Two Christmases and a Mystery. Part 3.

For the last 15 Christmases, Skip's dad has planned a special vacation for the whole family. We are gone for about a week and have absolutely NO IDEA where we are going.

On Christmas night, we all gather together to collect clues for our annual Mystery Trip. Skip's dad plans the trip throughout the year and reveals bits and pieces to us that evening. He tells us what the climate for our destination will be. He tells us if there will be scuba diving available and he always has a picture that he cuts up into a puzzle.

We can ask him questions only if we are OK with "North Dakota" being his answer. We put together the puzzle piece pictures, evaluate all of his clues and make our first guess as to our destination. No one knows what he has planned, not even his wife. Everything is TOP SECRET. Only Papa knows the answers. One year, we were boarding our third plane when we finally found out our final destination.

The roads he has taken us down have been very memorable. This unique opportunity has provided fodder for conversations year after year. We are still laughing about the 18 hour trek into the Costa Rican jungle to find a volcano. Two flat tires, men with guns and a rain shower later, everyone saw the stinkin volcano except Skip's dad.

Or, the time we were at Pearl Harbor and a bird pooped all over my brother-in-law.

Or, the time we were in Wal-Mart with sick, vomiting kids bathing them in the sink.

Or, the time we had mutiny on a bus headed to Disney.

Or, the time when we couldn't get home because of a huge ice storm that grounded all flights.

Or, the time when we discovered that The Alamo was really a stone's throw from the Dillards in San Antonio. Just wrong.

Or, the time when we all smooshed our faces together in one window to see the New Year's Eve firework display over New Orleans.

Or, the time when we fed sharks in Curacao.

Or, the time when we played Scattegories in Grand Cayman and "someone" threw a temper tantrum and now we can't play that game anymore.

Or, the time when we had a High School Musical marathon that led to massive fall-out.

Or, the time where everyone in our family was offered d*r*ugs on the beach. Even my 5 year old boy!

Or, the time I almost died scuba diving in Barbados! One must really leave the regulator in their mouth in order to breathe under the water! Just FYI.

Or...

Or...

Or...

I could go on forever. Each trip holds its own memories for all of us. The details and the stories get told again and again with each person adding their own spin on it. Some stories just get better with time.

Here I sit on the eve of our next Mystery Trip with full anticipation. What will this year hold? Where will we be going? What new adventures await us? How will my kids adjust? But most importantly, how soon will it start?!

Thank you, Papa! I know it is your biggest thrill to provide this opportunity for your family. This is your legacy...your gift of love.

Two Christmases and a Mystery. Part 2.

Much of the day between the two Christmases include cleaning up my house and searching for new places to store toys. Sometimes, it includes a nap...sometimes, it doesn't. After clean-up, I am busy cooking food for the evening. My standard dishes for this night include meatballs, sausage wrap, fruit and veggie trays.

The kids are bustling with excitement to spend the night at their cousin's house. They prepare toys they are going to take with them, they make conspiratorial phone calls to plan their wake up strategy, and they ask every 5 minutes when we are leaving. A night surrounded by cousins is pure thrill for them.

Skip's family all lives on the same road in B-town, all about 1 mile apart. We live in the same neighborhood as one of his sisters. We all make the "long" trip to her house to set up camp for the night. We gather around for an evening of storytelling and appetizers. The kids, ranging in age from 18 down to 6 months, all run around the house playing with each other. Sometimes even the older ones join in the fun. It is very loud and busy compared to Christmas #1.

The kids all find their ways to our designated rooms in which all of Skip's family spends the night. This year, the kids made a fort in a closet that they SWORE they would sleep in. It lasted about 30 minutes until they all decided that sleeping in a bed would be better. Once the kids are asleep, the real magic begins. Gifts are wrapped, toys are assembled, and Santa secretly comes in and takes over the living room. Each child has their own special chair or section of the couch where their gifts are displayed. The living room could put any retail store to shame.

In the wee hours of the morning, all the adults go to bed. The kids usually wake up about 6:30 and manage to stay contained until 7:00. Then the screaming and chaos begins as they wake up the entire house. Everyone gathers in the hallway until the last person wakes up.

Ten, nine, eight, seven.............

