Thanksgiving 2013

Like last year, we traveled to California for Thanksgiving. We had three full days to pack in as much family time as possible. I think it was a success. 

When we got into town (after a really long drive), Maggie was a little timid. Henry remembers everyone (and even if he didn't--he thinks everyone is his friend) and ran off to play with cousins. We love spending time with the Holmes family. There are lots of cousins (a total of eleven--ages six and under--six of which live in California), not to mention some pretty fun aunts and uncles. After Maggie warmed up, it was so fun watching Maggie with her cousins. She adored Hannah and followed her around and did everything she did. 

The first full day we had a family gathering for Maggie's birthday. She was spoiled with a lot of gifts, which provided good times for all the kids and grandma. 

Grandma Sheryl is a good sport and is so good about playing with her grandchildren.

They all adore her.

The next day was Thanksgiving with the Holmes clan, which totals 100 people as of this month. Grandpa & Grandma Holmes keep a thorough count of everyone in their family. They have a gigantic list of everyone in their family with dates listed of birthdays for their children and grandchildren and marriage dates for those of us who join their family with a marriage. There were about 50 people at dinner this year and a lot of new faces (i.e. cousins who got married). We had a great time eating and talking while the kids played and played and played. I must have played hard, too, because I went to bed with the kids at 8:30 PM (technically 10:30 PM Texas time).

Our last day with the family, we all went to see the movie Frozen and everyone loved it. Maggie actually watched half of the movie (and slept through the other half) on Grandma's lap. Henry sat on my lap throughout the movie. "What's happening????" he kept asking me. "Why?" was his response when I gave him an answer. After the movie, the cousins were playing together saying, "Your hair is turning white!"

We were on the road shortly after with two very sleep-deprived children. Whenever we visit family and our children get to play with cousins, we remember how nice it would be if we could always have the cousins together all the time. So we cherish the time we do spend together and are grateful for our family ties. And my favorite thing about getting together with family is watching grandparents interact with my children. I'm pretty sure I say this all the time, but there is nothing quite like the bonds between grandparent and grandchild.

Preschool for Henry

Henry started preschool in September.

When I first told him he was going to preschool he said,

"Do I get a backpack?"

I assured him he did.

And he loves his dinosaur backpack.

He was so excited about school before it started.

I told him only big boys who poop on the toilet get to go to school.

It helped. For a little while.

Initially, school wasn't problem free for his teachers or me.

I questioned myself for a week when I dropped him off kicking and screaming.

But he always came home very happy.

Fast forward to half-way through the school year.
He loves school.
His teachers say they can tell his little mind is working.
And not only is he learning academics, but also social skills.
It warms my heart to hear about him befriending others.

Thanks to school teachers, Henry can write an "H,"
identify numbers, letters, and shapes,
and is picking up on some math.

During our Thanksgiving break (in Norco, CA) we went on a walk.
Henry saw two horses, then one.
He said, "Two horses and one horse. Three horses."

I love school.

I love the one-on-one time with Maggie.

She loves it when we get to pick up Henry.

And Henry tells me, "I like preschool."

Henry and Maggie

These two are little buddies.

Henry has even called Maggie his "best fwend" on occasion.

They play together.

They laugh together.

And it's my favorite thing to watch.

Maggie runs down the hall sometimes yelling, "Hen-ee! Hen-ee! Hen-ee! (Henry)"

She says, "Where Hen-ee?" at least five times a day when he's in preschool.

And as soon as we turn the corner to Henry's preschool, she excitedly says, "Hen-ee!"

She adores him.

She says everything he says.

And does everything he does.

                             {playing doggies together}                                 {dressing up like brother}

Henry will often say, "Maggie, let's go play."

They'll go into his room and jump on the bed.

Sometimes, when I peek in, they are both doing their own thing:

Maggie will be reading a book while Henry is pretending to be a lion.

But they are content being in the same room together.

When Henry was nine months old, I remember thinking, "He's ready for a sibling."

And it wasn't long after that that we found out we were pregnant with Maggie.

It's so fun to see their relationship grow.

Sure, there are fights. 

Many fights.

But they are learning so much together.

And they love each other so much.

My heart bursts every time I hear them laughing together.

Maggie Turns Two

Maggie is a sweet spirit.

Content, mild, and calm.
She knows how to have fun.
But saves her display of emotion for those closest to her.

She can be very shy.
And cuddly.
But don't let that fool you, she can get excited.
She even has a happy dance.

She loves when I sing, "Shake Your Booty"
and will sing the song on her own.
Her dance is pretty cute, too.

Singing songs is one of her favorite activities
along with reading books.
Watching movies is not what she enjoys.
However, she will sit to watch Elmo on the computer.

Maggie is (finally) starting to grow some hair,
wears 3T clothing (pants--not leggings--have to be sewn to stay on her waist),
eats very well,
and is hit-or-miss on her naps.

She loves swimming in the tub,
getting in the shower with Mom,
dumping water on her head,
playing in the toilets,
and washing her hands.
It's safe to say she loves water.

Maggie is very girly.
She loves jewelry and purses,
playing with babies,
pushing her new stroller,
talking,
and getting her fingernails painted.

