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"Mom, mom! Look what found me. May I keep her?" called Mac.
Huh...uh...well...um...err...enter neighbor searching for missing kitten...whew! Thank goodness. We were at Grandma's house, and I was not relishing the thought of a three hour drive with three boys, rapid-fire Nerf weapons and a kitty in the car.
How's your Monday looking? Take a look at Best Shot Monday, now hosted by Tracy at Mother May I.
Welcome to a glimpse of our home this Christmas.
The front entrance...
Entering the foyer you are greeted by our family Christmas tree which is decorated with over 100 cross-stitch ornaments handstitched by yours truly...including an ornament stitched for each son every year of their life...new and vintage glass ornaments, various gift ornaments from family and friends and a variety of purchased ornaments. Wil's little tricycle from preschool years sits by the tree...
Breakfast area...the boys tree of ornaments they've made over the years...
The deck lights...
Our 2007 gingerbread house made from scratch with lighted candy windows...one of our favorite traditions...
The small tree on the breakfast room mantle has dough ornaments made twenty years ago by our now twenty-six year old son...
...which makes it a sentimental favorite...
The family room fireplace which also opens to the kitchen and breakfast area. I cross-stitched the boys stockings. Andy's...my oldest son...has a Christmas poem stitched on it, and I made the entire stocking. That never seemed to happen again with the younger three boys coming so close together...they received ready-made stockings which I personalized with cross-stitch...
A small alpine tree in the family room. The Santa was a gift from a friend who passed away a few years ago...
Here is one of our Christmas villages. Santa is on the porch of the restaurant (right about center) in this photo. Daily from December 1 through December 24 Santa appears in a different location in one of our three villages. The boys look for him first thing every morning...
...on Christmas morning Santa is always found at the village nativity...
A peek into the dining room from the foyer...
Each of the boys has a small tree in their room which they decorate themselves...
Yes, even the bathrooms are decorated. Here is a view of the boys bathroom counter with Santa hanging in the background...
A mirror in our bedroom which came from an antique armoire belonging to Chuck's grandparents...the small sister mirror sits on the china cabinet in the dining room...
One of my vintage bottle brush trees...
A small section of my favorite wall...
Merry Christmas from our family to yours...may you feel the warmth of love and the joy of peace...
...on this holy night and always...just believe...
Did you think I had forgotten about the Vintage Christmas Book Giveaway? Did you think I was lost in Christmas shopping and lattes? Well, sort of to both of these. However, there is a winner. There were 46 comments, three duplicates were deleted leaving 43 comments and random.org chose number six as the winner.
Congratulations to Stacy of The Land of K.A. Being a loyal reader of her blog and fan of her many talents, I know Stacy will put this book to beautiful use.
Tomorrow is Open House at Slurping Life.
One morning it was there. The gift was simply there, appearing as though by magic. I looked closely and read "For Mom, From Mac, Do Not Open Before Cristmas" (as written, misspelled). The gift was wrapped by boy hands, crumpled with love...the most beautiful Christmas package I have ever seen.
Later that morning Mac said, "Mom, there's something special for you beneath the Christmas tree."
"When I came downstairs this morning I noticed a beautifully wrapped gift with my name on it." I replied.
"I found the wrapping paper in the attic and wrapped it all by myself." he said beaming with pride.
I just hugged and kissed the dickens out of him. There could be a dead rat in that package... I don't care. It is a gift of thoughtfulness and love from my son who is himself a precious gift.
The Christmas season in our home has been filled with many little moments I never want to forget...the gift of every moment...for every moment comes only once.
Would you like to join us in sharing the precious little moments which light your life this Holiday Season?
~~~~~
Later this morning my mom will be here, and we are going on a girl's day out wild Christmas shopping spree. Lunch and lattes will be involved. Maybe dinner and wine...who knows how long this could last...no boys in tow.
Sunday, I invite you to visit our Christmas Open House here at Slurping Life.
Remember, that midnight EST tonight is the deadline to enter A Vintage Christmas Book Giveaway.
You better not cry.
You better not pout.
I'm telling you why...
Santa's at our house and he's watching you. Over the years we have had so much fun with the big guy...like my blog banner which is from last year's Christmas card photo shoot. During the Christmas season I never know where I'll find Santa...the boys are very sneaky creative.
Another take on this week's Theme Thursday...window...if you come to our house and these guys greet you...watch out.
(Grain and warm filter applied in photo processing)
Today is Stacy's first week of hosting Theme Thursday. Drop by and take a photographic peek through every one's window.
