A few final words...

Happy New Year's Eve! My how this year has flown by-- since I did a 365 project this year, I can instantly view my picture per day and see just how quickly time flies. Hard to believe this is the last day of 2011 and as such, this is the last "Will's words" post for 2011. I think you'll agree he's signing off the year with a bang, so to say.

12/16
M: Let's make breakfast
W: I don't want breakfast. I'm not hungry
M: Is that so?
W: I just ate a whole dinosaur!

12/19
M: There's no more hot dogs, sorry buddy.
W: Did you look on the bottom?
M: Yea, that's where I was looking.
W: Let me check. I have good eyes.

12/22
W: (while punching the couch) the internet is making me mad!
- I'm sure a certain 3 year old was not mocking his daddy-

12/24
D: Get to business (#2)
W: That business is in you
D: That makes no sense
W: It makes a little sense
...a short while later...
W: I wanna be like Spiderman 'cause he's awesome!
Daniel then tells me this comment and Will comes up: Does that make a little sense?
D: That makes perfect sense

Oh, this is all I wanted!!! (as he hugs me after opening a present...I think a pair of jeans oddly enough)

While playing with his toy laptop...
I'm working from home today!
and
Bye. I'm going to work! (packs the laptop up in his bag)

12/26
I don't want to be 4 mommy. I want to stay little. I don't want my birthday tomorrow
- I wish you could stay little too, but only 'cause I want these moments to last, I'm glad you're healthy & growing strong-

12/27
Excuse me but are you talkin about me?

12/30
While praying...
W: Thank you for me and giving me to my mommy & daddy
D: And thank you for our son
W: I love you Jesus. Amen.

I start to read Maggie a good night story when Will chimes in:
Hey! Do you wanna hear my story? Out of my mouth? A long, long time ago there was a sheep on a bridge. And he fell in the water and a dinosaur ate him! And the dinosaur fixed the sheep when he pooped him out. Is that gross?! You probably don't wanna hear that do you?
2nd story (to Maggie):
A long, long time ago a dinosaur pooped on his sister.

Thank you all for reading our adventures this year, I hope you come back in 2012, I'm sure there will be more to read! Happy New Year!!

Pam's Christmas

The evening of Will's birthday, we had a Christmas celebration with Daniel's dad, stepmom, all his siblings and all our kids. The night started with dinner, as they often do, and we ate up lasagna and/or ravioli, salad, bread and plenty of dessert. Each year we set up (heh, I didn't actually do anything, but am apparently including myself anyway) tables and chairs in the garage because there's plenty of space and Christmas lights line the ceiling. It's very festive. After dinner and Will's birthday we went upstairs for presents! The kids wear elf hats and with Pam's direction, help pass out presents...our son wore his hat for abooout 5 seconds and preferred receiving gifts to delivering them. So not my kid there, ha!! When all the presents were unwrapped, trash was picked up and the kids were winding down, we brought out stockings. Everyone visited for awhile but it was a work night (and we were heading home the next day) we said goodbyes sooner than usual.

I meant to ask where this picture was bought 'cause I'd like to get one, but got sidetracked

 In an unusual role reversal, this is the only picture I took of Daniel that night. And his head's not even in it! Sorry babe...

We had another great Christmas event and like all the others, went by too quickly. We're very blessed to have large, generous families. Merry Christmas!

Thankful Thursday - my children

Another obvious TT post, I know, but my cousin Rachel lost her son, Logan yesterday. He was such a sweet, smily baby boy and his life was much too short. Like, how do I even begin to fathom that, much less write about it? Even as close to losing Maggie as we were, we didn't. So I'm really taking stock of my blessings and that certainly includes my two beautiful children sleeping in their beds. The loss of life, particularly a loved one generally leads one to look introspectively and evaluate one's own life. And I can't think of one single reason to complain. You know, I got upset yesterday morning because I dropped one of my cookie tins and it dented. A tin! I mean, who cares!? Yes, many or most of us can get frustrated when silly things happen, but in the grand scheme of things what does it matter? It doesn't. Amidst all the struggles, grief, joy, love, pain & sorrow I can face daily as a human, I am surrounded by my loved ones; and what's more than that, I have an almighty saviour who came and died for my sins so that my struggles, grief, pain & sorrow would only be temporary- limited to this lifetime- but my joy and love would sustain forever. And for that I'm thankful.
Please join me in praying for this family, that they embrace the love of Christ, the only true source of comfort in this time of pain. That they surrender themselves completely to His healing and His love as they begin their long journey of mouring and healing.
Yes, I am so thankful for my children. That despite the challenge of raising them, they are here, safe and sound in our home, breathing, dreaming and a stone's throw from curling up in my arms.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4

Mom's Christmas

My siblings and I have been fortuante to celebrate Christmas with our parents and each other on Christmas Eve or Day every year. We all have commitments other days, but we're able to get together for our celebration on one of these days. We always start in the afternoon but the festivities last all day... we like to drag things out, I suppose, make the excitement last. Since Daniel and I came in town the evening of Christmas Eve, we were there for a big Christmas morning breakfast. Yum! My favorite meal of the day and even better when it's prepared by hands other than my own. Just sayin. But seriously, mom's pancakes are the best and dad's eggs are a big hit as well.

