Joy To The World, the Lord is Come!

Merry Christmas everyone!

It has been a great day. We have opened presents and eaten yummy foods and talked to family. Jason even got to talk to his little brother, Tyler, who is serving his mission in the Dominican Republic.

The toys that "Santa" brought were and still are a HUGE HIT. The girls are even miraculously playing together and sharing. We have done a little rearranging with new pictures and a new movie shelf for our room. We are planning to clear out some toys tomorrow to keep things organized and clean.

Some of the biggest "HITS" today were:

Cailyn's new tea set.

Jessica's new stroller.

My new body pillow.

Jason's new Simpson's movie(and pajamas).

Both girls got a new Barbie from Santa.

Cailyn loves her new picture of Christ.

The girls exchanged a gift this year and they were both very happy about it.

As I have been thinking about Christmas today, I realize I am so blessed to have the Gospel in my life. I love my Savior and the miracle of his life is amazing to me. The other day I was observing Jessica and her dependence on me and I came to the realization that I need to follow her example. I need to go to my Heavenly Father when I need help, when I am hurting, when I am happy, and every other part of my day/life(I don't think that I need to whine as much, but you get the point).

Last night as I was about to go to bed, I decided to take some pictures of my favorite Christmas decorations. Here is what they mean to me.

This tree is the one that I grew up with. So, it is very sentimental to me. My mom and I spent hours putting the lights on many years ago and they haven't been removed since. I will cherish this tree forever and the memories that come with it.

This is one of my favorite ornaments. It reminds me to keep my focus on The Eternal Father.

The star at the top of the tree is beautiful. It represents the new star when Christ was born, however, it can also help us to realize that Jesus is the Light and the Life of the World. We can always turn to Him and find Light and direction in our lives.

This is a new ornament given to us last year by my sweet in-laws, Brandon and Rachel. We will put our gift to Jesus in it each year and strive everyday(hopefully) to give that to Him. I love it. What a perfect reminder of what Christmas is all about.

Once again, Merry Christmas everyone. I hope that if you are having to travel, that you will arrive to your destination safely and that we can all remember the feeling of Christmas throughout the coming year.

Christmas Eve Fun!

Tonight I finally feel some Christmas Cheer. It is definitely because Jason was able to come home early from work today. He is so good with the girls and they anxiously await his arrival every day(almost as much as I do). Today he was home early enough to get Jess and then Cailyn out of bed. Wow!

Then we checked the mailbox and Santa had sent both girls a letter. What is better than that? So, we decided to write to him and leave the letter for him to read when he visits our house tonight. While Jason and the girls were busy doing that I made some banana bread out of our "nasty" bananas so we could leave some on Santa's treat plate. We spent some time outside as a family and then ate dinner. We decided that we were going to make Christmas Eve meal a casual, easy dinner and just had some pizza. When we were all done with that the girls got to open one present.

They were both so excited, they wanted to open all their presents, but Jason and I are sticklers for the "don't open 'til Christmas" rule. So, alas they have to wait. We loaded up to look at Christmas lights around town. We discovered a new neighborhood that is beautiful, but not as many lights as I would have liked. Oh well, when we got back we got Santa's plate ready and toasted the evening with some egg nog(yummy!).

Overall, it was a great evening. I hope that tomorrow goes just as well. I still can't believe that it has already come. Where did the time go?

I hope that everyone is having a great Christmas. We love you all and wish we lived closer to everyone. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

I just can't believe that Christmas is 2 days away. Part of me is excited and the other part of me wants to just stop time so I can get in the right mood. I feel like life won't slow down to truly enjoy it. When I was teaching there was a distinct difference the week before Christmas because my schedule changed and I was suddenly spending more time at home with my family. This year nothing is different except that our advent calendars are still progressing. I wonder if it will feel different tomorrow night, or will it still feel like another 'normal' day is soon to come.

I was talking to a good friend of mine last night and she expressed her dread of having to travel and spend time with family. Now she has 2 small children and anyone who has small ones can relate, but I couldn't help feeling jealous that she will be close to family. We talked about that for a while and we both saw the irony in the situation, but I still wish I could be with family this year no matter how difficult it is to travel with little ones.

Regardless of what you and your families are doing this Holiday, I pray that everyone can feel of the love of our Heavenly Father and His precious gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas!

Emotional

I am down today and I don't know why. It started last night and is lingering into today. Most of the time if it starts at night it will be gone after a nights rest, however, I am not sleeping well so I am now more frustrated in the morning than I was the previous evening. It makes me mad at me for being impatient with others(which is typically my family because that is who I am around), but when it happens I don't care until the feeling goes away. I am a pretty moody female, but I should have control over that, right? It is not like I am new to these hormones.

I guess sometimes I just need some time to myself that isn't just sleep(but I need that too). But, when I go to ask for that time, I feel selfish because I know that Jason needs it too(and what would I do anyway). I feel trapped sometimes in this predicament.

