Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from our home to yours!

Our Christmas cards this year...I can NEVER pick just one picture I want to use or a layout for that matter...But this year I was into the light colors for some reason...i was liking the yellows, browns, and golds...

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!  I truly hope you have a blessed holiday!  I mean that from the bottom of my heart and I hope the magic of the season touches each and every one of you in some way.

Moving Forward

It feels good to write about this because yes it is really bothering me.

I did not want to send Greyson to school today.  Actually I said to him last night, "do you want to go to school tomorrow or stay home with grammy Ann and Sailor?"  I knew in my head he needed to go but it just came out.  He replied with, "yeah mommy, I'll just stay home."  At first I said ok that sounds good, but then I quickly reminded him that Monday was pajama day and he was gonna get hot cocoa and popcorn...and watch a Christmas movie.  All of that changed his mind right away.  He said, "nevermind mommy - I wanna go to school!"  Nate was so supportive with all of it and he reminded me this morning..."Leesh if you want him to stay home today that is fine with me."  We both knew though that he needed to go and so did I.

This morning I felt weird getting ready...All I could think of was that it was like every other day...and that the teachers and students of Sandy Hook Elementary started their day last Friday just like 'any other day' as well.  I was very sad this morning but I tried to hide it because I didn't want Greyson to feel my stress.  He looked so cute in his Christmas pajamas.  They were not allowed to wear slippers so he insisted on his cowboy boots.  He makes me laugh.  Every time I looked at him or hugged him or kissed him I thought of the parents going through 'the loss of a child' right now...it's unbearable and there are NO WORDS...I've said a gazillion prayers for the families and people involved and somehow in some tiny little way I hope that helps.

I walked Grey to his line this morning for preschool and I'm not gonna lie I purposely kept him in my room until the bell rang today.  I usually bring him down 5 minutes early, but NOT TODAY.  I just couldn't.  I rubbed his hand the whole way down the hallway and when we made it to his line I waited until I saw his teachers.  I kissed him goodbye and I had tears running down my cheeks.  He didn't see them and I quickly wiped them away, but it was hard for me.  I found myself looking at everyone in the building today and any 'stranger' I saw come in the school - I just wanted to know who they were and why they were there.

I was so happy to see Grey when he got out.  He ran to me and gave me a hug and was super excited when he saw a 'star wars' lunchbox sitting on a bench-ha!  I brought him home today where he spent the afternoon with his sister, Auntie Mims, and Uncle Just.  I went back to school feeling so much better just because I knew my kids were at home safe and in the arms of family.

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Grey loves opening his advent calendar...he reminds me every morning...(yeah probably not the best time to have a chocolate but whatev...)

It's the little things, right?!

My Heart is Broken...

Today, I'm devastated for the town of Newtown, Connecticut.  I'm sad to think that such a HORRIBLE thing took place yesterday at an ELEMENTARY school.  I'm a mom and a 2nd grade teacher and I canNOT imagine.  I watched the news last night after I put my kids to bed and I layed there just sobbing.  I listened to the 1st grade teacher and how she told the kids she "loved them all" in case that was the last thing they heard.  I don't understand this.  My head/mind cannot process it.  A school is supposed to be a safe place.  These things should never happen.  An innocent child should never have to witness or hear such horror. 

I truly am scared.  This has hit SO close to home.  I have been trying to keep busy today but every now and then I just stop and cry.  How do you move on from something like this?  How do you send your child back to school?  How do you explain to them what happened if they ask?  I've worked with young children now for about 10 years and I don't have the answers to these questions.  My heart is BROKEN.

All I wanted to do last night was hold my innocent little babies just like all of you.

 Every day is a gift.  Of this I am sure.  I can touch them.  I can smell them.  I can hear their voices.  I can kiss their soft cheeks.  I can hug them.  I can see them.  That is a gift every day.

 My heart/thoughts/endless prayers go out to the parents who received that gutwrenching news yesterday.

My children are napping right now.  They are home.  They are safe.  My heart aches for those whose children did not come home yesterday.

My endless prayers go out to the families and people of Newtown, Connecticut.

More Christmas Happenings...

because yes it's December and we like to keep our calendar full with Christmas stuff, of course.

Dee Dee and the kids following the holiday signs to breakfast with Santa...

We started with some crafts...the kids made reindeer food, decorated some delicious homeade cookies, and made 'cookie' plates for Santa...

Our friend Morgan helped us the whole way:)

Morgan's mom is who I teach 2nd grade with at school....

This was right before Sailor was to see Santa...she's just not sure...

still waiting...

This was the highlight of our morning...'THE POLAR EXPRESS' - Grey was SO excited for this...

As we drove around, Mrs. Claus read us the book - 'The Polar Express'..... so fun....

After our ride, we snuggled for a bit with some holiday reading...

We have our plate all ready for Santa... we are somewhat ahead of schedule or should I say right on target...

Either way....we are loving DECEMBER!

I wanna remember this baby face...

My sweet baby girl...I captured this today...

unedited (SOOC)

and edited...

 she was a good little elf today;)

A little Holiday Sparkle

We decorated our Christmas tree this week.  I like to switch it up...Remember last year's?  We went with colored lights...

This year I decided on white lights with some gold glow (if you will)...or should I say a little Holiday Sparkle?! 

              I love me some sparkle that's for sure...

we had a fire going, some Christmas music playing, and some stellar decorating going on...

the famous pickle...

 we definitely were feeling the 'gold' glow...i'm likin' that word;)

and this one just kept digging for more ornaments...

 

I actually ended up taking the green ornaments off (once the kids were in bed) except for the pickle...I love how it turned out.....At night, I just sit and stare at it...

Wednesday night, we all set out our wooden shoes for St. Nick.....and Thursday morning we were greeted with a surprise!  This year he brought Grey a Hockey player Nutcracker and Sailor got a Pirate Nutcracker...

 he filled every door with something special so we can keep track of our days until Christmas...

 and he also brought us new Christmas blankies, gold coins, and a book...

My kids love their blankies...

As far as Woody goes, he's still going strong... yesterday he managed to make his way into Grey's dump truck wearing Sailor's necklace...

Happy Friday!  I hope you have a lot of sparkle to add to your weekend!