Day 23 Brunch & Christmas Church Service

For several years now, we have done one of the Christmas services at our church with a group of friends.  Afterwards, we usually return to our house to have a potluck meal and let the kids play.  I can't remember how long we've done this, but its been a while.  Over the years, we've added spouses and children to the crowd.

Our littlest Caleb hanging with Alyssa.

This year, we decided to do a potluck brunch ahead of time and then go to the 1 pm service.  Brunch was delicious.  We had bacon, mimosas, fruit, an egg casserole, hash brown casserole and homemade donuts.  Yep, you heard that right.  My dear friend Stacey came over a few hours before brunch and whipped up a big batch of homemade donuts (the Pioneer Woman's recipe).  They were delicious!  I have decided that both brunch and these donuts are a must for next year.  Although she may have to double the donut recipe as there wasn't a single donut leftover.

Stacey making the best part of brunch.

Before we headed to church, we got all the kids wrangled onto the couch for a quick picture. 

I think someone told the kids to yell and mine took that seriously.

And this cutie (my two-month old niece) was giving out the sweetest smiles in between napping. 

I love Christmas traditions!

Goodbyes are sad

This morning, I woke up to the sound of Aaron's cries.  He was standing next to my bed at 8:23 crying.  In between his wails, I heard his anguished words that Grandma Mary and Pa Lynn were gone.  He was heartbroken. 

He knew that they'd be leaving this morning before he woke up, but knowing it and fully comprehending what it means are two totally different things, especially for a four-year-old.  He gladly gives us his bedroom when Grandma Mary & Pa Lynn come to visit since he has a queen bed.  So, when he tiptoed through the hall this morning, he saw the open bedroom door, the empty bed and missing suitcases and lost it.  No more Grandma Mary reading with him.  No more Pa Lynn helping him with his Buzz Lightyear puzzle.  No more riding in Pa Lynn's car by himself and getting BOTH grandparents undivided attention.  No more playing Angry Birds on Pa Lynn's phone.  No more scrolling through pictures of his Walmer cousins on Grandma's phone.  They were gone.  And we don't have a plan of exactly when we will see them again to ease the pain.

I remember years ago before I was a mom myself that my mom would often get teary-eyed and fight back the tears when we would return to college over Christmas break.  At the time, I was young.  I was excited to be out on my own.  It wasn't that I didn't have a great relationship with my parents (I did), but I was excited to venture into the world and make it my own.  I was excited to be living in Chicago (one of my dreams).  After getting married, I would get sad to say goodbye to my parents, but I still had so much of life ahead of me, it was a more fleeting thought.

Since having children, my perspective has changed.  I have a whole knew appreciation for my mom and dad.  I'm always sad to see our visits end and I will often tear up and fight back tears myself (or just let them flow).  I love that my boys have such strong relationships with my parents, but it comes at a cost.  My parents spend a lot of time, energy and money traveling to see us (they're a 10-12 hour drive away).  I'm not their only child.  I'm only one of four of their children.  My boys are just four of their ten grandchildren.  Its a blessing to have this family but its bittersweet since we're spread out across the country.  They have children in four states: Minnesota, Illinois, Delaware and Houston.  Its complicated to see each other.  It requires requesting time off at work, traveling and coordinating schedules.  I watch them and think that will be me in twenty years splitting my time among my four grown children.  I wonder if I will have the energy to do it as well as they do. 

Living far apart is hard.  There is no hopping in the car for an impromptu visit.  There is no spontaneous Starbucks run with my mom.  There is no meeting up with my dad on his work lunch break.  There is no dropping the kids off with them for two hours while we go to dinner alone.  Some days its just plain sad.  It  never matters  how long the visit is, as soon as its over, you're looking forward to the next one. 

In addition to my own feelings about the separation, my heart is walking around in four pieces (loud, crazy ones known as James, Andrew, Aaron and Caleb) that are ALWAYS sad to see Grandma & Pa Lynn go.  It breaks my heart to see the boys cry over them leaving.  

