2014 Christmas letter

Watching an LSU football game

      Every year, I send out a Christmas letter and card.  Below is this year's.  I am always mindful of my audience and the fact that I am sending this out - and they really can't avoid it.  So I try to be, um, polite.  And since I am usually tired at the end of a day, sometimes, my filter needs to be filtered again.  So, enjoy the letter with some add-ons (in red) and very little filtering!

Dear Family and Friends,                                                    2014

    Wow!  What a year of ups and downs.  I think that the best way to describe 2014 would be to tell the story of our Christmas card/ family pictures.  Our church was updating its directory.  I was so happy because with me working, I feel like our schedule was tight and was wondering when we would have time!  We arrived at the church and Jarrad was getting out of the van just as Emma tripped (over her shoelaces that I had told her to tie 50 million times!!!) and skinned her nose and forehead- blood everywhere!  I got her cleaned up, the photographer told her he would “erase” the marks, and we bribed her with a movie but EVERY SINGLE picture we took then had tears or a “trying really hard” smile.    Not good.  And then my mom suggested we do something like what you have received.  I think it turned out nice. What I wanted to write was how I walked around the corner of the church where I could kick stones and swear because it had been a really BAD week and this wasn't just a cherry on top but the whip cream and nuts.  I heard Jarrad say, "Mommy isn't mad at you; she just needs a few minutes."  Which brought me back to myself and then I was able to be the caring mom that I should have been.

As the "Frog Prince" for a friend

     That is kind of how this year has gone, not according to the carefully laid plans of these mice but in the end, it all seems to work out.   Like:  The heat pump/AC dying.  Yep, there went 8 months of my pay checks (aka House Fund) but we were able to pay for a new unit and we now have a more efficient unit.  You know, it is not easy trying to find the positive in things.  Being paralyzed costs so much!  Every additional expense hurts sometimes.  I know I should be grateful that I have a job that works with our life and helps to provide for some of these things that we want aka "makes life a bit easier for us" as well as need but there are times . . . I am calling 2014 the “Silver Lining Year”.

Waiting for the van is boring! 

       We FINALLY got Jarrad’s van – the kids dubbed it Max – in August.  We are both very happy with it.  He loves the freedom it provides and I love not driving everywhere.  Jarrad has also taken up a new hobby – wood turning.  He is learning about it now but if he follows his previous patterns, he will be an expert in no time (and he is going to read this and say “Don’t say that.”  But I will.)   He introduced the kids to Star Wars this year.  Emma was ambivalent but Sam loved it which made Jarrad so happy! He has bought some Star Wars Legos and when I take Emma to dance, that is how he and Sam sometimes spend their evenings.  He is just so cute!

     Emma has lost many teeth this year.  She has moved from the little girl combo class to the big girl classes in dance.  Her teacher says that she the most responsible girl in her class and everyone’s friend.  There is no doubt, however, that she is my daughter as she is very dramatic in her dance classes and home.  For her birthday this year, she asked to have her ears pierced.  Since she is responsible, that is what we did.  She was prepared for it to hurt and was very happy that it only pinched a little.  I told her we would change her earrings at Christmas and she is very excited about that. I also told her that we are growing out her bangs this year.  It will be horrific in the mean time but it will be one less thing that I have to worry about - cutting those bangs!

      Samuel started kindergarten this year and has expressed a preference for being called “Sammy”.  I, however, find that I call him Samuel more often than not.  He is enjoying school and making lots of new friends. Getting him to do his school work is increasing my gray hair count.  I know he can do it he just doesn't WANT to!  Argh!  So STUBBORN.  I blame Jarrad.   He is also starting basketball.  We have had one practice and he seems to be having a lot of fun as he is learning how to dribble, pass and shoot.  And it is just plain sad.  I have no idea how these games are going to go but I am already cringing -simply because I don't want him to feel defeat.  Now what does that say about me and what I think of my son?  I think he is 5 and has never learned these skills but still... this is the war that every mom has.  Am I doing the right thing?  Yes, no?  AHHHH!

     In August, I went from being a substitute to a permanent member of the library staff.  I am happy to say that I still love my job.  I also love the consistent hours and increase in pay!  We are all learning to balance work and school and home.  There are some days where I don't think I am going to make it.  Especially when I look around my house and wonder if it will ever be clean.  I don't know how full timers do it. I think you just learn to roll with a new schedule - I did it with babies and with wheels but there comes a time when you wonder when do I sleep?  I am thankful for a great boss, understanding coworkers, a wonderful husband (who can drive) and an after school program that my kids love to go to.   I really do have a great support system.  My boss is very understanding.  My co-workers are amazing people and we get along fairly well - I mean, we are human so there is some tension but they are really cool and are part of why I love my job! The after school program is so great!  The kids love going.  And then there are my friends.  I could go on and on about the awesome people that God has put in my life - yes, my atheistic friends, I think God has put you in my life too and you are a blessing to me so there! They are like family - and I have a really good family!  We are so blessed in this regard! 

      In all of these events, there has been something that caused a bit of panic like child care and hospital visits and would we have enough to cover the heat pump and wondering how things were going to work out but God is good because somehow, things have all fallen into place. I am really learning to take it one step at a time!  I am looking forward to a fresh new year!   Hopefully one with less bumps in it! 

                             Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!