Christmas events

I wanted to make sure I wrote about Christmas this year. Ryan and I both felt that this was the most enjoyable Christmas through the eyes of our children so far- Tanner and Emma were so excited. We experienced the Polar Express Train earlier in the month... which took us to the North Pole. I wish it was as magical as the movie- Landon does too.

Ryan was able to go to church the for the Christmas program- Landon's favorite place is not yet church.

We spent Christmas Eve with some friends and re-enacted the Nativity. Tanner was a wise man and Emma an Angel and Ryan and Landon were shepards. The company was great and everyone walked away with a raffle gift (coloring books and fake jewlery- thanks Golds!).

We got home in time for our tradition. We hide the baby Jesus (a little people nativity piece), darken the house, share a flashlight and search for Him like the Shepards did of old. He was found and then sang to. I looked forward to this the very most. We cannot sing- okay, I cannot sing- but I was particularly touched as I watched all 3 children kneel by him.

Cookies for Santa, oats for the reindeer on the porch, scriptures and prayer and "It was the Night Before Christmas" and off to bed most of them went. I watched a bit of the Christmas Story and Ryan worked as an elf.

Christmas morning was perfect. We started if with a family prayer in our room and then they raced down the stairs. Emma's highlight was a bistro size table and chair set and kitchen accessories (for last years kitchen) Tanner got some transformers and lego stuff and of course Santa brought the Star Wars Lego Wii game (that Ryan really wanted). Landon got a ride-on truck but really prefered Emma's gifts. We had a yummy brunch with friends at 11 and then were home to play and play. Thanks to Paul for the Honey Baked Ham- we were getting ready to eat our Christmas Meal about 3 when I noticed I started bleeding. My doctor told me to come into the ER and so off I went. Ryan stayed with the kids.

After many minutes they finally found the heart beat and at a doctors visit the next day they found I have a Subchorionic Bleed (when a blood clots form within the layers of the placenta. More often than not, they heal themselves.) I made it home just after 7 to hungry kids and a husband that said, "I couldn't get anything done!" I know! Christmas dinner was reheated and finished in minutes.

Just a side thought, as I was driving to the hospital really thinking that I had probably lost the baby, I felt so grateful that I have 3 perfectly happy healthy children. As much I as I thought I was going to receive heartbreaking news for this pregnancy, I really felt so content with these 3 little people I have been given to care for here.

Ryan worked a 12hour the next day at an urgent care clinic, my SI joint in my lower back finally gave on me & I got adjusted and we took the kids to the Science Center, hit Costco for groceries and Ryan took the house lights down, and the Christmas tree and all the rest came down yesterday. And it is over. I loved almost every minute of this with our kids- minus the whining that tends to happen. And I would have loved to be near family... I thought of everyone together and then tried not too think about it too much.

True joy

I'm grateful for visiting teachers and being a visiting teacher and my companion. I have seen my simple (I really need and I don't know what to do) prayer answered by this service. I am so grateful for the unexpected but perfectly timed meals that have been dropped off at my home in the last few weeks "just because" they knew/suspected I felt lousy. They fed my family but really fed my heart. Thank you! I am grateful that we have a heartbeat. I am grateful that Tanner thinks "Dad wastes his time on too too many meetings." He really doesn't, but I am thankful Tanner wants to spend so much time with him. I am grateful for my 2 1/2 year old constant helper in the kitchen even though it is another mess, everything is always "delicious" to her. I'm grateful to miss all my family right now- it reminds me how much I still need them and that we should move closer. I'm thankful for babies, however they come, and that one of my dearest friends will be sealed to her sweet baby this month- forever. I'm grateful for Christmas cards and Alabama Christmas. I am grateful for my sisters and friends who are just like. And, I am joyfully grateful Ryan is almost half-way through residency.

Grandma's having a baby?

We recently discussed the nature of keeping "appropriate" secrets in our home. It led to this conversation before Thanksgiving:

Ryan and I- Sometimes it's okay to keep some secrets. Like things that we talk about as a family that are private. Can you keep this private? We want to share this with Grandma and Grandpa when they come this week and we wanted you to know first.
Tanner (smiling)- Yes!
Ryan- What is this a picture of?
Tanner (looking quizzically at an ultrasound picture)- A baby?
Ryan and I - Yes..... what do you think?
Tanner (looking) - Is Grandma having a baby?

Ryan and I laughed and laughed. Nope. But, I am. Due July 2nd. And the recent cause for my absenteeism in cooking, blogging, and overall un-motivation. But. I am almost 3 months. Hopeful that I will be on the upswing soon.

As a side-note. Tanner told my neighbor I was home "resting" one day as he was out playing. She asked if I was sick. She said he thought, and then said, "No, it's a family secret."