This Christmas season I have made it a point to be up early, light candles, turn on the trees, start my potpourri pots to simmering and sit in meditation before the boys arise. It's such a connected way to begin each day of the advent season. It is also just plain fun to watch and listen each morning as the boys awake and soak in the beauty awaiting them.
This morning while sitting by candlelight in peace with my thoughts, I hear approaching footsteps. I know the sound of each boy's gait. Mac is coming.
As he enters the room he inhales deeply, smiles brightly and proclaims, "Ahhhhh. The pot smells so good."
Are you inhaling the joy, beauty and scents of the season? Are you enjoying the gift of every moment?
This contest has ended.
Vintage Christmas items are treasures to me. I actively seek and collect anything from ornaments to Christmas cards to...well...everything vintage Christmas. The attic may cave at anytime during the year waiting for the holiday season to arrive when my hands and eyes feast on the joy of unpacking the boxes.
"The Family Christmas Book" is a beautiful 25 year old Christmas album, revised edition copyright 1982 Nancy Taylor, published by Traditions Press. I want one of you to have it.
The book contains two-page spreads to record each family Christmas so that when completed, you have a twenty-five year record of family Christmases. There is space to record where the family gathered, paste a photo, those who joined in the cheer, special events of the Season, memories of the past year and your annual Christmas card. The book is in like new condition.
Click photos for enlarged view.
To be entered for an chance to win the vintage Family Christmas Book, simply leave a comment on this post by midnight EST Friday, December 21. A winner will be chosen from comments using random.org. Please, only one comment per person...duplicates will be deleted. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but I must have an email address to contact you should you win. The winner will be announced Saturday, December 22.
Merry Christmas!
Photo by woman who forgets to check ISO settings and thus gets noise...but it is still my favorite photo from our gingerbread house construction on Sunday. The little guy just makes me smile...
Tomorrow more Christmas fun and a little giveaway.
I hope sweet things are happening at your house this Holiday Season.
The winner is commenter #70...Michele. Michele does not have a blog, but I have her email address. Congratulations, Michele. I have emailed a request for your shipping address, and Proctor & Gamble will ship the basket of Pure Essentials products directly to you.
Thanks to everyone for entering the giveaway.
Ongoing conversation of the day between Lee and myself...
"May I go outside and play?"
"No."
"May I have some M&Ms?"
"No."
"May I jump on the mini trampoline?"
"No."
"May I invite a friend over to play?"
"No."
"May I have hot chocolate?"
"No."
"May I wrestle with Mac?"
"No."
"May I eat some pickles?"
"No."
"May I ride my bike?"
"No."
"May I kiss you?"
"No."
"May I eat some gingerbread cookies?"
"No."
"May I take Ursula for a walk?"
"No."
[Insert at least thirty more "may I" questions to which the obvious answer is no for a child with the worst virus of the century and who was released from the hospital late yesterday}
"What CAN I do?!"
"Breathe...but not over here...over there."
~~~
Lee is home from the hospital and obviously beginning to feel better. He did not have appendicitis or pneumonia, but the horrid virus that seems to be sweeping the country.
Next, Mac has strep. I have a bag packed on ready. In his ten years of asthmatic life I can remember only three times when Mac became sick and did not end up hospitalized with pneumonia. One of those times he should have been, but I begged our way out of it. I remain optimistically hopeful with nebulizer, albuterol inhaler and prednisone on ready.
Wil has finished his antibiotic, and I'm hoping he will stay healthy.
I am thinking of moving in with our pediatrician.
Chuck (husband) has finished his antibiotic. He has no choice but to keep going healthy or not. I'll kill him if he doesn't. [kidding, mostly]
Yes, everyone has been sick.
All About Me
I missed my follow-up appointment with the endocrinologist due to being at the hospital with Lee. She did talk with me by phone and say after reviewing my scans, xrays and blood work she would be extremely surprised if the thyroid nodules were anything but benign. She is confident enough to wait until after the holidays for a biopsy.
My stent surgery will also be after the holidays. I have a nerve study on Monday with the neurosurgeon regarding the radial nerve damage in my right arm. However, I feel good about it...the use of my hand continues to improve.
God is good and so is life. *smiling big* I'm keeping this quote close in mind.
Fun Stuff
Tomorrow I am posting some fun stuff. Sickness or not, we are all home together and the Christmas fun shall finally begin. I am tired of this sickness-hospital talk, and I know YOU are.
I'm also going to have a little giveaway next week.
Remember that midnight EST tomorrow is the deadline for entering the Pure Essentials giveaway.
All About You
Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts...I know the power of prayer and kind hearts.
Why, to the hospital...again...of course.
