Merry Christmas!

I'll remember Christmas 2015 with much fondness.  I couldn't have hoped for a more wonderful Christmas season.  The kids are at such an amazing age.  Life is not as hard as it was with babies.  I know many love that season of life and I do miss having babies, but I find that when I'm missing sleep and  have so little time to get organized, I'm in an uncomfortable state!  And there's a time and season for growth and challenge, but man! I'm so happy to have moved forward.  If I could keep the kids at the age they are RIGHT NOW, I'd do it forever and ever.  They are my little buddies.  I adore each one and absolutely love parenting at this stage.  The business challenge is nothing for me... compared to the sleep deprivation and out of control feeling I experienced a few years back.  I'm a perfectionist and so it was hard to never measure up to all of the needs of young children.  I still feel inadequate, but at least feel I'm moving in the right direction.  And so Christmas is not overwhelming at this stage.  It is full of magic and wonder.  The kids understand the true meaning of Jesus's birth and why we celebrate.  They understand the special spirit we can invite into our home when we serve and remember Him.  They are not so focused on the gifts--although of course they are thrilled!  They actually eat the dinner I prepare!  They care about traditions, and breakfast.  In the past I killed myself and no one ate.  I carried out fun traditions, whilst toddlers threw tantrums babies screamed.  Haha.... Blake always told me, settle down! They'll be time for those things later-- don't go crazy right now, keep it simple.  He was right:)  Now is the perfect time and Christmas was just awesome in regards to all of the wonderful events, traditions, and messages I wanted to send.

Christmas Eve was such a treat this year.  We normally don't have many friends in town who are not celebrating with their families... but this year, we just so happened to have two of our favorite families available to spend the evening together with.  The Millers invited us over for a delicious Mexican feast and the Konolds joined.  We played the "name game"- our kids favorite  and had a fun hot chocolate bar.  We visited the beach during the day and strolled along the sand searching for rocks and shells.  It was relaxing and simple.  Of course the night ended with the kids opening up their stockings from Grammy and Papa! Pretty much absolute bliss!!!

The kids were thrilled to receive electric scooters for Christmas.  Even Anna received a cute little pink one!  She is adorable on that thing, too!  She always trails after the big kids- but at a snail's pace and never past the driveway because she's incredibly obedient.  Ha! Evelyn received a bike (our only child who doesn't have one).  The boys got tablets from Grammy and Papa.  Evelyn received an Iphone-- without services, just to listen to music and play on apps.  Oh man.... beyond excited, even though it was my old phone, we bought a new cover and really made it special for her.  Blake had done a really nice job with buying the boys new athletic clothes and warm jackets, soccer balls and cleats.  Evelyn was thrilled with cute new boots, jewelry making materials and loads of clothes. Anna loved her barbies, figurines, and dolls!  Everyone was excited by the gift cards Grandma and Grandpa had gifted!  Shopping is a favorite around here.  After gifts, we had a yummy pancake breakfast and then invited our friends the Perrys over for dinner.  Their mom (Caralina) was still in Venezuela over the holidays and so they were celebrating christmas with NO MOM!  It was such a fun night to have them over for tri tip and yummy sides that Rob had cooked up.  We played Christmas games and rode scooters.  So fun to try out our new fire pit-- making s'mores is our kids new favorite thing to do.  It was truly a special and wonderful evening.