I really don't even know where to begin......quite simply we had a wonderful Christmas! We started our Christmas celebration last Sunday evening. Since the kids were leaving with Steph and Cody to go back to Scott City on Monday, we did our small family Christmas Sunday evening. We usually just have some soup and let the kids open a few presents and then take a few pics.
The kids then left Monday morning and Monday and Tuesday were very long days. Finally Tuesday night Terry and I headed back to Scott City too. The best and worst part of heading back there is that we spend every day doing nothing but eating and this trip was no exception. When we get the whole family together we have so many laughs and time flies by. My sisters and I are all so uniquely different you would wonder how we all grew up in the same house. As we grow older our differences seem to be more apparent and for anyone who has siblings they are close with, know that your siblings are the most judgemental people you will probably ever encounter. However, regardless of the ridicule you may take you also know that there are no other people in the world that love you more. Therefore, when you put the dynamics of my family together you either cry or laugh and we always laugh. Even trips to the grocery store are filled with nothing but laughter. We pick on each other, make fun of each other, disagree, yet I love visiting. You have my older sister who is her own person and has little concern for what others think of her. She is loud and outspoken. Things have never been "easy" for her. She and I are like day and night. She was always "motherly" to me when we were young and now, well I guess I am a little more of the "motherly" one. Next there is me who is a perfectionist and Type A personality. I like things my way and usually think my way is the best way. However, I am not outspoken and usually keep my opinions to myself except when it comes to my family. Next there is Steph who is so much like me but with some bold differences. She is outspoken and opinionated and never hides her emotions or at least from me. She also thinks her way is the best way but we just find humor in this as long as "our ways" are the same. Then there is the baby, Karli. She is eager to please and the "good" one. I don't know anything negative you could say about her other than she needs to speak her mind maybe a little more. So imagine putting us all in a house together for 5 days.......you are bound to have some good laughs. The highlight of our humor this year I think is that we were convinced Cody was going to propose to Steph. I think I convinced the whole family including Steph. There is no way for me to explain all the innocent texts we sent to her when she was with Cody's family inquiring if there was anything exciting going on over there, or the glances I would make at her finger every time they would leave and return, or my constant drilling of my Dad as to whether Cody had talked to him yet. Unfortunately so far we have been a little disappointed but I am still a little hopeful as we still have New Year's :) The thing is Cody is so much a part of our family and fits right in to the chaos. He reminds me of Terry in the fact that he is laid back and just shakes his head at our insanity. Anyway, it really became more of a hopeful joke than anything but I still can't wait for that excitement.
This was my Dad's idea of humor regarding the whole idea of "marriage"
There were so many other topics of discussion to long to go into that kept us in constant discussion. Christmas itself seemed to be over in a blink of an eye. We had our big day on Christmas Eve eating more food than I do all year long and opening an insane amount of presents. Raelynn and Cooper were in pure heaven all week. My Mom spoils them like crazy. They have cousins to play with and our constant attention. They were so cute opening their gifts and would get so excited. Coop got a train set and table and could not wait to get it set up. We told him after several requests to put it together that we would not put it together until we got home. Terry even took it and loaded it in the truck so he wouldn't constantly see it. He finally quit asking about it until Sunday night when we returned home. We had just gotten home and were walking inside. Coop literally takes one step inside, turns around and says, "We put my train table together right now?" It was so cute Terry could not resist and set it all up for him. It is awesome and Coop loves it. He wants to go downstairs and play as soon as he wakes up. Raelynn likes it too and they have already spent a lot of time playing. Raelynn got her guitar from Santa as she requested and so many other things I can hardly keep track. I love giving the kids presents and they are so grateful and sweet about them. So Christmas was definitely a success all the way around.
After our gift opening on Christmas Eve afternoon we headed to our family's Church for Christmas Eve service. We love their service and it is very much a part of our tradition. My niece, Cassidy, sang a beautiful solo which was awesome to be there for since I did not even know she could sing! The Pastor also acknowledged Cooper's presence there in front of the congregation and pointed out that the Lord had answered so many prayers. As the congregation applauded for our sweet boy I thought Terry and I were going to burst into tears right there. Partly because we know how fortunate we are to have Cooper but also because it is quite touching that a group of people so far away from here had so much to do with Coop's medical success through their prayer and that they opened a little piece of their heart for our little Cooper. I am not sure how you say thank you for things like that. I just hope that the smiles and joy that Cooper, Raelynn, Terry and I show everyday displays some of the great appreciation we have for everyone who has had even a passing thought about our family.