I also am missing close friends. I have several, but most of them are from Waco or college and none of them live here(and they work during the day so I can't call them). All of the people in our Branch who I would hang out with all live in another town(which is long distance) and it is difficult to meet up with them.

I am itching for adult interaction. I usually get plenty with Jason in the evenings, however, Wednesday night he had to be at church(after going to a work dinner party) and last night he went out with the missionaries and wasn't home until 9:30. I know, I know, this is just sad and pathetic that I can't handle 2 nights without Jason when many other women deal with weeks or months without their husbands, or are single moms. I am a pansy when it comes to taking care of my children alone. I have been spoiled(thank you Babe).

So, today I thought that I would try and find some kids to play with and some adults to talk to(considering that Friday is a long day for Jason at work). I am a last minute planner and have been having trouble finding someone to meet up with. But, as I am writing this, I just received a phone call from a sister in our Branch and they will meet us for lunch. I am ecstatic. She is really fun to talk to and my girls LOVE their girls(and their son too). I know that it will be crazy there, because it always is, but it will be completely worth it. Now I am counting down the minutes until we leave. I hope that this play date will take care of my blues. I need to be nicer to my children and especially my husband(he does so much for me and the girls). It would nice if he came home to a happy family(especially at the beginning of the weekend).

As I have reread this to make sure it truly expresses my feelings today, I discovered that it makes me sound like an absolute baby. I need to look at my life and see the blessings(and there are MANY) instead of the struggles. I look at my girls who are so sweet. I don't have difficult children and I take that for granted often. How ungrateful am I? I have a loving husband who takes over when I am at my end(which happens more often than I want to admit). He is a faithful disciple of Christ(who leads our family well), a worthy priesthood holder(and willingly uses it), holds a temple recommend, he has a steady job which pays the bills, he works hard to finish his degree, and not to mention he is absolutely gorgeous(which works out because then his kids are beautiful). I have a home, food on my table, clothes on my back, and I live in a free country. I have a loving family(both extended and immediate). And most of all I have a loving Heavenly Father who sends His Spirit to comfort and guide me when I accept it. I have blessings that I can't even begin to count and here I am complaining about my life. I have more than most in this world and I know that those things come from Heavenly Father. Most of all at this time of year I need to look at the miracle of our Savior and His sacrifice for us. I need to share that love and kindness. I pray at this time(when I am down) that I can see my blessings and help others to feel of our Saviors love. I do know that our Savior lives and loves us. I know that he is aware of each of us and our struggles. I know that if we follow the plan that he set for us and use the Atonement which He provides for us in our lives then we can return to Him. I love my Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Amen.

Weekend in Waco

Disclaimer: I promise I rotated the pictures in the program, but for some weird reason it didn't work, so sorry for that inconvenience.
This past weekend was busy for us. On Friday night we had our Branch Christmas party(whew, am I glad that is over), but I managed to not get a single picture. I am sad about that, but there was no way around it. The girls and I spent almost the entire day decorating. I had spent 2 1/2 days making the rolls for the party(yes, I agreed-even volunteered to make them-23 dozen rolls). By the time the party rolled around the girls were more than tired of being there and Jessica was almost unbearable(Jason did a good job watching her though-thank you babe!).

Saturday we headed to Waco to visit Dad. Lynnae and her family were there and that night we drove to Lake Belton to see the lights in BLORA. They were beautiful, but the tour was a little longer than we were prepared for. You live and learn. I somehow managed to not get a single picture there either. I know, I know, how pathetic.

Sunday morning, Jason offered to watch Cailyn, Jessica, and Becca while Lynnae, Dad, Maycie, Keaton and I went to Killeen to see Mom's grave. Dad had been told that they hang wreaths on each headstone and we wanted to see it. It was truly beautiful. A touching and difficult experience. Many tears were shed as we tried to believe it could be real that she is gone.

We went to church with Dad when we got back and then after church we ate some yummy "Roast Beast". Dad and Memema opened their gifts and then we loaded the car to come home. Dad has a manger lit up in his front yard, and before we put the girls in the car they wanted to kiss baby Jesus goodbye. It was so sweet I had to take a picture of it. It is moments like that that make me appreciate my life. Children are so sweet and pure. They truly are a gift from our loving Heavenly Father. I just pray I can think that as they deliberately disobey me or throw the next fit.

I know this picture is fuzzy, but it was too cute not to include it.

A quick update

I have had several people ask why I haven't updated for so long, so here it goes. My excuses I mean.

Reason #1: I really dislike using the laptop. It is not convenient for me(despite what others may think of them).

Reason #2: My camera is topped off with pictures and I haven't figured out how to get rid of them. With the other computer I would just delete them when I uploaded them, but I haven't figured that out on this thing yet. Plus, when I do upload them, the computer does something with the pictures on the camera locking them on there, but we are unable to view them with just the camera. Weird stuff. I know that I am technology challenged, but come on.

