2008

a review of our year....
One really never knows as they begin a new year just what it has in store for you.
I did know that we would be celebrating a graduation this year, from college none the less. Naturally there would be birthday's big and small, with a milestone year for Josh, 21 is still a big deal, and a wedding of two amazing friends. I believed there would be an adoption finalized, I was incorrect. This year I found peace with the waiting, with each holiday celebrated and each milestone achieved I was simply thankful that those three little ones were with us, and that as we walk this adoption journey we aren't waiting for them to come to us. That day in and day out we lived life with them, in our hearts we are a family. Eventually the state/county will say we are too. Did I know that my sister and her family would return to Minnesota, and buy a church to live in? Nope, couldn't have predicted that one :) Did I know that our youngest would wear those darn boots every day for months on end? Yeah never expected that one. Did I believe that in November we would be walking by the lake without the need for layers? OK, that one I loved! Did I know that one person in those pictures above would not be with us by years end, of course not...we will miss you Colleen...and I could continue thus is the nature of a new year, one never really knows what parts and pieces are going to fill those days and hours. Each milestone, and ordinary moment. Each happy laugh, and tears of sadness. Every challenge, every accomplishment. The big and little. The expected and the unexpected. The chaos and the calm. All of those things have woven a story uniquely ours making our 2008 memorable and full.
what more could I ask for?

As we stand here with hours left until the start of a new day, a new month, a new year. I find I am ready to see what life puts on that empty canvas that is 2009. No matter what it brings I am blessed to have a great family, amazing friends and a strong faith that will see me thru each minute, each hour, each day.

just a bit

of what we have been reading this month.
The advent countdown book was a big hit.
as was Frosty the snowman.

their favorite gift...

a new playhouse, (it fits over a card table)
It is where I find them most days, busy playing inside.
Santa did good with the delivery of this gift.

Christmas morning...

a reluctant riser...once awake there were just giggles and smiles.

so excited by santa's visit... a rather quiet morning with everyone busy exploring their new gifts.

waiting for santa...

cookies and milk.....check.
complete with a note from Rosie.

sleeping by the tree...

tracking Santa on NORAD. He was in Atlanta, GA when this pic was taken, they had just gone to sleep.

yes even this little wonder fell asleep before christmas day arrived.

Reindeer food...

the pics of the kids outside sprinkling their reindeer food are quite blurry...that would be because it was so unbelievable cold that getting them to hold still was not going to happen...Rosie's pic says it all, brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve

a tradition not embraced by the kids is that no gifts can be opened until all the food is put away and the dishes are done. By the kids of course. It is perhaps the fastest kitchen clean up during the entire year. Kevin P. hands out the gifts each year..love the pic of the girls watching him their whole bodies are moving with excitement.

This year's book

The tradition I started last year was continued this year with a book full of Nursery Rhymes.
The girls have been learning nursery rhymes at preschool so it seemed like the perfect book.
When I gave them the books later in the afternoon on Christmas Eve they were simply too excited to hold still for any pictures. We have read Rosie's book cover to cover a few times already. Anthony has been able to read some of his book all on his own.

Reindeer cookies

When I found this recipe I just knew it would be perfect for the kids. Simple and fun.
They were having so much fun that even Cassandra decided to join in.

gingerbread houses

The boxes containing the kits have been sitting on the counter for weeks. I have simply ignored them. This is one of those things that every year I promise I am not going to do again, and yet every year it would seem a kit makes it's way to our home. Sigh. Christmas eve day was when we finally broke open the kits and started creating. This year went quite smooth, the kids had a blast building with frosting and sugar, nibbling as they created. Lot's of giggles and frosting smudges when all was said and done.

saying goodbye

We are never prepared for the phone call that comes telling us that someone has passed away.
Shock, disbelief, sadness, are just a few of the feelings that can pass thru your system in just but a blink as you hear those words and then begin to try to make sense of them. This morning my dad called to tell me that Colleen had passed away sometime during the night. There was no sign, no illness or disease, she simply went to sleep last night and didn't wake up.
Colleen and my dad have been together several years now (forgive as I type this I simply can't recall how long my brain is just too tired)
They have known each other for years, my dad and mom were friends with colleen and her husband living across the street from each other...I remember many an afternoon at Colleens while her and my mom had coffee. After my mom died they reconnected over of all things a concert. My sister and I had given my dad tickets to see a country music singer, and then had wondered which of us was going to have to go with him, neither of us real eager to sit thru this particular performance. Imagine our surprise when he said he was bringing Colleen. I recall saying to my sister "who knew dad could find his own date" Imagine how weird it was to realize your dad could date... and yet I couldn't asked for a better person to be in my dad's life. She was a gift to him and to us. As time passed and they spent more time together, Colleen simply fit into our lives, present at every birthday party, and holiday celebration, joining us for summer gatherings, or kid's activities. Perhaps the most amazing thing was not those family celebrations she attended but the things she had my father doing, trips to the zoo, hiking at a park, shopping, eating Chinese food.... I remember at first it was quite common for me to say to my dad "you did what?" It goes without saying these were not things he had done while my mom was alive. It was wonderful to see him living his life, and gasp enjoying it. I will always be grateful for the life she added to my dad's world.
I will miss her.
Tonight my heart is heavy, seeing my dad carry sadness once again is difficult to say the least, made all the more so, since there is nothing I can do to fix it for him. I am sad for the loss her family is now trying to understand, almost instantly today my heart remembered that place of so many emotions when you are told your mother has died, my prayers are with them as they move from this day into a new normal that no longer includes their mother.
Tonight I find that mixed in with my tears and sadness there is also some peace and happiness. Found simply in the way she lived her life, how she shared it with her family, friends and those she knew. Colleen I am grateful for sharing a small part of your life, I am thankful for the example your life was.

Merry Christmas...

from our family to you.

Day care Christmas party...

A simpler version. We celebrated on Monday, and instead of a party with parents and assorted big people it was just simply with the daycare kids. We had planned a party, scheduled for Sunday...but mother nature had other ideas and after dumping way too much snow, mixing in some snow, it all added up to blizzard conditions, needless to say we canceled the party. Love watching their excitement there is just something about a little one experiencing the wonder of this season.

conversation with a 4 year old...

"Mom" she said "do you see my purse?" "Why yes I do" I said "What do you have in it?" I asked.
"Guess" she said...and then proceeded to give me hints. And what was in there you might wonder, why a camera, and a cell phone.
That's my girl...love how she includes the essentials.

Doesn't she look

Peaceful?

Why just look at the little darling sound asleep in the middle of the dining room floor. (ok don't look too close the carpet needs to be cleaned) Why is she holding her head you might wonder....I'm sure her answer would involve the words my mom. :) This was at 3:30 pm. 9 hours later I can assure you she didn't look so calm and peaceful...nah, at that time she was still going strong, energized from her mini nap, I on the other hand may have been holding my head much as she is above, but my eyes were not closed in peaceful slumber.
wondering if I will ever find the balance with this child.

Christmas lights

After weeks of trying to find the time to look at Christmas lights, tonight was the night!
After bundling my wee ones into the van, stopping to pick up Betty we spent an hour or so driving thru town looking at the simple, elaborate, and completely insane light displays. My little ones were properly wowed! and despite the 101 things to do on my list I was glad I made the time to share this with them. The photos pretty much suck. wish I could blame them all on dirty car windows, alas that would be only the one....but here is a tiny bit of the wow we saw tonight.