Getting CLOSE

Yesterday at my last prenatal Dr. appointment, my doctor prescribed antibiotics for whatever sick crap it is that I'm dealing with right now. The only "pills" I've taken over the course of this entire pregnancy, INCLUDING during a sinus infection and allergy season have been my prenatal vitamins and the occasional TUM for heartburn. I feel bad having to take this stupid medicine now that I'm only less than a week from delivery. I hope it doesn't create any problems. Speaking of being less than a week away, I told Jeff yesterday that it STILL doesn't seem real to me. I can't imagine the 8-10 diaper changes/day, the round-the-clock feedings, the tiny cries. I am ready as I can possibly be in the tangible sense of having all the clothes, blankets, etc. all set to go, but my brain! My brain cannot get to that ready place and it's startin' to freak me out. Why can't I wrap my head around the reality of this? Part of me wonders if it's because 3 kids PLUS the holidays PLUS the last 9 months of college courses PLUS tending to home hasn't left any time for mental preparation. Then, another part of me wonders if it is a type of defensive mechanism that my unconscious has cooked up to "protect" me from any bad news that could come. Knowing me, it is probably a pretty even dose of both of those things. It was weird leaving the dr.'s office yesterday without having to schedule a return appointment. You'd think that would've helped it sink in!? Four and a half days to go now. I think I'd like to have a night out with Jeff to talk before then. Maybe he can give me a blessing too. I'd really like that.

Sledding

We finally got enough snow to play in it! Yesterday, Monday, January 2, 2012 was the last day of Christmas vacation and the kids went out to sled once during the mid morning and once about 4:30 as it started to get dark. There were a couple of accidents, (Will knocked a loose tooth to the point of bloody and later was able to pull it out and Emily gave herself a black eye!), but that didn't stop them from continuing to go back for more cold, white fun. I love that they can play together and I love that they can sled in the backyard! For those reasons, it was a pleasure to serve them each a hot cocoa when they came in!

Christmas cookies

Sugar cookies, or "Christmas cookies" as Jeff calls them are his FAVORITE cookie. He wanted to pick some up at the store the other day, but I told him that I would make some for him at home. Afterall, I had all the ingredients and I knew that the kids would enjoy helping. Oh, boy. Yes, they sure did! We used Gaylynn's recipe and they turned out perfectly! Topped with a little white almond flavored frosting and some red and green sprinkles and I became the cookie hero of the world! I probably should have waited until closer to Christmas to make them, so I could've avoided the possibility of having to do this again, though!

Christmas Magic

When I peeked into the living room the other night to see what the kids were up to, I found this... all three of them voluntarily sitting next to each other without poking or irritating each other, snuggled up in their own blankets watching "The Polar Express" that was on tv that night. I love Christmas magic!

Concert

The kids had their Christmas concert last Tuesday. It's always fun to go n' listen to each grade do a couple of special numbers that they've been practicing for weeks and weeks. They both did very well. Jeff and I had to sit in pretty cruddy seats, though, so no real good pictures of them performing. Jessa sang a song about being the star of the Christmas show and being a little snowflake. Will sang a song about 'Joy to the World- my shopping's done!' and afterward we all enjoyed the cookie and brownie refreshments. Yum!

Sparkles

My picture doesn't do it justice in the least and I'm not an experienced enough photographer to be able to capture it appropriately, but my dear 3 year old was tickled pink when she noticed the "sparkles" in the grass one morning on our way home from taking the kids to school. It really was pretty and did my heart good that she appreciated God's winter art. ♥ When we got out of the van, (and it was COLD), she asked if she could touch some. Though I was looking forward to getting back in the house to warm up, I paused for a couple of minutes so she could explore these diamonds in the grass. Like trying to catch a rainbow, the minute she got close to a "sparkle", it was "gone". :) Such wonders! As long as I'm sharing an Emily story- I have to record Emily's word. Each of my kids has had a word that they have said kindof goofy when they were about Emily's age. Will called ketchup, "Chep-it". Jessa couldn't say her brother's name, Will, so she called him, "How" for quite awhile. Emily's word is "Poot-frints", (footprints). It just cracks me up. I probably should correct her, but it's just so darn cute that I'm not ready for her to say it right yet! :)

Visit with Santa

Merry Christmas Time! We asked Santa for a baby GIRL, (Emily), a violin, (Jessa) and a Nintendo DS, (Will) :)