Welcoming 2013

This year we rang in the new year with a roaring fire, lots of food, games, family, and fun.  I completely shocked myself and let the kids stay up until midnight (since it was the first year that we had company-our moms and Todd's sis and her family- at our appetizer party).  I may have lost my mind.  Shortly after the ball dropped we said goodbye to our guests and put the kids to bed.  I don't think our kiddos realized how exhausted they were until the house quieted down.  Tommy immediately started bawling his little golden-haired head off and when I asked him why he was crying he said, "I really miss 2012!"  

Yes, 2012 was a fairly good year for our family.  I am hoping that 2013 will go just as smoothly, with maybe a little less medical intervention (broken leg, eye surgery, etc).  All in all we can't complain.  

Our world, however, is in great need of healing.  Our world suffered in 2012.

With the start of a new year it always feels like a fresh start in life.  But I think we all need to be reminded that each day, each hour, each minute can be a fresh start.  We don't need to wait for a new year to change our lives.  If we want to be better, if we want to make changes, if we want to live more peacefully there is no time like the present.  Don't wait.  The time is now. Each moment is an opportunity to begin again.  A fresh start.

Our world is hurting for peace, kindness, love, and compassion.  Let's hope that with 2013 the world will see us all at our best.  Making changes for the better. Improving our world one person at a time.

God Bless you all in this new year, and always.

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

Last winter we never got enough snow to go sledding.  When we saw that Friday's snowstorm had brought us a few more inches of white stuff we decided it was time to head out to our favorite sledding spot.

Finally everyone was old enough to go down the hill on their own sled all by themselves.  A very exciting moment.

I rode with Grace on the first trip down the hill just to make sure that she wasn't afraid.  It is a big hill especially to a 3 year old.

After the first time down the hill Grace told me she wanted to do it on her own. Or, "By. My. Sef!" as is her favorite expression.

Yep.  She liked having her own tube better.  Todd and I took turns sending her down the hill and then running down to the bottom to help her walk back up.  She was such a trooper walking up that big hill.  I was positive that we would have to carry her but it was one more thing that she wanted to do by herself.  She did let me hold her hand once she realized how steep the hill was and how slippery it could be.

It was over two hours of fun.  Even though every single one of the inner tubes developed slow leaks shortly after using them for the first time, and Todd had to quickly run out and buy new tubes (we may just stick with our plastic toboggan and some saucers as the second set ALSO developed leaks.  ACK!) we all had a really good time.  

It was the perfect day for sledding.  The weather was gorgeous.  Little snowflakes flitted down all around us.  We were actually sweating as we climbed back up the hill.  It was a great day.

Back at home we had to start getting ready for a night out.  We had friends coming in from out of town for a pre New Year's Eve party at our favorite restaurant.  All of Todd's close friends live at least an hour and a half away and mine are even farther, so it is not often we get to have a night out with them.  

I was the designated driver for the night and I'm so glad I was.  Our friends stayed the night at our house and when I saw how everyone was feeling the next morning I was pretty happy to have been the "responsible" one the night before. Besides, if you'd ever meet me you would see that I do not need alcohol.  As a matter of fact I even got the "I can't believe you've only been drinking water!" from the new girl in our group.  I can be pretty goofy.  And nerdy.  

After such a late night on Saturday we spent all day Sunday lying low. After church we all had some naps.  Then the kids went outside and played in the snow for a long, long time while I made cookies and did a mountain of laundry.

Today is one of my favorite days of the year.  I love New Year's Eve.  Probably more now that I have kids than when I was a single girl.  It seems that New Year's is played up so much when you are a young adult that it rarely, if ever, lives up to the hype.  Todd and I used to have a blast skiing and partying at the chalet with our friends when we were younger, and I think we will be able to do that with our kids when they are older.  But for now, I am happy to make new traditions with our kids.  Simple plans, but always fun.

Tonight we are having tons of appetizers, juice in fancy glasses, a roaring fire, and favorite movies.  It is fun and relaxing at the same time.  A great way to say goodbye to this year and ring in a new year.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year's Eve and a peaceful, blessed New Year!





Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

Still Tired

I'm wiped out.  Still.

As it turns out, giving blood was maybe not such a smart idea when I was already worn out and tired.  Also not very smart to give blood and then run around like a crazy woman the rest of the day packing everyone's bags, buying groceries, packing the cooler, and cleaning up the house.  Ah well.  Live and learn.

Our time up north was fun, but exhausting.  Or maybe I was just already too exhausted to begin with.

Because the kids had their cousins at the cabin with them there was even more excitement and madness than usual.  We decided not to go skiing (like I said, I was already exhausted) but there was plenty of outdoor play anyway.  Which means getting into long underwear, turtlenecks, snowpants, boots, jackets, hats, gloves, scarves, and extra socks.  Times four.  Then take it all off, throw it in the dryer, take them out of the dryer, and repeat the dressing process again (times four) a few times a day.  Whew.

