Christmas Story wordle

wordle fun

ballerina dreams

Lucy has recently completed a ballet class taught by a wonderful young woman named Miss Jenny. She has really enjoyed her time there, twirling and learning and wearing pink tutus. Some of her favorite things! Her class at Dreams Dance Academy has been good for her. She learned that sometimes it will be hard and she will have to work at it. It is not "just twirling and looking cute" although she does that just fine! :)  I'm excited for her as she tries something new and fun for her. Last night was her last class for this session and she was allowed to bring a friend. There ended up being several girls from her kindergarten class at this night and it was crazy giggly! When the class was over there was the promise of McDonald's for all and off we went. Walking in with another mom from class, all the girls piled themselves into one booth! More giggles and lots of  pink and sparkles! Both Lucy and her friend quickly fell asleep on the way home, not even making it out of the main road before closing their eyes. I say falling asleep dreaming of ballerina poses isn't a bad way to end an evening.

the Santa party

Every year our dear friends, The Reilley's, invited us over for their annual Santa Party. It started as a get together for the daycare kids and their parents--maybe about 6-10 families. Over the years, the Reilley's have grown this event (yes-I've said it...it's an EVENT) to include other of their friends, family and of course now that our kids our older....school-aged friends and their families. It's an event that we look forward to every year and really is a permanent part of getting our Christmas on!
  This year was no exception.  Here's the drill. The adults all plan to bring some sort of appetizer or dessert. This is great because then Katie and Rob do not have any cooking to do. They can circulate and chat, snack and visit with everyone. As it should be! While Katie and Rob also have beverages out to share, the adults usually bring a little "cheer" along with them to share with others.
  As for the kids, Katie thought ahead about this too. Happy kids mean happy adults. We feed them first with some fun pasta, fresh fruit, crackers, chicken strips, and a juice box. They are happy, fed, and they move on to play with each other. This frees up the adults to enjoy their adult beverage of choice, and catch up with each other. This year the first chat I walked into was a very intense conversation about tech options in our homes. Bundling, cable, Dish, wireless, streaming, home phone/no home phone, ....it was really something.
  Anyway, the kids play, the adults play, everyone eats. Just a note...there was a moment of silence held this year as our friends, the Sears family, were unable to be with us due to sick kiddos.. We missed them...and their Cookie Crumbs cookies. Actually, it was unusual for us this year too as Lucy was saying she didn't feel well either. No fever, vomiting or ANY symptoms at all, just tired...so we went because it's tradition. Mistake! She was asleep on Daddy before Santa even showed up. Wait, I didn't talk about Santa yet! It's a Santa party....so......
   Katie's dad, Bob, is Santa. He has the beard and the belly and the bag. We all sneak a wrapped gift for our kids into the Santa bag hidden in the garage, and Santa makes his appearance every year to pass out presents that make our children smile. Even though Lucy was tired and cuddled up with Mark on the sofa, she was the FIRST to see Santa. She spied him peeking through the window and her eyes have never been bigger!! She was so excited and sat straight up "Look! It's Santa!! He's really here! Daddy! Mama! Santa!" Priceless reaction that only someone so young and believing can have. I wish I could bottle that innocence and bring it out when I needed to feel great about the world again.  Santa comes in  ringing his bells and the kids go cuckoo! They surrounded him at his feet and we all laughed at how perfectly still, quiet, on their bottoms, angelic they all were waiting for Santa to speak. Awesome. Every year Santa greets the children and before he does any presents he asks the kids to sing a song with him. I think this is my favorite part. They all believe for that moment, even the bigger kids who may have questions in their heads about him being "real", they all love this moment, and it's pure Christmas. Thanks Mr. Praeger!
   Of course, this moment is shaken up a bit later as Santa has passed out all of his gifts and he's counting down to allow them to rip the paper open!  An interesting thing happened this year. Adam will be 9 years old in just a couple of weeks. He's on the border of whether he believes or not, hearing stories on the playground, bus and lunchroom. He hasn't quite asked us yet if Santa is real. When he does, I plan to share this letter I found as I feel it really says what I want him to know. Santa passed out all the gifts and asked if everyone had a gift. Adam started looking around and then realized that he DIDN'T have a gift. He looked quickly around and Santa was starting to count...he had a bit of shock, and hurt, and "oh no" on his face as he turned to look at me. Of course, I asked Santa if he could look in his bag again and of course there was  gift for Adam there way at the bottom. He thanked Santa then turned to me and said " I was nervous there for a minute, I thought I wasn't getting a gift. That meant I was too naughty this year!"  We left soon after to take Lucy home to bed. In the car on the way home Mark asked him about that moment. He said, "Dad, at first I was really sad and thought Santa wasn't going to give me anything. After he gave me my present I realized something. The elves made MY gift first. First gift IN the bag, last gift OUT of the bag. I was just at the TOP of the list this year...not the bottom!"
   And in truth, that's the best of it.  Last year was so different than this year--for him and for all of us. What a different a year can make. What a difference a DAY can make. Things change and kids grow and people leave us. Babies are born, new friends come into our lives and Santa is there every year--to make our eyes wide and to invite us to sing with him. Thank you Reilley's! Thank you Santa!

