Merry Christmas

 Eric and I woke up early on Christmas morning, but not because of our boys.

It was us.  We were too excited.

We held off getting the boys until 6:45. 

Sam was already awake and waiting patiently until go time, which we told him was 7:00.

He flew out of bed and then we pulled Max and Jake up. 

 

They were so great to sit on the stairs and pose for a picture before running down to see if Santa had come.

 

I love their sweet, tired faces in this photo. 

Santa came and brought just what the boys wanted.  They were thrilled.

 

Ninjas for Sam.

 

Skeletons for Max.

A car for Jake.

 

 

 

Heavenly chaos!

 



More legos!  Just what we needed. 

Sam spent over 4 hours Christmas morning assembling his new Ultra Sonic Raider.  He didn't even want to stop to eat.  He was focused.

 

And his hardwork paid off.

 

Now the trick is to make sure Jake doesn't get his little hands on it...



 

We got to spend Christmas night with more friends.  We ate a delicious dinner and got goofy playing some fun Christmas games.

 This Christmas was more magical than others before.  I loved soaking up the innocence of my sweet boys.  Seeing Christmas through their eyes makes everything better.

 

Fondue + kids in Nativity costumes + friends = a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas Eve!

 

I love all of these cute kids.

 

Sam made a great Joseph.  I couldn't help but smile though because I think he looks just like me in this picture.  Perhaps it's my bathrobe he's wearing?

No, no.  It's his face.  He's so me.

I truly feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.

We are lucky to have each other!

December Favorites

Christmas Tree Hunting

 

I was ready to buy a $27.99 tree at Costco on a busy Saturday, but Eric wouldn't have it.

"That's no fun.  Let's do something the boys will remember,"  he begged.

 

So we did.

 

Dull's Christmas Tree Farm definitely does not live up to its name.

It was awesome.

We went down slides on burlap sacks, jumped in hay piles, cut down our own tree, and ate fresh stroopwafels.

(Confession: only Eric and I ate the stroopwafels.  They were too good to share with the kids!)

 

 

And it was warm...the weather was nearly 50 degrees.

This turned out to be one of my favorite days with my boys.



 

Nativity- Preschool Style

 

Watching Max's preschool friends act out the Nativity was a hit.  They were typical 3 & 4 year olds, with fingers in their noses, a few tears here and there, and giggles and smirks, but they seemed to understand the importance of the story they were a part of.  They know so much.

 

His little group went to a rest home to share their Nativity play with the residents there.  When I asked Max how it went he replied, "Great!  I gave high fives to all of the sick grandmas!"

I'm sure his cute face made many of those grandmas smile.

 



Tim Tam Slam

 

Please tell me you've heard of the Tim Tam Slam!  Eric and I learned about it in Taiwan about 7 years ago.  It's easy really.

 

 

First, buy yourself some Tim Tams.  They are delicious on their own, so resist the urge to eat them in the car on your way home.

 

Second, heat up a mug full of milk. Skim, 2%, whole.  Pick your poison.

 

Third, grab a Tim Tam and bite off each end.  Carefully.

 

Fourth, pretend your Tim Tam is a straw and slowly sip your hot milk through your chocolate treat.

 

And finally, eat the most tasty, melty, perfectly chocolate cookie you can imagine.

 

Our boys were new to this treat this year and they absolutely loved it.

I felt like I went over board with two boxes of Tim Tams, but they were gone within minutes.

 

Lights

 

Getting bundled up to see the lights downtown is always fun.

We love downtown Indy.  Really love it.

 

 



 

 

Christmas Anticipation

 

These boys of mine could hardly wait for Christmas.  They loved the decorations, the music, the lights, everything.

I caught all three of them several times with all of the Christmas lights plugged in, sitting at the piano, and singing/banging away.

They are my favorites.



 

Miracles

Amidst the heartache we see around us and the horrible violence we read about and see in the news, there are still tender mercies and miracles that abound.

We have a loving Heavenly Father, who know us and cares for us.  I know it.  I believe it with everything I have. 

Miracles happen today, and I have witnessed many.

One of my sweetest friends, Katherine, delivered her fourth baby, a healthy sweet baby boy, almost 2 weeks ago.  She suffered major complications after delivery and ended up in the ICU fighting for her life.  My heart hurt for her, for her husband, for their children.  There were moments where doctors did not think she was going to survive.  It was unimagineable.

I felt helpless.  There was nothing I could do to change things.  I found myself falling to my knees again and again pleading on her behalf.  I cried with friends.  I cried with family.  I couldn't believe something so horrible was happening to someone so good. 

We came together as friends, and as a church family, to pray and fast for Katherine.  I was emotional, but I felt a peace despite it all.  It had been a long time since I had prayed so hard, with so much emotion.  It had also been a long time since I have felt so close to my Heavenly Father and my Savior.  My faith has been strengthened.  And as one of my friends has said, "My heart is full!"

Katherine is still in the hospital, but has made amazing strides!  She is out of the ICU and is hopefully coming home this week.  Just in time to snuggle her sweet children for Christmas. 

Miraculous.

I am grateful to be a witness to miracles, especially during this time of year; where miracles seem to be everywhere.

Thanks.

I am thankful.

For so much.

 

I am thankful for my children.

My boys make me so happy.

They help me see the good in others, the good in myself, and the good in just about everything else.

I am thankful for their energy.

(Yes, you read that right.)

I am thankful that they are friends with each other.

I am thankful to share a unique relationship with each of them.

I am thankful to be a mother.

I am thankful for love.

 

I am thankful for Eric.

It takes a special soul to put up with me (for eternity.)

He is fun, positive, thoughtful, tender, and goofy.

I love him.

 

I am thankful for my parents.

They give me confidence in my role as a parent to my own children.

 They continue to set great examples of love and service.

 

My heart is full of thanks.

 

I am thankful we got to spend our Thanksgiving with family.

It was relaxing and delicious.

Happy Thanksgiving 2012.