Welcome Fish

Our tank is still a little too cloudy to show off our 3 fish, but oh my, were the kids excited.

Only 1 has been officially named. I think Ryan would change their names everyday if his brother's would let him.

Feeding time is a big hit around here.

 I love that our fish live under this art, I made last year. How appropriate and totally unplanned.

Full House

After seeing Mim off on the train, early Sat morning, we welcomed the Nesbit family that afternoon. We were thrilled to host them for the weekend. We have missed their whole family SO much. The kids did not skip a beat. It's amazing how all 3 boys line-up with the same interests. 

The older 2 love anything sports. The middle 2, video games. The younger 2, well they just enjoy being their age and not having to do what the older ones choose for them ;)

 They managed to squeeze in some football and went to a college basketball game Sunday afternoon.

Erin and I had a great time catching up and we actually relaxed too. Amazing ;)

Christmas Day

"We have awaited His arrival with joy and repentance, expectancy and hope, and now he's here. He's here!...

Our Lord has appeared — the embodiment of the boldest, most beautiful, most personal invitation we could ever hope to receive." She Reads Truth 12/27

Christmas as the mother, reminds me just how weary the world can be. The pressures seem endless and unless we are looking at the gift of Jesus and his redemption it can be very difficult to rejoice. But rejoicing we did, not perfectly of course, there are plenty of other verbs I can think of as well.

My favorite moment was during the drive home from my parents on Christmas Day night, in the dark van, in the middle seat holding Avery's hand (or she will cry bc she is afraid of driving at night) Mason and Ryan realized we forgot to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, when we had our cake. So they sang and both ended with "we love you Jesus." Melt my heart, hear the angels singing... no matter how imperfectly we do Christmas, our weary hearts rejoiced and this momma was reminded that God can work despite it all.

Christmas Eve dinner was at our house this year, after 4 pm service.

 Salmon, asparagus, lemon rice and bread

I gave EJ's Italian Grandmother's Cannolli Cream recipe a try. The shells were from a bakery. I am not that brave. My hubby was happy!

  Christmas Morning, before the mad dash.

 I delighted and savored his simply-joy. Could be the last year :(

 She totally got into it this year. Plus, her favorite hobby is tearing paper, score!

 Breakfast before the rest of the presents were open.

 

EJ opening Mason's gift - better to give than receive, says that smile.

 Ryan's big gift - his first pet. The tank is now set up and ready to house it's first fishes.

Avery can now jump as much as her heart desires and it won't be at the expense of our backs and shoulders.

 Christmas Day Evening was hosted by my parents. This allowed most of us an afternoon nap :)

A rare moment when my children left Tripp alone. He is SO adored by our kids.

 I am so blessed to celebrate Christmas with so many family members. I truly enjoyed it, even in the chaos.

From Our Family To Yours

I love designing our Christmas card each year. This one was no exception. 

We hope your family had a wonderful Christmas.

Leading up to Christmas

I chose the blurring one b/c that's how she rolls.

 I LOVE planning the meals and food for Christmas. I didn't sit here long b/c pinterest is my friend.

 Mason "black bear" 2nd grade performance. Third row, far left.

 

 Ryan's Christmas school party on Friday. Right after the party we picked Mim up from the train station.

 

Sat. Owen started coming down with a dreadful cold, croup-style. Text for EJ at store :( 

 

Mim allowing me to cross things of my list. Including Costco with NO kids. Yes, thank you!

We tried the no kit version this year. I suppose the candy tastes better but that's about it. Much tricker to assemble than I thought.

Now, (tues) Owen is better but Mim is down for the count :( I still managed a quick trip to the grocery store with only one in tow. She had a blast helping. I usually have way too much for her to push a little cart.

Our tradition for the Christmas table is handmade place sitting labels. I never know who is going to want to help. I only take volunteers ;) Ryan was my helper this year.

We are almost ready. And praying no one else gets sick! We are hosting Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day Breakfast, but Christmas dinner will be at my parents this year. Switching it up this year.

The Middles

This past Sunday, I had the privilege of taking these two to a special Christmas concert. My parents and their friend, Herman, joined us. Ryan sang all the way home ;) The music was very sophisticated for my boys, although all songs they knew. I asked if they enjoyed it and Ryan said, "next year can our whole family go?" It's funny because I worry so much about them getting the attention they need. In my mind, I assumed they would relish this special one-on-one time. This glimpse into his heart was encouraging to me.

Little Imp

I have been wanting to write a post about Avery for a couple of weeks, and I the words won't come and least not "nice" ones. Things are hard right now. She is an emotional roller coaster. And I am tired in a lot ways.

I thought this was the perfect picture to represent her and how I am feeling these days. On the left is how she "colors" on the right, Ryan. She is high energy all day long and rarely leaves my side. When I am around, no one else can help her, at least not without a fight and a meltdown.

 

Oddly, during these rough few weeks, she is growing by leaps and bounds in other areas. I can't help but wonder if her brain is just working in overtime and the result is anger, sadness and frustration.

Last Friday, I sat down and played. This really doesn't happen enough, and I know that has consequences too. We had fun together and I am grateful.

On a sweeter note, our girl is talking a lot. Her vocabulary is incredible. If Ryan would stop talking for more than a minute at a time, we'd hear even more ;) She isn't just talking, she is singing! All the songs we've been singing before we put her to bed for the past year, she now sings along. And she always requests "Jesus Loves Me."
So while I am tempted to despair, especially between the hours of 4pm and 6pm, God is allowing me to see the good with the bad and I am clinging to it.

Sittin Pretty

Our tree is all decked out in it's preschool-ornament glory. I may have rearranged some. ONE branch on an artificial tree can hold A LOT of ornaments ;)

These days are SO SO busy. I am really trying to not add anything extra but with 6 schedules it kinda just happens. I am MAKING time for advent reading for myself and it's really the only thing keeping me sane.
Every year when we decorate for Christmas, I am struck by the illusion it creates. In photos or through windows everything looks pretty and festive. In reality, my basement has exploded with empty boxes and tree needles, glitter litters the floors and the train comes off the track 100 times a day. My heart is not much neater and my brain is a traffic jam of to-do lists and "fun" aspirations for the season.
Thankfully God is reminding me over and over again that HE came for me and my messes. He entered this sinful world as a baby to redeem His children because He loves us. That is the real beauty of Christmas. I don't have to recreate the beauty for me or my kids. He has done the work.

Christmas Tree Drama

Remember how we decided to get an artificial tree this year, after avoiding it for years, despite miserable allergies the whole time it was in the house? Well, I set it up last week, only to discover that the top two sections didn't attach well and was too wobbly with 4 kids in the house. After talking to the customer service rep it was apparent it needed to be returned. That was decided after I set the entire thing up, hoping that it was a user's error. Not fun, taking down the tree and returning it to the store, especially when they were now sold out.

Well, Sunday we rushed out after a basketball game to another part of town to a different store to purchase 1 of 4 left in the area. Phew. We like this tree so much better.

We haven't been ALL be together long enough to decorate it. At least the lights look pretty. Thurs will be our first evening all together after dinner. Fingers crossed ;)
So far, I like having an artificial tree and my sinus' love it.

Shiner

Leave it to the daughter to be our first true black eye. Ouch!

Morning after she collided with our brick hearth.

I got 15 mins of ice on it the first night, this lasted about 5 seconds.

 

Second morning. It just gets prettier and prettier, poor thing. Her eye is barely open.

I knew she was a tough cookie, but I didn't realize it was skin deep. No stitches is a miracle.