Wednesday evening it began, Lee not feeling well, occasional vomiting. Thursday brought nausea, more vomiting, abdominal pain, excruciating headache. We headed for dear Dr. F. He sent us to dear building H...the hospital. Lee was dehydrated and his skin was changing color quicker than a chameleon on a rainbow, fever rising, abdominal pain worsening.
The insurance company questioned Lee being admitted. From thin air Dr. F appears in admissions...let's just say Lee was promptly admitted. The IV fluids are flowing; the chest xrays done; abdominal CT done; abdomen poked by approximately a half-dozen pairs of hands; surgeon examination complete. We're waiting for the results of chest xrays, abdominal CT and blood work to see if it's appendicitis or perhaps pneumonia or just the worst bug ever for Christmas this year. Did you know pain and symptoms for pneumonia can mimic those of appendicitis? Me neither. But apparently so.
It is 11:30PM EST. Lee's pain and nausea are controlled for now, and he is finally sleeping.
I'm watching my heart and soul sleep over there...would you please say a prayer for Lee?
Thank you sweetly.
It is always the simple things that change our lives. And these things never happen when you are looking for them to happen. Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so. You feel like running, but life is on a stroll. This is how God does things. ~~Donald Miller
Today is Tracey's last Thursday's Theme...change...sniff, sniff. On the bright side, Stacy will be continuing Thursday's Theme at her place...smile, smile.
How I wish it were in focus. It would be my Christmas card photo for sure. Edit: It is my Christmas card photo.
Way, way, way back when...like in October...my friend, Jenn of All Natural Mommies tagged me for the seven things meme.
Way, way back when...like a little later in October...my friend, Marcie of A Child Chosen tagged me for the seven things meme.
Way back when...it was only in November...my friend Erica of Crummy Cupcake tagged me for the seven things meme.
Lastly, I'm counting this as my meme from the tag by my friend, Leanne of Phoenix The Blogging Mama for the ten things.
While I'm lounging around in my Mary Jane monkey slippers, THANK YOU, CANDI, the time seemed ripe for catching up. If my math capabilities have not failed me, this calculates to twenty-one bore you brainless engaging facts. (I'll spare you the additional ten.) Things have been interesting with me on a steroid which is playing havoc with my emotions and appetite. Let's see what I can come up with...
1. Last night at 9:30pm I boo-hooed until C (my husband) fetched me a large veggie pizza.
2. Today I snapped over 700 photos of the boys for the Christmas card photo and deleted every single one of them. Nothing pleased me.
3. Tomorrow I'll snap 700 more...if the boys are still here. I've also snapped off a few heads.
4. Earlier I called C on his cell phone while he and the boys were at the grocery store... just to add a few items to his list. He abruptly said "I can't talk right now. Wil is strangling Lee who is kicking Mac, and some lady I've never seen before is trying to calmly discipline them." He hung up. Oh.No.He.D'int!!
5. I called C right back with my list...I was boo-hooing, of course. The background noise from his end was a bit distracting. He sounded frustrated.
6. While on the above call with C, I reminded him to run by the computer store and pick up a new AC plug for my laptop. He sighed heavily.
7. I ate an entire bag of Dove chocolates yesterday.
8. I'm working on a bag of dark chocolate M&Ms as I type.
9. I just remembered that I did not put up a new Mr. Linky for the week at Wrapped Emotions. Later.
10. I cried for an hour because no one wanted to spend time with me.
11. I bit everyone's head off when they came to spend time with me.
12. My family has been outside for hours. It's getting dark. Wonder if they are avoiding me?
13. I have washed every piece of clothing in the house...twice, I think.
14. Doctors will not let me resume exercise yet, but I've walked 4,687 laps through the house today.
15. My dog is avoiding me.
16. Did I mention I LOVE my monkey slippers?
17. I wonder what's for dinner?
18. I cannot fastened my own bra. I hope this is temporary. Do you know how much fun a husband has when you ask him to fasten your bra and you have only one properly working hand? Geez...they never grow up.
19. Lee just walked into the room, opened his mouth, paused, turned and ran into the hallway closet. Guess I still don't look friendly.
20. No one else has come back inside.
21. C finally came inside. I boo-hooed to him how sorry I am to be so much trouble. He assured me that I'm no trouble. I snapped and called him "liar".
Thank goodness they love me.
If you find this to be the dorkiest post ever...remember, s-t-e-r-o-i-d-s. *she's smiling*
"Mom, do you think that Jesus is getting excited about his birthday yet? Do you think he's decided what kind of birthday party he wants to have?" asks Wil.