Christmas Day my Aunt Barbara came to Scott City and we had another marvelous meal and a few more gifts were exchanged. My aunt works with a dog breeder in McDonald and they had a little puppy that needed some extra attention so she brought the little puppy with her. The kids loved seeing the little pup and even got to feed it. The kids know me all to well though and never even once asked if they could have her. On the way home Raelynn said how cute she was and followed it by saying, "I washed my hands Mom every time I played with her." It cracked me up........I love that they happily abide by my rules :)
So we are now back in Lawrence and after 4 days I think I finally have everything put away. Next will be undecorating for Christmas and redecorating the house....my favorite part! Karli came back with us to watch the kids this week while our daycare was closed. They have had a wonderful time and last night Karli and I even snuck out for the KU game and a little sister time together. Love the holidays and am sad to say another year coming to an end but super excited to see what 2011 holds for us!
Raelynn and Alise (Her American Girl Doll) in their cowgirl outfits
The kids headed back to Grandma's house this morning with Aunt Steph. I don't think I will ever get to a point that I enjoy it when they are gone. The house is brutally quiet and there are no giggles, shrills or hugs all around us. I can't wait to see them again!
This past weekend was busy but fun. I survived Steph's 21st Birthday Celebration. We had a great time. I got a call from the kids right before they went to bed. We were out eating dinner at the time and while I was talking to Coop he started to cry because he wanted me. Therefore, I started to cry. It was awful. I got off the phone and not long afterwards Terry text me and said he was fine and had quit crying. Saturday morning when I got home both kids squeezed me so tight I felt it in my toes and it felt great. They screamed and smiled and almost made it worth missing them so much! Saturday and Sunday we spent finishing our Christmas shopping and baking cookies and other goodies. I think we are all ready for Christmas!
Coop is doing great with potty training! He didn't even have an accident all the way back to Scott City and before they left he even told Cody he had to go. I am so proud of him and relieved we are almost there. Coop's new favorite movie is Bambi. He is addicted to it and will beg to watch it. In the mornings he runs through his chores....making his bed, feeding Poho, brushing his teeth.......just so he has time to watch part of it. Raelynn is her usually self, too smart for her own good :) The other day we were discussing something and she says to me after I had suggested one way to handle a situation, "well Mom I think that is a great idea but I think I have a better solution....." Could she sound any more like me? It is amazing how the pick up on everything!
I wish everyone safe travels during the Christmas holiday!
I am big on thank you notes and the kids write them for Birthdays and any other time it is needed. Yesterday my sweet daughter handed me this thank you in a nice neat addressed envelop. It makes it all worth it!!!
This time of year is magical with children but with friends like ours the magic just gets better and better. Tonight Raelynn and Cooper were lying in our room watching Frosty the Snowman while Terry was in the living room watching the KU game and I was running in between as usual. It was 7:30 or so and the door bell rang. Both kids sprang to their feet and ran to the door as they always do when the door bell rang. As I caught up with them at the door as they peered out the blinds their eyes were beaming. As I opened the door there stood Santa Claus! At first the kids were speechless and then they were giddy and then they just kept saying it's Santa. The amazing part was that Coop was not scared at all, he kept pointing at Santa and saying, "It's Santa!". Santa cheered Ho Ho Ho and promised to return in a couple weeks if they were good. It was awesome! The kids could not stop talking about it and as we put them to bed they continued to say, "Santa came to our house." Raelynn determined many reasons why he visited this year from deciding that Santa visited a street every year and this year it was our street, to that he was taking the reindeer on a practice run and he saw our cool candy cane lights outside and decided to stop. It was truly awesome! So thank you Santa so much for taking the magic of the holidays up a notch and thank you for thinking of our kids on such a cold and blustery night. You are awesome in our eyes too.
