HOLIDAYS

What a busy month it has been. I always miss the holidays once they pass, but this year, I almost feel relieved. It has been non-stop since November 16th when Drake was born! It has been great, but exhausting. Christmas is so fun at our house right now. I knew we were in for it when the older four all woke up at 6:30 AM on Christmas EVE morning! They were just so excited. This year was particularly busy because Drew and Dawsyn participated in the community choir and sang in the Christmas Cantata. Drew even played "Silent Night" on the piano and Dawsyn and her Dad sang "The Christmas Shoes" before the Cantata started. It was wonderful, and there wasn't a dry eye in the place. We had parties with our friends--we even let the kids have a party with their good friends, Kaylor, Isabella, Madison, and Braden, and then all of them spent the night! There were nine kids spread across our living room floor! Our house really isn't as big as it seems at times. On Christmas Eve morning, the kids opened their 3 gifts from us, then we did our usual--baked cookies for Santa, put baby Jesus in the manger, scattered Reindeer food on the front lawn, and then went to my parents house for lunch and presents. I must say the highlight was when my dad opened his gift from Delaney. I love seeing what the kids pick out for their family members at the "secret Santa" shop at school, and then trying to interpret what it really means--For instance, Grandpa Chuck and Grandpa Carl both recieved deoderant and chapstick from Delaney. According to my Dad, this must mean she thinks their kisses are rough and they smell! We went to church on Christmas Eve, which is what really makes it feel like Christmas to me. Drew and Dawsyn were in the youth choir this year and did wonderfully. Drew sang a solo and, even though he was incredibly nervous, he did great! After mass, it was off to Shawn's parents for dessert and more presents. It was really fun for the kids now that their only cousin, Caroline, is starting to get into playing with them. Next Christmas there will be another little girl cousin to play with because Shawn's brother and his wife found out that they are having another little girl in May! We then went home and put the kids to bed. Shawn and I were up until 1:00 AM doing things parents must do on Christmas Eve. The kids were up by 6:30 and because they are all a little bit older, presents were opened, wrap was cleaned up, and everything straightened under the tree by 9:00 AM. We had a great day, but were truly exhausted by the evening. New Year's Eve came quickly (even though everyone had their turn with the stomach flu during the week between the holidays) and we were ready to go at midnight with bubble wrap to jump on. That brings us to yesterday, when we opened our fortune cookies, and read through our memory box for the year. Another year over. Shawn and I both commented that last year on New Year's Drake wasn't even a thought to us. We were so sure we were done. It is amazing how things can change in one year. Hopefully, they continue to change for the better! We ended the season by writing our prayers for 2010. Dawsyn wants to be famous, Drew wants to not get so nervous, Delaney wants a puppy, Dax wants to marry Grammy, Drake just wants to learn to do everything, and Shawn and I both want the kids to have a safe, healthy, successfull year. We are starting it in the best way by having Drake baptized today and then Monday, the regular routine returns. That's when I'll need prayers! ;)