Although sweet most of the time,
Maggie has shown signs of being two-years-old.
Her attitude comes out from time to time
and she is learning how to push Henry's buttons.

But all in all, she has a peaceful temperament
and is very obedient.

She loves her family.
It's hard to say who she loves most.
And we all love Maggie.

Maggie's Birthday

We celebrated Maggie's birthday yesterday with our little family.

I kept saying, "Happy birthday, Maggie!"

And she would say, "Happy birthday, Maggie!"

I don't think she got it.

She and I went shopping in the morning.

After nap/quiet time (because she never fell asleep), we went bowling.

Can you see the enthusiasm?
Henry and Maggie made it through five frames.

Then spent the rest of the time running around,

playing hide-and-seek in the chairs,

and finding arcade games to play,

dance on,

and swing on.

Brendon and I took turns bowling two frames and watching kids.

We had fun.

The kids had fun.

It was a success.

Then we went home for dinner.

Spaghetti and meatballs.

I don't think she knows what her favorite food is yet.

We had cupcakes to celebrate Maggie.

We sang "Happy Birthday (Maggie)" while Henry blew out a candle.

Then "Happy Birthday (Maggie)" while Mom blew out Maggie's candles.

And then we chowed down.

At least Mom and Dad chowed down.

Henry ate frosting.

Maggie ate a few bites and was done.

In an effort to get the kids down to bed quickly, I forgot to open presents.

But two-year-old's don't know presents come with birthdays.

So we opened them the next morning.

She loves the stroller we got her.

She pushed it around all day today.

Church was cancelled today because Lubbock shuts down when it snows (as it should).

So we had two fun family days:

a birthday celebration yesterday (and today),

lots of Daddy time,

and fun in the snow.

It was a fun weekend.

Best.Vacation.Ever

Brendon and I went to Orlando together.

Without any children.

I felt like I left an arm in Lubbock. 

And a leg.

It was--for lack of a better word--amazing. 

The start of a new tradition (i.e. trips without children).
Carissa was a saint to take on our children for six days.

What did we do without our kids?
We ate out.

We slept without interruption.

We went to bed whenever we wanted to.

We played games.

We talked.

We held hands.

Brendon had a pediatric conference.
When he wasn't with me I was basking in alone time.
I didn't have any internet connection aside from the hotel lobby computer.
It was wonderful.
I went shopping by myself until I couldn't walk anymore.
I took naps whenever I felt I needed one.
I got in the shower without Maggie walking around me or crying at the door.
I watched TV.
It was wonderful.

Although not together the entire time,
Brendon and I were able to spend quality time together when we were with each other.
We found some must-eats in Orlando,
including the best turkey burger I've ever had.
I'm talking no-toppings-necessary good.
I don't even really like hamburgers/turkey burgers.


We went to Disney World's Hollywood Studios.
We played ping pong and pool.
We watched a movie.
We sat in the hot tub.
Brendon ran a 5k with me.
(It's my dream to have him for a running buddy.)
In return, we spent a day at the beach and I had my first surfing lesson.
Only Brendon could coerce me into surfing.
I was terrified, but I enjoyed it.

Brendon and I loved this trip.

When we got home, our children were thrilled to see us.
Maggie excitedly laughed when she saw us and wanted only Dad.
Dad saw a tear in her eye.
Henry was sick and just wanted to cuddle with me.
He was on the verge of tears.
It was a sweet reunion.

Since our trip, Henry seems to be more obedient.
(Thank you, Jones'.)
Maggie still laughs when Dad comes home.
I'm more patient (so far).
And Brendon is back to a busy schedule.

Ah, real life.

Finding Joy

I have had a difficult time lately finding joy in my role as a mother and being a stay-at-home mom.

I have always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. Nothing else.

Ever since I can remember, I've dreamed of having a husband and raising children all day, every day.

But my dream isn't everything I thought it would be. 

It's a tough job.

Mentally, physically, and emotionally taxing.

In all fairness, my mom said being a mom is hard.

"That's why I stopped at four," she says.

But I didn't understand. 

Until now.

I have prayed to find joy in this noble calling. 

And sometimes I feel it.

I feel joy; the feeling people often use to describe motherhood and parenting.

I feel elated to have children and to have the privilege of raising them.

Tonight I felt a moment of joy.

It came as I watched Henry and Maggie laugh as they chased each other around the room.

As my children and I watched home videos, I remembered why I love babies so much.

To me, babies are the essence of joy. 

That's not to say babies are easy.

Neither are toddlers.

And I'm sure teenagers aren't free from pain and worry.

I'm finding wisdom in the saying:

Anything hard is worth doing.

Theodore Roosevelt said, 

"Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty."

I think that's where my struggles lie in finding joy.

My dreams came true, but being a mom is much more challenging than anticipated.

And so I am extremely grateful for those moments when the love I have for my children 

(because my love is always there) 

converges with joy for motherhood. 

When my head and heart unanimously rejoice in raising children, in being their mother, in having a family.

Maybe I don't feel joy as often as I should,

but in my heart of hearts I know there's nothing else I would rather be or do.

And so I will continue this path, difficult as it may be.

And I will continue to pray for strength, guidance, and endurance,

and for help to recognize moments of joy.