Some fun in the chaos

We are almost done with our home remodeling. I have taken a TON of pictures of the before/during/after. I want to wait until it is done before I start posting though. However, here is a sort of sneak peek. Hubby and I were in Critter's room today figuring out what we have to do in order to get everything back in his room. I hear major giggling and some strange noises. We were not sure what was going on....this is what we walked out to see....

Now one of Pumpkins new chores will be to help sweep and dust the new floor...I was going to go get her a nice dry mop but maybe her brother will work just as good! It was so much fun to see them just laughing and having fun. It has been a really hard 6 weeks around here. Chaos has run though the ENTIRE home. By the end of the day tomorrow we can at least get the kids rooms back to full normal! :) We are hoping by Tuesday night to have all the floors done and the fireplace mainly done...then normalcy for all! Or at least as normal as this family can get :)

This scene really was just the laugh I needed today! Hope it makes you smile!

Gratitude

A dear sweet friend of mine saw me yesterday and could see I was stressed. We are currently doing a ton of work to our home. We are getting new doors, new floors, and painting. To say life is chaos is a complete understatement. I do NOT thrive well in chaos...at all. She said some things to me which have helped. These are things I knew, but in everything had forgotten. Every road to a good thing has its challenges. It is during those challenges which we learn about ourselves. She also said about writing a list of gratitude, the things that ARE going great in this land of uncertainty and chaos. Since I truly can not find a blank piece of paper, I will use this space. Here are the things I am grateful for this morning:

~ My dear sweet friend who brought me more peace than she could realize

~ My children whose smile warms my heart every day

~ My husband who has worked his tail off to provide for this family

~ The opportunity to stay home and raise our children

~ The ability in this economy to improve our home to what we dream it to be

~ A dear, dear friend who is about to embark on the journey of motherhood for the second time

~ A group of women I can call friends who pull me up when I need it and give the best hugs!

~ A family who supports my family and what we are doing in this life

~ Family and friends who are happy and healthy

~ The ability to close my eyes, hug my hubby or children and just feel at home

I can not say how deeply this conversation affected me. I needed to feel the peace and calm that came with it and thinking of these things. The important things in life are beyond okay, they are great. THAT is what is important. The material things in this world will come and go, the connections are here to stay. I am a lucky woman to have so many wonderful people in this life of mine. I am so grateful for everyone.

I do have pictures coming of the house and the progress and the kids playing in boxes...will get to it and will NOT stress about it taking a few days! :)

Snapshots of our day...

We had a wonderful Christmas in this house. Apparently everyone was nice and no one was on the naughty list! :) Here is a little bit of our lovely day...

Nanny and Papa slept over Christmas Eve...which meant cookies before bed!
Deciding that yes...the whoopie pies were very good!

Can not forget to put out treats for Santa and his reindeer

Coming out of their rooms on Christmas morning. We usually try to eat breakfast before opening anything...that was a little bit difficult this year!

Santa brought Pumpkin just what she wanted...a remote control airplane! What can I say...she is my crazy girl. It has made it through one trip to the park, we will see how many more times it lasts before breaking! It really is quite fun...

Critter got a trike from Santa....how cute are they on Christmas morning! This is really one of the only pictures I have of the two of them. I was having fun just watching them I was not taking a ton of pictures.

Christmas morning of the girls...

A very happy boy on his Santa present...

It was the year of puppets in this house. We have received a ton of them and are having so much fun with them all! Critter got this one from his sister and it is his favorite of the bunch. Lots of creative time to come in our house!

Pumpkin got a scooter from Nanny and Papa. Both the vehicles were ridden in the house for Christmas Day only...we are trying to save what sanity we have left! Lots of time spent outside riding them though! :)

We had to go to the park to try out the scooter, trike and airplane. Had fun on the playground as well. Can you see Critter's hair? So cute!

Realized we did not get a full family picture on Christmas Day. Got one of hubby, me and Pumpkin while Critter was sleeping. By the time Critter woke up, Hubby was at work. Bummer...at least I got one of my crazy kids with me!

My boy before church! He looked so grown up. Pumpkin was not in the mood for a nice picture...

It was a great and relaxing day at our house. We have not reorganized (I know you are shocked) and played with all the new toys. We are so thankful to all our friends and family who helped make the day so special. We have spent lots of time together as a family too, that is the best thing of all! Hope you had a day full of laughter, smiles and love!

What tomorrow is all about...

I have been struggling with this holiday season. It has been an insane 2 months. Let's see...we have had:

1 acute double ear infection

2 acute single ear infections

1 case of pneumonia

1 case of acute sinus infection...this one was Hubby!

