The best part was the cinnamon rolls, the worst part was the Christmas Eve without daddy. We thought we’d see him way more! But he was gone from 6am to 7pm, then on Christmas he worked 8am-12pm and 1:30pm-4:30pm. So at least we saw him more that day.
We kept Christmas small and followed up that day with haircuts and a zoo trip with Emily and her girls. We’re surprising the boys with a fun New Years though!
This week this song is doing more for my Christmas spirit than anything else, but you should go watch THIS video instead of the lyric video below if you want the full experience:
My friend Becca sent it to me and we had the best conversation about the busy we have to be and the busy we choose to be. This song has just made me slow down and think that all the moments I feel Christ and help my kids learn about Christ will make up what matters most. This is not going to be our most picture perfect Christmas. And that's ok. Between Michael's work schedule and other stuff on our plate I told Michael, "this is not our greatest Christmas..." And he said, "This is my worst Christmas," in a half-joking mostly light-hearted way, but really it was true. And then I said, "You know, if this is our worst Christmas, we are really really lucky." He agreed, and I just keep thinking about that. Long hours and living far away from family and little kid life -- our list of things to be grateful for far outweigh those. And honestly a lot of the list comes from those, in a way. I'm also really grateful for President Nelson's challenge to read the Book of Mormon through the end of the year. Feeling closer to Christ is the best coping mechanism for anything this life throws.
Anyways, listen to Far Away. It makes me think back on my summer in Jerusalem and makes me think about what Christmas really is. I'm just grateful for that song today and for the wonderful sacrament meeting we had at church.
Michael:
On call, missed out on life this week. He was really sad to miss Westin's preschool program but I recorded it. When Westin woke up early on Saturday to eat breakfast with Michael before he went to the hospital I sent him the YouTube link and loved listening to them watch and laugh together. My boys love their dad so much. He's working on Christmas Eve and Christmas but hopefully the load isn't too heavy and we'll get some afternoons with him.
Maddie:
I am having to identify more than ever what makes me happy and what refuels me, while still being things that are completely in my control. Constant work to throw out expectations and just be grateful for what I'm surrounded by in the moment. The holidays can be magical and they can be just, weepy, I don't know. Sometimes I am too overwhelmed by wondering if I'm responding to Westin in the right ways when he has angry times. And trying to make magic moments out of long routine days is way more work than it seems like it should be. But we're doing more than ok overall.
Westin:
loved dressing up as Santa for his preschool program. I showed him a picture of a beard an hour before his program and asked if he wanted one, and he really really did. So we glued cotton balls on a paper plate and tied that on and he was Ho Ho Hoing around our house and laughing. Then when he started singing at the program I realized I wouldn't be able to see his face at all during their songs... whoops! But he loved the beard :) He loves seeing Christmas get closer on our advent calendars. He's full of questions about Santa and baby Jesus. It's so fun to be part of a little person soaking up knowledge.
Bennett:
is on the top of the good list, you guys. So full of love and sweetness. I held him on my lap tonight while watching Elf and just felt so grateful for his sweet spirit in our home. I hope that he keeps that as he grows up. He cries so much when I leave him, at home or anywhere. I'm grateful for his little mama's boy streak, that extra love goes far. He doesn't really know what's coming on Tuesday but I'm excited to watch him on Christmas morning. He has started eating fruit smoothies again and I'm so grateful for the chance to get some spinach and other good things in him. He has been completely done with his high chair for a few weeks now. We're just a family of big people at the table :)
Merry Christmas!
We went to Santa Claus Lane last Sunday to see the lights that are timed with songs. We tried Candy Cane Lane on our way home and U-Turned out of there after waiting forever and passing three houses. And you won't see us anywhere near Christmas Tree Lane again this year :)
This was my trip to the dumpster and recycling bin from my primary closet this week. Suuuuper excited for next year's changes :)
Watching brother at swimming lessons!
That little mailbox and the flag! I watched Westin come in my room one morning and try to reach for it. He couldn't get it so I expected him to "wake me up" and ask for help. Instead he came back with a puzzle box lid, and used it to push the mailbox off the dresser. Then he filled it up with some notes he colored for daddy, plus a Hershey kiss from his preschool Christmas party. He put it all in, closed the lid, put the flag up, and pushed it back on the dresser. I love that he and Michael send each other mail that way and watch for the flag.
Trader Joe's excitement every morning.
Bennett loves wearing this hat, just around the house or on car rides. It's my favorite.
Cutest little kiddos.
