I'm Beat

It's New Years Eve (nothing like stating the obvious, eh?) and everyone's talking about parties and what new and exciting way they're going to see the new year in and new year's resolutions and all I can think of is, "I get to sleep in tomorrow!" and "How early can I go to bed?" Having kids will do that to you, I guess. Other people are saying things like, "Wanna go skiing tomorrow?" and "I get to see snow! I'm going skiing!" and all I can think is, "Maybe I can get a nap in after my workout tomorrow. Or maybe I just won't have to leave the house at all." and "How many more months of winter?" There was a day when I would have said, "Let's DO it! Let's ring in the new year. Let's go skiing!" But right now. I just feel tired. Wiped out. Foggy. Like I'm drunk from lack of sleep and just aimlessly wandering from one thing to the next and doing everything halfway. If that. I'm missing my boys something terrible. Trying hard not to pay attention to the fact that I'm missing out on a large portion of Kekoa's last year before he'll go to school. I wonder if it's harder to go back to work after being home for two years than if I just would have worked the entire time? You know... because I know with certainty what I'm missing. I feel twinges of jealousy when I see/hear of moms staying home with their kids. Enjoying (or not, depending on the day) the every day moments. So in 2009, I'm hoping I can regain some clarity. Get life back in focus. Get some sleep? And try to enjoy life even if it's not happening they way I would choose.

I Wanna Be Like You

Kekoa can do no wrong in Gavyn's eyes. Just look at the way he looks at his big brother. If Kekoa's doing it, Gavyn needs to be, too. Someday soon this is going to drive Kekoa crazy. Out of his mind. But for today, it's something cute for his Momma to watch and talk about.

They Treat Us Right

Grammy fed us personalized pancakes for breakfast on "Old McDonalds" plates. And made us some sugar cookies.



Grandpa took us for a ride across the field to Great Grandma's house in the tractor where we had M&M's for snacks and raided her toy box. You could say we had a good Christmas.

Thank you, Grandpa & Grammy.

Cool Dudes

Havin' fun at the farm hanging out with Cousin Lincoln. Won't be long now and we'll have a new cousin.

Grown Up As It Gets

My little sister tried to take pictures of us at a local park about five years back. We had resigned ourselves to the idea that after eight years of marriage we'd likely not be having children. I was pregnant two weeks later. I'd like to think we've matured since then, but I'm afraid this would be a bit of a stretch. She never offered to do a photo shoot with us again. I wonder why?

Dessert Anyone?

The boys helped Grandpa make whipped cream today. They might be committing a few health code violations here. Just giving the results an old taste test or two. Or three. Or four. Do you think it might need some more sugar? Good thing we're all family here.

I Just Wanna Fly

Gavyn has this thing where he gets down in front of you on all fours with his rear in the air and wants to "fly". And he's very specific. You must pick him up by the back of the shirt (NEVER with hands under the tummy) and carry him around while he "flaps his wings". All the while he's saying, "I'm flying. I'm flying." I've been meaning to get a video of it for awhile and the opportunity came the other night after Christmas dinner when we were ready to go home. Here's Gavyn "flying":

This Week's Daily Reading Guide

We DID it! Last week, everyone. Did anyone make it with me?

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Sunday: *Proverbs 28, Zechariah 13-14, *Revelations 18

Monday: *Proverbs 29, Malachi 1-2, *Revelations 19

Tuesday: *Proverbs 30, Malachi 3, *Revelations 20

Wednesday: *Proverbs 31, Malachi 4, *Revelations 21-22

*SPECIAL NOTE: I didn't look closely at this reading guide schedule before I started and now see there are parts of the Bible you read more than once. For those of you who are following along with me, I'll keep posting them as listed, but make notations of the parts we have already read in case you would prefer to eliminate them from your reading schedule.

Never Too Old

I saw an elderly man outside building a family of snowmen today. It made my face and heart smile. Nice to know I'll never be too old to build a snowman. That I can still be young at heart no matter what age I look like I am.

Family Christmas Traditions

We were fortunate enough to have our traditional Lebanese meal again yesterday evening. As always, it did not disappoint. Good food and good company. Second verse, same as the first. It doesn't get any better than this:

Sugar for Breakfast

Gavyn had almost a whole chocolate Santa, and his Momma ate a half a tea ring (Aunt Michele makes one for us every year and it's our breakfast on Christmas morning with a glass of milk. Isn't that a great tradition?). We'll pay for it later, but it sure tasted good at the moment. Don't they look good?

Shift in Focus

Every year, we go to Craig's parents house on Christmas Eve for a gift exchange with his family. More than half the fun is the anticipation. I think as a parent, I enjoy most watching the boys wait for the good stuff.




Those chocolate candies you see above were decadent. Martha, you would have LOVED and appreciated them with me, I know. And check out that nice orange bow. It was my favorite gift wrap in the present pile this year.



The kids were amazingly patient while waiting for the gift opening. It was cute.



Daddy made sure to school them before the frenzy started on making sure they say "thank you". Do you think they're listening?






And while the presents are a nice bonus, I think one of the things the boys were most excited about this year was seeing their cousins. For myself? It's being in a houseful of people - family to be more exact. A total of four families gather besides Grandpa & Grandma (18 and almost half are kids). Activity levels are high and I enjoy the buzz. They make for nice memories.

This year, things were noticeably scaled back (for obvious reasons) in regards to gift giving. But I also noticed everyone seemed in a good mood and, in general, happier to just be together. The shift of focus was a nice perk.