(I had so much fun watching Ben and Grace go down the tiny hill onto the frozen lake.  Ben would drag the sled up, wait for Grace to get on and then take her down.  When they were done he pulled her back to the cabin.  Such a good brother.)

Yesterday we drove home in a snowstorm.  What usually takes us three hours ended up taking us seven hours.  The storm was not to blame, however.  That was our fault.  We made far too many stops and even drove an HOUR out of our way so that I could exchange a gift Todd got me for Christmas.

I had been telling Todd how I need a new purse but I also explained it wasn't something he could get me for Christmas because it is a very personal purchase. But, the guy is sneaky.  He saw my little advertisement on my sidebar for Coach purses and looked into it.  He got a great deal on a Coach purse online and it was a beautiful bag. However, it was super large and I am not a large purse girl. I am also not a girl that can spend an exorbitant amount of money on a purse. Seriously, I think my most expensive purse is maybe thirty dollars.  I am thrifty, people.  So, even the great deal Todd got on the purse made me feel guilty for spending that much money.

So anyway, on our way home from up north we stopped at the mall in Green Bay where I was supposed to be able to exchange my purse for something smaller (or just return my purse since I had such guilty feelings about the money) but was told that I could not exchange it there.  I had to go to Appleton to the Coach store or to Oshkosh to the Coach outlet store.  I was prepared to return the purse via the mail and just go home, but over lunch at Olive Garden Todd convinced me to just take a look in Oshkosh at the outlet store since those purses would most likely be much less expensive.

I was wary about going an hour out of our way home but Todd was determined. The man wanted me to have a Coach purse.  He kept telling me that I don't have expensive jewelry or shoes and that a purse that will last a long time and costs a bit more it not too much to ask.  He is a good man.

So, in the snowstorm we went.  The kids were not pleased.  Todd told them that they could play Angry Birds on his phone while I looked at purses and that seemed to help.

I walked into the Coach outlet store and WOAH, people.  There was 50% off pretty much everything in the store.  And then the saleswoman handed me a coupon for an additional 30% off and 10% off of that.  HELLO!!!  That brought the prices of the purses down to a very reasonable range.  I couldn't believe it. I was floored. The husband even ran into the store to help me pick them out, told me to get three purses, and then ran back out to the truck to watch the kids.  All the ladies in the store thought he was dreamy. He is.

Anywho, after exchanging my purse for TWO other smaller purses I was able to get money back. HAHA!  Eureka!  I must say it was worth the extra hour (in a snowstorm).  I'm not sure the kids thought so, but they were good sports about it.

I have never been a labels girl, but these purses are gorgeous.  Seriously.  So pretty.

Two bags for less than half of the price of one.  If you are anywhere in the vicinity of Oshkosh you must get thee to the outlet stores.  I always knew they were supposed to have great deals but I never actually shopped there before.  Now that I know the huge deals I think I should steer clear of Oshkosh.

So, that is my very long story (sorry) of "The purse and the good husband".  I still feel strange having a Coach purse (or two).  I feel as though I should go around explaining "I got a HUGE deal on this!" to everyone.  It makes me sweaty just thinking about it.

I think I am finally getting a little bit of strength back today.  And since we got at least a few more inches of snow here I might even take the littles out sledding to our favorite hill.  That will definitely wear me out.  And we have friends coming in tonight for a Pre New Years Eve dinner at our favorite restaurant.  Life is just party, party, party around here.  After today and tonight I think I'll be good and exhausted again.  But sometimes the exhaustion is worth it.  I'll sleep when I'm dead.  ;)

Time To Recoup

On Christmas Eve morning the kids were full of nervous energy.  Would Santa Claus come tonight?  Would they get what they asked for?  Had they been good enough all year?  Was grandma going to have their favorite meatballs, cookies, and candies?  

While Todd and I ran around getting everything ready for his mom's house the kids occupied themselves with a few games.

I call this picture "The calm before the storm".  It is probably the last image I will have of a clean living room for a while.  

Soon after we were off to grandma's house where we had food aplenty, presents, and good family fun.  Then it was a late bedtime and an early rising the next morning to see what was waiting beneath the tree.  From there it was a flash of wrapping paper, batteries, empty toy boxes, squeals of laughter and joy, quickly eaten cereal, rushing to get dressed for church, an hour of somewhat calm and peace during church, and a couple of very quick naps for some littles before we rushed off to another Christmas gathering at grandma's (my mom's) and more food aplenty, presents, and good family fun.

It was another very late night for the kids as we let them stay up until TEN so that they could watch A Christmas Story as they broke in their brand new bean bag chairs and nibbled on the smores snacks (the  one and only thing I asked for) that grandma made us.  It was a lovely way to round out our Christmas.

