It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

It's beginning to seem a lot like Christmas around here.  

Today was Kinley's very first pajama day at school.  To say she was excited is putting it mildly.    She was very excited to give her teachers their special Christmas cards and watch a movie with her friends.

Santa's videos arrived this morning.  There was one Mowry who was not sure if he was going to make it on the nice list.  Lucky for him, Santa is a forgiving soul and it appears as though everyone will receive a present and not coal this year. 

Getting down to the real reason for the season, we attended a birthday party for Jesus at church on Sunday.   Kinley was extremely confused and told more than one person that we were going to heaven for the party.   She even asked if she could pet Tucker when we got there.   I'm not sure we ever quite cleared things up with her regarding why Jesus didn't attend his own party.  However we were successful in distracting her with activities and fun!

The girls got together to exchange their homemade gifts on Sunday afternoon.  McKenna worked hard making Siena and Kara these canvas's with scripture on them.   The girls loved them.  We are very happy that they have been attending church for the first time ever. 

I am realizing that these pictures are all out of order.  At any rate, I had to include this picture of the kids dressed for church on Sunday morning.  

Last, but certainly not least, we hosted the Richard family Christmas party on Saturday.   I can't help but imagine that mini and pappy were smiling down sweetly seeing all of their great grandchildren together.   This is one of my favorite days of the year and I was so grateful to host this year.    There was a lot of food and tons of laughs, a couple of presents and a load of love. 

So, now we prepare for the big day.   The kids are so very excited for Santa and I am so very excited to see the wonder in their eyes on Christmas morning.   Such a special time of year to remember that little baby born in a manger who gives us so much hope.  

In the Details

Yesterday, I made the comment to Kinley's daycare teacher that I had to get to the grocery store because I "had no food in the house."    Now, I think we can all admit that we've made that comment as a bit of an exaggeration.   I had plenty of food at home.  Yes, I did need some milk and a few other things, but no one was going to starve if I didn't get to the store in the next few days.   Her teacher, the mother of three school age boys nodded her head in agreement and smiled.  She then proceeded to tell me that she wasn't sure what she was going to feed her boys that morning for breakfast until someone blessed them with a box of food items left on their porch the day before.  In that moment I didn't know whether to cry or throw up.  This woman who has lovingly taken care of all three of my kids at some point over the past eight years does not always have money to feed her kids.  As I listened she told me that her husband has two jobs but in the winter he doesn't always get steady work. 

I left that morning and drove to SAMS club of all places.  I filled my cart and let good about the fact that my pantry would be stocked for the upcoming winter break.  But all the while the conversation I had just been part of weighed on my heart.  Even after I got home and shared the story with my mom, my heart just ached for this family.  I didn't know what I was meant to do.  Should I get them a gift card and maybe put it in with the teacher gift I had already planned? I decided to text a friend and simply asked her to pray for this family and pray that God would reveal what or how He wanted this to play out.   

A few hours later I got a call from my friend.  She said, " I won't keep you long but I wanted to let you know that I talked to some people....we are going to use all the food collected at this weekends Happy Birthday Jesus party to give to the family you asked me to pray for."   I was speechless.  I still am speechless.  I spoke to the daycare director this morning who is going to help me play sexret Santa.   We had a wonderful conversation centered around just how much bigger God can make things and how he is in all the details.   I am so excited that this family will have a well stocked kitchen over their winter break and hopefully a nice Christmas dinner also.   I pray that they will be blessed by this gift that God has put into motion   But I think that I have been equally blessed by simply watching God work and meet needs and by the very good friends that I have who are always there and willing to pray on my behalf. 

One Step At a Time

Kinley's very kind podiatrist made a housecall tonight.  She brought Kinley's very first pair of orthotics.  These will eventually help alleviate ankle and knee strain due to her very flat, pronated feet.   

I say "ultimately" because we have to get her to wear them first!   They are, admittedly, much bigger and much harder than I anticipated.   Dr. Miller suggests an hour at a time for few weeks.  Sometimes even a half hour at a time.  She said that it may take us eigt weeks or more to work up to wearing them all day.   I haven't quite figured out how we will make this transition at daycare but I anticipate that her teacher may have some valuable input as far as that goes.   Dr. Miller also said she will probably develop callouses on her little feet.   That made me kind of sad.  She still has those soft, pudgy, perfect little baby feet.  I hate to think of them with blisters or callouses.  However, it could be so much worse.  

So, for now we are going to take one step at a time.   This will apparently be a lifelong issue for Kinley so I think it's only fitting that we start small and work our way into it.  I know ultimately her body will benefit from our hard work. 

Happy 11th Birthday, McKenna

Dear McKenna,

You are officially 11 years old.  I am writing this post several weeks after your birthday for a variety of reasons.  However, I think that it has given me time to get over the semi sadness of realizing you are quickly becoming a young lady.   Don't get me wrong, I'm so happy that you are a healthy, thriving pre-teen.  Yikes.  But turning 11 brings with it the end of some things that has you a bit saddened also.  This is your last year in Super Kids Church, bible school and riding the same bus as Cooper.  There was a night a couple of days before your birthday when the realization of these things was really bothering you.   We have been realizing the benefits to you getting older and more responsible though.  You and I are able to share in some movies that the little kids aren't allowed to watch;   we can finally wear some of the same clothes;  and best of all - you have been able to babysit Kinley and Cooper from time to time.  That has proven to be a help to me and to you since it's made you a little extra cash!

