Brrrrrrrr

After a week of extremely cold temperatures (the coldest in five years around here) we decided to take Friday afternoon and have some fun.

So, after much discussion and debate, (just kidding) we took the family bowling. We had a blast. Basically, Connor, Jackson and Craig bowled while Sawyer and I cheered them on. I think Jackson may have a future with the Pro-Bowlers tour! He insisted on carrying his own ball the whole time.

Watch out world, here I come!

Worst shopping trip ever....

I've been feeling a little under the weather this week and hadn't really left the house for days. So, this morning Craig and I thought we'd take the boys to church for Connor's choir practice...then head to the mall. It was supposed to snow and get ugly so we wanted to give them a chance to blow off some steam, plus I needed new slippers.

Anyway, we got to the mall and walked into the store to get my slippers when the boy's noticed the escalator. They'd never been on one before and Connor was very intrigued. (After all, Curious George rides an escalator in one of our new videoes and that made it all the more interesting.) So, after my big purchase of the day {Isotoner suede slip-on sandals that were 50-percent off}, we walked past the escalator again. This time, I told Connor I would take him on it, if he wanted. Well, of course, he did...and so did Jackson. So, Craig and I agreed to meet in a few minutes at the entrance to the mall so the big boy's and I could ride the escalator and Sawyer wouldn't get antsy and bored.

Well, our trip up wasn't a big deal. I held their hands and was able to get both situated pretty quickly. I guess I didn't realize that they didn't get the concept that the stairs keep moving. As we prepared to get on the escalator to go down, Connor rushed ahead...eager to get another ride. He was holding my hand, but when he stepped on the escalator...he fell....on his back...and started to get swept away from me.

So, here I am 7-plus months pregant...on my knees...trying to hold Jackson back...and trying to hold onto my precious Connor. I could see the edges of the stairs pulling at his shirt and pants...I could see the red scratches developing on his back...I could hear his screams of fear...and I couldn't move fast enough. It took what seemed like minutes and lift him up with my arm and move him away from the stairs...I'm really not sure how long it actually took. He was shaken up and so was I. Jackson just kind of stood there (he still wanted to ride the escalator.) I just held Connor. A few people stopped to see if we were alright....or needed anything. I just kept holding my boys. My heart breaking that I couldn't keep Connor from this painful, scary ordeal.

We eventually made our way out...and met up with Craig. Connor was so brave...he wouldnt' show Craig the scratches and welts the stairs had left behind. He just said, "I hate escalators". We had promised the boys lunch at Arby's with milk shakes...as we headed that way, Connor asked...do you think the milk shake will reach the whole way down to my butt to make me feel better?

My heart was crushed...still is. I really can't get over this, I keep replaying it in my head. I know he's okay...and I'm overly emotional since I'm way pregnant...but still.....

In an interesting twist (God always adds those, doesn't he)...we had also promised the boys that we would check out the toy store. I forgot that KB Toys is going out of business and half the place was empty. Well, wouldn't you know it...one of the few things they still had was Spider Man Action Figures....Black Spider man. One of the things Connor asked for for Christmas and didn't get. It was 60-percent off, too. So, we let Connor and Jackson each pick out a toy. (Jackson got a really cool Spidey figure on a four wheeler.)

I got tears in my eyes as I watched our two big guys walk through the mall with their new toys. They were floating on cloud 9. They both said thank you multiple times. Connor even said, you guys are the best mom and dad I ever had! Good, I answered, because we're the only ones you'll ever have. Once we got home, they shared their toys like champs...even helping one another play out a spiderman episode. It was too cute.

Maybe we are doing something right....

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Connor and Jackson enjoyed singing Happy Birthday to Jesus....then blowing out the candles. We've made it a Christmas tradition to have a birthday cake for Jesus. We want to try to keep the focus of the day on the birth of our Savior. Which is difficult when you're dealing with kids who are under the age of 5...and inundated with presents!





Christmas evening, we had my mom and dad and Kelly over for a light dinner and present opening. The boys enjoyed the entire day!



Somebody was pooped....Sawyer fell asleep just after brunch at Grandma's house. He snuggled up with Daddy and stayed there though all the hoopla. What a cutie pie....what a day.

Christmas

We enjoyed a blessed and joy filled Christmas with our families.

Sawyer woke up first on Christmas morning. 6 am!!! He was in a great mood though. I wasn't quite sure about the presents...he just kept picking them up, walking around with them and putting them back down.

Connor and Jackson joined in around 8. I had them walk into the room together. They had huge smiles. Connor opened his new spiderman first and seemed completely satisfied. It didn't long for present-zilla to take over. He couldn't get enough.

As for Jackson...he was his usual laid back self. He loved every gift...didn't need to open any others, but would if we encouraged him. What a cutie.

At 11:00 when headed to Grandma's for brunch...and more gifts. The boy's loved it...especially all the attention from Grandma and their aunts and cousins.

Shave and a Haircut...

Another first for my baby. I gave Sawyer is first haircut last night. He was getting bad baby mullet, although I loved his curls at the nape of his neck!

He was so good for it, too. Craig held him...he sat still, not quite sure what was going on...then just let me do my thing. At one point, we thought he was falling asleep. The buzz of the clippers seemed to calm him.

Friends

This Christmas I have to say I've already gotten the greatest gifts. Of course, I'm thankful for my family. They are happy and healthy, but I often overlook the great gift of friendship.

Last week, the boys and I went down to Maryland to see my best friend, Chris. She has three boys too. We made Christmas cookies and enjoyed each others' company. Visiting with Chris is like having a therapy session...only cheaper. Lately, we've been trying to get together every couple of weeks. We try to write it down on our calendars so it an important as a doctor's appointment or business meeting. It's been awesome.

Our friendship means so much to me. I can tell her when I'm having a awful day, when I feel like the worst parent in the world, or when I've had it up to here and can't go on. Somehow, she knows just what to say to make the situation seem okay. She's seen me at my very worst and still loves me.

For years, I was an awful friend...awful to the point that I don't deserve her friendship (or anyone elses for that matter), she should have written me off long ago. But she didn't. I'm so glad I don't get what I deserve. I'd be in a really horrible place if I did. We had some rough years, yes. But I feel as if I'm closer to her now than we were in high school or college.

I have three good friends from high school that I still keep in touch with...along with Chris, there's Mel and Steph. They were all in our wedding. I said at the rehearsal dinner, God gave me two sisters...Conestoga Valley gave me three more. We don't see each other as often as we'd like. We're all moms and going in different directions, but when we're together, its great...like no time has passed at all. Again, I'm lucky that they are super forgiving...and don't hold my flaws against me. If they did, I'd constantly be in the friend dog house.


I wish I had all the right words to express how important their friendship is to me, but I can't even come close. Just know that I'm grateful each and every day that I can call them friends. I love you guys.

Christmas Eve

It's the day before Christmas...hard to believe.
Where does the time go?

I spent the day at home yesterday because Jackson was sick. It was actually a good day. I got some one on one time with Jackson and got a few things done. I wrapped presents, I baked cookies, I did a few Christmas cards. I was exhausted by the end of the day.

The good news, Jackson is feeling better, but Craig's mom is in the hospital. She had some chest pains last night, called the ambulance, and was admitted. They didn't find anything...but kept her to run more tests. We're praying that she'll get a clean bill of health.

With all the busy-ness of the holiday, I'm trying hard to remember the reason for the season. This is about the birth of Jesus Christ...not about the cookes, the lights, and the decorations.