awesome

So Simeon's new thing is to say "Awesome". When he is throwing balls or the toy trucks are zooming around the house or he is being swung around, he says, "Awesome". It is pretty cute!! At least we know that he is having fun. I put him to bed and I could hear him jumping up and down in his crib, saying, "awesome! awesome! awesome!" Man that boy is adorable! We aren't really sure where he even got the word. I don't think we use it that often. Definitely not from Brooklyn because she says stuff like, "off the hook" or "boo-yaw". Not exactly sure where she got those either. I think from her friend Matt Smith. Kids are funny.

overwhelmed

I feel so overwhelmed and very loved. Yesterday, we received a knock at the door and when I opened the door there were presents on the steps. Wow. At first, I thought how we are really not destitute, I'm sure there are others out there that need these gifts more than we do. The kids were totally excited. Then a couple of hours later we received another knock. Door opened, and more gifts and this time food and money also--a lot of money. All of it greatly appreciated, but again I felt as if we didn't need all of this-it was too much. There are many, many more out there in greater need than us. It brought tears to my eyes. Matt has to work twice as hard and long for the same amount of money. He so needs a break and can take one in confidence now. We might even get a much needed...uh....um...what's that word again? Oh yeah, date. And since then, we have received two more knocks with more gifts, more money, and even some food. Our tree is small, but is dwarfed even more by the abundance of gifts. It looks a little ridiculous. The kids are totally excited and just can't wait. They are puzzled as to who is giving us all of this. So anyway, I just wanted to share our humbling experience and say thank you, whoever you are. It is nice to feel loved and thought about. One day, I hope to do the same thing for someone else. It is also nice to see so much for the kids. As a mom, it is challenging at times to have to tell them no all of the time for things they want. I am sure they get tired of having to spend money only on things I want (i.e. groceries). Not that I would want to spoil them and give them all they want, but every now and again it is nice to splurge and get something just for fun. Matt was teasing me when I gave him my list (he stresses out when it comes time for gift-giving.) He told me my list was pathetic. I was a little offended. We were on a budget and I was thinking of needful things and useful things. I guess he wanted to see more "fun" things. Anyway, I think I am rambling. I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to those Christmas angels out there. We really appreciate it!!! Merry Christmas!

more snow

We still have snow and since this was taken, it has snowed even more. The girls had no school again today. Here is one of the snowmen we built. Simeon thinks they are "oo-ahs" (monkeys). Maybe because they have no ears and extremely long arms? We had fun building them and then when our hands were too cold to do anymore, we went in and had homemade hot cocoa. Mmmm! I hope everyone else is enjoying the snow like us. I know Matt isn't, he has to chain up the truck and that is a pain. He also gets paid the same amount of money for more time and work. Bummer!! Poor, poor Matt. We love you!

more pics

Here are some of the others that we took, that didn't work for one reason or another. I thought you might like to see them.

doctors, doctors, and more doctors

Actually there were only two involved. Simeon had his appointment with the urologist today. The doctor said he has hypospadias, but not severe. So now we just have to wait until he is potty-training to see if he pees straight. If he does, no surgery is needed. If he pees wonky, then he may need surgery. I remember when he was newborn, he peed straight up into the air while having his diaper changed. I think he will be just fine. Anyway, that was this morning, we had to drive in the newly fallen snow(school was cancelled) and then we went to the urgent care because last night his eardrum ruptured. Here we go again--another Genesis. I so am hoping not. But he feels much better I can tell. Anyway, it was a lovely snow day at the doctors.

video games

If your 20 month old knows how to put in a video game and actually play the game, is that a sign your family spends too much time on the wii? Simeon is playing the "uck dame" (truck game) and he is actually driving the truck with the controller. I choose to look at it as him being extra smart--not that we play the wii too much. That could never be. :0)

a little bit of a laugh

Matt and I were in the kitchen the other day and all of a sudden Matt bursts into laughter. For those of you that know Matt, you know it is rare that he laughs very hard and long. This was one of those times, so I looked over to see what was so hilarious and there was Simeon at the cabinet that has the kid dishes. He was drinking a cup of juice and when he finished he opened the cabinet and put his cup back in, still filled with juice (for next time?) and closed the door. Apparently he keeps his cups filled with whatever he is drinking in that cabinet. I guess he does that so he can find his cup when he needs another drink. It was pretty funny and Matt really laughed hard for a long time which made me laugh and got the girls attention. They came running and kept asking, "What's so funny? What's so funny?" I think Simeon was sent to us for Matt's joy. He can always make Matt smile and laugh and brighten his day. Matt needs someone like that in his life.

We actually got a real tree this year!!! Yeah!!! In my opinion it is not really Christmas without a real Christmas tree. I love trees. So we went out to a local tree farm and cut our own. I tried to decorate it by myself--the way I want it--but the kids gave me their puppy dog eyes and cute pouty faces and I relented. It actually turned out nice. I guess they can start helping me. They are older. We didn't have nearly as many clumps of ornaments on the tree. They did well. As you can see Glory doesn't care about being cold, she will still wear a summer dress to cut our tree down. I did make her wear sneakers though. And then Genesis is on the opposite side of the spectrum. She hates being cold and bundles up in several layers. We had fun and I am glad we got a real one this year. You probably can't tell but the windows are decorated with homemade snowflakes. We make them often in the winter and end up with many around the house. I love this time of year. It is my favorite. I love the coziness of snow outside and Christmas lights and hot chocolate. I even love Christmas shopping(when I have money) and wrapping the presents. I love all of the inspirational stories and songs. I love the anticipation and the goodwill. I just love it all!! Merry Christmas!!

christmas cards

making cards for christmas

christmas is here again!!

Every year for Christmas the kids get new ornaments from my parents. We have this little artificial tree that they decorate with all of those ornaments. So here they are putting all of their treasured ornaments on their tree.

Simeon got a hold of the camera and when I took it back he had gone to some setting I had never seen. So I discovered all kinds of new things about my camera. I was playing with the black and white setting during the Christmas sugar cookie baking. The girls had so much fun. And they were pretty good. The first time I made sugar cookies and I actually liked how they turned out. (I am not a proficient cookie baker. )

(why is it my posts are all scattered and random? Do I not know the proper procedure for posting pictures?)

here is something to make you cry, think and be thankful

My sister has this link on her blog and I read it today. I couldn't stop reading. I read the whole thing (it took me many hours) and it helped my bad mood. These people are so awesome. I am amazed by them. It is about a woman named Carol. She was having some issues when she was 7 months pregnant and went to the hospital. They did an emergency C-section and then she had more complications. Long story short--they amputated her feet and her left arm and her right ring finger. She is also blind. She was never able to see her baby. They have over 2 million dollars in hospital fees. It is a blog about her story and her recovery. Her husband seems very strong as does she. Anyway the story inspired me and made me cry, think, and be grateful for what I have. Thought you might be interested also. http://sccsdecker.blogspot.com