Day 74 (Farewell 2010)

2010.

What to say?

This year is manic depressive.  It has had such high highs and very low lows.

This year I would say I finally got into the groove of life with four busy children.  This year started off with many illnesses and with Keira being hospitalized with RSV.  This year, Keira learned to walk, and turned one.  Nathan turned 31, I turned 29, and Ty turned 9 (all within a month.)  This year we went on a vacation to North Conway together in February, and went snow tubing and outlet shopping.  This year Nate graduated pre-school and Ty finished 3rd grade.  This year I gave up meat for good and have not had a drop of soda.  This year I also have avoided aspartame like the plague.  This year I put my foot down (literally) and started running to reclaim my body after four kids.  I have found freedom in that, and an amazing outlet for myself.  This year we went to the beach... a LOT.  This year Brody got over his fear of water and dove in and became a little fish.  This year we had two pet fish die.  This year Nathan built a pond and a porch for our house.  This year we got a swingset.  This year My car got hit and I had an insurance nightmare to deal with.  This year NATHAN AND I GOT ENGAGED after seven and a half years, three babies and two miscarriages, and three apartments and one house.  This year I left Keira for the first time, and Brody for the third time ever overnight to travel to San Fransisco for Nathan's brother's wedding.  This year Nathan and I went away without kids during that trip for the first time in our entire relationship.  This year Keira started talking.  This year Brody made progress in his speech.  This year Brody had staples in his head.  This year Brody had surgery to remove his adenoids and get tubes put in his ears.  This year I fractured my ankle.  This year Nate turned 6 and Brody turned 3.  This year Nathan's mom, Sharon was diagnosed with cancer, that rapidly spread throughout her body, and lost her battle with the disease weeks after being diagnosed.  This year, Nathan had to bury his mother who was only 56 years old.  This year I have stopped to appreciate this life I have been given, and have stopped worrying about the little things.  This year I have auditioned for numerous films/tv shows/commercials.  This year I decided I would again pursue my own dreams and goals.  This year I have fallen in love with my children more every day and have  taken mental snapshots so I will never forget them, they way they are, just like this, in 2010. This year I have leaned on my friends and family, and have felt so loved and supported by them in times of great sadness.  This year I have laughed and wept.  This year has been tumultuous. This year has been a learning year.
And now I will say goodbye to you 2010.

Days 71, 72, and 73 (Otherwise Known As Christmas Vacation Week Wrap-Up)

Like, whoa.

Not only are we recovering from Christmas, but it is vacation week to boot, which means lots of mommy coming up with thing to do and entertain.
SO
These few days we have
played in the snow
built forts
played board games
watched movies
played the wii
played the kinect
had dance parties
de cluttered the house
sang songs
colored
built 9,752 lego models
played with keira's new dollhouse
played with every single new toy
played with old friends
played with new friends
soaked up the moments together

HAD FUN

Day 70 ~And Then It Snowed

 You may have heard we got some snow here on the East Coast.  We woke up to about a foot and a half (if not more) of snow on Monday.  Nathan worked hid butt off to snow blow in the morning before heading to work.
Although I felt a bit better, I still was not feeling great, but I bundled up the kids anyway, and fulfilled my motherly duties of bringing the kids out to play in the fresh snow.
They had a blast.

And since we were out already, I decided I wanted, or I should say I decided I needed to go out and use my gift card from Nathan and get my new running sneakers (I went with the Reebok runtone sneakers) and get a new running-in-cold-weather zip up top with zipper pockets.  (I scored big time with a Columbia microfleece)
Since I was out, I told Nate he could use one of his Game Stop gift cards and get some more Wii games.
I spent the rest of the day cleaning, putting Christmas decorations away, and taking mini breaks when I felt really sick.
When Nathan came home I took an hour nap, and then forced myself to get up and make dinner for the kids.
Once we got the kids settled for the night, Nathan and I both crashed from exhaustion.
Oh father winter, please be kind this year.

Day 68 (cont.) and 69

Oh Christmas!  You were wonderful and fun and filled with joy, and of course this year we felt a big hole without Sharon here.

This year on Christmas Eve, Ty went with my mom to celebrate Christmas (because he left on Christmas night to spend the week with his dad, Nana, Papi, and cousin Skye.)

We watched A Christmas Carol, and left Santa a nice letter and pictures, some cookies, milk, and celery for the reindeer.

Nate asked me to make sure I woke him up in the middle of the night because he was so excited.

Christmas morning was so much fun, and this being Ty's first year of "knowing the truth", he was so awesome with the kids, feeding into the magic like an old pro.  

Once the gifts were all opened we quickly jumped into the massive project of taking all boxed toys out of their little packages, and untwist those ridiculous twisty ties.  We let the kids keep out a toy each, but I am happy to report that an hour after opening gifts, all was put away.

I then jumped in the shower and began cooking.

For Christmas day we had Nathan's father and brother over for a late lunch/early dinner.  I made Filet Au Poivre with Burgundy Mushrooms, mashed potatoes, stuffing, some crusty bread (to dip in the mushroom sauce), salad, and steamed broccoli, and for dessert, a "Christmas cake" (red velvet cake with green cream cheese frosting.)

It was yummy (or so I heard on the steak part, but the sauce for the steak was nothing short of amazing.)

We opened gifts and watched the basketball game and just enjoyed the company.  It was really nice.

The day after Christmas we were expecting a massive snow storm, so my mom moved up her dinner in hopes that no one would get stuck in the snow.

I did some last minute grocery shopping (and paid for it by standing in line for 40 minutes with three children that did not want to be out grocery shopping at 8am.)

I made my perfected baked mac and cheese, and gathered up gifts and got everyone ready to head over.

We had lots of fun over my mom's, and ate great food.  We left just as the storm was beginning and the wind was picking up.

And then, we relaxed.  We played the Kinect (Nathan's new toy for Christmas) and laughed and then I got sick.  I know, awesome right?  I felt like if I moved or breathed I would simultaneously throw up my intestines and my head would explode.

And that was how I ended my day after Christmas

Day 68

Okay, okay.. It is not technically Christmas yet, but I am posting now because I just washed my couch and I am waiting for it to dry so Santa can come put presents out.

I did the rest of my cleaning and scrubbing (aside from the two pesky baskets of folded laundry that have been sitting, calling my name, magically increasing in size so that they are so overwhelming that I turn into a five year old stomping my feet saying "I won't put them away, I just WON'T!")

I just set my alarm clock for 4:55am, because I am making Pioneer Woman's Burgundy Mushrooms, and they cook for nine hours.  I then told the kids they can not get up before 7:30 because I just have to try and get another hour of sleep after I start cooking the mushrooms.

They better be damn good mushrooms.

Ty pulled his tooth out tonight and made a big bloody mess in the bathroom that I had just bleached to a sparkle and a burn your nose from the smell clean.

So because I do not think I will have the energy to post tomorrow, I will wish you all a very Merry, Happy Christmas.

And I will leave you with a few photos from our trip to Zoo Lights this year with Nathan's Dad, from Nate's "Polar Express Day" in school, and from tree decorating.

Ho, ho. ho!!!