Christmas Morning at Our House

Every Christmas morning, we aim to capture the image of the kids catching sight of the presents under the tree. While this one was a little fuzzy, I think the kids' faces were so priceless...




Sydney was semi-able to unwrap her bone, and then, as usual when presented with this gift, paced around the house with it. She is so worried that someone will take it away from her, that she's eager to try to find a place to bury it. It's really quite precious (and hilarious).


Everyone was in an exceptional mood on Christmas morning - it ran just as smooth as one would dream for.


This is a picture of Brayden opening a Schutt DNA football helmet. He was so excited, even though we think his noggin might fit an XL vs. a Large. No surprise there.....

And, this image is great..... He was a bit confused as to why his video game was on a PS3 format in contrast to his PS2 and figured we'd made a mistake.


Simultaneously, John opened this and the above picture showed Brayden catching sight of it.

And, just as that final present was being opened, the timer rang to go and enjoy this for breakfast. A perfect morning - combined with some precious conversation around the table - a perfect start to Christmas day!

Savoring the Spirit

It's 6:30 am. I've been awake since about 4:30.....Mikayla kicking me. That "family bed" tradition on Christmas Eve thing might need to be rethought.....

But, oh how thankful I am that I've had this time this morning. It's allowed me to savor - to hold on. I started a fire, there's a candle burning, and no other lights than the tree aglow. With Michael W. Smith's "Welcome to Our World" playing, I couldn't help but raise my hands in praise - with tears in my eyes for the unimaginable gift we've all been given because of this day.

I just read a devotion entitled "Christmas Night" by Max Lucado. He describes wanting to hold on to the moments of Christmas...(as he's yet to fall asleep on Christmas night). Here's an excerpt:

But for the moment, the magic is still in the air. Maybe that's why I'm still awake. I want to savor the spirit just a bit more. I want to pray that those who beheld Him today will look for Him next August. And I can't can't help but linger on one fanciful thought: if He can do so much with such timid prayers offered in December, how much more could He do if we thought of Him every day?

So, that's where you'll find me right now - not "still awake on Christmas night", but rather up ridiculously early on Christmas morning - soaking it all in - savoring the spirit.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

Box Full o' Buckets of Goodies......

I was laughing with Michele that it's kind of odd that while she's at my house - she bakes....and when I was at her house today, I baked in her kitchen. I think the major reason being that when I'm in my own house, there are always so many other things screaming for my attention and vise versa.

This is a picture of Michele making special "sandwich style" of sugar cookies with the girls. Pretty cute....

Meanwhile the boys were happy to check out with "Sly Cooper".

And, speaking of cookies, John's mom just stopped by with her annual box full o' buckets of goodies. Oh yummmm, right in time to take to Sunriver. Honestly, there's no place you can buy, and no way I can replicate, the amazing toffee she makes each year. John would say the same about her Chocolate Crinkles.

We owe her a big apology though, as she sat in our driveway waiting for one of us to be home this early evening. Unfortunately, John went straight from work to save us seats to see the "Alvin and the Chipmunks Squeakuel". (It was super cute, even more so because our man, Zachary Levi - aka "Chuck", had a big role in it). Leona ended up driving all the way back over to our house once we got home as she'll be taking off to Mary Beth's tomorrow. Thank you Leona, you're the best!

Cherry Crepes, Swedish Blintzes, and Dollar Pancakes

Today we headed back to Original Pancake House. How great that this has become a "Christmas Countdown Calendar Tradition" because I just love eating here. So do both of my kids, though their eyes were just a big bigger than their appetites - it's a good thing I overrode their requests and made them split their cherry crepes order.....neither one was able to finish it.

It was a very busy day there. Apparently, we weren't the only ones with this in mind. In the second picture, seated behind our table is the UO Basketball team (the restaurant is quite close to campus). It was wild watching these guys walk in, they are SO tall!

Mom was able to join us - my attempt to make it up to her for skipping out on that second performance of the Nutcracker here in Eugene. (She was able to take her best friend - and had a fantastic time). All three of us "adults" had a great time "absorbing the moment" - as each of us is feeling pretty good on where we stand with the holiday preparation. We also quizzed mom on what her favorite activities were that she put in our Countdown Calendar. Her answer, "the fun ones". Oh gosh, Mom, thanks for elaborating! We love laughing with Mom about her lack of memory of things we remember vividly. (It's always been this way, so there is no worry about any concerning issues....) =)

Meanwhile, the kids worked on their "Search for Santa" books - and drawing pictures. Ellie was proud of her cross-eyed Santa. The funny thing is that Ellie's need for glasses is partly due to a myopia that causes her to be semi-cross-eyed without the glasses. She is just too cute.

