I survived Thanksgiving and had fun doing it!

16 people, 8 of them are in this picture.  Ages 7, 5, 4, 3, 3, 15 mos, 7 mos and 6 mos all in my home for one week.  

It was loud, there were tears, there were more laughs.  There was dancing, story reading, puzzle doing, make believe happening.

There were trucks being played with, soccer balls kicked, bikes ridden, and playing at Ikea (and getting kicked out of Ikea play area because you are being defiant and trying to protect your little cousin...we won't name names *ahem*).

There was pie (all week), the magic candy pocket, drumsticks from Grandpa, new foods eaten, Children's Museum, parks and sand.

There was laughter and love and memories made.

We can't wait to do it again.

Mr. Elliott

Today Elliott is 7 months old.  I do not know how that is possible given he was just born YESTERDAY.  Seriously, it has gone so fast.  Maybe it feels faster this time than in the past because I know this is the last time I will do this.  Or maybe it goes this fast every time, but like the intensity of labor, I have forgotten.

Regardless - here it is.  Seven months old.  He sits, scoots on his belly, rolls over, laughs easily, and has a smile for everyone...as long as Mama is holding him.

He is getting his first two bottom teeth right now.  They have yet to break through, but I can see their pearly signs on his gums.  He talks up a storm and loves his siblings.

He still doesn't like when I have dairy - something we found out the hard way with a week of eating out and other people cooking.  Poor boy is breaking out in his tell tale rash on his face and trunk.

Even so, he is still the sweetest little boy ever.

This is a month filled with anxiety and anticipation for me.  In 1 month and 8 days he will be the same age as Emma.  In 1 month and 9 days he will have lived longer than she did.  Coupled with her birthday coming up on December 15, I may be found curled up in bed nursing him more than  usual.  I think that is okay though. Because look at him...how could I not??

Raspberry Pretzel Salad

I don't remember the first time I had Raspberry Pretzel Salad. It has been such a staple of Thanksgiving dinners in my family, I don't even know where it started. I think my Grandma Cheezie (my Mom's Mom) made it for us, but really I don't remember.

This is such a simple, yet delicious side dish. Don't let the title of "salad" deceive you though. There is nothing salad-like in this concoction. The saltiness of the pretzels mixed with the sweet of the whipped cream, marshmallows and cream cheese, followed by the tart bite of raspberries...this one has it all.

My kids love helping me make this salad. Their favorite part is crushing up the pretzels and I can't say that I blame them!

Raspberry Pretzel Salad

Ingredients:

2 C. crushed pretzels
3/4 C. butter
2 C. small marshmallows
8 oz. non dairy whipped topping (I use Rich's Whip because it doesn't have any caesin in it)
8 oz. cream cheese (I use Tofutti non dairy cream cheese)
2 C. powdered sugar
2 1/2 C. water
6 oz. raspberry Jell-O
10 oz. frozen raspberries

Directions:

Combine crushed pretzels and melted butter, then press into 9x13 baking dish
Bake at 350 for 15 minutes, then cool.

Mix whip topping, cream cheese, powdered sugar and marshmallows together.
Spread over cooled pretzels and chill.

Combine boiling water with Jell-O.

When Jell-O is dissolved, add the frozen berries.

Let it chill until it is thickened - NOT SET. If you let it wait until it is set, it will be lumpy on top of the whip topping layer. (and then it will look like the photo in the top of the post. Not ugly, but not as pretty as it could be)

When it is thickend, pour the Jell-O on top of the whip topping layer.

Chill overnight.

I hope you enjoy this one as much as my family does! I eat gluten-free and dairy-free, and as you can see, with a few modifications, this is a safe food for me.

Gratitude

It is that time of year again.  The one where the world pauses to take stock of our lives. We think about what we are grateful for, our blessings, and try to be better people.  We listen to others a little more carefully, our compassion grows, and we look for ways to serve others on a daily basis.

I try to do these things year round, but I admit that I am guilty of really stepping it up during the holiday season.  Not only am I more conscientious of what I am doing, but of what my children are doing.  I try to teach them always to be grateful for all they have.  We are so blessed and talk about it often.  We have a home, we have clean water, we have good food, they have toys, clothes, a good school, a family that loves them...the list goes on and on.

