Christmas 2013

If you're like most people I've talked to recently, you're wondering where Christmas went!? It's like it came in the night and disappeared without a trace. The build up, the presents, the parties, the functions, the this and that and then in one day, it's all over. Webb is still asking when we can open more presents. I'll tell you, I'm about present-ed out. With his birthday being a month before Christmas, he ends up with sooooooo much stuff! I am not complaining- I am certainly grateful for the gifts but it just ends up being too much sometimes!

Webb was absolutely precious this year. He was so into Santa coming down the chimney, the reindeer on the roof, the toys, the treats, and the endless fun of it all. On Christmas Eve, we watched Christmas movies and an old favorite "The Rescuers" that Nancy brought. We made Christmas cookies for Santa, sprinkled our reindeer food, and read "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Nancy spent a few days so we stayed up putting out toys and getting things ready for Webb. The next morning brought lots of excitement as he tore into his presents. Santa brought dinosaurs, a huge cement mixer, a monster truck (duh), some Calliou toys, some pj's, candy, puzzles, and such. Nancy got him a huge tee pee that he loves. I think the highlight was the Santa train that he's been begging Mimi and Pawpaw to put up for him. They brought it over late that night with a note from Santa. That was a total hit!

So blessed by my little family!

 

Santa was good to me too! I racked up on winter running gear, clothes and such for our trip this summer and my beloved running watch that I've been drooling over for quite some time.

 

 

 

The best gift though, was first of all, finally understanding the true meaning of Christmas for the first time in my life. I am humbled by the faith I've found and what it means to really believe in God.

 

The other gift, the most important gift on this Earth, is right here.

 

 

If I could just eat both of them up, I would. They bring me so much joy every single day.

 

To Chris, thank you for your patience, your quiet spirit, and your sweet smile. You are such a blessing.

 

To Webb, oh, there are not enough words in the English language to describe my love for you. I could swim oceans, run across continents, fly to the moon and back and it wouldn't touch the love I have for you. You are simply divine, my sweet Goose.

 

 

 

Christmas 2013 was absolutely wonderful. I hope yours was as well.

 

xoxo

 

 

 



A Heavy Heart

Last night, news spread that a friend, one whom I've talked about here on my blog, was moved to our local Hospice house. He has been fighting bone cancer for almost a year now. He's endured hours and hours of chemo, a leg amputation, and much sickness, pain, heartache, and disappointment after each chemo treatment failed to work. The news last night was a little surprising to me because this guy kept going and going and going. After sickness from the chemo, he'd bounce back for more. He'd have a set back and he'd remain strong. Steadfast in his faith that the Lord would give him strength. We all knew he was fighting. He was fighting for one more day, one more hour, one more chance to be a father and husband to his beautiful wife and two gorgeous twin daughters. (Webb will marry one of them one day.) :) I can't say I've ever in my life witnessed such strength and honor in God. Every update from Facebook included how his faith had not waivered, how his strength came from the Lord, how he was armored with God's grace.

And then he made a decision. He decided it was time to go to Hospice. You know, nothing says FAITH like making a decision like that. Chad must have an amazing faith in God. He must know that God is going to walk him through every minute of his time here on Earth. He must know that God will not forsake him, let him down, or leave him stranded. He must know that on the other side, a loving God awaits him with open arms to receive him into his kingdom. He must know that his faith, his journey, his life has touched people in unimaginable ways and that God has used him as a vessel to bring people closer to Him. What amazing, unshakeable faith Chad has.

To Chad, Holly, and all my friends at High Rock Church. I get it now. I finally get it. I get that God's grace will bring us closer to Him. I get that we need an amazing God to walk with us every single day. Thank you for helping me get it. Thank you for helping me hold my child a little closer, love my Chris a little stronger, tell my friends and family I love them.

To Chad, I love you, friend. I am thinking of you, praying for you, and asking that God hold you so tightly in the palm of His hand and that you are comfortable and at peace. You are so loved in this community. You have touched many lives. You have done well, my good and faithful servant.