This year was also the first year that I didn't spend any time over the Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays with my little sister.  The first time in her 25 years of life.  When it was time at our church service to sing Silent Night and tell the people you were sitting with that you loved them, I missed her.  She's married now with a baby boy of her own.  That's life.  Knowing that's how it is doesn't make it easier.

The silver lining of living far away from my parents and siblings is that I don't take them for granted.  I really do cherish the times we have together.  We make sure we take lots of pictures.  We stay up late talking.  We are intentional about making memories together.  When my parents leave at 5:25 am (which in my book is still nighttime since I'm NOT a morning person), you get out of bed to give them one last hug goodbye and watch their car pull out of the driveway.  And when your four year old climbs into your bed in the morning heartbroken about Grandma & Grandpa being gone, you hold him until the crying subsides and he's grieved the loss.  And lastly, after you've gotten up and had your coffee for the day, you start planning the logistics of the next visit.

Day 24: Christmas Eve Service

Today is my favorite Christmas tradition.  The Christmas Eve service at church.  The church I grew up in did a candlelight service.  I loved it.  I remember how special I thought it was that we sang songs together by candlelight.  The year I was allowed to hold a candle on my own, I felt so grown up.  I remember those services of our entire family being together and the church being packed.

The church we attend now, doesn't do a candlelight service, but they have a special tradition too.  They always end the service by singing Silent Night.  During the song, you're suppose to share words of affirmation and affection with those you love who are there with you.  I love this tradition.  It focuses on the blessings in our lives (the people we love) and names a specific time to show this through words and physical touch.  Its a time of hugging, kisses and saying "I love you!"

If you're wondering why no one is sitting near us, its not because we smell bad or anything.  We were just crazy early---like 30 minutes.  Yep, that's how excited about the service I was.

 Our church has childcare for kids from birth to first grade during this service, but since the boys have been 4, we have them sit with us for the Christmas Eve service.  I want them to know Christmas Carols and to have them have memories of singing them (like I do).  I want them to understand before we open presents what the point of the present-giving is and that the most important gift you can ever receive is the saving grace of Jesus.  I want them to be there when we sing Silent Night.  Getting sweet hugs from them and exchanging "I love you's" is something I'll always remember.  Next year I'm not sure that I'll be able to actually pick all 3 of them up they're getting so big.

This year we had Aaron join us in "big church" for the service too.  I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I was a wee bit nervous (okay, kinda sweating bullets) about how tough the service could be with all 3 boys trying to sit still and be quiet during it.  They did great though.  Surprisingly, Aaron was the least fidgety of all of them.  I think it helps that our church does a pretty big production including an amazing movie, drama and interpretive dance version of the Nativity Story.  We had already seen the service when we attended one of the services two days before with our friends, but I enjoyed it even more the second time around.  It also helps that Grandma Mary & Pa Lynn were with us and we could alternate sitting between adults and kids so that no two kids were next to each other.

On this Christmas Eve, my heart is full.  I feel blessed to have such wonderful family in my life (my little guys, my husband, my parents, and my siblings & their families).  More than that, I'm thankful that God sent his Son to rescue me from my sins.  I'm thankful that Jesus arrived in flesh and later died for me as part of God's salvage mission.  I'm thankful that I've accepted this gift and can celebrate it with the ones I love.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Day 23: Family Picture

Since we have had kids, we always get a family picture at Christmas.  We usually go to a portrait place like JC Penney's or Portrait Innovations.  I like it because I know at least once a year, we'll have a family picture with ALL of us in it.  Also, we usually give a copy of this picture to both sets of grandparents as a gift.  Back at the beginning, we gave them an 8 x 10 picture and each Christmas, we give them an updated version.

That's why our advent activity for today is getting a family picture.  It was surprisingly not crowded at the photo studio.  It may be that everyone else took care of this weeks ago, but whatever.  Better late than never.  And our kids are pretty use to getting this picture.  I did however come armed with fruit snacks, juice boxes, and a promise of fast food for them on the way home (we were going to have an adults only dinner after the kids were in bed since it was filet & lobster). 