The countdown begins for the mad race on the living room. The kids can hardly wait to burst out of the hallway to see what Santa brought for them. The joyful noises are music to my ears. The morning progresses into breakfast and opening presents finishing with the grandparent gifts.

The things I love most about this Christmas is waking up to a house full of kids that are all excited about Santa. The yummy appetizers that we wait all year to eat. The late night laughter. The ins and outs of housing 23 people, if only for 1 night...bodies are everywhere! The nap that certainly follows a busy couple of days! Seeing my husband laugh and joke and tease his family. It is magic.

Our Christmases are both extremely special to our family. They are alike in some ways and very different in others. I pray my kids find the special moments in both.

Merry Christmas! I hope you enjoy your holidays and traditions as much as I do!

Two Christmases and a Mystery. Part 1

We are so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by both of our families. Having said that, holidays are a bit tricky navigating from one house to another without hurting anyone's feelings. It has taken years, but we have found the perfect solution for us. A solution that honors both sides of our family. Since we tweaked our situation, we have the most relaxing holidays. I love our traditions, I love the memories we are creating for our kids that include relationships with both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Celebrating with my family is a wonderful affair with lots of yummy food and time to savor each person and gift. We start on the 23rd with a dinner at my Granny's house. She bakes the ham, scalloped potatoes and an amazing four-layer chocolate dessert. My mom and I add the traditional ham side dishes. It is heavenly.

After dinner, we retreat to my house where my mom and step-dad spend the night with us. We give the kids their Christmas jammies, take about 300 pictures of them being silly, and write a note to Santa with his cookies. Then everyone gets tucked into bed.

One of the challenges we have had to overcome with two Christmases is the Santa issue. Neither side of the family wants to miss that magical moment when the kids discover their presents from Santa. Thankfully, Santa Claus is very accommodating! We write him a note each year asking if he could please divide our gifts over two days. Santa is just cool like that!

We wake up the next morning to the smell of coffee and the excitement of three kids. Santa gifts take first priority. The kids play with their gifts and watch a new movie while my mom and I make breakfast; monkey bread, scrambled eggs, bacon, juice and coffee. During this time, my brother and Granny arrive. I love sharing a meal and a full house with people I love the most.

After breakfast, we start opening presents. My brother plays the part of Santa and hand-delivers each gift. We take time to watch each other and play with toys. We build up to the grand finale, saving grandparent gifts for the end.

The thing I love most about Christmas #1 is the relaxed feeling of savoring meals, presents and movies. I love the jammy presentation and the crazy wrestling that always follows. I love that the dishes we use to serve the food are steeped in tradition. I love the smells associated with this special morning. I love that my kids each have a grandparent that sleeps with them and they get to wake up in the morning and giggle with them.

I love it all.

Sixth

This month brought a flurry of activity for you, sweet one. You now have two teeth, you can sit up all by yourself, and your personality is EXPLODING!

Fun doesn't even begin to describe what life with you is like. You bring so much joy to our home. As I tucked you in bed tonight I thanked God, again, for the unbelievable privilege of being your mommy. Sometimes I feel the need to pinch myself to make sure this is all real. You are loved!

Sleep tight, my Santa Baby. Let's giggle and snuggle some more tomorrow!

With this "wing"...

On this day, 13 years ago, I married my best friend. It was a cold day in December with gray skies and a threat for snow. I didn't care. My heart was full of excitement and indescribable love.

Surrounded by our closet friends and family we united as man and wife. Our candlelit ceremony was perfect and simple. As I stood before my soon-to-be husband, I realized that my life was blessed beyond measure.

During the vows, Skip was so nervous that he accidentally said, "with this wing." Then very subtly flapped his elbows in an attempt to lighten the mood. When it was my turn, I didn't want Skip to feel silly by misspeaking. So what did I do? Never to be outdone, I said, "with this wing" and I flapped my arms. Only not so subtly.

In hindsight, I wish I would have realized that THIS WAS MY MOMENT and not flapped like a chicken on the day that I had been dreaming about since I was five. Because the truth is, no one heard Skip's blunder. EVERYONE heard mine. I have a big mouth and very flappy arms. Apparently.

My favorite emotion is laughter through tears. That is what I will take away from our wedding. Laughter mixed with tears of joy.

