Dallas 18 months

makenna 5 months

never give up

Watching your child fail is one of the hardest things to watch as a parent. Despite 3 months of preparation for her Winters Classic gymnastics meet and an hour warm up this morning, the outcome was grim. Needless to say, the minute Readan saw the judges and her name was announced over the HUGE mega-speakers she completely fell apart. I have never seen her fall on the vault (see video below) and it was just so sad to watch. Literally two minutes before this video was shot, she completed 3 PERFECT vaults!!!

With tears streaming down her face, I picked her up and carried her over to the side. Between sobs, "Please mommy, I just want to go home!!! Take me home!!" As much as I wanted to scoop her up and take her home, I knew this is something she was going to remember for a long time. She was hurt (she bent her toe). She was angry. She was embarrassed.

I looked her straight in the eye and said, "Readan, you fell. It's okay. You're going to try again and if you fall, it's okay. I'm proud of you for trying!"

And, yes, she fell again. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to watch.

After the meet was over I taught her the word 'determination.' "When you fell and got back up to try again....that was determination." It wasn't all sad though, she still got a ribbon and a really shiny trophy!!! They called her name, she ran up to the podium and claimed her prize. Her face lit the entire gym. This was the highlight for me....

Readan and I both learned a very important lesson today....never give up!

all dressed up

"Mommy, can I wear your pearls?"

I heard these quiet words pierce my ears and as I peered down, I saw my little 5-year old daughter. Her eyes glowing in hopes I'd stay yes. How can I say no?

We head up to my bedroom and as I open my jewelry box I hear her giggle with glee....I take out the pearl necklace that was given to me on my wedding day. As I put the pearls around Readan's neck and close the clasp my eyes start to well up with tears. With no more room, they begin to overflow down my cheeks. I forgot how warm and salty tears are. Readan says, "What's wrong Mommy?" "Oh nothing baby....you're just growing up really fast." And she answers, "I know Mommy, it's because you make me eat carrots."

It's moments like these that are priceless. Through all the hard work and self sacrifice that motherhood IS, it also offers moments like these.

christmas party

Readan had her Christmas party at school, it turned out really fun. A big thank you to all the parents who turned out to help! We decorated christmas cookies, played christmas bingo, and had a book exchange (we played the 'hot potato' game to do the book exchange).

singing christmas songs during circle time

book that readan got during the book exchange

oops, ran out of icing....wonder where it went??

decorating cookies

yum!!

baby legs

My newest favorite thing, baby legs. These are so great! My number one rave for these is the prevention of rug burn on little knees. Dallas and Makenna are both scooting around on the carpet all day long and these help so much. Also, Readan likes to wear them with her short sleeve shirts that she just couldn't part when the cold air moved in. Right now we have 12 pair. A must have!

hello santa

It was the first time to visit Santa for Makenna and Dallas. Readan really didn't want to go because she doesn't think "he's real." (SHhhh)

Dallas screamed and Makenna had no idea what was going on.....LOVE this picture! It meets us exactly where we are. :)

gettin' organized

Having a 19 month old and a 5 month old takes a lot of stuff! We moved Readan downstairs and with all the extra room, I feel like I'm finally getting organized. This January my nursing class begin and, honestly, I feel like I'm nesting all over again. Getting the house organized makes me feel so much better!

deck the halls

I found this rather creative way to hang our stockings. Yet, another perk of having a big family- lots of cute stockings!!!

Our tree is up!