Christmas Morning

I don't know about you but I LOVE Christmas morning.   It's one of the best gifts I receive all year.
To start let me just say that "gifts " is my Love Language (if you don't know what I'm talking about totally Google it. You will be glad you did ) as is time a close second.   This holiday celebrates the birth of my Savior and gives me both of my Love Languages in one.
Such a fan day. We start off with Grandparents over at 6:30 am to open presents.   This year it was like holding back wild animals to keep the kids upstairs till everyone else was settled.  My favorite moment of this was when Mason realized what "it's Christmas morning " really meant.  He gave this great surprised faced and started to run downstairs.   We of course had to stop him as it wasn't time yet but it had us all rolling.  
Next came Santa gifts.   We do one Santa present which is unwrapped and set by the tree. All of the kids had one special gift they wanted.  A Lego set, a Yankees set, and a gi-tar.  Now for those of you who don't speak Masoniese that is guitar.  He has asked, and asked, and asked for a gi-tar for a month now, and this morning his dreams came true.

Jamin with Grampy 

He held on and played all day.  We were serinaded with Jesus loves me, and Twinkle twinkle little star and many more.  The older boys enjoyed playing it too.  

Then it was a quick nap for Daddy and Mason then off to Auntie 's house for round 2 of gifts,  some of the best food ever, and heavenly desserts.   I have some very talented family when it comes to the food department.  

Uncle Peter to hand out the gifts.

Everyone comes home over stimulated and exhausted BUT totally loving their family.  We are now all vegging out on the couches around the house, decompressing in our own way. Our little one asked to go to bed at 6:45 which tells you a lot.  

I'm giving you the very pretty version of our day.  As with any other day there were hiccups of hitting, disappointments, and tears but I'm kinda a "look at the world with rose color glasses" person so let's focus on the niceties.  

I pray your Christmas was Merry and your blessings overflow.  With Love from our family to yours .

Early Friday morning

So I'm ready for my annual black Friday shopping trip with my bestie.  We have had a sick baby for the last 4 days and she is pregnant so we forego the 4:30 am usual start time for a much more manageable 6am.  Only problem.   I've been up since about 1:30 am.
Mason slept so much better last night,  so it would only go without saying that I should have too, right?!
My brain woke up about midnight thinking it was 5am.  Hubby quickly shared it was only midnight so off to sleep I went again...I woke up again.  Surely it is 5am NOW. Nope only 1:30 am.tried and tried to go back to sleep.  There are so many nights I wish the clock would just freeze so I could enjoy more sleep.  Today was that night that it felt as time was standing still and I would look over at the clock and see 2:12, 2:42, 3:10.  Ok if I'm still up by 4am I'll get up.  As I laid there my mind processed  how great Thanksgiving was minus the sick kiddo.  How much fun the train will be tonight  (we are headed with a whole lot of family  to a train ride with Santa ); How much work I have to do at work; I wonder how so and so's trip is going; why am I stressed it's only 3am, I should pray about that, etc, etc, etc.   4:01 came and I got up and took a fabulous warm shower, once the furnace woke up.
So here I am now...all ready to go.  An hour and a half early. :0/
So I got to thinking of all the reasons I love this time of year.  Family,  traditions, cookies, presents,  love.  I get to feel the love this time of year that I know is always there it is just on display now.
Let the Christmas Prep begin!

Last Hurahh

Two out of our three started school last week.   Our middle starts Tuesday.  So we thought a last "summer feeling" type trip was in order.  Just so happens my hubby's work paid for our trip as a "thank you" for the many weekends he had to work this summer.
We chose Great Wolf Lodge.  The place is huge and has so much to do.  But the best part was the chance to just have fun as a family.   No real pressure to accomplish much just fun.
Mason loved the Littles area to play,  splash,  and enjoy the small slides.
D our thrill seeker.  Loved the rope course and water slide that drops you straight down (like on wipe out).
Tyler loved the wave pool and Magic quest which is a wand based scavenger hunt through the buildings with interactive screens and chests.  Actually D loved this too and the brothers enjoyed solving the quests together.
Hubby and I loved watch them have fun and relax.  We also enjoyed the water slides and getting the children wet.
I did forget the camera so we have minimal pictures but I'm sure these memories will last.
Happy back to school everyone.

haircut gone bad

So I don't cut hair.  I buzz the boys hair but that's it.  So when our youngest ( who has baby fine hair) begged me to buzz his like his brothers I caved. Now normally a friend of our gives him a little trim now and then, but never have I seen so much scalp on his head.

I most admit from the first buzz I regretted our decision. I love Mason's hair, but as the day goes on I've grown less teary about it.
So without further a do.....
Mason the preschooler.  (Really this was the best I could do.)

