Constant Beginnings

Our weak attempt at a family photo. Again, it was a relaxing day complete with a family nap. Ahhhh, perfection! Our tree. Our makeshift table. The girls are ready to get this show on the road! Singing songs before the presents are opened. Add caption Mya lined up her presents. Funny. Mya has nearly enough baby supplies to open her own daycare. So excited about her "beautiful necklaces." The girl loves jewelry. Claire had many wishes come true. The girl has wanted that dog for over a year and has been talking about her small suitcase for nearly as long. Lisa/Phil and family as well as my Mom and Dad came through with flying colors. She was one happy girl. Santa brought each of them an American Girl doll. They were a huge hit! Christmas morning--playing "beauty shop" with their babies from Grammy and Papa. Snuggling with Daddy. Mya's baby is waving too ;) Okay, I may or may not h...

Here we are awaiting the arrival of our packers/movers. The fourth set of "moving men" that we will have encountered since our marriage. In the midst of all of our craziness the past few weeks, Chris and I have been discussing our hopes and feelings for the future--mostly how we both desire feeling "content" and "settled." The truth is that neither of us have felt completely settled since we left Massachusetts over 2 years ago. I suppose it is because we were thrown into the craziness of Korea, thinking Chris was going unaccompanied, the kids and I arriving 1 week after school had already begun and Chris having a work schedule so demanding that we rarely saw him longer than 2 hours per day during the work week. That may be it. The same has held true in Germany. We get semi-settled, only to learn that I officially have a job 2 weeks after school has begun. We had to rearrange our lives, deal with my miscarriage, move Claire to a different school, figure out...

I've been told the first step in addressing a problem is to admit you have one. So here I am, confessing my latest addiction. Well, it started 2 years ago when we moved overseas. Living in Korea with no Target nearby, no Old Navy to wander, nowhere to get my quick fix for all things pretty, I was forced to friend my computer. I have a bit of OCD in me. I have taken the necessity of online shopping to a level of pleasure. I LOVE finding yellow or now white slips of paper in my mailbox, knowing that I have a lovely box waiting for me. This thrill has now rubbed off on Claire who consistently loudly shouts, "YESSSSS" each time she sees that slip. :) It is exciting! Now that I've admitted my problem, let me share the love with you....(Chris stop reading!) Here are my go to's.... 1. Loft.com--don't get me started. I hate them, but I love them. I have returned to them like a bruised and battered victim, but at least I look good. I am waiting for my latest purcha...

Get your dirty mind out of the gutter. T&A, in this case, refers to Tonsils and Adenoids. Mya went into surgery on Wednesday at 6:30 am for her T&A removal. She was a superstar! Chris and I waited nervously for the word that all was well. Sending her off with the anesthesiologist and nurse was one of the hardest moments I have faced as her Momma. I cried. She didn't, but I did. I suppose that isn't a surprise to most. Anyway, 30 minutes later, she was in post-op recovery. 10 minutes after her arrival there, Mya was awake, but groggy and snuggling with her Daddy. They did end up removing her adenoids as well. They were medium to large sized. She was then moved to the same day surgery recovery room where she drank a bit more, had her vitals checked a couple of times and finally, had her IV removed. She was set to go home by 9:30 am. It was great. We spent the rest of the day and the next few days chillin at home. She helped me pack a few boxes as well, but we mostly snug...

Holy teledo! We have had quite the couple of weeks! The most notable news is our home buying situation. After all appeared to be going well, we went to the Notar on Wednesday. This appointment is where the contracts are read aloud and we sign. It basically locks us in as the buyers and dates/terms of purchase are clearly defined. Chris and I arrived and minutes later, the sellers arrived--with the wife's leg bleeding through her pants and limping. I asked what happened, she said matter of factly, "David pushed me down the stairs....on accident." OMG. Who says that? On accident. Chris immediately thought wife beater, but I was a bit slower to come to that realization. Anyway, she was as dramatic as ever saying that she hoped this meeting was brief as they needed to get to the ER and that her husband would be emotional as he feels really bad. Again--weird! I'd feel badly, but I don't think I've cried when I've accidently pushed someone. Maybe I am a cold hea...

Love the fact that our kids BELIEVE. Claire was so convinced this was the real Santa. She said, "no one is going to believe me that I got to meet Santa Claus." So cute.  Our elf, Pedro Jones has been up to no good. He is all about having fun, making messes and enjoying life.  He fits right into our family with all the craziness that has ensued as of late.

Somewhere in the midst of our illnesses and vacation, I totally forgot my Dad's birthday. Terrible. I am so sorry, Dad. I know you could care less, but I feel really bad. We love you so much! We couldn't ask for a better Dad or Papa. Our kids think you are the best thing on two feet. They love to remind me of when you let them drive the tractor, trying to reason with me to let them drive our car. They are dying for you and Grammy to come and visit. They don't have anything in particular in mind to show you, but simply want you to see the BX! Ha. You are a patient, kind soul. I will always remember the lessons you've shared--how to mow the lawn, perfecting my golf swing, painting, why I should be nice to my sisters, singing lessons, driving lessons, how icy hot remedies most problems (I've already passed this one along) and so many more. You were a great teacher and a wonderful Father. I love you more than you'll ever know. Although I don't talk with ...

We went on our first, big European holiday to Zermatt, Switzerland. Despite half of our family being sick, it was amazing! Amazing and expensive, but we'll focus on the amazing part. Zermatt is a little village tucked in the valley under the shadows of the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn is still one of the most deadly mountain climbs to this day. It has quite the presence. Zermatt is a electric powered vehicle village, which means no personal cars/trucks. Taxis, busses, and shuttles are electric and bikes are the primary mode of transportation. It is a small, quaint little ski village where walking is a way of life. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from one end of the village to the other. You can only get to Zermatt by train, which costs about 5 Swiss Franc per round trip. Chris and I. Chris and I with the Matterhorn right behind us. Mya called the Mountain "Cloud Mountain" as it was often engulfed. Mya with Chris. Claire and Mya. They were so c...