The "blizzard"

Let me assure you, the blizzard we experienced this week was not.  In fact, it was absolutely nothing more than a regular snowstorm.  HOWEVER, I do acknowledge I am speaking only for my little town.  Out in the country, and one county over, yes, they can claim the "Blizzard of '12".  We can not, although we did see lots of snow, and the kids were even able to play outside.  I was very grateful that the snowsuit I had purchased last year for Robert was finally able to be put to use.  We weren't able to go sledding because the sledding hill is out in the country, and we just weren't willing to risk the flat, open country roads.

We are now a week into our break, with a week to go.  Technically, there are nine days left, but next weekend most of the normal activities of life resume.  This break has been the exact opposite of last year.  This has been one of the most  relaxing breaks I can remember.  Part of that was due to the snow storm which just wiped out some plans.  Such is life.  We have all enjoyed our week of relative unstructured and unscheduled time, and of course the holiday spent with family.  Next week, we are traveling to visit Andrew's family and ring in the new year with them.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate and not cause any problems!

One of my favorites!

Merry Christmas...I love the fact that this is also post #800!  Today was by far, one of my most favorite Christmas days.  Thomas is still young enough that literally every gift was a delight to him.  Catherine received a new American Girl Doll and she couldn't be more thrilled.  I was concerned that Robert wouldn't be happy with his gifts, especially since he's a teenager who sometimes lives in a "funk".  However, everyone seemed very pleased with their gifts, and I still love watching the magic of Christmas through the eyes of my children.

Our big family meal was hosted by my sister this year.  I must say, it was a really, really nice afternoon.  It certainly made the day more relaxing for Andrew and me not to have to worry about preparing a big meal or cleaning the house in preparation for guests.  We really all got to sit around and just relax and enjoy the day.  My sister was a very gracious hostess and made a really delicious meal.  My parents, both of my grandmothers, and an aunt were there.  It was really just a very nice day.

And in other big news, we are under a blizzard warning.  Never in my life have I ever been in an actual blizzard.  Well, technically I was alive for the blizzards of '77/'78 but I was sick and can't even remember a thing about it (including exactly when it happened)!  So this event shall be interesting!

Merry Christmas everyone...I hope the day was as magical for you as it was for us!

Christmas Eve

Christmas got off to a fabulous beginning yesterday.  We went to my grandmother's and everyone, with the exception of a cousin who has been assigned working Sundays, was able to be there.  The great-grandkids range in age from 17 to my little one who is almost 9.  It's so neat to watch the "kids" all interact and hang out.  It just doesn't seem possible that they've all grown up so fast.  I especially loved watching Catherine and Thomas who still get so excited about every gift they open, and who just can't believe that even Great-Grandma knew exactly what they wanted.  Robert was equally pleased with his gift this year because Grandma added extra cash to his since he had fewer gifts...the teenagers are tough to buy for!  We then came home and watched movies that had been presents and hung out some more.  And of course, Thomas had to put together his new Lego set he had received.  Today will be a rather quiet day, although we'll meet up with some friends for church later on, and we'll hand out the kids' gift from out of towners this morning so they can enjoy them.  Christmas is just so magical!!!!

The beginning of break

I have so very much enjoyed the beginning of this break.  I think because mostly, it is a break.  I am so very grateful for two full weeks off as a family.  It's been three years since we've had this at Christmas.  The last three years we hosted Christmas at our house, but this year, we are going to my sister's house.  So, I'm actually enjoying life and feeling as relaxed as I ever allow myself to feel.

Last evening we traveled to see some Christmas lights in a park south of here, then we stopped at Taco Bell on the way home.  I totally understand how not exciting that sounds, but honestly, we had a tremendously fun evening.  Today we've really just hung out, and this afternoon/evening my husband has done some baking for tomorrow's first Christmas at my grandmother's.  I love all of the various conversations I've heard throughout the day (minus the squabbling of which I've heard plenty) and I just can't help but feel tremendously blessed right now!

An unplanned day at home

Catherine, Thomas, and I are having an unplanned day at home.  Snow day!!!!  I'll be honest, I was a little surprised.  After all, last year there had not been so much as a one hour delay for school (except for the very unfortunate norovirus that struck our district in April) and it just seemed as though that might be the way it was going to be from now on.  There was a winter "storm" headed our way though, and everyone was talking about it at school this week.  I kept pooh-poohing everyone.  C'mon folks!  An inch or two isn't going to do a thing.  Let's be serious!  I probably would've been correct, except for the fact that we have 40-50 mph winds along with the minimal amount of snow.  In flat, rural Ohio farmland, it doesn't take much snow to have winds at those speeds cause a great deal of drifting and difficulties on the roads.  The phone rang shortly after 5 with our two hour delay.  My husband sent me a text at 7:30 to let me know that he and Robert had made it to their schools safely, but he commented that he had passed a road that was closed and suspected our schools would do the same eventually.  Sure enough, about 8:30 it was official.  A day at home!  I feel a little badly for all of the kids though.  It's the last day before break, and it's always such a fun day at school!  Catherine was disappointed because her tone chime choir was supposed to perform at the school today along with the 6th grade choir and band.  Cinnamon rolls, playing in the snow (as much as one can play with very little snow and blustery winds) and some time on the wii has helped to soothe her, and make her forget about it though!

