Remember the REASON for the SEASON

Thursday was Willem's Happy Hearts preschool program. I loved listening to those little ones sing about Jesus. Happy Hearts reminds me how important it is to teach are children the REASON for the SEASON. Jesus Birthday -- what an awesome thing to celebrate.
As I looked at all of the darling children singing about Jesus, I noticed our son, Willem, had broken a hole through the knee of his pair of "nice" brown pants. I knew they were wearing thin, but a hole?? Oh yeah, he had fallen in the 10 degree cold on the pavement on his way into his preschool. Also that morning his hair was so full of static! Miss Pat tried to apply a little lotion :). Miss Claudia could tell by the look on my face I had had better days... feeling a bit emotional, lacking some sleep and feeking like I can't quite keep up. She gave me a chocolate and said she'd pray for me... two pretty great things a friend can do. :)
Then I wondered during the program why I hadn't bought Willem new pants, put a little hairspray in his hair and just been more aware.
I have moments of feeling inadequate - but I am guessing we all do. I am an irresponsible pet owner, I'm indecisive, I can be an emotional mother, a wife who often considers the needs of her children before the needs of her husband. Some days there just isn't enough of me to go around. Or at times I become critical of myself and think if I were a "better me" there would be enough of me to go around. This time of year can be hectic and emotional too. But in the past few days I have been so blessed by friends and their encouragement. And more importantly I have been blessed by the power of prayer.
I am feeling some regret, along with sadness regarding a recent decision I've made - not something I want to get into now but it has felt tough. And it has triggered lots of emotions.
It is very wonderful to have a baby in the house and Merit and Will couldn't be better big brothers, but I have a lot to do and a lot to keep track of. I love my days with these children, they are precious gifts.
Liz, Kelly, Kris, Natasha and Daphine -- thank you for helping me deal with life this week! Most of us are doing the best we can with what we've got. God places some pretty incredible people in our life. And these women, this week, were the support I needed.
Happy Birthday today to my friend and husband Vance -- I am grateful for his dedication and love.
Today is a good day, a day where I am stopping to count my blessings! -- our little angel Hazel is as content as can be. The boys are finally getting some FRESH air playing baseball outside with the neighbor kids... they were a bit stir crazy. It has been sooo cold here, like 10 degrees. Vance and I are enjoying a quiet house, if only for twenty minutes.
Christmas Programs -- a highlight of our week

Willem, striped shirt, front row :)

Merit, plaid shirt on the end

Life is Good. And when I am stressed about holiday hoop-la and busy days... I must remember the Reason for the Season!

Wednesday Morning Update

It is so fun decorating for Christmas, listening to Christmas music, baking... both of our boys have their Christmas programs this week!  Christmas crafting is fun too. I've included super cute graphics from the graphic fairy blog. Google GraphicFairy.blogspot.com -- she has many cute, printable graphics. I'll post what I am doing with those later this week. We are well, but Hazel is so stuffed up. Poor little thing. Between 3 and 5 in the morning she is usually snorting so bad and when I try to nurse her she can hardly breathe. I hope she feels much better soon! During the day she does fine. I have a humidifier going in her room and have been using saline in her little nose. I hope she feels better tonight. She is sooo sweet, giving up the smiles now and loving cuddles from her big brothers~!

Christmas Decor!

check out these little silver slippers for Hazel Jane! Second hand store!!

 Proud brothers and

their sweet sister!

HOT COCOA~ YUM!!

If I can find the time today or tomorrrow - I hope to make some cards with these sweet Christmas graphics!

companion

This has been a pretty good weekend after a very sad Friday. On Friday morning our lab, Betty, died. She  was hit on the road. Vance and our friend and neighbor buried her that morning. Man it hurt losing this sweet dog. We had two black labs, Rudy who is almost 12 and Betty who was 1 1/2. Rudy has been a good, loyal, wonderful pet. We wanted to get a second dog while Rudy was still alive so Rudy could help "train" the new pup, teach her to stay home, to be good with the kids etc. So a year and a half ago we got Betty.  Betty had been a true puppy! Her first six months of life she chewed and had tons of energy, then last spring and summer she had calmed down quite a bit, plus she was getting lots of exercise. Our family spent lots of time outdoors and Betty got many good walks in. I LOVED Betty as a walking partner! She was "birdie", sweet and energetic.
Anyway, many tears were shed Friday and as the weekend has gone on we are enjoying looking at pictures of her and remembering her ... but it is sad. And our old dog Rudy seems to be missing her too. Vance and Merit are taking this the hardest. Merit just joined me at the computer and read this post, through tears. Betty the Boopster will be missed.

This Baby Girl

What a sweet blessing Hazel is to our family! We are crazy about this precious, adorable gift from GOD! Our boys are proud, wonderful brothers. I had a blast doing this little photo shoot! The hat and diaper cover, my sister Natasha's BEAUTIFUL work!! Hazel has received several beautiful handmade gifts. It has been fun dressing up a little girl!

Vance won't be home tonight, he has meetings. So I am eating pumpkin cream cheese bars for dinner while my boys have granola bars and string cheese and yeah, a pumpkin cream cheese bar or two. Also, I am decorating for Christmas! I bought soo many fun, festive things at thrift stores last year. Hauling all of this stuff out is a TREAT!  But our home is in disarray.
Oh and I have to share more Thanksgiving pictures!

Me and my siblings!! We are in order, oldest to youngest.

Will and Hazel

Cousins, Amara and Hazel

My Grandma Alma and Hazel

Case and Natasha

Willem helping Papa Stan hang Christmas lights

Grandma Adie and Hazel

Case and Hazel

Jackson (cousin's baby) Case (sister's baby) and Hazel Jane

We introduced Hazel to Vance's sister Mindy and family on a freeway exit! They were leaving Eastern WA, heading home to Lynden and we were driving from Lynden back home~! These kids have a ball together... more fun at Christmas Mellema gang!!

Our Thanksgiving in Lynden

What a MEMORABLE, fun Thanksgiving weekend!!! We introduced our baby girl to her aunts, uncles, cousins, Grandpa Jim, our dear friends Lissa, Travis and girls, great grandmas... it was wonderful. I loved sharing Hazel Jane with our family and close friends.
Thanksgiving dinner at my dad's went so well and was delicious. I am so thankful for FAMILY!!

Seven years ago, Merit Henry was a newborn baby. My dad's first grandchild. Now my dad has EIGHT grandchildren!! These cousins are BUDDIES and it is fun to watch them play!!

Me and my sisters and all our kids plus our Grandma Alma (mom's mom)

SISTERS

My sisters and I got to shop and visit the day after Thanksgiving. It was great to be together!  Vance stayed back at his mom's with the boys and Grandma Adie helped with the kids and  cuddled Hazel.MY NEPHEW CASE!!! We got to meet this sweet, chubby baby over Thanksgiving!! My sister Natasha, her husband Reese and their two boys flew up from San Diego.

MORE pictures later this week!!