Reilley's Santa Party 2010

This year! 2012

apples and trees

All my life I've been told that I look just like my mother, that my mannerisms and facial expressions are so much like her. People I don't even know come up to us when we're out together and comment "well there's no question whose daughter YOU are!" I take that as a compliment in that my mother is lovely and kind. 

Recently though, I've been able to find more similarities between my dad and I because I was blessed to have him with us at our home. Over the summer as I traveled east to his home in PA, we had a lot of time to talk and reminisce and muse about the future. Being diagnosed with cancer contributed to his musings; he knew his time was shorter than we all planned it to be. He knew that he didn't have a lot of time to do and see all he wanted to.So we talked, rambled, looked deeply at things. We watched for little joys in the day; like the deer that wandered into his yard daily and the hummingbird that flew to his new feeder moments after we hung it up. We looked at the kids playing in the yard and marveled at their creativity and intelligence at work. We laughed together at old pictures and knew how important it is to take those pictures to save the stories that we might forget later on. I save those moments too. I write them down and cherish the stories. We walked around the lake near his house. One day we went together, another day with my own kids, and it was bittersweet to me that we wouldn't continue to do this with him. I will continue to take my kids to the forest preserves, lakes, camping, hiking and show them the beauty of outdoors...but it will be without my dad walking with us. He knew it was important to teach kids about the names of animals and trees. To notice the difference in bird calls and leaf patterns and fish that you catch (and release). Mark and I will keep that going. 

As a teacher, I know the importance of education. But I know that and feel it in my bones because my dad taught it to me. He wanted us all to do our best and get an education. He saved and worked hard to make sure we had our shot to go to college. I blew my opportunity from him and disappointed him to the heart, I'm very sure of that. But I worked hard later and graduated from college because I WANTED it. And I know he was proud of that later. I know he was proud of ME. I'm glad he saw me graduate and do something with my education. I'm glad he knew it worked out in the end and I learned from my mistakes. Because we're both pretty stubborn. If there is an idea in our heads, we aren't going to let it go lightly. It really is impossible not to look at my own kids and how we parent them, when going through all the old pictures and hearing the stories from my aunts about Dad's childhood and growing up. As we planned his memorial, the stories flowed, as they often do, and Dad's sisters told stories of how he picked on them, defended them, got into trouble, saved the day, worked and was lazy. I loved watching their faces as they told the stories. He was protective of his sisters, like Adam to Lucy, but also tormented them because that's his right as the brother! Love it!
                                                         My dad died on November 9, 2012.
 One month before his 67th birthday. I was there, alonge with his sisters and our immediate family, when he left this life and walked home with Jesus. I watched the light leave his eyes, and the pain leave his face. I remembered every single time I knew I disappointed him and a few times I managed to make him proud. I know that he wanted to do much, much more with us, but our time and God's time runs very differently. Dad told me that I shouldn't wait forever to do the things I really can do now. He told me to love and hold on to my kids, to respect and care for my husband, to be a strong wife and mother. He told me to be sensitive to them and be careful with my words. Words can hurt. So I'm trying Dad. I'm trying to do that. So that I can be what you modeled for us, and learn from your mistakes too. People often use the phrase "apples and trees" -usually while rolling our eyes a bit- to compare children to their parents. I hope I CAN follow what Dad told me. Because it would be an honor to have someone say "apples and trees" when they look at me, and think of my dad. He was a good man, strong parent and I feel confident that on his walk Home, he was told "well done my good and faithful servant". Miss you Dad.

