0ur 2013 Christmas

Christmas may possibly be my favorite time of year. Although I do love spring, with a passion that only comes from living through the long, dark winters of the northeast. But Christmas, with its twinkle lights, sentimental decorations, anticipation of gifts, and the celebration of the birth of our Saviour? It's my favorite.

I didn't do many of the things that are typically "Christmas" to me this year. I didn't go all out decorating the house this year. I didn't spend hours and hours at the mall, finding just the right gift for each person on my list. I didn't spend weeks in the kitchen, making dozens and dozens of cookies to give away to all of our family and friends.



And sometimes, that was really frustrating. I wanted to be crafting the perfect garland to hang from our mantel. I wanted the perfectly wrapped presents set carefully beneath the tree, on the perfectly arranged tree skirt. (Hello, have you met my toddler?) As I thought more about it, I realized that the limitations pressed upon me by having two little ones, and a finite amount of energy, meant that I am finally learning to focus on the real things that matter at Christmas time. Plus, if I had the perfectly decorated tree, there never would have been a chance for Javi to bring us into the living room to show us the tree decorated with a stuffed monkey, three toy cars, a train and a bulldozer, hidden in the branches. Saying "Yay! Good job! Monkey in a tree!" :)



I spent a lot of time planning a family breakfast for Christmas. For just the four of us, and my brother Dan who is staying with us right now. I wanted it to be simple, delicious, and something that everyone would enjoy. I made this sausage casserole, cinnamon buns (from a can!) and orange juice. It was perfect.



We always have a big family celebration on Christmas Eve, and I did my best to stop throughout the night and soak up the traditions. Lover's family clamoring for him to play Silent Night on the guitar. Everyone joining in and singing a rousing rendition of Feliz Navidad. Even the chaos that ensues from having 21 people, 11 of which are children under 10, in a very, very small apartment. It just wouldn't feel like Christmas with a lot of space, you know?



I was taken aback by how much work Christmas was this year. I got pretty discouraged about it at times. I went to bed so tired on Christmas Eve - all I wanted for Christmas was to sleep for days. But there were so many blessings. My kids were lavishly loved on by all of the family - and that makes me so happy. My sister in law graciously offered to host my side of the family, all I contributed was a salad. Lover took me out to look at Christmas lights, one of my favorite Christmas traditions.

Lover and I spent a lot of time talking about what we want Christmas to look like in our family. We settled on just stocking gifts this year, and that the gifts would be consumables. Javi was in seventh heaven with a stocking full of candy canes, applesauce, and fruit snacks. It was adorable. Oh, and coal in the toe of course! :)

We saved all year to purchase gifts through World Vision for Christmas. The kids aren't old enough to understand yet, but I so look forward to this being a part of our Christmas preparations; passing around a gift catalog, picking out gifts for others across the globe that will truly make a difference in their lives. I tell you this, not to brag, but to share how much that helped me when I was overwhelmed with the commercialism that surrounds Christmas.



It was a wonderful Christmas. Jesus was born. He died for us. He blesses us every day with family and friends. And that, my friends, is what Christmas is all about.

A Day to say Yes

Last week Lover was out of town for training, for the entire week. To say I was a little terrified of managing everything, along with the kiddos, would be putting it mildly. But then I remembered that I choose to not live in fear, and did much better. I planned out as much as I could (including what to eat for every meal, so I didn't have to think about it again) and also planned in a few activities, since I knew that would both help the time go by faster, and would also be fun for my little social butterfly.



We live less than ten minutes from our local zoo. It's a great zoo, not so big that you are overwhelmed trying to see everything, but not so small that you finish in two minutes and end up bored. When we woke up Wednesday morning and realized that it would be nearly 60 degrees that day, I made a command decision that we would be going to the zoo.



Javi (and I!) needed to do something where he could run and get out his energy, explore to his heart's content, and not hear "no, don't touch/no, leave your sister alone/no, get down from there" all day long. The zoo was the perfect choice.



We explored to our heart's content, howling like wolves, barking at the sea lions, and visiting each and every exhibit.



Javi insists that all birds are chickens, and upon spotting any type of bird, chirps out "cluck CLUCK!" Cracks me up every time.


