Christmas Recap

What a whirlwind of 3 days we just had....

December 23rd - we got ourselves ready for our family Christmas.  Santa visits our home the night of December 23 into the 24th.  Reason for this is that we do not wake up in our own home on Christmas morning.  When we moved to Marion the kids (aged 3 & 2 - the newborn did not care) were worried that Santa would not visit them since they were not at their own home.  So Tony & I decided that we would 'talk' to him and request a visit while he is out on the other side of the world (it was December 24 somewhere) and make a special visit to our kids.  Six years later he still visits us and it is one of the most wonderful thing about our Christmas.

December 24 - we drove up to Cleveland to visit my parents and my Dad's family.  We had a lovely surprise when we pulled in the drive and right behind us was my brother, his wife & kids.  My kids were so excited to see their cousins - another blessing of the season - having cousins.   There were a few hiccups on Christmas Eve.  First one was that my Aunt & Uncle did not come up to Cleveland.  Normally we have dinner with them and spend the evening hanging out sometimes just talking, sometimes playing game.  Second - we did our best to try to go to Mass.  Being the only regularly practicing Catholics in our family (most are C & Er's as my sweet hubby calls them) we usually do not get to Mass on Christmas.  Well since my Aunt & Uncle were not going to be in town we figured we would go to Mass and then to dinner.  We arrived at the church and it was packed to the rafters (full of C & Er's) so we made the decision to just have dinner and headed back to my parents house.  We ended up not having dinner (reason is that since my Aunt & Uncle were not going to be there my Mom decided not to make a dinner - just snack on leftovers from lunch).  So Tony & I decided to go and see the 'new' Harry Potter movie while the kids stayed with my parents.   The movie was good - followed the book fairly closely.  Only bad thing was we sat near smokers and they stunk.

December 25 - we woke up a bit late on Christmas morning.  Kids opened up gifts from my parents.  We then headed out to my Grandmother's house.  Grandma is 88 years old and this is the first year she did not do all the cooking.  My mom did the cooking and it went well.    Kids were able to play with their cousins here also - so they were happy.  After the visit with my Grandma we headed to Tony's family Christmas gathering at his brother's house. 

December 26 - headed home!!!  The kids were able to play with their new booty!  Glad the gatherings are done and looking forward to the new year ahead.

just lost it...

Do you have someone that can make you lose it... no matter what it going on that person pushes that specific button.  Today my sweet little boy was putting away his clothes -- but I wanted him to stop and jump in the shower before we ran out of hot water.  But he was so focused on putting his clothes away that he did not care.  I just lost it and lit in to him about putting the clothes away!  He just looked at me as if saying hey mom!  isn't that what you wanted me to do.

After his shower I told him I was glad that he put his clothes away and I was sorry for yelling about that.

Love you Bubba!

Monday - Monday can get me down

Some days I really dislike Monday's and today is one of them.  I do have an exciting weekend to update everyone on but do not have the pictures/time/or desire to do this.

Today started with a 2 hour delay for the kids.  I seem to always fall behind on 2 hour delay days. 

Then my work situation is what it is..... I have the means to get out I just need to get on that and figure out the how to start.  I believe once I start down the path - it will be successful.  I just need to find it in me! 

Small Successes - December 9

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph.

1.  Our tree is up and decorated

2.  Our Christmas cards are started (made my own this year) - now I just need to order the pictures for the inside.

3.   Created a menu for the week and have only not followed it once on Tuesday.  On that day we had my friends two boys and I did not have enough for 7 so we ordered pizza.

Saint Nick's Day

Well we forgot Saint Nicolas Day on Sunday going into Monday.  Luckily the kids school celebrated it and they asked if we could set out shoes on Monday night.  I said sure!  They put their boots out on the front porch at bedtime.  Hubby decided that they needed to be brought in - it was supposed to snow and Miss C wears her boots to school.  When they woke the boots were under the tree with candy in each boot. They were very happy!  I think they even ate some candy with breakfast!

Completed First Week of Advent

First week of Advent was a success at our home.  Every night we lit the Advent candles and recited the prayer.  We have determined that two of our children are stuck using the wrong hand when making the sign of the cross.  We have to remind them each time and re-do this act.  How did this happen? are they doing it just to bug us? 

On Friday, C and I put up the tree.  She is definitely more a hindrance than a help sometimes.  She had a blast anyway so how can you say no to her.  We did not decorate since the men folks were at basketball practice until 8 and then it was time for bed for the kids.

We decorated the tree Saturday afternoon and it went well.  The kids hung all the ornaments (except my Thomas Kinkade houses) on the tree.  Once they headed upstairs to their rooms to set up their trees I rearranged to avoid naked spots.  This year we have colored lights on the tree.  I really dislike colored lights on trees and I tried to keep my mouth quiet because the kids really like the colorful lights.  Once they went to bed I told DH that we need to buy white lights for next year.  If we by a box or two now and then at the end of the month we will have enough for our tree next year. 

The we had family movie night on Saturday and watched "The Last Airbender"  I really liked the movie, hubby fell asleep, the boys were split and the girl could care less it wasn't "Barbie a Fashion Fairy Tale".