2 cases of a nasty stomach bacteria...was just one case until today....this means I get to talk to the health dept next week!

This is all just in the last 2 months. I have been trying really hard to enjoy the holidays, but as soon as we plan something else fun....someone gets sick. Yesterday, I was hugely stressed and I hear the below....talk about making my Christmas. It helped me remember what tomorrow is really all about. We are all here together, healthy or not. We love each other and can celebrate our beautiful family.

Turn up the volume to hear what made my Christmas bright...this is all I need for Christmas...along with healthy children that is! :)

Have a very Merry Christmas. I know we will!

A fun family adventure

We took an adventure this past weekend, up north.....way up north to the P*olar Ex*press! I have wanted to take the kids for a long time and this year worked out perfectly. I was impressed with how much fun Hubby and I had on it too. It of course was raining/snowing on the way up to Flag, but stopped before we headed to the train.

The kids got a little chance to play in the snow and we got to meet friends and family for lunch in town. The train ride was so much fun. I thought Critter was going to jump out of his seat when the train started moving. As soon as he saw the big man in red...he was beyond excited! Pumpkin had a good time, but was really reserved when it came to the big things. She was very excited to bring her bell to school for show and tell though!

With all the hustle and bustle (and sickness) of the holiday season, this was the perfect time for our little family to celebrate together. I could not have asked for a more perfect day! :)

Grabbing a snack before the train ride!

Me and my girl :)

This was his face when he heard the train start moving and realized he could watch us move!

Attempting to drink hot chocolate without spilling on the pjs...

Watching the lights of the North Pole. Also, if you look closely you can see his adorable reflection in the window...so sweet!

Hubby grabbed this one of Pumpkin. I love her reflection as well. She really had a great time

Realizing he was going to get close to Santa! I love how excited even his hands look :)

Getting their bells. We have been talking about this train ride all week. It was so worth it and such a nice time. It reminded me about how much fun things like this are for both the kids and the adults! Hope your holiday season is as wonderful as ours!

Some holiday fun...

There has been so much going on in this house, I have not been able to keep up on much. We have been dealing with someone sick since the beginning of November. I am hoping we are over the hump of everything so we can focus on the fun. The kids were feelign pretty good one Sunday, so we went to our favorite toy store to see the grinch! Pumpkin was really excited. Critter was a little scared! It was cute though. We were the last ones in the store who had not seen him, so he put the costume on special for my kids. It was really sweet. It is a holiday memory that will not happen all the time. Lots more to catch up on...but this will be good for now! Hopefully this afternoon we will get some more crafty stuff done and I can post those pictures too. Happy holidays...

He did not realize the grinch was behind him until he turned around. A little scared...but facinated too!

Pumpkin liked the picture, but was a little shy. It was a fun afternoon!

2 years ago...

My baby boy was born two years ago today. I really can not believe it has been two years already since he came into this world. Our family is so much more amazing with Critter in it. His personality and smile light up my world. He is growing into his own each and every day. He is talking more and more, when Pumpkin lets him get a word in! He cares so deeply for those he loves. He tries to protect both Pumpkin and myself from harm. He will come running to one of us if he thinks we are hurt or sad. He LOVES anything to do with trains, cars, police and sports. Somehow he is a boys boy, even when Pumpkin tries to put her princess dresses on him :)

The poor kid was a little sick this weekend for his birthday party. It ended up turning into an ear infection. He enjoyed his party, but not as much as he could have if he was feeling better. At least I tried not to stress about it! It was a wonderful day in the park with friends and family. thank you all for celebrating with us! We love you...

He went from not feeling good to getting a spark of energy. He would cuddle and drool on anyone who would hold him! He really does look a little pathetic in this picture...

We had to have some games! Critter was not into them, but everyone else was. This was my moms awesome creation of stick the race car on the track! The kids loved it. Pumpkin did pretty good...when she was not trying to cheat!

I have been trying to make their cakes lately. I am getting better. This one had more frosting on it than cake though! It was fun to make. I saved a piece for Critter to have tonight after dinner. Since he is feeling better I hope he will blow out his candle by himself!

Critter's buddy brought his scooter...and Critter did not want to get off of it! He loves this thing :) Every time we go to their house he likes to find it and ride it. He has gotten pretty good at it. It kept him happy at the park and his mind off of his ears!Even though he loves sports and hitting things with a bat or golf club, he does not like to hit a pinata. I do not know what it is...but he does not like to do it. The other kids loved it though...

He finally perked up a bit at the end of the day to enjoy his lovely presents. He has been having fun with all of them since then! It was a great day celebrating and amazing boy. We love you Critter and are so proud of who you are. Happy Birthday amazing boy!