Our zoo opened an Africa exhibit a few years ago, and this spring two lion cubs were born. They were so adorable, soaking up the sunshine on their big rock and wrestling with each other. I could have watched them for hours.





We ate our sandwiches next to the lion exhibit. Javi is obsessed with these little matchbox cars, and has also recently discovered that he has pockets! At any given point he has between two and four cars in his hands or tucked in his pockets.







I love the fact that this boy has no fear. At the playground there were two ways to get up to the slides: a long set of stairs, or a rock climbing wall. Without skipping a beat this boy muscled his way up the rock wall, and dominated it, if I do say so myself. This is the look of total concentration as he climbs.





I'm so glad that I packed us all up and made the effort. The weather was great, and we had so much fun!



 

Fall Family Fun Festival

Last week, our church hosted a Fall Family Fun Festival. That's a lot of F's to type, especially when the F key on your keyboard is missing! It was a lot of fun taking the kids and watching Javi do "big kid" things. He's still at the age where he can play on a playground for hours, or line up his cars, or just going for a walk is super exciting, but it was fun to see him try to participate in more "planned" games. He was a good sport for it all, and really enjoyed himself, even though he looks so serious in these pictures. That's just his learning face. He studies everything very intently when he is trying to figure something out.



He gobbled down a bag of popcorn, but shared when asked, and I was so proud of him. Then he tried out the wheelbarrow rides. Such a fun idea. We got apples, caramel and cider, and he polished off a donut quicker than you can say "lickety split." He was game to try out the sack races...




And even lined up with all the kids, but when the race started he just stood there, in his sack. :) And then asked to get out. Maybe next year?



The teens at our church do great face painting, and we waited in line for Javi to get the Batman logo on his cheek. He was unsure about the whole thing while it was being painted, even though he was sitting with Daddy.




But then I took his picture and showed him, and his face lit up. Da na na na Batman! And all smiles. Too cute.



But what really captured all of his attention was the band in the middle of the commons. We have some amazingly talented musicians at our church and they were doing some fun "folksy" versions of old hymns with guitars, banjos and a bass - so fun. Javi has loved music since before he was born - we would go to a movie and he would do kicks and flips during the really good soundtracks.



He stood and listened to the music song after song, completely enraptured. Other people commented on how young he was to be enjoying music, he was just completely caught up in the songs. I often look in the mirror when we're driving and see him tapping his hands on his thighs to the beat of whatever song is on the radio.



I love to spend time wondering if Javi will be musical as he grows up, and if so, what his instrument of choice will be. I'm hoping maybe the violin? :)


If you're wondering, this is what Keilana did while at the festival. She didn't even want a donut. :)

Introducing...

Introducing Keilana Ruth, born August 28th, 2013 at 2:20pm. Weighing in at 9 pounds, 2 ounces, and measuring 21 and a half inches long (just like her brother!)

We're all doing well - labor and delivery were as easy as they can be and we are adjusting to being a family of four. :) Javi is absolutely smitten with his little sister. :)



 

 

Working Away on Projects!

There are lots of projects and stories that I want to blog about. But taking precedence in my time management is the fact that my family/houseguests are arriving in less than two weeks, and a certain baby girl will be making her appearance shortly after that. Right, baby girl? Wanna join the world a little early? So my focus has been on making sure we are prepared for baby (diapers! hundreds of them! tiny pink onesies!) and guests (they appreciate things like beds and clean towels, or so I hear).

I've also been finishing up some nagging house projects like fixing broken trim, cleaning grout, and touching up paint. Just like with Javi, clearing up my ongoing to-do list is apparently my way of feeling ready for a new baby to join us. These are the things that taunt me in the middle of the night, that apparently are of paramount importance and must absolutely be accomplished before D-Day. :)



My photography business has been non-stop lately, just when I think that I've finished up the last shoot until after the babe is born, someone else contacts me out of the blue and wants pictures done in the next few weeks. It's keeping me busy and it's nice to "be in demand." I should get pregnant more often, it's good for business! :) I've got another newborn shoot to finish up, and possibly two more shoots to fit in (and edit!) in the next couple of weeks. Of course, with this insane heat wave, I don't stray far from my AC, which makes scheduling shoots a little more complicated. :)

I'm thinking a lot and trying to pray a lot about the transition from a family of three to a family of four. I've gotten some really good advice from friends on what TO do, and what NOT to do. We're trying to simplify our schedule as much as possible for that "fourth trimester" time, and think through ways to help Javi adjust. But really, there's only so much I can do to prepare, and for the rest, I need to trust that God will bring us through, and bring us closer together as husband and wife, as parents and as a family.

