Christmas Day Part 3

Phew. After the boys got some much needed down time at home and Tony and I argued a little about whether to clean up (him) or just enjoy the day (me) we were off to our 3rd and final Christmas. All my Aunts, Uncles, cousins and their children gathered at my grandmother's house. We have done this since I was a young child and it is the one tradition we have kept through it all. I didn't take pictures because it was CRAZY there but it was a good time. Hard to believe we used to gather as cousins and now we all do so with our own husbands, wifes and children in tow. Cole was a little overwhelmed and tired too I am sure and Miles was his usual laid back self who took a nap amid the chaos...lol.

A good time was had by all but it sure was a tiring day for us all. I can't help but feel like some of the enjoyment of Christmas and the meaning is lost in all this rushing around so I THINK this is the last year we will do this whole three part Christmas day thing. The boys will (and lets face it we will too) benefit from a more laid back day I think. So I think next year we will switch it up a bit. That is a year away though so no need to worry about that now! :)

Back to Catching Up...Christmas Day Part 2

Immediately after rushing through opening presents at home we ran over to my in-laws to open presents with all of them. As you will see in the first picture Cole had to bring the robot we got him to Nana and Papa's house :) Cole had a great time and was well spoiled. I was super excited to get a deep freezer from my in-laws! Funny how things change as you get older...to be excited about a freezer :) Fun was had by all but there was no rest of the weary as we headed home for a brief respite before heading to Chrismas #3 at my grandmother's house. Stay tuned!

9 Years...

Life has changed for me so much in the last 9 years. Two college degrees, marriage, a house, two amazing children but one thing has remained constant, I still miss my best friend. RIP Eliza. I love you and miss you with each passing day and the memories and tears still come as easily for me today as they did that morning I got the phone call. I was so blessed to have known you for the years you graced me with your presence but I am sad you had to leave so soon. Until we meet again my dear friend, until we meet again....

Christmas Day- Part I

Although hectic because we do two more Christmas' after this one, I like to have Christmas morning with my kids. So this year we got up bright and early (so we could make it to our other two!) with constant urging from my husband to hurry along. Miles actually was also ready to start the day and even dug into a present (his bath seat) a little early as he waited patiently for his brother to role out of bed :) We had a great Christmas morning with me getting another wonderful surprise (last year was my amazing camera and this year was a new laptop!) and Cole getting so excited about the robot Santa got him (Santa doesn't wrap presents at our house) that he didnt' want to open the presents we got him! We couldn't believe we had to beg our son to open his presents! It was a good morning but a busy one as we hurried to get done in time to get over to my in-laws for Christmas number two of three! Pictures of that next!

The Boys Lately...

Work Outside the Home Moms- The Bad

I recently read a post dedicated to "work outside the home" Moms. I appreciated this. I live in a community where there are actually A LOT of Moms that are lucky enough to stay home with their children. When I had Cole I was sad to leave him and did not want to return to work but also liked the adult conversations again. This time, with Miles, I was even more sad and even more reluctant to return to work. I was a much more active "Mommy Around Town" this time since I had a toddler already, taking in all the things that are offered during the weekdays that I don't get to take advantage of as a "working outside of the home" Mommy. I do not get to take my kids to story-time, attending Le Leche Leauge Meetings, play groups, swim lessons, etc. I have to cram all of the fun stuff into weekends because all those who are "work outside the home" Moms know, the weekdays after work are filled with dinners, baths, bedtime stories and if you are a lucky, a few minutes of fun.

I miss out on a lot. I come home late. I come home tired. I come home angry and stressed out sometimes. I have to go in on scheduled days off sometimes. My heart breaks a little inside every time I hear things like, "I just want to stay home today" or "Why do you have to work so much" or "Why did you have to work late" or "I missed you Mommy!" These are all things I wish my children did not have to say to me.

My heart breaks a little more each time I think about the fact that my children are only this small for a short while. They will only want me and only me for a short while. Soon enough school will come, friends will come, and I will take a backseat. These are precious times. Times I HATE missing.

Being a "work outside the home" Mommy hurts my heart. I look at "stay at home" Moms with longing. I often wonder what "stay at home" Moms think of me. Do they long for what I have? I doubt it.

Next I will write the "good" about being a "work outside the home Mom". Yes, there are good things about it. Stay tuned!

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at my parents' house. I intended to go to church as a family (it is the one time of year that I get Tony to go too) but the kids weren't feeling great (the start of what would be a three week illness) and things were just crazy at home so much to my sadness, but much needed, we took it easy until it was time to head to my parents' house. We exchanged gifts and my grandmother was there so it was great to see her (poor Grammie broke her elbow days earlier). Fun was had by all and the usual lobster stew my mother makes was the main attraction. We also watched "Christmas Vacation" as is a tradition as well. Here is the fun-filled, jam-packed evening in picture review.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

So here is our tree all decorated (Cole poked his head in the photo..lol). This year it took me two nights to do :)


Someone was anxious to touch it :)


Oh you saw me!?


A present Cole helped me with :)



The whole family around our tree.

And I just had to add this one. Cole made a "train" with random items and he was the conductor. Notice who is in the caboose? LOL.

Stay tuned everyone as I get you caught up. Lots of big things happening lately!