Mom and dad made Maggie a therapy table. It has a bench and handles on top so she can pull up from a sitting position and hold on with one hand while she plays with the other once she gets up there. Marliese mentioned this idea to me a few months ago and I ran it by my parents, so I'm very excited they decided to build it for us!

We start with lunch and though the menu has changed over the years, it's always delicious. Mom and dad do the main dishes and we all bring sides. Well, I actually just did dessert this year, but that's still a contribution. So after our yummy meal we all clean up and take our usual seats in the living room. Yes, we sit in the same spot every year.  My brother, Steve, and I usually pass out the gifts but I gave my spot to his son and sat on the sidelines this year. We start with youngest grandchild opening gifts one at a time so we all see what everyone gets. We do this one or two rounds...maybe even three, then let them go for it. After they finish and busy themselves with their gifts, the adults start. Youngest to oldest, we each open a gift 'til they're gone then we all watch mom and dad.

hiding from the paparazzi?

Maggie loves holding that lion piano from my parents.

She thinks she's such a big girl!

I love my hubby's sense of humor

 After presents it's time to bring out dessert! Then we all relax, talk and/or play games. Sad to see another Christmas go by so quickly but we had a great time!!

Happy birthday Will

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY SON! I love you so much my Will Will. I can't write an exhaustive list because there's so many things I love about you and being your mom but here's a few of my favorite nuances about my four-year-old Will: I love that you...

• have a heart for God
• love your little sister
• offer to help wash dishes because you really want to play in the soapy water
• ask for a bath just because you want to play with your guys in the water (as long as they don't have batteries, of course, which you always ask)
• after going to the dentist, you became VERY interested in caring for your teeth
• say turkey samich
• tell me you love me bery much
• tell stories about sharks under a bridge eating you in a bad dream
• always try to find a way to get to McDonald's (even though I don't like eating there or feeding you that food)
• love going out to eat
• enjoy having company and love visiting family
• challenge me as a mother and person EVERY day
• have such an imagination and creative spirit- always telling stories and playing little pretend scenarios with your toys
• call Joshua your brother and friend
• love to dance
• can entertain yourself with a toothpick and packet of sugar
• sometimes come downstairs after we've put to you bed (and you think you're sneaky) to tell me we had a big day, which is of course just an excuse to get out of bed. But I rather enjoy these little late night talks
• I love when you give me a give me a big hug just because you want to
• say amen after singing the ABC's
• are my son

4 years ago I was cuddling you in my arms and enjoying the sweet smell of your new baby skin, your sweet baby breath and your cuddly tinyness. You were so precious and handsome and little...so my nicknames for you were pretty obvious: precious (which turned into presh) handsome and little man or a combination of all three. It feels like yesterday but with the blink of an eye you're my four-year-old big boy now! You told me yesterday you didn't want to be four, you wanted to stay little and my sentiments are the same. I know growing up is all a part of life, but three sounds like a little boy and four just sounds so big. Still, I'm glad you're healthy, strong and a growing little man. So four years ago it was just me and you....daddy was still sleeping and now you have a mommy and daddy who love you and a little sister who just adores you to pieces.

Your 4th birthday
Today was cold and rainy, yuck. But your last three birthdays have been sunny and warm, especially for December so we've been fortunate. The weather, however, did not dampen your spirits and you got over not wanting your birthday real quick. You started your day sleeping in which is rare for you, then we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast -- you call it pancake place-- and stopped by Granny & Paw Paw's and G took you to see The Muppets at the movie theatre. When you returned to Grandma's we had your presents ready to open then you blew out a candle on your very own oversized cupcake.

You played with your toys for a little while then we packed up for your Poppa & Omi's for a birthday and Christmas celebration. We started with your birthday-- a set of cupcakes and another candle to blow out and even more presents! What a lucky boy to have two birthday celebrations in one day, and we haven't had your party yet. Just like last year, we decided to have your party on a different day but didn't want your day of birth to go unnoticed. This year, though, we decided to simplify things and have your party in January; I hate it for you, but it's a tough time of year to plan a party. Then Poppa & Omi wanted to do something for you as well, so you got two celebrations already!

Happy 4th birthday little man! I love you bunches and am so grateful to have spent four wonderful years with you. I pray for many, many, many more!!