Our Family day

Mason's 2nd anniversary of his adoption day came and went.  There was no cake, no gifts,  and dare I say...No Facebook post.  We did make mention of it in our house. We did look at the certificate the judge gave us, but there wasn't much fanfare.
I spent the next day wondering if I was wrong. Was I being a neglectful mom.
I haven't answered that question yet but as I pondered it I came up with other questions.
My bio kids get "gotcha day", "family day", and their birthday all rolled into one big day. Does it mean less?
We have never taken a real stance on how we were going to celebrate these days. To me "gotcha day" in October is far more exciting.   The adoption day was when Connecticut made it official,  but it was real and binding on that very first day that started it all.
The day we got the call that asked did we want to have our life book shown is more remembered.   The feelings of hope and worry, longing, wonder, and ultimately of peace that in His timing it would all work.
There have been so many days in between that have shaped our family to what it is.  I guess it's just best if we celebrate them all.  
So I guess I've answered my own question...thanks for reading through my rambled thoughts to get there!

I would love to hear how others celebrate their days!

Its the end of the school year here and What a year this has been. It's been a growth year for all of us.
I took on a position I wasn't sure I wanted but now can't imagine it any other way.
Hubby took a job that turn out to be nothing but a headache but his determination and strength to see this job through is an inspiration.
Tyler tried a new school this year and totally loves it.
Dylan has worked hard and is becoming a inspiring athlete.
And last but certainly not least is Mason,  who is growing by leaps and bounds daily.  Although we still seem to be figuring each other out he is learning and so are we.  I'm excited for this summer as we have begun to understand we can do anything with him if we "practice" first. There are a couple of things the books are right about. ..
1. Routine routine routine: Mason is much less aggressive when he knows what is coming next. Which is sometimes hard at 2 in the afternoon when everyone else is doing their own thing,  but we will adjust.
2. Rules have to be rules ALWAYS: as in no matter what.  No opening the door of the oven even when it's off, it becomes a habit that could turn dangerous.
Now a couple of things the books are wrong about:
1. Man does this boy like touch. He loves snuggles and initiates snuggles more than anyone else.   We are praying this helps us through the teenage years.
2. He is "learning"...even sometimes through cause and effect.   Mas has learned (after using Qui Gung massage) that banging his head against something hard...hurts.  This is a new concept to him and he is now very gently placing his head against a wall when he's mad ; 0)

We know that God is so very good and can heal everything if it is his will.  As long a we keep our patience so will our boys.  So this summer I pray for patience. ..lots and lots and lots of patience, And sunshine,  and laughs, and peace, and watermelon,  and love, and fun, and....it's a good thing the Lord doesn't mind my long prayers.
Happy summer everyone!

Mother's day...better late then never, right!

I woke up this morning to crashing and banging signifying someone was making me breakfast.   To my surprise Tyler walks in with scrambled eggs,  and an English muffin with cream cheese.  He say "bacon is on its way"...which made me nervous but I say "yum. Thanks. This looks great! "

I was so impressed with my boys today. D comes right in this morning with a cheery "happy Mother's day" and "oh can I give you my gift now?"
What a delight!  He brings out at decorated brown lunch bag that was hiding under his bed for a couple days.   It is a plant in a paper cup that he proudly exclaims is a "creepy willow"  which gives us all a good laugh.
Tyler has help his brothers make me a card and a massage gift certificate...ooooooo
Then time for Tyler's home made coupon gift.
I will definitely be using these soon.
 I love the effort this year!!! Felt so blessed!

4 eyed cuteness

Baby boy got glasses today.   As they were being fitted the man and I joke that we will soon be on a first name bases with how often we will have to visit to adjust them.

We have talked with what seems like all the professional and have a game plan on how to help him get adjusted to them and how to keep them from getting broken in the first week.

Rule #1: no glasses in the car

As you can tell I broke rule #1 because he just loved them so much he didn't want to take them off just yet.  

Next favorite part was opening and shutting the case. Which he shut on my finger about a dozen times and  thought that was the funniest thing ever!

We kept them off until he was ready to watch his show and then tried again. This time they didn't come off as often and he pretty much left them alone.  Progress!!

These next couple of weeks will be a little tense trying to adjust but we survived day one!

And learned...its a good thing he's cute!

Going Ninja

So I'm sitting here on the couch with my littlest sleeping on me and I am STARVING! Hubby is working on taxes and I can't speak loud enough for him to hear me anyway.  
But it got me thinking. ..what did I eat today?
Breakfast, a donut as I met my sister in law this morning for a quick chat and joyfully hand over Mason for the day.  He loves auntie!
Lunch, guacamole with chips,  and 1/2 a brownie(Ty who had a half day ate the rest of my lunch).
Dinner, lent dinner at Church.   Mason doesn't stay in one place very long so we eat and run...literally.  A couple pieces of bread, 3 lemon squares, and a totally uneatible gluten free cookie (that I made) was it.  This is all my fault as there was delicious food there I'm just a pickie eater.

