HoLiDaY bLuEs...

As much as I just LOVE Christmas time, it is also one of the most trying times for us. Matthew really struggles with the whole month. When he struggles, *I* struggle. It is frustrating. Sometimes it is impossible to find a place to put my thoughts and emotions. I then feel misunderstood, overlooked, frustrated-then, overwhelmed. I sometimes feel so alone in this. Some times Matthew can be so mean and say such mean things, so out of the blue and randomly. Emotionally speaking, it is impossible to NOT let it hurt. It hurts. Plain and simple.

So, Christmas is this week. I pray that the rest of it goes smoothly. I know, though, it will be a challenge. I shouldn't whine. It could be so much worse. Just feeling a little emotionally bruised and sorry for myself.

BiRtHdAy SuPpEr...

We went out with the kids to supper tonight, to celebrate Madison's (and Jeff's) birthday. We don't normally do this, because it is often chaotic. It is hard for Matthew to deal with so much stimulation, but Jeff's mom went with us, and it allowed us to NOT be out numbered by children. She left early and then it became a challenge. We ate a great meal, and because of birthdays, we got a free MEGA brownie! OY! Needless to say, we all came away feeling very full. No wonder they call the restaurant "Heavy's". LOL! Madison was given the honorary viking hat to wear, and we all took turns. Look at the picture of me, look at the background. She thought it was hilarious!!!

My MaDiSoN...TuRnEd FoUr!

And she has made NOOOOOO secret about it! She is beaming all over the place today with such pride! I remember her birth so clearly. She was a very BIG newborn, and I was plenty glad to have her in my arms (and not my belly, ribs, throat...) Since she was born, she has always had a big personality. She seems to have an older spirit, and she very wise and thoughtful for her age. She will study things out very carefully before she acts on anything. Usually she is successful instantly because she is patient and ponders.

This has been an exciting year for Madison! Not only did she get to start dance up again, but in August, she started Preschool! She wants to go every single day, and would if she could. But on days she is home, she is a good playmate with Matthew. I love snooping in on their conversations because it is just adorable. Bethanie and Madison are quite proud to be sisters. Most of the time. They are very similar in many ways, and that leads to quite a bit of butting heads. But they love being sisters!

Madison is just a dream child. She is bold, beautiful, bashful, patient, loving, snugly and kind. I love that she was sent to our family. She is a lot of fun, and pops off with the cutest things ever that she says! That said, I am not allowed to repeat them because she doesn't want me to talk about it. ROFLOL! Its a seeeecret. :P

For her birthday, I made a four layer yellow cake with purple frosting between the layers, and blue frosting for the outside. It was a Princess cake, so it had princess finishes. It was SOOOOO YUMMY (but took like 13 cups of powdered sugar, so we were all dying of thirst), but it was a big cake for a girl with a big personality, and attitude! It suited her! I love this daughter of mine. She is mine forever......

GoBbLe GoBbLe!

(Our poor couch GROANED)

(From Left to Right: Ron (my dad), Terry (my mom), Me, Heather (my niece) and she is holding Madison, sitting by Sunny (my brother) and Ann (sister in law) and she is holding Matthew. In the front is Jeff and Bethanie).

Thanksgiving for 2010 is over. And, we GOBBLED too much. OY! We saw the last of the left overs, and froze some of them too. The neatest part of it all was that *I* got to host it this year! I love hosting Thanksgiving at my house. I love preparing all the food, having my family at my house, smelling all the goodies! It was also neat because since my family came for the evening meal, we went to Jeff's mom and dads and all his brother's, wives and our nephews were there! This was awesome to see all our loved ones in one day.

The weather was fairly nice, but cool enough to burn a fire. It was just an all around awesome day (weekend).

Busy Busy!

We have been very busy with life. My mom is healing very well from her back surgery. Sadly, Jeff's dad is having problems and MIGHT be facing back surgery as well. We wont know for a few weeks, but he has been in a lot of pain. We are plugging away with school, and school events. We have been working on art and the kids' art galleries. Thanksgiving is a week away, and I am really looking forward to ENJOYING the holidays this year for once. The last 3 years I spent my time with my nose in books, and worrying about finals, kids, shopping and cooking. This year I feel like I really have the time to just go and have fun.

Today we are going to eat Thanksgiving lunch with Bethanie at school! I am so excited! I love eating lunch with her!

2010 HaLLoWeeN...

So, this is the last post on Halloween. :) We really had a great time. We started off at Grandma and Grandpa's (White's). Then we did a few houses in that area, and went to the haunted mansion up on the hill. Matthew and Bethanie went along with it all quite well, but Madison was not having ANY of it. They purposefully scare the kids (which more worldly kids would really enjoy), but they were really gentle with her. They only told her they wanted her skin and tried to not pop out at her. At the end, one of the men revealed his face to her, which I appreciated. :O) So on we went. Matthew tired out fairly quickly after the Trunk or Treat. So he went over to Grandma's house to help hand out candy. We finished off for another hour with the girls. It started to get windy and it rained a little. It was a really great time. Our neighbors, the twins across the street came by in their costumes. It is the lower right picture. One of the boys dressed up as a blond curly haired cheer leader. The other was a drum major. It was hilarious! Madison made a gorgeous Snow White in her black wig and fair skin. Bethanie was an awesome flapper girl. I really admire her beautiful figure. LOL! Matthew was a VERY handsome Knight. He had a sword and shield to protect his loved ones. All in all, we were EXHAUSTED, but had a great time. I am not sorry its over. There is a lot that we put into Halloween. Now it is time to look forward to Thanksgiving! *I* get to host it this year!!!