Reason #3: When I have time to blog, I find other things that feel better to do(play with the girls, bake, read, sleep, etc.)

So I am sorry that I have not been posting lately, but I will get better when we receive our new computer. I am way excited.

In the meantime I will share some of the latest happenings.

Thanksgiving:
That morning Jason headed to Weatherford to play in the traditional "Turkey Bowl" with the missionaries. This year marked the 14th year the Weatherford Ward and Hudson Oaks Ward have challenged each other. Our Branch was invited to play also. The guys played for at least 2 hours and I think that I am still hearing some complaints about sore muscles. I guess the guys are older than they want to admit.
While he was gone the girls and I were finishing the last baking necessary for the feast and loading the van. When we got home we loaded up and drove to Arlington to my Aunt Kathy's house.
All 3 of my mom's sisters were there with their husbands, Memema(mom's mom), Dad, Lynnae and her family, many cousins and their kids(if that applies), and us. There was plenty of food, people, and emotion. It was pretty jarring to walk into Aunt Kathy's house and see all of her Christmas trees up.
You see, every year for the past I don't know how long my Mom and her sisters exchange Christmas trees. They would purchase 5 trees so that all of them would have the same ones. This past summer as we were cleaning out closets at Mom and Dad's house we found a bunch of trees that Mom had purchased over the years and either forgot about or was saving for this year. She requested my Aunt Dinah to take them and deliver them for her. So, since my Aunts were going to be there together for Thanksgiving they decided to give their trees then. They(including me, Lynnae, and Memema) went into a room and shut the door and proceeded to open gift bags. Every year there are beautiful, unique trees. They opened mom's trees last and it was extremely hard to watch. She LOVED this tradition. I am so glad that they have these trees to remember Mom. It will be like having many little pieces of her there every year at Christmas as they unload their 15 tubs of Christmas trees(which is not much of an exaggeration if any at all).
That was probably the hardest part of the day. There were many times when I would look around to see the activities around the house and feel the loss all over again, but then also feel the gratitude of my life and that I have the Restored Gospel that will allow me to see her again. I will have her forever! That is what I am most thankful for this year, Eternal Families!

Jason had to work the next day(which traditionally is the day we set up our Christmas stuff), so we waited until Saturday to pull everything out. I love the process of setting things out and getting everything ready. However, I guess I girls are not old enough to appreciate it yet and showed very little interest in it. So, the job was cut short and we have been setting stuff up little by little. I think we are there now, except for the presents under the tree that will collect over time.

Jason's Birthday:
December 1 was Jason's 29th birthday. We are technically getting the computer for his birthday, but that isn't here yet so the girls and I got him a 32" fiber-optic Christmas tree with the trimmings. It was originally planned for his office, but he preferred it to be home in the play room(because we set up the big tree in the family room). He was surprised and happy about it. 2 days prior to his birthday he wanted to buy it and even almost had it in the basket, but I refused to let him buy it with some lame excuse the it was "frivolous"(he was a little upset with me). So, needless to say he was happy to see it.
We celebrated his birthday with some homemade lasagna and banana cream pie. We had the missionaries over and had fun talking and laughing with them. Overall it was a good day.

Pregnancy:
I have definitely entered the 3rd trimester. I have leg cramps at night preventing me from getting very good sleep. And, every time I roll over I have to go to the bathroom. And, I am a belly sleeper and am growing weary of sleeping on my arms. I count the hours to nap time and frantically get to bed after laying Jessica down. That is my only chance. Cailyn has been taking naps with me lately only because she is under the weather, but she is really good about letting me sleep while she plays(I guess she is old enough to know that I am CRANKY without sleep). I feel baby David move often throughout each day. It happens most consistently around 2-3 in the afternoon and 9-10 at night(probably because I am most calm at those times of day). The last doctor appointment Cailyn and Jessica went with me. Cailyn was very excited to hear David's heartbeat. All of the check-up went very well. They said that his measurements are textbook, AKA perfect(I am the mom I can say that). I have started to forget about the difficulty of labor, delivery, and recovery because I am getting ready to have my body back(if that is ever possible for my body type). I am ready to be able to twist to look behind me, get up off the floor normally, and get off the couch without help. Oh yeah, and I am ready to see David and look into his eyes, cuddle him with my arms, and most of all see the excitement in Jason's eyes as he holds his son. I really hope that he looks like Jason. That he has his strong dimples when he smiles and his gorgeous eyes that are so expressive. I wonder if he will be identical to his sisters(with obvious differences) or if he will look totally different. These are the things that bring me the most excitement as we wait for his arrival. The only thing that brings me great heartache is that I cannot share my experiences with my Mom here. That will be the hardest part. I am extremely grateful for a wonderful mother-in-law who is a fabulous grandma(Lita) and is so aware of others' feelings. She is so patient and gentle. I know that I will have to lean on her often throughout the years. I love you, Mom.

That is all I have for you right now. It will probably be a while for the next one too, sorry!