Has Anyone Seen My Husband?

We had a great Christmas! We are so thankful for all of our family and friends that we got to see and spend time with over Christmas! We started a new tradition this Christmas by going over to Brandon's dad in Mannford on December 23. We stayed the night and had Christmas with them on the 24th. We were back home by 4:00 on Christmas Eve. We had planned on going to the Christmas Eve service at church, but the boys were completely worn out, so we stayed home and let them have some down time. Christmas day we opened gifts at our house and at 11 we went to Mom and Dad's. At 6 Brandon's mom and sister came over. It was a full day and the boys were having some major meltdowns by the time we put them to bed- but it was well worth it! Yesterday I never got out of my PJ's. I spent the day putting all of the toys away and cleaning up from the festivities.

I have not really seen my husband much since Christmas- you see he got a Wii and I don't think he has had so much fun since he was a kid! We played a little baseball on Christmas after we put the boys to bed and we are both sore! He has been playing ALOT of golf. He has not been able to golf since he got his shoulder operated on back in 02- so he really has enjoyed golfing.

Today is my birthday. I am really enjoying spending time with my family. As I reflect on beginning a new year of my life and a new calendar year I realize I am so blessed in so many ways. I have an unbelievable family, two amazing sons, a phenomenal husband, a lot of really great friends- some new and a few that that have been by my side through different ages and stages of my life, a job that I truly LOVE, co- workers and bosses that some would give anything to be able to work with , and so much more that I would be here all day listing. I have been asked if I dreaded getting older. As I though about that my answer is no. I love who I am today and would not want to change that. I look forward to growing old with my husband and seeing my kids grow up. I can't wait to see what this year will hold for me.

I do know a lot of people who are troubled by the state of our country right now, but I hope as others begin a New Year they can find peace in what they have, look forward to what is to come and trust that everything turns out for good.

...and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except for the MAMA!

It is Christmas Eve and I am up late. Not because I have a lot left to do, but because I can not sleep. I am excited like I was when I was a child. I can not wait to see the boys faces in the morning and to see all the happiness in them! I have not been this happy on Christmas Eve in a while. Don't get me wrong- I have immensely enjoyed Christmas always. However, I am overjoyed about Christmas this year. I think there is a few reasons for that. One is that I have focused on simplifying my life over the last year and I was done with Christmas shopping much earlier this year. Another reason may be a special project that I have been working on for a gift for some of my family. It has caused me to reflect on the accomplishments of myself as a parent and the joy that it has brought to me. I will give more details of this project later after it has been revealed to the family members that it was made for. Well this post was definitely more about me than I would like, but I do want this to be something I or the boys or Brandon can go back and read years from now- so I guess it's OK. Merry Christmas!

A Reason To Celebrate

I have not posted in a while, but we are all well- just busier than usual. I love Christmastime and all of the decorations, music, lights, and the yummy baked treats that come with Christmas. The boys are very excited about Christmas! We have had such a great time getting ready for the holidays. Brandon's Grandparents (Vic and Velma Bruski) made him and his sister an advent tree when they were young and we began using it last year for the boys. They enjoy counting down the days til Christmas and getting a little surprise too. As we were finishing dinner last night Koen said " There's a reason to celebrate. It's Jesus's birthday!" I thought that was so sweet. He has really been into the Christmas story and Baby Jesus. He thinks it's so neat that Jesus was a baby. We went to our church's Christmas programs over the weekend and the boys were mesmerized. Baby Jesus was a real baby and they both really thought that was so neat! We are currently iced in- nothing compared to last year's ice storm, but the roads are slick and school is closed. I am going to post some pics of our family getting the Christmas tree decorations up and also some pics of last years ice storm- just to remind myself that it could be worse! Next time I will write about our CRAZY experience putting up Christmas lights!

Koen LOVES Christmas!

Gannon was really concentrating on getting the tree just right!

FLUFFING THE BRANCHES ON THE TREE

One year ago....the ice storm was a mess but there was beauty in it- this leaf on our bush looked so pretty!