Happy Day

Our Easter weekend was the perfect combination of family, fun, work, play and celebration.  This Easter was a first for us – we were on our own – just our little family of five.  It felt both exciting and strange.  Growing up it wasn’t a real holiday without a large gathering of family members.  I have to admit a part of me still feels the same way and I realize that now Alex and the kids do too.  At the same time I knew that this Easter weekend was a wonderful opportunity for our little family to forge ahead and establish our own traditions.  We read about the death and resurrection of Jesus from the Jesus Storybook Bible.  We dyed eggs, held our own egg hunt.  We dressed up and went to church.  Together we proclaimed that He is Risen!  And thankfully, Grammy and Gigi dropped by for a visit and my brother Andy came over for Easter dinner.  Which pretty much sealed the deal – it was indeed an official holiday in the eyes of my children.  We had company.  Whew.

Easter is one of my favorites though I’m certain I probably say something pretty similar at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  During this season of Lent we are called to feel, to remember the weight of the sacrifice that our Lord made for us.  And yet all too often instead of turning my focus to Him I easily turn that focus inward.  The heaviness of my sin, my selfishness and my pride weigh heavily on me.  Yet because of the sacrifice and resurrection of our Lord Jesus – because of His great love for us – I’m able to repent of all these burdens and sins and be forgiven.  And just as He lives we too are once again made new.

Again and again.

Oh happy day!

He is risen.

Alleluia!

Happy New Year!

I realize that I’m about three weeks late with that sentiment but in my defense this is the first {ok, maybe second} *real* week we’ve had back in our usual routine.  The boys school vacation schedules were off so I was in part vacation mode/part real world mode for almost a month.  We {me} forgot more appointments and practices than usual and I probably spent more time in my jammies than I should publicly admit.  But somehow it was just what we needed.

We met the Christmas season moving at a snail’s pace.  And by the time the little ones were out of school if Amazon wasn’t delivering then it probably wasn’t going to be under the tree.  I just don’t take my little ones shopping.  Target and the grocery only if necessary, but other stores are an absolute no.  I can’t make a decent decision for the life of me and they are miserable too.  So we just skip it all together.  This probably also explains why we know our UPS man personally.

Anyhow, Christmas was wonderful.  We left town for a week of skiing and Christmas celebrations.  We have done this for a few years now and love it.  This also allows us multiple early Christmas celebrations with other family members who aren’t travelling with us.  We get to celebrate together but we aren’t rushing around, we actually get to relax and enjoy our time together and the kids have the chance to savor each gift they receive rather than loosing them in the shuffle.

I also realize that with our growing family this might not always work.  Quite honestly while on the road we looked like an episode of Hoarders buried alive, the *on wheels* version.  With three kids, two parents, one uncle, ski stuff for everyone, food, clothes, presents, etc. and yes even a suburban with a rocket box on top and we were drowning.  Oh and our speedometer broke.  But don’t worry, there’s an app for that.  However, there was no app to fix our DVD player.  Which also broke.  Sort of.  It would ONLY play Elf and Home Alone.  Parents of the year we are not.  In our defense it was a 9-hour trip.

We had a blast.  And of course I’m going to share an overload of vacation pictures.

Alex skied two full-days.  I skied two full-days.  Henry skied five.  Go figure.  And yes he has officially passed almost all of us up.  He is fast and prefers the bumps.  Did I mention that he is fast?  It scares me to death.  He was however, also very protective of me on the mountain.  “I don’t want anyone to run into you mom.  You’re pregnant so you need to be very aware of other skiers.  Tell you what, I’ll just ski behind you to make sure you are safe.”  That of course lasted for five seconds, but it was the sentiment that I loved.  This also means that I have no pictures of Henry actually skiing.

Charlie and William also put in some quality time on the ski hill courtesy of the magic carpet.  They both love to be on skis and their giggles as they fly down the hill and even when they eventually fall are the best.

We went bowling.  This was a great family activity for all of our kiddos, even the little guys had a blast.  As for scoring I’m pretty sure William was right behind Alex, and Uncle Jimmy might have come in last.  And yes, we used the bumper guards.

And bless my parents hearts.  They still welcome our loud montely crew.  We take over the entire basement and you can be sure that our stuff spills onto the other levels as well.  No matter, they still feed us and genuinely seem to have a good time with the whole crew under one roof.  {It’s 2012 kids, and Pop-pop is reading the Night Before Christmas via iphone…}  And a special shout out to my brothers.  My boys pretty much think they walk on water.

Redeemed

Today we woke up to our valley covered in both snow and sunshine.

We had a quiet {for us} morning and together walked Henry to school.

I’d pay big money to freeze moments like this in time.

