Friday, December 31, 2010
Reflections of 2010
1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
If you've been reading my blog since the beginning, this will be very obvious. Jason left for Afghanistan in April of 2009 and returned in April of 2010. The first year of my blog was saturated with his deployment. In April after 2 weeks of what I commonly refer to as HELL(you can read all about it here or here), he returned to us, never to deploy again. My sign said it all. "NEVER again!"
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
Lincoln.
Ha, he's a handful, all boy and into EVERYTHING! Don't let anybody fool you, 2 kids changes EVERYTHING. But, on top of that, I produced the most perfect baby when I had Jackson and he set the bar WAY to high for his mischievous brother. I love that boy. He's my challenge.
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Lincoln LOVED his father. He was gone the first 11 months of this baby's life. We had no idea how he would react with another adult, a father, in the house with us. When we saw him, he looked at him, went directly to him and buried his head deep. It was like love at first sight. I never expected that reaction. You can see the photo in THIS blog.
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
I knew it would be an obstacle for me, not for him. Jackson started all day preschool. He likes it but it is a long day. I know he's learning things and getting used to what Kindergarten will be like. He's even writing words and reading a little but being away from him and his sweetness all day is something I've had to overcome.
5. Pick three words to describe 2010.
Patience, Paradise, Practice (It was easy to put my year into thirds. Jason wasn't home, Jason WAS home, Jason is STILL home!) That led to my 3 P's. I had to use patience to get him home, Paradise was the first 3 months of the summer while on leave and practice was us being a family of FOUR in a normal life together.
6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2010 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
My first thought he would say was "whiny". So I cheated, I asked him. His first word...whiny! Then, he tactfully backed up and said: Joyful, Stressed and Fit. I think he really wanted to add whiny in there again.
7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2010 (again, without asking).
Again, I cheated and I asked him. He said: Intense, Relaxed and Change.
8. What were the best books you read this year?
Nicholas Sparks.
His books are the only ones I read. I read "The Lucky One" while we were in Mexico laying out on my huge hammock outside the room.
On the way home from Thanksgiving, I "read" Safe Haven, his latest book and both were great.
9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
Obviously, I reconnected with my husband after his return.
As Jackson has grown up, I'm still his mother but when he asks me to play Lego's with him, I feel like we are also friends.
We spent an amazing week in Mexico with one of our very favorite couples in the world. I became ever closer to my mom and sister (you can't get any better friends that that!) and I maintained my best friend Renee over the many miles between us. When you have a friendship like that, it just can't be replaced.
10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
We really settled into the roll of the family of FOUR when Jason returned. We all found our place around the table and spent our first Christmas at home together. It was quiet, peaceful and fulfilling.
11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
I fell deeper in love with the three boys in my life. Seeing them together, it was hard not to.
12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually? I love our church and how they make you REALLY think. I've never had trouble with fully believing in Christ but I struggle more with knowing that everything works together for HIS Glory. And sometimes, that's not what we desire. It's not about US!
13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
I finished my first 10 miler this year. My running partner, Jen, and I signed up and trained for several months for this. We trained so long we could have easily ran a half marathon. Our 5:45am runs were sometimes the strange highlight of my day! I miss her, she needs to get back here!
14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
I gained several new friends this year and lost touch with a few. I have come to realize that some people are friends for just a season in your life and that's ok. I usually have that "friend for life" attitude but I think it took some maturing to learn that lesson.
15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
Since my work IS at home, the most enjoyable part would definitely be watching both of the boys growing up and learning new things. Jackson beginning to learn to read and Lincoln learning to walk and finally starting to talk too!
16. What was the most challenging part of your work both professionally and at home)?
At the risk of sounding a little monotonous, the biggest challenge I held was weathering the storm alone the first four months while playing both mother and father. It's amazing the burden that was lifted when there were 2 parents in this house and the one parent here didn't have to live in constant fear for the other.
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
Hello, Facebook! I'm guessing I'm not the only one with this answer. At least I didn't say blogging.
18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
That would be the days I dropped it all and took the kids to the park or the pool. The best memories, the best times, the best way to spend an afternoon. But blogging comes in there somewhere because without these blogs, the kids would probably never remember all the things we did when they were small.
19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?
You might not be doing what you always thought you would do, but it's exactly what you're supposed to be doing. Change is not bad, it is inevitable.
20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2010 for you.
The decisions you make today will define your future. Choose your paths wisely. Live, laugh, love. Family are the people who love you unconditionally.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Christmas Blizzard
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas Traditions
Everybody has a few. They are fun, festive and its what makes the Holiday bright. Here are a few of ours.
Around Thanksgiving, we always construct a gingerbread house. In our house, it's usually Nana who begins this messy task and I gladly let her take it on.
Making Christmas cookies. This is one carried over from my beloved childhood and I knew I'd want to do this with my children. It's messy, sugary, fun. Here's this years adventure with my little helpers.
Boy, isn't Lincoln proud he's getting to help like a big boy!
"Hey, Mom, what does that say??"
Naughty or Nice? "Which one am I?" Hmmmmm...
