Christmas Cookies

Last weekend the girls and I set about to make some Christmas cookies.  Well, I did most of the making, the girls did most of the icing and eating...

I tried VERY hard not to redo what they had done, but there IS a right way to ice cookies...isn't there?  I was happy as long as they kept their fingers out of their mouths.  Their biggest fans though, were their brothers, who made quick work of eating the cookies! 

Round two came this weekend, wonder if there will be any left for Santa?

She's afraid

You may or may not know that Olivia has a special need.  She was born without the bone in her arm that runs up the inside of your arm, thus making her hand turn inward in a "club" fashion.  She also has what is referred to as a floating thumb, her thumb just hangs and swings back and forth, hanging on by skin and tendon.  She has adapted very nicely over the last eight years and uses her pinky and ring finger as a pincher of sorts. 

When we brought her home, we consulted with an orthopaedic hand surgeon regarding what could be done to help her.  Ultimately we decided to have her thumb removed (we don't know how she has kept it this long) and the surgeon is going to reposition her hand over top of the bone she does have, thereby straightening it out.  We decided to do this over Christmas break, so she wouldn't miss any school (hoping) and get further behind.  So, surgery is scheduled for the 23rd.

Saturday night, Livi got out of bed and was sobbing.  She said she had a bad dream about her hand, that it would hurt to have the surgery, and she was afraid.  This was all triggered because she has a dr. appt. tonight, and she thought it was for the surgery.  Anyway, I talked to her, tried to calm her little fears and told her mommy and daddy would never do anything to hurt her, that we would control her pain as much as possible and that it would all be good in the end.  I reassured her that her appt. on Monday was purely a pre-surgical thing and she wasn't having anything done tonight. 

She seemed to believe me, to trust me.  That is a good thing, as some days I'm not sure she truly trusts me.  I want her to know we will take care of her and love her no matter what.  So, if you are reading this, would you say a prayer for my little girl, that she will be surrounded by God's love and grace and that her surgery will go well; that the Lord will guide Dr. Reilly's hands and eyes as he makes Olivia's hand and arm look more like her other one and that she will be free of pain especially for Christmas Day - her very first!

***UPDATE***

We are postponing Olivia's surgery until Feb. 3 in order for her to truly enjoy her very first Christmas (surgeon supported and suggested). 

Santa Claus

We had such an awesome experience tonight while taking the girls to see "Santa".  A local nursery really puts on a Christmas display and their Santa is so real and LOUD.  We headed over and got in line.  The girls were both anxious, Abigail because she really didn't like Santa last year and Livi because she just doesn't "get it" and I'm not quite sure how or what to tell her.  When it was their turn, they both went right up to see him (we were close by).

They were completely enamored with him.  He asked all the typical questions, what are your names, what do you want for Christmas...Abigail answered for both girls while Olivia giggled and giggled in amazement.  Then he asked them if they wanted to sing Jingle Bells with him.  Well, Olivia has watched the Curious George Christmas movie enough that she knew the words {sort of} and they were both ecstatic.  So, the three of them started singing and then we joined in and next thing we know, the whole line of people are all singing Jingle Bells with Santa and my girls.  It could not have been a better first time experience for Livi (and really Abigail too).  Everyone was so full of joy, it really was magical!

Now HOW will I tell them he's not real???  He was sooo very real...

Thankful for Aunt Lila

Who, you ask, is Aunt Lila?  In a nutshell, she is my mom's sister.  That doesn't do justice to who she REALLY is. 

Many moons ago, when we had just gotten out of the Marine Corp and my hubby started college, we moved in with Aunt Lila, as a convenience to us and company for her.  Here we are, two plus decades later, and we are all still together. 

When we gave her the option a decade ago to stay in her house she'd lived in for 40+ years or move with us to the "country", much to our surprise (and delight), she chose the country.  Who says old folks are set in their ways?

So, she has seen us through two births, two adoptions (which we couldn't have done without her); two dogs, three cats, six chickens, two hamsters, a gecko, and many fish {all of which she has fed when we have gone on vacation}. 

She has done PILES of laundry {we get so tired of hearing "is this yours" or "whose is this"}.  She has saved my arse many times when kids needed picked up from somewhere and I was at work and she has wiped many snotty noses, bandaged many a boo boo and wiped many tears away.

What she has done for us is immeasurable and I know I don't thank her ever nearly enough .  She has seen the good, the bad and the ugly and while sometimes its been difficult having a non-traditional family, we wouldn't have had it any other way.  Who needs privacy anyway?

We have been so blessed to share our lives with Aunt Lila and for that, we are so VERY thankful.

Keep Trying - Thankful for My Buddy Zeus

 I really am thankful for so much in my life; guess I just have problems putting thoughts to "paper and pen".

Today as I look at my big guy laying curled up in a ball (its a big ball), I am thankful for the last eleven years I've had him in my life.  Hopeful for another eleven...

Zeus has been with us through a lot of change and he's been a trooper.  We've moved him, we've brought two more kids into his life that have poked, prodded and pulled...he hasn't cared a bit.  As long as he can be with us, and get the occasional "cookie", he's happy!

I watch him age and its hard.  The things he used to do, swim and boat with us, run after the quadrunner in the snow while Bern pulled the kids...for HOURS, run off and explore with our other dog; how I long for him to be able to do those things, but his tired old legs just don't let him.  Now he sits and watches as these things go around him, and he's still happy. 

When I say my prayers at bedtime, I ask the Lord to give me just one more day with my guy.  Everyone should have a Zeusy in their lives at some point, I'd just like to keep mine forever.

Thankful for My Hubby

The Hunter and Gatherer

The Provider and Daddy

My Lover and Sparring Partner

He's my guy and after almost 28 years of "sick and sin"

He's a keeper!

 {a tender moment so rarely captured on film}

My Savior

Today I am stating the obvious. 


I am so very thankful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  While I am not the most eloquent writer, and I don't wear my faith on my sleeve, I can tell you with complete honesty that I am a child of God.  Every day is a work in progress for me, but I know at the end of it, He is there for me, rooting me on, believing in me, forgiving me.  How Great is our God? 

You KNOW this is how He looks, right?


"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you... For I am the LORD, your God." Isaiah 43:1-3 (New International Version)