I wanted to do an activity with them to help them really understand how blessed they are.  To help them put into their own words all they have.

We sat down with a colored piece of paper each, and wrote things we are grateful for.  I told the kids they could draw pictures, write, whatever they wanted.  These are now on display in the house, and after Thanksgiving, I will put them in a binder for safe keeping.  We are going to do this every year so we can have a physical reminder of what we are thankful for.  Also, it will be really fun to go back and read these in 10 years!

While their thankful lists ranged from Legos (can you guess who?) to friends, to Mom (awww..), they each really thought about what they were grateful for.

As for me? I am grateful for them.  Every one of my babies who make me want to be a better person.  I am grateful for my health and the health of my children.  I am so thankful for my wonderful husband who makes this journey of life so much better.  I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am thankful for my friends...including each of you.

What are you grateful for this holiday season?  How do you help your children realize how blessed they are?

 

This post is part of the Hallmark Life is a Special Occasion Campaign.  I have been lucky enough to blog for Hallmark for the last few months.  This month our theme is Thanksgiving/Family.  
Be sure to sign up for Hallmark emails to get great deals throughout the year.  Who knows, you just might see me there too!
Check out the other Hallmark bloggers and what they are writing about.  It really is an amazing bunch of writers and you are sure to be inspired!
While I was compensated to write this post, all words (as   always) are mine.  You can’t put a price on this awesomeness!

Push

At 18 months Seth had 250 signs and just as many words.  He has always been bright,and I have always felt the weight of being his Teacher on my shoulders.

For as long as he could talk, he has been asking questions. He has had an insatiable love of learning and has always been curious how the world around him works.

I try to foster that love of learning, to answer his questions and to help him find new avenues to the answers himself.

Now I wonder if I have done enough. I feel such guilt that I haven't pushed him hard enough. I've let him play when I should have encouraged him to be working. I have let him goof around and read the texts that he enjoys.  I haven't pushed him and now I fear that is to his detriment.

What if in my sheer exhaustion, I have prevented him from reaching his full potential?  Is it too late to change it?  

Can I push him now?  Should I push him now?

These are the thoughts weighing heavy on my mind at 8:43 on a Thursday night.

I am done

For the last nine years I have been pregnant, nursing or both.

3,509 days pregnant. nursing. or BOTH.

That is a lot of time dedicated to gestating, birthing, nourishing and pushing my body to it's limits.

So when people casually ask if I'm done yet, I have really had to pause when I answer.

Am I done yet?  Will I know what to do when I am done?  Will I know when I am really done?

This has been hard for me.  Jeremy says he is done.  He knew before Elliott was even born that he was done.  We have always said we would take what the Lord gives us and take it one baby at a time.  He knew though, this was his limit.

I wasn't so sure.  You see after Libby was born, I just knew I had 2 boys left.  I didn't want to be pregnant 2 more times though, so I really hoped they would come together.  We all know that didn't happen, so I have really been struggling.

Was this something I had just invented in my mind?  Was it wishful thinking? What was it?

In one of our late night talks, I confessed to Jeremy that I keep wanting to have babies because I really have 5 babies and I don't want people to keep thinking I have 4.  So, if I had one more then I would have my 5.  He looked at me and said, "But then you would want another because then we should have 6. It would be a never ending cycle..when would it stop?".  I stopped and started to cry.  His logic gets me every time.

So much of who I am is wrapped up into what I have been doing for almost the last decade.  I became pregnant 6 months after we were married.  When Emma died she was 8 months old.  She was nursing full time, barely eating solids. I got pregnant a month later with Seth.  My babies night-wean and a month later I would get pregnant again.  I didn't have a period for almost 8 years. Have a baby, nurse the baby, night-wean the baby, get pregnant.

That was my cycle. This is what we have always known.

I have been praying that I would know if we are really done.  I don't want to stop if there are more souls waiting to come to Earth and to our family.  What about that feeling I had of 2 more boys?

I have felt so conflicted because I love having new babies. I love giving birth. I love feeling my babies move inside of me. Being pregnant is the only time I have felt completely comfortable in my skin.  How can I say I am never going to experience it again?  How can I believe that the next newborn baby I snuggle won't be my own, but that of my nieces or nephews?