We came back home and I did my domestic-y tasks while the little ones happily played with their new Christmas goodies.  {There is certainly something to be said about spreading out the family celebrations, each gift really gets its due.}

Being home with my little guys just feels right.  Surely it has something to do with the magic of the Christmas season, but I can’t help but cherish this quiet, unhurried morning time together.

It’s too easy to get lost in the glare all around us.  But in this season, and more than ever, I don’t want to forget that Emmanuel came. He came to live with us in this very broken world. He came to earth to redeem it and to redeem us.  And yes, sometimes it feels like He left us.  But He didn’t.

Emmanuel, God is with us.

Was, is, and always will be.

Sunday

You know how sometimes you just need a day to block out the world and circle the wagons?  Sunday morning the little boys and I did just that while Alex and Henry hit the ski slopes.

We had one of those days that practically begs you to make a big ‘ol mess in the kitchen.  It was the perfect recipe of sunshine, jammies, Christmas music, baking and for some added sparkle on top – snow!

I decided it was time to break out of my baking slump and just bake some Christmas cookies already.  And for good measure, and because I just like to do silly things, we also made homemade laundry detergent.

Don’t worry, no cookies were harmed in the process.

Promise you won’t think less of me because of these pictures, OK?  But in my humble opinion, dirty kitchens are somewhat underrated.  Surely they represent the best kind of living.  That catch it while you can, living in and for the moment sort of living.

In my defense, I plan on doing plenty of domestic-y things Monday.  Much needed things like laundry and dishes and vacuuming.  Maybe I’ll even go crazy and make dinner.

Christmas comedy.

If pressed to pick a genre that best describes our days right now I’d pick comedy.  {Maybe a comedy of errors?}

This month we’ve been to Christmas parades, had dinners with friends, watched Christmas programs and even tried our hand at some Christmas crafts.  We’ve even had some seemingly picture-perfect holiday moments, but it’s those *other* moments that have captured a place in my heart.  A spontaneous winter playdate at the park.  That afternoon we ate a few too many candy canes.  The church Christmas program where I had tears streaming down my face because I was laughing so hard at my children’s expressions.  {Henry looked like he was either going to die of pain or really needed to see an eye doctor.}

This has been the sort of December we always try for but usually don’t get.  Typically my festive desire *to do it all* gets the best of me and more often than not I go down in a ball of Christmas flames.

To be honest, this year I don’t even want to think about doing it all, let alone try.  We’ve said no to some pretty great Christmas activities.  Parties.  Projects.  And get this, I have yet to make a single Christmas cookie.

But you know what?  Right smack dab in the middle of all of this low-key nonsense we’ve found what seems like the perfect balance of peace and celebration.  Joy and silliness.  Snuggles and wrestling.

I’m not sure when the perfect amount Christmas magic hit.

Maybe it was somewhere in between sharing cups of cocoa my three favorite kiddos?

Or the evening that Henry announced that “Harmonica starts tomorrow” and William burst into song “dradle, dradle, dradle, I made you out of clay…”  {true story.}

Maybe it was the afternoon I was cursing under my breath while trying to piece together the world’s cheapest gingerbread house.  {Meanwhile, Henry pointed out that it wasn’t very nice of me to speak badly of the gingerbread house our elf Clyde bought for us.  He was certain I’d hurt our little elf’s feelings.}

But seriously you be the judge:

We have since thrown them out because every chance he’d get William would hop onto the kitchen counter and furiously eat the stale frosting and candy.

It might be our stellar decorations?

William has even tested a few new Christmas theories of his own.  The other day we caught him yet again on the kitchen counter.  This time he was opening and eating all of the chocolate from the advent calendar.  Without missing a beat he simply explained that by doing this “Christmas would be coming sooner.”

More than likely it’s our festive ride.  {or should we call it our sleigh?}

Yes, those are antlers and a red nose.  Of course I get funny looks as we drive down the street.  But come on, if that doesn’t scream Christmas cheer then what does?

Let’s thrown in one semi-decent Christmas shot OK? I do have a sliver of pride.  {yes even despite the looks of my car.}

Right now the days feel both long and short. Our house is positively bursting at the seems.  And while it would be easy to feel like we were right on top of each other {again, three boys need s.p.a.c.e.} instead it feels cozy, and just right.  Some days I can almost watch the threads of friendship and brotherhood weaving my boys together as they play and play and play together.

I’m almost certain that a month full of moments like these are a miracle.  I’m pretty sure they’re all I’ve ever wanted.

Go ahead fall, surprise me.

It’s time to admit the truth.

I love fall, but we are bad at Halloween.  Really bad.

