Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Goodbye 2008

Can't wait to see what you have in store for us 2009!!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Sick...Still

A conversation with my sick daughter.
Jordyn (waking up from her nap extremely miserable) Mommy, I sick.
Me: Oh honey, I'm so sorry you're sick
Jordyn: I sad
Me: Oh my little Love, I'm so sorry you are sad. I wish I could make you feel better. Do you want to take a bath? Hot steamy baths always make me feel better.
Jordyn: Yes. Dank you Mommy. Dank you cake care me.
Me: Oh honey, you're welcome for taking care of you!!!

Sunday, December 28, 2008

SICK

All of us on better days
We're sick
He's sick
She's sick
Anyone want to come take care of us?

Stow High Reunion

A few of us Stow High Grads met out on Friday night and honestly had the time of our lives. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. It was so much fun to reconnect and play. Thanks Rissa for putting it all together. I cannot wait until the next time we can have that much fun!

Chris flirting!
Jacqui and Maryann
Ryan entertaining all of us
Jodi and Charissa putting everyone to shame
Jodi, Me and Rissa
The crowd of non singers
Me giving Rissa some love
Me and Carolynn
Dave (what a crack up) Jacqui and Rissa
Me and Jacqui (kicking it old school)

Saturday, December 27, 2008

A Partridge in a pear tree

Jordyn pushing her baby in her new stroller with her new bike helmet

All of our stockings hung with care
Connor playing his new trumpet whike wearing his new bike helmet
Connor loving the train set
Jordyn wearing her new sweater and her new tiara while riding her new princess mobile
Papa receiving our favorite gag gift
Merry Christmas!
What a wonderfully beautiful day. The kids slept in until 9:30! Patrick and I were able to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee with each other before the madness began, and then Connor popped out of bed ready to find his most favorite present! The kids were so gracious and adorable with each gift. Jordyn was so delicate as she unwrapped the beautiful paper, and then exclaiming "Open Me!!!" To each and every present she received! Connor just kept hugging me saying, "thank you Mom. I love you so much. I love my presents." It was more than I ever dreamed. This is such a perfect age for both of them. They have enjoyed this Christmas season so much, and I just feel so lucky to have them as my little loves! Connor received his most anticipated telescope and his trumpet, and Jordyn got her baby stroller and she loves to push her babies all over the house, but I do believe her Princess EVERYTHING made a huge hit! We were able to stay in all day and the people who wanted to visit came to us. It was fantastic! I feel so very blessed, and I am counting down the days until we can watch the magic start all over again!

2 Turtle doves

Twas the night before Christmas
Our tradition is to go to church, then off to Jiddos house to await Santa's arrival in his sleigh. He brings the kids their first gift of Christmas before they are off to dreaming of Sugar Plums. It is always so magical, and emotional for us, and when I say us, I mean me.
Me sobbing like a baby watching my kids cheer for Santa
Connor walking away with his gift
Jordyn getting her gift from Santa
Jordyn the, "Christmas Princess"
All is calm, All is bright

Twas the night before Christmas...

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

3 French hens




Last night we took the kids to Blossom to look at Christmas lights. Last year we were unsure if this would continue to be a tradition, but this year we are sure that this will continue to be a tradition in our home. Connor and Jordyn had so much fun looking at the, "Dwagon!! Wook at Dwagon" "Wook, Mom. Waindeer Where's Woodof?" "Wook, a Twain!!" We sipped hot cocoa ans listened to Neil Diamond sing Christmas Carols. Patrick and I love watching them enjoy life and are so excited to be able to share these family moments together.

Monday, December 22, 2008

4 Calling birds

Santa Reading Twas the Night Before Christmas
Jordyn Singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Connor doing the reindeer hokey pokey
(Check out the new "do")
The Gang

Today was Santa stories at the library. I feel so fortunate that I am able to do these kinds of activities with my kids. There are no riches on Earth that could take the place of these times with them. I feel so sad sometimes that Patrick isn't able to be there for all of these moments, but I know that the sacrifices we are making today will always be appreciated by them as they get older. As I type this, they are playing together and laughing as they sing Christmas carols.
I love my life

Sunday, December 21, 2008

5 Golden rings

Today, I drove around with the kids listening to Christmas music sobbing because The Christmas Season is almost over. I have had such a great month. These babies have been so much fun, and this week we still have so much fun in store! Tomorrow morning is Christmas stories with Santa at the library, then looking at Christmas lights while drinking hot cocoa in their sippy cups. (They are way excited about that!) Tuesday is arts and crafts for a last minute Grandparent gift. Wednesday is Church, then Santa will hand deliver the firsts gifts of Christmas. Then, it's here. Christmas will be here. Oh my heart is skipping beats.
PS: We took the kids to get their picture taken with Santa today. Too fun! I'll post the picture once we scan it in!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

6 Geese a-laying


Patrick and I feel so lucky to be given a second chance at the innocence and excitement of Christmas. To watch their eyes light up at each and every sign of Christmas is so beautiful and I am so thankful that I too have that sparkle in my eye again.

