our little corner of the world

TWELVE family members
ELEVEN o'clock bedtimes
TEN family photo attempts
NINE cozy beds
EIGHT Catch Phrase players
SEVEN yummy dinners
SIX Cottage Bar burgers
FIVE cloudy days
FOUR cars in the driveway
THREE little cousins
TWO televisions
and only ONE shower in the house.

And we wouldn't change any of it!

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2: 11-12

While Morgan excitedly discusses Jesus' birthday and is quick to announce her sightings of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus in yards across our neighborhood, she is much more pumped about something else. Something other than spotting Christmas lights or taking a link off our countdown chain. Something bigger and better than wrapping a present with Mommy or, for that matter, opening a present for herself.

Today is the day Morgan has been waiting for. The one marked on the calendar since the beginning of December. This afternoon Aunt Sarah, Uncle Doug and Luke will be in our house, playing with our toys, reading our books and eating at our table! They will be parking in our driveway, sleeping in our basement and eating our Mini-Wheats!

"I wonder what kind of car they will have!"

"What color do you think their car will be?"

"Which kind of hair will Luke have?"

The buzz about December 23 has been constant. But now the big question is this: For all the hype that Morgan has created about the arrival of her cousin, will she retreat when he walks through the door? Or take her standard 30 minutes to warm up and jump right into playing? We will see!

As for Andrew, he'll probably flash a big, mouthy smile and then proceed to take on the role of Luke's shadow. Or maybe bask in the attention from his ever-loving aunt and uncle.

Either way we are all excited for our company to arrive. Their time here will be a small sampling of things to come, but we'll take the tease and enjoy every minute.

July 1, 2010

With a Christmas tree in the living room, with gray skies in the afternoons, with late sunrises and early sunsets, with needing that extra bit of elbow room and a change of scenery, with overnight company, with toys exploding everywhere, with a preschooler who sometimes desires her own corner and toddler now on the go... the remodeled basement has become an amazingly cozy and comfortable resource for our family. No doubt we are thankful for this space. It was so worth it.

Since nearly every school in our county has been closed the last two days - even ours - we've been feeling the fever to break out of the house. Today we scrounged around for some outerwear, some too big and some too small, and ventured outside into the new snow from Sunday. The kids had fun, but I will say this:

First, I am not outfitted at all for the outdoors. No boots taller than my ankles. No snow pants to speak of. No waterproof mittens. I am no good as an outdoor playmate in my current winter gear.

Second, we didn't last long. In fact, I'm certain that it took the three of us longer to suit up then we actually stayed outside. Though the glorious sun was shining, the wind had a bite. And was really cold with readings today in the single digits.

So after our brief time outside, we came in for a snack of graham crackers and hot chocolate. Or in Andrew's case, milk. He wasn't thrilled. But Morgan was. "Grandma M. drinks like this!" she exclaimed.
































































Then we spent more time basking in the sun. And when it had passed too far in the sky, we made our getaway to the basement where nearly all the toys have been exported. There's just no room upstairs anymore!

While we've been slowly pulling decorations from storage in the basement since Thanksgiving, our house is finally complete with Christmas decor. On Saturday morning Scott and I selected our Christmas tree while Morgan kept Andrew entertained.

Morgan had been looking forward to decorating the tree for some time, so hanging ornaments on Sunday afternoon while Andrew napped was incredibly fun for her. "Oooooh, look at THIS one!" she would say each time I handed her a new one.











I kept some Christmas tree branches, too, for a vase and thought this area might be a nice substitute for a mantle since there's no fireplace in this house. But it needs something more, don't you think?

Morgan is becoming more independent each day and insists on dressing herself each morning. I try my best not to squash her desire no matter how pressed for time we may be. I don't want this willingness to end! So I take it. And return the proud smile when she comes giggling from her room, thrilled with her own achievement. Even if it's something I'd never pair together, like today's preschool outfit!