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!