Where do I begin...

So its been a few weeks.  We've had a lot going on.

Betty with Lillian at her 50th wedding anniversary party 6.2010

First of all, and most importantly, we lost this wonderful lady.  John's mother passed away Saturday, December 17th and we buried her on Thursday, December 22nd.  She was beloved and will be missed.  It all started on a Wednesday.  John received a call from his brother that she was only given 1-2 days.  John debated, but decided to head to his Nebraska hometown on Thursday morning.  She was a stubborn soul and waited until all 4 kids and her husband were with her before passing 4 days after the original projection.  I spent 3 1/2 long hard days and nights at home by myself (my family was in New York on vacation) while John spent an even harder 3 1/2 long hard days and nights on vigil and funeral planning with his father, two sisters and brother.  John came home for two nights and we all headed back north for services.  Beautiful, Christmas themed services that Betty would have loved.  In such a time of sadness, we were reminded of how fragile life is and how people can so greatly affect our lives in positive ways.  In the end, it was a beautiful, timely passing and we arrived home safely on Friday, December 23rd.

Balance bike and Dora helmet.

My mother had arrived to town 2 days prior to our trip back from Nebraska.  Once home, we tried to get into the spirit.  I had not completed shopping and made a mad rush to do so on Christmas Eve.  I also had not wrapped any presents so I stayed up late to wrap everything, eat cookies and drink an entire bottle of almond bubbly by myself.

Tired as I was, I could not wait to see Lillian's reaction in the morning as this really is the first Christmas she started to understand Santa Clause, presents, and the whole idea of the Holiday.  She was overjoyed at all of her gifts and halfway through the day spouted off "More presents Mommy?  Where are more presents?"  I think we and Santa may have spoiled her.

They are getting so fun these days!

The boys were super good through everything, even though their schedules were a little disrupted.  I am not one for skipping naps and my schedule is pretty regimented.  But we really did ok to get in all naps, with extra cat naps at dinner time if needed, and we avoided any screaming episodes.  This makes for a happier time for everyone, but most of all mommy and daddy, who were in desperate need of enjoyable moments.

After a slow, leisurely morning and afternoon at home, we headed to my brothers for more kiddo gifts and a wonderful dinner (we always eat and drink so WELL over there!).  Every year we try to cut back on the amount of presents and just enjoy the company and the food and every year we manage to do so by just a little bit.  We are all extremely generous with each other and it takes setting some boundaries or we'd all have so much stuff we wouldn't know what to do with it.  It really is all about the people and the time you get to spend with them.

Our lovely tree in the early morning light.

After John's mother's timely passing we can only be reminded of this fact year after year.  We hope to teach these kiddos that life isn't all about the stuff you have, its about the stuff in your heart and the memories created on special days like Christmas.  You remember the people and the traditions from your childhood, not the stuff you get.  Although that part is fun, I hope my kids always understand what it means to be grateful and that they always appreciate how much they are cared for.