clean start.
seven kids sure can clean up a mess quick. we took down our gigantic
christmas tree yesterday as a family. you guys, that thing was huge. i loved it,
but i also loved getting it outta here. it always feels so fresh to take down the holiday
decorations. i honestly was dreading all the pine needles though. it actually wasn't an
issue at all. well, i mean it was an issue--they were everywhere. but nico flung open the
double doors as matt and i carried it to the curb and we came back to the kids all in action
whipping the place back into shape. i love it. they love it.
some of our kids needed a low key last couple of days. we're low key most of the time,
so the flurry of traveling for family holidays and having guests [that we loved having]
in town made for a change in the atmosphere of our home. it was fun, but we were at
our limit, so we made the hard decision to cancel our new year's eve party plans. as one
of my friend's said when we cancelled, think of all the new year's eves to come. and i had
thought of just that as our boy sat on my lap crying and just needing some family alone time.
so, we cooked up our appetizers, watched movies & played card games as a family.
we rang in the new york new year by hooting our horns, cheering & drinking sparkling
grape juice from plastic kids cups. it was perfect.
happy, happy new year!
LOVE IT. LOVE it! yes, AMEN! the tree DETOX is seriously one of the best things ever. :) LOL! Especially for the mommy's! :)
ReplyDeleteHAPPY NEW YEAR friend! :)
A clean start, indeed! Yay for a new year filled with new mercies. (And a clean house makes it awesome too!) :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about changing plans and lack of routine. Although we aren't adoptive parents, we are foster parents and that was one of the hardest lessons for us to learn...the holidays can bring lots of extra people and activities that we view as fun but kid's view as overwhelming and a disruption into routine. It is hard to give up these things (and even some traditions) but the trade-off is happier kids - and that is worth it! Although, we celebrated without the blessings of foster children this year, this was such a good reminder to me! Thanks for posting and Happy New Year!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour New Years party sounds just about perfect : )
ReplyDeleteSo glad you could celebrate as a family. In the calm. Our Christmas was pretty insane. We always get some little friends from the city to spend time with us...and we love it. But holy cow. It sure is different. And louder : ) and more chaotic. I am so glad we had one sort of peaceful day. kaish has to go back to school tomorrow. He had the hardest time getting to bed tonight. He didn't fall asleep until 11:40. I am praying he has a good day tomorrow. Wishing you a beautiful 2012!
happy new year! may it be productive, joyous and peace-filled! xo
ReplyDeleteI received my necklace yesterday! I had sent a "hint" to my husband through my best friend that I wanted one for Christmas and then forgot all about it until Christmas morning when I opened an envelope and there was a picture from your blog of all the beautiful strands with a message that it would arrive soon! Then when I got home from work yesterday, he slipped out the package and gave it to me! (giddy) I was so tickled to see that Jude had signed his name to my package. And even now thinking about the fact that not so very long ago, he was living as an orphan on the other side of the world.....only GOD can do such amazing things like that!!! He is so awesome!!! Loving the fact that you have all your babies at home with you for Christmas and the New Year and praying blessings over each of you as you raise money to take your family back to Uganda. I know the little amount my husband paid to purchase this necklace may not be much in the grand total, but I believe that God multiplies our little! Praise God for all that you and your family are doing to minister to the people of Africa.
ReplyDeleteLove and prayers,
Jeremie in South Alabama
Family new years shabangs are the way we roll too. Aside from hubby working :(
ReplyDeleteThe first words out of my just turned 2 year old's mouth this morning was 'where tree go Daddy?'
My living room seems so huge.
Happy new year!