Skip makes me laugh...everyday. I love that about our marriage. Even in times of stress, we always find the laughter. I will admit sometimes the laughter is on my behalf. I am still the loudest and the flappiest.

I love you, Skip. I still can't believe God chose you for me.

I don't deserve you...

We Give Thanks.

Here it is December 1st. November has passed by with barely a whisper. It seems like (and I am VERY guilty of this) that Christmas really overshadows such a special month. I admit that I started decorating the beginning of November, partly due to time issues more than sentiment.

I would be neglectful if I didn't give Thanksgiving it's due respect. We had a wonderful and simple day. My beloved Gramps passed away just days before this Thanksgiving. We were flooded with family and friends for most of the week. By the time Thanksgiving came around it was just a small gathering. I think all of us needed that day to heal and let our memories settle. It was a beautiful day.

This year, I am most thankful for family. I am in awe at how God works His perfect timing. Last year at during Thanksgiving, we were a family of four with the promise of a new birth. This year, our family of five is so complete and full that it just thrills my heart. I am most thankful to God for providing for us in this way.

My cup overflows...

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Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I hope you all had a special day celebrating family and togetherness!

Fifth.

I am SOOOO mad at myself for running late on this post. I promised myself that I would stay current with Wingman's growth this first year.

OY! The guilt.

Well, here goes. Just 12 days late.

This month brought many firsts for Wingman. Here is the first time in his Excersaucer. This has become one of his favorite places to play these days! The funny thing is getting the older kids out of it so he can play. When he is in the excersaucer, Z-Man and Loulabelle include him when they play Star-W*ars. Guess who he plays? R2-D2.

Wingman with Papa. Who can help but snuggle that sweet, fuzzy baby?
I just love his soft, chubby feet.

Excuse me while I stare at this picture for an hour or five...

This has been an incredible month. So many smiles, so many laughs, so many hugs. He is learning how to sit. His favorite game to play is Peek-A-Boo! When his brother or sister walk in the room he starts to yell for them. I am so in love with this baby!

Thank you, Lord for adding him to our family.

The fog.

It is silly that I should feel obligated to such a little thing like this blog. I think about it several times a day and wonder if anyone is offended by my lack of posting. I imagine all my cyber friends wondering where I have been and feeling like they have been dumped.

This guilt is a really sick thing going on in my head these days!

But honestly, I am still here. In a daze...a fog.

Here is the best way I know how to describe the last few months.

"It was hot. I had a baby. Now it's cold and I don't know much in between. "

There have been birthdays and deaths, laughter and tears. All very blog-worthy. But I honestly don't know where the time has gone. I am still here...doing my best to keep all the plates spinning.

Bear with me. I love you all.

And to quote Arnold, "I'll be baaaack."

Yada, Yada, Yada, October.

Hi. My name is Janelle.

I have a blog. There was a time that I loved to update often, almost daily.

Then came baby 3 and all of life turned topsy-turvy. So in hopes that I don't loose all my loyal friends, I need to review the month of October. It was a big one...birthday, birthday, Halloween, and more birthday.

But I must warn you...

Unless you are family, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE. It's all pictures, albeit cute ones but may be as boring as Uncle Frank's slideshow of his trip to Tennessee. If you are a relative, sorry. There is no getting out of this one.

Just pull up a chair and sit awhile.

Do you remember the purple hands? This is why. Our little Loulabelle turned 5 and she desperately wanted a bowling party. I said tea party, she said bowling. Tea? No, mom. Bowling!! To put a spin on it, we did a 70s Groovy Bowling Party.

Our Lou. What a firecracker she is. From day one, she has had a spunk about her that we adore. She kept us on our toes in the early days. I had never heard so much crying, crying and more crying. So much crying! Nowadays, the crying has been replaced with laughter and silliness.

My kids. I love them and am so proud that I get to be their GROOOOVY mom. Whether they think so, or not!

My lollipop girl!

What is better than a blue Slug Bug? A blue Slug Bug made out of chocolate!!

The bowling was fun. I loved watching all the little ones bounce their ball down the lane. They were so cute!

The Tie-Dyed cuties!

The next day was Preschool Helper day and we celebrated some more! This time we had KK donuts. They were yummy. One little boy in her class kept saying, "This is the best bagel I have ever eaten!"