Some things to look forward to seeing on this here blog;

• some updates in the dining room - we painted, switched curtains (again!) moved some furniture, added some bling... it's looking nice.


• some crazy before and after pictures of our back yard. I'd forgotten what a train wreck we started out with. :)


• pictures of the basement bathroom- we finally have a full bathroom in the basement, now I just need to spend some time decorating! Darn!


• pictures of the basement as of right now. Not done, but way better than before!


• some updates and changes in the master bedroom. I feel like I am finally figuring that room out.


• more fun stuff that I am forgetting. :) Anyways, stay tuned!

Summer Livin'

So the heat wave finally broke today, and we spent the morning outside doing yard work , playing with balls and taking pictures. (side note: apparently yard work is not all one word? did not know that) This latest stretch of 90 degree days helped all the blackberries in the back of our yard to ripen up perfectly, and for some unknown reason the birds are leaving them alone this year! A certain small someone has discovered that the berries are at just the right height for helping yourself. Oh the joys of being a toddler! A self serve snack bar right outside your door! Does life get any better?

Ball cap, cutey pants shorts and no shirt. I can't handle the cuteness.



He only ate the ripe ones, leaving the red ones on to finish cooking. That boy is a smartypants.



Tiny fingers. Oy. Good thing I am already preggers again, these pictures make me want a million pint size kiddos running around.



Javi, are you eating blackberries?



Just a couple more from back here,



the best way to eat them is to smoosh them all in at once.



CANNOT handle the cuteness. SRSLY. :)

The Sequel

I have very happy news to share today. Check out the picture below to find out my very exciting  plans for this summer!



We can't wait! I wanted our babies close together, and little man and this little peanut will be just under two years apart, which I think will be perfect. :-)

I'm feeling pretty good - much better than the first time, but navigating preggo nausea with a little toddler makes for interesting days!

I'll keep you posted as we get closer to D-Day! :)

A Bit of Writer's Block

February is racing by, and yet creeping by at a snail's pace too. This winter is really getting to me... I'm ready for some warmth! :-)



Little man has been waking up very early (for him!) so a lot of mornings look like this around here. :-)



Javi is just soaking up new things like a sponge. It is an absolute blast to see what new thing he'll figure out how to do each day. Today it was the hand motions that go along with Itsy Bitsy Spider - yesterday it was going to get the dustpan when asked... the boy amazes me.



Lover and I ask ourselves all the time - what if the rest of our kids are not this eternally happy and easygoing? Will we love them less? I don't think so, of course, but boy is this kid easy to love.



I'm taking an online photography class that I love. I've learned so much, especially in a few areas that had me really frustrated. It's a nice distraction from the chilly temps outside, and I love my captive model! :-)



One of my goals for this year is to read a non-fiction book every month. I managed to slip one in last month - but it's the 21st of Feb and I haven't even looked for a book yet for this month. Hmm. Better get on that! :-)



God had been teaching me a lot lately, and it mostly comes down to a heart attitude. When I choose my actions to please Him, I'm a better wife, mother, friend... person in general. Not easy, but when I do it, I'm happier than I've ever felt before.



I'm keeping a gratitude journal again this year, and I love how it reminds me to change my perspective.  When I am frustrated by the mound of dishes in the sink, I remember that I can instead be thankful for heated, running indoor water, the meals that those dishes represent, the fact that dishes are one of the "hardest" things I'll face today... yep, I'm blessed. :-)



We have plans to finally replace this kitchen floor with something a little more neutral (and cleaner!) and I find myself wondering if I'll miss this floor when I look back in pictures. It's cracking and heaving in places, and terribly stained in others, so it definitely needs replacing, but it's one of the last remnants of the previous owners' wacky sense of style in the house. Will I miss it when it's gone? :)



One of Javi's new things is loving snacks. He brings me whatever looked good to him in the cupboard, and then immediately sits down on the floor so I will give him some. My kitchen floor has never been so messy, but my heart has never been so full. :-)

What's filling your February days?