We decided to spend Day 1 of Christmas break making Christmas cookies.
This worked out fine, until Blake decided he really liked playing in the flour because "it is so pillow soft". Now, as a control freak mom on the messes, this was really huge of me to let it all go and just let him play in it.
The boys did a lot of laying around and relaxing over the weekend. Jeremy finished the Golden Compass.
Many pillow forts were built and defended.
Many many many messes everywhere, everyday. This is Day 4 of vacation and I'm starting to go a little stir-crazy at this point.
My day brightened considerably when I went to Home Depot and purchased my Christmas present from my mom and poppy - a new fan for the family room!
We had a visit from Jeremy's brother, James, and his wife, Michelle and they brought their child with them - a loveable Rottweiler named Rudy. Chili was in dog heaven having a playmate. She also went into deep depression for a few days after Rudy left.
Christmas Eve 2007
Aren't my boys handsome?
Jeremy told me that he would be working late, so the Jackson side of the family (my dad's side of the family that lives in Salem, OR) came to the rescue and hosted a small Christmas Eve celebration so at least we had somewhere to go until Jer got off work.
Christmas Eve Night, after we got home from my aunt and uncle's house, Jer and I looked at each other's tired faces and decided to forgo the very crowded Christmas Eve service at our church (see, once again, I changed my plans). We decided to stay home inside and at the last minute, I turned on a movie called "The Nativity Story". It was perfect! If you haven't seen this movie, I highly highly recommend it for your holiday playing list next Christmas. It was a little slow and complex for Blake, but Jackson sat through the whole thing and totally understood the meaning and significance of Jesus' birth and all of the events surrounding it. Truly, I could not have asked for a better gift from God to see Jackson embrace the Christmas Story - which really - is the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Morning 2007
Christmas morning was fun, easy, relaxed, and we had a great time. These boys - what can I say - they are lucky boys! They got everything they wanted plus some. Blake asked me on Christmas Eve if it would be okay if Santa came to visit, and I told him that if he wanted Santa would be more than happy to make a stop at our house for Blake. See, I'm not that cold-hearted if my kid wants to believe in the fairy tale.
My favorite present was my new nano Ipod, which I also got a some sporty and "luxury" new earbuds for exercising with my Ipod and a new fancy speaker system (refer to my post earlier this month on speaker systems). Jackson got an Ipod and a Ihome boombox. Lucky us!
Chili was just so tired, she lounged around the whole day. So much activity in one week!
At the end of a very long day, this is what we found on the couch at around 8pm. Blake fell asleep with spaghetti noodles clutched in his tight fists. Go figure.
Overall, my hopes and expectations for a quiet and meaningful Christmas were completely met. I feel so grateful for my family - my boys and husband - and all of our extended family as well. After this crazy and eventful year, I saw how we all banded together to not only survive the events, but to grow closer as a family. Moving to Salem was not my first choice of places, but when we asked God to move us to where He wanted us to go - I can now see how His hand was in everything. Our house in Salem is perfect for our family (as is our mortgage payment - much lower than in Seattle), the kids are happy and thriving here, and Jeremy's job is so much less stressful and he is home a lot more now. I also gave myself a break when we moved here and I no longer feel a need to please everyone. I always felt conflicted about having a career vs. being a mom, but this move taught me, that for the time being, my investment is in my family and I am 100% content with nuturing them and providing for them. We decided to add to our family after we had previously made the decision to stop having children, and fertility issues added another dimension of stress to getting pregnant. Luckily, our new baby is almost here and I feel honored that God would allow another boy to join our family. Another lesson I think God was trying to teach me this year was how much of a role that my attitude plays in the outcomes of life's situations. I really tried to remain positive, give people the benefit of the doubt, strive to become a conflict resolver (this was my Bible study topic this fall), and model problem solving and good attitude to my children. I can't say I've arrived at the resolution, but I definately feel a difference in myself.
Christmas morning was fun, easy, relaxed, and we had a great time. These boys - what can I say - they are lucky boys! They got everything they wanted plus some. Blake asked me on Christmas Eve if it would be okay if Santa came to visit, and I told him that if he wanted Santa would be more than happy to make a stop at our house for Blake. See, I'm not that cold-hearted if my kid wants to believe in the fairy tale.
My favorite present was my new nano Ipod, which I also got a some sporty and "luxury" new earbuds for exercising with my Ipod and a new fancy speaker system (refer to my post earlier this month on speaker systems). Jackson got an Ipod and a Ihome boombox. Lucky us!
Chili was just so tired, she lounged around the whole day. So much activity in one week!
At the end of a very long day, this is what we found on the couch at around 8pm. Blake fell asleep with spaghetti noodles clutched in his tight fists. Go figure.Overall, my hopes and expectations for a quiet and meaningful Christmas were completely met. I feel so grateful for my family - my boys and husband - and all of our extended family as well. After this crazy and eventful year, I saw how we all banded together to not only survive the events, but to grow closer as a family. Moving to Salem was not my first choice of places, but when we asked God to move us to where He wanted us to go - I can now see how His hand was in everything. Our house in Salem is perfect for our family (as is our mortgage payment - much lower than in Seattle), the kids are happy and thriving here, and Jeremy's job is so much less stressful and he is home a lot more now. I also gave myself a break when we moved here and I no longer feel a need to please everyone. I always felt conflicted about having a career vs. being a mom, but this move taught me, that for the time being, my investment is in my family and I am 100% content with nuturing them and providing for them. We decided to add to our family after we had previously made the decision to stop having children, and fertility issues added another dimension of stress to getting pregnant. Luckily, our new baby is almost here and I feel honored that God would allow another boy to join our family. Another lesson I think God was trying to teach me this year was how much of a role that my attitude plays in the outcomes of life's situations. I really tried to remain positive, give people the benefit of the doubt, strive to become a conflict resolver (this was my Bible study topic this fall), and model problem solving and good attitude to my children. I can't say I've arrived at the resolution, but I definately feel a difference in myself.
As I was putting away the Christmas decorations today (yes, I take them down ASAP), I was daydreaming about how much my life has changed since the last time I brought out these decorations and when I bring them out next year, how much more different my life will be.
Here's to a New Year!! I hope your year was as blessed as mine.
4 comments:
Merry Christmas! My husband, also Jeremy, also got me "luxury" sport earbuds, too! Are yours the ones from Costco? Because mine are, and they're awesome.
I liked the Nativity Story for the same reasons you mentioned. It's not the most exciting movie ever, but it was still moving.
That was very moving. I feel like I know you better. Plus I liked the pictures of you and your belly.
Glad you had a lovely holiday. How many days until the kids go back to school?
Your belly is so round and compact, I was just big and mushy all over! Great Recap of your holiday events. Looks like you had a very merry Christmas!
First of all you are a super cute pregnant lady. Secondly I really appreciated your words. I agree that God's hand is in everything we do we just have to look for it to see it, and having a positive attitude helps in every situation. I am working on it! I haven't seen the Nativity movie but I'll have to check it out. I think that was a great way to spend Christmas Eve!
Post a Comment