Our First Christmas

So it seems that you can experience something 100 times and the moment you experience it with your children...it's like experiencing it for the first time all over again.  I think that's one of the MANY MANY gifts God gives us in having children.  A new set of eyes to see the world through. That is the way Christmas was for me this year.

 

I have celebrated Christmas with my parents year after year, each year bringing excitement, but this year...as a parent...the excitment could not have been matched. 

Christmas Eve 2010...So begins our first Christmas Journey



Little Reasons to Smile

I will have to make this a quick one...

I just wanted to share a couple of videos with you.  I tried to upload them to facebook, but I wasn't having any luck.

The first video is of Nolan.  He decided that he would follow in his brother's footsteps (so to speak) and as soon as I left the room, he made a straight path to the christmas tree and all of the presents.

The next video really is about "little reasons to smile."  Nolan had woken up from his nap and I went to go get him and found him "chasing" the sun rays that were peeking in from the window.  He would move his head and accidently block the rays and then sort of wonder where they went...then moved his head again...and there they were and he was back to "chasing" them.  I really enjoyed watching him do this!  Asher was in my arms while I was filming this and I think he was a little curious about what Nolan was doing too. 

Thanks for viewing...I'll share more later...

I'm Right Where I Belong

As I may have shared with you before, I have been one to constantly wish my life way.  For some strange reason, I always longed for that "next step" in life.  When I was in high school I very specifically remember wanting so badly to just hurry up and graduate and get married and have babies... Yes, I know, that sounds silly, but it's the way I was.  It was like I was waiting to get to some certain point in my life that would "complete" me. 

It's incredible to me, the positive impact my dad's death has had on me.  Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying here...I miss him terribly and sometimes I want to fall to the floor in tears and other times I fool myself into believing he's still alive and he's going to pick up the phone and call me and add the magic touch to my day the way that he used to.  Yes, please do not misunderstand me, I wish over and over and over again that my dad was still alive and able to be here and see his wonderful grandsons grow and change day after day, but that's just not the way things turned out for us.  So, as I was saying, with all of that in mind, I am truly amazed by the great impact my dad's absence has had on my life. 

For the first time ever in my life, I am content.  This could be due to the odd combination of having a wonderful family and losing my dad all in the same month, but no matter how it happened, it's here.  The moment that I've been waiting to get to all my life is finally seated right next to me...not behind me, not two steps in front of me...it's here, right here with me in the present. 

The sudden loss of my dad has left me with this feeling of "no tomorrow"  I know that in many ways that may be a horrible and fearful way to live, but on the other hand it leaves me feeling much more appreciative of all that the Lord has given to me this day.  It makes me find joy in moments that I would've overlooked before.  It makes me hold my loved ones closer.  It has certainly put my life in perspective and set my priorities straight.  Usually, I am a high stress person and feel this urgency for everything....but somewhere in between the losing my dad and becoming a mother...it's all subsided.  I'm truly thankful for everyday that I get and it's a wonderful feeling.  No more wishing for tomorrow or next week, but now ability to be in this moment, right now and love it....just the way my daddy would've wanted it to be!

Christmas 2010

Pine Cone Toile Christmas Card

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Happy Half Birthday

Happy Half Birthday

Asher & Nolan

Call me crazy, but six healthy months with two wonderful baby boys is more than a reason to celebrate in my book!  Coming from a place when I believed I would never know what it was like to experience motherhood or know the beautiful blessings of a baby to all of a baby...Truly a reason to celebrate!

On Saturday we had a "Half Birthday" for Asher and Nolan.  Nothing huge, just a reason to smile!

Nana was kind enough to use her skills to make Asher and Nolan two beautiful half cakes!  (THANK YOU NANA!)

A few decorations and presents...

 And Happy Birthday...

 A train from Nana and Papa

 Warm suits to take walks in from Grandma and Grandpa

Check out Asher's head bobbing to go with the song!

They're getting very good at the whole opening the presents thing! 

HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY MY PRECIOUS BOYS!



First Thanksgiving

This is my and Nathan's 5th Thanksgiving together...It's hard to believe it's been that many years.  However, this is Our First Thanksgiving as a family of four.  Once you have children you are blessed with the opportunity to experience old things for the first time all over again. 

This Thanksgiving Nathan's parents came for a visit.  They were able to stay with us for 6 days...A record for sure.  It was a good visit.  We weren't able to do a lot of anything, but they were able to spend lots of time with Asher and Nolan...which I know is more important than anything else we could have done. 

I made a special Thanksgiving treat for Asher and Nolan...Homemade Sweet Potatoes.  (Much better than the jar :D) 

Nana and Papa got Asher and Nolan these super cool (and entertaining) Thanksgiving presents! We had loads of laughs with these! 

After a wonderful dinner we went for a walk in the brisk fall air..FINALLY!  I took along my camera and "played photographer"  - Of course I say "played" because as you will see...I'm not anywhere close to being a photographer...but it was fun anyway!

I'd like to take this moment to reflect on all that I have to be thankful for....As we didn't take this opportunity on Thanksgiving with all of the hustle and bustle.  This year has been the single most challenging year of my life with all of the change and especially with the death of my dad...nonetheless I have so so much to be thankful for....

I am thankful for...God - who saved my soul and is taking me to Heaven one day, my hardworking and loving husband who makes it possible for me to stay home with Asher and Nolan and experience each wonderful moment with them, my amazing children, the gift of being a mommy (which is by far the BEST job I've ever had!), my mom, the memories and love of my dad, my "other" family (Nathan's family), a comfortable home to live and love in, good friends and the happiness that all of these things bring to my life!