Well, I guess this answers it! Always count on Lincoln for a photo opportunity like this.
Jackson is trying to figure out how he can get a bite of Lincoln's cookie too!
Our FAVORITE little people Nativity. Here, I posted Jackson retelling the Christmas story using this Nativity. It's been one of my best ever craigslist finds.
Our Alabama/Auburn tree. To be honest, it started as an Auburn tree. I had collected ornaments in college for the tree I knew I would want to have one day. But, in a family of Alabama boys, I have made the concession to have the "family divided" tree.
Half Auburn (the pretty side) and half Alabama. All Christmas love!
And our family tree. I loved the tree this year. We still buy a real tree and I don't think it can be beat. We picked it out and drug it in and decorated it together. Jackson had fun asking about each of the ornaments. When I was engaged to be married to Jason, I had a Christmas shower and I received a ton of beautiful ornaments. On each box I wrote who the ornaments were from so I would always remember and be able to tell my kids of the people who love us.
Jason thought the gold swirly's were a little crazy but what does he know about Christmas tree decor? A special thanks to my friend Danielle for tying the fabulous bow on top!
This was my grandmother's Christmas village. I was so glad to inherit it to put up at Christmas. I can remember not being able to leave it alone when she put it out every year. Now I'm fighting the same "Don't touch it" battle. I miss her dearly and wish she were here to see it.
I'm sure there are some that were left undocumented. These are just a few of our families favorite Christmas traditions.
What are some of YOUR favorite traditions with your family?
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Family Traditions-We have a Name!
Traditions are defined by the "passing on" or handing down from generation to generation. We have many traditions that we are passing down from our parents and grandparents in the Holiday season but this one...this one we started all on our own.
You might remember last year when we were introduced to ELF He remained nameless until this year. Now our elf is proud to be called Criddle. I didn't know WHERE on earth Jackson had come up with the name Criddle. Obviously, I hadn't read the book. There in the book, it clearly states that you can name your elf Criddle and he took their advice.
The Big Dirt Hill
The Quest to see Santa
So this year, we went to Raleigh and ended up in line to see Santa at Crab tree Valley Mall around 1pm. Well, we see the big guy get up and walk away! Are you kidding? Apparently, Santa needs a lunch break. It lasts an hour. I con Jackson into going to the Lego store and coming back right before he returns.
We get back in line about 2pm to find a LONGER wait and the kind lady in front of us tells us that the wait time from where we are standing is about 1.5 hours as THIS Santa takes about 5 minutes with EACH child. SERIOUSLY? I was about ready to spill the beans right there! We don't need 5 minutes, we merely need 5 SECONDS. "Yada, Yada, I want Lego's, Yada Merry Christmas!" Done! Well, since Jackson is my reasonable child, I managed to talk him into going to see Santa another day in Fayetteville. We did get up to Clayton, NC to see the "Christmas Lights on the Nuese" aka "Lights in a field" and there was a Santa you could visit there for a small fee of $7. I am WAY to cheap to pay for a darkened photo with Santa with a Camera not even as good as my own.
Fast forward a few weeks and we're down to the wire. I avoid the Fayetteville Mall at ALL costs. The week of Christmas, ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Yes, I went there. I got there as early as I thought possible and it was NOT early enough. There was already a line from Santa to the carousel. Not happening, I didn't care at this point if we even saw Santa at all. I wasn't sure Lincoln would even have anything to do with him. Again, dealing with my most reasonable child, I promised we would get up EARLY and be at the mall the following day to eat breakfast, see Santa and ride the carousel. That's just what we did. We got there about 930 and...GOT IN LINE. Yes, there was already a line. We were even confronted by a Grinch of a lady that claimed she was in front of us. (Oh, she wasn't!) All in the name of Santa Claus. Geez. About an hour and $20 bucks later, we walked away with....(drumroll please)...
a Crappy photo with Santa. On a more cheerful holiday note, Lincoln seemed to love the big guy so that made it all worth it...almost. Then we proceeded to ride the carousel and eat our chicken biscuits at 11am. Now, that might have made it worth it. And now for the photos to prove it!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
The Christmas Story-narrated by Jackson deFoor
Ahhh...he's 5!
He awoke at 6:30 and said "Mom, I'm FIVE!" Yeah, son, I know. Now go back to sleep or lay there till the sun comes up.
Fast forward a few hours, his special day included a trip to the Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh. It's a super fun place but you just might loose your marbles. Especially if you choose a day when an elementary school is there.
I didn't break his legs for talking too much, he's pretending with kid sized crutches.
Lincoln likes FISH. He liked the baby aquarium with real fish and this little train station aquarium too.
He also really liked the Yellow Submarine. It flashed and made sounds when you push the buttons. He's my button pusher (in more ways than one.)
This is when we had to leave the submarine to go upstairs to have MORE fun. Oh Good Grief!
Upstairs had a sports theme including rock climbing and surfing. All of these were a big hit, until the school group showed up anyway.
You can just imagine what he did when I made him get out.
This boy just landed in Giant LEGO heaven! We may never leave now. I guess it's time to put more money in the parking meter.