On Sunday, the kids had bowling and we went shopping for the Christmas wish tree at Church.  P also got new dress shoes, and some church clothes.  We then had a nice dinner and lit the 2nd candle.

Small Successes - December 2

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph.

1) Successful Thanksgiving dinner for 15 at my home.  I did the turkey & potato side dishes while the rest of the family filled in the meal

2) Christmas lights are up on the house - thank you Hubby!

3)  We have successfully lit the Advent wreath at dinner each night.  We have not all eaten dinner together once this Advent but the little groups have lit the candle.

What are your successes???

Goodbye November - Welcome December

My kids were very excited that today was the first day of December.  My daughter told me that it was almost winter - the little snow that was falling helped that out.  They are so excited about winter coming. 

This year we are continuing lighting the Advent wreath every night.  Thank you to Holy Heroes for the nightly prayer for lighting the candle.  My kids aren't to happy about it but we are trying to make this prayer at dinner a new habit.  It wasn't something my family or my husbands family did at dinner.  We haven't been consistent about it during non-advent or lent time but I hope that we will after these 26 days.

Thanksgiving wrap up

Thanksgiving was a HUGE success if I have to say so myself. :)  We hosted the event this year.  That meant we were in charge of the turkey, all potato dishes, and  veggie.  On Wednesday, the kids and I headed out for deliberate power shopping.  We had a mission and 5 stores to hit in about 5 hours (this included stopping for lunch at California Pizza Kitchen).   We were very successful and the kids did great - I often wonder why when it is the 4 of us we have no major incidents but when it is the whole family all H@@@ breaks loose.

We brined our turkey this year using Whole Foods Apple Brine kit.  It was a very good turkey.

We did have an unexpected visitor this year.  A MOUSE!!!  Luckily for us it did not show itself during the dinner but waited until later in the evening.  It was caught on Saturday - so for three days I was afraid that the mouse would attack me - I know crazy but true.

On Black Friday - we did not shop at the stores but online.  WalMart and Target had some of their specials available online.  So I am done with my cousin's boys and have made a good dent in the kids.  Today I bought for the Hubby! and now I have to figure out what he can get me.  I want snow shoes but since the husband does not want any and I am too afraid to go out in the woods alone we are going to pass on those for now and I have to come up with a list for him. 

We did our family bowling outing.  It was fun ;)  D lost his cool a couple of times he gets very discouraged when something does not come easily.  He also doesn't take instruction well so it makes a tough day for him.

We then headed North to watch my brother in his coaching debut!  He is the head coach for Danbury High Schools girl varsity basketball team.  The team won! The kids had fun visiting their cousins.  C lost a tooth by biting on a Ring Pop!

Saturday was OSU v. MI.  I worked out in the morning and slept during the game.  Hubby was left alone to watch the game - don't know if he liked that or not.

Small Successes - Thanksgiving Edition

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph.

1) Size 8 jeans - 2 jeans sizes in less than 9 months!!!! YEAH ME!

2)  Interim reports for the kids rocked!  not my sucess but YEAH KIDS!!

3)  DH fixed the hole in the ceiling, painted the front porch, and helped me set up for the Turkey Day Celebration.  YEAH HUBBY!!!!

Thanksgiving here we come

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year!  Every 3 years it is our turn to have both sides of the family in town.  The good is that we do not have to drive 2 hours (at least) each way and visit two different meals.  When you do that someones food does not get eaten and then feelings are hurt.  The bad - massive house cleaning, the need to buy new folding chairs, and the stress meltdowns that I will have during these next two days.

This time (event) I am going to try to limit my meltdowns.  If I was one of the kids I would be sent to my room to chill and then come back and finish what I had started.  I will have to keep this thought in my prayers.

Please Lord Not Again

It is starting again -- I do not want to go through this again!  I want it to stop now!  I want to go back in time and determine what they HEY happened to cause this to start again!  I do not want to go to work each and every day with her attitude bringing me down.  Her negativeness causes me to be caustic both here and at home.  Why do I let one person bring me down so......

Dear God please watch over me and help me with my choices during this trying time.  Amen

Small Successes - November 18

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph.

1) I ordered a fresh brined turkey from Whole Foods for Thanksgiving.  We are hosting the festivities at our home for 15 people and we have the tiniest of fridges (no second one it died over the summer) so we needed the fresh turkey.

2) We have started down the ADHD evaluation road.  Had the parents only meeting on the 2nd.  Turned in questionnaires to the teachers.  Schedule the meeting for our son on the 3rd of December.   I am not sure I am happy to be on this road but we need to follow it to get to where he needs to be.

3)  Boys have started basketball!  and I have signed up my daughter for her league.

Bonus 4)  Finally painted our living room - only took 10 months to pick a color and 24 hours to put it up.  We choose Gray Silt from Valspar at Lowe's.  It is much nicer looking than it sounds :)

Now it is your turn........

Frustration

I am just so frustrated.... I wish I could go into the reasons why but it has nothing to do with family & friends.  It is just everything else at this moment. 

I really need to sit down and reflect on they WHY?? I am doing things