catching up, catching my breath

So, November 8th? That's the last time I sat down to document the goings on of our lives. It seems like every time I've done that since summer, I begin with a "Whew, this has been a busy time…" or some sentiment similar to it. That's the truth, mind you. Still, I wish I had a better excuse.

I'm going to try and catch up here while catching my breath before 2014 swoops in. Surely I can do that, right? I'm not terribly optimistic but I'm going to give it my best effort. I've missed getting all of the details down and have really missed checking in on some of you.

I thought the best thing may be to just peruse my FB posts from the last few months. That seems like a good place to start seeing as it's so darn easy to throw something quick up there when it happens.

NOVEMBER

November 8

The Little Prince is sleeping off his anesthesia.  Things went well. Reconstruction should begin in January. Thx for praying!

November 20 via mobile

Happy 40th birthday to my favorite person in the whole wide world! I love you, Jason! 

November 30 via mobile

Happy 17th anniversary to the love of my life! Jason, I don't know how you've managed to love me so faithfully all these years. You model Jesus to me every single day and encourage me to know Him more. I don't deserve either of you! Thank you for this beautiful life we share. XOXO

DECEMBER

December 4

She was our early Christmas gift 11 years ago today...Nearly 7 weeks before she was due! Our sweet and sassy Sydney Baby has brought us so much joy...and a million laughs! Happy birthday, Syd! We love you so much!

December 4 via iOS

The birthday girl is all smiles and ready to enjoy her favorite (and mine)...lemonade cake. ️ My late grandma made this cake for me each year on my birthday too. Syd really is all mine...a December birthday like her mama, a love for lemonade cake and she kinda favors me a tiny bit! Lol ️

I turned 39 on the 12th…Gasp!

Jason 

December 11

Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife! I am a blessed man. I hope She has an awesome day tomorrow! I love you babe! — with Kam.

Kam 

December 11 via mobile · Edited

I usually only post funny stuff about our kids and not really the proud moments because let's face it...for every selfless thing they do, there are ten self seeking ones! But indulge me this time. Sydney, our sweet and sassy newly turned 11 year old, is participating in a secret Santa exchange with her classmates each day until the break. Today, she walked out of the house and completely forgot to take the little gift. Realizing it at school, 20 minutes from home, I told her that I had a bazillion quarters in my purse and that she could just go grab something out of the vending machines. What 5th grader doesn't love a candy bar and Coke? Later, at lunch, I was sitting with several other moms whose kids are in Syd's class. One told me that Sydney was feeling rather "generous" this morning handing out money for Cokes to other kids. I could just picture her yelling, " who needs a dollar!?!" I started laughing and told my friends that I was gonna string up my little thief daughter! (Not really but you know, a woman's purse is sacred! And our kids can't just be grabbing money out willy nilly!) So I pull her aside and ask her about giving out money. She affirmed that indeed she had treated her classmates to Cokes. The kicker though, and what made her dad and I a little weepy tonight? She used her birthday money from Mamaw and Papaw McNabb (Freda) to do it. Not my roll of quarters. Generosity has been modeled by so many people in her life...but none more than her grandparents. Well played, Sydney Baby. It is more blessed to give than receive. — with Kim Wages and 3 others.

Kam 

December 12 via iOS

They brought me a doughnut with 39 candles!  bahahahaha

Kam 

December 19 via iOS

The most adorable camel EVER! ️️

Tara

December 19 near Woodstock, GA

Baking cookies with my girls and some of our favorite friends...one of the best days of the year every year! Katie, Kennedy, Kam, Allison 

Kam 

December 24 via mobile 

Christmas music, a cup of joe, and driving around looking at lights with our babies! ️️ — with Kennedy  and Jason.

Kam

December 24 via iOS

All those who plan to drive anywhere tomorrow, beware! A certain Little Prince has no idea, but he'll be "hitting the streets" himself too

So there you have it, kinda! We had a fast and furious two months. A wonderful Thanksgiving with Jase's family here at our house, TONS of deals Black Friday/Gray Thursday shopping with my mom and sisters, three birthdays, an anniversary, and Christmas! Oh, and a SERIOUS stomach bug that made its way through five of us {Gabe escaped it somehow!} during a two week period. It was ugly!

