Those nuggles

Clair loves to get in bed and cuddle at night. I rarely let her because I can’t get comfortable thanks to my back and actually am in a lot of pain if it lasts all night. So I really don’t allow it anymore ugh to o ur dismay. 

Every once in a while I can not help myself. She comes in to use the bathroom and then comes over to give me a hug and kiss before returning to her head. 

Last night this happened and I just pulled her in. She giggles with excitement. She nestles into the spot between me and the body pillow. She wiggles around and tells me she is trying to get warm. When I invite her under the covers she gets so excited. She jumps up and says she will be right back. I know what this means; here she comes back with her cold blanket and snuggle blanket. She dives right in. She is so happy. 

She tells me “mommy I have the best dreams when I sleep with you in your bed!”

She is content. This is love!

I try to fall asleep holding her. My shoulder hurts. I manage to fall asleep briefly and wake up. She is sound asleep, snoring happily. 

I slide away to use the bathroom and think about what I will do next. How will I sleep? Where will I sleep? Shall I leave her there and sleep in her room and sneak back in in the morning? I consult David and he says he will move her to her bed. My strong husband, her strong father? Lifts the 80 pound five foot child into his arms and carries her carefully into her bed, with her blankets. She snuggles in and we all say goodnight. 

I wish I could hold her all night. I am sad that I can’t. But as we all sleep in our own beds, we sleep well. 

Breakfast

The kids always like when I bake for breakfast. A couple weeks ago we made a bunch of blueberry pancakes for them to freeze for breakfasts. They ran out Friday morning with an uneven number. This meant someone lost and had to eat cereal. So today I committed to restocking their heathy high protein baked goods in the freezer. 

Homemade waffles with berry compote is a hit around here. Even David eats a quarter of a waffle. 

Kid of the week

I forgot to post this in December, but it’s important to remember this awesome feedback Clair received from her peers as kid of the week in December. 

I love that her teacher takes time to prioritize the kids recognizing good character in each other! Thank God for awesome teachers out there. 

A few more pictures from our New Year’s Eve celebration for the memories ….

Family picture. Too bad clair had already showered. 


Photo bomb as we prepare another family picture. 

Preparing the bubbly

Me and my big girl 

Confetti everywhere!

Ringing in 2023

New Year’s Eve has become a celebration each of my kiddos look forward too for each their own reasons I think. Ellie enjoys the pop music concert while watching the ball drop and the open access to junk food in her own house all night. Max enjoys the party aspects of it and that it’s a

Something different. Clair enjoys getting to stay up so late and commemorate the event with different memories. 

The past few years we have celebrated alone but with my sisters family back in town everyone was excited to be together again. So we did it. We had them over for the evening. Their was an 80s movie - Three Men and A Baby. There was laser tag - like in years past with a fresh batch of guns. There was an adult outing to Vintage for a couple drinks. There was lots of food and desserts for all. There was a small attempt at board games. 

There was a photo booth adventure directed by Katie. There was fun party favors and decorations for all to enjoy. The kids loves the noise makers and some may have gotten in trouble for blowing them loudly in others ears 

At midnight there was confetti popping in the driveway and there was the banging of pots and pans. 

There was some crazy moments and a little bit of emotions management needed but we persevered and celebrating letting 2022 out and bringing in 2023. 

I wish all my family a great 2023 and hope it’s a year

Of growth for everyone in personal development and in their relationship with Jesus. For me, I need to get my Heath a little better under control! 

Silly faces 

A team!

Kids insisted the adults get involved. 

“Jamie and Jelly”

Clair kept wanting a picture of kissing my cheek. 

My home town

I never imagined I would raise my family back in the same county and town that I grew up in. But, I’m really happy we are raising our family here. 

Today was a chance to enjoy hometown fun in gorgeous warm weather. The kids played the outside with their cousins. We short some hoops. David and I went for a nice long walk around town and stopped at the local coffee shop. 

Later in the evening we ventured downtown to Frederick to have dinner and see the boys on the creek. This annul exhibit is so fun and dinner was great. 

We were better about going into town more when the kids were little and the calendars were less crazy. I always wish we did it more frequently and I’m really glad we enjoyed some relaxing local highlights with our easy day today. 

Dinner snuggles

Tonight we went out to dinner as a family. It was a nice meal. As we sat there together clair wiggled closer and closer to me. She did not stop until she was flat up against me nestled into my arms. Then she smiles and relaxes. 

I love that she still appreciates and physically needs closeness and snuggles!

9 is awesome!