Love is All You Need

I'm not going to lie-- there are times when I really wonder what in the world we were thinking when we decided to live off of one income. I really start wondering this when I browse blogs of perfect strangers and see elaborate birthday parties thrown for their kids. Or when a picture pops up on my Facebook feed of someone I haven't seen or spoken to in years enjoying some expensive, tropical vacation over Christmas. And I'm not even saying that I would do those things if we had the money (I mean really, hundreds of dollars on a one-year-old's party that he/she won't remember-- not very practical, no offense if you're someone that would do that though, I'm just practical--on the other hand, I'll take the tropical vacation). But still, the fact that I couldn't throw some elaborate birthday party for my kids even if I wanted to, sometimes gets under my skin, despite the fact that I know that even if Eric were working, his entire paycheck would be paying childcare for our two kids. So instead of an overwhelming amount of presents, I watched my little guy tear into a few simple things that he's been playing with non-stop since he opened them.
Instead of paying hundreds of dollars to rent out a space and have someone else entertain the kids, we crammed into our house, snacked and visited, and the kids made foam robots (he had a robot-themed birthday).
Instead of spending a lot of money on a cake, I made a cake, did my best frosting it, and watched my little boy cautiously poke his finger at the frosting and lick just a little bit before deciding he'd rather have some banana puffs. And afterwards, we watched him tear into a few more presents.
And really, two days before Christmas, I was overwhelmed with the amount of love shown for my little guy. I was so afraid that only Brennan's grandparents, great-grandparents, and aunts would show up. But friends stopped by too and made his (and our) day.
Then there was Christmas. Our house is cozy and you can still barely walk through it despite having moved many toys out of the living room and to the basement playroom. But there is no doubt in my mind that my kiddos are loved (by us, by family, by Santa).

(Cate playing with a magnetic dress up bear set that my grandmother made for her)

I deliberately didn't take any pictures of Christmas morning as I wanted to be in the moment and not behind a lens. Pictures above are from Christmas Eve and later Christmas Day.

I say all this, because the lesson I've been reminded of these last few days has been this-- sometimes, love really is all you need (I love The Beatles).
Expensive birthday parties and exotic holiday trips are nice if you can afford them. But as I cuddle up in my new pajamas while Cate really gets into playing Playmobil and Brennan zooms his cars on the floor and my hubby listens to some new vinyl, I find that I really can't ask for much more. I've kind of got it made, really. A loving husband who is a fantastic father, two beautiful children who light me up with their smiles, a home full of love and history that comes with a mortgage cheaper than the rent we used to pay, family that is there for us in any situation, friends that laugh and grow with us. That's a whole lot more than most people have. That's a whole lot of love too, if you ask me.
That love may not buy a whole lot, but really it's priceless. Besides, we're saving up to take that awesome, exotic trip in 2014-- when we celebrate 10 years of marriage!

Love and peace to you all! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

~Melody :-)

Ordinary Miracles

While I wish I had enough spare cash in the bank to be one of those layaway angels who anonymously provide Christmas miracles for people, this year I'm thankful for the ordinary miracles in my life.

Like Brennan's antibiotics working wonders to heal him. He's sleeping better, eating better, and seems happy. Hopefully he's gaining some weight too since he barely weighed 21 pounds with clothes on when we took him in a week ago for all of the crud he's been dealing with. In fact, he's sleeping so well, that Eric and I reclaimed our bedroom last night. Brennan has been our pint-sized roommate for the last year. It's really been fine as he sleeps through anything. But our intention from the beginning was to have him and Cate share a room.
However, our little guy liked to breastfeed at night and then at 5am once he dropped the night feeding up until about 3 months ago. And then every time we'd plan a weekend to move Brennan in, something would happen-- Cate would be up all night coughing with a cold, Brennan's tonsil issues/gagging issues set in, we'd go out of town, etc. So we decided that this little break of mine would be a good time to do it-- two weeks to adjust before I have to get up for work again. Last night was night one. And my kids rocked it! Brennan didn't wake up when Cate got up to go to the bathroom. He woke himself up a couple of times and hummed himself back to sleep, never waking Cate up.
I'm thankful for the ordinary miracle of sleep. And of the breaks in the academic schedule so I can spend time at home hangin' out with my kiddos. I'm also thankful for the generosity of others. My team of students sponsored a local family for the holidays-- six kids and their mom. Earlier this week, we delivered a trunk full of presents.
And when we found out upon delivery that one of the kids we shopped for was listed as a girl but was really a boy-- well, I'm thankful for the ordinary miracle my colleagues performed as they all braved various stores with less than a week to go before Christmas to get boy clothes and toys. And yes, the boy has a sister one year younger than him that can use all of the stuff we mistakenly collected for a girl.

I'm thankful for the ordinary miracle of the magic of Christmas. Cate is so excited and can't wait for Santa to come. I'm thankful for the ordinary miracle of doctors and nurses that bring life into the world (a year ago today I was in labor with my sweet boy).

The only ordinary miracle I'm holding out for? Being dismissed from jury duty-- I'm supposed to have it for two weeks beginning 1/9 and I really don't want to miss school. We're beginning literature of the Holocaust and our study of the book, Night. Depressing as the topic is, it's really one of my favorite units.

What ordinary miracles are you marveling in this season?

~Melody :-)

Angels We Have Heard On High

Today Cate had her preschool Christmas program. I don't think she expected me to be there because this is how she looked when she walked in and saw me.
I had planned on attending because her program luckily fell during my lunch and plan time at school. However, I had a doctor's appointment today (everything's okay and no, I'm not pregnant...just checking on some stuff). So instead of having to rush back to school, I was able to enjoy her program, the reception afterward, and lunch out with my family before going to the doctor.
Girlfriend sang her heart out. Her class dressed as angels. The two classes of older children were shepherds and wise men. The class of younger children were dressed as sheep. The preschool director and the pastor of the church where Cate attends took turns reading the Christmas story. They would pause for breaks and let each class sing the song they worked on. Cate's class' song was "Angels Watching Over Me." I thought you might enjoy a little video of her. She's second from the left in front.


