. While I ate, I enjoyed the "boy on bouncing ball" act.

First rate. Let me tell ya.

When you live up here, folks, you've gotta be creative. Or I'm not sure... maybe it was, you've gotta be 'crazy." Yeah- that's it. You've gotta be crazy to live where I live, because..

baby it's COLD outside!

2nd Surgery Update...

Here's my little buddy shortly before his surgery. I didn't bring my nice camera this time, but I snapped a few shots with Mike's blackberry.



Since the surgery was scheduled for the afternoon this time, instead of at 7 a.m. like last time- the fasting was a bit trickier. He is used to eating more during the day so to keep him from eating was harder- particularly in the car ride to the hospital. He was pretty upset. Honestly, he ended up just crying himself to sleep. I sat in the seat next to him and tried to comfort him as best I could. After he fell asleep in the car, he stayed asleep until about an hour before surgery, which is when I took these pictures.

Dad held him and carried him the whole time so that he we could try to keep his mind off of eating, and all in all he did well!



I didn't take any pictures post-procedure because, frankly, I wasn't thinking at all about that but was instead a bit concerned that he was acting so groggy. They assured me it was normal, but I didn't like seeing my 3 month old with glassy eyes looking like he was completely drugged out. By the time we got home and he woke up from his very, very long nap, he was back to normal.

The Dr. "turned up" the laser this time, so his nose is definitely more bruised, swollen and- well, I'd say 'red'- but it's red anyway!

He seems to be doing just fine this morning- back to being my happy little sweetheart.

I was so much more relaxed this time and even got some Christmas cards done while waiting for him during surgery. If nothing else, it helped ot take my mind off it! Thank you so much for praying that all would go well. This time, once again, God had us right in the palm of His hand every step of the way.

Impromptu surgery tomorrow...

Even though this little guys face looks a little frazzled- don't worry, he's cool as a cucumber. It's his MAMA who's been thrown off guard a bit!

We just heard from his Specialist that he wants to do another laser surgery... tomorrow... EEK! Because his hemangioma continues to grow we can't wait until Jan 5th for his next surgery. I emailed his Dr. Sunday night with photos I had taken upon request and by Monday morning his assistant had called with his surgery day/time already scheduled.

That did not leave me very much time to completely rearrange my week! Any time he has surgery, he has to have a pre-op physical with his Pediatrician whose clinic happens to be 30 minutes from our house. Because this was all so last minute, the Dr. only had one opening, which we had no other choice but to take. Unfortunately, his pre-op appoinment this afternoon coincided not only with the first blizzard of the season but also with rush hour traffic. I spent an hour getting there... and nearly 2 hours getting home, half of which was spent trying to calm Christian down as he screamed, cried and sweat like crazy :( Oh- did I mention that I was lucky enough to have ALL FOUR KIDS with me??

Here's to hoping that his surgery tomorrow goes off without a hitch. His last feeding is at 7:45 and after that he has to fast until his surgery at 1:15. Please, if you think of us, say a prayer that he stays calm when he's hungry and not able to eat- and also that this surgery goes as well as the last one.

I'll keep you posted!

He...

He is my best friend

He is the best father I know

He is our provider

He is still the one I would choose to marry all over again.

He is the love of my life.

He is my happily ever after.

10 years ago today I married the best man I know.

It hasn't always been easy, but it's always been worth it.

Happy 10 Year Anniversary to the love of my life!

wordless wednesday...

I don't know about you, but I think I've seen (and eaten) enough turkey to last me until- well- next Thanksgiving. So, instead of posting pictures of turkey and people eating it, I think instead I'll talk about what else we did this weekend.

Those of you who know me, know that I am most definitely an outdoor person. Think of the word that's the opposite of love.... that's how I feel about winter. So, as long as we're still able to be outside without seeing our breath, you are sure to see our family squeezing every last moment we can out of fall.

And there is no better place to do that than at my Dad's house (aka "Papa").

I used to try to try to tell him that I had a better backyard because we live on a pond. But then our pond dried up. So much for that. We had the pond- but he's always got the view.

And not only does he have an amazing view of the river valley, but all sorts of interesting wildlife frequent his yard as well. Wild turkeys, deer, bald eagles soaring over the valley. Okay- so I never really thought our yard could compare in "coolness" to his, but it was fun to try to compete. Now if you saw our "view" you'd laugh. A dried up mud hole with a few weeds poking through here and there. But I digress...

Not only does Dad have the view- but he's also got the toys.

 Not toys as in, "miniture Escalade's that kids sit their lazy butts in, push the battery operated "go" button and tool around the yard in".... no... toys as in "you need to use your own strength to make it go" kind of toys.

He's got ropes to climb on.

Ropes to swing on.

Swings made out of rope to soar in.

I can't forget the zip line. Yes, I said- ZIP LINE. He actually has a zip line hooked up in his yard. It's fun. I've tried it. As a matter of fact, I think sometimes the adults have as much fun (if not more) than the kids do on it. You should hear us elderly's squeel with delight... "weeeeeeee!!!" Too bad I didn't take a picture of it. Maybe next time.

And if you're not in the mood to be playing with or on some sort of rope, there's a bucket full of footballs, softballs, sticky mitt catch balls... you name it.

