Heading into Christmas and New Years...

A beautiful sunny day in Edmonds and we're gearing up for a wonderful Christmas Eve at my sister's house.  Annalyse "found" one of her sissy's gifts from Santa so we've been trying to figure out something clever to let her know that sometimes mom and dad have to help Santa.  It feels good having had a several days off prior to today.  It's sure a lot better than the hussle and bussle of last year when Joe and I both worked until the day before Christmas eve.  The kids and I have had time to bake goodies for us and neighbors, wrap together, and even play the Wii together.  Joe ran some last minute errands while we were getting Santa photos last night and except for my HUGE messup of leaving the newly taken Santa photos in a department store, all is good.  Each of the kids has had a sleepover and enjoyed it while Joe and I snuck out to see a movie.  If only life could be this slow all the time!  :)  We do feel so very lucky this year, more than others.  We've been blessed with two good jobs and three healthy kids.  In turn, we have tried to reach out to those around us that have faced great challenges.   Everyday we are thankful for the strides that cousin TDog makes to fight the continual seizures that he had faced and we celebrate the progress the new diet and change in meds are helping him with.   A good friend is facing her second bout with breast cancer which has been a tremendous challenge for she and her daughter.  And we continue to see others face financial challenges that are taking a toll on their families and health.  Still, focus on how we can help and in turn, have tried really hard to slow down our own lives spending time together and celebrating the good things in our life as well.  Joe is thrilled that the 787 launched into the air.  He was and continues to be on cloud nine.  I've gotten a routine (well sort of) down with the full-time work.  I take time off to be with teh kids for their special events at school as well as just the "regular" time in their classroom.  Annalyse is becoming more and more independent with her Diabetes management.  Julianne has become quite the little reader and academic star.  Who would have known.  Things come so easily for her.  Jackson too is quite academic but would rather play video games all day, every day, if he could.  Unfortunately, after 20 minutes, he turns into a child we don't really know.......addiction, it is NOT a good thing!  Joe and I continue to sharpen our referee skills and have even made some "good calls" this year with fewer and fewer tantrums, screaming matches, and the like.  My mom continues to be a huge BLESSING in our life.........watching the kids, dropping the kids, picking the kids up, doing laundry, and many, many other errands and help that we don't even know about.  With her, we can't be thankful enough!!   The buzzer for cookie check........Merry Christmas Eve. M