Besides the fun of this evening we have had some great acomplishments and fun all week. Coop is finally getting the potty thing! We have had a very successful week and then today topped things off. We had a busy morning and were pressed for time to get ready for a friends birthday party. Raelynn was getting in the shower and I too needed to get in the shower. I told Coop both Sissy and I needed to shower and if he needed anything to just come in and get me. He was fine with that and was busy playing basketball. I took a quick shower and as soon as I got out I went to check on Coop. I went to his room, then the living room and then the kitchen, no Cooper. I yelled for him and heard him say from Raelynn's bathroom, "I in here Mommy!" I opened the door to the kids' bathroom and there Coop sat going potty. He looked up and said, "I had go potty Mommy!" I was so happy! As he finished he looked at me and said, "Now I wear big boy undies, no more pull ups!" I agreed and he spent the rest of the day in undies including nap time. I cannot even explain how excited about this I am, now let's just hope he continues the progress.
This past Thursday evening we had plenty of laughs. The kids decided they wanted to make their own bed time snack. I honestly don't even remember what they explained to me their snack was, a race car or something but the two of them had a great time making it. I just set our various things; raisins, graham crackers, frosting, etc. and told them to have at it. We heard giggles and imaginations explode....I definitely think we will be doing that again.
Last night we decided to eat dinner out and then go around and look at some of the great light displays around Lawrence, but first we had a big surprise for the kids. My Mom was driving to Manhattan to spend the weekend with Steph and was bringing Chandler with her. So we met them in Topeka after I picked the kids up from daycare and surprised them with an overnight stay with Chandler. After we picked her up we headed back to Lawrence and carried on with our plans. We saw some great light displays and had a good time. This morning we woke bright and early and braved the cold to attend a land breaking dedication for a friend of ours that was awarded a house from Habitat for Humanity. I have never been involved with Habitat for Humanity and was going just to support our friend and her family. To my surprise this is really and incredible experience. It was also an incredible opportunity to once again point out to the kids the kindness of others and the importance of friends and family and helping others and the value of hard work. We talked all the way home about what it was all about and decided that at our next opportunity would physical participate in the building. After we had been home for awhile, Coop came upstairs from playing with a hard hat, tool belt and hammer in hand. He says, "Mommy I ready to help build the house. I have my worker hat on and my tools so I can make her a nice house." I smiled and told him I thought he would be a very good builder and it was great that he wanted to help and that maybe if he practiced with his tools he would be ready to help on the next house. It is always good to see him grasp the lessons we try to teach.
After the dedication we hurried home to get every one's baths and on to our friend Brook's birthday party. I started off by bathing Cooper. When I had finished his bath and pulled the drain I asked him to get the toys picked up and holler at me when he was ready to get out. I went on to change laundry and pick up. After a bit I went back into the bathroom because Coop was still not out of the bath. I opened the shower door and there sat Coop organizing his bath toys in perfect color coded stacks. Raelynn has demonstrated my anal/obsessive organization and cleaning skills from time to time but this was the first time I witnessed it from Coop. They make their Momma proud!
So off the Brook's Birthday Party which of course was a lot of fun The kids got quality play time and I got to enjoy more time with friends. Brooks is adorably happy and was a great party boy! As we left our plan was to go ice skating but for any of you that actually got outside today you can understand why we decided to postpone those plans. I was really disappointed as was Raelynn but it didn't take us long to settle into our warm home with cozy clothes and decided to spend the afternoon playing games. When Terry got home he and Raelynn caught some TV time together too.
It was actually a great afternoon and with Santa's visit it ended a perfectly wonderful day in a perfectly joyous way.
This next week should be a little exciting with finishing up Christmas shopping and wrapping things up before the holidays. I see much baking involved as I am making things for a bake sale on Tuesday and Raelynn's Winter Party on Friday. We have swimming on Monday and a Christmas party on Tuesday. I venture to Manhattan on Friday to celebrate Steph's 21st Birthday which I am not sure I am ready for :) Then it will be back home to make Christmas Candy and Banana Bread for Christmas gifts and just to enjoy. So on to the holiday chaos I love! Hope you all are feeling the magic as well!!!