The kids have a blast when we come to Papa's.

Unfortunately, not everyone is able to play outside. When the weather is too brisk, some have to stay inside and watch longingly from behind the glass...

But if you're really super cute, you're Mama just might feel sorry for you and bundle you up nice and bring you outside with the rest of the gang.

Now we're talking.

Ahhh, that's better!

good days...

Each night when I tuck my older daughter in she prays,

"Dear Jesus, thank you for this day. Please help us to have a WONderful life. Help every day to be a good day. Please let us not get sick for a VERY long time, Lord, please, help everyone in the whole wide world to have good dreams tonight..."

... and then she continues on with a variation of thanksgiving & supplication- whatever is on her heart.

But I find it interesting that she always begins her prayers the same way, requesting that He give us a wonderful life. First of all, I think that God has blessed us with a great life. And as far as my 7 year old is concerned, a life that is pretty much trouble free and by most accounts, pretty "wonderful."

But, as far as her Mother goes- I have weathered my fair share of challenges throughout these 33 years. A childhood that was neither necessarily stable, nor balanced- though, fortunately, I still knew my parents loved me. An adolescence period that was as challenging and awkward as any other teenagers. Fast forward to my 20's which were filled with milestones... graduating college, getting married, having my first couple of children... each which came with it's own set of new challenges to overcome.

Were all of my days, "good days?"

... of course the answer to that is a resounding NO! Some days have been great. Some days have been exhausting. Some days I've worn my knees bare and my cheeks left stained with tears begging God for his intervention and his peace.

When my daughter prays, in all honesty, at times I want to say- "listen, honey- that's not how life works. All our days are not going to be good days and we might get sick tomorrow, which is not God's fault. And, furthermore, everyone in the whole wide world is not asleep at the same time, so it would be impossible for them to all have good dreams at the same time while you are sleeping." But- instead, I just stay quiet. She'll have many years of revelation ahead in which she'll draw her own conclusions.

For now, I just enjoy her innocence. And, frankly, I just like to have 3 minutes or so of living in my daughters bubble where everything is safe, "wonderful," and everyone in the whole world sleeps with good dreams.

But despite the harshness of the reality of this fallen world, I remain grateful and thankful that God is always- ALWAYS- with me. It's not necessarily during the "good days" where I find myself closest to Him. It the times when I'm scared (terrified!?!), desperate, exhausted, confused, angry or sad that I find myself not just closest to Him, but clinging to the hope I have in Him.

Life does not always make sense. Life is not always wonderful. But life is ALWAYS full of hope, when you place your life in His hands. "cast all your anxieties on Him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

Even though, for now, my daughter innocently believes that all our days might just be "good days"- what I wish for, more than anything, is that she will also come to believe- with all of her heart- in the true and living hope of our Father. That she will know that "God loved us, and through his grace he gave us a good hope and encouragement that continues forever." (2 Thes. 2:16-17)

It's that truth- and that promise- that will sustain us, keep us, bless us .... and help us to "make every day a good day."

Surgery Day

Today couldn't possibly have gone BETTER. What a huge relief and an absolute answer to prayers! I am so thankful to those of you who thought of us and prayed. God is awesome.

My alarm went off at 2:00 a.m. (to give him his last feeding) and again at 4:30 to get up for the day and get ready to leave for the hospital. Christian never fussed or cried and woke only briefly when we put him in his carseat. He slept the whole way to the hospital and, to our surprise, continued sleeping during the entire intake process. The nurses finally had to WAKE him to get him dressed and prepped for surgery. What a HUGE relief!! I guess I had imagined him crying his head off from the moment we woke him up to leave for the hospital. But- to the contrary- our little guy slept the entire time!

Here he is when the nurse woke him up to prep him for surgery...

He was smiling and cooing the whole time....

After the nurses changed him into his hospital gown and finished his pre-op exam, we had a bit of time before the anesthesiologist arrived. During that time, Mike held him and I tried to avert his glance- I didn't want him to remember that Mommy was there and that Mommy=mealtime. He started to chew on his hands, but still never cried.

Before we knew it, he was whisked away. After they took him, we were walked over to the family waiting area- at which time I nearly passed out. Considering how minor of a surgery this is, trust me, I realize how utterly ridiculous that is. But the mother/child bond is indescribable and often times defies logic. Something about seeing my 2 month old taken away in a hospital gown - off to be put to sleep didn't rest well with me, I guess. But after I sat down (with my head between my legs - LOL!- I felt better). Just anxious.

Before long at all, the Dr. was back! We had to wait about 30 minutes for him to wake up in recovery. They had told us to expect him to be fussy, disoriented and possibly nauseous.

What we found, instead, was our happy, smiley baby boy happy as can be. The nurses were all remarking about how unusual he was - and what a joy- because he had woken from the anesthesia smiling. That's my boy!

Here we are... Reunited!

Happy and content (with a full tummy- finally!)

Happy to see Daddy. Time to change out of that (unflattering) hospital gown...

So proud of my baby boy. He did SO good on his very first surgery- but we are glad to be home where we belong!

And as if there were any question - my mommy thinks I'm the best (check the shirt)...

Six more weeks until the next surgery. Until then- we'll keep on smiling!!