It is what it is

I'm sad to report that the family drama has continued and is now resulting in one of my cousins not attending Christmas this weekend.  It's such a shame that adults can't be adults...and it's also a shame that kids these days have less of a respect for their elders.  The combination of the two could lead to some unpleasantness, and I'm disappointed that one adult is acting as though we all need to choose sides.  Ah, the joys of family.

I also made my sister mad this evening, and I regret that.  I shouldn't have communicated via email...and I wasn't clear in what I was trying to say.  Hopefully she will understand and accept my apology.  We certainly don't need more family drama!

Thomas is beginning to make some poor teen oriented choices.  Oh goodness...here we go again!  Hopefully we can nip this in the bud.

Tonight is Robert's first dive meet of the season.  I'm anxious to see how he does.  He really wanted to swim, but the swimming schedule is ridiculously intense.  Robert also has finals this week.

This house is so looking forward to the two week break coming up beginning Friday.  Bring on the relaxation!!

It's a little hard to be in the spirit

Our weather is ridiculously warm here.  Tomorrow is supposed to be in the low 70's for Pete's sake!  Andrew and Robert are outside working in short sleeve t-shirts...in the middle of December!  It simply doesn't feel one bit like Christmas.

Family can also make it challenging.  I love my family more than I can put into works, but I was in tears earlier today.  The fact that the issues are on my dad's side of the family makes it more emotional for me...I can't help but feel some of this crap wouldn't be happening if Dad were here to handle things.  I also can't help but feel it is my job now, and I want him to be proud of me in how I handle things in my life, and how I deal with our family.  It makes an already emotional situation even more emotional...and that makes it challenging to get excited about seeing everyone next week!

Our saxophonist

Last evening was the first sixth grade band concert, and Thomas's debut as a saxophonist.  He happened to be seated right on the end of his row, so I was able to see him the entire time.  I just can't believe our little guy is all grown up like that!  He had been so excited for this day, and he loved every minute of it!  I just couldn't stop thinking about how grateful I am to be the mom of these three amazing humans!

Frosty fog

Our weather around here has been un-December-like.  Our high's are in the upper 50's and we could even set a record high on Saturday  While I enjoy warmer weather, I prefer my December to fall into Christmas and this isn't happening.  We've had crazy, crazy thick fog lately.  Friday evening I was driving home in the 10PM range, and while driving down roads I drive almost daily, I was completely disoriented and had absolutely no point of reference for where I was on the road.  It was unnerving, to say the least.

Saturday morning the fog continued, and it lead to a beautiful sight.  The frozen fog settled on everything and it looked absolutely gorgeous.  I took pictures of the fog on the cob webs and on the greenery...it was just so beautiful!

This morning it another very foggy morning.  I could tell it was foggy when the kids went out to the bus, and it's only become foggier.  Right now I can't see the bus stop, and earlier I couldn't see the house across the street.  I can now since it is lighter out, but this is some really heavy duty fog!

Seven years of blogging

I began this blog seven years ago today!  I don't know that too many are reading it now, or ever have, but I don't care one bit.  I love that my memories are recorded here...my children's childhoods, at least a part of them, are preserved for posterity.  That makes me so happy!

This time of year also seems to bring out a bit of their childhoods as well.  Catherine has dug out her American Girl dolls and is enjoying them again.  I can't explain how much I enjoy seeing that, even if for a brief period of time.  Thomas is also emotional about the Santa Claus thing.  His teacher informed the class that Santa wasn't real, and Thomas was heartbroken.  We asked him about him, and he tearily answered that he was convinced Santa was alive.  My little guy is absolutely magical!

I'm terribly emotional these days, and yet at the same time feel a sense of peace.  This is such a fabulous time of year!

Not my most favorite couple of days

We are currently in the midst of what are not my most favorite couple of days.  Andrew is off to Columbus with a school trip.  I really, really don't like it when he is gone.  I'm grateful that this happens so rarely.  I'm also so grateful to be so in love with my husband after all of these years!

Yesterday was too quiet

I couldn't get over how quiet it was in this house yesterday.  I so enjoyed having everyone around over the long weekend, and even though the bickering of the younger two could drive a sane person crazy at times, I really missed it all yesterday.  I am looking so forward to Christmas break and two weeks of hanging out!