Buy Stock in Kleenex...

Today was my last day at work before Christmas, and so I think I'm officially in 'Christmas' mode.

We are in the midst of a snowstorm that is going to dump probably over a foot of snow where I am.

It sets a lovely Christmas mood, I'm just glad I'm not driving in it.  As long as I have no where to be I love the snow.

So, I've spent the afternoon (baby girl cooperated by taking a 2+hour nap), listening to Christmas music, cleaning up the house, finishing Christmas cards, and starting some baking.

I don't know if my emotions can handle this.  Almost every song I listen to makes me cry.  My heart is just so full of joy over celebrating Christmas as a Mom... I can't imagine what I'll be like Christmas morning.

This was the song that got me tonight... by Reba McEntire... it just painted that image of me for Christmas morning, and the tears just came... (the good kind).

The kids were up before dawn this morning
Right to the Christmas tree they ran
Called up the stairs for us to hurry
Wait for this day for about as long as they could stand
While trading presents the little one asks me
Why do we have Christmas each year
I said long ago a child was born this day
He's a gift more precious then all you see here

Cause on this day
A child was born
In the town of Bethlehem
And on this day
God sent his son to bring peace and goodwill
To all men
Oh on this day we call Christmas
We honor his name
On this day
We recall all the reasons he came
On this day

Grandma and Grandpa arrived after breakfast
The rest of the gang by noon
We spent the day watching football and breaking in toys
Helping out in the kitchen
Catching up on old news
When the dinner bell rang
We all took our places
Grandpa said who wants to say grace
Before anyone else could utter a word
Oh the little one bowed her head
And she started to say

Oh on this day we call Christmas
We honor his name
On this day
We recall all the reasons he came
On this day
On this day

Living Life on Pause...

I'm powered back up!!!  Whoo-Hooo!!!  I have my Christmas lights on, my heat on, I cooked dinner tonight, and can hear the gentle hum of my fridge... life is good.

It did feel like the last 5 days were living life on pause.  Trying to decide from day to day where the warmest place to sleep was going to be, driving all over the state, packing, unpacking, and re-packing.  Almost doing a 360 on a highway when I saw Starbucks had power back, and I could get my fix!!

We celebrated my niece's 10th birthday party on Sunday at my brothers house w/ no power, and about a 40 degree house.  My brother however was able to GRILL the lasagna my Mom had made the weekend before.  It was delicious.  You get quite creative in these situations.

All the plans I had for last weekend to prepare for Christmas didn't happen so I'm way behind getting ready for Madalynn's first Christmas home.  I hope I can catch up this weekend...  although, we're forecasted to get a foot of snow on Friday, and another storm on Sunday night into Monday....oyyyy. 

I know this Christmas WILL come, and Madalynn IS here whether or not I get Christmas cookies made, cards mailed on time, the house 'company' clean, or a few extra things for Madalynn's stocking.  None of that really matters when I compare it to having my baby girl home.

God is good.

These are some pics from the storm... they don't really do it justice.

This is the grass... total craziness...

 

 If you look closely at the picture below you can see the branch tangled in the wires.  This was Sunday, and the first day these branches & lines weren't still ice covered, and as of Sunday they power company, and/or city hadn't touched this road.

 

If you look close in this picture to the left you can see the huge branch just crushing the power line... this was also taken Sunday, same street that hadn't been touched yet.

Happy Birthday Kassie!!

Happy birthday to my niece who is 10 years old today!! 

Ice...

Brrrrr... we got hit with a major ice storm last Thursday night, and the town where I live was one of the hardest hit. Some roads are still nearly unpassable, and I'm without power going on day 5 tomorrow.

Thankfully, my parents power was turned back on about an hour ago, so Madalynn & I are cozy, warm tonight at their house. My brother & his family are still without power as well.

Oyyyy... Once I get powered back up (they're telling me by Saturday), I'll post some pics. Last Thursday night I could just hear trees, and branches crumbling all around my house... I moved to the living room couch lest one crash into my bedroom. Thankfully none did.

Madalynn has been a trooper, seeing as how we've slept in 4 different places these last nights, and traveled around the state to relatives who have power. She really has adjusted quite well.

Saturday night when my Dad & I were assembling the port-a-crib, I told her to enjoy it as this was the closest she'd ever get to camping. :-)

I do miss my routine (I'm a routine person who likes my roots, and to be home), hopefully things will be back to normal soon.

Christmas Out-Takes....

Okay.... my hat is off to any of you out there who get a Christmas card picture with more than 1 child.... oyyyyy..... you have the patience of Job.

I put the tree up this weekend (with my Dad's help).  I had to put it up in stages based on naps.

So, after a 2 hour nap this  A.M.  I though it would be the perfect time to do our photo shoot.  I've mentioned before that Madalynn does NOT like to cooperate with the camera....she tested Mommy today... below are some out-takes.  I'll post the finished product after the actual cards go out... after I got them uploaded on the computer I did have some that would work.  Closing the eyes seems to be a big thing.

Just some pics from picking out the tree... again NOT cooperating with the camera.

 

Something Beautiful...

This is a beautiful site to me...not the decorations or the white lights but the fact that....

there are TWO stockings hanging by my fireplace.... it gives me a heart burst.

Madalynn's Pooh stocking is temporary.  My stocking is made out of old neckties of my Father, and Grandfather (every one in my family has one).  Well, my aunt is making Madalynn one out of neckties from my Dad, and my brother, but won't be able to get it done in time for this Christmas, so Pooh will have to do this year.

 

Today we got our first dusting of snow too... it was literally just a dusting, but it was very nice to set the mood as I was baking Christmas cookies (with the cookie cutters I used while I was growing up), and getting the Christmas decorations put up. (I guess it's time to put the deck furniture & planters away).

Fun Weekend

We've been having a great post Thanksgiving weekend just hanging out, and getting some things done.

Thanksgiving Day was special at my Mom's house.  Madalynn was hard to catch on camera (as usual), and then the battery in my camera died so I only have a few pics....

Waiting for the other guests to arrive...

Last year when we were in Guatemala for Thanksgiving Madalynn wore a purple jumper w/ Classic Pooh on it... this year I found a brown one w/ Pooh on it so we've begun a theme...

In this picture you can see Uncle Rob's feet in the background as he's about to chase after the little one, and she says 'the chase is on!!'

Today we went to get an area rug for the living room... we had a 5x7 in an area that could take a 9x12, so it was quite small, and it was very thin so not very cozy for Madalynn... me envisioning movie nights in the coming years with pillows, sleeping bags, and popcorn... I thought it was time.

Madalynn was quite excited, and helped Grandpa get the pad & carpet set up. When he unrolled the pad she was literally doing the 'stick my bum out' dance, and hoping all over the place...

Then Grandpa stayed to put up the outdoor lights, with Madalynn's help of course...

Madalynn thought her pumpkin would make a nice Christmas decoration... I thought it was a better idea to throw it away as it was quite smushy!!