HaPpY NeW YeAr!!!

Terry (mom), Stormy, Sunny, Ron (dad)

Happy 40th Anniversary, mom and dad!!

I skipped Christmas. I know....its not like me. Seriously, things have been rather difficult since then, and I have not had a great deal of time on my hands to do a lot of blogging. In all honestly, in our family, holiday time is toxic for Matthew, and from Halloween through Valentines Day (because it is also his birthday time) it is truly hell on wheels with him. It is one constant party and upheaval and he cant handle all of the social situations that the winter holidays tend to bring.

So, nothing special happened at Christmas time that was anything different than usual. But something fun did happen this past week. My parents just celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary on Friday, so we threw them a little party today with some friends and Jeff's parents. It was an awesome time.

For the cake, I made a three layer white cake. I tried to make frosting in a ruby color but was not very successful at it. So at first it was just a plain cake. I was at my wits end so I thought it was just going to be a plain cake. Then this morning just before the party, I thought, HEY, I have some Christmas ribbon that is ruby and gold in color so I wrapped it around the cake and it was PERFECT. We found a wedding cake top and had a custom made emblem put on it with their names. How fun to have it so personalized for them! It was way more than I had hoped for. I am not a great cake decorator, but it turned out way prettier than I thought in my head that it would. LOL! We had a simple lunch before the cake. We had homemade burritos, tossed salad and a huge bowl of fresh fruit. Visiting with our dear friends and family was the best. I think my parents had a great time. My brother and his family were here as well. What a perfect day!

ChRiStMaS EvE!!!

Finally! Christmas Eve is here! I think Christmas Eve is actually MORE fun than Christmas! The kids are SOOOO excited for Christmas, and I can just FEEL their energy radiating from their very souls! We had a really neat surprise this morning. In my email, SANTA CLAUS sent each of the kids their own email talking about how they have been through the year. He looked in his book and saw pictures of each child, and accomplishments they have made through the year! Bethanie has been especially excited and curious about Santa's reindeer. Santa based his email on the reindeer! It was Awesome! I will include the links, but I am not sure if you can view them or not. Matthew was especially excited to hear that he was *NOT* on the naughty list like he thought he was. Granted he has had a rather tough year, and the fact that he realizes some of the stuff isn't nice, Santa is also very forgiving, like Heavenly Father is. :) Madison was TOTALLY delighted to see that Santa knew she had turned FOUR. He even has a picture of her blowing out her 4 year old birthday party cake!!! Santa knows everything!!!!!!

TRADITIONS:

On Christmas Eve, we fill the kids stockings full of traditional treasures. They always include the newest Hallmark Ornament for Son/Daughter. It gets put on the tree on Christmas Eve. Also, they get a small toy to keep them busy, and a push pop (we keep the ornament on the top for the tree, it is loaded with them). Oh, they also get PJ's. Sometimes I make them, sometimes I just buy them. I thought that since I wasn't in school this year, I might get some made, but truly it takes so much time with Matthew's school and Madison and being every one's taxi, I just didn't have time. So thank goodness for Walmart!!!

Here is the link for each kid from Santa. I hope you can view it!!!

Matthew:

Bethanie:

Madison:

Merry Christmas everyone! Sorry I didn't send out cards this year! I didn't even get a chance to make a 2010 Christmas Blog! But, that said, we still think of those we love and hold close to our hearts!!! Love you!

WOW!

How funny! I didnt remember that I had already blogged about Madison's 4th birthday. But lucky girl! She got TWO blog posts about her birthday this year! Here I was thinking I was really behind. LOL!

TiMe MaRcHeS oN!!! MaDiSoN iS FOUR!

33 weeks pregnant, and really wishing it were 40 weeks! LOL! I was HUGE with her!

My sweet baby girl is now FOUR! I cant believe it! I don't know why I should be so surprised. She has been a big girl for a long time! Just look at this belly shot! That picture was taken at a pumpkin patch when I was 33 weeks pregnant. I remember that day. I was MISERABLE. We went with another family. We went through a very large corn maze. I didn't make it long. It had rained the day before, and there was a lot of mud inside on the trails. I simply couldn't stay standing because I was so front heavy. When I was 3 1/2 months pregnant with Madison, I found out I had gestational diabetes. I started on insulin right away and continued until the night before I delivered her. When I was 6 months pregnant, she was so heavy in side my tummy that it was hard to walk. She truly felt like a bowling ball. When she was born, she was 9 1/2 lbs. I didn't realize a woman's gut could stretch as much as it did. Sadly, skin doesn't just snap back into place, and she permanently disfigured my body. LOL! Such is life with babies. But Madison was NEVER small, even in personality. She is a very bold young lady. She isn't shy, she LOVES to perform, and she is very out going. She is in a dance group, currently working on ballet and tap. She is also in preschool. Yesterday was her first Christmas program for school, and let me just say, she was VERY entertaining! That is just how she is. She is EASY to be around (unless you are my dad). She likes to use Karate on him. She doesn't know what Karate is, but she uses it any way. He loves her abuse. They are one of a kind. She is really excited about tomorrow (Tuesday) because it is her first Christmas party for school. She is totally enjoying her time in preschool. After she turned four, she said to me, "Mom, I am four now. I am getting close to being 18". DOH! What is up with that???? SLOW DOWN, my love!

I just love Madison. She is a true delight in my life. She is so kind and loving. If I am feeling sad, crying or just down, she always asks me what is wrong and tries to make me happy. I have such good children! I am so lucky to be their mommy! Happy Birthday, my sweet Madison!

OTHER THINGS:

Jeff celebrated his 42nd birthday a few days after Madison did. His dad also went in for back surgery on December 16th. His dad and my mom both had back surgery within 6 weeks of one another. YIKES! Happy to report so far that BOTH have seen such sucess with their surgeries. :) Now we are looking on toward Christmas!

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!!!