Christmas...on a Sunday?

Has this hit anyone else yet?
Christmas...on Sunday? Not everyone's "ideal Christmas morning" am I right?
For sure it's messing with "my plan" for the day. The perfect morning (in my head at least). Excited kids, coffee, waffles and presents. Family time. No rushing or schedule, just us 5 enjoying the morning. Isn't that what Christmas is about? What I want. What my kids want. What the family wants?

 Oh wait...Christmas?
  Christ?

 I think initially it's easy to say, "Me..me...me..." but the more I think about it, the more I realize how much it needs to be "Him...Him...HIM!". I don't need the perfect morning, or afternoon or weekend.
I need the perfect focus on the REASON for why there is celebration.
I need Jesus. 

Do you feel that its easy to put so many other things before our Savior at Christmas?
How about you? How are you celebrating the holidays?
Whether you choose to be in your local church or stay home and enjoy the family time & tradition, may it bring you great joy! :)

 Some Christmas cheer around here.

Merry Christmas! :) 

It's been awhile.
Lots has happened and while I long to just snuggle up with blanket, coffee and keyboard, time does not permit.
So here are some recent family photos....

They like me for me...

I like that my kids don't have a stereotype for the perfect 'Mommy". I know the day will come when I will do things that are so 'uncool' and 'old' and they will wish they had someone else's mom.
But for now, I enjoy that they like me for me....



They don't notice greasy hair or sweatpants.
They don't see bushy eyebrows or spotted skin.
They don't care if the voices I make while reading a book make sense with the character I portray.



They just like me...for me.



They don't think I look ridiculous when I dance with them.
They don't hear my voice falter when I reach for that high note on their favorite song.
They don't notice when the rug needs cleaning, furniture needs dusting and laundry is piling up in the corner.



They love my silly faces.
They like my cooking. (most of the time)
They want my snuggles.
They ask for my kiss.
They forgive my impatience.
They whisper "I love you."



Today I didn't have to be size 2. I wasn't expected to be 'made up' and perfect.
Today I was only and always....me.

My sweet Malia is growing so fast....




She is such a happy girl!

Picture it.

Outdoor patio.
People smiling while sharing lunch together.
Soft breeze, warm sun, laughter and the smells of fresh hot food in the air.
Now look closer at the table in the back and in the corner. You'll see 2 parents doubled over in giggles whilst their children (ALL 3) are crying around the table.
You may wonder why these people are ignoring the obvious needs of their offspring and choosing the "laugh track" over discipline, but let me tell you, it was more a survival thing than anything. You know the "laugh to keep from crying" bit?
We attempted a shopping trip to Ikea. Actually, it went so well there, we were confident lunch would be just as great! We were wrong. I'm not even sure what happened to set everyone off at once. I suppose it was something really important like asking them to stop shrieking at the birds and eat their lunch, but the crying started. Like a wave it swept over the whole table and even Malia joined in for a time.
My husband and I just looked at each other. I was considering the "let's just go eat in the van" scenario when he looked at me and with a smirk on his face said, "We chose this. No one's to blame but ourselves." And the funniness of the moment hit. So we laughed. Big, loud, belly laughs at the perfect comic timing of his comment. It was what we needed.
Of course the crying did not last long and we WERE able to enjoy our patio lunch in the city, but it got me thinking. So often I may be opening up to friends/family about a frustration with one of children, and I get a comment similar to "And NOW you have 3!" or "Thats why I would NEVER have 3". Not helpful at all, but thanks. Sometimes we moms and dads just need to talk about our irritations. It does not in any way mean we regret having the children we do, or when we did, or spacing them so close. We don't. I love the ages my kids are at regardless of the chaos at times. But we are entitled to have bad days/ bad moments every now and then.

But now for some good moments.

When two become three...