Normally there is too much chaos on Christmas morning to get a picture but I got one this year.  It was taken right before the presents were opened and you can see the excitement on the kids' faces (and in Molly's tail).


It is safe to say that we are all exhausted.  I really had to drag myself out of bed this morning, and I'm ready to crawl back in now.  But, once again, there is no rest for the weary.

I am getting ready to go give blood (there is a massive shortage this time of year and a special blood drive was arranged at the last minute because of it) and afterwards I will stop off at the grocery store to pick up a few groceries for a trip up north.  Then we will pack up the car and hopefully I can rest a bit on the three hour drive north.  Perhaps I will even relax a smidge once we get to the cabin, but seeing as how we are meeting family up there I have a feeling it will be more party, party, party.  And that's not bad either.  We had planned on going skiing tomorrow, but I just don't know if ANY of us have it in us at this point.  We might just use these couple of days to sit around, eat too much food, and recoup our lost sleep and energy.

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and are recuperating nicely.

Merry Christmas!

Hope you have a wonderful and happy holiday season filled with family, love, fun, and laughter.

Wishing you peace, love, and joy! 

Have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

Time To Relax

That's it.  We are done.  No more Christmas concerts to attend.  No more presents to wrap.  No more Christmas talent shows to watch.  No more nativity plays to go to.  No more class parties to bake for.  No more kris kringle gifts to buy.  No more school.  No more work.  And I am grateful.

On Wednesday morning I started to get a stiff neck.  As the day progressed my neck got worse and worse.  By the time we got to the kids' Christmas concert that night I could barely move it.  Of course, other mothers at the concert noticed and asked me what was wrong.  I told them I just got a stiff neck out of no where and it was getting worse.  "Stress!" they all said in unison.  "Trust me.  It's stress!" they repeated when I told them I didn't feel stressed.  

But, three days later I still have a very stiff neck.  Well, fine.  Maybe I'm a little stressed.

Today was complete and total craziness.  This morning I dropped the boys off at school at 8:15, handed out all the teachers' presents, handed out the boys' kris kringle gifts, and distributed the food for the class parties. Then I loaded Grace back into the car and took her back home for ten minutes to change into her fancy clothes (she didn't get to wear them yesterday because school was cancelled) and then headed back to school for Tommy's nativity play (he was the narrator) with the rest of his 2nd grade class which started at 8:45.   The play was done and we were back home by 9:15.  At 10:00 we were back at school for the school talent show (Ben and Joey were both in the talent show with their classmates).  We were home by 12:30, fed the kids, and were back in the car by 1:30 to visit Todd's dad at the nursing home.  We sang Christmas carols for the residents (there was a piano player/singer there today) and Gracie danced for everyone in her fancy clothes.  We stayed there for almost two hours.  Next it was on to Todd's mom's house to plow out her driveway while I ran to the store for last minute errands.  

We finally made it home by 5:30.  Exhausted.  Well, I was exhausted.  The kids were, of course, still full of it.  I don't know where they get their energy from.

We are not making any plans for the next few days.  We are just hanging around.  Relaxing.  Maybe making some more treats just because we can.  We used part of our "snow" day yesterday making our first ever batch of peppermint bark.  Thank you Elaine for the idea and the great recipe.  It is a hit!  Tomorrow I think we'll move on to ginger snaps.  Or maybe fudge.  

Either way, I may not be hanging around bloggyland very much.  Instead I'll be greatly reducing my stress with baths, reading, maybe a couple of runs, and gorging myself on all kinds of yummy treats.   I can't wait.  I think I'll start right now.

Hope you are all finding ways to relieve the stress of the season.  

Rain Days

Rainy days and Mondays Snow Days always get me down.

I remember a time when it took something colossal to cancel school for an entire day.

This morning school was cancelled on account of a snow storm.  The problem is that we don't have a snow storm.  It is raining.  And there is not any snow predicted until later this evening, if at all.  I'm mystified.  This is Wisconsin, people!  We can handle the possibility of snow!

Normally I would love to have a free day from school to hang out with my kids, but snow days are much less fun when there is no snow.  Not only that but the kids had exciting stuff going on at school today.

Ben's class was getting a special treat for behaving so well and were celebrating with a pajama day and popcorn.  Tommy's class was doing their gift exchange and Christmas party.  And Grace, along with her classmates, was going to give her very first Christmas performance for the parents and then we were making gingerbread houses together.  She has been walking around the house singing, "Jingle bells all the way, HEY!  Jingle bells all the way, HEY!" for the last few weeks.  And she even had a fancy dress picked out.  Such a bummer.

The boys have a half day tomorrow but it is already jam packed with a nativity play (that Tommy is the narrator for), more Christmas parties, a talent show (that both Joey and Ben are in with their classmates), and a special luncheon with all the families.  I hope that school isn't cancelled again tomorrow when we actually might have a bit of snow.