So what!

I haven't done a link up in foreverrrrr  so why not start the year out right?

I'm saying so what! if...

• All the cool kids are having a theme word instead of resolutions this year and I'm still just sticking with the good old "eat better and exercise" resolution that I have every year. Don't worry, I'm 1/1 so far. Off to a good start!
• Preschool starts tomorrow for our lfb (little foster boy) and I'm kind of excited to just have a quiet morning. One girl napping while the other one reads books to herself for most of it... I kind of love it.
• I've skipped over almost every single "year in review" blog post that I've come across because if I'm following you, I've already been reading all of it and don't need the review. Don't be expecting one over here, folks. It's not going to happen.
• I made the best menu plan this week and the kids don't even appreciate it. Tacos, hawaiian pizza, and meatloaf (I make a mean meatloaf, thank you mom for that recipe). I've been excited to be in the kitchen, which hasn't happened in months. (The no-kids-in-the-kitchen rule helps a wee bit.)
• The weather is ridiculously cold (the high has been a negative temp. negative, as in below zero.) and I'm not too upset at this point because I loooove my coffee and snuggling up on the couch with a blanket and a kid or two on my lap. It's so picturesque and honestly sometimes it really does play out as perfectly as I describe it.
• Christmas decorations are taunting me. Noooooooo.... I don't want to. I just don't want to.
• I stopped at my MIL's house to drop something off and completely biffed it as I got out of the vehicle. As I was falling (in slow motion, you know how it is), I positioned my body so I'd fall completely flat on my back instead of on my hands or bottom and it was the best decision ever. My puffy coat took the brunt of it and my back cracked in all the right places. Who needs a chiropractor? Just wear Uggs on a patch of ice and let the puffy coat do it's job. 

Linking up with Shannon over at Life after I Dew for . Check out the link for more!

Christmas 2013 Shenanigans and Family

Ahh Christmas. We spent it with my family. It was so great. Busy. Relaxing. Short. Long. All of the above. 

This trip was night and day different from our Thanksgiving weekend at the lake. We've had some time as a family in the past few weeks and that time has led to calmer children (and parents). We've worked very hard to keep the kids from being greedy this Christmas, and hopefully we can continue that even with all of the presents. They were definitely overwhelmed with all!the!shiny!new!things! they got and couldn't play with right away on Christmas eve night, but they were champs and recooped nicely. 

We also went to church on Christmas eve. We ended up getting there five minutes late (thinking we were early but the service time was different than what we had thought it was). It was super crowded and we were lucky to even get chairs so it was no surprise that we didn't end up sitting together. It worked out better this way, though, because the kids were all separated and therefore did not have the chance to distract each other. We all agreed after that God always works even when we aren't looking for it. It was a great surprise. I am thankful that the kids were able to experience a great service with wonder and little distraction. 

We ate too much and laughed a lot. We sang Christmas carols and put puzzles together. What can I say? My family is awesome. 

I got the most amazing gift ever. Hubby got me a Canon Rebel t3i camera. It's so fancy and I have no idea what I'm doing, but it's fun and I have time (ha!) to figure it out. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures I did manage to get. 

Hubby said, "The more ridiculous I look, the more you like me." It's true. The lovely bandana came with one of his gifts but I think it was better received than the gift itself!

Look at that bed head.

Playing with her sister's Christmas gift. First real smile I requested and actually received.
 

Audrey needed help with her stocking

Josie needs no help with her stocking.

Tape measure. Favorite stocking gift...?

My mama and sister

Sisters

Papa with Josie

  

My parents with Audrey

  

Matching outfits on Christmas Day

Oh, the torture...

We went into town to celebrate with my mom's side of the family. It was fun to see everyone!

My Grandpa, a true fighter. He's in a lot of pain but always has a smile and a hug for you. We love him so much.

  

This is what face I usually get when I ask her to smile for the camera. 

My mama and her mama. I so wish this wasn't blurry.

A glimpse at the chaos of one huge family all together...

 Cousins. All clumped together.

See the fun right behind her? She's a road block, that Grammy.

  

My grandma absolutely loves holding babies. I'm so glad Jo could sit still long enough for this moment to happen.

My twin cousin! Born on the same day (and year). We haven't had a birthday picture together in years.

And with that, Christmas is over! Well, not completely as we still have celebrating to be done with hubby's family. 

How was your Christmas? Leave me a comment with what you did/how you celebrated. I love hearing the stories... :)

Merry Christmas from the Deyle's!

I'm checking out of blogging until after Christmas, so here is our Christmas card sent to you virtually this year. :)

I pray you all are able to enjoy time with family and friends even though it is freezing outside. All the more cozy inside, right?

And of course, the reason we are celebrating in the first place:

Source - Isaiah 9:6

I love this scripture. Wonderful. Counselor. The Mighty God. The Everlasting Father. The PRINCE of PEACE.

Merry Christmas!

A quick one.

Busy weekend ahead! Tonight, my mom, sister, and I are going to the Blenders concert downtown while hubby and my dad do bed time. Shopping tomorrow, Santa's village, church, and good ole family time this weekend. And then, and then!! it's Christmas! 

We had a great week with a few bumps in the road along the way. I'm no perfect parent, and had a low point (that'll I'll keep to myself thankyouverymuch) that showed me yet again how desperately I need Jesus when it comes to this huge job called parenting. I learned that no matter how patient and loving I can be with a handful of behavioral issues, there will always be one thing that just pushes me over the edge. It is in that moment, that I need to cry out for help even more. It was so very humbling, but something I needed reminding of.

Don't you love vague messages like that? I'm sure your imagination is going nuts right now, picturing the absolute worst. Fear not, it was just a low point for me and no real harm was done. I know that my kiddos love me and have already (long since) forgiven me, and that we just move on even though I'm still a bit ashamed. It's that lovely side of parenting that most don't talk about but everyone experiences. 

Thankfully, the rest of the week has gone great. The older two kids are getting along smashingly. (I made up that word, you like?) For real, though. They play, they sing, they dance, they read, they play some more. I have had time to cook. I've only raised my voice because they are across the house and couldn't hear me otherwise. I've been calm, they've mirrored my calmness. It's been so, so good.

Audrey is a toddler now. It's so fun and yet my heart squeezes a little too much when I think of the fact that there is no baby in our house right now. She's not a baby. It's just crazy. She's walking, starting to talk, playing with the big kids. But seriously, she just plays by herself and wonders around, not needing my help much and just hanging out. She's just content. It's a fun thing to see, her exploring on her own, happy as a clam. 

Off to a play date! I'm so thankful for this little family of mine. Happy weekend, friends.