Christmas

Wow! What a week. A whirlwind, really.. but overall a really good time full of family and memories and magic and love. Forgive me, but I'm feeling a bit mushy right now. Dropping Joshua off at the airport has made me a touch emotional. I miss him already. :o(

Let's see, where to begin. Lots of post and pictures below.

I came home last Friday and SURPRISE. A dog. Again. Of course it was not really a surprise, I knew it was bound to happen. My husband has brought home strays since childhood and I don't think that behavior will ever be outgrown. Of course, I fall in love (not instantly) with this gorgeous puppy, who reminds me of a childhood dog of my own. She is a German Shepherd, 3 months old, pretty darn obedient (except when the cat's around), and pretty much potty trained. A coworker of Matt's found her fighting with another dog and so she has a small wound in her foot. The coworker kept the dog for three days and had her checked for a chip but did not want to turn her over to animal services. When nobody claimed her, he sent an email and that is how we come to have a puppy. Matt asked me immediately after getting this email and I told him I was not in favor of a puppy, now. Additionally, I found a friend who was interested. What can I say. Here we go again. She really is very good. When we're home and she's not trying to play with the cat. Libby doesn't much like getting licked either...she thinks it's "nasty".

We picked Joshua up last Sunday and he was gorgeous as ever. I was so exited to see him, but when we woke up we found a little flooding in the laundry room and computer room. We found a foot and a half of water in the crawlspace. Not one, but two of our sump pumps went. I found Josh a little sad because he felt guilty that he was here and Dani was alone. I hope I can get them both here, maybe next year>>>??? I think Josh had a good time anyways... he saw his family and his friends and went to a few movies, out to play pool, and video games with his brothers galore. It was just like old times with all the wires exploding from multiple televisions in the basement. Brothers yelling at eachother and urging them on within the same five minutes. The nights were later than we would have allowed (one night until 3am) but heck, it's vacation right?

On Christmas Eve, we went to Sears for a family picture with all of my children. The boys were less than thrilled, but it was "all I wanted for Christmas" and so they complied. I was not really happy with Libby's Christmas pictures from there last year, but a friend at work recently had a family portrait done that was adorable- plus their local- so I thought I'd give it a shot. I wish I could say they came out fabulous, but alas...they did not. Either someone's hair was in their eyes, or they weren't smiling or looking. I liked their individual shots, and I liked the boys in one pose, but Libby is not looking at the camera. One is hilarious...Jacob literally has "crazy eyes" and looks like Charlie Manson. I had to buy a page of those just to show people! I'll scan and post when I get them. I'm not sure how many I'm going to get. I was pretty frustrated when ordering so it was very minimal.

After pictures, we went to Gina's and everything started out really well. The kids were thrilled about being able to finally open presents, the adults were laughing and having such fun. Dinner was phenomenal... the prime rib was mooing, and Gina made these stuffed chicked breasts that were delicious! Libby was not hungry, she said her "tummy hurt" which usually means I don't want dinner but I'll have some of those cookies over there. Not so here. She ended up throwing up as everyone was finishing dinner. Mostly on Matt. Matt thought it best to take her home then and there, but me (and all my wisdom) - I chalked it up to her eating too much junk and thought since she looked better, she'd be okay. No more junkfood. Matt went home to shower and change and I bathed Libby at my sisters and put her pjs on. So in the middle of opening Uncle Rod's horsey (which washed beautifully) she threw up again. Mostly on Matt...again. a little on the carpet. Gina recommends Oreck pet stain remover, it really did lift the spot on the carpet. Needless to say, Matt was right. We left and did not even see Mom and Larry opening their gifts (parents presents are usually collective from the kids on my side). Libby was asleep in the car I think before she was completely buckled in. She did get to sing "Happy Birthday to Jesus" and I think that is the only Christian message she got that night. We'll have to change that next year.

So Christmas morning was a little better. Libby slept until 8am and so it was wierd to have her sleep later than her brothers. She needed it though, you could tell she was not yet 100%. It took about two hours to get through all of the presents in my living room. Gina made mention the other night and it's worth repeating. It looked like my Christmas tree puked presents. They were not all from me. Tiffany's family from Washington and Idaho also sent two large boxes each full of presents for Tiffany, Jacob, and Sebashton. It was unreal. Then there were packages from Grandma in Pittsburgh and of course everything from Santa. The kids were laughing and it was funny when Josh was envious that Jake got a box of socks. When he opened his he just laughed. We all did. It was as I said earlier, chaos. Magic Pilk chaos that happens on Chrismas morning when it looks like a tornado went through the living room with sleepy looking boys and this beautiful little girl that does not yet quite get the concept. We'll have to work on that. I forgot to take my camera to Laura's on Christmas day. She put out the feast too boy... we were so well fed! I ended up taking a whole turkey breast home for sandwiches throughout the week.. which comes in handy feeding four men. We got to see Megan on the webcam and that was very cool. Libby had her Grandma take her to the bathroom a million times, but no more throwing up, thank goodness!

The day after Christmas we hosted Christmas with Dick and Kay. Libby got this adorable table and chairs set with a princess and frog theme. I broke a chair trying to assemble it and Matt promises to fix it. Libby ended up trying to take the other chair downstairs (by herself) and dropped it so now they are both flawed! Brand new! Matt promises that they can be fixed and if not, I'm replacing them. I have to admit... I was not feeling so hot and I felt the party was a bit disasterous. I made Italian Beef too spicy... I knew as soon as I sampled some while shredding it. Thankfully, I had some stuffed cabbage from Christmas eve that I could offer Kay, but I'll tell you I was just mortified...and under the weather. The following day was my flu day - Thursday I guess. It was HORRIBLE. Friday was better, but I was still pretty weak and a little feverish. Now I have a cold. I said to Renae..."I should have gotten the flu shot" but she did and got the flu anyway. I'm told the flu shot is for the respiratory flu..not the stomache one.

It is so wierd that my Grandma in Pa, sister in NC, brother, daughter, and I from IL all got the same flu, within days of eachother. My sister wound up on IV treatment at the hospital being that her kidney keytone levels were off - dehydration. To have that flu and be pregnant... Oh my goodness. I can tell you that a sip of water would send you straight to the bathroom and it weren't pretty.. not from any end.

Josh spent the night at Jake's apt on Saturday and today we went to Dad's for Christmas and it was fun, except I knew Josh was leaving and was a little sad. Even Sebashton knew because he was so fussy and he normally is a very happy baby. Funny, Renee's son Ryan came in tonight from the military base and my son is returning to his. I just felt like...easy come, easy go. Only it is not easy, it is very hard. I just miss him so much already it is making me cry. I'm proud he's such a nice, self-sufficient, independent, handsome young man. He is really looking forward to seeing his wife. He chose to take her presents home with him in lieu of taking his really nice blowup bed. I could mail either- they weigh about the same. I just think they remind him of her and he didn't want to leave them behind and that makes me proud too. He should be landing in about an hour and so I am waiting for that call. When he's safe, I'll go to bed.

I can't wait to find out what flavor my baby brother's and wife's little one is tomorrow!

So everyone who I had the pleasure of spending all these Christmas celebrations with, thank you for a lovely time, and good food, and hospitality, and all of your love. To everyone I did not spend time with last week, I hope your Christmas was magical too. To everyone interested, have a happy and safe new year. Can't wait to meet my new nephew Gavin and my ? nephew or niece ? Two babies are two blessings to count already and the new year's not begun.

Love and God's peace to all.

Libby and Sebashton at Dad's Christmas celebration today. What a cute little pair!