Blessings and the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I can't believe that the triplets are 11 months old today. I am having a hard time grasping the idea that time has gone by this quickly. Maybe it is the sleep deprivation or just the chaos of every day life, but somehow, I feel like I have missed things....like the last 11 months! As I sit back and watch the boys playing right now, I can't help but think about all the blessings that I have in my life. My wonderful husband, my kids, my family, my friends. Those come first and foremost when I think of blessings. Then I move to health - mine and that of my kids and family - even with the colds and ear problems we are very lucky.

Christmas has always been a very special time of the year for me. It has always been about family and remembering all the good times. The last couple of Christmas seasons have been hard for me without my Dad. This was his FAVORITE holiday and his excitement about it was infectious. This was also the time of the year when he and I spent tons of time together. I would work with him over holiday breaks and we would plot and plan gifts for my mom. He played the role of Santa and I got to be the elf. They are memories that mean even more to me now that he is gone. Having those memories make it even more important for me to start making memories for my kids - even as small as they are. I want them to remember the holidays with as much excitement and laughter as I do.

Quick boys update - Graham is now walking with pretty steady legs. He still prefers to crawl because it is quicker but he is walking more and more. Here is a shot from his first attempts - Chase was super excited for him!

We started this season off with Chase's Christmas program at school. This is the first year he has been at a preschool where we got to be involved like this and what a blast! Chase and I practiced his class song J-E-S-U-S (sung to the tune of BINGO) for weeks. We practiced in the car, over the phone in front of different people just to make sure we would get it right. Well, the big night arrived and we surprised Chase to his great delight when my brother and his wife and kids showed up. Chase was over the moon and had a hard time concentrating on his part of the program once he saw his cousins!

We continued the festivities by getting our “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree. We have 2 trees in our house – a fake tree downstairs with all my expensive ornaments my Mom and Dad gave me over the years safely hidden in the front room and gated off. Then we have Charlie. We always get a small (less than 4 feet) live tree to put upstairs so that Chase can help decorate and enjoy a tree and its’ lights and decorations at night. This year we kept trying to figure out how to keep the tree safe from the triplets so we decided that the top of Rokky’s crate might just be the best place. So up it went! Here is a picture of the boys helping me put on the lights.

When looking at the logistics of the holiday, we realized that there was no feasible way to try to see everyone and open gifts and celebrate the day all in one 24 hour period. So plans were made and schedules created – you do remember triplets right? I LIVE on a schedule! It went something like this – Wednesday, Dec. 21 Meme and Popi come up from Winston to celebrate. Saturday, Dec. 24^th – Grandma, Mom-mom and Pop-pop came over in the morning to celebrate. Saturday, Dec. 24^th – evening Jason and I do our little exchange after the boys go to sleep. Sunday, Dec. 25^th – After seeing what Santa brought them, we leave the house at 8:30 AM with all kids in tow to drive to Winston to join the Liner family Christmas brunch and White Elephant exchange. Leave there at 2:00 pm to drive to Nana’s house to visit with her for a little while and do a gift exchange with cousin Milo. Arrive home that night and after dinner open gifts from Mom/Dad and brothers. Monday, Dec. 26^th – gift exchange with cousins Bise and Meredith. Tuesday, Dec. 27^th – gift exchange with Nana. Whew! I am tired all over again when I read this. No wonder the kids are all a little extra sleepy and crazed all at the same time.

Here is our Christmas Eve picture just before bed:

When I look back at this Christmas of firsts I can’t help but stop and think that this really is the most wonderful time of the year. While I honestly do try to stop and give thanks for all I have been blessed without throughout the year, it is in this special time of the year that it all hits home for me. Even with the loss of loved ones (I still struggle with the loss of my Dad), I am finally realizing that while it is okay to miss them, you still have to move on and make new memories for those who are still around. So I say to one and all, I really do hope that you had a Merry Christmas and that all your blessings are as wonderful as mine are! Here is to another fun and adventure-filled year. Time to welcome 2012 and all the opportunities it has in store for us.