Slow Down

No matter how I tried to blog these past weeks there was just no time. I managed to get everything else done. But not the blog.

But it is only fair to say I am nothing if not persistent. So here we are with another update.

Let's begin with Grinchy Performance number 3. Amber, Ty, and now Drew have all had the same first-grade teacher and have all participated in a holiday performance of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. We have decided that even if Jacob does not end up in her class, we will have to put him in the play. It is now an expected tradition.

I love that he can barely reach the microphone. My little pocket-sized boy is so cute!

Next was Amber's birthday. It was the usual: a treat for school (she chose mint brownies), a party with friends (pajama movie night), a party with family, and oodles of gifts to open and enjoy.

Silliness always ensues when the family gathers.

Next we spent the week preparing for Christmas:

Baking. Lots of baking. The kids enjoyed helping but enjoyed delivering to friends even more.

Packing. Lots of packing. We planned to visit family in Utah the day after Christmas again (it's practically tradition). Everything had to be packed and staged before Christmas eve so that we could enjoy our traditions and family time. 

Playing outside. Lots of playing outside. In order for mom to get everything done the boys had to get out of the house and make messes elsewhere. Fortunately the big kids are getting really good at supervising and even come up with a fun activity for the littles every once in a while. Justin came in and told me, "Mom, I put my hand, I don't know why." Then I saw this sign Caitlin had everyone make on the front door. Love that girl.

Wrapping. Lots of wrapping. For the past 20 years my family has participated in an organization that brings Christmas gifts to needy families on Christmas Eve. This is the last year. My girls were adamant that we wrap this year (something we have not been able to do every time.) So we brought a few friends along to wrap the gifts we had purchased to be delivered Christmas Eve.

Love these girls.

Then Christmas Eve we were blessed with a babysitter so Brad and I could take the big three to deliver gifts. Every year for 20 years my dad has participated as Santa Claus for this organization. We love the memories we have from this experience. I was so blessed to have our favorite babysitter come and fill my shoes for the night. The boys decorated cookies for Santa, made reindeer food, sprinkled Grinch dust, saw Christmas lights, and enjoyed dinner and hot chocolate by the fire. All of their favorite traditions still happened even in mama's absence. It just took a little extra preparation. 

Christmas morning the kids (all 6 of them) ran into our room to snuggle and anxiously await release to their stockings. I love watching 'first' Christmases. The last 3 years have been so special. 

They were all so excited to open their stockings.

For the first time this year the kids traded their goodies. Apparently Santa mixed up some of the 'favorite' candy choices.

All is well that ends well.

Justin was a little impatient with all of our morning traditions. We expected him to be excited about opening gifts but his enthusiasm was a bit through the roof. We later discovered some of his friends had received cars for Christmas. His expectation of what would be under the tree was a little off...

Gifts at Nana's house brightened everyone's spirits. This felt like the first time in a long time we were able to just enjoy the crazy present opening. This was the first year Jacob and Ty did not need special accommodations to get them through the day. It was so fun to see each of the kids' faces light up and hear the excitement in their voices, "MOM! Look what I got!" Love it.

The day after Christmas we were able to leave nice and early. It was a smooth and quick trip in Bertha to our family in Utah. 

I LOVE this vehicle! Not one complaint the entire drive. Everyone had room to nap. Everyone had room to play. We had room for all of our gear. And our extended family members even have room to join us on adventures without tagging along in an extra vehicle. Perfection.

More on our Utah adventures later. This update is long enough. Merry Christmas to all!

I miss you too!

I finally got myself back onto the computer to blog today and was so tickled to see I have a couple of followers who miss me. Hugs to you! I miss my little blog too.

After blogging consistently for so long it has been hard to be away. But I have decided that being busy is just not a good enough excuse. This blog is valuable to me. It is my vent spot. My place to celebrate. My place to work out my thoughts and feelings in the midst of this whirlwind life we have been blessed with. I can't afford to cut this tool out of my life.

So, I am back. Thanks for sticking with me.

December has been pure chaos. I hit the ground running at 6:15 every morning and don't stop until the big kids are in bed at 10 pm. It is a daily race. And not just a slow-paced endurance kind of race. This has been the most intense combination of sprints and distance type 'running' I could imagine. The 'list' is never-ending. And many of the things on the list never even happen. Most days I literally run multiple times during the day. To my car to be on time. Through the house to get everything done. To an office building for appointments. Literal running. If you want a good workout plan, have 6 kids and try to run your life the same way you did with 3.

Usually the response I get from friends who see what I am up to is, "You need to just let some things go. You can't do everything." Yeah, I'm not so good at that. Brad pointed out to me today, "Honey, the house is great right now. Everything at home is exactly what we need it to be. Just because you aren't getting everything done doesn't mean you are getting nothing done. You are doing a ton for us. It's exactly what we need."

So, rather than focusing on what is not getting done or how much I have left to do, I am taking a moment to put this blog back together and get back to remembering all the fun stuff. So here's what you've been missing the past 2 months:

December is always a mess of parties, presents, programs and dinners. I love it. But I have not been so good about getting my camera out this month. Caity had an amazing holiday arts show. But no pictures or video. We've been to two church Christmas dinners that were amazing. But no pictures. All of the kids have holiday parties in school this week. No pictures. Amber's birthday party and celebration will be this weekend. There will be pictures. We decorated the tree and house. No pictures. Are you sensing a theme?

But

I did catch a few random pictures this month and I have resolved to take more:

A rare moment!! Ty sitting still reading a book. I love it when this happens.

Drew's Christmas choir performance. I know you can't see him, but he's the tiny little wee one in the middle front row. He just happened to be sitting next to the tallest girl in the 1st grade.

Justin was thrilled to decorate the tree this year and have his own ornament.

I have mentioned before: I love this dog.

Tiny Drew snuggled in between the visiting missionaries showing them a video about Christ. Tender moment.

These two goofballs had a great time making fresh squeezed orange juice and lemonade after the littles went to bed.

I can't wait for Christmas break when the kids will be out of school, the parties and preparations will come to a halt, and we can soak up this wonderful time of year together. We love the reason for the season. Merry Christmas to all, I promise I'll be back this time!

November in pictures

Here's what you missed in November:

Drew and Ty and I got to watch the fire department rescue a cat stuck in a tree after soccer practice.

We all survived the soccer season and even had a little fun along the way.

My kids continue to give me squeezy-heart moments.

Got a kick out of seeing my most used words on Facebook.

This boy is officially a citizen on paper now.

My pre-school decorator is still at work.

We eat like kings. (Thanksgiving dinner)

Took a few friends puddle stomping. Huge success.

Took a few other friends hiking. Huge success number two.

Found a millipede. Cool points with the boys: check.

Love Jacob's body language in this one. "It's cool, but I'm not sure I like it."

And last but not least, after 14 years of having a crib in my house...

Jacob moved to a bunk bed and the crib is out of the house!! Milestone for mama!