Merry Christmas, everyone! Just wanted to get a few pics of what’s been going on at our house. I’m sitting here with my new MP3 player strapped to my forearm, jamming to John Mayer – I’ve already loaded 120 songs onto it! WooHoot! I’ve got a nice big crock pot filled with ham hocks and split peas – it smells so good my stomach is just grumbling like CRAZY. Furbee baby is sleeping, he’s really sweet but sorta snarky, if ya know what I mean?
I downloaded an album by Bethany Dillon, she’s great! You should give her a listen. I am impressed.
Jayden was so precious lastnight, this is her first year “understanding” Santa. First we put out the cookies, arranged the plate all nicely, then they got their pajamas on. Just before bed I told her we needed to put his milk out, and she was positive that Santa LOVES chocolate milk and we had to make some. We did. Then we put out a bowl with carrots for the reindeer, and they had some concerns that Santa wouldn’t understand who the carrots were for and he’d eat them by mistake. The girls got in bed, but Jay kept getting up to check Norad online to see where Santa was, bolting to bed when I told her Santa was getting close and she better get back in bed. “Okay, mama!” and off she’d run. I tucked her in and she asked “is Santa going to be here in a minute, or in a while?” and I told her “in a while, probably a couple of hours, honey”. She got upset and whimpered “I want him to be here in a minute!” So I explained that if Santa was here in a minute, he’d pass right by our house since she’s still awake. She didn’t like that very much, but she quieted down. Caitlin on the other hand – was a nervous wreck and had a tummy ache from being so anxious.
This morning, I was the first one up. Ha! I thought for sure they’d be tugging on me at 6 AM. I snuck out and turned the tree on and sat up in bed waiting for the girls. Caitlin was the first one up, peeking around the corner out into the living room. She peeked in at me and saw me sitting up, and was so excited she asked if she could wake up Jayden. Here they are, sleepyheads, just sitting staring at everything. They haven’t even dug in to the pressies yet.
The first thing Caitlin looked at was her new sketchbook. I make her one every year,
here’s last years. This year I based it on my new Flavia calendar – I just love Flavia. I did a little graphic manipulation to customize it for her – using her birth month (July). It turned out so pretty! The text reads “From your heart to your mind, through your hands, down to pen and paper. Caitlin’s Creations, 2006”. I include a set of really neat drawing pens (fineliner markers), and she draws in it throughout the year. At the end of the year, I pull it, pack it away, and give her a new one. It’s already fun to look at the ones from when she was 3-4 years old.
They had a blast opening presents – Caitlin even said that her list next year would not be very big, she got “too much stuff” – can you believe that? The girls each bought me something, Caitlin bought me a Willow Tree Figurine, Mother and Daughter, and I nearly cried. She’s getting to that age now where she picks out those thoughtful gifts, starts collections for me, makes me all sappy to think she’s growing so fast. No more wacky “how do those little brains work” gifts, like whale-shaped candles or giant Hershey kisses (I do not like chocolate at all, lol). Jayden picked out a really nice mauve-ish sweater for me, and she’s just tickled that I put it on today. She searched high and low apparently, for this certain sweater she wanted for me. Aww.
Ahh and they’re kicking back, 4 in the afternoon and still in their jammies, playing with their new toys, spending 20 minutes with each new thing until they settle into their favorites.
We’re having a nice cozy day, hubby is enjoying his first Christmas back home in a couple of years. I even found him a special ornament to commemorate it.
Once again this year, I find myself thinking of all of the people who stood by our sides during his tour, and appreciating friendships, both new and old. Christmas was rough last year, and without the people who held us up last year and kept us in their thoughts and prayers, I don’t think we’d be as grateful as we are to have these moments together this year. So thank you, again, to everyone who endured the trials and tribulations of the last few years with us. To our new friends and old, your continued friendship will be forever cherished.
Hugs to all of you!!
{23 Comments}
Merry Christmas!! Just sitting here relaxing. Lora is napping. Such a wonderful day! The pics of the girls are so precious! and the sketchbook is wonderful! :cheerful:
Ah the girls look so happy and sweet. It’s wonderful that you had your hubby home this year, I’m sure he was more than pleased with that arrangement too!!!
Merry Christmas.
I am sitting here at home today, watching my wife and girls, everything is peaceful, warm, and relaxed. I am also reflecting back on last year, I remember sitting on a roof of a Iraqi police station in Tarami, manning a 50 cal machine gun hoping that the day and night will be quiet. It was.
I am here today because of the love and support first and foremost from my wife and kids. It has been a tough time for me since I got back, I have been depressed, anxious, worried, and lost a little trying to adjust back to life with no worries of death at every corner. My family and friends that see me everyday have stood by me and supported and did what they could to help me.
To each of them, my eternal thanks and love.
To all of you out here in Blog land, with out you gals and guys I think I would have came home to 3 nut cases. You helped keep Leanne, Caitlin, and Jayden smiling, happy, and with the feeling that they did not spend the time alone.
If I could find the right words to say to all of you how much I appreciate all that you have did for myself and my family I would,
I hope that this Thank You will let you know that our door and hearts are open to each and everyone of you if the need arises or you are in the neighborhood.
Thank You, enjoy the holiday with your family and friends, and remember the guys and gals that are doing what I did last year.
