TDT #18 - Blessed for Christmas

One of the ways I have always done my countdowns when my  husband is away is by counting trash days.  Most of the time it isn't as daunting a number as the estimated number of days he'll be gone.  And it helps me remember to put the trash out, or rather encourage my boys to put the trash out since it's their job.  So this will be my new weekly post, and I'll just really post whatever, no real set theme.  Please feel free to join me on this adventure of counting down the time until your loved one comes home!

 

I mentioned in my previous post it's been a challenge to feel the Christmas spirit this year.  Not only for me but for my boys too.  We don't need snow or lots of presents to feel the spirit, we just like having our family complete.  I admit, I've been pretty down and it's been frustrating for me because I try really hard to remember that there is a reason.  I have a lot of faith and trust in the Lord and I know that He truly is in control.  

When we are out and about we are fine, we serve, we smile and we're sincere in all of that but when we walk back into our home, the obvious void of  not having Kevin home is huge.  Well last night we had a wonderful evening with friends...really, it's the most relaxed the boys have been in a long time.  I feel so lucky to have amazing people in our lives who look out for us and reach out to us.   When we got home we were happy and laughing.  Daniel told me that being at the Jacobson's was both "fun and funny".  Silly boy had us laughing pretty hard for while playing Taboo.

Kevin was up already and we were chatting via Facebook chat.  Skype has not been wanting to work for us the past few days.  I love technology and I am grateful to be able to chat with him almost daily.  I can call him and we do that too but there is nothing like seeing his face and his smile.  I prayed silently that we would be able to chat via skype.  I even posted a message to Santa on my Facebook to please bring us the gift of Skype...if you only believe!

Well, we were truly blessed!  We not only connected on Skype but we were able to stay connected for almost 3 hours!  I'm telling you that we have never been able to stay connected for more than 20 minutes since Kevin has been over in Korea.  So let me tell you it was wonderful.  

He got to chat with all the boys,

 

 watched them open their traditional Christmas Eve gift which is always an ornament

 

  and got to listen to Michael play the piano which is something he really misses.

Listening to Michael play the piano...I love the look on his face.

 He even got to see the pups and they were all excited to see him!

I love that my husband humors me.  I had this idea for the past couple weeks to get screenshots of us holding up a candy cane in the shape of a heart while talking on Skype.  I had asked Kevin to find a candy cane and it just so happened he had been given one that day.  He said he was actually about to eat it when I mentioned it.  He's been holding off on eating it until last night when we were able to talk on Skype and finally get my picture.  I'm happy with the result, even if it is cheesy!

 I feel truly blessed.  I have a lot to be grateful for this year despite being apart from Kevin.  We are all healthy and happy.  We have wonderful family and friends.  I have an amazing support system and so does Kevin.  We are never alone.  We have the gospel in our lives which reminds us daily that this separation is but a short time here on earth.  We have a Savior who loves us and died for us.  We have a loving Heavenly Father who is in control and provides us with experiences that will help us grow into who He wants us to be.
There is truly nothing more that I could want for at this time of my life.  We are truly blessed.

Now I have to go wake up my boys so we can finally open presents!  From our family to yours, we wish you the Merriest of Holidays and peace and love all year round.

Kevin saying goodnight after our three glorious hours of skype!

Christmas Tree 2012

So it's been a challenge between time and desire to get the tree up this year.  I'm not going to lie, I really don't get excited to put up the tree any year, but this year has been even more difficult.  Growing up we never had a huge tree.  I don't think we ever owned a tree that was bigger than 3 feet tall.  My parents always made do with whatever we had on hand.  Sometimes it was a wall decorated with gift wrap, sometimes a drawn tree and sometimes nothing.  So the tree isn't a big deal for me.  It is a big deal though for Kevin and two of the boys. 

We have a lot of ornaments, but this year the boys decided to just put the military ones on the tree.  We still had plenty with those as we get at least one new one every year.  We've been collecting them since Kevin and I got married so that's at least 16 years worth of ornaments!  I love our tree...the ornaments hold so many memories.  Each year the boys get a new ornament that represents something that liked during that year.  When they grow up and get married, they will have a nice little collection of ornaments to start off with.

It took us a little bit to get the decorating started but we finished and we are all happy!  It was nice looking through the ornaments and doing the tradition of placing the first one.  I love the memories.  I wish Kevin was here to help but I know he knows that we love and miss him.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2011

*Warning! - Long post ahead and picture overload!*

You can click on all of the collages and make them bigger if you want to see the pics clearer.

Yeah, it's two days after Christmas and I have been a total bum! I really have just enjoyed being lazy and doing nothing! Yesterday I pretty much laid in bed all day reading and I enjoyed every second of it! Well, I did go to the eye doctor in the morning and got new glasses and contacts ordered but aside from that I did nothing all day. Sometimes I think we just need to do that.

