List

(1) We were sick for Christmas.  We are sick every Christmas.  Advent viruses were triumphant in the end, despite us being fairly laid back the month of December.  I cooked frozen pizzas for Christmas Eve dinner.  I burned them too.  An awful meal to celebrate the birth of Christ.  Next year, I need put something nice in the freezer earlier in the month (when we are not sick) that I can reheat on December 24th.

(2) I felt doubly sick at Christmas because I am pregnant.  Excited.  Nervous.  Scared.  Happy.  I'm due in the middle of August.  Chris is rooting for another daughter.  :)  The nausea is finally going away.  I can't wait for my appetite to return.  I haven't eaten really well in weeks.

(3)  My Mom and Dad took care of us on Christmas Day.  I was able to take a long nap and wake up to a ham dinner.  Christmas was saved!

(4)  We went to Michigan to visit with Chris' family between Christmas and New Year's.  We visited the Henry Ford Museum, reminisced while watching slides, ate too much, played with cousins and celebrated my in-law's 45th wedding anniversary.  Our 11th anniversary fell over our trip too.  We didn't realize it until lunchtime when someone else pointed it out.  Happy Anniversary!

(5)  I've enjoyed our mild winter.  Those spring-like days in early January were awesome!  Our children, however, were desperate for snow.  It finally arrived last week.  The sleds have already made up for lost time.


(6)  I've been very tired, but have somehow managed to continue running three times a week on the treadmill.  I hope to keep it up as long as I can!

(7)  Spent a day/ overnight at a local indoor waterpark with friends last week.  We had a great time.  3 of the 4 kids fell asleep on the 25 minute drive home.  The rest of our day was lethargic.  I think that everyone was tired!

(8)  Homeschool has felt sluggish.  Mostly due to me. We have had number of staccato-ed weeks due to other commitments.  Next week is the first full 5 day week we will have had since early December.  I'm looking forward to turning over a new leaf!

Chris - went to the ordination of a college friend on Epiphany..  It seems all his good friends from college were there and he had a great time.  He is currently at Doxology.  I can't wait for him to return this evening!  We've all missed him!  I think that he is looking forward to getting back into a fuller schedule too.

Claire - had her first swim meet the weekend before Christmas.  It was pretty fun!  She swam the 50 free.  Her goggles slipped off half-way through.  Bummer!  She has been very helpful and sisterly lately.  Maybe she sensed that I needed a bit extra help?  She's growing up!  :(

Lily - has really taken off with her reading.  Right before Christmas I was always catching her with a nose in a book and it has been difficult to keep her bedside pile well stocked.  Yeah!

Isabel - has been coloring, coloring, coloring.  And if she is not coloring, she is painting.  In her free time she has really wanted to learn to read, insisting that we do lessons almost everyday.  She is the youngest one I have taught.  She is doing really well...we will see!

Gus - meanders from room to room, checking out what everyone else is doing.  He isn't great at independent play.  I try to keep him busy.  He likes to be read to and help out with chores.  He is my sidekick.  However if he isn't at my side, he's usually found trouble.  :)