The best part is that the kids have no idea.  {Though in future years I won’t blame them for rolling their eyes at our Halloween lameness.}

The thing is, I’m just not a costumey kind of mom.  Thankfully our boys aren’t costumey kids.  {yet?}  They are perfectly happy to use hand-me-down costumes and things we have around the house.  And just before you start thinking I’m a total scrooge, know that I too get into the spirit by dutifully wearing the same old orange wool sweater each year {yes, again future kids, I apologize.}

It’s terrible. Just terrible.

Notice our random stack of pumpkins?  Thank goodness for friends and parents of friends who grow amazing pumpkins.  The ones that are small and green came from our yard.  It’s “bless her heart” bad. You know it is.

In the end, fun was had by all.  I stayed home to hand out candy while Alex took the boys around our neighborhood.  While passing out candy to trick-or-treaters I could hear our three little ones giggling and shouting out words of thanks as they ran from one house to the next.  Of course other times I would open the door and hear William throwing a temper tantrum for all the neighborhood to hear.  Thank goodness it was dark.  Maybe no one knew it was our little guy?  {Yeah, that’s probably not the case.}

The changing of seasons always puts me in a sentimental mood.  I’m pretty sure I love fall the most.  What’s not to like about a season of thanksgiving and gratitude?  {Of course minus that one scary holiday that left one of my children practically shaking from candy withdrawals the next day.  see *temper tantrums* above.}

And it’s safe to say we’ve taken full advantage of everything this fall has to offer.  We’ve been to the fair, various pumpkin patches, picked apples, canned and preserved.  We’ve {OK, Henry has} raked leaves, we’ve broken out our warm winter coats and fleeces and cozy throws for cuddling on the couch.  This fall we’ve been on the road, three times to Seattle, a long weekend in Sun Valley for me, and a weekend in Montana for Alex.  It was the best kind of busy, celebrations and long-overdue time with friends.  Though of course this homebody is also looking forward to soaking up some fall goodness here at home.

To top things off we celebrated Alex’s 35th Birthday.

Trust me, this is a guy worth celebrating.  We really do love him, despite our lame gifts.  Though someday I’m sure Alex will fondly look back at the birthday his wife bought him a stinky-cow-hide-rug.  Really, it was bought in love and despite the smell it did look pretty darn cool.

So yes, we love fall around here.

And our hearts are no doubt full with thanksgiving.

Happy Easter!

And my new favorite…

Really, I was there too.

We dressed up and went to church.  The Easter bunny brought goodies and eggs.  It was a wonderful day with just our little family of five.  No, this wasn’t the Easter we had planned yet it was still a day of celebration.   A day to soak up His love.  His grace.  His forgiveness.  His righteousness.  His death.  His resurrection.

{I feel like it’s important to point out that most of this *soaking things up* takes place in .3 second increments.  This is real life, we do have three young children, and well, you get it…}

I pray that He continues to overwhelm us with how great His love and grace for us truly is.

Because grace is amazing.   Just like we have been singing all along.

How sweet the sound.

HE IS RISEN.

Happy Easter from our family to yours.

It was very merry.

And I’m exhausted.

Eight days.

Nine people.

Nine hour road trip.

Three under the age of six.

It was amazing.

Really.  As in I would do it all again in a heartbeat.  {Though I’m not so sure everyone else is ready to give it a go quite yet…}

Some highlights {before the massive photo share}:

::  Henry skied four days total and kept up with all of the adults.  And if I’m being honest, he may have even passed me up a couple of times…Of course I’m sure our helpful coaching of Henry, if you aren’t able to keep up with the adults, you’re going to have to go in…was very helpful.  We’re nice like that.

::  Watching my brothers spend some quality time {a.k.a. eight days} with my boys.  Henry, Charlie and William adore their uncles, but we don’t get to see them as often as we would like, so this was a great way to get our fix.

::  Skiing one afternoon with my dad, two brothers and Henry.  How cool is that?

::  Christmas Eve.  We went to a child-led service and our boys soaked it up.  They were mesmerized by the Christmas carols and William was thrilled by the real live donkey.  Look mommy, a baby horsey! 

::  Spending time with my God-parents Jim and Anne, their kids and spouses.  There isn’t anything better than friends that are really more like family.

::  My parents.  They are endlessly patient with our kids, their kids {a.k.a. *me*} and are so generous.  We love them so much!

::  Car time with Alex.  When I’m not sleeping away in the passenger seat we always have some great conversations; planning and scheming for our future, parenting, and life.  Simple stuff like that.

Apparently this was the trip where Alex escaped all of the photos and Pop-pop was always ready with a smile…

It was a wonderful vacation and celebration.  The perfect way to wrap up the year.  Now it’s probably time to go and be productive again.  You know, like think of resolutions and goals for the new year and such.