I bring you good tidings of great joy

Clarence: Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?

I was feeling sorry for myself this morning thinking about my family who celebrated Christmas with my cousins, aunts and uncles… without me.  Feeling sorry for myself because Greyson couldn’t manage another morning without whining and complaining for no good reason.  Feeling sorry for myself because Mike’s new job takes him to Portland until Thursday.  Feeling sorry that I’m not flying home for the holidays, that there won’t be a white Christmas in Seattle, that my butt’s too big for my skinny jeans.

The good news is that I am capable of taking my head out of my big butt before I get so far up in there that I need anti-depressants or copious amounts of wine to get out.  My White Christmas quote at the top reminded me that there are families in this world, families that I know personally who would give anything to struggle with my daily trials and tribulations if it meant their loved ones could be here struggling with them instead of guiding them from above.

I’m still feeling sorry, but a little less so.

We sent Christmas cards to over 100 friends and family; just like we do every year.  This year, we received dozens and dozens back due to insufficient postage.  We re-stamped and resent but I fear some of them got lost in the abyss.  So, here’s the card.  We added a ribbon to make it look like an ornament. 

I’m excited that Christmas is only 6 days away.  I’m looking forward to the Christmas Eve service at church and I’ll work on my butt after I’ve had my fill of Christmas cookies, chocolate croissants and daily lattes.  Not yet.  Not yet. 

Everything Happens For a Reason

Everything happens for a reason.  Cliche, I know, but in my experience it’s pretty accurate.  I’m supposed to be in India right now (well, really, am I supposed to be since I’m not?)

I was en route to Baltimore earlier this week when I got the notice that our meetings in Bangalore had cancelled.  So, I changed my flight home and got back 4 1/2 days sooner than expected.  Talk about a gift!  I feel like I was given 5 extra days for Christmas; the most perfect gift at the most perfect time.

God had a plan; this I know for sure. On Saturday, a day I would have been at a party in Bangalore, Mike walked into the ER with stomach pains and I brought him home 10 hours later after an emergency appendectomy.  Talk about a whirlwind.  I’m just so thankful I was here.  Sometimes the best times come out of unexpected circumstances.  Sara picked the boys up for lunch on Sunday so that I could help Mike and he could get some much needed rest.  While he dozed, I made Christmas cutouts and when Greyson came home we decorated them during Graham’s nap.  It was peaceful and fun and this dialogue was my favorite:

• Me: “I’m having so much fun with you right now!”
• G: “Do you want to keep me forever?”
• Me: “I sure do”
• G: “Well, I live with you!”

I won’t lie; I was excited about India and I hope to make it there early next year. This might be the point where you ask if I’m crazy (I’m not) or wonder if my priorities are in order (they are) or question how I do it, why I do it and if I’m ever going to stop (I question too).

A professional working mom I know once said “Just remember, a happy mom means a happy family.  Whatever formula it takes to get you there”.

I’m a happy mom because I work. I’m a better mom because I work. Not all mothers feel this way and I respect them, I appreciate them and sometimes I envy them but I am not them. I am me. So I ask you to respect me. Appreciate me. Ask me for a play-date even if it’s in the middle of the week.  If I can, I will.  I have a great job with a great company and until I’m ready to throw in the towel, you needn’t do it on my behalf.  I’m a great mom; this I know for sure. Everything else I figure it out as I go.

So, what’s new?  Mike is recovering well.  It’s been all of 24 hours and although there’s some pain and discomfort and periodic sleep, he’s slowly starting to feel better.  Greyson’s on school vacation until January 3rd.  There was to be some skiing in his future but we might have to put a little hold on that; at least until Mike is up and around.  Graham is walking. He can stand from a sitting position without help and although he still prefers to crawl, he chooses to walk more often and he’s visibly proud when he’s doing it.  He’s also quite demanding, needy and thankfully very, very cute.  His #1 book right now is Goodnight Moon and #2 Brown Bear.  His favorite (and only) phrase is “all done”. 

I’m in bed with an under-the-weather Greyson right now so I’m going to sign off and enjoy the sound of his breathing snoring. Before his fever spiked, he drew this, his biggest obsession of the moment. I tried to get him to name the extra reindeer (I HAVE heard that reindeer reproduce quite well), but he started to tire. I’d be tired too after drawing 143 reindeer.

And a few more tidbits, just for fun…

 

GREY*isms*

1. “Oh my gosh. I don’t have powers to fly there.  I need to get powers to fly to heaven”
2. “I’m putting on a concert…(20 seconds later)…nevermind. It’s cancelled”

GRAHAM*isms*

1. “Ahh Dun”

We got our snow and we loved it!

You may recall I was jonesing for snow a couple of weeks ago.  The good news is, we got it.  The bad news is, it’s gone.  3 blissful days of snowy skies, snowy roads and snowy fun.  25 degrees and sunny.  Thanksgiving morning brought fat white flakes while we prepared the meal and watched Mike’s parents play with our boys.  The next day, it warmed up to 45 and has stayed there ever since.  My Christmas wish this year is for the snow to return on or after December 16th and I’d like it to stick around until after the New Year.  Then it can leave and we’ll start mowing our lawn in February and bragging about it on the blog.  Sorry Wisconsin.

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Happy Anniversary -11 blissful, argument-free years (ahem)- to my one and only.  I’ll refer you to last year’s 10-year anniversary blog for old pictures and sentimentality.  Mike got me an iPad but he’s terrible at waiting to give gifts so I’ve had it for a few weeks.  He picked out a pair of shoes for himself. They haven’t arrived yet. I think I got the better end of the deal, but he’s pretty excited about his shoes. 

What I love right now:

• Balsam-fir scented candles
• Christmas music (particularly Josh Groban’s rendition of Little Drummer Boy)
• My living room, at night, after dinner but before the boy’s bedtimes
• Mike’s bond with Greyson
• Graham’s belly laughs
• Christmas cards from family and friends

GREY*isms*

1. (to Mike) “I’ll tickle you until you pee in your pants”
2. After being asked to eat a few more bites of brussels sprouts, he shook his head and said “put it in my journal”.
3. After being asked, once again, to eat a few more bites of brussels sprouts, he said “that’s not appropriate”.