Mark :yellowribbon: :usa:
Merry Christmas, sweetie! I love the book, the total jammie day–the fear that (gasp) Santa may have to eat the carrots. Looks like a fantastic time!
Merry Christmas Leanne and family! My family and I are sitting around enjoying the many splendid things Santa dropped off also along with each others company!
Though I didn’t know you last year, as I read your post and your hubbys comment it brought tears to my eyes. It’s amazing what a community that the blogsphere is, isn’t it? Let me just say first thank you to your husband for his service. Also thank you and your girls for your sacrifice. It’s not easy to have your spouse and daddy gone. So a huge thank you to all of you! :usa: :cheerful:
I’m so happy you are all together spending this Christmas together! Enjoy the rest of the day and by the way, your girls are beautiful! 😉
:lovestruck: I just love you guys! :lovestruck:
What sweet pictures! I love the sketchbook you made for Caitlin; what a great idea!
Merry Christmas to all and Welcome Home to Mark…. and thank you! :usa:
Hi Leanne!
Merry Christmas. It looked like you had a laid-back, relaxing day. I also love the Caitlin’s creation book. What a great creative outlet and a good way to keep her pictures as memories.
Leanne, I didn’t know you last year, but if I had, you can be sure I would have done everything in my power to provide support for you and your family during what must have been a very difficult time. I am so glad that your husband made it home safe. I hope he finds it easier and easier to make the adjustment to life back on American soil as I am sure that this doesn’t just happen in a week or even a few months. God bless you for the sacrifice that YOU had to make in living without your husband in order for him to serve our country.
Mark, Whatever we can do to help in helping the men and women serving our country, wether it is supporting their families here at home or sending care packages or phone cards to those stationed over seas, it seems like a miniscule amount compared to what you and your families have to sacrifice. On my own and my family’s behalf, I want to say a huge and heartfelt thank you for service to our country. God bless you!
Mark and Leanne,
You have incredibly beautiful children. They must be so happy to have both their parents this year. I noticed your daughter’s (Caitlin?) face is still pretty sore. Poor baby. I hope it goes away soon. Give it a big kiss, that always works with my granddaughter’s boo boos. :giggle: Take care and God Bless
What fantastic photos – thank you for sharing them with us! It sounds like you guys had a spectacular day and I’m so happy for you!
I eagerly await my younger brother’s return from Iraq and would love to know where you found that ornament (we’re having Christmas again in February when he returns). So glad your Mark is home! 🙂
Merry Christmas! 🙂
I love your girls’ pink jammies. And their cheeks are so rosy! I’m glad your hubby’s home this year. (big hugs)
So now I’m cryin a little cuz thinking about Mark far away protecting our whole country and now he’s just home with his girls and enjoying the peace is so… Christmas. Thanks… to all of you!
Merry Christmas! And what a beautiful blog! Just dropping a note to let you know I wanted to join your Thursday 13. It sounds like fun! I’m new at this, though, so it might take me a bit to get it “right.” I noticed you deleted some people for various reaons…I’ll try my best!
Oh my goodness, Leanne, your girls are beutiful. How did I not know that you had two little girls, like me?
I love coming here, Leanne. I’m so glad I found you.
Thank you for nominating me for BOB. That’s so nice, and means lot coming from you.
I need to get back to posting regularly. I’m a little rusty after slowing down for the holidays.
I’m so glad your Christmas was so beautiful. Wish our girls could play together. I bet they would love each other.
That is just way toooo beautiful! I’m so glad that your husband is safe with you and your amazing daughters! :usa: :yellowribbon: Peace and happiness to you all! A BIG THANK YOU to your husband!!! Our family sends out our love! ((())) :swimming:
:lovestruck: I am so glad you had a wonderful Christmas. Beautiful girls :lovestruck:
Looks like you had a great day!
Merry Christmas
LadyBug
All those photos are just adorable! :cheerful:
Oh what a warm and fuzzy day you’ve had! Sounds fabulous! Your pictures are gorgeous and I love the sketchbook idea!! Flavia is one of my favorites too! My Address book bears my favorites…dragonflies. Have a great New Year and I’ll be up and moving with my 13 this week!
Peace…
Yoyr daughters are beautiful, glad you had a wonderful Christmas with them.
Glad you had a great christmas! All your pictures are fab and that sketchbook is beautiful! My daughter loves drawing but she is only 2 at the moment but what a lovely idea to have a special one every year. :cheerful:
We had a great time here – Kids got loads of pressies! I got a mp3 player and its tiny….Aigo A205 is the make and model….I can’t believe how tiny they can make these things! I got a great new mobile phone and a (drum roll please) engagement ring! :yahoo: Only took 7 years. 😆
We didn’t get many pictures (on my camera anyway) as the stupid thing ran out of batteries and silly me didn’t think to put in some of the ones I had bought for the kids pressies and sat and waited the 4 hours for my batteries to recharge. :duh:
[…] Leanne’s “Welcome Home” ornament arrived in the mail today – thanks Leanne!!! My sister-in-law is gonna love it. Hey! I guess that means I’ve accomplished 1/12th of one of my new year’s resolutions [the buy one Christmas present per month]. Only 11 more to go on that one! […]
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