New Years Ramblings

Yes, I am writing about my leg, again.  I am sure y'all are sick and tired of hearing about my broken bones, but I love a funny story and wanted to share a couple of funny things that happened while I was at the hospital right after my fall.

I am a whimp when it comes to pain medication.  It isn't the IV or needles that scares me, it's more the loss of control and foggy feeling I don't like.  But, pain medication was absolutely necessary for them to be able to wrap my leg so we could make the drive home and survive the night.   Todd and my Dad had stepped out of the room and after giving me the medicine, the nurse began working on the computer behind me.   I was laying there beginning to feel the effects of the pain medicine when all of a sudden I started hearing  "Amazing Grace."  In my foggy state I thought, am I dying?  Is this the choir of angels?  I called for the nurse and said, "Do you hear Amazing Grace?"  After telling me she did and that it was someone's ringtone in the room next to mine, we both died laughing.
Once the pain medication was in full effect, 2 technicians came in to wrap my leg.  I had to roll onto my stomach, which was excruciating,  and lift my leg, which was even more excruciating (I don't deal with pain real well, obviously) and then they began wrapping my leg which felt like they were twisting my leg around and around.  Suffice it to say I thought I was going to die and braced my good leg against the footboard of the bed and pushed against it as hard as I could (I also bit Todd's hand on accident, oops!)  When they were finished the male technician said "Well, I don't think I'll be having any more kids after that."  I hadn't been pushing as hard as I could on the footboard, I had been pushing on his, yes.  I was purple with emberrassment. Hopefully I don't ever have to go back to that hospital!

So does everyone have big plans for New Years Eve?  We will be spending ours at home, but I am sending Todd out to find some of this...

 and then see if AC and I can figure out how to do it.

Because really, if you have to sit in bed and look at your toes while you ring in the New Year, they should at least be glittery and festive, right?



2011...

according to AC and B.  I did this questionaire about the year with the kids last year (you can read it here) and loved reading their answers compared to this year.  Maybe next year the little girls will be able to contribute.

1.  What did you do in 2011that you had never done before?
B:  I learned to swim in strokes.
AC:  I started a journal.

2.  Did you keep your New Years Resolution and will you make more for next year?
B:  I think I did.  No, I don't think I'm going to do that this year.
AC:  Yes.  I am going to write more.

3.  Did anyone close to give you birth?
B:  A' Mom (a boy from their class)
AC:  A got a baby sister.

4.  What is your favorite place you visited last year?
B:  My cousin's house.
AC:  Jeckyll Island

5.  Where would you like to visit in 2012?
B:  Hawaii
AC:  Paris

6.  What you would like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
B:  This new game I saw at Game Stop.....Can I go now?  This is taking forever.
AC:  A cat.  Do you think I can get one?

7.  What date from 2012 will always remain etched in your memory and why?
B:  Christmas because you give to other people.
AC:  July 1st because it was my birthday.

8.  What was your biggest achievement this year?
B:  I helped a lot of people.
AC:  I have done my homework without being asked.

9.  Did you suffer illness or injury?
B:  Nope
AC:  Yes, I had a stomach bug in the summer and strep throat.

10.  What was the best thing you bought?
B:  Ninjago spinners
AC:  My gold fish

11.  Where did most of your money go this year?
B:  To my school
AC:  Helping people

12.  What song will always remind you of 2012?
B:  I'm not sure, really
AC: Rocky Top

13.  What do you wish you would have done more of in 2011?
B:  Played with my sisters
AC:  Swim

14.  What do you wish you would have done less of?
B:  Homework
AC:  Nothing.  I like what I did this year.

15.  What was your favorite movie:
B:  Super Mario Brothers
AC:  Spy Kids

16.  What was the best book you read this year?
B:  Boxcar Children
AC:  The Hundred Dresses

17.  What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
B:  I was 7 and I had a Mario party and we had a water balloon fight, but I didn't get hit by a single one.
AC:  I was 7 and I had a fancy spa party.

18.  Who was the best new person you met in 2011?
B:  A (from his class) because he is hilarious.
AC:  A (from her class) 

In this house lately...

