Oh Christmas Tree

Yesterday was a snow day - no school. It was pretty nasty outside, but Ella and Jacob braved it for awhile and Christian too, but Callie didn't make it outside. She started out the day somewhat calm, but once she ramped up it was nonstop craziness.

The tree is just too much for her right now - she likes the lights, she pulls the plug, then repeat. She got a little shock pulling the cord once we think. She likes the tree - she threw everything in reach at the tree and then took bulbs off and smashed them on the floor. I'm hoping eventually she will simmer down and the tree will become "normal" to her. It's possible that won't happen, but it could be the Christmas miracle of the year.

The tree is up!

Well, we managed to get our tree up and the few decorations we have put out. We had Jonathan, Jill and Kara here as well as Mark and I to control the chaos it brings. Callie was gone, which was helpful.

It's always fun getting out the ornaments and remembering where they came from and such. Several of the kids have a "baby's first Christmas" ornament and it struck me again. Some of our kids were not here for their first Christmas, in fact at least two were in PICU -Pediatric Intensive Care - for their first Christmas due to their extreme prematurity.

So, we are making Christmas memories now - just decorating our tree. Now if it can survive Callie's ire - she threw a barbie doll and a book at it during the hour or so she was here to notice the tree. It's tough for her - everything is suppose to have a place and, really a tree in the house! She may have a point, hard to explain really.

Ah - Monday - Monday

It was a busy weekend. Chris turned 19 on Sat. and Mark and the big boys went out to lunch and a movie to celebrate. I baked a cake, which I left on the counter - bad idea. Mark came in to find Callie grabbing handfuls out of the cake. Ya, she's not suppose to have gluten - so it was a wild rest of the day. Thankfully, it was Callie and she can do no wrong in Chris' eyes :)

Sunday morning the kids all sang up front at church. They did well, but Callie started roaming, so I had to sneak up and get behind her on the risers and hold her in her spot. Amazingly, she didn't object or it could have been quite the scene. They were all awesome.

Tonight the plan is to set up the tree and decorations tonight. It will probably throw everyone off, but we gotta do it. Merry Merry!

Mom of Many

Check out this deal on Disney on Ice this week - Mom of Many

Funny start to the day

As we're trying to put together breakfast and such I hear Callie yelling "Mom Mom" from the living room. I round the corner to see her completely naked. Laughing I say let's get you dressed. As I open the door to her room, which she shares with Ella, I hear Ella say - Mom I couldn't do anything because I was naked too. I laughed and said, "Oh, Ella she just doesn't get it." Ella said, with a sigh, "No mom and she never will." We had a good giggle and then I thought - oh, please Lord I sure hope she does - get it I mean. I love those silly girls and my very understanding El-Bell - she sure loves her sister.

Now that there's snow outside - come inside and enjoy Disney on Ice next week for a reduced price. I think my princesses might enjoy it. You can't beat the price!

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Mixed emotions

Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions of my children's diversity. Jacob has had several experiences this year which have made us question whether it was some sort of racial harassment. It may seem obvious, but it isn't quite that simple.

Tues. he was hit in the nose at the playground making it bleed by one of his "best" friends. Then yesterday a little girl in his class - kindergarten mind you - said, thankfully in front of a staff member, "I'm going to tell my big brother to beat you up." Now, we homeschooled our first group of kids so maybe this stuff isn't unusual, but Ella is in 3rd grade and we've never had any of these issues with her.

My heart breaks for him that he has to deal with this stuff - for the rest of his life - just because he is a black child - and sooner then I will be ready - a black man. Mark and I both realize we can't possibly do that ourselves and are grateful we have friends and family in our life who can advise us. It's an odd spot to be in when you have to remind yourself to see these situations through a "racial" lense if you will. When you've grown up white in a primarily white community you just never think - I wonder if they said that, looked at me that way, hit me, pushed me etc. - because I'm white. I'm learning to do that for my kids, but am trying to walk that delicate line between being too easily offended or jumping on the - it's always about race - bandwagon, and being clueless to that fact that, yes it sometimes - lately, it would seem, often is about race.

Then last night Ella and I attended our third annual Black Nativity at Penumbra theatre. It is always so very uplifting and makes me so proud of the culture and history of my children - and how very grateful I am to be a part of their history as their parent. And so, although it makes me weary sometimes, I will press on because they have no choice and neither do I as they are my beloved children and I will do all I can to make them proud of who they are - because I most certainly am blessed beyond measure just being their mom.