.

December Top Ten List

Top Ten Things I Love About December This Year
10. no snow yet! It's been warm enough to have our Cub Scout den meeting outside around a campfire, warm enough for sweatshirts instead of coats, warm enough to keep geocaching in the woods
9. I have decorations up before Christmas Eve this year. Last year we didn't even have our tree until the 23rd. This year I am gettin' my Christmas on!
8. watching them look for Tom the Elf every morning with excitement. Man! that Elf on the Shelf is still incentive and I love it!
7. new mistletoe!  Any time I can get my son to willingly give a kiss to me or his sister is priceless. And you can't argue with mistletoe placed conveniently in front of the refrigerator
6.visits with friends. I am really looking forward to three different get-togethers that are planned this month. First, a small group to make DIY ornaments while drinking adult beverages. Maybe that isn't such a brilliant plan but nonetheless...it's happening. Our annual BT Christmas shopping, eating, adult beverages.  Can't wait to see you girls! And lastly, the annual "Jay takes the boys to Culver's and the teacher ladies eat, laugh, play games and drink adult beverages at Chris' house" night!  I sense a theme here.
5. ballet recital next week to Silent Night...will I cry??  oh yes! This date is also my dad's birthday. He would have been 67 and my heart is broken that he is gone from us only a month ago. Silent Night and little girl in  pink leg warmers will go a long way to warm my sad heart
4. lights, lights and more lights. With all this warmer weather our neighborhood has had a lot of time to continue putting up lights. It seems to have inspired some to keep purchasing new sets and load it up. Our street looks beautiful. As always, we are looking forward to our trip to Larsen's Christmas Lights. Best I've ever seen!
3. most of my shopping is done!  I love online shopping. I love shopping for that perfect hard to find gift...and then finding it. This year I have done that for a few people and I'm excited to see them open the gift.
2. RichWrap warehouse sale. Wrapping paper, tissue gift bags and tags for the next two years for under $50. This year is was Ladies Day Out and I went with my mom and my daughter. We went armed with Starbucks Peppermint Mocha and cake pops. Great deals to be had here! Even on the last day!

and the number one thing I love about December this year....

1. Advent at church. Jesus is our number 1 gift. Not just this year, but every year. Our church is decorated and we are celebrating the birth of My Savior. Come join us!

sometimes you get what you need

My family went away yesterday  to participate in Adam's Cub Scout summer camp out. It was a sleeping in a tent situation. There is definitely a reason why I was in favor of purchasing our camper. I love the campfires, the outdoors, the exploring new places, the hiking. I like having doors that latch to separate us from the outside, and separate us from a bathroom. Of my own. So I opted out of the Cub Scout camp out, but Mark took the kids. At first I thought I would have a few friends over to my house for drinks and girl gossip. Then my thoughts moved on to just calling them up for drinks out. But ultimately I didn't do either of those things. When do I EVER get the chance to be alone in my own house? So I went for a mani/pedi and enjoyed the quiet of salon. Then I picked up dinner and a bottle of wine and came home to the quiet of my own home. I ate dinner lounging in a bean bag chair. I played Words with Friends to my hearts content. I poured a second glass of wine and turned on movies that I've wanted to see, but knew I couldn't EVER watch them with kids around. And I watched reruns of Glee. With the volume turned up. REALLY LOUD. After that I just went up to bed and realized that although my chance at a wild night out with the girls was over, I really did get what I needed. Peace and quiet and a bit of time on my own. But I sure was happy to see my family walk in the door this morning!

sometimes I wish book characters were real

I'm sure I am in no way the only one who ever wishes this. Ever since childhood, there have been characters in books that I have wished so much they were real...that it hurt my heart to know they weren't. Of course, this just means the author has written so powerfully, clearly, and emotionally that I've become attached in this way. The way only a good author can. So here's my list for now. Of book characters I wish were real, that I knew, that I was friends with, or could BE like.

