Christmas time

Working in healthcare, we don't have many perks around the holidays. 

We work while everyone else gets to spend the day with loved ones. I heard friends talking about how they were spending Christmas eve and it made me sad to think I was heading into work.

But that's what we do in the mission to "Make Lives Work" at Courage Kenny. 

So I put on my smile and drove in bright and early. I managed to get a lot accomplished in just the first few hours of the day and had more than one "thank you so much for your help" from my patients and families. Thankfully I was able to sneak out a few hours early and in an effort to make up for lost time with the family on Christmas eve, I made a pit-stop for coffee frappes on my way home :)

Let's just say I was greeted with some really big THANK YOU's! from the girls.

The best I could do was get the three kids together for a photo on Christmas eve. Regan refused to change into something other than comfy clothes, Sidney put on her Santa Vineyard Vines shirt and claimed to be festive, and Lincoln wouldn't let go of the reindeer that accompanied Ellie since it was the only day of the season he could touch her. 

I'll take what I can get. 

Yes, the reindeer and Ellie even made the family picture. 

Whatever. We're all looking at the camera and we're all smiling. It's a win in my book!

I didn't even pull out my camera on Christmas eve. I guess that means we enjoyed some family time instead. We ate, shared gifts with Ryan's parents and Lincoln opened this gigantic tiger that roars and had me take his photo in action. Isn't he scary!?

Before they climbed into bed for the night, I insisted on my traditional photo of the kids in front of the tree. It's so magical to see Christmas through the eyes of a child. Lincoln is so delighted in the excitement and wonder. And I love to listen to him as we drove through the neighborhood, telling  me how beautiful each house was with all of the lights. 

Bright and early Christmas morning we woke up to presents from Santa. He ate our cookies, the reindeer ate our carrots, and Ellie disappeared through the frosted glass on the sliding door. Magical and glee was all around us. 

Lincoln scored big with hockey skates and a helmet, which he proceeded to wear while opening the remainder of his gifts :) 

Sidney had begged for an Alexa from Santa, and was disappointed in that she didn't think it would be gifted. Her face was priceless upon opening! 

We shared the rest of the day with Hope and my mom with a sprinkle of facetime with Ben out east. Some of us wore ugly sweaters, but mom insists her Bon Jovi sweater was most certainly not ugly!

And looking at this photo below, I'm pretty sure Sidney is holding one of Papa Leo's favorite holiday toy....the Santa that toots! 

Thanks for the memories, it was a wonderful holiday season 

Snuggly little boy

As the girls get bigger and their snuggles less frequent (or non-existent from the oldest), I am forever grateful that Lincoln wants nothing more than for someone to "sit by me". Each night he snuggles into my shoulder as he gets a few minutes on his iPad. 

And I love every second of his affection. 

I also love that he willingly shares his snuggles with his favorite Godmother, who happens also to be one of my favorites too :) He doesn't shy away from her tight hugs either! 

Or another one of my favorites....some time with Hope. She helps us out with a few hours of watching him and I got this quick photo while I was at work one day :) I'm pretty sure it was another "sit with me" moment. This boy sure loves to love. 

Love you my snuggly little boy, never stop snuggling. 

Christmas celebrations

Tis the season for all of the Christmas celebrating. We are in the middle of some good times around here, song-singing, music-playing, cookie-eating fun. Oh and don't forget the shopping...that seriously is one of my most favorites! We're full into Christmas mode around here.

This past weekend was a doozey, with my own work Christmas party (ugly sweaters and all!), some school music programs (with kids performing all of 8 minutes!), and my brother and Jon in town for our first family Christmas celebration. It was a whirlwind of a weekend, buzzing here there and everywhere yet soaking in all of the time together.

At one point, amidst all of the present chaos, a fat Santa glass ornament went tumbling off our Christmas tree and rolled towards the group. Since no one was near the tree at the time, Ryan chuckled that it was a squirrel. My mom and I looked at each other and in unison said "or someone....", knowing full well what the other was thinking. We sure missed my dad this weekend, with his antics and our traditionally exchanged gag gift, but at that moment, I knew he was with us. In some form, he's here and I take comfort in his presence.

