December

It's that time of year again. Time for rushing and bustle and the hectic days. We made a conscious decision that our December would be one of purpose and thought. Our holiday this year will be overshadowed by the loss of my aunt to cancer and the final chapter of my grandfathers life. Dealing with loss, end of life issues and grieving at the holiday is sad. No one wants to go through loss and really no one wants to go through it at the holidays.

I'm trying to take something more away from the grieving process. I have a feeling that if I asked either of my family members what piece of advice they would give me it would sound something like "enjoy your family", "spend more time with the people you love" or "slow down and enjoy life." So that is my goal for this holy season.

I want to wake up every day and instead of thinking of how much I have to get done, I want to think of ways to enjoy my children, my husband, my family and my friends. When my live draws to a close I sincerely doubt I will be looking back on the Christmas cookies that did not get baked or the half-done wrapping job. I will remember the time spent with the people I love.

I wish you all a family filled, peaceful and purposeful December!

Easter Outtakes

I am trying to get some pictures off of my phone and while I put it off for weeks at a time I always enjoy the process. It's not the pictures that you took and said to yourself "that's a keeper." It's the ones you took and forgot about. Or the ones where the person in the background is really the one taking center stage. Those are the money shots.

*Sisters feet are not on the ground. :D

**He isn't looking but he looks so big. 

***Grace isn't looking and the picture is blurry but Abby's pose kills me. 

Belated Easter Pictures

We took a few minutes to snap some quick Easter Pictures. With three kids it is a bigger challenge then I ever imagined to get them all smiling at the same time. 

This Easter we planted jelly beans to see if they *really* grow lollipops. 

Turns out it's true!

The Easter bunny was kind enough to leave both baskets and a yard full of Easter Eggs. 

As you can tell, Jack was not exactly into the whole egg hunting thing. 

As it turns out both the Easter Bunny AND the Tooth Fairy visited us that evening. 

A New Years Eve to Remember

Early in the day we told the girls that if they wanted to stay up and watch the ball drop they were welcome to. This was for obvious reasons. Our six and a half years old are usually dropping like flies by 8:30 at night. We NEVER have to send them to bed... they ask us when they are ready. 

So how could we go wrong? 

We started out the evening at Honey and Poppa's house to celebrate. We ate, talked, played and had fun. 

Then the party started. There was caffeine and sugar...

Lots of goofiness...

And a lot of dancing. 

I figured this was only helping my cause of getting them to bed early. 

Good theory, right? 

I watched them all wear themselves down and around 9 thought we were nearing the end. 

Little man had enough and Daddy had to take him home to bed around 10. 

But that's when big sisters caught their second wind. 

I figured the crash was still inevitable so I took them home around 10:30 to get ready to crash in their own beds. 

Only that didn't happen. 

And before I knew it they were putting on their shoes to run outside at midnight. 

The countdown began and they were SO PROUD that they stayed up that late. 

It was a great New Years Eve. In fact, the best I've had in years. 

I even got to start off the New Year by sleeping in and having brunch with these two guys. (The girls went to a movie with Honey). 

Here's hoping our fun and revelry continues well into the new year. Happy 2014!

Those candids by the tree

When we had three kids we managed those adorable pictures in front of the tree with smiling faces all around. When we had the third kid we had no idea how many pictures would end up with at least one unhappy face. This year it was Jack. He decided in almost every pictures that he was going to scream like someone slapped him (which could have happened when no one else was looking I suppose).

We tried very hard to get those adorable pictures of all three happy kids but we came up just a smidge short.

The "Look That Way!" Pics

The goofy faces

The obligatory tears

We had the almost everyone looking.

And more almost everyone

The photo bombs

 

The indecision about whether we want to be in the picture

But then they all cooperated. Sort of. 

And tried to smile. 

Or act like a diva. 

But we got some. 

Merry belated Christmas!

2014

A new year, a new you, right?

Maybe not for me. I am not a huge fan of reinventing oneself or making grandiose resolutions. I guess I don't have the time, energy or effort needed to create those kind of changes. Lasting change for me looks a little different. It comes in the form of subtle changes that I can maintain. Small tweaks and refocusing of energy. Cutting out what doesn't work for our family and doing more of what does.

So, what does 2014 look like for me right now? It looks more peaceful and calm. It looks happier and a lot more fun that the past couple of years. It looks bright and shiny. The question of the day is how am I going to achieve this???

That is trickier. This year I am participating in something called A Bright Project. Throughout 2014 I will be paired with other people throughout the US and Canada and will complete a task, write a letter to my paired person and journal about the experience. Each participant has to pick a word to outline what they want out of 2014. I chose harmony. This word means a lot of things to me. Peace, tranquility, being in synch, being on top of my game, homeostasis and so many other things.

So that is my hope for this new year. Harmony.

Christmas Pictures Part II

Thankfully my hubby figured out how to get the pictures from the camera to the computer. Yay! They are not edited but it wouldn't be surprising if that never happens. :D

Lovely Sentiments

My holiday this year was full of lovely sentiments from people I love and people I have never met. There was the nice couple we met on the train to NYC who made room for us AND told us about every great place to visit. Then there was the many fellow shoppers I met during my travels who gave me a much needed smile or few moments of conversation while waiting in line. There was the clerk at Target who went out of his way to help me.

There was also a note in my car from a stranger telling me I left my door open, they has closed it and wished me a happy holiday. So kind!

There was the teachers aide at school who searched high and low to find a vegan hot chocolate mix for my little girl.

Then, the secret package that came from one of my favorite people in the entire world. 

She secretly made amazing jammies for my sweeties for Christmas. 

And even the apology letter written by one of my naughty children who couldn't quiet herself in a wild moment. 

It's what makes the holidays just so great. It's the little moments.