Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Changes
December...Christmas...New Years...and beyond...
Christmas came and went…not quite how we expected it and most certainly not how I had envisioned in 9 months before or even 3 months before…but its came and went all the same. I couldn't help but feel a bit empty with no baby in my arms or in my belly - but I was thankful for the one I do have, who is constantly growing and changing and of course challenging us! Of course I was thankful for many other things - as I see each day how blessed we are!
My FIL and my BIL and his family were away, so it was a small crowd-as far as local family goes-for Christmas here. My dad and step-mom were able to join us, which was nice, since it had been almost 2 years since they were here last. Even that didn’t go quite as planned though, as they hit some ice and rolled their truck on their way here. Thankfully they were near where two of my dad’s siblings live and were able to get help and have a place to stay. They ended up getting here 24 hours later and a few items lighter than they had planned. Thankfully, neither of them were seriously injured and passers-by stopped to dig them out of the snow and call 911, etc. The truck had been fairly full, they were bringing me some of my belongings and a couple dressers along with some home schooling stuff and odds and ends. In the end, besides the two dressers (which were completely destroyed) there wasn’t much of value that went missing or was destroyed. I was pleasantly surprised that the butter churn, sewing machine and even the cheese press made it here without any serious harm and even the large cube shaped tack box I had made in my teen years when I was showing sheep didn’t even break open!
The visit was not quite as long as had been expected, but we were thankful that it was able to happen at all! We enjoyed Christmas brunch with my MIL, SIL and “The Bears” as my step-sister has taken to calling our parents. Then we opened presents and played games in the late afternoon we enjoyed Christmas dinner together too.
Lorelei got quite thoroughly spoiled, with the highlights of the day being her play kitchen (from my grandparents), complete with play food and dishes(I found them mostly at the second hand store) and pots and pans(from Trevor’s mom). Aunt Julie contributed many hours of fun in the form of a toy shopping cart and “The Bears” further encouraged her maternal instincts with the addition of a doll stroller.
Over new years we had friends come over to enjoy our sledding hill and it was a great day! This past weekend we finally had all the family together for our family Christmas here, Lorelei got another dolly and a doll cradle, among other things, so she enjoys tucking her multiple dollies into the cradle and singing “jesus love me, YETH jesus love me….” and rocking them to sleep. She’s doing this right now actually! It’s very cute to watch her learn and grow and her vocabulary is expanding daily. Enjoy some pictures from the past month or so -
Lolo and her new kitchen.
Sledding on our hill and the rather rough skating pond.
Loading up the sleds
Three boys loaded and ready to for a push
Playing blocks with Papa
My SIL “Aunny” Julie and Jake, who she was dog sitting over Christmas
Christmas PJs and toys, waiting for Papa and Grandmama
Jake’s bed is pretty cozy, see mom?!
Our new dog – Buddy
Christmas goodies that I made…getting packed up to send to the family!
I was sorting “grow-into” clothes and Lolo was playing dress up – here she is wearing, Jammies with a bikini top, a rain coat and cowboy boots and apparently going shopping with a gift bag.
Lolo wanted to dress “Bear” up in all her winter gear….daddy propped bear up against the wall when he was done…and Lolo propped herself up too!