The boys were so excited about finding Mr. T awake and moving around! We couldn't find him any worms or snails or cockroaches, so we tried giving him some sandwich turkey. He took a few hungry bites and we haven't seen him in the last little bit again -- I hope he went back to hibernating, it's too cold to wake up!
Don't worry, you don't need to watch this 18-minute video of Westin singing songs :) But someday he might want to! I recorded the whooooole thing so Michael would be able to see it. Westin even said, "Mama, sometimes other people stopped taking pictures of us, but you never did!" Haha he noticed the paparazzi.
We had a pretty quick and uneventful week! In a few words:
Michael:
Long days. Weekend off! Yard work. Date with Westin to choose a present for Bennett. Another week of call ahead. So much nursery time in church (Bennett...).
Maddie:
Still recovering from The Winter I Was Constantly Sick. Ward Christmas party, games for primary kids. Loved taking the boys to their first hibachi grill experience.
Westin:
Doctor visit, seriously sore after shots. Loved Skywalk trampoline time with Colt. Super into his Trader Joe's advent calendar, way more than my calendar with devotionals about Christ. Kids. He also liked when we all went to Santa Claus Lane on Sunday night to watch the Christmas lights in sync with some radio songs.
Bennett:
Also loved Skywalk trampoline time. Noooo interest in being anywhere near Santa. Still talks in his own language. Loves his brother and his dad and his cat but still mostly his momma and I am SO GRATEFUL FOR THIS. Please never learn to be sassy.
And that's that! Michael was able to make it to our ward Christmas party an hour late. I set up games for the primary kids, got my kiddos dinner, got Michael a plate before they put food away, had fun visiting with friends, and successfully helped Westin through his hot chocolate experience which I knew would only end poorly. Bam! After a busy but pretty smooth and fun night I was remembering the Christmas dinner two years ago when Bennett was so so new, and we still hardly knew anybody yet. Time makes such a difference. I'm going to need to really remember that when we head into whatever our future holds in a little while.
It was really sad when Westin's shots made him so sore! I was surprised how much he was hurting. But his eye test and ear test at the pediatrician this week was really funny to watch for some reason. He's just growing up. He has lots of questions about Santa these days and I have no answers. Guys, send help with that. How do you decide what you say and what you don't and how to focus on the right things while still creating the fun magic too? Christmas, man. It's way more work than I ever anticipated which just keeps making me feel like I'm doing it wrong. But I tried so hard to do it right? But honestly our rounds of sickness and weeks of hospital call have just kept that from really happening this year.
Also can I just document that today in primary when all leaders and teachers were sent to a combined adult meeting, within 8 minutes one child gave another a bloody nose and another took permanent marker to two walls and a table. Primary, you guys. You don't know how much work we're doing in there! Haha unless you're in there, in which case, thanks for being in there. Also that is in NO WAY directed at the kind bishopric member who offered to wrangle primary solo for the hour because he did a wonderful job. I just think we all needed a reminder of what those kids are capable of and why we need the adult numbers we need in there to combat the crazy. :)
Here's to one more week of Christmas prep! A.K.A. the week I finally, finally, finally face my extra room of unopened Target and Amazon boxes plus wrapping paper, and tackle The Worst Job There Ever Was. I don't even have Hallmark movies to keep me company because for some reason those were just a new wonderful novelty to me last year and this year I am just not ready for them again. Not ready at all. Guys! Am I a grinch? I did love the new Grinch movie. I don't know if that helps or hurts my case.
Ok out.
Bennett was really into this guy's knife skills and the fire at the hibachi grill!
He was not as into the vegetables.
My kids have no interest in taking pictures with Santa...
...they just came for the food.
Westin and his sore leg from shots. He was super sore for 24 hours, not his favorite outing.
I know this isn't an attractive picture but THIS will change your lunch life.
Wasted no time using those Trader Joe's stickers.
Bennett thought the mouse running on the wheel at the pet store was straight up hilarious.
Westin is all about the reptiles.
No one wanted to spend much time with the hairless rats.
Eye test and Ear test at the doctor's office this week. He seemed so big!
Happy to report he sees and hears just fine. ...so why does it feel like no one listens to me???
Post-bath cereal before getting dressed in the morning.
There's always a trick to the order of things to minimize outfit changes.
Oh the laundry.
Clean boys and a cuddly cat.
Bennett at Skywalk!
These boys played so hard for an hour straight.
I'm grateful my friend Ali took no documentation of when I tried to get in this swing with just arm strength.
The platform is really necessary.
Who else could NEVER do a pull-up in all the presidential fitness test in P.E. growing up??
Anyone?
