Christmas Morning

My family Christmas party

Every year my family gets together to eat a nice dinner, exchange gifts, and get our annual Christmas PJ's from my mom. This was even more special because we didn't know if Alia would make it to the party. Three days before, she was in the hospital with severe pneumonia and they didn't think she would be released in time. Alia blessed the food as we all watched (she signs), it was truly a miracle.

We all had such a blast. My mom and dad bought the kids (3 grandkids) these cool scooters. They are the ones that when you swivel the handlebar back and forth they move. They're kind of like the "Turtles" I had when I was a kid, but these have a place for your feet and are much more sturdy. Funny thing, my parents got 4 - guess who the 4th one was for? My dad. He said it was his police scooter. He's such a little kid.

As part of the party, we take our annual family Christmas pictures. We do the traditional ones with the family and then we get to be ourselves. This year, the boys (and Crystal) got gym shorts for their PJ's and they all hiked them up (this also happens to be a tradition). We got some great pictures and even better memories. Probably the funniest moment of the night involves Jenna. We were taking her picture and she wouldn't smile and kept giving us these looks. She told me she wanted to look like a Bratz doll. We don't even own any and she knows she won't get any, but it's so funny that she wanted to look like one in the way she posed. Jason decided to post like a Bratz doll too.

Anyway, here are some pictures from the evening.

Jenna's Christmas pictures

My little angel

I wanted to share with everyone how much Jenna has done for me - she is my little angel.

On Monday I received some not-so-happy news, but since she's 4, I didn't tell her about it, but she picked up on the fact that Mommy was sad. I wanted to take a long bath to relax and while the water was running Jenna came down stairs and said, "I know what will help". I asked her what she meant and she said, "I know what will help make you happy". She ran upstairs to her room and came down with a picture of Jesus and said, "Jesus will make you smile".

I am so blessed to have a child that is so in-tune to my feelings. She is truly amazing and I love her so much. Whenever I am sad she asks me where my happy face is. If I'm mad at her, she asks me to put away my angry face. I don't think I could've asked for a better daughter.

Our Gingerbread House building project

Christmas Countdown

Yup - it's that time of year again and now that it's December 1st I can officially be "in the mood". OK, I'll admit - I am a complete grinch until we finish eating Thanksgiving Dinner and then I am all ready for Christmas to arrive. I found myself at Toys-R-Us on Black Friday at 5:45 (45 mins after opening). I wandered aimlessly through the packed aisles, I really didn't have anything that I needed to get, but I like to see what is going on and love to say "I was there". I walked out of Toys-R-Us about 5 minutes after I walked in, deciding that chocolate coin maker was not worth 2 1/2 hours of my time - my nephew wouldn't care if I got it for him, he's never heard of it anyway.
I had a few minutes before JoAnn's opened - that's the rendezvous spot I had planned with my mom. I walked over to Old Navy and found a long line there too. They do have some cute sweaters there, but I hate that when I buy something there for me it's inevitable that every time I wear it I'll see at least 3 other people in the same thing. I like to be an original (to an extent) so I walk out of there about 5 minutes later once again empty handed. Two stores and I have yet to buy anything - I'm pretty proud of myself.
I get back into my car and drive over to JoAnn's and find my mom and sister already in line. They are there for the 99 cent flannel - I am there to stand in line as they shop. I don't need anything there either, but I love having the company of my mom and sister, Suzanne. I leave my car at JoAnn's and go with my mom to the mall. There I make my first purchase - a new pillow for my husband, who has been using the same pillow since before we got married. (Yes, he knows about it already).
We went to a lot of stores and I found some great deals, including a new outfit for less than $50 from my favorite store, New York & Company. I also got a lot of shopping done and can proudly say that I'm almost done Christmas shopping!
By the time I get home, Jason and Jenna have gotten in the Christmas spirit (Jenna has been in it for a month or so). Jason has hung the star-lights on our house and turned them onto the setting that I like to call an epileptics worst nightmare - they flash pretty quickly. Jason has also gotten the tree out and all the Christmas decorations. It's now 2 pm and I've been up since 5:15 so I'm beat, but Jenna really wants the decorations up. I do get some rest, but pretty soon Jenna is ready to get Christmas started. She was determined to have an angel on our tree this year so when my mom was at Target she found one and we let Jenna put it on the tree.

24 days until Christmas and before I know it it'll be over and all the presents will be opened and Santa will be back at the North Pole resting from a long night's flight around the world. I'm sure he's preparing to grant as many Christmas wishes as he can and I know that he is watching all of us to make sure that we are doing good. I made sure that I added my change to the bucket next to the bell ringer at WalMart - it's not much, but every bit helps - if we all add a dollar, can you imagine how much of a difference it would make?

Sisters

Boy do I love these 2 - they crack me up and give me awesome advice! I am so lucky to be blessed with such great sisters. Crystal gives me great advice on what to do with my hair - and she's the one who's helping me get back to blonde. If you ever need a hair stylist - she does a great job (and no, I'm not biased in the least).
Suzanne is always there to help me and answer questions about children - she has 2 and they are Jenna's best friends. Suzanne is also very patient, more than I am. She never ceases to amaze me.
This picture was taken at my house when I hosted a Jafra party (makeup and skin care)

Jenna's new haircut

well, it's actually a few weeks old now, but I wanted to share it. She loves it and it fits her personality very well. She's very sassy. And no, I did not pose her, I just told her to pose!