Christmas Festivities 2008

This was a very fun Christmas to watch through the eyes of my children. Bear with me as I recall the highlights I want to write and remember.

Nativity Scene

I have always wanted a small nativity scene for my Christmas collection, but never got around to getting one when Matt are I were DINKs. While out shopping this fall, Meredith and I found the Little People Christmas Story set. I was pretty excited because the kids didn't have to be super careful and could hopefully learn a little more about the Birth of Jesus. It's been such a sweet blessing to hear Meredith say "That's Mary" and "That's the angel" and "That's Baby Jesus" during the Advent season. But, my favorite memory of this set is when she started playing library story time with all her nativity friends inside her bounce house. You see, Meredith LOVES story time, and replays it for us many times a week. So, I guess its only natural for her to share it with her favorite dolls.

Sick boy

Not that I really want to remember, but these have been a rough few days for Russ. He's just been fussy and clingy -- very un-Russ like. However, it has been nice to cuddle with my fast-growing boy.

New Foods to Try (or Not)

As with most foods, Russ enjoyed the the delicious Christmas cuisine. Matt said "He has some Davis in him" as we watched him quickly devour some Ham and Cheese Casserole. He also tried his hand at some of the candy, and was not disappointed with Divinity.

Meredith happily enjoyed her Mac and Cheese, and was probably counting down the hours until Chick-fil-A opened again.

Toys R Us (formerly known as the Lipsey office/playroom)

Generous grandparents, family, and friends have reached the toy quota for our home. Matt, Meredith and I have been playing a Hybrid form of the game Lucky Ducks at least three times a day since Christmas. Russ loves his "boy toy" trucks and cars. Both kids are very blessed to have such generous people in their lives. But wait -- lest I forget that the Big boy also liked his new Wii game as well.

Music to Remember

As with most years, PHBC's music ministry has filled my time for much of the past month. Playing in morning services the first two Sundays reminded me of the songs that have been sung by several generations of believers and guides our hearts to the Savior. The marathon Adult Christmas performances allowed me to play my Christmas present, a piccolo. My precious Pre-K choir members did a FANTASTIC job with their very first performance. They sang their hearts out, and the proud parents were excited that their darlings enjoyed singing in front of the church family. It was also neat to play in a flute quartet for the Christmas Eve service this year. Can you ever really have too many flute players ;)

Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Merry Christmas

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”- Isaiah 9:6

A little perspective

This past week has been a bit of a crazy one at our house. The low notes were as follows: an illness gave a major set-back in potty success, a son began climbing onto everything in the house (chairs, tables, and potty), a friend lost a beloved pet, and a house that looks like a disaster area. However, we have been blessed with so much good news as well: friends who have announced they are pregnant, births of new babies, parties with co-workers and friends, and time with family have brought so much joy to our life.

So, I had been on the verge of tears for most of the day. Potty regression - my biggest fear - seems to be staring me in the face. Reading the handwritten Date Ball recipe of my departed grandmother made me wish that she could be here for Christmas. Hair pulling and toy taking were about to send this mom to her own personal time out spot.

It wasn't until this evening that I realized how blessed I truly am today. Meredith and I were waiting at the Sushi place for dinner for Matt and me. I see that Nancy Grace is on TV, and they are discussing the Caylee Anthony case. The show is replaying a scene of the young 2 year old sitting at a table reading a book with her grandparents. I guess that I had become numb to the story, until these words are released from my own 2 year old's mouth, "She is reading a book." My answer was of course "That's exactly right, dear. Good job."

But, as the news reports that the recent discovery of a bones were that of the young girl, I think to myself "She was reading a book." And as the feelings turn into sweet tears down my cheek, I am reminded of how blessed I really am. Though the days may be rough and messy, and the nights sleepless and way too short - how privileged am I to live this life. While I may not feel like Carpe Diem each day, I am at least dwelling in the life that was set for me by a powerful Heavenly Father who sent a Savior who's birth we celebrate in only 5 short days.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14 (KJV)

Russell's 1st Birthday

We celebrated Russell's 1st birthday Saturday with our family, and enjoyed BBQ and cake at this laid-back party. Russ enjoyed some good lovin' from his grandparents and great-grandparents.