This was by far the best shot of our family of 6.  You might not think its amazing, but if you had seen the many, many bad ones where kid took turns ruining them by running out of the picture, crying, or putting their hands in front of their face, you'd be amazed.

We also had Grandma Mary & Pa Lynn hop in for a picture with the boys.  They aren't usually with us when we get the picture done, so it was a treat to get one of them all together. 

Day 16: Package from Grandma Mary

Today's advent was opening a box that Grandma Mary sent to our family.

The first item was a bag of handmade Christmas ornaments.  Grandma Mary and Pa Lynn were recently in an Indian tribe in Mexico doing a missions trip.  My dad (who is an Opthamalogist) ran an eye clinic while some dentists provided dental care.  They spent a week without electricity and running water to see almost 200 patients and fit them with eyeglasses.  It was an amazing trip.  The ornaments they brought us were made by the Indian women in this small village.  The boys each picked one (there were 6, so one for each person in our family) and then hung them on the tree.  They were excited because they've talked to Grandma about their trips to Mexico (this was their second one).

Next in the box were 2 new Christmas books that were wrapped.  The twins opened the first one, The Gift of the Magi.  I loved this book as I child.  My mom would get it out at Christmastime.  I loved the pictures.  I figured the big boys were finally old enough to sit through it, so I suggested it to my mom when she asked for some present ideas.

The second item was one of those books that you can record yourself reading it.  My parents took the time to record it together, taking turns reading the different pages.  Aaron has two of these books from my mom and he loves them.  Since my parents live so far away (a good 10-12 hour drive), he loves being able to hear Grandma's voice whenever he wants.

I said Aaron was in charge of "reading" that book to the twins.  However, Andrew pressed the record button as soon as the book was opened and either that (or the books journey in the mail) sorta messed it up.  It wasn't reading in order and would only read when we got to the last page.  We did hear both Grandma Mary and Pa Lynn give a greeting and read the first part of the Christmas Story.  Bummer!  I read the book to the boys and hopefully Grandma & Grandpa can re-record it when they visit us for Christmas.

Day 15: Cocoa and Christmas Lights

Yesterday was the big cousin sleepover, so we're all tired today (okay, maybe just Jon & I since the big boys all slept great).  Plus, after the cousin sleepover, we took two of the boys to the doctor and learned that they had sinus infections.  We're all getting rundown. 

I made hot chocolate for the boys and they eat got their own bag of mini marshmallows to eat along with it (half are peppermint, half are regular) and then we loaded them up in the car.

Jon stopped and got Peppermint Mochas for us since Starbucks was still having their BOGO deal. 

We drove up to South Barrington where the houses are enormous and the lights are impressive.  We drove around for a while looking at the different displays.  We also enjoyed the box of petit fours that a sweet family friend had sent to us earlier this month as we drove around.

Then, we made our last stop.  My good friend Ruth told us about a house that had their lights timed to music on a radio station.  Wow!  This house was impressive.  It put the house in Christmas Vacation to shame.  I'm sure the neighbor directly across the street LOVES the blinking lights for 5 weeks each winter and the steady stream of traffic that it brings.  This house is in a gated community so I'm surprised the owners even get away with doing this.

This is one of my all-time favorite activities.  As a kid, my family use to always cross the river and drive through another town's "Candy Cane Lane."  It was impressive.  It was a 2 block street where every, SINGLE house on the block went all out with their lights.  Sometimes when it was really close to Christmas, there would even be someone in costume handing out candy canes to cars as they drove up and down.

And 10 years ago when we were home visiting my parents, Jon took me to Candy Cane Lane and proposed to me there.  If I didn't already have enough reasons to love ridiculous Christmas Light displays, the proposal amidst Candy Cane Lane sealed the deal.

This will always be one of our advent activities.

Day 14 Cousin Sleepover

Day 14 was another big event, a cousin sleepover.  We don't live near any of the Walmer/Shane cousins so whenever we see them, we are usually staying in the same house and basically having a big sleepover.  My kids love it.