Regardless of our perceived pro's and con's, we have enjoyed celebrating your birthday and celebrating you!    We had you party at the Barn Owl Art Studio.   You chose a couple of friends in addition to your brother and sister.   We had a great night learning to make clay animals.  Tomorrow we will go and paint them and finish up.

You are such a beautiful young woman, inside and out.   You're my right hand and you are wise beyond your 11 years.  This year I have loved listening to you learn to play the flute.  You're really good!  Your work ethic, organization and commitment to everything you do is going to take you far in life and makes me so proud.  I love you will all my heart.   Of course I can't finish this letter without saying that I can't believe we have been together for 11 years.  If I could go back again to the day you were born and start this life all over, I would do it in a heartbeat.  Every up and down.  Happy Birthday, my sweet, sweet girl.  Never stop being you.  

Love, Mom

Bumps in the Road

It's never a good idea to get comfortable with where you are with things.  For instance, just because you've recently checked a couple of major things off the to do list, and you're in a pretty good spot as far as Christmas is concerned, does not mean you should think a curveball couldn't come your way.  

Ours came rolling in on Monday afternoon disguised as a kiddo limping home from the bus stop.  Cooper proclaimed that he hurt his ankle playing soccer at recess.   Sounds harmless.  I gave him some ice, some ibuprofen and directions to rest while I went about my business.  We had McKenna's fifth grade concert in a few hours and a list of things that had to be done in the meantime.  We made it through the concert without incident.  It was a wonderfully planned show.  When it was over I followed Cooper out to the car and noticed he continued to limp.   Long story short, after some further questioning Earl and i decided that an ER trip was warranted.  Cooper and I waited almost 2 hours to be seen, during which time he only occasionally complained of pain, causing me to question if we were just wasting our time.  An x-Ray was ultimately ordered and I was certain we would be happily sent on our way.  When the PA came back in the room and started asking Cooper further questions I knew there must have been something concerning on the x-Ray.   When we were finally given our discharge instructions we were told that he would need to stay off of it, keep it wrapped and follow up with our family doctor.  The fear was a growth plate fracture; something we certainly didn't want to fool around with. 

Cooper kept his positive attitude throughout the entire ordeal.  His only tears were related to missing gym class and basketball.  He also was a little wary of school at first.  He was sure that kids were going to make fun of him. 

On Tuesday we saw our family doctor who gave us the all clear only to call us back three hours later to say we needed to see ortho after all.  That meant Wednesday would be a day at school on crutches.  Yikes.  Cooper was really nervous but we did our best to prepare him.  The school nurse was helpful in guiding us as to the easiest pick up and drop off locations.   Still, when I sent my little guy into the school by himself on those tiny little crutches my heart want and the tears were flowing.   My brain knew he would be fine.  My heart knew he would never let anyone know that he wasn't.

We woke up Thursday morning, the day of our appointment, to a fresh few inches of snow and no school.  It was nice tjsy Cooper wasn't missing more class to but sad because he couldn't play outside.  We met earl for the appointment and in a flash the doctor was in and out.  He declares Cooper just fine.  He wrapped Cooper's ankle in a new "magic" ace wrap and sent us in our way sans crutches this time!   We were all very relieved  - but no one more than Cooper.  Apparently lots of kids are sad to leave without a cast but not this kid.  He was thrilled that basketball season will go on as planned!    I was mostly glad tha e will be able to use the sports equipment tat he is getting for Christmas !   I had visions of lots of new video games if things had turned out differently. 

So we had a bump in the road but it was just that.  A little bump.   We learned a lot and to be honest I had fun spending one on one time with Cooper this week.   Love seeing his spirit and his positivity shine through this event.  Love you, Coop!

Many More Memories

Today has been a long day.   Really, it's been an exceedingly long week.  Kinley and Earl have been sick since Thanksgiving.  I have not slept in my own bed, or slept much at all for the last 9 days.    Last night I hit my breaking point and promptly carted Kinley off to the clinic at 7:45am.   In my workout clothes;  without a shower.   Like I said, breaking g point.   They quickly diagnosed a sinus infection, prescribed antibiotics and sent us on our way.   Good thing, because at home Mckenna and Cooper were working hard to get ready for the Magical Memories Wish Kid Party that we were going to be late for!   Thanks to their superb efforts, I was able to get home, showered and to the party, in plenty of time.  

This was Cooper's first Magical Memories party.   He has been waiting to turn seven so that he could come and help with crafts.  Bless his heart, he didn't feel the greatest either.  His asthma has been acting up, he got a bloody nose in the car and coughed his head off for the first hour we were there.   He wasn't about to let that deter him though. 

This was the fourth year that McKenna and I have participated in the party.  It continues to be a blessing every single year.  

I love the fact that the Wish Kid party is a family affair.   Serving alongside my mom and my kids couldn't be more perfect. My amazing mother stood and ironed huge table clothes for over four hours in Friday morning, all the while chatting and laughing with other volunteers.  I don think I have ever laughed while holding an iron!

We all had an amazing afternoon creating Christmas ornaments with so pretty cool kids.  It was a firm reminder to this tired mama that a 9 day sickness and a Wes worth of sleepless nights is not a big deal compared with the trials that so many families face.  I am blessed beyond measure that tonight my kids are running around upstairs making all kinds of noises and  clearly on the mend.