Christmas Eve 2008

John and I did not receive any china as a wedding gift. I figured it was better than receiving one place setting and not being able to do anything with it.

When we were moving my maternal grandmother, Mema, out of her house and into my mom's, my mom found 5 *almost* complete place settings of china. It was not Mema's china and she had no idea where this box of china came from until Ana saw it. Ana, a close family friend who is practically family, said that when her friend got divorced, she asked Ana to get rid of some stuff for her. The china was in that stuff and when Mema saw it, she said she would like it. My mom called and asked if I would like the china and I said sure since I was getting my Papa's old china cabinet that belonged to his mother. When I saw the china, I couldn't believe my eyes. I'm pretty sure it is the VERY same pattern that I had registered for but never received! Also there were 7 crystal goblets. How blessed am I to receive this china?

I told John we would be using it for Christmas Eve and he couldn't believe I was going to let the children eat off my china. I believe that you shouldn't just let the china sit in a cabinet for the 60 years you are married. Plus, even though it is a retired pattern, I can still order more on ebay I'm sure.

I wish I had a video of my children sitting down to dinner that special night. They asked things like, "We are going to eat with these?" and kept talking about how "fancy shmancy" it all was. I really enjoyed their reaction and plan to serve many more "fancy shmancy" meals in the future.

I made Chicken Cordon Bleu the German way for John and I and Schnitzel for the children. As you can see, my Cordon Bleu took up half of my plate. It was delicious but I couldn't finish it.

Sorry Ethan, no china for you yet!

After dinner, I sang a song to the children called "The Most Beautiful Story That's Ever Been Told." It was hard to sing without crying and at the end I REALLY struggled but I plan to sing it to them every year. It really is a beautiful song.

Then we sang other Christmas carols and read some Christmas stories. It was a very nice Christmas Eve.

Couch Cuddling

I love to cuddle on the couch.

I cuddle with John.

I cuddle with my children.

I cuddle with a warm blanket.

I even cuddle with Daisy.

Everyone needs to cuddle sometimes.

Cuddle with a sister who reads to you until you fall asleep.

Cuddle with a family pet who licks your face to show she cares.

Cuddle with Daddy on movie night.

Everyone needs to cuddle sometimes.

Ah, Memory Lane

My mother cleaned out her attic and found a big Rubbermaid tub I had put up there ages ago. She asked me to take it or trash it. It was full of old letters and some trinkets. While going through some of the letters, I found this jewel:

I don't quite remember what "promises break crosses" means but I think it was my way of saying that a promise is a promise whether you cross your fingers or not.

I probably kept this as "evidence" but now it will certainly be filed under "humor." Love it!

When They Grow Up, You'll Miss...

Women are often heard saying, "When they grow up, you'll miss fill in the blank." Some women say this for everything. I'm sorry but there are SOME things I WON'T miss!

Here are some things I won't miss:

1. Having food thrown at me and all over my kitchen floor.

2. Having my glasses pulled off of my face unexpectedly. OUCH!

3. Having to buckle and unbuckle carseats. It will be nice when I can just hop in and go!

4. Washing bottles.

5. Seemingly endless potty-training.

6. Finding spit up and snot on various objects.

7. Having something I love destroyed by a little one's hands.

8. Wearing dirty clothes 90% of the time. The other 10% being time I am away from my children.

Here are some things I will definitely miss:

1. Seeing little ones in pajamas with feet. So cute!

2. Slobbery baby kisses. (I feel that it is important to add here that I DO NOT like slobbery kisses from anyone but John and babies! So, if you were thinking about giving me one-- please don't.)

3. Snuggling with a little one.

4. Seeing the little ones faces light up when they see me come home.

5. Baby talk.

6. Having the occasional overnight guest in my queen sized bed. *Snuggle*

7. Nursing.

8. Being able to spend so much time with my children.

And lastly, here are some things I hope my children will always provide me with no matter their ages:

1. Laughter.

2. Hugs and Kisses.

3. Seeing my children excited about something new they have learned.

4. Hearing my children share gospel truths.

5. Having my children share their creativity with me. (Artwork, stories, songs, etc.)

6. Having fun playing games with my children.

I love being a mother!