We live within a mile of all of the Shogren/Regier cousins.  We see them often, but we've never done a big sleepover.  So I thought it was the perfect idea for a special Christmas treat.

Jon picked up our three Regier cousins on his way home from work.  We had tacos for dinner (we eat these about 2-3 times a week in our house).  After dinner, we split the kids up.  Ryan and the twins did Legos upstairs, Jason & Aaron played ninja turtles downstairs, and Alli baked sugar cookies with our help.

Turtle Power!

Rolling out the cookies, it was nice how self-sufficient she is when it comes to baking.

Our newest Shogren cousin, Grace, made a quick appearance so that we could get a photo of all 8 kids together.

This was the best shot I got of the 8.  Its hard to get 8 children to all sit still, look at the camera, AND smile.  We wanted to give this to Grandma Shogren so she could have one picture of all the grandkids together.

We only got Aaron to cooperate with the large photo shoot if he was given a chance to hold sweet Grace afterwards.

Aaron LOVES his baby girl cousin. 

After the picture, the kids decorated the sugar cookies and Caleb went to bed (1 kid in bed, 6 more to go).

The little guys snuggled up with their matching blankets and watched a Doc McStuffins.  I read them a book before bed.  Then tucked them into their separate "beds" in the same room.  I figured that we'd have to go in a few times to tell them to settle down as Aaron is the king of making up reasons to get up after he's suppose to be in bed.  About fifteen minutes later, we heard some crazy noises.  Jon investigated and discovered that Jason & Aaron were playing soccer in the dark.  He told them to stop and said that he'd have to move Aaron to a different room if they didn't go to bed.  They were quiet and within twenty minutes, both completely asleep (Getting the 3 and 4 year old to sleep the same room checked off the list).

Downstairs, the four "big" kids watched a newer movie version of The Little Rascals.  I heard lots of laughter, so I think it was a hit with all of them. 

After the movie, the twins were tucked into bed.  Ryan & Alli stayed up with us for a little while.  We watched basketball, picked some new apps for Jon's phone and looked through some photo albums.

Then, we got Ry to sleep in the twins room and Alli to quietly sneak into Caleb's room to sleep on the extra bed.  We had all 7 children asleep by 10:30 pm.  I considered the night a success.

I might have counted my chickens before the eggs hatched.  Caleb woke up twice between midnight and 1 am.  At 1:30, he wouldn't go back to sleep.  He noticed Allison was sleeping on the spare bed in his room, so he started laughing.  We didn't want him to wake up all the other kids.  So, we tried having him sleep downstairs in the pack n play.  It was a no go.  I tried laying on the couch holding him and that only lasted 20 minutes.  Jon took a shift with him.  Eventually, we gave up and let him watch a baby songs video.  Then at 4, we snuck him back into his crib and he slept until 9.

We both went back to bed at 4.  At 6, Ryan woke us up to let us know he'd thrown up.  Poor guy!  He went home and the others slept another hour or two.   I did manage to step in the vomit with my bare feet as I tried to clean up without turning the lights on since the boys were sleeping.  Lesson learned. Definitely worth turning the lights on.  Major props to my husband who (like usual) took over the vomit cleanup duty since I start dry heaving as soon as I step into the room and smell it.  Is that too much information?  And, I guess I'm even with my sister-in-law Shawna who did vomit duty for me with Aaron a few months ago when he threw up in her kitchen while over for a playdate.

When everyone was up, we made a big breakfast with bacon and one of my personal holiday favorites: Danish Pancakes.  The kids all chowed down.  Then Allison played school with the twins upstairs while Aaron and Jason colored.

These two guys colored almost an entire coloring book.  I'm thankful because I think we have about a million coloring books.  Anytime we can knock out one, I'm happy.

We did our daily reading of the Advent book with our cousins and gave them turns opening doors.

All ready to take the cousins home.  What a fun sleepover!

All in all a great sleepover and lots of fun memories.  I told Jon that I'm definitely considering it a success despite Caleb's middle of the night partying and the small pile of vomit.  I'm sure we'll do this again before too long.