Christmas 2021

This Christmas was full of fun. We did so many fun traditions. We saw people we loved. We gave and recieved gifts. We reflected on Jesus birth through Advent. It was a great season. 

                                                    Phoebe loved the cozy Christmas tree. 

Light up Middletown

                                                        Gingerbread house making

                                                                Cookies with Cousins

Party with friends

                                                      Elf party with friends that are family. 

Christmas at Carrilon

                                                        Creation museum lights

                                                    Dan played Santa at our friend's party. 

                                                            Youth Christmas party.

                                                                        Zoo lights

                                                            We got to see sweet friends. 

                                                        Seeing Great Grandma and cousins

                                                            Winding Brook is a tradition

                                                        Christmas with Mimi and Poppy

So much Christmas fun! What a blessed time we had celebrating with those we love. 

Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day. It has been a sweet day around here. I got a shower, did my hair, and my make up! I wore jeans (a rare thing in quarantine). We had brunch, we facetimed my mom and grandma, and then Dan's parents. It wasn't the same as being together, but it was good to see their faces. We watched church online and spent the day with some friends who are like family. We grilled out and ate some delicious homemade brownies. I was given some shoes I had been wanting and some plants for our yard. We played games and listened to music while dancing in the kitchen. I didn't do the dishes and didn't have to handle any of the discipline.

Being a mom is the best job in the world. It is the thing I always wanted. I have loved babies since I could say the word baby. I wanted a gaggle of kids. I don't think I could ever comprehend the depth of emotion motherhood could bring until I experienced it. I was blessed to become a mom at a young age. I have had children grow in my womb. I have lost a child. I have waited for a child. I have loved a child who only called me mommy for a short time. I have felt joy, terror, pain, fulfillment, loss, and had so much fun.

Motherhood is messy. I have been covered in bodily fluid, cleaned Vaseline out of sheet and off walls, cut gum out of hair, done more loads of laundry than I can count. Motherhood is sticky floors and messy faces. It is paint and school projects. It is angry outbursts from a preteen. It is long talks and sibling fights. It is complicated relationships with birth moms that are not quickly explained.  It is being ok with awkward moments in public when a child throws a tantrum and you have to carry them out of there surf board style.

This mom gig is pretty much the best. These people I made are making me a much better human. They bring me to my knees daily and keep me humble. They push me to be better. They are turning into really fun young adults. I love each day with them. I am so blessed this Mother's day and every day to be their mom.

Baby girl turns 9

 How do you celebrate a birthday while staying at home? You ask a friend to make a special cake for the birthday girl.

 She got to make her own birthday pancakes, which she loved.

 She requested steak and mashed potatoes for her birthday dinner. She asked for roller blades and has been out on them every day.

 We let her open all her gifts that evening. We also went for a hike, and some friends dropped off a homemade gift. Overall, she had a great day. We are excited for next year when life might be back to our normal, but I think we did okay with our socially distant birthday.