Random December

It's been an awfully long time since I've posted. We've all been dealing with head colds. Every year, our family gets sick. Usually, the sickness occurs right around Christmas time because of course. Jac started it with a sore throat and a cough. Then, Leah spiked a fever of 103 degrees, developed a sore throat and a cough. I caught the cough and sore throat and sinus malfunction. Zac had a sore throat and congestion, then Elias had the yucky nose.

2 cups hot water, 1 Tb lemon juice, 1 Tb honey. Stir & drink.

December has been irritatingly busy. I've been crocheting like crazy, pushing past the pain in my hands, and finally finished Francesca's mermaid afghan. I also made three pairs of mittens for the kids and a pair of finger-less gloves for Emily, I'm taking a break for now, but plan to make socks for myself, as well as gloves, in January. I'm going for themed pieces for the different holidays.

We finally got around to taking the kids to Chuck E. Cheese's. Both did so awesome with their lessons before our break (almost two months of completely green stars) and they totally earned a treat. We went mid-day on a Friday so the place was practically vacant. It was delightful. Zac and I helped the kids win tickets and I found a few tokens and tickets that were dropped and forgotten. We had fun.

I've been trying to be crafty lately. I revamped one of Leah's headbands from generic Elsa and Anna to looking more Frozen. She found a snowflake ring on the ground outside Chuck E. Cheese (we washed it) and I hot-glued the picture onto it. I also got a bit hot-glue-happy and made a wreath for Christmas.

We even built a gingerbread house! The first actual one that isn't made of Graham crackers. It was easy to assemble, but didn't stay together long.

Doll House

Zac bought me a doll house from Hobby Lobby on my birthday this year. It took me about two weeks to put together completely. The structure isn't the best, but it was super easy to build (thanks to the INTERNET and not the included freaking instructions which were missing steps).

I haven't decided what I want to do with it as far as painting and "theme", but ideas are popping around. I'm leaning toward "beachy".

I had a few scrap pieces left over and made some temporary furniture. I don't plan to keep it, but for now, it's handy.

Louisiana Trip

Two weeks until Christmas. I don't feel ready at all. I mean, I'm ready as far as it's expected and the gifts are waiting to be wrapped, but I'm not ready for this year to be over. When I was a kid, Christmas took a century to arrive from one year to the next. Now, I blink and my babies are no longer babies, Santa is lurking around the corners, and there's one more gray hair to pull from my eyebrows. Elias is now four months old. He isn't as fussy as he was last month. Now, he cries when he's hungry (which is almost always), tired, or needs a diaper change. He laughs, and when he does, I forget that he cries. 

Wednesday was killer-stress. Zac made a to-pack list, Jac washed laundry, and I packed our bags for the trip to Louisiana. Elias had to get his second round of vaccinations, so he was coping with a fever Wednesday night. I took the kids to church for 6 so they could practice their Christmas songs, then I stayed for choir practice (I miss singing and soprano is getting harder). Zac had to work til 1am and I stayed awake until 4am trying to rock Elias and monitor his fever. I wanted to be up at 8am on Thursday morning so we could get to Sean's before lunch. However, I fell asleep around 5am in my bed and didn't wake up until 10am. Oh well. We left the house at 2. After stopping for gas and food, plus dealing with traffic, we made it to Sean's around 6. 

We went to Slidell on Friday and walked around the very barren mall. Most of the stores closed or went out of business. It's a shame. Books-A-Million is still there, which is nice since it was my most favorite place to spend my 30-minute lunch break when I worked at Bath & Body Works. I found a few books I want to read (mostly based on the covers) as well as some ideas for the big kids' Christmas Kindles. I also found Mom a religious coffee tumbler (something she's been hinting at). After walking from one side to the other, we left the mall and went to visit Mawmaw. She held Elias and he just laughed for her, even chuckling. It was so precious. I learned that my dear husband used to cry just as much as our little baby. Fancy that.

Amber is still alive and well and so sweet. She was outside on the driveway and was purring and chirping at me. I miss her so much and wish we could take her home. Zac and Jac have horrible allergies and it wouldn't be fair to them. Mawmaw is taking good care of her, though. 

We headed to Marie's to visit for a bit. She brought out some giant gingerbread man cookies for the kids to decorate. Jac was just saying recently how he misses visiting her because she always seems to have crafts to do, though more specifically, edible crafts.

We spent one last night at Sean's to watch Ant Man and eat banana's foster. Zac and Jac came home with horrible allergies. I helped Zac unload the car and he went to nap before working tonight at 7. I won't see him until 5am tomorrow. The kids and I went to church tonight to practice the Christmas music. Tomorrow, the kids are singing with the choir (I even joined for the cantata). It's a bit weird... I haven't really been involved in the church (or any church, for that matter). I'm exhausted and I've gotta get these kids in the bed.

Elias Four Months

Sweet baby boy had his four-month vaccinations this afternoon. Even with a fever, he's still smiling. He's a sweet little bun, giggling at funny faces. He still snuggles and takes really good naps. 

Brothers

Jac has wanted a brother since before Leah was even a thought. In a way, Leah was like a little brother he always wanted. She loves Mario, Pokemon, and Minecraft just as passionately as he does, but "she's a girl" and it's not quite the same. Their bond is strong, regardless of genders. Elias, on the other hand, is nine years younger than Jac. The gap is larger than I wanted, but life happens and we adapt. I hope they have a bond just as strong. Jac is already obsessed with his little brother and has plans to teach him things like how to play video games drive.

08.29.15

10.08.15

My sons, both about two months old

11.08.15

11.25.15