Life is looking different in this house lately.

• The little girls are used to me reading 1 to 2 books during their morning playtime and then rushing to clean a bathroom, floor, whatever...now I have the time to read 6-10 books.
• The big kids are used to morning cuddling being interrupted by me having to make breakfast, where I am now available, and requesting, cuddling all day long.
• Todd works from home and is used to scheduled hours of uninterrupted work time in his office...his work time is now interrupted and he is having to make up after the kids are in bed.

This adjustment isn't easy....I am one who loves routine and a schedule, so our children also seem to work best with a schedule, but right now we are in limbo.  It isn't always pretty, peaceful, tempers are brought to the max, tears have been shed, and we are all a little out of sorts.

My temperment is always to see the glass half full, but I will admit, I'm frustrated.  I like a routine, a clean and orderly house, organization...I am a (bit of a) control freak.

 I am a control freak, yet this broken leg is teaching me that being a control freak is keeping me from the most important things...things I have designated time to, but not prioritized in the way I want to.

I have always woken up before my family for my prayer time (and because I am a bit of a bear without a couple cups of coffee), but after 30 minutes, I was off and making breakfast, prayer time over.
I have always read to my children, but after a few books, time to continue cleaning, organizing, whatever.
I have always enjoyed cuddling with my babies, but after a few minutes, my list of chores is weighing over my head and I'm off.

Maybe God is trying to tell me something....maybe I feel life is moving at such rapid speed because I let the little, unimportant things fill my day?

Christmas 2011

Christmas Eve Day Aunt La-La(my sister) was here to oversee decorating cookies for Santa and make a birthday cake for Jesus.

Meanwhile, I sat and admired my cute new slippers (slipper for the time being), a gift from a precious friend.

After church, Aunt Lauren and her husband, Richard, made us a very yummy Christmas Eve dinner of:

Potato chip and Herb Crusted Beef Tenderloin with Cherry Chutney (December issue of Southern Living)
Parmesean Roasted Potatoes
Green Bean Bundles
Grandma's Rolls
Cherry Cobbler
Pumpkin Pie
and a ton of other goodies sweet friends have brought by.

Then, the kids got to open 2 gifts which is always Christmas pajamas and a Christmas book.

Santa's cookies, milk.

Leaving magic oats and carrots for the reindeer

This morning was a early one, but Santa brought lots of goodies.

LJ and Coach had a blast together...

Having a broken leg is certainly not the ideal, but having my parents and family here made this Christmas the best ever.

We had a great weekend celebrating Jesus's birthday!

Gingerbread House Competition 2011

A tradition we started last year was a gingerbread house competition boys vs. girls.  This year we were happy to have some of our family join us for the fun.

The girls: a victorian village theme

The boys (minus Coach who was acting as photographer): a Super Mario Brothers Theme

Who else is pulling out all the stops to keep the excited kiddos entertained today? 

Broken

My leg, that is.  The tibia and fibula, to be exact.  Sunday we were to celebrate Christmas with Todd's family, but I slipped in their driveway (while holding MC, who thankfully was fine) and landed in a very weird way on my right leg and heard a crack...that really loud bone-breaking crack.
An ambulance ride and ER visit later showed that it was indeed broken and would require surgery.  I had surgery yesterday and the procedure went great.  It will be a long road to recovery- 3 months on crutches, rehab, and likely 10 to 11 months before walking without a limp.
And I am so sad and mad that this happened, but especially because it happened this week.  This is probably my favorite week of the whole year.  I had plans of gingerbread houses being built, putting the kids to bed and waking them up to see Christmas lights, special shopping trips with each child for their siblings and my favorite, Christmas Eve Service at our church.

 I had plans.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Last night was a painful night, both phsically and emotionally, but as I sat reciting this Scripture, our family's verse, and just plain praying like crazy to feel at peace with the circumstances we are facing,  it struck me that no matter what, this will be the most beautiful and wonderful Chistmas ever.
Because, like every year, it's a celebration of our Savior's birth.  Just because the celebration looks different on the outside, doesn't mean the love in our hearts for Jesus is any different.  We may be lacking in gingerbread houses and evenings spent driving around looking at lights, but we are forever thankful for family travelling to be with us on Christmas and our friends and families who love us always.
My leg may be broken, but my Christmas spirit is alive and whole!

