Our Very Merry Christmas

We had a great Christmas! It was a miracle that Jonathan got Christmas Day off. He came off of a 30 hour shift on Christmas Eve, took a short nap, & then joined us for Janie's birthday party. And he was there when the girls got up for Christmas. It was so wonderful to have him there!

I am still putting the tree on a table. Maybe next year we won't have too. I was worried that the girls would pull it down on themselves. It was so fun getting ready for Christmas this year because the girls loved everything. Jonathan and I were excited for Christmas morning so we could see the girls' reactions to their gifts. We were not disappointed.

Aunt Sarah reminded me to put out cookies for Santa. Sami loved the idea. And it was truly magical when she realized that Santa ate her cookies! 

 Janie would have been happy with just her stocking. She loved her sunglasses, coloring books, stickers,and polly pockets. It sure is lucky that Santa knows them so well.

One of the favorite presents (and most fought over) is a collection of dress up clothes from Grandma. They LOVE being princesses! 

   

 On Christmas afternoon, we went to Grandma's house for lunch & more presents. Unfortunately, Jonathan couldn't come because he went for a 10 mile run on an empty stomach & was throwing up. Bum-mer! He is getting ready for a half marathon, and pushed himself just a little too much.  One of my favorite gifts is a quilt made by Grandma Trish. It is so beautiful and truly a gift of love. She also made gorgeous quilts for Sami & Janie that match their rooms & personalities perfectly. It is wonderful to have loving Grandmas in our lives.

Now we are all done with the parties and my tree is already down. I am ready for the new year. (Except the girls are currently sick, and I am hoping that ends before the new year.) 2010 has been such a great year for us! I feel so blessed on every level. I have truly seen Heavenly Father's hand in my life, and that makes me want to be a better person. 

Janie is 2!

At 2 years old, Janie:

-loves dress-up, pretend make-up, & baby dolls

-her main goal in life is to be just like her sister & do everything she's doing

-is very sensitive & tender hearted

-loves, loves, loves books & wants to be read to a lot

-is a great sleeper & a great eater (I'm so lucky!)

-enjoys being outside

-is a great dancer and does a jig that is hilarious

-is almost ready to start potty training

-has constant bouts of constipation & is on a laxative regime right now

-thinks nursery is great, but only if Sami is there (we're in trouble come January!)

-loves chapstick & it will calm her down faster than anything

-favorite foods are mandarin oranges, chips, tacos, grapes, & all snack foods

Janie is my Christmas miracle, literally. I am amazed at how much sweetness she brings our family. I remember so clearly after her delivery, I sat by myself in my hospital room. Janie was in the special care nursery & Jonathan was home with Sami. It was a beautiful Christmas Eve day, & I thought of Mary, giving birth to the Savior & laying her newborn in a manager, while I lay surrounded by doctors, food, a tv, & a bathroom and my newborn was getting great medical care. Janie will always remind me of the true meaning of Christmas: life. Because of our Savior's birth, life, & death, we can live together forever, with our loved ones. And we are so grateful that Janie is our lives.

Happy Birthday, Janie! We love you!!

The Christmas Spirit

  

Today at church I felt the Spirit so many times as we talked about the true meaning of Christmas, and I hope and pray that I can teach my children the true meaning of Christmas. I feel like this Christmas is almost magical for Sami. She loves the tree and makes sure that it's still there every morning when she gets up. She told everyone "Merry Christmas!" in the enthusiastic way that only she can do today at church. The thought of presents is almost more than she can handle and she wants Jingle Bells  nearly every time we get in the car. Children really do make the holidays special. I am so grateful for a time to celebrate the birth of our Savior. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!  

Thanksgiving in Nebraska

We've been home for over a week, and life has seemed nonstop since we've been home. Just catching up on housework, getting ready for Christmas, celebrating Sami's birthday, and my calling in Young Women has kept me very busy. But I wanted to write a few things about my trip.

First of all, it was COLD! Fifteen below with the wind chill, for most of our trip. There were a few sunny days, but even with the sun out, it was much, much colder than we're used too. Good thing I had found some warm coats for the girls at yard sales before our trip.  They had never been so bundled up.

My family wanted to have a birthday party for the girls while we were there. My mom made the girls' favorite: macaroni and cheese. My sister Rachel went out searching for balloons, which totally made the party for the girls! 

This is my only sister, Rachel, and my nephew David. Rachel has lost 100 pounds since the last time I've seen her! She looks amazing and has so much more confidence. I love her.

 My dad with ALL his grandkids:

I love my family. We, like all families, have our issues and problems to work through, and some of these issues made our trip a little stressful, and the fact that we all got sick a couple of times. But I am still glad we went. The girls loved getting to know their cousins and aunts and uncles. It was fun for me to see how loved  Sami and Janie felt with my family. I am so grateful for the family that Heavenly Father put me in and has blessed me with. They are such a blessing to me.  

Samantha is 3!

At three years old, Sami:

-loves Dora (Super Babies is her favorite episode), & all sing-along dvds

-loves to sing and dance

-is very independent

-loves picking out her clothes each morning

-loves tacos, chicken nuggets with ketchup, and macaroni and cheese

-asks to go to the store everyday

-will do almost anything to help make cookies

-now enjoys every holiday

-loves nursery and all her little friends

-when she sees Janie getting into troubles, she tries to stop her (which doesn't go over well with Janie)

-shares Mom's love of yard sales and looking for "treasures"

-favorite toys are Polly Pockets, books, dolls, dress-up, and kitchen

-looks forward to art time and book time

-is terrified/fascinated with the garbage truck & the vacuum and their accompanying noises

-would spend all day outside and at the park if she could

-loves people and is extremely outgoing

-is really good at picking up (most of the time☺)

-is such a joy in our lives!

I can't believe it's been three years since we first walked into that hospital in Raleigh, NC, to meet our sweet Sami girl! I am still amazed and awed that she got to come to our family and that we get to spend eternity with her. She is such a blessing to our lives and our family.  When I look at Sami, I see God's love for me, in giving me such a miracle.  It was meant to be. And I love her, her birth family, and my Heavenly Father for the joy that she is in our loves.

We love you, Samantha!!