Love,
Amanda

What a Week

*Disclaimer: Lots of rambling here.

Well, the week started off great. Sunday, I ran my 602nd mile of the year to finish out my first full year of running. I felt great after my 10 mile run. We had a great afternoon. I planned a baby shower, wrapped Christmas presents, and did things around the house. Monday, I was observed by my principal, felt great, did great, all was just great! Then Monday night, out of the blue, I started feeling like I was getting another sinus infection. I self medicated and went to bed early. Woke in the night with a headache- again self medicated. I had my gym clothes laid out and a plan to meet my friend Allyson for a 5 a.m. workout. Woke up at 4:30 feeling like a train had run over me. Went to work, felt horrible. Ran to the drugstore for more OTC meds to self medicate, still thinking it was just a sinus infection. By 2:00, I was about to fall over so I went to the doctor. He checked me out and said they'd do a flu test to rule that out. Laid on the table in doctor's office crying, I felt so badly. He came back 10 minutes later to confirm the worst. Flu. Go home, get in bed. Mom brings Tamiflu and Tylenol. Get Webb situated to spend the night at Mimi's. Chris sleeps upstairs in guest room.

 

Yesterday morning, woke up, felt ok, still blah, and stopped up. Coughing, congested, etc. Spend the day on the couch watching movies. Felt a little better. Webb comes home. We think all is well as long as avoid close contact (dr. said he was already exposed Monday night) so we played and ate dinner. Chris feels yucky and has a little fever. He puts Webb to bed. I'm hoping a good night's sleep will help him feel better and that I'll feel well enough to do a few things that Santa needs to do before the big day. Wake up, Webb is fine. I'm ok, still blah and stopped up. Chris feels yucky. Calls doctor. I take Webb to preschool and run a quick errand. Come home and feel like I've been run over by a train. Chris texts with his update. Flu. I immediately begin going into small panic mode. Worried about my boy. Hoping that daddy putting him to bed last night didn't cause him to get it. Call Dr. Ed's office. They say to just watch for fever. Call Mimi. Worried she and Pawpaw will get it too. She says they're fine. I worry. She says she'll bring us homemade chicken noodle soup for dinner. I tell her she's the sweetest Mimi in the world. She says not to worry. She will take care of my baby boy. I hang up, almost in tears. Then she sends me this picture of my boy from preschool. I feel like a horrible mom. I can't pick him up, hear about his fun morning, and put him down for his nap. I remind myself that that's why God made Mimi's. To love and cuddle my Webb too.

 

 

So here we both are, all laid up at home like a bunch of sick, dying people. My boy is BACK at his Mimi's this afternoon while we rest up. All that matters right now is that Webb is happy and well and that we all get better by Christmas. Someone is so excited about Santa!

 

 

Webb before his Christmas party at preschool. Oh, how I love my Goose!

 

Definitely asking for prayers for everyone to feel better and be back to normal in time for Santa. There's a sweet little boy who is counting on him this year! :)

 

Tumble Pots

Today was Webb and Ruby's third birthday party at what Webb calls "Tumble Pots." There's a local gymnastics place in town called "Tumble Tots" that he's been to so you see where he gets the name from. This was a different place but had the same type entertainment as Tumble Tots. Except it had a foam pit which was the star attraction for these sweet children! We had the best time celebrating Webb and Ruby and watching the kids (and adults) play! We sure are thankful for the friends who helped us celebrate. It was a fun morning for sure!

Foam pit fun!

 

Beautiful Rachy.

 

Sweet Ruby. Get the camera out, and girl can pose!

 

 

 

Carrie, Ruby, and Baxter!

 

Someone just wanted the cars off his cake!

 

 

Junk food!

 

 

Bouncing Webb!

 

Princess Ruby

 

The sweet Pyle family. Love them so!

 

 

There's no telling what's being discussed here!

 

 

All I can say is Webb couldn't wait to get in his bed at nap time. All this fun wore him out!

And because he's the love of my life and the reason I blog, here's a picture of my turkey at his preschool play a few weeks ago. Can I please just stop time and make him little forever?