Well, I was thinking about the fact that we have made our news official in every other corner of our world, except for our website home.  I thought it only fair to make the announcement here too!  We are super excited to announce that our little family is expecting a baby :)  

Keith and I have discovered something that we think the kids super love, and something that we think they super need.  We have started a "date day" with our kids.  Our first annual date day took Elise and I to the movies to see the movie "Tangled", and it took Luke and Keith to Best Buy and a trip to McDonald's.  

Elise had a lovely time - for the most part.  She was overjoyed when we got our tickets, ecstatic when we stood in line and got popcorn, and elated when we walked into the big movie theatre and picked our seats!  All was well, until the movie started and the mean "witch" made her appearance.  For a moment, she was frightened, but then got used to things.  But, at the end, when the prince almost dies, Elise starts crying and wanting to go home.....and magically! - a tear heals him and he lives....and Elise is smiling and happy again.  Wow - the emotions of a 3 year old!!  She had a great time and couldn't wait to tell Daddy about it!

As for Luke and Daddy, I understand they had a grande time.  Luke at a cheeseburger and french fries, and played until his heart was content.  Keith says he climbed to the top of the play area with all of the big kids and was not fearful, at all.  He holds his own with big kids.  Following McDonald's, they went to Daddy's favorite store and looked at all of the big TV's.  Luke was very impressed with all of the big toys, but was falling asleep and needed to get home for nap.

The kids slept well that afternoon.  Here's to date day!!!

OH Elise!  Yesterday evening, after a nice dinner and bath times, we were all comfy in our pajamas and warm in our home.  Keith and I had just commented on how well the kids were playing together in their playroom.  What a nice evening!  It was 7:15 and bedtime was around the corner.  Keith had plans to watch the championship football game, and I had plans to lay in my bed and watch my own show and just relax.

Well, sometimes things don't go as planned!  We heard a scream and both started running to the playroom.  I saw that Elise had fallen so I rushed to her, only to discover she had blood running down her face from her forehead.  Keith and I laid her on the bed and wiped her up only to realize this wasn't a minor cut.  The quick decision was I would take her to urgent care and Keith would stay and put Luke to bed.  In my mind, I figured she would need the "glue" to hold her cut together, so I figured I could handle it by myself.  Elise and I arrive at urgent care to find NO LINE!!  When does that ever happen?  We went right in, and immediately the nurse informed me that the "glue" would never hold her cut closed.  It was pretty deep and would need stitches!


Poor baby - she understands everything she hears.  The nurse and NP explained to Elise that the only thing that would hurt would be the deadening shot - and that she wouldn't feel the stitches.  Well, they were right - the shot hurt her tremendously.  I held her down while praying quietly.  I couldn't stand to see her in such pain.  All in all, she did a great job and let them stitch her up!  She left with a band-aide over her stitches that will come off tonight.  She hasn't had any more pain and is doing great!  And actually, she is very proud of her "battle wound."

OH - and you may be wondering how she fell?  She had decided to stand on top of her little rocker, lost her balance, and hit her on a glass table on her way down.   Lessons learned......

Since we hear there is some really cold weather coming this week, we decided it was the perfect night to make a campfire!  Elise and Luke got brand new tents for Christmas, along with sleeping bags and campfire chairs.  Keith fired up the firepit, and there we were - enjoying a beautiful evening around a fire.

The kids LOVED it.  They cooked their own dinner by the fire by roasting wieners.  We even put their picnic table by the fire so they could eat.  It was awesome.  During dinner, we started to feel a few raindrops, so we had to hurry and put everything away.  Our evening had to be cut short, but we had a blast.  Now, they are all cleaned up, in cozy pajamas, and almost ready for bed :)  That's what I call a great end to the day!

Christmas Eve this year was extra special.  I don't know if it was being in our own home, or that the kids are older, or that we prepared a nice, special meal that evening....not sure what made it different, but it was.

We woke up that morning with lots to do, but there was no stress in the air.  There was a peace I felt, a joy, a calmness that I can't explain.  This day was different.  I felt anticipation, excitement - the feeling that something great was about to happen!!  Awaiting the birth of Christ is something that can't be explained!!!!

We all awoke that morning, and leisurely prepared for the day.  After breakfast, the kids were able to enjoy Christmas cartoons, while Keith, my mom, and myself began the preparations for our special day.  We had guests coming to share a meal that night - so we wanted it to be just perfect.  We took out the special Christmas dishes, and sat the table just right.  In the kitchen, the preparations began for our feast.   We made gumbo, salad, homeade rolls, and bread pudding with rum sauce.  YUM :)  At 4 p.m. we attended mass at Pope John XXIII high school, and following mass we returned home for our celebration.  What an evening!  We were blessed with special guests who made our evening wonderful.  All of us celebrating the same, joyous occasion.