The last few weeks my answer has come very quietly and gradually.  I am desiring freedom.  I am growing tired of diapers, spit up, baby toys littering our living spaces.  I am tired of being up all night, getting nip bites and being tethered to my house (or children) all the time.  I am done.

I am tired of sharing my body, having it fluctuate in size by at least 50 pounds every 2 years, and then struggle with the fact that my belly is flabby and that I don't look like the other Moms at the school or at Church.

While I love having my sweet wee babe, who is really such a dream baby (minus when he is sick and doesn't sleep), I am ready to move on to the next stage of our lives.

I am ready to reclaim my body.  I want to rush to the gym and work so hard to get it back to where it should be right now, but I can't because of that sweet boy who will take nothing other than Mama.

So, now that I know I am done, I need to sit back and know that my time for me will come.  My days of diapers, baby toys, and spit up are numbered.  My sleepless nights will soon a thing of the past (until the kids are teenagers and they start going out and having their own lives, oh hold me!).

I walk home from school with my brood - one on me, one in the stroller and two walking - and I think, this is good. this is complete.

And I am done.

Linking up with Heather and Just Write

Holiday Comfort

When I say the words Holiday Comfort, what do you think? The first thoughts that came to my mind were cozying up with hot cocoa or cider, watching the first real snowfall of the year.  The big fat flakes floating lazily from the sky, landing in billowy softness and coating the world with white and quiet.

Singing Let it Snow! and really meaning it, or White Christmas and feeling sorry for the poor saps who find themselves not living in a place where a White Christmas is not only possible, but normal

This is my first year as one of those poor saps I had always pitied.  And to be honest, it has me in a bit of a holiday funk.  I am so excited for Thanksgiving because we are having family here visiting.  But Christmas is a different story.

We are in a new State, far away from any family at all, and in a climate I am still not used to.  While I don't mind not shoveling, it is just going to be so strange to be able to wear sandals on Christmas.  I don't know how to get into the spirit of the season without the cold weather.

Knowing my friends and family are all much wiser than I am, I posed the question on Facebook and Twitter - what comes to your mind when I say Holiday Comfort?

I loved the responses.  While several people replied with slippers, cozy sweaters and blankets, watching the snow fall and fires in the fire place (all things that just won't happen here!), there were other responses that helped me to redefine my definition of holiday comforts.

Gathering with family was a main theme I read.  Baking, eating, drinking (cider, cocoa and a few stronger drinks in there too!), and listening to Christmas Music.  Putting up decorations, lights, trees, stockings.  Making memories with our families that will last a lifetime.  I think my favorite response came from our favorite babysitter in Logan.  She is a sweet 16 year old girl who responded, "Christmas is the one day my family doesn't fight... that's why it's my favorite :)".

Yep, that is my definition of a Holiday Comfort.  A time to be together, to have peace in our homes despite what the weather is doing.  It doesn't have to do with how hot or cold it is, but what we are doing as a family.  As I think back on Holiday's past, it isn't what was happening outside that made it so special, but what was going on inside.  Making gingerbread houses, my kids playing by the tree, being sneaky about gifts, giving to others, and writing letters to Santa.  This is what makes the season so special for us.

Of course, you may come over here during the Holidays to find the A/C cranked up so I can justify wearing some of my hand knit's that I love so much.

But regardless, we will string lights, make goodies, sing Christmas songs and enjoy being together, the most comfortable place to be.

What are some of your holiday comforts?  The things you can't live without? What makes it so special for you?

Old Wive's Tale

About a year ago my little brother told me to rub Vick's on the bottoms of my kids feet and then put socks on when they have a cough.  I thought, "that's a good idea, if it works. I bet it is just an Old Wive's Tale" and then promptly forgot.

Until last night.

Three of my four children are sick.  Coughing, fevering, miserable with a cold sick.  Elliott has an ear infection, Libby has a fever and Seth sounds like a foghorn as he blows his nose.

There was no sleep to be found on Monday night...unless you were Amelia and then you slept like a rock...that girl always does.

