Christmas

Christmas was wonderful and I'm still in denial a little bit that it's over. It was so great to have the kids home. We made and ate yummy food, watched Christmas movies, slept in, played in the snow, and spent time with those we love most of all.

Christmas we woke up to a beautiful blanket of snow. It really was perfect. We played all day and then ate a yummy steak and shrimp dinner cooked by Jake. 

What a beautiful time to celebrate the birth of our Savior and to be together with those we love. 

Delight in Simple Things...

 

 

 

December has been full of these.



The tree

 

Last week we drove to a nearby lot and picked out our Christmas Tree. It was dark and no one was there but there was a note stating to just leave your money by the door. Nice and a bit scary that people are so trusting still. We walked the rows of trees and found a couple that looked like a good fit for us, and then made the final decision. It was a winner.

It took a few days before we brought it in and decorated it.  There really is nothing like a real tree. I have such good childhood memories of going to cut one as a family. Trudging through the snow, singing Christmas songs, throwing snowballs at each other, Dad chopping it down and hauling it back to the car.

 

Not until I became a parent myself did I fully appreciate these memories that my parents worked hard at to make for us. Its not easy, as I'm realizing. Life is busy, full of commitments and such, but how thankful I am for my good parents and all the memories they have given to me.

I hope that our kids will have memories of their own that stay with them and that they will think of with great fondness.

Thar she is, in all her glory!

And just to top things off, a good waltz around the kitchen to Manheim Steamroller.

It's feeling like Christmas!



This and that

It's December 2nd! Whoa! Can't believe it's Christmas time already. Yay! It's my favorite. We dug out our Christmas decorations today and are slowly decking the halls around here. Not sure when we will get our tree, too much going on the next few days but it will happen.

We celebrated Mr. Mckays birthday last week. My baby boy is 5! What?! I suggested the crazy idea of a friend party this year. Why?!! I about did myself in with 10 crazy little boys running a muck around my house. I was exhausted! Thank heavens my Mom came to help! 

He was so excited all day and kept saying all day long, "This is the best day ever!" This little guy sure has a big piece of my heart and always will. He's full of all things boy but has a tender little heart and when he gives me those juicy, mushy kisses on my cheeks it melts me every time.

We ventured up to Jake's parents for Thanksgiving and had a nice time eating and visiting and eating and eating. I'm pretty sure I ate my weight in butter! Always so great to be with family and the kids love cousin time and being spoiled by Grandma. We also made it up to see Grandpa Sanders. So great to see him and visit with him. He's amazing. He had just made some homemade oatmeal cookies. Go Gramps!

I have so much to be thankful for and I'm grateful for this time of year and the reminder that it is of the beauty of each day and the gift it is to spend this life with those we love.

Other stuff....

The girls are still playing basketball. I love watching their games so much. It's so fun to see them improve and get better.

Running...still trying to get in 15-20 miles a week. Nothing serious but enough to stay in some sort of shape. Contemplating a half marathon. Hmm. 

Moab maybe??It's been super cold the last few mornings to run outside so it's been on the treadmill. Bleh. So boring, But grateful for the option. 

Eating...detoxing a bit after Thanksgiving but excited to do some holiday baking.

Excited...for Christmas! For Christmas movies, baking, music, family time and all that the season brings. And thankful for online shopping.

Livie sucking her toes, a completely normal thing to do on the way home from   Grandma and Grandpas.

The end.

Date Night

I got to spend the night with this girl over the weekend; yummy food at Costa Vida then shopping. 

I was trying to sneak a picture of her ;)

It was so great to spend some one on one time together. I love her so much and am so proud of her and the person she is becoming. As I looked at her from across the table it hit me just how fast time goes. She has taught me so much in these 11 years. I was so clueless about this motherhood thing when she came and together we've figured out a lot and continue to do so. 

Hallie, you are beautiful daughter of God and I love you. I'm so thankful to be you Mom.

Yesterday

 

 

 

Yesterday was one of those days.

One of those days where you just need a cookie, or two.

Yesterday was gloomy and cold with snow flurries throughout the day.

It was a day where you want to curl up in your bed and snuggle your babies.

Unfortunately it was also one of those days where there was so much to do.

Grocery shopping

laundry

homework

dinner

piano lessons

It was also one of those days where Livie was grumpy. I'm not even sure why.

She woke up grumpy, she was grumpy at the grocery store.

She was grumpy when she woke up from her nap.

Grumpy through dinner and after.

Didn't want Daddy or anyone else.

Just Mommy, only Mom.

But I just couldn't hold her all day long.

And so she cried,

a lot

By the end of the day we were both in tears. I felt bad, even though I felt like I did the best I could that day trying to comfort her.

Mom guilt, it's the worst.

After cleaning up dinner I scooped her up in my arms, snuggled her and gave her a cookie.

I had one myself.

And you know what we both felt better.

She smiled.

I smiled.

We both had another.

Oh the power of cookies!

Now I know that we shouldn't always drown our sorrows and bad days in sugar and butter and chocolate.

But you know what? Every once in awhile it sure does help.

So today I am thankful for cookies.

The end.

 

A view from my run this morning 

"Expecting a trouble free life because you are a good person, is like expecting the bull not to charge you because you are a vegetarian."

Jeffrey R. Holland

A heard this a couple of days ago and thought it was so good I didn't want to forget it.