I finally decided to be somewhat productive today and actually got out of bed and uploaded pictures from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

We were truly blessed this holiday to be together and to be able to serve others at the same time. I guess our holiday started on Thursday when Santa came through housing and did a Candy Cane Toss. My boys enjoyed it just as much at the little kids! It was quite exciting when we walked out of the house to see Santa when we heard the sirens and my MIL let the door close behind us and managed to lock us out. Luckily, we had left the bathroom window open so we just shoved Daniel through and he saved the day! We then joined some friends and went caroling at the nursing home in one of the surrounding towns. It was a lot of fun. The kids performed The Nativity and we sang songs to go along with the story. I really enjoyed watching the men and women sing along with us. Afterwards, we went to our friend's house and enjoyed some wonderful goodies and lots of laughs. Kevin and our friend Dave put on some wigs and let me tell you, I don't think I have laughed so hard in a very long time. The kids didn't really know how to react to their dad's being so silly! They were HILARIOUS!

Friday we just relaxed at home and tried out the new steakhouse in town, had a great meal and then went and got the boys new socks and underwear...yeah they really were excited about it! Only my kids would be excited about new underclothing...haha

Christmas Eve we headed over to the USO to help serve a full Christmas dinner to the Soldiers who stayed behind. We had a blast! I love that our family can serve in so many ways and our boys truly enjoy being at the USO. We also got to witness a special homecoming of Soldiers returning from Afghanistan at the field house next door to the USO. It was a great Christmas present for all involved. I love homecomings!
That night we went over to some friend's house for a wonderful meal and just chatted throughout the evening. The kids put on The Nativity again and we got quite a chuckle out of it, they really were cute. We are so blessed with such great people in our lives to share special holidays with.
We came home and each of the boys got to open one gift. They each opened their 2011 ornament. Every year we get them a new ornament that represents something about them during the year. The boys all loved their ornaments! I know I will be sad the day they all move out and start their own families and take their ornaments with them!

Christmas Day was a fun yet simple day. We got up, got dressed and were all ready for church in record time! We told the boys if they thought they could open all their presents before we had to leave to be at church on time then they could! Well they managed to have them all open with about 6 minutes to spare, lol. I admit we spoiled our kids a bit this year and they pretty much all got everything they asked for. We just feel blessed to be where we are. Kevin and I were happy with our gifts and honestly just seeing our kids happy is such a joy!

I promise Daniel is happy, even if he doesn't look like it! lol

After church, we ventured over to the USO to help hand out gifts to the Soldiers. Daniel loves to do this, he did it last year and now wants to do it every year. It was a lot of fun seeing the Soldiers so excited about things like Slim Jim's and Kool-aid chapstick! Michael helped one of the USO volunteers who we have grown to love so much bake all the cookies they were going to serve the Soldiers. I feel so blessed to have such great examples of service for my kids to see.


We truly had a wonderful Christmas and feel so blessed. Through it all we remembered those who were far away from home, serving overseas while their families missed them this holiday season. We are truly grateful for the men and women who serve in the Military, sacrificing their own luxuries and freedoms to protect ours. Thank you is not enough!

Talent!

Yesterday was an awesome day. I got to spend most of the day with the youth of our church going to the temple in St. Louis and and then going for lunch at CiCi's Pizza (I don't even want to know how much pizza our 33 kids chowed down on!). It was so fun spending some time with our older two boys (even if they spent most of the time with their cool friends, haha!)

Last night we had our ward party where we chowed down on some great food (we always seem to have way more desserts than "real" food, lol). We had so many amazing musical numbers, the night was filled with beautiful music!

Two of my favorite musical numbers from last night were my son's bassoon solo (yes, I'm biased)

and the number done by our awesome youth...they are so fun, I just love these kids. Enjoy!

Oh Christmas Tree 2011

Was He A Boy Like Me?

Today at church there was a constant theme about our Savior and the real meaning of CHRISTmas. I really loved the sentiment. As I was going through my Christmas playlist a few weeks ago, I came across this song I absolutely fell in love with. My boys haven't watched Veggie Tales in a long time but at some point I must have bought the soundtrack to the Christmas movie.

This song just makes me smile. I think it's because I can imagine any one of my boys asking the same questions. I even downloaded the music and I'm trying to convince my 10 year old to sing it for me on Christmas Eve...we'll see.

I know it's kind of cheesy, but if you listen to the words, you'll get the message.

Christmas is in the Air...or on the Radio!

I love Christmas music...I have been guilty of playing it in the middle of 100 degree summer days just because. I was looking at my iTunes this morning and I had to giggle at myself for having so many different versions of the same song. I just love so many different styles of music and so many different songs that I apparently think I need all the different versions of a song. I thought I'd make a fun list of some of my favorites...I'll leave you with only 10!


1. Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song) - Amy Grant
2. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Military Version) - Josh Groban
3. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - Casting Crowns
4. O Holy Night - Martina McBride
5. Mary, Did You Know? - Erin O'Donnell
6. Santa Clause is Coming to Town - Bruce Springsteen
7. Santa Baby - Michael Buble
8. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey
9. The Christmas Song - Bing Crosby
10. Chipmunks Song - Alvin & The Chipmunks

So what are some of your favorite Christmas songs and who are they sung by? Leave me a comment and let me know!