And now, two full weeks off for the holidays.  Life is absolutely wonderful!

Just my little guy and me

This afternoon it is just Thomas and I hanging out at home.  Catherine is with my sister for a girls' day, which I'm sure is going to be magical for her.  They are seeing a production of The Nutcracker then my sister is taking her out for a nice dinner.  Andrew and Robert are at baseball practice, and then are having dinner with the team.  Not overly thrilled that baseball has become almost a "year round" sport, but such is life.  Andrew and I were discussing this morning how we weren't really going to see each other much today, but both agreed we prefer this life to the alternative.  Only too soon it will be so very quiet around here again, and I'm just not ready for that yet.  Thomas has worked on cleaning his room (an on-going process with him) and has been creating various art "masterpieces" with the rest of his time.  It's still pretty quiet since it's just the two of us, but I still love hearing the occasional, "Mom, look at this!"  Makes my heart full!

Tragic

As with every family in America right now, our hearts, our thoughts and prayers, our tears, are with the families of the school shooting in Newtown, CT.  I just can't wrap my head around it, and for that, selfishly, I'm grateful.  But there are so many people who have no choice but to attempt to grasp it because it is their new reality.  I was subbing yesterday and the principal came in to tell me the news.  I was immediately very grateful that thanks to the location of the particular classroom I was in, both Catherine and Thomas were each less than 100 yards away.  But of course Andrew and Robert were at their respective schools, and still a 45 minute drive away.  We were supposed to attend a birthday gathering for an acquaintance last evening, but decided that we wanted to be home and share some fun family time together.  Pizza and wings were ordered, and we watched The Cosby Show.  Before bed we hugged them each again, a little tighter.  Watching and listening to them last night was the greatest gift I've ever received.

Very proud of my sister

Last night I had the honor of being present at a ceremony where my sister was named "Young Professional of the Year."  I was so excited, and so very proud of her.  We were able to take the kids along, and both of my parents and my grandmothers were there as well.  I was also very proud of my self for not shedding any tears, but it wasn't easy.  One of my grandmothers mentioned to my sister how proud she was of her, and that she knew the Grandpas were proud of her also.  Loved ones no longer with us are very much missed especially at times like these.  I watched my sister embrace my father, and I was so very, very grateful that he was able to be there to see it.  I know he wouldn't have missed it for anything, but I also know that he'll need to rest quite a bit today.  The way the ceremony is presented, they sneak the family in the back just as the award presentations are being made.  That way, the recipient is not "tipped off", but the family is able to see the actual presentation.  We then retreated as a family to the lobby, so as not to disrupt the other presentations, and also so my father could make a quick escape before throngs of people wanted to greet him...he just doesn't have that in him.  The kids were so very excited for their aunt and I was just grateful for the it all!

A much needed quiet morning

This morning is a very much needed quiet morning.   Andrew has taken the children to church, and I am enjoying the peace and quiet of the morning.  It's a very ugly morning weather wise, with some pretty hard rain coming down, but I'm nice and dry inside the house.  I've turned off most of the lights except right here at my computer, and I also have the Christmas lights turned on as well.  It's just such a lovely morning in my little corner of the world right now, and I'm cherishing it!

Why I haven't written

I'll be honest, I haven't really wanted to write lately.  It isn't that there hasn't been anything going on...quite the contrary.  Rather, it's the fact that life has just been rough right now, and I'm not entirely sure I want to really remember the last few weeks.  I want this blog to be uplifting, and lately life just hasn't felt that way.

Monday evening we attended the funeral visitation for Grace.  Honestly, it was one of the worst things I have ever experienced.  I was such a blubbering idiot through the line.  Strangely enough, Catherine never cried...not one tear.  However, she was an absolutely awful person to be around.  I think her emotions came out through anger, not through tears.  I on the other hand, have shed plenty of tears.

We are also finding that parenting a teenager is tough.  I mean, REALLY tough.  There seems to be nothing I can say or do to make him respond with anything other than a grunt...although I do suppose I get the occasional whine out of him.  I've tried talking to him, I've tried hugging him, I just don't know what to do anymore.  I suppose on the upside that at least things seem to be going okay between Robert and my husband, so he hasn't completely cut off the lines of communication.

I just can't believe that December is upon us already, but I'm looking forward to hopefully sharing some lovely days together as a family!  I think we need it right about now.