Post Holiday Let Down

So it's almost New Year's and I suppose this is the time to sit and ponder and think about what was and what is about to come.

I guess it's supposed to be like that, but I don't have the time or energy to do it. I'm happy to land in bed by 9:30, read a few pages of my new wonderful Jonathan Kellerman book, and lights out by 10, only to be awoken at midnight by a squirmy visitor to our bed. Lately, that's been Owen.. slinks up between James and I, thinks we don't feel him, and slides under the sheets, feet freezing us out!

But I digress.. While I am very glad the rush of the holidays are over, it makes me a bit sad that the season is on it's way out the door again. I was thinking of a friend who I can hear saying about the task of Christmas cards, "Thank goodness that's over, what a chore.. one more thing I HAVE to do".. well, it got me thinking, why do it? If it's such a chore, such a hassle, why?

This is the first year in about 10 years or so that I didn't do cards. (I almost said We, but that would imply that James has something to do with the process of taking said picture, getting them developed, ordered, letter written, labels printed, envelopes stuffed and stamped. ).. but I digress again, this husband of mine is happy to show up for the picture, but his involvement ends there!

So, back to the year of No cards.. I just didn't have it in me. I had emailed pictures of the boys to friends a few months ago, so that will have to suffice for the time being.
The boys are growing like weeds, but a bit longer won't make that big of a difference.

So, we survived Christmas, it was a small one this year, and I found it was ok. I sweated the number of gifts we had, wondered if I shouldn't go out and sell some plasma to get more, but held back, and it was ok. The boys loved what they got, had a ball being with each other, even when they were calling each other buttheads every 10 seconds, and Owen telling us every 10 seconds that someone was calling someone a butthead!

I'm taking joy in what I have. Healthy family, good kids, about to notch 20 years on James and I's anniversary belt, great friends.. what I always wanted. What I used to pray for, sit in the dark and cry for, and now I have it.
I want the holiday to go on... the little sliver of time that is right now.. but alas, it's moving on..
soon it will be all here again, and we'll be reflecting on things next fall.

But, for now, here's to the season, to all we have, to having all we want!

Christmas week

Oh my Gosh, it's cold today!

My fingers are blue!

So we survived the busy weekend with 5 kids, and now it's back to work for some peace and quiet.

The twins are safely tucked away at school today, Casey is at home driving James NUTS!, and I'm looking forward to dinner out tonight with my mom and Jill.

3 1/2 days til Santa... will the kids make it??? I hope so, they are busting at the seams.

James and I got to listen to the boys ask us about 50 times if Molly and Bolivia.. poor Olivia, she'll always be Bolivia to us now!. if they could sleep over, see them, be their sisters.. basically see them everyday for the rest of their lives.

I'm so glad that they all like each other. The girls really look up to the boys. I keep telling Casey it's a good thing to be a leader and a teacher.

Ok, back to work now. Now I have to keep this updated somewhat, I've put the address for all the world to see!

No.. all 5 are not mine!

WHEW!!!!

A full day with 5 kids, 4 of whom are under 5.. that spells exhaustion!

My mom and I spent the day entertaining the kids.. I felt like the scene from the movie "Bye Bye Love".. it starts out with the song "Rawhide" playing and the divorced dads are taking their kids all over town to keep them entertained. By the end the song has slowed down to wharbling, and everyone is dragging. I know I am!

Thank God for bedtime!

We went to see Santa at the Spohn South, got to see Molly and Olivia freak at the sight of Santa.. then listen to Casey tell me Santa was a fake because he saw him changing in the bathroom. I tried to tell him that Santa doesn't wear his get up all the time, but the kid knows.

I was asked by 3 people if all 5 were mine. NO!
Do I look that insane??

Everyone was pretty well behaved, so we were feeling confident!

Lunch was a standard issue affair at McDonalds.. Spencer wearing his ketchup on his shirt, and Molly eating her's right out of the cup.

Another parent asking if all 5 were mine. No, dammit!

Then the girls got hair cuts, and then we went to the park to wrap up the afternoon.

A very nice mom at the park who asked me if all 5 were mine.. I said no, just the boys.. she said she thought that Owen and Spencer must be twins.. that shocked me.. no one has thought that outloud in at least 2 years!

Then home, dinner, play, and then bath and now thankfully bed.

When will these kids actually listen? I just don't know.
So tired of asking them to do something and being totally ignored. I'm told that this will pass, but I don't think so.

I'm going to die listening to Owen whine that Spencer called him a butthead. And then have to yell at Casey for putting Spencer into a head lock. WHEN WILL IT END?????

Ok, off to bed soon..
More random thoughts sometime soon!

Christmas Already..

Well, it's been a while since I've written anything, but somehow I've remembered my address here, and here I am.

Christmas is a week away, and as usual I'm not nearly ready.

It will be a small one this year, actually, I like the small ones, less pressure to perform!

The boys are gearing up for Santa, and I'm holding Santa over their head every chance I can!

Bribery, Catholic guilt and Fear of God are the ways I operate. Hey, go with what you know, right?

My sister Jill and her husband and 2 daughters are arriving today. It should be a busy week or so.

My mom leaves the day after Christmas for 10 days in the Holy Land. I know she's excited. She is going with a priest friend of hers, and I know she is looking forward to going someplace new, and meeting new people. I'll be interested to see the pictures she comes back with!


I guess above all of the recent stuff, the news is that I'm working now.
I got a job in August with a company that makes and manufactures mechanical seals, industrial packing and technical products. I knew nothing of anything when I started, and while I don't know much now, I do know more than I did when I started. I've met lots of nice people and the hours are good.

Have to go..