Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Blogger Friends!  Here's a look at a picture of our Christmas Card... probably not the best way to share it, and our Christmas letter.  I pray this day is a wonderful reminder of all that our Lord and Savior has done for us!

Dear Friends and Family,

Whew!  What a year!  A lot has happened in the past 12 months.  I’m happy to say that the biggest change is that I’m writing this letter from our new house.  We got word that our house had officially sold the day after Christmas last year and so we packed our first box and a month later we were all moved into my parent’s house.  They had no idea what hit them.  Grandkids aren’t nearly as cute and charming when they don’t go home at the end of the day.

We stayed with them for 6 months, while we looked at probably 50 houses (I’m not exaggerating… I’m sure my realtor would love to confirm this number for you).  Three offers later we finally landed in our own home again.  There is no doubt that God taught us a lot of patience over 6 months of searching and that He provided this house for us.  We are right where He wants us to be and we couldn't be happier!  We are now living in Brownsburg (Indianapolis address, Brownsburg schools) in a house where we no longer feel claustrophobic.  Wayne and the boys love all the space and, while at first it took some getting used to for me, I have grown to love it too.  I’m happy to report that the police only frequent this neighborhood because several of them live here and I’ve yet to see the SWAT team on any roofs; so all in all I’d say we’re in a much better neighborhood.  

I’m still working for PRN from home one day a week only now I get to offload my kids to my parents so I can actually focus for more than 30 seconds at a time.  I’m blessed with this work opportunity and with my parents being so willing to help.  My friend and I have also started a little craft business called Naptime Production.  We make mostly baby gifts.  We've done a couple craft shows now but are selling most of our stuff on Facebook and Etsy.  It’s been a lot of fun and definitely given me something to do with all my spare time (HA, HA)!  Wayne is still working for Case New Holland and stays busy with projects around the house (he’s become quite the handyman), being an awesome dad and serving at church. 

Case turned three on Halloween.  I’m not sure where those last three years went.  He’s SO much fun and definitely keeps us laughing.  I’m happy to report he is fully potty-trained now (I’m not sure if that should be part of our Christmas letter but to only have one kid in diapers totally seems news worthy to me).  Grandma and Grandpa got him a drum set for his birthday, Wayne is pretty sure this is punishment for the 6 months we mooched off of them.  He loves it and might actually have some rhythm.  He’s a very physical kid and isn’t afraid to jump off of or onto anything.  This isn't a great quality in a house on a slab with mostly hardwood floors on the first floor and this is also how we found ourselves with him in the ER with a skull fracture, followed by an ambulance ride to Riley where they kept him overnight for observation.  This was a super scary day/night for us but through 6 weeks of having strict instructions to “keep both feet on the ground” God protected him.  He’s fine now and has learned jumping on the couch might not be the best idea, not that it’s prevented it completely. 

Ty is a mini Case.  Whatever Case does Ty does (this includes jumping on the couch but he’s managed to avoid skull fractures thus far).   He will be 2 in March and is such a sweet little boy.  He’s always giving hugs and kisses and wants to be tickled.  For as similar as the boys are they definitely are their own people too.  They are constant reminders of how richly God has blessed our family. 

We went on a great trip to Disney World in September with my parents, and my brother’s family.  It was so much fun seeing the boys’ faces and there wasn't a ride they didn't want to get on, however there were several they weren't tall enough for yet (that didn't stop us from trying on a couple).  I liken a trip to Disney World with three kids under three years old with giving birth.   You only remember the good parts and not the sweating, crying, lines, and disastrous plane rides, which is the only reason we would love to go back someday. 

While many blessings came out of this year I’m hoping the New Year is a little less eventful.  I pray that your year has been a good one and that even better things are to come in the next one! 

Case is THREE!!!

Sometimes I when I think back it seems like it has been more like 10 years since I was cuddling with a little baby Case and other times it feels like 15 minutes ago.  Regardless of how it feels or what I want, Case is three.  Not a baby, not a toddler, but a little boy.  There's SO much I want to remember about him right now and yet life gets in the way of me making sure I have it all documented.  Sadly I'm going to have to rely on my ever-failing mind to store many of these details.  

Dear Case,

Here's a look at your third birthday party, just in case you got your mom's shotty memory system...

The invitation

The day of your party.  Your Daddy is afraid I'm still going to
be making birthday shirts for you when you're 16.  I assured
him I would stop at least by 15 :)

The Hot Diggity Dog Bar

 

Two empty recliner boxes. a few coats of paint, a crafty Daddy,
and several nights in the garage = one Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

The treats table

Your cousin, Suzie, doesn't mess around!
I could not have been happier with your
cake.  It looked almost as yummy as it
tasted!  

Cookie decorating

You loved having everyone sing to you!

You got so many great gifts!

And this is what happens when you are left alone with
cake for 30 seconds or more.  

It was such a fun day!  There were so many people there.  You are blessed beyond belief with so many people that love you!  

And now for a little about you at three years old...  you are a very funny kid.  The things you say absolutely crack Daddy and me up!  I love that you call me Mominy when you are in a silly mood.  Right now you have a little cold and while coughing yesterday you explained to Daddy that you choked on boogers and they were tastier than the hot dogs you were about to eat for dinner.  Oh Case!  You always have something funny to say and I really need to get better about writing all of your "Caseisms" down.  