The one thing she wanted for her birthday was an American Girl doll. She named her Hannah. It stood to reason that Hannah needed to celebrate her birthday, too!

Happy Halloween, Great Pumpkin! This in one pumpkin I could eat up!Little stroller action! Look out, next year!

Padme and the Clone Trooper had to join us. I wonder if there are any Reese's in that bag?

That about sums up the night for him. No candy, no walking, no tricks. Just fingers.

Happy Birthday to ME!! Good friends joined me in celebrating at the local BBQ joint. Good friends, greasy burger, ranch dressing and funny stories. HEAVEN!

And a surprise Banana Foster, to boot. I have never had one of these treats. IT WAS AWESOME!

Spoiled me rotten!

Photo bomb!

These girls are amazing. I love each and every one of them. They are all so special to me, my husband and my kids. I love this town!

If only I would have known to stop smiling!

The most exciting part of the night was a late showing of High School Musical 3. You can tell who my REAL friends are in this picture. Surprising that the whole group didn't want to go!! It wasn't ONE BIT CORNY! I had tears and I will defend that to the death!

So, yada, yada, yada this is October. Actually just the last week of October. I am still catching my breath! I promise not to stay away for all of November. I won't make you suffer through that again!

Love you all!

Quiz.

Why are my hands purple?

A. I'm super cold and my hands are suffering from an extreme case of frostbite.

B. I am slowly turning into Larry Boy to impress my boyfriend.

C. I have a mysterious skin disease and I will soon be a walking rainbow.

D. I have spent the day tie-dyeing an elephant.

Well, maybe not an elephant. Just 20 shirts for a retro, groovy 70's bowling party. The darn gloves they give you are completely useless. I gave up trying to be neat during the first shirt.

But you know what? She is totally worth it!

A HUGE THANKS!!!

A huge overdue thanks to a sweet blogger who passed on an award to little ole me. Isn't is a pretty one, too? Thank you , Nicole for such a fun surprise (and thank you for being patient while I figured out how to post this pic!)


Go and visit her at Sanity check, one two... It doesn't look like life is dull around her house!

Here are the steps to passing this award on to much more deserving bloggers. I need to tell you 6 things about myself that you don't already know. Then pick someone to share it with.

1. I should be doing something else right now. Otherwise known as chores.

2. My dog eats socks.

3. I have freakishly thick glasses. Thank goodness for modern technology that can widdle those down to notsofreakish width.

4. I sunburn easily.

5. I really dislike decorating for Christmas. !!GASP!! I know some of your hearts just stopped beating on that one. I like it when it's done but despise the process. Don't judge me.

6. In my head, I am convinced I am 27.

Now for the fun part! I get to pass this cute little award on to someone much more deserving. There are so many to choose from. I love you all! Keep blogging because we have such a neat community around here!

But for this award, I am going to choose one.

I pick Bee at Will Blog for Shoes! Her hair alone would sell that blog! And her kids are cute!!

Politics Smolitics

Politics just ain't my thing. Now don't misunderstand, I have a team. I hope they win. Period. End of story.

But what I overheard in carpool yesterday made me want to believe in the political system, of which I have little faith.

Friend of Z-man: "I am so glad a girl doesn't rule the country."

Z-Man: "Why?"

Friend: "If a girl was in charge there wouldn't be any sports, at least not football."

Z-Man: "If there weren't any sports, I would be so mad."

Friend: "Yeah, no sports and nothing dangerous like motorcycles and stuff."

Z-Man: "And we would probably have to wear dresses and fancy shoes all day."

Lots of giggling from both the backseat and the front.

You bet I would vote for the girl who could put an end to all things dangerous.

Fourth.

A You're Adorable by Martha Alexander


A you're adorable
B you're so beautiful
C you're a cutie full of charms

D you're a darling
E you're exciting and
F you're a feather in my arms

G you look good to me

H you're so heavenly
I you're the one I idolize
J we're like Jack and Jill

K you're so kissable

L is the lovelight in your eyes

M-N-O-P I could go on all day
Q-R-S-T alphabetically speaking, you're okay
U made my life complete

V means you're very sweet

W-X-Y and Z

It's fun to wander through the alphabet with you to tell you what you mean to me!