This Christmas.....

Christmas is over and I can see our vacation coming to an end. Just around the corner are our busy schedules, getting up early, packing lunches, having my Starbucks in the car (always on my way somewhere), and SCHOOL......aghhhh.

As I fill the recycle bin with wrapping paper and cardboard boxes from Christmas morning, I ask myself why we do this. I spent over four hours wrapping all the gifts, making sure they looked just perfect and they were all unwrapped in under ten minutes!!!!
I put a lot of thought into the kids gifts and tried really hard to get them exactly what they wanted. Sydney was a little disappointed, because the one and only thing she asked Santa for was sold out, so she didn't get it. So after a few disappointing tears, we had a talk about the REAL meaning of Christmas. She apologized for being upset and thanked Jesus for all the goodness in her life. Wow!
Without bragging too much, I do have to admit that I have it made: my parents are wonderful, my siblings are great, my nieces & nephew love me, I have real friends, my hubby and kids are healthy and happy....there is nothing I could want more.
I am so thankful that I was able to spend Christmas with my sister and her family, and some really good friends...eating, drinking, and being very merry!
I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas.

Tubiolo's Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The kids made homemade cookies for Santa tonight,
covered with sprinkles in green, red, and white.
Letters for Santa were left by the cookie plate,
the kids were so anxious, they stayed up so late!
When the children were nestled all snug in mom and dad's bed,
Nintendo's and American Girls danced in their heads.
Mom & dad in their jammies finishing all the gift wrap,
Had just settled down, so desperately wanting a nap.
When out from the closet there arose such a clatter,
We quickly ran to see what was the matter.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
The hidden Santa toys falling all over, oh dear!
As soon as the kids were out for the night,
we put out the toys and turn out the lights.
Christmas day will be filled with love and laughter so dear,
as the excitement and smiles on their little faces appear.
Looking forward to 2009 with family and friends,
As a new and better chapter in our life begins.
This holiday season has been out of sight,
so, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Santa Lives On

I was watching the movie Gremlins with my children. I had a list of things a mile long that I should be doing, my children should have been sleeping. But there we sat. The littlest ones fascinated by a movie much more scary than I remember. If I had remembered there is no way I would have let my kids watch.
I am amazed at how much of this movie I had forgotten. I remember the "Don’t get them wet!" and "No feeding them after midnight!" but the rest is a complete blur.
Take for example Phoebe Cates telling the sad story of her father’s death. How did he die? He dressed up as Santa and tried to come down the chimney and broke his neck. She ends the story by saying, "And that was how I found out there was no Santa Claus."
I looked over at my kids.... no one said a word. I didn't say a word. Santa lives on.

Two Weeks Together

Today is the first day of our official Christmas vacation. I am so glad that the kids are finally off from school, so I can sleep in a little and have them to myself for a while. I love when the kids are home, they fill the house with all the noises I love to hear: cartoons, laughter, and their cute little voices. I have the pantry stocked with home made recipe ingredients, cookies from scratch, and crafts to keep us busy. I also managed to set up play dates each week for the kiddos while they are off, play time for the kids...adult time for the mommy's. I think this Christmas vacation will the best one yet, I plan to make the most of it. I'm working on my New Years Resolution, it's definitely one I will stick with, I'll post it once I have fine tuned it. So for now, the next two weeks will be filled with all the fun times I remember having when I was a kid, family time and time with good friends: these are the memories that live on forever...........:)

The Warm Fuzzies

With the weather changing all the time and the cold dreary nights, I've had a lot of time to think.....I know that sounds scary but it's actually a good thing. I haven't had a moment for myself in a long time, so now is good a time as any. The cold rainy days remind me of what's important in life: my family, my true friends, and myself.

I just love cuddling on the couch with Mike and the kids, all in our pj's watching movies and laughing. Our family time are the best part of my day.

Phone calls to family and friends. I love my chats with mom, she is truly a great mother and a great friend, I wish she lived closer so I could hug her everyday. Lisa: wow, we can talk for hours, I never thought I'd meet someone who could talk as much as me, LOL! Thanks for our talks and laughter, I promise I will visit you soon.

Those big brown eyes of my children, melt my heart.

The smell of hot chocolate, chicken noodle soup, and warm baking bread: all the smells that fill our home during the cold winter months.

Reading a book in bed.

Christmas music in the O.R., the other night we (me & the docs) sang the Muppet's twelve days of Christmas during a c-section....it was funny!!!

Getting holiday cards from friends and family all over, I've received almost 80 cards this year. it's nice to know that we have that many people who love us in our lives.

These things make these cold dreary days worth while, I just love it.