Home For The Holidays

For me, Christmas is about memories and traditions and being with those you love.

We have gone to Virginia Beach for Christmas for five out of the seven years we've lived in Stanardsville. We love going down there and being with our families, having Sauerbraten and acting out the story of Jesus's birth on Christmas Eve with the Niepraschks, having Christmas morning pictures with the Monteiths, giving and receiving gifts, playing games, making and eating the holiday treats we have enjoyed since we can remember, and if we are lucky, catching the fourth Advent with the Niepraschks. We LOVE it!

Many Niepraschks have moved away from Virginia Beach. This year there will be only 4-8 Niepraschks for Christmas Eve instead of 60 plus. There will be less people to play games with and probably no Advents. I guess it will never be the *same*. I loved having predictable traditions with my extended family and I am sure my siblings and cousins will miss them too.

I've been thinking over the years about this and I have decided that we need to stay home for Christmas at least two years out of every three. I want to create holiday memories and traditions with my own family. I believe it is important for families to have traditions for the children to look forward to every year and my children already have many. (Right now they can't wait to make pumpkin shaped sugar cookies to decorate!) Also, I want them to want to come visit me (once every few years) for the holidays when they are grown with families of their own. I plan to go visit them for the holidays too. For me, Christmas is about family.

It doesn't matter where you are for the holidays as long as you are with the ones you love-- creating memories that won't easily be forgotten.

Just for fun here are some pictures of my early Christmases:





Here is a picure of John's second Christmas. Adorable! Don't you think?

Here is a Monteith family Christmas morning picture. They take pictures on the couch every Christmas morning BEFORE opening their presents.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

John's mother's birthday was August 1st. We were actually in Virginia Beach and were able to attend her birthday party. I want to tell you a little about Grandma.

Grandma loves babies! Ethan doesn't let very many people hold him but Grandma just whisks him away and he is perfectly happy to be with her! I love this picture of Grandma and John.

Grandma has done a wonderful job of raising 8 children. She loves each and every one of them.

Grandma loves to dance! Here is a picture of her dancing with John at Rachel's wedding.

Grandma recently graduated from Norfolk State University. We are so proud of you!

Grandma loves to go to the movies. If you ever want to go and are wondering what you should see, call Grandma-- she's likely seen them all and can tell you which are worth seeing!

Our children are so lucky to have Grandma in their lives! I grew up really knowing my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. I want my children to have this same experience.

Thank you Nancy for being such an awesome mother and grandmother! We love you!

Treasures

Mema is my mother's mother. She has dementia. Everytime I go to Virginia Beach for a visit, I see how changed she is by this disorder. It has progressed to the point that Mema will be moving in with my mother and father. Last weekend my mother asked us all to go to Mema's and see if there is anything there that we want since most of it will have to be donated or sold.

We started going through Mema's treasures. It was exciting to find old pictures, letters and trinkets! I loved seeing old pictures of my grandparents and my mother! I loved reading old letters! Here are a couple of stories we found in one letter Mema wrote to my Uncle Jeff:

"Alex came home carrying his belt, he came from Mr. Blairs, Debbie said 'Alex why did you take your belt off?' He said, 'Mr. Blair was going to get me, so I took my belt off to wack him!"

"Sarah brought a picture of her hand print home, the next day she had her foot print. I said, 'Sarah, how did they get your foot print?' She said, ' Oh, grandma, I had to take my shoe and sox off.' We walked down the road a little way, she looked up at me and said, 'Grandma, I hope they don't take our body print tomorrow!'"

Mema and Papa were able to attend my wedding. If I had known then that Papa would pass away six short months later, oh the things I would have asked him... the things I would have told him... how much closer I would have listened to his stories! I miss you Papa.

If I had known two years ago that Mema would get dementia, oh the things I would have asked her... the things I would have told her... how much closer I would have listened to her stories! I miss you Mema.

I enjoyed going through your treasures and I want you to know that the two of you are my treasures. You are worth more to me than all of the gold on this earth. I am so thankful for our eternal family and that you are two treasures that I will have with me in heaven!

Thank you for all the love you have given me! I love you!