December marks the time for decorating, baking, shopping, wrapping, and being with friends and family...and ours started in just that way. We decorated the house the first weekend in December! We put up a new tree, added a few new tree decorations, and hung the stockings and rehung the stockings (the entire month because they kept falling down.)
The second weekend in December was full of FUN!!!!! On Saturday, December 13th, we took Garyn and Gianna to see Disney on Ice. And as I write this, I am still trying to figure out who had more fun.... me or the kids. It was an amazing ice show, but it what was more amazing was that I was reliving my childhood with my children! And that was an incredible feeling... As a child, I was fortunate to vacation at Disney World alot, and as I sat there with my children, specifically Garyn, I finally understood why my parents didn't mind taking us to "the best place on earth" as often as they did. Garyn's excitement was priceless....needless to say, Ryan and I are in the process of planning our spring vacation to Disney World.
Sunday the 14th, we celebrated Christmas with Garyn and Gianna's great grandpa and grandma Sanford. Our children are very lucky because they still have both set of great grandparents and both sets of grandparents. That doesn't happen too often...and to have great grandparents like Charlie and Martha, well, that is rare...My children are lucky to have them and ...so am I!!
The week of December 15th was full of activity... we were preparing for Garyn's Christmas party at school and our Christmas trip to Chicago. Garyn's Christmas party was a success! The children sang songs, played a game, and ate cookies! It was great and yes, still very hard to believe my first born is in preschool! Then the unsuccessful part of the weekend... well, the only thing I have to say is life and weather are very unpredictable! Yes, the weather spoiled our fun filled Chicago trip, but was replaced with a fun cul de sac Christmas party on Friday and Christmas at the zoo on Saturday. We had a great weekend despite the weather, in fact, Garyn is still talking about the Tiger. It's amazing how different the zoo animals are at night! We were all very spooked by the prowling Tiger.
The week of Christmas....oh my, where do I start? The excitement for Santa was increasing daily! His beard was almost full of cotton balls and soon the house would be filled with toys. Ryan and I were very excited to watch Garyn and Gianna on Christmas morning. But in order to prepare for Santa, we first wanted to celebrate with family and friends. Ryan and I planned to have a "light up night" in our neighborhood, so, we bought 500 luminaries and passed them out to the neighbors with hopes that the entire neighborhood would shine bright for Santa to know where to land...and then we invited everyone over for hot chocolate and cookies (homemade cookies provided by no one better than my mom.) Well, once again, life and weather is unpredictable. Mother nature decided to provide us with an impressive ice storm. And as a result, no luminaries.... however, the neighbors found a way to eat cookies and warm up with hot chocolate. And again.... despite the weather, we had a lovely time!
NOW.... talk about unpredictable! After the party, my entire family(including my parents and brother) were eating snacks and laughing at the 200+ filled luminary bags in Ryan's car... after the belly laughs, we went to bed. When suddenly at 5:30 am we were woken up by Garyn having a crouping attack. Let me tell you....watching your baby not able to breathe, choking, is the most scary thing you will ever experience!! So, here we are Christmas eve in the ER with a sick little guy. After an oral dose of steroids, we came home and Garyn rested the entire day. Even though we had a sick little man, we still were able to enjoy my favorite meal of the year...beef tenderloin, mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, endive salad with blue cheese, corn casserole, and fresh bread......ummmmm, there is nothing better!
When Ryan and I returned from church, we put Garyn to bed. He slept through the night and woke up, well, not too excited to see toys. The little guy was soo sick! All of our excitement was turned into concern for Garyn...and this concern somewhat overshadowed the excitement of Gianna's first Christmas. Garyn went to bed early Christmas night, missing the celebration at Ryan's parents.
And again....at 3:30am, we woke up to Garyn choking and with an incredible fever. He was so sick he actually asked to go to the "doctor." So, trip #2 to the ER consisted of a breathing treatment, x-rays of his throat and chest, and a shot of steroids.
And just when we thought we were turning the corner, up again the following night screaming with an ear infection. The next morning we went to an urgent care and sure enough... an ear infection.
Today, we believe he is turning the corner. Garyn's energy level is increasing and he is starting to be "Garyn" again!!!!
This holiday month has taught me a lesson.... make the best of what is given to you. Even though the weather complicated some of our holiday events and Garyn's illness didn't allow him to truly enjoy Santa's gift....our Christmas was pretty damn good. I had my family.... and nothing is better than that!!!!
My life is good, my love is strong, and my kids bring the laughter to my world...I love my life.