Oh, does he have to grow up? I mean really...what if all Christians thought of Jesus in such a tangible, approachable manner? What if we each held on to such delightful thoughts forever?
What if...
Sitting alone in the late night darkness of a hospital room is scary. Especially when so much is uncertain and serious. That's where I am physically and emotionally.
Tuesday I posted a vow that I made to myself on Monday evening, and later on Tuesday I shared when seemed to be a confirmation of the vow. Then came a complete halt to life as I was living it or planning to live it. Yet, the abrupt events seemed another confirmation.
I am still typing left-handed only and still trying to grasp some things, but I've had some email questions about my situation. A simple post is easier on the hand and mind that many email responses. I'll give a time line of what's up. I can only type in brief intervals and began this post on Friday night while still in the hospital, but I'm not certain when it will be completed and posted.
It is now Saturday, and I am home...waiting. It feels good to be home. I am thrilled to be able to hug my family, and the phrase "slurping life" has become an even stronger motto for me.
Thank you for your thoughts, hugs and prayers. They mean much more than my words could ever express.
Blessings to you and yours.
**Apologies for typos and poor grammar, sentence structure. One armed and half-brained stinks. *smile*
The Pure Essentials Giveaway can be found by clicking this link. The giveaway is open through 12 midnight EST Sunday, December 16.
Newer posts are below...just scroll down.
What have I been up to...click here. Thanks for your prayers and hugs. I'm good.
I can only type briefly as I have the use of only my left arm and hand due to paralysis of my right. I have been hospitalized since Wednesday morning and am still undergoing tests. In searching for the source of my paralysis, several health issues have been discovered. Testing is ongoing, but there are some potentially serious problems.
I simply wanted to let those of you who are waiting for something from me or have emailed questions/requests that I am unable to respond at this time.
Please remember my family and me in your prayers. Thanks. I know how wonderful my readers are and how great is the power of prayer.
As I sat on the sofa sipping hot tea this morning surrounded only by candlelight, tree light and silence, I made a vow. Then came the confirmation of my decision...
Footsteps quietly descend the stairway as Lee calls, "Mom? You down there?"
"Yes, sweetheart. I'm here on the sofa."
Slowly he enters the room.
"Oh mom, the candles are lit and the trees are on and the house smells like Christmas. Christmas is my most favorite time of the year."
He nestles beside me pulling an afghan over the two of us...snuggling on the sofa in the candlelight. This moment is a gift and this moment will never ever come again. Yes, I made a vow...and I intend to keep it.
They were abused and broken in infancy.
They are rough, calloused and crooked when he stands.
They are clumsy, heavy and loud when he walks.
They spend most of their time in AFOs.
They know well the touch of a surgeon.
They feel the misery of pain.
They never give up trying harder and harder.
They were never suppose to walk.
They not only walk; they run.
They are the most beautiful feet I have ever seen
...and tickled...and kissed.
Seeing Wil's bare feet as he sat by the little Christmas tree in his room made me smile.
What made you smile today?
This contest has ended.
Motherhood is a dirty job, but somebody has to do it...including the laundry. When Proctor & Gamble contacted me asking if Slurping Life would like to give away a basket of their Pure Essentials laundry products, I screamed replied "yes". Really, I get as excited about free laundry products as I do a free camera because...well, just look...
Tide, Downy, and Bounce Pure Essentials are made with Baking Soda (Tide), Aloe Vera (Downy/Bounce) and comes in two fresh scents – White Lilac and Lemon Verbena with Citrus Extracts that leaves clothes feeling clean, soft and fresh. If laundry products can remove the stains my boys create and leave our laundry smelling fresh (and these products do), it's good stuff.
The prize pack includes the following items:
For your chance to win...
Good random luck of the draw to each of you.
It is not a requirement to enter, but if you choose to blog about the giveaway and link to this post and P&G / Pure Essentials, we would so feel the love.
Alas, I have only one to give.
Hey! HP or any marketing firms working with HP, lots of people would love to have a HP digital camera. Do you have any more to give away? Just give me an email at melodyspins[at]gmail[dot]com. *hint hint* There were 240 people wanting the camera that was won by....
Lipstick to Crayons commenter #87 via Random.org. Congratulations!
If it makes those of you who did not win feel better, two of my sons want digital cameras and I wasn't even in the running for this one.
Thanks to everyone who commented to enter. I read every comment and was so tickled at how sweet and polite each of you were. I wish I had a camera for each of you.
Later today I will be posting another great giveaway. It's not a camera, but is a fabulous group of products everyone could use. I hope you'll check back.