So based on the description above,  it's no wonder I'm starving.   Note to self: more protein less sugar.  Got it!

Excuse me while I stealthfully try to remove myself from the couch, while I go ninja trying to arrange pillows around the Mason so he stays asleep and I stop chewing on my arm.  ; 0)

Our Sunday tradition

Every Sunday evening with gather together on the couch to watch AFV.

Happy Sunday! 

Trying Something New

Every now and then we have a week where it pours.  A week when each kid is struggling with something different and as a mom I spend countless morning pondering how I can support my kiddos through these tough times.
 This week was full of bus issues, poor attitudes,  test results,  xrays, evaluations, and tears.
But with those trial came some answers, some questions,  and trying something new.
For one Mason will be starting chiropractic care, massage, and some outside sensory help.  I'm so excited about the prospect of Mason having some much needed relief.
For my middle kiddo we will be doing an exploratory test to answer some medical questions.  
For Ty he learned how to effectively use the word "whatever" this week.  That can be such a powerful tool.  
Here's praying this weekend holds some family fun and some much needed rest.  

Let it Go

It's hard to have 3 child, a hubby, a job, and keep up with a blog.  I will try to do better.  ; 0 )
Mason loves music and he is in love with the song "let it go" right now like everyone else is.   We have watched a ton of silly versions but his favorite is the movie clip.
I have a cute video I'd love to show you but blogger won't let it load.  So staying with the theme. ..  I'm letting it go.
Here's a cute picture of him in Grampy boots.  It amazes me just how far he walked in these heavy things, he struggled but kept going.

I know the binkie is pink, yes he's a boy, only binkie Walgreen sold.  Any port in a storm right?!

Family Love Weekend 2014

So this was our annual weekend with a little twist.  I had surgery on Friday and underestimated how much pain I would be in.
We still had yummy breakfasts and some fun games, but it just wasn't the same.
I guess Mamma really does set the tone of the house.
So we'll have a re-do in a couple weeks when we travel to NY to go to Legoland discovery center (the boys Christmas gift).
Although we were disappointed that we couldn't have as much fun as usual...There were a couple highlights:

Cool whip pies are always fun

Dylan's basketball game

I have a cute video of Mason eating a cracker but it won't load. So take my word for it. ..it was cute.
That's it. So you'll have to wait for the Family Love weekend do-over.

Let it snow

We had a lot of snow today.   My first stay home snow day of the year.
Mason slept till 8am with Steve. So I started a fire and set off the smoke alarm all before 7am.  Your house gets smokey if you don't open the flume...just so you know.  
I made french Toast for breakfast and strawberry pound cake for dessert.  The boys played, watched movies, and challenged each other to a fierce match up of video game football.   Steve worked and I played cruise director for the 2 year old.
I didn't really get much accomplished (well a couple loads of laundry did find there way into washer but) it was just a day -until...
We found ourselves in a pick up game of monkey -in -the- middle using a whoopee cushion as a ball.  We had so much fun our cheeks hurt from laughing.   Every one was involved in one way or another:
Steve and I started as the "throwers"
Tyler played interference (didn't know that was a position in monkey-in -the -middle did you?)
Dylan was the "monkey"
And Mason "supported" the monkey by doing parlor tricks.  Mason has learned to somersault and this offered plenty of opportunity for Dylan to dodge and weave while trying to catch the "ball".  D will thank me later when he is as agile as a cat, its like spring training :0)
But what was truly the best was the organic way it came together and the fun we had doing "nothing".
Happy snow day!!

We stayed in our pj's all day!!

The dog kept stealing my heat from the fire.  She is awfully cute though. 

clean the dust off

My mom asked me today if I gave up my blog...
No, I was just feeling like all I was doing was complaining so I felt like a break was needed.
I think when the 2's hit finding joy becomes something intentional you need to do.   Its so easy to fall into the always, never, is this truly the life I signed up for trap.  But then there is a kind friend, a restful night, and a great verse and  everything seems so easy possible again.  

So here is our update:
Christmas was great, except for a hospital trip and some puking.  Long story
New years eve was fun...but more puking.
January has begun basketball for Dylan. Although football is still his love.
Ty is doing 12th grade vocabulary in school to "challenge" himself.  It's hard to help your 6th grader study when you have no idea if his answers are right (or even how to to pronounce the words).
And Mas...oh Mas, he will begin speech with birth to three.  Sleeping is still an experiment, and he loves to cook.  He wants to be there stirring with me.   It's really too cute.  
Steve will begin tax season soon. I will see him in April ; 0)
Me...I'm enjoying cooking meals in my new kitchen with a real dishwasher.   So nice..

See there is joy, just have to clean the dust off to find it.