Christmas Break Is Here!

I joined AC and B at school this morning to have a birthday party for Jesus before Christmas break begins....
Frosty and the Grinch payed the class a visit...

we made crafts....

 ate insane amounts of sugar....

 exchanged homemade ornaments...

and made blessing bags to keep in the car and give to someone in need.

 All of the kids were assigned an item to bring in (toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, tissues, trail mix,etc) and we put them in bags and the kids decorated a card with John 3:16 on it...such a great idea!

When we got home, Coach (my dad) was here to take the big kids to Tennessee for a special weekend with their cousins.

I put the babies down for their nap and after sitting for a while twiddling my thumbs , unsure of what to do with myself and spare time, I also took a long nap!

Whenever AC and B are away, T and I are always like, "Why did we think it was so hard with just 2, this is a breeze."  Perspective is a beautiful thing.

 

Yesterday the little girls and I went to stay with AC and B's class for a bit so their teacher could see her own child in the kindergarten Christmas play.

All of the kids are always so sweet to the girls and they loved all of the attention.

Decking the Halls

I've really been enjoying all of the blog parties showing Christmas decorations, so I thought I join in on the fun! 

Our family room...fresh pine, magnolia, and boxwood from our yard.  I had to skip the lights this year because the little girls would definately pull them down.  I love our new stockings, but I'm not sure what I was thinking when I picked the fabrics...thet don't go too well in the room.

Out cinnamon salt dough ornaments sit on a tiny tree by the front door...they smell so good!

The mantle in our bedroom...more fresh greenery and camelias

(one of my favorites and lucky us, we have about 20 bushes!)
from the yard.

I love having a tree in each of the children's bedrooms...there is something so magical about going to sleep in a room with twinkling lights and our little ones have so much fun decorating them with their special ornaments!

B's tree

AC'S tree

and LJ and MC's

The lighting in these next pictures are not great, but that sweet girl above has decided her nap time is over, so I'm making do.

Our dining room...we eat dinner here every night and I love using our Christmas china.  Our main tree.... bless it's heart.  My precious husband insisted we convert to LCD lights because they are safer for young children, but they are a bit psychedelic, yes?  And no ornaments from 3 feet down...we choose to love it anyway.

Our advent calendar hangs in the kitchen....

Hope you all enjoyed the tour as much as I have seeing y'alls homes!

Linking up with:

The Inspired Room

Thrifty Decor Chick
Nesting Place
Walk With Me By Faith Christmas Card Carousel
Kelly's Korner

A Visit with Santa

After church today, we met up with sweet friends for lunch and a visit with Santa.

LJ and MC have both learned to say "Ho, ho, ho," but it was naptime and I knew it was likely not going to go well.

They both lost it when I sat them in his lap, so I sat down to get a picture.  Sitting on Santa's lap when you are a bit older and afraid that you are hurting his leg is a little uncomfortable, by the way.

Love this...AC is trying to straighten Santa's glove.

As always it was a little crazy, but we love making memories with our sweetest friends we will cherish forever!

A Date to Be Remebered

Today we helped at our church's Hands of Christ program- a time for families in need to come and eat breakfast, sing carols, and receive gifts.  Afterwards our church held a a parents day out.  We told AC and B we were going on a date...the truth was we were going to shop like mad since we are a little behind in that area.  Well, the baby girls were not happy in the nursery, so they ended up coming with us on our shopping frenzy.

When AC and B got home this afternoon those sweet things had formulated a plan to give us a date at home.  Much to their disappointment, I had already started dinner in the crockpot (Steak and Black Bean Chili was deemed very unromantic according to our 7 year olds) , but they set out to create a romantic atmosphere in the dining room, AC insisted on doing my hair and make up (very interesting), and she even layed out an outfit for me to wear.

They thought of everything....right down to a candycane in our water.

Desert was a banana split with extra cherries.

T and I said we were too stuffed to eat it, so our excellent hosts offered to finish it off for us.

Love them so much!