christmas

I was on a roll there for a little bit.

Oh well. Sorry to my kids in the future that I am not consistent on this thing. Check out my instagram pictures though, I'm updating those daily. 

Christmas is one week away. One week! Each Christmas that I have been married to John has been a different experience. This one is no exception. On Sunday, an op-ed that he wrote for the New York Times was published . It was such a journey and so exciting to watch him live out his dream since High school. I am so impressed with his skill and gifting and can't wait to see how the Lord is going to continue using him as times goes on. I'm so thankful for his friendship and love and partnership. I will never know how he balances it all, but he does. And so well. 

Zoeybird a movin' and a scootin'. Everywhere. We got our first snow this last weekend and she loved looking at it through the window. She's such a fun little girl and full of so much life. She doesn't enjoy long, leisurely naps and just said farewell to her morning nap. (!!) That's hard for me. I love naptime. It's one of the highlights of my days. I'm sure she'll re-visit the 'ol morning snooze, but for now she goes down when Jack does and wakes up around the time he does. Which is totally fine with me. She recently found a babydoll in the nursery and fell in love. She talks to it and gets so giddy when she sees it. She loves seeing Jack and if I ever ask her "where's Jack?" she looks around and just starts giggling. She is still nursing, but loves food. Not necessarily baby food, but she loves food. I'm so thankful for her; her sweet nature and the little buddy that she is. I can't wait to watch her grow and develop and keep up with her big brother. I love seeing her and Jack together and they're really beginning to enjoy each other. They love to cuddle after naps and giggle up a storm in bed together. Jack especially loves to cuddle, but Zoey hasn't quite found a love for it just yet. 




Jackboy is talking up a storm. He loves to sing and is just beginning to pretend with his cars (a favorite pastime of mine. Pretending, not necessarily with cars. ;) He's active and adventurous and loves learning new songs and quoting his favorite movies. He loves to read books or "car-zines" with his daddy. Oh, and he loves his daddy. Today he cried for him for about 25 minutes before his nap. He cried at the window where John's car normally is and wailed about how he wanted his daddy and his daddy is his best friend. They are so cute together and Jack is such a mini-version of John. Next Sunday, Jack is singing in his first ever Christmas program at church. For all of three songs, but STILL. This is a big deal. An even bigger deal that he will stand there for those three songs (please, Lord!) He loves his friends, playdates, cars, Mickey Mouse, Mater the Tow Truck and Frosty the Snowman. He has so much love in his little heart and is constantly making us laugh. 

 



I can't believe how fast this year has gone, I can't believe that one year ago I was huge and pregnant and about to birth my second babe. I can't believe that in the last year I somehow (by God's grace and thank you Weight Watchers) lost a total of 56 pounds. I can't believe how fast Zoey has grown and how much joy she brings to my heart. I can't believe that John's book is about to be released and the changes that have happened at our home church. I am so thankful for change and growth and God's grace and patience. I'm thankful for the past and memories and childhood. I'm so excited for 2013 and for whatever Jesus has in store. I just hope I can keep up and savor those moments with the kiddos that are going so quickly. 

a whirlwind.

I apologize so greatly for my inconsistency of writing on this 'ol blog. I had high hopes for writing more random and fun things, but I'm afraid I might still be inconsistent this year. That's alright. I blame it mostly on the fact that our computer doubles as our tv and so blogging time is mostly limited to evenings (when we are watching some of our fav shows) or nap time (which has kind of gotten shorter as of late.) But here we are. 2012. Our little Zoey bird is due in 28 days. My heart is so full (and so is my womb) and sleep has become a distant dream of the past. I definitely feel like I am gearing up for those sleepless nights once again.

But this time, I pray that I will savor those late night feedings. I hope I don't cry in frustration at the lack of sleep (and lack of help from my hubby who can't nurse a newborn. Who knew?) and try to embrace each moment and the quiet times with them. Because it goes so quickly and I can hardly believe Jack was ever that little. 

On that note, I am making a daring attempt to do a 366 project this year. 

Bear with me, for it probably won't happen. But I can dream. Right?

We'll see how far I get by January 31st. Go here to follow my 355 journey.

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Christmas was magical. Though, being nine months pregnant wasn't quite as magical, but it sure helped me to identify with Mary. Man oh man. I don't think I could do it on a camel, I honestly know I couldn't. I am such a wimp.

 We got snow early this year and it was just incredible.

In preparation for a baby sister, I've been trying to make Jack feel like a big boy as much as possible. My favorite? Whenever we go somewhere to eat he says, "big boy chair? big boy chair?" 

I taught my kiddo all I know on how to eat cookies. And lots of them this year. I loved watching him play with his little Christmas cookie before he ate it. 

 And Zoey bird? Growing like crazy...and so is the rest of me. Sigh.

 Christmas morning was relaxing for the most part. Although we went to church and then to my parents after that, we tried to let the morning take its time. It went too fast. Per usual.

 MnM's. One of his top five favorite Christmas gifts, easily.

