SNOW DAY

About a week ago I was at Kohl's checking out the sale rack and saw an adorable snow suit. I thought to myself, Nah... there are flowers poping out of the ground, it is not going to snow! I was wrong. At least David pays attention to the weather and informed me on Sunday morning that it was going to snow, and snow a bunch. Kate and I headed out and believe it or not, the snow suit was still there! We were well prepared for what began to fall a few hours later.
March 1st was Patty's birthday, so aound 4:30 we headed over to the "Salisbury Ledlie's" and on the way there, the rain turned into snow. I could not believe how fast the snow fell and before we knew it there was a thick blanket of snow. The kids could not stand it, they HAD to go out. Each trip out may have been quick, the wet cold mittens were the breaker for Kate. She danced around trying to catch now on her tounge and tried to make snow balls. Even after the birthday fun was over, we had to play even more at home. (I think she went to bed after 10pm, but it was a really good excuse to have a lot of fun.) The trip home was incredible. It had been a long time since I have seen snow this thick, it was truly a winter wonderland.

Peace

Please keep your thoughts and prayers with dear family friends of ours at this time. No parent should ever have their child leave this earth prior to them. I pray for their strength and courage, and their search for a "new normal." Their daughter embodied living life to the fullest. Determination, passion, bravery, grace... She left this world a better place having been here.

New Hair Cut - After ...

When I uploaded the last blog, I could not get an after picture up... so here it is! His curls are gone, but I love his BIG boy hair cut. His hair is getting so thick!

1st Hair Cut

Stephen got his hair cut! Uncle Gene did the honors and Stephen did pretty well. After 4 women at Westminster Canterbury thought Stephen was a girl, David was more than ready for the trim.

Grounded

This post has taken me forever to start.... "New Years" are always a time of reflection for me, a new beginning. I love New Year's resolutions, whether I keep them or not, I love to get organized and plan for a New Year. But, no matter what you plan, life seems to have its own plan. Unfortunately, Cir@uit City, did not plan to continue with us into the New Year. We, as a family are like so many families right now, looking for a new job, a new beginning. I am the eternal optimist, and my better half is the eternal pessimist (aka a realist.) I believe this is why we work so well together, we balance each other out. I know that something wonderful is out there, just waiting for us to seize the new opportunity. I also believe that this not the worst thing that has ever happened to us. We are healthy and neither of our children are ill. For that fact alone, I am eternally grateful and blessed.

No matter what seems to happen, I can't help but stay grounded. Children keep you grounded. No matter what happens, their routines are constant. Today, I still played with Play Doug, laughed at Kate's funny faces, watched my kids eat Oreo cookies, assisted in the bedtime routine... When taking care of them, you are focused on the task at hand. For a while, you escape into a world where the big decision is, what 3 books do we want to read tonight? After they fall asleep, there are still toys to put away, rooms to pick up, laundry to wash, rooms to clean, and plans to do it all over again tomorrow. I am thankful for the routine, the escape, and the reminder that the most important things haven't changed.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Under Construction

"It's the most cookie-baking time of the year..."

My Katie Kate

Tonight while Kate and I snuggled in bed she said, "Mom, I feel the family-est when I am in bed with you." She is so sweet... my baby is growing up too fast.

Legendary Santa

The Magic of Christmas

We have transitioned from Thanksgiving to Christmas. (A couple of sleepless nights in between put me a little behind). I needed to take a deep breath (and get some sleep) and focus on what the season is really about... joy, wonder, giving, peace, and creating memories for my children. And with one long weekend, the turkeys got boxed up and all the red and green poured out.

For starters, our neighborhood Shadow Ridge, in Brandermill, has won the Christmas decoration contest for the past 18 years plus. So, the first thing we needed to do was get the outdoor decorations up. I was dreading it because last year it took forever! I was pleasantly surprised how fast it went this year because we already had everything and we knew where it went. I love how beautiful the house looks at night all lit up with the wreaths in the windows. Contest or not, I love that we have an excuse to make the house look so good!

This year our big addition to the Christmas decorations was adding a train around the base of the tree. It is so magical... it plays music, has a bell, lights up, and the engine sounds so real! Kate and Stephen can both easily use the remote control and various tiny toys are placed in the baggage car for a ride around the track. The train is also a perfect distraction for Stephen when he realizes that the ornaments on the tree come off. I loved watching Kate recognize her ornaments from the past years while decorating the tree. As soon as she got a few up, Stephen would take the down... So they participated in the process, but if they helped the entire time the tree never would have been finished.

I love the tree, I try not to comment on the placement of the ornaments. However, in my true anal fashion I have to rearrange them until it looks just right. It is all about balance and being able to see my favorite ornaments at all times. (They get the best placement on the tree.) So what is my favorite ornament? I guess I have to break it down into a group of them.

From my tree when I was little:

1.) a multi-colored soft clown from Jane McGonigle

2.) 2 glass angles from Grandma Ruby

3.) a frosty the snowman from Miller & Rhodes

4.) a wooden angel I won at the Watkin's Christmas carnival when my Dad was principal there.

My additional favorites....

1.) a hand carved wooden Santa holding a bird I bought at the Bizzare Bazzar with Grandma and Mom

2.) My Kate and Stephen large glass ball ornaments

3.) Grandma Bev's very very old ornaments, some are circa 1900 and they are amazing!

They all have a story and some along the way have been nibbled (aka destroyed) by my furry children, Dixie and Belle. They have done more damage to the tree than the kids!

I love looking at the tree at night and watching the ornaments sparkle with the lights.