It's amazing how adding one tiny human can suddenly make me feel like "I've accomplished something" when everyone gets breakfast before 10am. Or we are all in clean, non-pajama clothes before Daddy gets home from work. Or maybe it's great that I had time to load the dishawasher AND do a load of laundry.
Suddenly, going for a walk - an outing that I have always enjoyed - seems wrought with so many "barriers" and obstacles...and a checklist of diapers, soothers, blankets, snacks, hats, etc. Inevitably, by the time we are all loaded up, someone is unhappy and crying and no amount of walking will calm them. Why did it seem hard before?
But I'm learning.
Right now my days are calm and quiet; no major plans or outings scheduled (unless I want them to be). I am trying to be brave and "get out there" more...I have to get used to it at some point!
And my kids are learning too. They are seeing the value of how when they obey, Mommy is proud of them. They are learning to be older siblings and "big helpers". They are handling the new addition very well and I couldn't be happier about that - but I feel like it's me. I'm having trouble getting myself in a routine.
And I know it takes time.
And patience.
And organization.
I can do it. It's just that most days it seems easier to not.

Some pictures of my new family are coming - just as soon as I find the cord thingy...

Malia Elizabeth...

(For those who perhaps have questions, it's pronounced "Ma-LEE-A".)

I didn't expect to be almost 6 days overdue, but thats exactly what happened. My due date came and went and twice I went to the hospital thinking, 'this is it" only to be told, "No, it's not" and was sent home feeling oh so embarrassed and disappointed.
Tuesday July 12, I went to see my OB for an appt. He said I was 3cm (had been for days) and asked if tomorrow I would come in so he could break my water. Great. Let's just do this thing. So I left, went and did some grocery shopping and came home. We hung out in the living room with the kids, my Mom and Beth (my sister). I stood up to start making supper, and my water broke. Strangest feeling ever when you have clothes on and are not in a hospital room. We all sort of looked at each other for a moment - kinda dazed and confused - then we lept into action. Call Dave at work! Where's my bag? Can you grab my water? The time was just after 5 pm. By the time we got to the hospital, it was around 5:30 and after my intital assesment and first round of anti-biotic(group B) it was just after 6. I still wasn't feeling many contractions at this point, so we went walking around the halls, peeked in the delivery rooms and watched some TV.




(The time frame gets a bit fuzzy here as we didn't have a clock in our waiting area.)




When the pain began getting so bad that I couldn't talk, I was moved to the delivery room and measured around 6cm. In no time at all though, I was feeling the urge to push and told the nurses so. They assured me this couldn't be and that I was not allowed to push because I could damage my cervix. About 5 contractions later - each with a stronger urge to push, I again let them know that this was for real, but was told I needed to breathe through the sensation. Ya right! Cuz thats SO EASY! Then give me the epidural I said...I can't keep this up for an hour or two. The anesthesiologist was called, but because it was later at night, we would need to wait for them to drive in from home. A few more contractions, and I couldn't hold it in anymore and my body began pushing. Finally the nurses checked me again and to their surprise, I was fully dilated and ready to go! I had gone from 6-10 in 15 minutes.
So without the supervision of my OB, we began. 2 pushes in her head came out with the cord around her neck. (I didn't know this until later, but I remember the room going strangely quiet). Apparently she was quite blue and again I was told to not push. Remembering the advice of a dear friend I used some breathing techniques to hold her in while they got rid of the cord around her. 3 more pushes and she was out!




Born at 9:25 pm, she weighed in at 8 pounds 15 oz. BIG BABY! About two minutes after her big debut, my doctor came rushing through the door. (He had left his car running in the parking lot and had bolted up the stairs, but still he was too late. His face was so surprised!) He did one stitch and then was on his way.
Also, my sister Beth (who captured many amazing moments on film for us) did great! She was a calm, supportive help to me and to Dave. We are so thankful that she made us a priority and chose to be here for Malia`s birth. Hope she is not too traumatized by everything she saw! :)


It was a great birth. Short. Intense. But not too traumatic on my body. It felt amazing to be walking around within minutes of her arrival and I know I got the birth I had always heard about. We were left alone to try different positions and do things in our own way and our own time.
It was a perfect note to end on. A wonderful way to bring this part of my life to a close.
And now we are a unit of 5. So far the kids are doing great. Sophie can't stop kissing her and Connor is somewhat uninterested/overprotective.



Thanks to all those that were praying for me and for Malia. It is such an amazing thing to be prayed for! :)