*Lucy Pevensie from the Narnia series. We named our daughter after her. She is brave, loves the Lord (Aslan), stands up for what is right, and loves her siblings.
*Beatrice Prior from Divergent and Katniss Everdeen from Hunger Games. They are strong young women, smart, loyal to their families and friends. Fight for the side of Right.
*Ron Weasley, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Hagrid
*Maniac Jeffrey Magee
*Alice Cullen
*Gregor the Overlander
*Mrs. Whatsit
*Peeta Mellark
*Percy Jackson
*Jo March
*Tobias Eaton
*Nanny from The Willougbys

So this is all for now. But I am forever adding to this list and I know I've missed a bunch already. This just means I "have to" go back and reread. ;)

May Top 10 List

Top 10 Reasons I Love Being Their Mom
(in no particular order)
1. The sound of their laughter is infectious.
2. I had to work to get them, that makes my motherhood earned and a reward even more than usual.
3. dandelion bouquets
4. I'm always the most important person in their life...along with their dad.
5. made up songs about me
6. I see myself  in their eyes, their toes, their imaginative stories, and the way they play together.
7. dress up in costumes and perform shows for me
8. shmoodling
9. When someone gives them something they really do appreciate it.
10. They have love in their heart for Jesus.

from where I'm sitting

There have been several Facebook posts floating around all with a similar theme. They tell you to look around "from where you are sitting" and name 10 things that you see, or list the CDs currently in your player, or last 5 songs played on your iPod, or books on your nightstand. The intent, I THINK, is to give others a snapshot into your life currently. Your interests at this moment. So tonight, while I've been grumbling over getting dinner on the table while supervising homework and helping to find the "right" show 'n tell item, I thought I would get some perspective on my life "from where I'm sitting."

1. On the kitchen counter is  a homemade birthday cake with crooked letters and smeared frosting. I turned 42 years old yesterday. Mark and the kids waited until I left for work, then baked me a cake. They love me, and I loved having a birthday cake!
2. There are dirty dishes on the counter waiting to be washed and put away. I cooked for my family tonight and although I was grumbling at the time because there was so much else going on at the same time; I enjoyed having us all sitting at the table together and hearing their stories. It won't be long and the kids will be in and out on their own schedules....not at the dinner table with us.
3. The refrigerator is covered with photos of friends and family I love the most, artwork by the kids, and magnets that make us smile. I think a family fridge can tell you a lot about a person. But maybe that's another blog.
4. My dogs. Sophie is curled up on the kitchen rug and won't leave my side. She's waiting for me to either go upstairs to watch Glee in bed, or get to the couch to watch Glee. Either way....she is ready to snuggle up and is getting impatient.
5. I can see my husband at the computer in the other room. It's POSSIBLE that he's working, but chances are he's playing darts online or watching something Blackhawks related. :)
6. I see a large pile of school papers that the kids have brought home this week already. Just like in my own classroom, teachers are doing end of year assessments, projects, and work that was on bulletins boards came down to spruce them up for Open House with new stuff. Some I will keep, like a few writing pieces, others will make their way into the trash without being seen by the kids who brought them home.
7. From where I'm sitting I can also hear the guns at the shooting range nearby. By now I am mostly used to this sound, after 15 years here it's commonplace. But after a long winter with the windows and doors closed, it's much more noticeable now that they are open and I can hear it. It's one sound I never thought I would have to explain to my kids.
8. Here I can also see a pretty pot of flowers that a new friend gave to me for my birthday. I'm thankful for her and glad we've become friends. And I'm eager to get into the garden!!
9. I can see my cell phone...and it's making me want to play Words with Friends. But I have laundry to do.
and number 10.....
I hear the dryer and the washing machine chiming so it  must be time for me to get back to the laundry for sure. I am glad I have family around me to care for, but wish there wasn't so much to wash and fold. :)

Anyway...it had been awhile since writing and I was feeling overwhelmed with my to-do list at home. Rather than flip out, I wanted to get perspective and look at things from where I'm sitting with a positive attitude. So there you go. Until next time...

and they lived happily ever after

Mark and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary on Friday. In this day and age, and considering all that life can throw your way in general, I am very proud of this. On the snowy, cold day that we said "I do" to each other we really couldn't have any idea what that really meant. Three step-sons, two children and a grandchild later...we are only just beginning to figure it out. But God put us together for better and for worse--we've seen both. He put us together in sickness and in health--we've see both. For richer and for poorer--we've seen both. And we're only just beginning. To celebrate, we finally made arrangements for a weekend away without kids. We didn't want to be gone too far so we decided to stay in Chicago. We booked a nice hotel, ate delicious food, shopped, talked, drank wine, saw a comedy show, napped. It was a great comfort knowing that our kids were excited for their planned sleepovers with family members, and we could enjoy the time with each other. Here's to many more years to come; to living  happily ever after.

