My intentions were good....

I must be very careful what I say in this post. I know my post-Christmas spirit will sound a little Scrooge-like, but in order to vent properly things must be said. Even if my attitude is that of a child's right now. I'll get over it, but right now I just want to say what I need to say.

My intentions were very good this Christmas. Although I felt very disorganized and preoccupied with other things, I thought Christmas Day would be wonderful. I know things will never be absolutely perfect, but I wanted it to be as close as possible. Don't ask me what I was thinking when I agreed to this, (maybe I had one too many swigs of eggnog) but we decided to have BOTH families over at the SAME time. Normally we do stuff all the time together, so I didn't think it would be a big deal, I guess. But, twenty people piled up under one roof in a house that's not even quite 1800 square feet and the excitement of Christmas all around--it was a headache waiting to happen.

So, I pulled out my grandmother's Christmas dishes, nice glasses, had three tables set perfectly. We decided not to go with the traditional Christmas dinner this year, instead choosing to cook steak on the grill. I should've know that was chaos waiting to happen. Especially on a rainy day. But, I was trying to cut down on the chaos by having the tables already set so that everyone could sit down and THEN the food could be served. Apparently nobody got that memo. Before I even realized what was happening everyone was crowding the kitchen grabbing and piling. Some were going back for seconds before others had a chance to eat a first time. Then one of the children were sitting at the bar in the kitchen eating off my grandmother's china. There was a reason there was no china at that spot. No children allowed to eat off of plates that are no longer made and belonged to my grandmother. Especially sitting high at the counter with concrete below. So, I just had to try to let it go.

As my mother and I sat down to eat, we had taken about two bites of our food when my mom's phone rings. My dad had just left from my house to take my grandfather back to the nursing home where he lives, when my grandfather had a stroke. Literally as he was walking in, it was happening. The nurses told my dad to take him straight to the hospital immediately. Of course, that ruined Christmas lunch even more. My mom was a wreck. Although, I must fill you in on what happened BEFORE my parents even got to my house....

My parents have 3 dogs. I think they must have one dog for each child they have, because none of us live at home anymore and they treat these dogs as though they are humans. Well, the newest of the bunch, a big mutt named Bo, somehow got badly cut when he went out that morning. He's still a bit of a puppy so he's always getting into things he shouldn't. Well, he was cut so bad that they had to take him to the emergency vet and once there they had to sedate him and stitch him up and then keep him the rest of the day and overnight. So, my mother was already down and upset when she got to my house. Then the whole thing happens with my grandfather, which is her dad. And because my grandmother died on Mother's Day several years ago, we don't want anything too traumatic happening on any other major holidays.

After my mother left to go to the hospital, between the chaos in my house and the news of my grandfather, I had to shut myself in my bathroom and have a good cry for about ten minutes. I was tempted to shut myself in there until the presents were opened and everyone was gone, but I knew that would be rude. So after a good cry I made myself face the madness again. I must say I was very relieved when everyone left that night.

So then we decided to go shopping Friday. Yes, I know. What were we thinking? I just wanted to get out of the mess in my house that I'm STILL cleaning up today and just spend some Christmas money. I get nervous in big crowds, and a big crowd it was. Then we had a stroller and a motor-mouth to deal with in the big crowds. Then we left only to get stuck in the power outage on County Line Road, with no traffic lights working and about to run out of gas. Chad was almost on panic-mode because we couldn't get around the traffic any way we tried and we were idling in traffic on fumes.

So, after all this Christmas excitement, I never thought I'd say this, but I am Christmased out!!! I don't think I'll ever recover. Although I am very blessed to have a family that stresses me out and my kids had a wonderful Christmas. Brennan had so much fun this year and got lots of stuff he didn't need. We went to Christmas Eve service at church, which was nice quiet time, and a chance to slow down and focus on the real reason we have Christmas at all.

Build-A-Bear Military style

So yesterday while we were at the mall my mom took Brennan to the Build-A-Bear store. In honor of my brother, Brennan picked out all military clothing. The fatigues even came complete with dogtags. Of course the fatigues also came with an Army beret. So my brother told us to do away with the beret. (I don't know why Marines are trained to be so cocky and full of themselves, but they are, and we've had to deal with a slight attitude change with Brent.) Anyway, I thought the bear was really cute and my mom even got a camouflage tent for the bear to sleep in....

The kid who wouldn't sleep....

That's my kid I'm talking about. Ethan is now 14 weeks (I think---I lose track of the weeks) and he has yet to sleep through the night. There has been one night he slept form about 10 until 4 in the morning. I was elated and got my hopes up. Here lately he won't even nap during the day. He is so afraid he is going to miss out on something. Yesterday we went to the mall to have his and Brennan's picture made with Santa (which, by the way, turned out fabulous-- they were both smiling) and he never so much as closed his eyes much less even showed any signs he was thinking about napping. When we got home his eyes were as big as saucers and he was grinning and talking and wide awake. He napped from about 5 until 5:30 and he was wide awake again. I put him in the bath to hopefully calm him down and lull him off to sleep when the doorbell rang. Company. Unannounced company. Good. Even more excitement to add to our day. It was about 10 before he finally went to sleep for good. He was so tired before that he couldn't sleep. He'd sleep for ten minutes and wake up crying. Of course when I say he went to sleep for good I DO mean until about 2:30 when he woke up hungry. Today he still refuses to nap. He just looks at me and grins and coos and kicks his arms and legs. It's as if he's saying "What are we going to do today, Mommy?! Where are we going? Who are we going to see?" I finally just had to stick him in his swing and let him talk himself to sleep. Which he did. (Hallelujah.)