We had a great time this weekend, eating and baking to our hearts content. Leaves me wishing every weekend was Christmas!

Class of 2017

We will spend the next few weeks/months celebrating a variety of graduations. From our own Regan's 5th grade graduation, to several friends/family high school graduations. But first, we kicked off the season with Hope's college graduation. 

I honestly am shocked how quickly the last 4 years have gone, and am so proud of her for achieving this goal on time. Given all that she has been through, she made us proud as they announced her name among all those graduates today. 

Thank goodness for technology because with a sea of this many students, it took a text and ultimately a wave from both sides for us to find each other. 

I'm so bummed that I forgot my long-lens but was still able to capture her walk across the stage as she was presented with her diploma.

 That embrace says it all. My mom, brother and I had tears of joy to see her in that cap and gown, holding her diploma with the big M in the background. She worked hard for that degree and hard work pays off. 

And now comes the real world!! 

Congratulations Hope!! We can't wait to see what your future holds!

Christmas day 2014

I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone already. We look forward to this day for 364 days out of the year, and when it arrives, it goes so fast. Christmas morning this year, was filled with presents, love and food. 

Hope was with us and I'll just call her my own personal elf. We are so grateful for all of her help with the prep work :) I'll leave it at that.... 

I didn't take too many pictures of the kids opening presents because I didn't want to miss any of their excitement. I did, however, take this one as the girls spotted their new amazing Barbie Dream House and were giddy with excitement and so eager to play with it! I'm pretty sure Sidney would  play with that every second of every day (except she begs Regan to play with her and Regan likes to move on to something different every 15 minutes...but that's another post). It is by far Sidney's favorite toy. Regan's favorite gift would have to be the stilts from Santa. With a few pointers from Papa out on the deck (on yet another balmy day), she was able to walk easily and is so proud!

Lincoln was essentially uninterested in his presents. He played with books all morning and when the chaos was over, and the girls were off to explore their new toys, he and I sat quietly near the tree and opened his gifts one by one, taking our time to play with each new toy from Santa. 

He was such a stud in his Christmas outfit, giving us the "monster walk" now that he is a full fledged walker. 

Eventually my parents and Hope departed and just a couple of hours later, Grandpa Arnie/Grandma Sheri, Shane and Kik arrived for the final Christmas celebration. It was more gifts, more food and more fun as we celebrated late in the evening. 

I think these two were beyond excited to see each other. We are so sad that Shane lives on the exact other side of the world now, but it sure makes for a fun reunion! We were so excited to finally meet Kik and the girls clung to her all night as they took selfies and she was sandwiched between them at dinner. 

It was yet another wonderful Christmas and we are so thankful for our health and happiness. We wish everyone a very special Merry Christmas! 

Heavenly birthday

In addition to celebrating Christmas eve, we wanted to also celebrate my aunt Cheryl's first heavenly birthday. I was lucky enough to find yellow smiley face balloons, which I thought would be a perfect present to her, considering her nickname was sunshine.
Just before church, we headed outside with balloons in tow. 

We sung Happy Birthday between sobs, wiped away our tears, and on the count of three, let our balloons drift up to her. 

Happy Birthday Cheryl. 

We miss you each and everyday. 

Loss

We lost a devoted blog follower and dearest family member this month. Just over 2 weeks ago, I raced to Abbott to meet my oldest godchild, Hope, where we would tragically and unexpectedly say goodbye to her mother.

Hope recently told me that Cheryl read this blog religiously (I really never know who reads these posts). And I recalled that Hope knew when Lincoln learned to crawl..all because Cheryl had read it on this blog and immediately messaged her. I've spent the last two weeks remembering my aunt Cheryl and how wonderful she was to everyone who had the opportunity to meet her. The woman was never without a smile, and if she spotted you, be it in a room full of 400 other people, she would holler for your attention, just to say "hi". 

We are deeply saddened and will forever miss her. I couldn't avoid writing about it, for its what has been on our minds, the topic of conversation, and the endless questions from the girls (who are just trying to comprehend the concept of death). 

We will take care of her dear Hope who we love so very much. 

Watch over us Cheryl, we love you.