Silly grandparents, all I really wanted was this box.

Smash cake in honor of his favorite word

These past 12 months have flown by so fast. Our sleepless nights have been replaced by busy days and an empty pantry. Russ, we look forward to watching you grow even more. Happy Birthday, Russbuster!

Playgroup at the Capitol

Every year as a young child, my parents took Liz and me to the state capitol at Christmas to see the pretty decorations. Our playgroup decided to check out the 2008 version with the tiny tots and enjoy the festive sights and sounds. A fun time was had by all.

Camera, Christmas, Can't stop jumping, and Catch-All Post

Happy Early Christmas Present to the Lipsey's! It's your nice up-to-date digital camera to take pictures that you can treasure of Christmas 2008 with your two toddlers.

I have been busy trying to learn this new piece of technology. It's such a small thing compared to the 2002 version that had served us well for the past few years. I guess six years isn't bad. Some people don't even keep their cars for that long (well, not us, but I'm sure there are some people out there that do).

Last week, I finally got our Christmas decorations put up during Russ's morning nap time. Here are some of the results:



If anyone out there needs a "Meredith" stocking in the Red and Green style as shown, let me know. I couldn't find another stocking like these I made two years ago when Meredith was 9 months old, and Russ was not exactly on our radar screen so I didn't buy an extra one just in case. I didn't want Russ's stocking to stick out like a sore thumb, so decided to make two new stockings for the kids. I also have a Razorback and Sooner stocking that I would also like to part with for any takers who would like to have in their Christmas collection.

Yep, I decided to leave the large Christmas tree in the attic in lieu of our old Apartment tree so that I can avoid saying "No, no Russ - don't touch the ornaments" 20 times a day. A choice I am willing to live with this year!

Meredith had a fabulous time at Brook's birthday party. This girl loves to bounce! After Ms. Kim showed her how to climb the ladder to this slide, she was busy sliding and climbing for the better part of an hour.

Watch out, Kaden! Here comes Meredith.

Thankfully, our house improvements are complete and we are back to taking afternoon naps at our house in peace. Meredith is doing well in her big girl undies with limited accidents, and I am usually cleaning up Russ after him "helping" by sticking his hands in the potty while I am helping Meredith clean up He's a fast one!

A Mother's Joy

I remember a little over a year ago wondering across from the diaper aisle to this fabulous section called potty supplies. My face must have glowed as I saw the little potties in boxes that said 18 month+. Perfect for my almost 20 month old, and with this new little pumpkin in my belly about the pop - one less thing to worry about, right? My mom had said not only was I trained at the ripe old age of 2, but that I practically trained my little sister and she was standing at the potty at 18 months just waiting for someone to pick her up and place her on her porcelain throne. Meredith obviously came from a long line of potty princesses, and was sure to quickly catch onto the idea.

So, beautiful baby Russell comes and mommy just doesn't have the time or energy to put into cleaning up messes that darling daughter may have in her undies (and floor). Spring and Summer roll around, and the magic pull-up pants seem to Meredith as just pretty diapers. Fall comes, and I am convinced that I will not be able to send my brilliant child to Pre-3K next year because we will still be struggling with "pee pee goes in the potty, not in our pants."

So, finally the foot was set down a few weeks ago. Rule #1 - No pat-pat, unless we use the potty. What is pat-pat, you are asking yourselves? Well, that is the beloved gang of Annie, June, Quincy, and Leo (and Rocket, too) who currently take up 1/2 of our DVR space for the kids show Little Einsteins.

After a couple of weeks of "I had an accident" and "I need a napkin for the floor" being professed on a daily basis, I was about the give up and wait for this to be yet another new years resolution. But, imagine my surprise yesterday as I hear the sweet sound of liquid flowing into the potty as my child gives the proudest smile I have seen. And, so far so good as we have been able to watch "pat-pat" a few more times as well.

While I know that I have a ways to go before we are free of the messes that may be made, let's just say that this early Christmas present may be my favorite this year.