After it was over, we enjoyed socializing with the other preschool parents. Cate also gave me a tour of her classroom and showed me her latest piece of artwork. Her lead teacher (who also teaches the extra music class that Cate has stayed for on Wednesdays all year) told us that Cate definitely has her dad's ear for music. And she invited Eric to bring in his guitar and play for the kids sometime. I'll have to be sure and take a personal day for that. Even Brennan gets into music now-- boppin' his head and bouncing on his bottom any time he hears a melody.
The countdowns continue-- 2 more school days, 1 week until my little guy turns one and 9 days until Christmas. Our Christmas shopping is DONE! Now we just have a few last minute first birthday party things to take care of.

Brennan's first year book arrived in the mail today.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Photo books are the perfect gift for any occasion.

I'm ready to snuggle up with Eric once the kids are in bed, look through it, and then work on wrapping some presents.

~Melody :-)

Darkness Into Light

For a variety of reasons that I won't get into right now, I've been in a bit of a funk. A lot of it is that I haven't felt physically well since Thanksgiving. And a lot of that has to do with weaning Brennan-- partly because I'm ready to be done and partly because the flu that knocked me out at the beginning of November depleted my supply and I really didn't want to put the effort into getting going again (I had enough stock in the freezer to get my boy to his 11th month). So now we're down to pumping/nursing in the morning (pump on school days/nurse on weekends) and nursing before bed. And my body is pretty much in hormonal hell. Which has left me pretty much in a funk.

I talked to my doctor about this on Friday, opened up to some family and friends later that night, spent some time at a restoration yoga with massage workshop yesterday, enjoyed a candle light service at church this morning, and had a wonderful friend pray with me this afternoon. And you know what? I'm starting to feel better.

I know my doctor still has tests to run. I know my body still has some healing to do. I know I have a long way to go to feel totally better. But I'm confident that this is the beginning of the end of dealing with all of this. I know this funk is temporary and that these physical symptoms won't last forever. I wrapped some presents this weekend, worked on addressing Christmas cards, and am catching more of the spirit. My funk seems to be lifting and I can only give credit to God for answering my prayers for healing. Because He's brought it through family, friends, the wisdom of my doctor, and time to relax this weekend. And I know He'll continue to heal me as I work through all of this.

I've got seven teaching days left until break. And I'm really, really looking forward to that break. I'm looking forward to presents under the tree (yup, we have to have a gate with little man around). I'm looking forward to the joy I'll see on this girl's face come Christmas morning.
And I'm excited to see how this little guy reacts to all of the holiday festivities. And to his first birthday. I'm looking forward to days spent entirely in pajamas, some knitting, some vinyl (my husband has quite the growing collection), coffee, family, friends, and maybe, if we're lucky, some snow.

Merry 2 weeks until Christmas!

~Melody

Santa Baby

Cate...
...loved Santa as a baby.

Last Friday, Brennan put on on the same outfit his big sis wore the first time she met the man in red. I realize it's not his first Christmas-- but he was two days old on his first Christmas last year and we were still in the hospital due to jaundice. Anyway... the outfit may have been the same. The reaction was not. Brennan pretty much cried the whole time he sat on Santa's lap. Sorry for the poor picture quality too-- there were no pictures allowed "on set" like there have been in previous years. We had to commemorate the moment though, so we bought the overpriced 5 x 7 and this is a photo from my phone of that photo.

Oh well, maybe next year.

And on a random note, the song "Santa, Baby" came on the radio the other day-- on one of the stations that's playing all Christmas music all the time until December 26th. We didn't think Cate was paying that much attention, but then she asked us why the singer was calling Santa a baby. Ummm....

After church today she made a little box that had some straw, a piece of fabric, a small plastic pacifier, and a small plastic dog. The point of making the box was for her to use it to understand and tell the Christmas story-- that Jesus was God's gift to people and he came as a baby. He was born in a barn with animals and as Cate said, "wrapped up like a burrito" because the hay was itchy and he needed to stay warm.

Needless to say, we are in the Christmas spirit around here.

~Melody :-)

Christmas Card Pictures

I love, love, love sending (and receiving) Christmas cards every year. Seriously. I know for some it's a chore, but not only do I love showing off the beautiful family God has blessed me with, I love, love, love hearing what all of our family and friends have been up to since the last Christmas and seeing their beautiful, smiling faces.

Several weeks ago we took a Saturday morning walk down a gorgeous street in our neighborhood. I don't know why I had never noticed it before, but a church on that street has the most amazing bright red doors. I told Eric we'd be back to take Christmas card pictures there. So that's what we did last Saturday morning. Armed with my camera, remote, and tripod, we took a few shots. The winner?Thankfully, Shutterfly had several card options for multiple pictures. So here are some that made the inside:


The tree pictures are from a park just outside of our area of town, French Park. The tree had low branches, perfect for posing in. These last few didn't make the final cut for the card, but it was close.


I love Brennan's face in that last one.

I have no aspirations to be a professional photographer, but I don't think I did too bad either. What do you think? Do you send Christmas cards? Like getting them?

~Melody :-)

PS: I am so very grateful to Elizabeth for hosting a Shutterfly giveaway on her blog (which I won). With the 25 free cards from her, 10 free cards from another promotional email, and a discount code, I got our 50 cards for $30-- a steal for the folded 5x7 cards that allow you to write a little update about your year inside.