We Made It!

After all of the preparation and anticipation, we made it through another Christmas. Both Maija and Rebekah seemed to enjoy all of the Christmas festivities, and Maija, especially, was so excited to wake up Christmas morning to see if Santa had come. I went into her room as soon as she woke up to detain her while Kent and my family made sure things were ready to go. Maija was chanting over and over again, "The sun is awake, Mommy! The sun is awake! I want to see Santa."

Rebekah was pretty oblivious to why everything was so fun, but she enjoyed it nonetheless. She ripped wrapping paper and played with all of the new toys, and was ecstatic to be getting so much attention. She handled Christmas Eve pretty well too with her cousins; there were 7 children under the age of 5 and then poor Lexi (12), who was the only older cousin for most of the night until Chelsea (15) showed up. We tried to get the little ones to do a nativity skit which turned into a lot of climbing, crawling away, and removing of various costume pieces (or all of the costume in Rebekah's case.) It was a fun evening!

The aftermath of Christmas is still lingering throughout the house, pieces of wrapping paper, a dying Christmas tree, and unwrapped Christmas presents. Even though it's a reminder that I need to get back to the everyday work of keeping our house livable, it also reminds me of my sweet girls on Christmas morning. Sometimes I wish I could freeze them in time and never let them grow up...sometimes.

Countdown to Christmas

I love this time of year! I love the Christmas lights, carols, and the general spirit of the season. Even being in a desert with no prospect of a white Christmas, you can feel that it's a different time of year, a special time. We have had a lot of fun this year getting ready for Christmas because the girls, especially Maija, actually care and understand what is going on.

We got pictures with Santa; we've been watching all the classic Christmas movies and videos (Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer, anyone?); and we have had a great time decorating our tree and looking at everyone else's decorations. Maija is VERY excited to have Santa come and bring lots of presents, anything Dora or Superwhy!

Check out some of our pre-Christmas photos in the slideshow!

Oh, yeah, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Kimberlina and family

Post Traumatic Stress

Does surviving over a month of sick children, not to mention being sick myself and having my mother get sick from my children, count as severe enough stress to require a recovery period? I feel like I have spent the last few days recovering physically and mentally from the constant worrying, cleaning, comforting, and lack of sleep.

I think I can officially say (well, at least for this moment right now) that we are all healthy. Now I realize that doesn't mean that tomorrow (or even tonight) I won't wake up to another sick child, but I will comfort myself with the thought that I haven't had to run the washing machine 24 hours a day or give the same child 2 or 3 baths a day for a few days now.

With that happy thought, we are all getting excited for Christmas and the whole holiday season. Maija is now old enough to know that it's Christmas time. She knows that Santa will come and bring her presents and loves to sing "Frosty the Snowman". Tonight, as my parents were visiting us one last time before leaving town tomorrow, we asked Maija to sing for Grandpa. She had just learned a few days ago that my father's name is Frosty, so she breaks out with, "Frosty the grandpa...." I guess she was serious because when we all burst out in laughter, she looked a little hurt.

Another fun item to add to the blog, Rebekah said her first word tonight, "Ju ju". She was asking for juice, and was happily chanting "ju ju" over and over as soon as she got her juice. They grow up too fast!

Kimberlina