After dinner, the kids excitement made my evening.  The laid out Santa's cookies and milk just perfectly.  They knew that they had to get to sleep or else Santa wouldn't stop.  Elise asked me to close her blinds better so Santa couldn't see her light on.  Quite the wise one, until I explained that Santa can see through walls!!

It was a Christmas Eve to remember.  Happy Birthday Jesus!!

Last night, we had a last minute, much needed, completely enjoyable evening with college friends.  Kelli is back in town, Brad is visiting from CA, and Bret and Andrea drove over from Richmond, with their four beautiful children.  It's funny how time changes things, but at the same time, you pick up right where you left off.  I often think about our college days, and our lives now.  I LOVE my life now - our faith, Keith, my children, our families, and great friends.  I remind myself often to enjoy the present time - so that I don't have to look back and say "those were such good days...I wish I could have enjoyed them when they happened!"  It's hard at times, when I'm changing the 10th diaper of the day, or when I'm having to discipline one of my angels over and over and behavior still isn't getting any better.  It's hard in these times.....but I know someday I'm going to wish I had them home more.  Last night, I thought a lot about my college years.  They are such great, amazing memories.  Funny stories, crazy things we did, friends we haven't seen in a long time, places we went to dinner, road trips we took together, and on and on.  They were AMAZING years, and I know I enjoyed those times while I was going through them.  I thank God for those memories, all of our friends, and the good times we all have ahead of us.  All in all, it was so nice to reunite last night, and have a taste of our old college life.

Elise and Luke are now sporting their new "big kid" haircuts!  They both look so cute and are proud and confident of their new "do's."  Elise finally experienced a professional stylist, instead of me trying to trim her hair.  It looks so full and healthy in the "bob."  Luke has previously gone with his Dad to Sports Clips to get his hair cut, so he is totally used to the process.  He sat like a little man and came out with a spiky little haircut that Mommy just loves :)

This picture is just priceless!!  Luke LOVES to follow Keith around and help him with any chores that need to be done.  A couple of nights ago, they were outside working in the yard.  Last night, they were putting up a lock on the door so that the kids can't get out.  Luke has learned to unlock the main lock as well as the bolt to go and play outside!  I'm proud of him for learning how to do something new, but at the same time we must protect him!! 

Well, it's hard to believe that we are almost through Advent, and that Christmas is right around the corner!!  It's been a great preparation time for us, and a fun time to start new family traditions to get the kids ready for this special time of the year.  It all started with taking our Christmas decorations out, and getting into the Christmas spirit right after Thanksgiving.  The kids have a great time decorating the tree - and I held back and let them go at it - and then after bed time, my obsessive compulsive tendencies forced me to put a few finishing touches on things.  All in all, it was great fun!  We also introduced the kids to the cartoon "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer."  They have watched it several times since then - they know all the songs - and Elise even thought she saw Yukon Cornelius in someone's yard as decorations.  (it was really a burly looking Santa, but it can be Yukon is Elise wants it to be!)  We have also gone out several nights to look at the Christmas lights.  Our neighborhood has some gorgeous yards, and Elise and Luke just can't get enough of it.  Christmas time is so much fun with little ones!!!!!

So amongst all the Christmas cheer, we want to make sure we ingrain in the kids the true story of Christmas, and how important it is to our family.  Elise is very excited about Jesus' birthday, and she told me she was going to "make him a list for Santa" to make  sure Jesus gets some good gifts.  Luke has enjoyed our nativity scene.  He loves pulling his chair up to my buffet, and pointing to "baby Jesus."  He and Elise have done some roll playing - for some reason Luke always had to be baby Jesus and Elise is Mary.  I've played the role of Joseph at times.....when they ask me :)  We plan to make cupcakes on Christmas Eve to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus!  Now I know, at 2 and 3 years old, once Christmas morning hits, it will all be about the presents....BUT I also know that year after year they will understand more, and appreciate more fully, what a beautiful season of God's love this is.

I have to admit, this is the first year in a very long time that I feel organized and ready!  I believe this has to do with #1, the kids being a little older, and #2, the wonderful reminders, prayer services, and people we are surrounded by who help us to remember not to stress....but to enjoy.....the Season of Jesus' birth :)

Merry Christmas everyone!! 

This morning, we woke up, ate breakfast, got dressed, and drove over to Tomball to play with our cousins, Lindsey and Parker.  We always have SO much fun together - it's just a shame we live so far apart.  Hopefully soon, they will finish Hwy. 99 and it will cut our travel time in half!!!  But in the meantime, we take turns driving and try to meet up weekly.

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