Christmas Happenings

There has been all kinds of Christmas prep around here.

The fun kind.  The kind that doesn't feel like work.

The kind you can kick your feet up at the end of the day and exhale peace.

The girls and I celebrated Christmas with the cousins ugly sweater style.

This was after I had already had the joy and privilege of escorting my handsome husband to an ugly sweater party of his own.

He kept walking around saying, "Bringing the power to the party." He'd flip the switch and make the lights come on.  It was funny since he does work for an electric company.  Thanks grandma for the fabulously decorated sweaters.  I thought they were ugly enough--but you had a vision and brought it to life!

We almost didn't make the Living Nativity this year--but the kids couldn't remember never not going.  So we went.  And stood in line for over an hour.  But Little and Kendra joined us so it really felt like "the gangs all here." And I might have gotten teary-eyed.

The next day I worked then raced home to go caroling at a local retirement center with our church.  Our home church. The one I may have strayed away from for lack of community--only to find--I am just as responsible for making that community come to life.  

So I go to the monthly mom's group and I refused to be intimidated by the fact that my kids seem to be the only ones not going to Catholic school--and participated in the caroling opportunity anyways.  We all have a heart for service we just choose to educate in a different setting.  

They don't mind.  So why should I?

The kids passed out cards they had made at home.  I liked watching them.  I liked watching the older people's faces.  I might have gotten teary-eyed here too.

Tis the season!

The choir Christmas Concert was held within walking distance of our home at a church and was beautiful!  The kids sounded so amazing.  I can't believe they were able to accomplish that with only an hour of practice a week since October.  Bravo!

Jonathan's third grade classes visited that same church the next day to make candy canes.

This is a tradition they have been doing for years and I just think it was the coolest to watch.  I couldn't stay the whole time because back at our house the girls were arriving for our last book club meeting of the year.  

We had a potluck and did a gift exchange that was really amazing.  The girls brought a gift that represented a lesson God was working on their hearts or a lesson He had taught them this year--it was fun to hear the significance behind the gifts.  It was even better to hear their hearts.  We even had three of the husband's pop in and one spoke from his heart about what good we were doing meeting the way we are.  There was not a dry eye in the house.  God was so present--it truly was the best gift.

This little one has made such progress in her performance skills.  For the second year in a row she wore a dress her big sister wore when she was her age.  I didn't save much but what I did?  I love to reminisce.  This year Nessa Bessa remained standing through the performance.  I was a proud mama.  Who wouldn't be?

 That night we got together with friends and had pizza and gingerbread house decorating.  I would share the finished result except this was the first year that it didn't remain standing!  I think the parents leaving it in the hands of the kids wasn't the best of ideas but they had fun and, "Presence over presents" is my motto this year.  Whatever works: )

 The very next day we ended up in Urgent Care.  This poor girl just goes from 0 to 60 in seconds.  With pneumonia and bronchitis in her not so far past, I just wanted to make sure we could get her to some semblance of normal by Christmas Eve.  She is still miserable. "I don't like being sick.  Sick is boring," she exclaims in the most pathetic little voice she can muster.  Poor baby.

Which is why today will look like this. E is working, today but soon he will join me for a few days off to relax and bask in the glow of family, friends, and the real reason for the season.

  All presents are wrapped and ready.  All that remains is some baking to do for fun.  

No pressure.  

No problem. 

There has been all kinds of Christmas prep around here.

The fun kind.  The kind that doesn't feel like work.

The kind you can kick your feet up at the end of the day and exhale peace.

Birthday Blessing: Double Digits

And so it is. . .my tenth year of writing you a letter since birth.  Long live this tradition of heart to hearts.
 
Angel Girl,

Ten years ago today God blessed me with my first baby girl.  You entered this world with your crazy leg and our lives have never been the same.  Undoubtedly, being your mom has been one of the greatest joys in my life.  Your grit and dramatics add such adventure to our days.  Your flair for all things color and stuffed and loud and lovely all make you the you we love.

I don't know if you know this but sometimes I just look at you and think, who is this kid?  How is she my daughter?  And it's mostly because you are already many of the things I still strive to be today.  You're not shy.  You're not afraid of failing.  You don't care what anyone thinks about you.  You are brave and strong and light up a stage or the classroom or our home. . .just by being you.  And it simply amazes me that all these great attributes can be wrapped up in such a tiny little, now ten-year-old package!

Tonight, the last night I tucked you in before you turned double digits you asked me if I wanted to hear what your wish was.  How beautiful is that?  My daughter sharing her heart with me. My wish is simply that we never stop sharing.  Not in your teens, your twenties, not ever.  Never.  You're my first daughter, the one I've made plenty of mistakes with already, and the one I'm sure to make many more in the future.  But God gifted us each other.  Let's always try to remember that.  He knew I was the mama you needed and you were the daughter he chose just for me.

This is the first year that school didn't come as easily for you.  You struggled when your brother made honor roll and you didn't.  But I always tell you as long as we are happy with your school performance, that's all that matters. Please remember that--learning is a journey and there are lots of roads to get to the final destination.  Besides,  Good Citizenship speaks volume about who you are trying to be.  If you're going to strive for something, always strive for that,  love. 

This year you continued with your love of reading, just like your mama.  You shone brightly on the stage as you were in three high school performances and still maintained grades we were happy with.  You became much more responsible when it came to chores and helping out with a happy heart.  Now don't get me wrong, you still have your moments. . .but all in all, I know you work on being the best version of you-- you can be.  I see that bean.  I notice your effort.  I pray that you always seek Him in your struggle.  I pray that you continue to have the strength to be different from those around you.

You were made for greatness.  I can't wait to see the plans God has for your life unfold!  Your life verse: Romans 8:28
²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Keep being true to you.  I think that is one of your strengths that I admire most.  I pray you never lose it.  I pray you're willing to discover God's calling on your life and let it take you places.  Happy Birthday Lene Bean.  May all your wishes come true!!

All my love forever and always all around the world and back times a thousand,
 xoxo
Mom 

Another Anniversary Extraordinaire

Our weekend at a glance.

Eleven years married to my best friend.

Life and this kind of love are so beautiful that it blurs my sense of self in a totally good way.

I'm not sure where he ends and I begin.

Two hearts that beat as one:

ordained by God.

Happy Anniversary, E!

A New Normal

On a day that I thought would bring normal back. . .I am realizing a new normal is what I must mentally prepare myself for.  E showed up for work this morning only to be laid off.  They laid off thirty guys on Monday and his return was met with the same fate.  Ironically enough, this company is the same one he was laid off for almost three months a couple years ago.  The good news is now that he is a journeyman he can decline jobs that are too far away and just keep signing the books until something closer opens up.  The apprenticeship program no longer has to dictate where he goes and for how long.  As my friend shared their quote for the year, "Always see the good. . ." I may need to borrow this one for our household!

In choosing to see the good, and be fear{less} I'm not thinking too far ahead or worrying.  It is what it is, and for us right now that means more time with my man.  Just this summer, weren't we feeling like our time with him was fleeting?  Long hours and long drives had set us up for missing his physical presence and to actually be. . .dare I say, used to it?  I don't want any type of normal to be doing life without him.  Wasn't I reminded of how fragile life can be when his accident happened; what's some more time to spend with the man that I love? A blessing.

So today, I kick those old voices to the curb.  I choose joy.  I choose to count this moment as an opportunity, a gift. And I better go, because we have a walk to take.