Skating & Singing

 I took a day of vacation yesterday and although the day was busy and my children are adjusting to being on Christmas break (Hello fighting) the day was really enjoyable.  I took my boys, Faith and Curtis ice skating.  My friend, Sarah and two of her boys met us there.  Look at Faith right in the middle of all the boys.  She never seems to mind, bless her. 

 I can only imagine what these 5 boys are saying to each other, "If we take off from this angle at this speed, we might be able to go around this corner faster than a speeding bullet."

 Last evening Laura and I went to my dads nursing home for "Socks for Seniors" night.  This is our 3rd year doing it and probably our best year.  We both seemed a lot more organized for it this year.  We collected 116 socks so that every resident of the home receives a pair of socks.  We sings carols to them and pass out socks.  We also get cards donated to us from a business in town and we get 116 cards signed by kids within our school district.  As you can imagine the residents really enjoy it and my dad loves it; once he can accept the fact that he's up past his bedtime.  Ha.  We had a smaller group this year but this was the first year that although we did it during xmas break, it was a week night and many adults still have to work the next day.  We had just enough kids though to make it special for the residents.

 Even my dad gets into the Christmas spirit.  Jay was in charge of pushing his grandpa around during the evening.  By the time we got ready to leave, Jay whispers to me, "I have sweat in places I didn't know were possible."  Ha.  The nursing home is always HOT and pushing around grandpa Brad is no easy job - hence Jay's expression below. 

Another Socks for Seniors night was successfully done.  I really hope this is something Laura and I can keep doing.  It's also something that is special to my sister and I as it's a way of doing something nice for our dad during this time of year. 

My Christmas Season

Christmas is only 3 days away.  As usual the entire month of December flew by but this season was different for me.  I was more intentional in how I organized my time.  Last year I was so busy and so overwhelmed and it didn't sit well with me.  My work load last year had a lot to do with it and that is something I had no control over.  I just kept treading water, very unsuccessfully by the way.  In years past illness has played a part in shutting my family down for weeks in December.  This December has been different.  My work load has been manageable and illness has not struck my family (so far, knock on wood).  My shopping was done weeks ago and my wrapping was finished days ago.  My Christmas cards were mailed out the first week of December and I was able to make peppermint cup cakes for my friends and neighbors.  I made a red velvet cake for Jay's teachers and I was able to perform three acts of kindness this season.  This month I used my last 2 days of vacation.  I went to Nick's Christmas program at school and helped with his class xmas party.  Today I'm using my last day of vacation and taking my boys, Faith and Curtis ice skating.  I am loving every minute of this season and this year when Dec. 26 comes along, I really will be sad to see it end. 

Nick's Christmas Program

 My mom and I look forward to the school Christmas program every year.  After this year, I'll only have two more left.  However, I've figured out that my friend, Erin, has a 3 year old so I may have to come and see Natalie perform for years to come.  This year there was a new music teacher and she had big shoes to fill and boy did she fill them!  She did a wonderful job and added some new touches to the program that everyone seemed to enjoy.  She played the piano, the kids performed from the bleachers and the older kids performed little skits throughout the program.  The picture above is Nick's class.  It's not a good picture and you really can't see Nick but I tried.  At least you get the jist of it. 

 After the program Nick had his class Christmas party.  He and a few of his friends even got their picture taken with Santa. 

And Nick's Christmas angel this year is Mrs. Westerfield!  What a wonderful 3rd grade year he is having.  What a blessing! 

Life with Cole......one year later

 Cole became a part of our family on Dec. 27, 2013 so here we are nearly one year later.  There was certainly more of an adjustment period with Cole.  Mike describes him perfectly.  Mike likes to compare Cole to a fraternity brother.....a college boy with really good intentions but no manners and a really" DUH" demeanor.  You will often hear all of us saying, "Cole, come here ya big dope."  He's obsessed with food, he eats his own poop and Copper's too, he has no concept of personal space and he's down right obnoxious but even with all those character flaws, one look at the picture above and you'll know why we've kept him as a permanent part of our family.  Cole LOVES Nick and Nick loves Cole.  It took awhile to get that point.  In the beginning Cole annoyed Nick but over time Nick has truly warmed towards his dog and the two of them are like Jay and Copper, two peas in a pod. 

 Despite Mike's frustration with Cole, he enjoys him and Cole has provided our family with a lot of laughs through the year.  He's like an old man who doesn't know he's funny.  Cole perches (hence the picture above) while Mike pets his neck.  He loves it.  Cole has been known to literally fall over from being petted.  He's like one of fainting goats.......all of the sudden he's sitting and the next thing we know he's on the ground! 

And I just threw this picture in, just because.  I thought it was super cute of Jay and Nick........Mike has a bit of a cheesy/fake grin but I like it anyway. 

Taking one for the team

I debated whether I should title my blog "Taking one for the team," or "Mike's endearing qualities."  I opted for "Taking one for the team," but you'll see why the two titles go hand in hand.  Our family is heavily involved in basketball right now.  Jay is playing, Nick is playing and Mike is assistant coach for Nick's team.  What am I doing you ask?  Driving all over central IL to go to games and putting on weight from sitting in the bleachers.  Our challenge is deciding which parent is going to which game.  This makes it very difficult for Mike because he's committed to helping with Nick's team so Mike has missed several of Jay's games (and I've missed several of Nick's) because Nick either has a game on the same nights or practice.  We don't spend a lot of time thinking about it because it is what it is.  I like to joke that Jay is taking one for the family this basketball season.  Although Mike never coached Jay's teams, he rarely missed a practice and often times would take Jay early so they could practice together.  Now it's Nick's turn.  The past year has been difficult for Nick which in turn was hard on Mike and I.  The ship has finally started to veer and head in the right direction and as any parent can imagine, that makes this mom and dad very happy.  Nick loves his dad helping to coach his team and although Nick's attitude was less than happy when he started basketball, his attitude has slowly improved.  I have had the pleasure of seeing my husband in a role that I thought I'd never see.  He never ceases to amaze me.  He has gotten to know all the boys on Nick's team and I've never heard him say a negative word about any of them.  He recognizes what skills they need to work on but he sees the potential in all of them which is exactly how it should be in third grade sports but as we all know, sometimes that isn't how it is.  It's all about winning and playing your best players.  I like Mike's philosophy.  He firmly believes that we have no idea what this group of third players will develop into (basketball wise) but there is something in all of them that can be developed to make them better.  Slowly but surely we've seen the team improve, enjoy the game more and playing as a team.  It's been a joy to see.  I wish Jay's season was going as well as Nick but the truth is, it's not.  My dear friend, Laura, gave me excellent advice regarding Jay's situation.  She said that although things may seem really bad, the truth is this experience might be instilling a sense of perseverance and commitment with Jay.  And this may be Jay's first real lesson in learning that life is simply unfair sometimes.

Happy 7th Birthday, Lauren

 The start of December begins with Lauren's birthday and honestly I can't think of a better way to begin the holiday season.  Lauren was born at 28 weeks, weighing only 2 lbs.  She's a testament to the power of God and His healing and her birthday reminds us of the most perfect gift in Jesus. 

 Lauren had a friend over and Kim invited our family for dinner, presents and dessert (of course).  On Lauren's actual birthday I went in to have lunch with her.  I loved it! 

This picture has nothing to do with Lauren's birthday.  We had one of those weekends where we didn't stop and I hate it when that happens but with two boys in activities, it happens.  Jay had a game yesterday and these three stoogies sat together.  This is Nick with Cole & Noah. 

Jesus never lets go

Last night I went to check Jay's phone and I found this as his screen saver.  It was the perfect end to a very busy day.