how getting kicked out of the blood drive turned out to be a good thing

Two weeks ago, our church held a blood drive. I haven't given in a very long time and by the time our worship service was over, something had grabbed hold of my heart so hard that I just knew that I was going to donate that day. I whispered over to Mark what my plans were. He looked surprised, knowing that I'm no fan of needles, but said "good for you."  He took the kids to get a little snack, and enjoyed a cup of coffee for himself and would wait for me while I gave. So I hesitantly walked in and began facing the multitude of questions that are in the giant folder of information required for a happy, healthy blood donation. No, haven't been out of the country (boooo). No, haven't had -insert scary disease name here- (yayyyy). Done. Next, I was sent on to the screening panel of wonderful people at Heartland Blood Center. On a sidenote, they really ARE an amazing group of people doing honorable work! This is the part that you answer a couple of verifying questions, get your blood pressure taken, and a finger prick to float your blood in some sort of liquid to check for something very official. This is also the part that I failed.
The gentleman working on my chart frowned, and decided to take my blood pressure again, And again. Then he went and retrieved another friend to take it again on my other arm before stamping my paperwork with a "denied" block and apologized ----but my blood pressure is too high to donate blood today. Then I had to face the music and tell my husband. And call my doctor. Honestly, I've been thinking about calling the doctor for many weeks. I just haven't felt "right" but there hasn't been anything concrete or serious enough to get me to make that call. Until now. So I called. He got me in right away --conveniently on the same day I already took off to take my son to his own check up. I figured it was nothing...but that wasn't quite right.
So the nurse took my blood pressure. Three times. And then stared in  my face asking me "so how do you feel RIGHT NOW?"  ("a little freaked out that you're staring me down ...thanks.") She went to get our long-time doctor (awesome!) and I could hear her talking to him in the hallway about my blood pressure. ("Look at her BP and she's just sitting there without chest pain or anything!") Ugh. Doctor and I talk, he takes my pressure too, does what he does and wants to see me next week. Turns out much of my feeling "not right" is due to super high blood pressure that can be managed with a bunch of meds. So....although I was bummed that I couldn't give blood....I am happy that it resulted in a visit to avoid scary things like "permanent heart and kidney damage" and clearly resulted in saving someone's life. Mine.Thanks be to God. And getting kicked out of the blood drive.

blah! or maybe not...

I came out the house this morning to get into my car and before I could even set down my coffee cup I noticed the little bit of frost on my windshield. I took a quick look around the yard noticed more of the white stuff on the grass, on the flowerbeds, on the bird feeder and mailbox. Driving to work I saw the gross, dingy remants of what used to be someone's snowman, but all it is now is a pathetic, dirty lump of ice. Covered in slush. Covered in cold. That's what I told like about February...the cold and wet and dark. It's this time of year when I REALLY get "blah". The days are still dark and cold. (did I mention cold?) Everything looks gray, brown or beige. I WANT to see THIS:

 

But instead I have to be content with flower and seed catalogs and looking back at our summer fun photos! Tonight I just can't seem to get warm so I'm looking at lots of our summer vacation pictures. It actually makes me  start thinking about this year's Spring Break, and even in to summer plans. Which makes me happy. And excited...and looking forward to warm weather that is sure to be coming soon. So maybe it's not "blah" that's going to win tonight.

blogs and inspiration

I've been reading some wonderful blogs lately. The Zielke Hut, miss mustard seed, Whimsical Perspective and Blondie in Bombay to name a few. The blogs are written about very different experiences, too. Family life and faith, travel, design, creativity....but they all have ONE thing in common. They are written by FABULOUS women that I admire on many different levels. I realized that I haven't written in my own blog in a long, long time. (October????!!!) I miss it. It's an outlet for me, therapy of  some kind I guess. But I am inspired by these wonderful women. Today has been a crummy day after a few other crummy days and I'm feeling a little unsatisfied and sad. After seeing their photos and reading their recent posts...I'm feeling inspired to get up and get writing again. Thank you ladies!