His other favorite may have been this gift. A dear couple in our church blessed Jack with this (a Christmas gift that will never be beat in our home.) and he. was. in. heaven. So fun to see his face (and John's too.)

Then we headed to my parents for some cousin love and delicious food.

Oh, and how Jack loves his baths lately. Please excuse his boogers.

This was last year and here is this year. I can't believe how fast they grow! Please slow down, little one.

 

This picture of Jack cracks me up.

Some for real Christmas-cousin love right here!

Dad and Jack with the airplane. Can hardly believe this is Jack's third Christmas.

I love seeing Jack change, but my dad stays the same. 

 They are two peas in a pod, they are. 

//

After Christmas, my dear cousin and his wife came up for an afternoon visit. The boys played outside and later we enjoyed a delicious pizza dinner. Boys are so fun.

Precious Noah.

//

For New Years, a dear high school BFF friend and her hubby came in town for a weekend visit. My goodness, was it fun! Too short, but just enough time to catch up and share plenty of laughs. So thankful for old and dear friends.

 

 Yup, I'm large, ya'll.

 //

By Monday, our little family was back to their routine. We played outside and Jack enjoyed his ten dollar wagon (thank you after-Christmas Goodwill!) with his daddy. He was obsessed with finding a way to make it a trailer.

"Bye, bye Mama!" He shouts.

Johnny did his best with what was on hand. a big stick.

With December so quickly gone and Zoey's arrival swiftly approaching, I am finding myself up at 3am once again making lists in my head and imagining cuddling our little girl. We are so excited. 

When Jack was born we were excited, but had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. With Zoey, we feel prepared, ready, excited, and a little scared all at once. Sometimes I wonder if I'll treat Jack differently because it's always just been me and him and we have a way of doing things. But then I imagine the friendship that the two of them will share and my worries diminish. Siblings really are some of the best friends.

I just can't wait.

 

 

Christmas Magic

"You could've swept in like a tidal wave
Or an ocean to ravish our hearts
You could have come through like a roaring flood
To wipe away the things we've scarred


But You came like a winter snow
Quiet and soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below"

..Winter Snow by Audrey Assad..

And just like that, Christmas is through.

There's such great anticipation, wonder and a glowing thrill that when it ends I'm always somehow...surprised. This year was somehow different than the last. Wonderful in all sorts of new ways yet different. 

Perhaps it was the lack of snow (I think we might get a storm tomorrow!) the lack of a sibling (who I always seem to be missing) or that I feel like I am finally growing up. It's been a long haul, but this last Christmas kind of cemented the truth. Though the mystery and joy of the holidays and celebration of Christ's birth will always continue it's time to embrace this new stage. The stage where John and I choose to create memories for our little family of three. It's time we set up new traditions. New ideas that may or may not include opening presents on Christmas eve (that would be a first for me) or sleeping under the Christmas tree the night before Christmas, or perhaps one day reenacting the Christmas story with our little kid-lets. Whatever the future Christmas' hold I feel the need to embrace this change. I really love memories, habits and routines, but something is pulling on my coat tail to remind me that change is good. Though difficult at first, it is almost always good. 

I love spending Christmas with my parents and hopefully that will always be a part of our tradition, but I think it might be time to step out into the unknown and clear the tradition plate a little. When I really think about it, the possibilities are endless! There are a few traditions I plan to carry on (though I'll let my mom carry the banner with most of those.) but next year...we're startin' fresh, people. 

This Christmas was splendid. After Christmas Eve service(s) we drove to my parent's where we were greeted by potato soup (the best in the WORLD!) dozens of cookies, and some good 'ol cheese ball. We watched Claymation Christmas (the quirkiest Christmas movie there is.) and stayed up 'til midnight. Jack was a champ and fell asleep at home, slept the hour and a half down and fell right back asleep in his lil packnplay. That alone made up for the early Christmas morn wake up call. But after all, it was Christmas!

Jack and I were the first awake. We drew in the rising sun, brewing coffee and warm glow of the Christmas lights. It was truly magical.

And then the cousins came...we ate breakfast, opened presents, shared stories and enjoyed good coffee.

This was Jack's face almost the entire time. Of course, he was obsessed with his cousin's gifts more than anything. He wasn't aloud to touch them (always a hard thing to endure, for a first time mama! What do you say to a 6 year old who won't even let your one year old look at the gifts? Jack was a little pretty heart broken. Poor chap. I'm sure it will be done to the siblings in the future.)

...and then Jack sort of pooped out. I think he was trying to tell us he was a little Christmased out for this year. So he napped and we enjoyed cinnamon rolls and more coffee. Bless his little heart.

One of my favorite pictures and captures of Christmas. Jack last year and this year with my dad. Yes, that's the same chair. It's my dad's fav.

The magic in this year was the beautiful reminder that Jesus could have come as anyone or anything, but God chose to send Him as a sweet, small and perfect babe. Someone so small and unassuming yet He was the one who was going to save us from ourselves. So beautiful that He came as a babe to set an example of life and the simplicity that we need to have. That His long awaited coming was so small and simple. So simple and yet that night our Savior was born.

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