Christmas

This Christmas was perfect.  It was so laid back and peaceful, we were able to really focus on spending time together instead of stressing out over holiday preparations.  Christmas Eve we went to church.  I dressed the kiddos up and I put a dress on, possibly the first time I've worn a dress in a year.  The church service was so beautiful, filled with Christmas and worship songs.  Since this was a "family" service, the kiddos joined us and I was worried they would have a hard time sitting through the entire hour so we sat in the back right on the aisle in case we needed to slip out.  They were angels though, sitting still the entire service, clapping along with the music, and listening to the message.  I was amazed!

Cash and I made cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve.  I can say that Santa loved "his" cookie and milk we left out.

Cash made out like a bandit this year.  He's been asking for a combine for the past 6 months, which Santa brought him in addition to the John Deere tractors that Mommy and Daddy gave him.  Millie is still too little to understand what is really going on but she loved looking at her brother's matchbox car construction tractors and playing with the boxes.

Christmas afternoon we had our good friends Bob and Carol Spinney join us for dessert then in the evening we loaded up in the car and headed out to look at Christmas lights with popcorn and hot chocolate in hand!

My cup runneth over

 In light of last week's shooting, I'm feeling especially fortunate to have my beautiful kiddos.  I hug and squeeze my kids a lot but I can't love on them enough lately.  My heart breaks for the parents who lost their little ones not much older than Cash.  I get a lump in my throat just thinking about it.  It's hard to sweat the small stuff when what's really important can be taken away so easily.  Today I'm spending quality time making cookies with Cash.  Our holiday preparations are almost done.  This week I'm going to spoil the kids a bit.  I'm going to make pancakes for Cash every morning if he wants them.  If Millie wants to shred some of my magazines, I'm going to let her go for it.  I know it can sometimes be hard to not worry about the extra time and effort these things take but I don't want to look back on this season with my little ones and realize I was focused on the unimportant daily grind.  Here are some highlights from this month so far.

I recently took photos for Cash's preschool website.  I witnessed Cash leading his class in the pledge of allegiance.  It was possibly the most precious thing I've ever witnessed.  I felt so much pride for him at that moment.  I hope one day he'll know the true meaning behind those words. 

 Cash's school went on a field trip to Storybook Land in Albany.  I forgot my camera so I only have these sad looking pictures from my phone to show for it.  It was so cute though to watch Cash tell Santa that he wanted a "huge combine" for Christmas.  He stretched his arms as wide as they would go so Santa would really understand how "huge" it should be!

Just a cute picture of Millie that I had to include.  She smiles with her whole face, not just her mouth.  Her eyes and nose wrinkle up, it's so adorable.

Yesterday Cash's preschool had a little Christmas program.  He was one of the Wise Men.  He did a great job singing, we were so proud of him.

This weekend I drove to Boring, Oregon to pick out our new puppy.  She actually ended up picking me, not the other way around.  While her six brothers and sisters were busy chewing on my shoes, she walked to my side, sat, and patiently stared at me until I picked her up.  Her name is Chelby, she is 6 weeks old and is a Bernese Mountain Dog.  We'll bring her home the week of Christmas.

 I will try to post Christmas photos on Christmas night so you can see the present opening chaos.  Love you all.