Goodbye 2012!

As the year comes to a close I have been reflecting on what a great year we had. Our family is so blessed. I'm amazed at how much my children have learned this year an what outstanding little people they have become. I hope 2013 is just as great! And for the first time I have decided to really hammer down some resolutions for the new year. I am sharing them here in hopes of holding myself accountable!

1) lose the baby weight! I held onto about 6 extra pounds per kid- that really adds up. We've joined the ymca so I'm ready to make some lifestyle changes and get my family more active.
2) go outside of my comfort level and try new things. This is going to be difficult for me because I enjoy living in my safe little box. My first adventure is joining a water aerobics class.
3) sit down and read to my children individually each day. We read books often here but I generally read to the crowd. In going to scheduled time for reading one on one everyday.

So there you have it! My goals for 2013! I'm sticking to them this year because I can no longer use pregnancy/having an infant as an excuse! Happy New Year and many many blessing to each of you too!

Merry Christmas

Looking through the photos I took tonight I find I'm still in awe that these 3 kids call me mom! I am blessed.

I wish you peace, love and happiness this Christmas and always. From our home to yours, Merry Christmas.

Grateful for puke buckets.

That tummy bug is here again! Bree had it yesterday and about two hours ago Eli woke up with it. When I heard his "I'm going to throw up" cry I couldn't help but sing in my head 'another one bites the dust'. We missed Breena's preschool program today and tomorrow Eli will be missing the special ice cream date he and I had planned. I feel badly for them but I can't help but just feel grateful. My mind still wanders to the mothers of the victims in last weeks shooting. What they wouldn't give to catch one more bucket of puke. We are nearing two hours of illness with Eli, I have rinsed out his bucket no fewer than ten times. He's laying in his bed beside me while trying to sleep (but I know it'll be just minutes before my duty as bucket holder comes into play again). I'm not sure if I'll catch any sleep tonight before my 6am wake up call (AKA Toby). But I'm okay with that. There will be time to sleep tomorrow (maybe) but tonight
I'm grateful, thankful and blessed to be here nursing my sickie back to health.

27

Another blessed year has passed. I'm thankful for the many joys and laughter over the last year. Cheers to another special birthday surrounded with the ones I love!

I remember the Columbine massacre. I can clearly recall my mother sitting on the couch with tears running down her cheeks as we watched the news. I remember a hot lump in my throat struggling not to cry as I tried to imagine how horrifying the experience must have been. I remember being nervous to go to school. But within a short time my fears were gone and life was normal.. I also remember 9/11. I remember exactly where I was when the planes struck (sophomore biology class). I can clearly recall my teachers forgetting about their lessons for the day and carefully choosing their words as they explained to us what was happening. I remember going to church that night a&d tearfully praying. But again life resumed as normal.

Now, I am a mother. Hearing the news of yesterday's shooting impacted me far more than Columbine or 9/11. I saw the news once my kids were down for a nap. I spent those hours sobbing in front of the TV as I watched hysterical parents, terrified children, and an emotional president flash across the screen. I found myself on my knees, praying, but not really know what exactly to pray for. I laid in bed and cried during the late night special about the massacre. I hugged my children. The families of the Sandy Hook shooting have been on my mind constantly. But then I had to go to work. I walked into the familiar salon and notice everything is the same. I'm greeted by my co-workers and make small talk with clients. No one mentioned Sandy Hook. It struck me as so odd that my world goes on, unaffected while across the nation 20 children are being laid to rest. That's 200 fingers that won't open Christmas presents this years, 40 eyes that won't sparkle on their birthday, and 20 little hearts who will never know what it's like to raise a family. I felt guilt being at work today and acting like nothing major had happened. It could have been my child. But it wasn't and I am counting my blessings. My heart is bleeding and my stomach is sick. I want to avoid the news, however I feel an obligation to watch and let my emotions take over. I'm at a loss on where to go from here. Being a mother has changes me, made me more sensitive, and allowed me to see the world differently. While I'm sure in the coming weeks Sandy Hook will no longer be at the forefront of my mind, I am determined not to allow my heart to forget. I continue to pray for all those involved, the losses are incomprehensiblep.

Heartbroken

I can't remember exactly where I read this today but the quote was, "Tonight let your kids do whatever they want to. Do it with them. Tell them you love them."

I have been tearful since hearing of the tragedy in Connecticut this morning. Ill be praying for the families who've lost their loved ones today.

Thank you God, that my three babies are tucked in their beds safe & sound tonight.

Be A Santa

Today, a friend shared a link on facebook about a letter a mother wrote to her daughter regarding Santa Claus.  You can read the whole story HERE.  Reading the letter made me teary because it really encompasses who Santa really is.  The letter said:

Dear Lucy,
Thank you for your letter. You asked a very good question: “Are you Santa?”
I know you’ve wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I’ve had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.
The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa.
I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way my mom did for me, and the same way her mom did for her. (And yes, Daddy helps, too.)
I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights.
This won’t make you Santa, though.
Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch.
It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family. You’ll also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand. Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.
Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he’s filled with joy.
With full hearts, people like Daddy and me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.
So, no. I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I’m on his team, and now you are, too.
I love you and I always will.
Mama

My favorite part is, "Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness.  I'm on his team."  I am so glad I get to be a part of the Santa team with my kids.  I put a lot of thought into picking out the perfect gift for them each Christmas.  We, as a family, also put a lot of thought into giving to others this time of year too.  One of the most treasured traditions we've started is choosing a toy for Toys for Tots.  We set a budget and allow the kids to chose a gift to put in the Toys for Tots box.  I know the boys don't quite understand the concept yet but Breena definitely does.  The older I get the more truth I find in the phrase "to give is better than to receive".  The satisfaction I get from giving- whether it be to my own family or a stranger far exceeds the benefits of receiving a gift.  I am happy to be on Santa's side.  I hope you are on his team too!