Taking the Pace Down a Notch

As an added incentive to get the Schillings down for bowling, we offered to take their kiddos Sunday through Monday morning while Michael and Michele headed home solo for a little alone time and Santa-prep time. I hesitate mentioning how great it was having their kids around as it might discount the "credit' we get in a future returned-favor. However, it really was "our pleasure" to have them - the worst issue we face on any given day with our kids is the fighting between them. So, having their cousins around pretty much eliminates that problem.

Nati and Brayden, especially, spent almost the entire day yesterday playing board games at the kitchen table. First, John taught him and Nati the art of buying properties in (Christmas) Monopoly. They then moved to the "Splash Mountain" version of Sorry. And, finally, they were able to coerce Stephie into going to Walmart to purchase the basic version of "Life" for them - and consequently having her help them put it together and teach them how to play it.

It was one of those days you just loved for the kids' sakes.


Meanwhile, Traig spent a majority of his time with the Wii - playing "Resort Sports" - which included tandem bicycle riding, basketball, fencing, wakeboarding, and airplane flying. Once the Whites arrived with Travis more than eager to participate, Traig's day improved tremendously.

I don't have a picture of the two youngest: Mikayla and Ellie. They played with nearly every toy set (Groovy Girl dolls, Littlest Pet Shop, Barbies, Playmobil) in Mikayla's room. Towards the end of the day, they pretended Mikayla's bed was an airplane and used my computer as their "in-flight" movie.

An all-around super relaxed day. I sorted outfits for the upcoming "big events" of the week and started my attack on Sunriver packing. John was able to finally put together the framed pictures to go above Mikayla's bed so we can now say her room renovation is complete. Well-done honey, they look fantastic!

Bowling with Our Buddies

Last night we hit the lanes. The Countdown Calendar said "go bowling with your buddies" and when asked, the kids systematically listed everyone who would be in attendance. Unfortunately, poor Jackson throwing up was enough to keep the Meyers from coming. (We missed you guys!) Stephie did a great job splitting our group into 3 lanes of five, and we all had a GREAT time.

I struggled finding the right ball to work with. I like light balls - but I have this tendon callous on my right thumb that makes it wider than normal. So, it's rare to find a light ball with a big enough thumb hole for me to fit. I was struggling for the first three frames....until finally, I found "The Beast" (that was the inscription on the ball). At about 12 pounds, this ball fit me - and the first throw with it resulted a strike. Then, Michele used it and she threw a strike. (And we both threw at exactly the same pathetic speed). Grrrr..... "The Beast" ended up helping her beat me by a mere two points...... =)

Everyone had a blast, which always leads me to wonder, "Why don't we do this more often?"

My Favorite Things - Christmas Food Version

Hot buttered popcorn, and Crisp Honey Chicken, cookies and Tootsie Pops that I can't stop licking, chocolate chip cookie dough and caramel biscuit ring, these are a few of my favorite things!

Strawberry bon bons and toasts with brie cheese, cranberry bliss bars, a mocha - yes please! Cream cheese sugar cookies topped red and green, these are a few of my favorite things!

When the scales soar, when my belly grows, when I'm feeling so gray, I'll simply remember my favorite things and know that a diet is on its way.....

(P.S. - Since I'm in the silly singing mode - a little plug: If you haven't discovered STRAIGHT NO CHASER on Youtube, check them out. An all guys acapella group that are phenomenal. Their Christmas album is available on I-tunes......)

Knock, Knock - Can We Use Your Oven?

"Little did I know when I heard the knock at the door this afternoon that it would be two collegiate gentlemen willing to sweep and mop my floors and entertain my children for the rest of the day....... Will and Aaron, glad you've kicked the kids' holiday break off in such a fun way - and you're welcome to crash our date with the Whites at PF Changs anytime......"

That was my Facebook status about 45 minutes ago. Perhaps a little backstory is due.

First of all, the Christmas spirit has returned around here. I kind of hit rock-bottom on Wednesday night. There were tears. A couple of discussions with John. A couple of explanation discussions about what was really meant from what was said. And an ending to the story that had John and I more emotionally connected than we've been in a while - and my son saying, "You may be a lot of things, Mommy, but you'll never be a 'failure'" (He'd overheard me feeling sorry for myself with John). That little guy is going to make a great husband someday!

Okay, as for today. It's been a good one. The pace slowed down considerably as of Thursday - Lisa and I were able to see "Couples Retreat" (I thought it was quite funny - and had a surprisingly good message) at the Dollar Theater - so glad we made the time for our girlfriend date. Today, I hit Brayden's classroom, ran a few more shopping errands, and headed home to reluctantly clean house. Around 1:15, there was a knock on the door, and lo and behold there stood Will and Aaron, two of our favorite guys from the UO. They were holding a take and bake pizza, and wanted to know if they could use our oven to bake it.

