Friday, January 27, 2012

Christmas 2011


I admit.  The family Christmas was slightly overdone this year.  it was great, don't misunderstand, but a bit of tweaking in next year's festivities certainly could not hurt.

i begin here because frankly i'm embarrassed to post photos of all the kids' loot accumulated in the course of one day, but i imagine we are not the first set of doting parents to make this mistake.  it's a lesson learned, and honestly what harm was really done???

it all began with the perfect plan - 3 gifts per child.  this was jeff's idea, not mine.  i wasn't on board, but honestly when reviewing how the day went down i see jeff wasn't too keen on his plan either.
 - i snuck 'extra' small gifts worrying the 3 gifts wouldn't be sufficient while jeff, discretely, was doing the exact same thing.

there were jeff gifts, me gifts, santa gifts, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins'  gifts...
a lot of gifts!
 - which is standard -
so why make a fuss???  next year we'll vow to improve, but this year was joyous (minus a few complaints from the lady in the first trimester) so let's go with it and enjoy the day of Christ's birth.  It was a beautiful day, and i praise God for such immense blessings he's given our family.


cookies for santa


































































































just woke up and ready to go.
wait for it...
until days before christmas, when langston asked santa for the leap pad, the "pink guitar' was all she requested
langston, so easy to please.  have we ruined a good thing???






edward's big gift
Our morning visit from Bebe and Bobo
They live down the street - it's an easy visit for those concerned bebe would normally travel in her robe
???





























two things i notice when posting these photos:
  1. my family is so lazy on christmas.  some families hit the ground running christmas morn.  we, however, look pretty much like this the entire day.  
  2. where's jeffrey?  he is in no photos?
The Commute
again, lazy.  we didn't go far.  only far enough for our little car to carry us

no.  not that way


yes.  you got it


and, they're off!
Baby John
and, this is why i wish i were a photographer.  my nephew is adorable, and he was a huge hit this christmas (especially with langston).
i pretend to, but really i know not the first thing about photography.
BUT, i could snap pictures of this guy all day.  
























































Round 2
are these mine???
from bobo, of course
the uggs last year got their fair use in boston.
these (in memphis) - not so sure???
but if i'm not buying - they are adorable -
so why not!
and, your'e pretty cute too!  


dad's self purchased christmas present.  he skis at least 2xs a year, and has been wearing the same hand-be-down (from a friend) ski outfit since 1985ish???  so, i'm proud of him for buying the patagonia cover model suit.  he'll certainly get use out of it.
now, it's time to trade in those 1970 model ski boots!
you look good dad!


we went with kit
and, it's our last christmas as a family of 4
there's a sweet addition, unseen, in this photo.
can't wait to meet this little guy (or girl) in 2012!




Saturday, January 7, 2012

The Holidays and my Conundrum

one thing that is particularly bothersome to me in having children is how quickly time passes.  i love each stage of langston and edward's growth, and i find it so important to embrace / capture each day because they grow so so fast.
if life were that simple and i that perfect a mother, life would be grand; however, my faults bungle things up a bit especially as of late.
about 8 weeks ago we found i was pregnant.  beautiful news, right?  yes, we are very excited, but i (and let's not sugar coat this) abhor pregnancy.  i'm rotten, i know, it's a terrible thing to say;
BUT, i really don't think pregnancy was intended a cake walk.   Genesis 3:16  "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children."  i'm typically not the one to quote scripture, but this particular truth helps assuage my guilt, so allow me to include.  
don't misunderstand - babies and children are SUCH an enormous blessing (i'm kissing my buddy's face now), but the means in having such beautiful beings drive me into quite a terrible state.  the nausea, painful bloating, headaches, weight gain, loneliness (very lonely at age 35.  all other pregnant mothers are pushing 25), no (or very limited) libations, extreme fatigue...  should i go on?   "pain" and pain "greatly" increased indeed!  how do some women find joy in this?  


so, here lies my conundrum...  
the passing of each moment; my children getting older as the days tick by;  a glorious time of year to experience with my impressionable angels ... all of this and i am battling against an intense desire to fast forward life to july.  can i take a nice long nap only to wake up 8 months later???  
don't want to miss a moment, but want to miss 8 months of pregnancy angst.  can't have it all! 


well, i made it - we (family) made it - through the holiday season, and trimester one is coming to a close.  halleluia!!!!  I'm so thankful moments were captured in images because it's fun to look at the smiles of christmas.  my sour, pregnant mood wasn't contagious, and this fills me with immense joy!!!




  Mrs. Duberstein's Art Show
langston, our budding artist
with certificate in hand
Edward's Christmas Program 
i love this little guy.
little man in his oversized christmas best
sweet friends in boston gave edward this outfit last year
next year, buddy, it will fit perfectly


he discovers me
not sure what to think?

Life is Good with a Visit from Ella
libby, anderson, ella, mary harr, langston, knox, edward
and edward's out
and a Gingerbread House
even if only temporary
and the Traditional Angel Placement atop Bebe and Bobo's tree
very same angel i use to put on top of the tree.  not the prettiest angel, but this (like ours) captured the heart of the youngest girl in the house
sweet times
and much more to come...