You are fully potty trained even at nap and bedtime.  I was shocked that you did so well so quick.  One day I decided I wasn't putting you in diapers again and it took about a week of staying home, a little bit of tough love, and you pretty much got the hang of it.  You were wearing pull-ups at nap and bedtime until your genius mommy accidentally bought Dora pull-ups instead of Diego and Daddy said NO WAY to you wearing them.  Who knew there was a boy version AND a girl version... clearly not me!  Your reward for dry underwear is getting my phone for 15 minutes at nap and bed time.  You usually get it but sometimes you have trouble stopping what you are doing to go potty and we find "drips" in your underwear.  When you go poopy you get 5 Skittles and Ty gets 3 for being the "supportive little brother" and because I don't want to deal with the TOTAL meltdown that would ensue if he didn't get anything.  Yes, I know... mom of the year.  

Clearly the potty seats weren't part of your
potty training but rather your wardrobe.  Who
doesn't want a potty seat hat?

I just signed you up for basketball, which will be the first organized (or probably totally UNORGANIZED) sport you will play.  I just can't deal with soccer so hopefully you like basketball.  You start that in January.  I hope you love it!  

You are quite the manipulator at three years young!  When Ty has something you want you very selectively find a toy that you know he will want to play with and take it to him like you're doing him a favor, all the while planning to take the toy you distracted him from.  An outsider looking in would applaud you for your kindness but Daddy and I know better... we're onto you kid!  

You are VERY stubborn.  Daddy likes to point out that you get that from me but the fact that he's not willing to take any responsibility in that trait clearly suggests where your stubbornness really comes from.   

You love to play with your trains, cars, and Hot Wheels tracks.  You are totally obsessed with helicopters right now too!  I love listening to you countdown from 10 and yell "blast off" usually with Ty following right behind you with some flying tractor or something.   You haven't met a piece of technology you don't like.  I'm guessing this is going to make for very expensive gifts in the near future.  

You still sleep in a crib.  I asked the pediatrician if this was okay and he said it was so quit judging me!  You like your bed and I like my sleep so if it ain't broke don't fix it.  You have never climbed out, however you do climb in it at every nap and bedtime.  I have NO idea why you've never climbed out but you haven't.  I'm just not asking any questions.  You still take a nap usually from about 2 to 4 or 5.  You go to bed between 8:30 and 9 and you get up between 7:30 and 8... for the record, I prefer 8 or later.  I think you're a night owl.  You stay awake playing in your bed for a good hour after you get in.  

I have to confess that I have been a TOTAL slacker in the education department lately.  Between the move and our lives being so busy, I have not been good about putting lessons together.  I'm hoping to get back to this in January or February... don't hold me to it though.  You're mom's a slacker!  So if the day comes when a possible employer says, "You seem to be the perfect candidate but you are lacking that 3 to 4 year old skill set" you'll know who to blame at your next therapy appointment.  

You have become a pretty good eater.  When I say good eater that is only true for things you want to eat, for example I NEVER have trouble getting you to eat a sucker, fruit snacks, cupcakes, or anything else you shouldn't be eating.  Here's a list of a few things that you are usually willing to eat without complaining (too much):  turkey (rolled up but not bread... weirdo), "chippies" (chips), grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, fries, mac and cheese, hot dogs (unless boogers are the other option), peanut butter and jelly (sometimes), pears, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, lima beans (sometimes), broccoli (sometimes), ketchup (with absolutely anything), yogurt, and spaghetti.  I've heard stories of your Grandma Angie having to hide cakes from your Pa so I'm pretty sure I know where you got your absolute cake, or icing  obsession   It's like you turn into a wild animal that can scale walls or walk on the ceiling if need be to get to the cake.  There isn't a safe place if you know it's here.  Here's a look at what you did to your Grandma and Grandpa's 40th Anniversary cake BEFORE their party!

You only got this far because I caught you.

And here's a few more pictures of you over the past several months...

You and Case LOVE sitting in my office chair
and watching Curious George on the computer

A week or two after your head injury

At the State Fair

Yep.  We sure did eat that cake anyway.

This is more often than not how sunglasses end up on you :)

Dr. Case :-)  

I just think you have one of the sweetest, kindest faces!

Case, I could go on and on about you and how amazing you are.  I am just so blessed that God chose me to be your mom!  Thank you for being a reminder each day of how truly blessed I am.  Thank you for filling me with a joy and happiness that I thought I might never have.  I love you buddy!  Happy Third Birthday (a little belated)!

Love, 

Mom

  

Baby Jam Halloween Party

Yes, I know it is nearly Christmas.  The fact that these are getting posted before next Halloween seems like a bit of a miracle.  Just think... you'll have Christmas pictures to look forward to around Easter or so :)

Baby Jam was at our house on Halloween this year.  I seriously can't think of anything cuter than all these kids getting dressed up in their costumes at the same time!  Here's a look at our party...

And this is what the chaos looks like when you
have 6 moms and 2 grandmas trying to get 8 kids
in their Halloween costumes.  

A brief glimpse of Superhero Sara doing the "fix and dodge" to
make sure the picture is just right.  

And after all that hardwork...

Totally worth it!

Could they be any cuter?!?!

Mickey and Minnie Mouse :-)

My Mickey and Dumbo... LOVE!

A little bean bag toss...

some cupcake decorating...

some cupcake eating...

throw in some spider rings and voila... you have a Baby Jam
Halloween Party!

These spider rings were played with long after Halloween!

Isn't Alice a doll???

And since Grandma was present Ty should obviously get
to lick the icing spoon.  Oh grandma!!!

The kiddos with their decorated cupcakes :)

I don't know what I'd do without these kids and their mommas!!!  So grateful that God brought us all together!