Snow, Snow, Snow

This transplanted Ohio girl felt like a kid again this past weekend! We were treated to six whole inches of snow. We came to Mom and Dad's since they have such a great landscape to view the beautiful white stuff. It was a breathtaking winter wonderland. The snow covered the hills so perfectly. A rolling blanket, smooth and crystal like. It had a thin and crusty layer on top that caused it to sparkle in the sunlight. It was a beautiful sight that we as North Carolinians are only rarely able to experience. I was reminded of the many mornings that I would wake to the heavenly blanketing outside our windows. The look on my three children's faces was that of awe. We ventured out into the very cold 20 degrees and left our mark on that beautiful landscape. Leaving our footprints next to those of the birds who were also excited to play in the winter fields. The kids had fun as they sledded down the hill. A wake board serving well as a sled. Emily had a blast. Drew was a little weary and was not willing to tackle the big hill. The baby sat there in not sure of what to do, taking handfuls of snow and looking at them in wonderment.

Rumbling

There is a rumbling in our house. It is not the kind that comes from bellies. It comes from a little higher than that. Yep, that is right, the boys and I are suffering from the crummy croupy cough! The past week has been spent with fever and cough filled nights. I think out of love for Mommy the boys have been taking turns with their late night woes. As Billy is out of town all week long the only break Mommy has gotten so that she herself may try to feel better is when we went to Grandma;s house. Thanks Mom- the afternoon naps really did help me. If only I had some relief from the late night coughing fits that I have been so annoyed with. As I stand here after yet another bark like fit, out of breath - I am reminded that my poor middlest man endures fits like these way too often. Poor Andrew with the littlest cold or congestion, the cold air hitting him as he runs in the back yard - the nagging and harsh barking cough is sure to follow closely behind. I don't know how he does it without griping more. Then again....maybe that is why he so rotten half the time.

Our week of firsts

This week was full of firsts. It was our first week spent at home since Thanksgiving. Billy slept at our house for the first time in almost 7 weeks. It was great to be at Mom and Dad's house, but it is nice to be home. I feel a little more at ease at home. If the kids mess something up, it is mine and not someone elses. I have been a little calmer since returning home.

Emily rode the bus for the first time. After almost three years she has worn me down and convinced me to let her ride the bus each day. I am proud of myself, I did not even cry. I actually feel kind of useless now. For the past two and a half years it has been my job to take her and pick her up every day. I kind of feel like I have been demoted- a stinky bus chosen over Mommy. Hmmm...... Where is the loyalty?

Andrew has just finished his first lengthy spell of dry nights. He has gone 11 -that is right eleven- nights without an accident. I probably shouldn't blog about it as I will probably jinx myself. I am so unbelievably proud of him. His next step is sleeping each night all night in his own bed. I have always been bad about letting the kids sleep with us, but I am worse with Billy not here. I have promised him that if he can be a big boy and sleep in his on room all night long he will become the proud owner of a fish tank. He is dying to get a fish tank and I have promised that as a big boy present.

As for me I enjoyed my first wonderful cup of coffee from my new Bosch Tassimo coffee maker. As we always spend our Birthday/Christmas money on diapers, groceries, etc... Billy and I decided to splurge this year and buy ourselves something with our gift cards. Is it really splurging if you are spending gift cards and not actual money? Anyways, I am in love with this machine. It makes every drink you could want in under 2 minutes. Teas, Cappuccinos, Lattes, Mochas, Hot Chocolates, whatever your heart desires. It is truly a thing of beauty. Who knew an appliance could make me so happy.

Was your week filled with any firsts? Good ones, bad ones?

Liberty

To Our dearest Pirates....

Although we may at this time be saddened by our disappointing loss. The missed field goals are a stinging reminder of what could have been. Even as we sit here defeated, wearing our purple and gold, our Pirate Pride knows that we have a wonderful season to look forward to. See you next year

Another year goes by

All tuckered out.
Is it midnight yet? Nope...three hours to go.
Now? No....