No, I did not write this, but it was forwarded to me and I laughed out loud the whole way through because I live this!!!!


Dear Santa,
> I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children
on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my own doctor, sold
sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the
school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out -- over
several Christmases.
>
> Since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back
of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles; and who knows when I'll
find any more free time in the next 18 years, so now - -
>
> *** Here are my Christmas wishes ***
>
> * I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (-in any color, except purple,
which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but
are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the
grocery store.
>
> * I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month
of my last pregnancy.
>
> * If you're hauling big-ticket items this year, I'd like fingerprint
resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television
that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a
refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide
to talk on the phone.
>
> * On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, 'Yes,
Mommy' to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight
and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of
power tools.
>
> * I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, 'Don't eat in
the living room' and 'Take your hands off your brother,' because my voice
seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard
by the dog.
>
> * If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough
time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury
of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a
Styrofoam container.
>
> *If you don't mind, I could also use a few miracles to brighten the
holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a
vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.
>
> *It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the
house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized
crime family.
>
> Well, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing, and my son saw my feet under
the laundry room door. I think he wants his red crayon back. Have a safe
trip Santa, and remember to leave your wet boots by the door, and come in
and dry off, so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the
table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.
> Yours always with love and appreciation,
> A Mom
> P.S. One more thing . . You can cancel all my requests, if you can keep
my children 'young' enough to believe in Santa.
>
>

A cheerful heart....

Every Christmas season it seems as though I have to be reminded of how fortunate I really am. Situations that really put things into perspective for me.

In Sunday School on Sunday morning someone announced that there was a family in dire straights at our church. Single mom with no money for rent. They were going to be kicked out of their house if they didn't come up with money for the rent by Wednesday. (Tomorrow.) While I felt very sorry for this family, the selfish part of me thought to myself how financially strapped we are right now. I didn't really think much else about it. Of course, if we had extra I would've gladly given. Well, last night Chad brings it up again. He felt lead to give a little something even if it wasn't much. After all, we were going to have a home to celebrate Christmas in and our kids were going to have something to wake up to on Christmas Day. Again, I scoffed a little at him for saying that. We have bills, we have a tight budget, sometimes we worry about having enough for groceries, etc., etc. Again, very selfish thoughts. Then this morning as soon as I opened my eyes my thoughts immediately went to this family. I knew what God was telling me to do. Besides, it is Tuesday, and they could be homeless by this time tomorrow. I know God tells us to always give with a cheerful heart, but sometimes when you're so clouded in your own pity, it's hard to remember there is always someone worse off than you.

While we may not have the biggest, fanciest house, and we may drive cars rolling close to 200,000 miles, and we may not always get what we want when we want it, it's so important to remember that we have things that God has chosen to bless us with and we are very well provided for. Even the simple things mean the most to me. Like being reminded of the family and friends I have. The fact that everyday that I've gone out to the mailbox since Thanksgiving, we have 2 or 3 Christmas cards from friends and family we've known and have gotten to know over the years. I've even run out of room on my Christmas card holder and am having to find other ways to display them. I love opening the mailbox and receiving such meaningful reminders of the things that really matter.

I complain all the time how we've already outgrown our house, but it's a good problem when you know your kids are so blessed because they have so many things that there isn't enough room for all the stuff that they have. Just a couple of weeks ago I cleaned out Brennan's room getting ready for all the other stuff he'll get for Christmas, and he saw me putting toys in garbage bags to get rid of. He questioned me about this and was very upset about it. Well, our church has adopted an apartment complex in S. Jackson and we did our own version of an angel tree this year. In addition they were taking any donations of toys, clothes, etc., that people could give. So I had to explain to him that he had so much and he was going to get new toys for Christmas and we needed to share with others who don't have the nice things that he has. I think it took awhile to sink in, but he eventually got used to the idea. I have been reminded while we may not have everything, it is so important to teach my children the joy of giving and sharing. Not just at Christmas, but always. Not only does it bring happiness to those who are the recipients, but it makes the giver feel a little bit better about themselves and what they are able to share.

I know that my thoughts were very selfish. After I spoke with someone at the church this morning I was told that there were actually several families in our church who were reaching out for help and who were in need. I never would have thought. After all, we go to a church that's not very big. It's not a small church, but it's not huge like some others around the metro area. You never know the things that people are dealing with in their lives. I only wish now we really did have a little more to give....

Office Christmas festivities....

Dr. Harkins and his two FAVORITE assistants. (Okay, we're his ONLY assistants...)



The women of the office.



Elaine is thirsty! And she makes me laugh.