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.

Full of Thanksgiving part 2

After jump starting the van ON Thanksgiving morning :( and repacking, we traveled to the beach to be with EJ's grandma and dad.

EJ's sister and fiance also made the trip. We loved seeing so much of Jill and Ralph, they LOVE our kids and it's a blessing to watch their relationships grow. We came ready for THE big game. Yay Eagles!

There were Christmas presents galore awaiting our arrival. A tradition that began last year. We have to ride with an empty roof top carrier just to bring presents home. The older two were shocked and broke out in a dance when they opened and xbox one from PopPop!! We were in on the secret ;)

I had to record this milestone. Owen and Mason walked to a nearby pizza shop by themselves for slices of their beloved circle pizza. Oh my heart!

We didn't have thanksgiving dinner until Friday which was fine by all of us. Sadly, Nana was not feeling well and couldn't join us for dinner. This is our first Thanksgiving without her at the table. This was a difficult trip in a lot of ways. We had been told her health was declining quickly, but to see it with our own eyes is all together different. My heart aches for EJ's dad and sister who see and HELP on a daily basis. As we sat and listened to all they've been doing, we are so thankful for their care for her, but we feel helpless from so far away.

Dinner was not the same, but we did enjoy it and made the most of our time together.

After dinner we went to the annual tree lighting. Brrr...

Nana woke up from a nap feeling a little better,o Ryan and Avery filled her in on the lighting and Santa's debut. I love the smile they bring to her face.

 

She even felt well enough to play cards before the kids went to bed.

Before heading home on Saturday, we visited the beach in 36 degrees. 

I could not feel my toes or fingers for the 3 block walk back ;)

So thankful to have this man by my side. I have spent 13 straight Thanksgivings with his side of the family. I feel completely at home in both locations, this is such a blessing. Thanks for hosting our wild and loud crew!

Full of Thanksgiving, part 1

We arrived at EJ's mom's house late Monday (a week ago). We enjoyed having 2 full days with Mim before traveling the to shore to EJ's (paternal) grandma's house. We made the most of it. Lots of time outside on Tuesday before the snow. Yummy food, fun games and we got to meet a special little one, my (soon-to-be) niece! EJ's sister is getting married in September and her fiance's daughter is 1.5 yrs old and as cute as can be.

 

The little kids play turkey bowl now instead of their dads.

Wednesday, first snow of the season. 

The older 2 played outside with Aunt Jill, Ralph and his daughter.

Mim is always full of fun surprises. Look at all of these googly eyes ;)

We had two big meals this Thanksgiving, Wednesday and Friday leaving Thurs to expand and stretch our tummy walls.

Another Mim (pinterest) idea- spider basketball

 

I am thankful our kids are older now and traveling gets easier each year. I love how we all feel at home, in Mim's house and she spoils us for sure! See you in a few weeks, Mim!