Long story short, it's 8:55, and the guys are still here. So are the Whites - Will and Aaron crashed our PF Chang's date with them. In between then and now, Will and Aaron swept and mopped my floors (while I went to pick the kids up from school), lots of Sunriver treats were made and safely stored in the freezer, Brayden's topped his high score in Wii wakeboarding, and Mikayla's been put on a "Will time-out" as he is such a fun "jungle gym" she struggles giving him his space. (To her benefit, he does have quite the knack at "starting it"!).

What a great end to a great day - forget using the "college students" as my excuse for a bad attitude - as today they are quite the remedy instead.





P.S. - Aaron's hair doesn't normally look so suave. He made a point of styling it with Brayden's hair gel before accompanying us to PF Chang's. =)

Aiming for Norman Rockwell

Michele and I were talking today about just how big Christmas has always been for us - and how we've potentially made it even bigger as we've become moms. It's more than just a holiday - it's a "season" - and I love it.

However, I have to admit, I feel like this year I'm three steps behind on any given day and "running just to catch myself". There seems to be a central focus for any given day - whether it's shopping, wrapping or baking - but somehow the laundry and the messes never got the memo that they were supposed to take care of themselves on that day. (Not to mention the headaches that have taken me out about once a week!) Yes, there is a huge amount of things to be done, all because I've chosen to have this be a part of our Christmas experience, but this year, I think it's the extras that are dragging me down.

On Facebook today, one of our friends posted that many people's Christmases do not look like Norman Rockwell paintings. Would it be terrible to admit, that at times, ours does? And, because it has that potential - I aim for it every year. And, often, we hit the mark. But, what you see in these pictures in these blog posts are snapshots of moments that are caught and recorded - all sifted through pictures that didn't even make the cut. What it doesn't record is conversations like this in the car this morning, on the way to drop the kids off:

"You guys are going to end up with lumps of coal in your stockings. I'm serious! And, in your Countdown Calendar tomorrow, the activity will be each of you cleaning a toilet. Because I am so TIRED of your arguing. Each day, each moment you two are able to make a choice - Do I honor my mom and dad - and my Lord, by behaving and responding with grace and love to my sister or brother? Or do I act completely selfish and yell, and pester, and pick at one another? It drives us nuts and is ruining my mornings......."

Yeah, that's Norman Rockwell, huh?

And, while I'm being totally honest, I think I expected my involvement in general with the college ministry to end once they got done with their term. But, instead, I've found that to be "the straw that breaks the camel's back". The day the Countdown Calendar said to bring cookies to the houses owned by the church for the college students, I about lost it. Now, this was my own stupid doing.....I planned it that way, and I decided it would be something I would do (by baking). I should have eliminated that. Besides, the cookies didn't turn out very good anyway. What it all ends up being, as folks pop up on Facebook and suggest getting together - and in my mind I think, "Are you kidding? Do you have any idea just how busy and crazy and CAREFULLY ORCHESTRATED my days are right now?" - is guilt. Guilt for having a bad attitude. Guilt for not being able to get together and meet their needs. Guilt for maybe not prioritizing right. Guilt for feeling really selfish.

So, on days like today - when I abandoned the couple of errands I could potentially get done on the way, and instead wandered through Ruthie B's trying to just soak it all in - I think, yes, I made the right decision. In those moments prior to everyone else's arrival, I absorbed this Christmas season - as I really should be through each and every day.

It's really no wonder that up until last year, we planned our Sunriver vacation for the week prior to Christmas - so we could stop and take in the wonder of it all. I'm glad we've switched it until the week following - it's so much better for so many reasons. But, with any luck, all the lists will be crossed off by the end of this week - so next week can be my own little Christmas vacation right here in our own home - rejoicing in the birthday of our Lord and Savior.

P.S. - I almost considered "disabling comments" because it would make me so sad to receive any comments telling me how commercialized or off-track I've let the holiday become, or that this would appear that I'm trying to solicit any pity or advice. But, I couldn't do it. I've never stopped comments before, so why start now. Just know that I think I know what I need to do....now it's a matter of putting it more into action!

Ruthie B's

I am so stuffed! I just returned from our second annual gathering at Ruthie B's - a beautiful antique store and tea/restaurant. I purposely arrived 15 minutes early just to walk around and soak it all in - to appreciate all of their beautiful Christmas decor and the blessed opportunity to have tea and a White Elephant exchange with 8 wonderful women (and several others who weren't able to make it.).

I was able to make a new friend, Tammy, today as well - always a great thing to have happen. In addition, Steph H. was new to Ruthie B's - so it was great to watch her take it all in.

Two fantastic days in a row with these girlfriends of mine. The first - a day of service and giving, the second - a day of indulgence and taking (as in stealing White Elephant gifts).