Life Happens...: December 2011

I am beyond behind on my blog. I have never had a hiatus like this, but things have been beyond busy. And I so wanted to keep everything in chronological order, so I wait til I have til time to post the things that have already happened, which only puts me further behind! So, forget that idea--It's Christmas Eve, and everything that has happened in the last 6 weeks can wait a bit longer. I have had this blog for 6 years and have done a Christmas Eve post every year....I'm not changing that this year!
I have been under the weather the last week and a half, so I am so happy to finally get out the last couple of days and see the world. Last night, we did the annual "Christmas in Oklahoma with my Mom's real dad and that side of the family. The event never disappoints! However, I felt like I disappointed!! The last few years since our grandparents have retired, we have drawn names and bought presents for each other. Well, we have spending caps on the age groups....why have them if people don't follow them? I felt horrible because I don't know my aunt's boys very well and wasn't sure what to get them. They are "tweens" and so I thought iTunes gift cards can't ever go wrong with that age group...but they do if they don't have iPods. Oops. So, I offered cash to the boys and "bought" their gift cards back from them. Then, my kids got nice gifts from my uncle and his family (that's who drew their name). So, I felt horrible when I had stuck to the spending limit. Oh well, I'll do better next year--I drew the exact same people!
Last night after we got home, Landen had such a horrible cough and it got much worse. It was very warm at my grandparents' house in Oklahoma (we check the thermostat--they had it set and it was 76 degrees in there!). With all the people and the heat on high, we were roasting and it only made Landen's cough worse. By the time we got home and put him in bed, he was wheezing and gasping for air while he tried to sleep. Well, it scared both of us. So, we put him in bed with us. Well, we never slept--he coughed, turned, gagged, wheezed, gasped, and flopped! Then, he would wake up and cry and shake. It was awful. Finally, he threw up and threw up. I felt so bad for him. We bathed him and he asked to "take a nap in his bed", so we put him in his bed and hooked up a humidifier. Before, we could turn the light out, he was fast asleep. At this point, it was 3:30 am and Richie and I were past exhausted! We slept in this morning only to hurry and run late to make it to my Mom's house for lunch! After lunch and presents, Landen and Richie grabbed a quick nap.
Then, it was off to Christmas Eve service at our church. It was such a GREAT service! They sang and read verses from the Bible of the Savior's birth. It was the only place I wanted to be today. I loved it.
From there, it was off to my MeMe's house for Christmas with that side of my family. We had a great time, got lots of great gifts and just got back a few minutes ago. Santa has already come to our house this evening! The kids were so excited and ready to get to bed.
It is so wonderful to be in our new HOME...the place where my kids will grow up and my husband and I will make great memories and spend our 1st Christmas here. I can't think of anywhere else I want to be tonight than here with my family.