Last night as I was solo parenting and listening to my babies cough after their showers, I remembered that long forgotten tip.

I dug out the Baby Vicks and got to work.  Slathered on her feet and cozied up with socks, Libby was ready for bed.  As long as it was in my bed.  I didn't care as long as she would sleep.

Seth was coughing and coughing and coughing. He couldn't fall asleep.  I rubbed his feet, put on socks and didn't hear peep out of him the rest of the night.  Except when he was sleep walking into the girls' closet and nearly scared me to death thinking someone was trying to break down the front door.

Vicks on the feet -- Old Wives Tale?  Well, there is a reason why these tales have stuck around for so long.  They work.

Coughs, bring it on. I am ready tonight with my Vicks and warm socks.

Holiday Planning; How I intend to keep the crazy away

I can't believe it is already November.  It seems just like yesterday that we were making plans to move to Austin.  Now Jeremy has lived here for almost a year.

Since moving to Austin, we have found ourselves far away from all of our family.  Everywhere we have lived in the past, we have always had someone within an hour's driving distance.  Now, the closest family we have is 12 hours away.

So, this year I decided to invite all of Jeremy's family to come here for Thanksgiving.  We may have melt-your-face-off Summers, but Fall and Winter are GORGEOUS here.  So, everyone accepted and in just a few short weeks my house will be filled with the sounds of laughter, family and 8 small children!  Yep, 8 children under the age of 7. It is going to be AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! :)

I want to share with you how I intend to keep my sanity while hosting 8 adults and 8 children.

I come from a long line of planners.  My sister is the worst.  She starts planning things YEARS in advance (in fact, I have it on good authority that she has her own funeral planned).  And while this is great for her, it is not my style.  I try to keep my crazy planningness under wraps as long as I can, but when I can hold it in no longer...watch out!

1. Delegate.  I am not afraid to ask people to help.  We will have 4 families here for 1 week.  I have asked each family to be in charge of dinner one night.  This way I don't have to do all the cooking, plus we will get to try out different recipes!
2. Room Assignments. Figure out ahead of time who is going to sleep where.  Talk to your guests to see what they will need.  I know that Jeremy's brother and sister-in-law will need a bigger room than his sister, because of the pack and play.  This makes a difference in what room I put them in.
3. Email guests at the beginning of the month (what I am doing today!) to start planning the holiday meal.  What do we have to have and what can we forgo this year?
4. Purchase food ahead of time.  Get your menu set and then you can start looking for deals on that turkey, cranberry sauce and green beans that you will need.  Get everything you need BEFORE your guests arrive so you don't have to spend any of our family time at the grocery store.
5. Give yourself a break. Just know that you are going to eat food that you normally wouldn't, in quantities that you normally wouldn't.  So, give yourself a break from the guilt and just enjoy that 2nd (or 15th) piece of pie!
6. Plan activities for everyone.  For us it includes kids activities, Girls crafting night (and pedicures???), and golfing for the guys.  Find local activities that your guests will enjoy.  Save the movie theaters for another time, this may be the only chance they get to see your hometown!
7. Find fun holiday crafts for the kids to do to decorate the tables!  Get the little ones involved.  This will take the stress out of meal prep if they are busy doing something else.

I am so excited to have everyone here.  The last time we saw Jeremy's brother and his family was in 2008.  Libby and their little guy, Aidan, looked like this...

Now they are big 3 year olds. It is going to be SO much fun to see them together!  I can't wait for these little cousins to start building memories together and hope this can be a more than once every few years kind of tradition!

What are your holiday tips? What do you have planned for Thanksgiving and Christmas?  What am I missing that I absolutely must do to save the sanity of everyone?

This post is part of the Hallmark Life is a Special Occasion Campaign.  I have been lucky enough to blog for Hallmark for the last few months.  This month our theme is Thanksgiving/Family.  Don't miss their big in-store Holiday Open House this weekend November 4-6!
Be sure to sign up for Hallmark emails to get great deals throughout the year.  Who knows, you just might see me there too!
Check out the other Hallmark bloggers and what they are writing about.  It really is an amazing bunch of writers and you are sure to be inspired!
While I was compensated to write this post, all words (as always) are mine.  You can't put a price on this awesomeness!