Friday, December 19, 2008

7 Swans a-Swimming

Tis the season to be flooded. Falalalalalalalala
Call my husband, "Get your tush home". Falalalalalalalala
Water flowing from J's window. falala Lalala Lalala.
Sopping wet and covered in icicles. Fa La La La La La La La La!!!!!!
I'm a drama Queen...Not a poet!


Thursday, December 18, 2008

8 Maids A-Milking

The Legend of the Candy Cane
A Candy maker  wanted to make a candy that would help us remember who Christmas is really about. So he made a Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus. Hard candy to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.

The candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus. It also represented the staff of the "Good Shepherd".

The candymaker then included red stripes. He used three small stripes and a large red stripe to represent the suffering Christ endured at the end of his life.

The candy became known as a Candy Cane - a decoration seen at Christmas time. The meaning has faded, but still gives joy to children young and old, whom Jesus loves and treasures.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

9 Ladies Dancing



I am truly grateful for the innocence of a child's soul!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

10 Lords a-leaping

Behold! The "Ghetto Angel"
For those of you who know Patrick and I well, know that Christmas and the meaning of Christmas means a great deal to us. And because of this I was just a tad obsessive about the tree topper. I wanted something sooooo special. Something so unforgettable that when our children have children of their own they would remember the ceremonious task of placing the angel a top the tree. When I was a kid, it was a big deal, almost a rite of passage. My Dad would lift Stuart or myself up to put the star or angel up. It really was a big deal! That said, I wanted our tree topper to be something special, to remind us of the beauty of Christmas, and why we celebrate. I wanted either a star or and angel, for reasons purely symbolic! I searched everywhere. Each and every store we went into, online, catalogs, but nothing seemed worthy enough for my Norman Rockwell mental image. Finally, Patrick and I saw an angel at Target. Not what we wanted, (I say we like he actually cared about our choice) but all the same she was pretty so I thought, well, until I find our "perfect" angel she will have to do. We bring her home, and place her a top of our creatively decorated tree to find that she plugs in and to our roaring laughter we see that her wings glow a beautiful fiber optic rainbow medley. Ever since, she has been know as our ghetto angel. It's funny how your perception of perfect changes through the years.

Monday, December 15, 2008

11 Pipers Piping

The kids and I miss Daddy. He is out of town today so we thought we would sit on the floor and take a picture of ourselves while telling a joke we thought he would enjoy. Jordyn found it funnier than anyone else! In fact, she rolled on the floor in laughter for 3 minutes so Connor and I had to chime in with our giggles.
You would think the wife of a designer would know how to take a better picture or at least touch up a shadow. Yeah, well...I don't. And for those of you who know me, what do you think my exact words were the second after I took the picture???

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Tag

Marie tagged me!
My fourth picture in my fourth folder in iphoto.Jordyn learning to ride a bike with Grandma!
I'll tag
Charissa
Jodi
Christine M

12 Drummers Drumming

Our church at Christmas
I recently found out the meaning of this song by one of my Greatest Friends Mommy's (Pamela Costa) Thanks Rissa for having such an informative Mommy!
From 1558 until 1829, Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a song to help the youth remember the churches teachings.

It has two levels of meaning:

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness ,Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control..

The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

On the 12th...ummm, 13th Day Before Christmas



12 Days before Christmas? How can this be? Here goes my first try at one of Marie's challenges! 12 photos a day leading us right into Christmas. I have three photos on my first post because, well frankly... I'm an over achiever! Oh yeah, I also didn't snap these ones myself! I needed Daddy's help to capture this moment.
Jordyn and I baked cookies together! Baking Christmas cookies is a huge tradition in our home, and we love doing it together. The kids love dumping the ingredients into Mommy's ginormous mixer and then watching it spin around. I think they equally love the part where they get to eat the cookie dough. And decorate! Last year Jordyn was too young to fully appreciate the cookie tradition. I had her there with me, but it wasn't as powerful as this year. She and Connor stand next to me on their chairs so excited for each ingriedient. As soon as Patrick pulled out the mixer Jordyn said "Mommy, get spoon." She needs to hold a spoon while I am cooking or baking in hopes that if I may faint she could swoop in and finish preparation! She has a Huge hero complex. This was not our first cookie baking experience of the year, but our 4th. It has been such a magical Christmas for us so far. While baking, the kids love singing Christmas carols and then watching the cookies come out of the oven. Watching Jordyn dumping in the flour and helping turn on the mixer just blows my mind. She is such a big girl. She is so amazing. She is so full of Christmas! Full of love, and so excited about all of our traditions.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

What's in a day?


I may not be good at crafting, but we had a ton of fun making Christmas ornaments today! We also baked cookies, sang Christmas carols, blew up balloons and searched the entire rain forest for a baby panda stuck in a cage. No worries! We found him behind the trampoline next to our front door.