Come on just turn midnight already.

The last one standing....she fell about 10:00.

Our New Years was relaxing and low key. We hung out and watched football followed by Dick Clark's rockin New Year. My sister and I were the only ones to stay awake until midnight. Dad dozed off and on and did actually see the ball drop. It was quiet and uneventful, but I am fine with that. It was nice to have a quiet night. I was actually thankful for that. I was able to sit back, relax, and reflect. Reflect on the last year and all that our family has been through. Reflect on the the things that we have lost and the people we have lost. We made it through the loss of Billy's job and the stress of finding a new one . The gratitude we feel towards my parents for all the support they have given Billy with his new job, for the bed they allow him to sleep in, and the food they feed him, when he stays there each week. We made it through the loss of his mother. Something which we would have never survived had it not been for the support of his family. His Aunt and his cousins were there every step of the way, every day holding our hands and keeping us together so that we could make it through that difficult time. I sat there watching my three sleeping angels and thought about the last year and realized that no matter how hard a year, how tough the times, how stressed the day, and how low you get, as long as you have family and love you can make it through anything. I was able to reflect upon another year passed and focus on what was to come.

I made myself several promises. I promise to make this year a better one. I promise that this year will be an adventure. An adventure filled with selling a house and finding one that we will continue to make a life and home for our family in. An adventure in which we as adults must promise to live a little lighter, love a little harder, stress a little less and laugh a little more.

From Our Family to Yours

My crazy little Elf

Ho Ho Ho

Emily

Mom Mom and Dawn

Ready, set, go...

Our wonderful family. The Earnhardt family

made up of the Earnhardt(x2)-minus my great sister Kristen who as resident photo guru is behind the camera, Hawkins , Howell, Nielsen, Surratt, and Wood families


Judy and Danny

Judy,Danny, and Alex Anna and Matthew

Dawn, Andy, and Bella

Our crazy Nielsen clan

The Virginia Earnhardts

Cindy and Ted

Emily and Bella

Cari and Drew

Dawn, Anna and myself

Dawn and Jill

Cindy and Katie

Emily and Bella

Alex and his reindeer

Alex

Drew and Bella

These are some pictures of our family gathering at my Uncle David and Aunt Jill's house. We had a wonderful time there. It was decorated so beautifully for Christmas. Everywhere you turned there was a display of Christmas decorations to remind you what a joyous time of year it is. The backyard was filled with poinsettias, festively decorated and lit trees, and grapevine reindeer. the setting was idyllic for a family gathering to celebrate such a wonderful holiday. Our family was almost complete minus three members of the Wood family. Kept away by obligations to work and other family commitments they were remembered by us as we gathered. Our Christmas was filled with love, gratitude for the lives that we lead, and remembrance for those no longer with us. It was a wonderful three days spent with both sides of our family, our children's joyous laughter spread through three different family celebrations, being reminded once again that family is the best gift of all. I hope that all of you were able to enjoy that gift this Christmas.

The Nutcracker Ballet

Emily and IEmily and Flat Stanley. I think that Stanley enjoyed the ballet. His smile was never ending.Where we enjoyed the ballet

Mom and I took Emily(and Flat Stanley) to see the Greensboro Ballet perform the Nutcracker. It was Emily's first trip to the ballet, and also mine. My mother having lived outside D.C. for so many years would go to see the National Ballet perform the Nutcracker every year. To have been able to experience that as a young girl must have been amazing. I am quite envious of my mother and her sister having been exposed to such wonderful cultural events. I imagine that it was a tradition that they looked forward to each year with their parents.

I felt like a child myself as I sat there in the auditorium watching the dancers twirling across the stage. They were beautiful and magical as they floated and flew through the air during the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies. I teared up as I watched the look of awe washing across my daughter's face. Her beautiful face lit only by the stage lights, watching every movement, not wanting to miss a moment. It had been so long since I had been able to enjoy something like this with my little girl. The three of us had such a wonderful time. I hope to be able to do it again sometime soon.