I barely even touched my Canon during December. But more posts will follow where I actually did. These are just some of the highlights that I didn't want to forget. :)

*{the formatting is always caddywampus when you copy and past from FB!}

somebody is SEVEN

So how did 9.4.13 get here so quickly!?! How the hockey did this happen?

The Thai Tornado sitting there all unsuspecting and smiley all the while living in complete and utter disobedience???

That's right.

He did NOT obey our demands that he stay little. And not get taller. And he was most certainly NOT to turn 7!

But he did it all anyway.

Sigh.

How could I be mad at him though?

I mean, look at him...

 

I just want to gobble him up.

That's what we did on his big day. And coincidentally, on the day before, we gobbled up some yummy Japanese food {his choice!}...we were facing an unbelievably bright window and shooting with an unbelievably inept iPhone.

He wanted an Indiana Jones costume {I know, right?} and a new DS game. Both of which he got.

And LOVED.

It was a bittersweet week around here...because my baby isn't such a baby anymore! But he is treasured and adored and loved beyond measure!

Happy Birthday, sweet boy!

We love you like crazy cakes!

he is two :: the party

So I'm just gonna lay it all out there. I was just pretty darn excited to be celebrating Gabe's birthday this weekend. There's just something about that first one after they come home. We were the same way with Joel...had a big party and a Buzz Lightyear cake and lots of guests and on and on.

Truthfully, we've kinda taken a step back from big parties as of the last several years...for a few reasons. One being money. And perspective, if you will. And not wanting so many people buying them gifts because there is just so much else that they can do that's valuable and eternal with their money. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE buying my children gifts and watching them be excited and grateful. But I don't know. Birthdays and big parties and the like are just fading for me. We do still celebrate with the kids of course! And we take them out for a special meal {their choice} and we let their friends come over and spend the night and so on. But I'm just weary of the pretense of big parties and lots of gifts. They have their place sometimes though...like when you're in China and your family throws the Thai Tornado a killer party because again, YOU ARE IN CHINA, and you're sooooo grateful that they did. Because it was a distraction and a great one! And it showed a certain 6 year old that he's not forgotten or replaced but completely and utterly loved.

Yes. Then, bring on the party.

And bring it on when they celebrate their first birthday since coming home. Yes indeedy. Bring it on.

And so we did. With both sets of our parents, my little sis Karen, Jason's brother Brent with Kim, Riley and River {our brand spankin' new nephew from China!} and our great friends, the Cunninghams...we got our party on!

Since Gabe isn't into anything yet {besides Pooh!...and really, that JUST happened!}, I thought it'd be fun to have a Chinese themed party. Complete with lunch and decorations and people we love. I made beef and broccoli, fried rice and bought egg rolls and orange chicken to round off our lunch. And we did simple cupcakes {from a box...you know me!} and some fortune cookies dipped in chocolate {that were divine!} for the sweets. It didn't hurt that CNY was just ending either...pretty easy to find some stuff to pretty up the house with!

We asked everyone to consider making a small donation in Gabe's honor to One Less Orphan in lieu of gifts. It just seemed the right thing to do. He has a ton of toys and really needs nothing {other than diapers!...and those are NOT for a birthday boy!}. So we thought this would be perfect. And we will be happy to pass along $115 to our favorite orphan ministry really soon! :)

After lunch, I snapped a few pictures of Gabe and JJ {our sweet friends, Jonny & Suzie's, son who came home in late November from China!}. The boys sat on the front steps with their silk on and I think they thought we had lost our minds. But I love these of them. I hope they have many years of close friendship ahead.

Before diving into our cupcakes, Gabe opened a present from Honey and Pops that he just loved. Mom is such a savvy shopper and had purchased it months ago...and really, he just went nuts over it. A Batman Little People toy set.

And then, the good stuff....

After cleaning up, we let the boys just play. And play they did...with Star Wars helmets sent to us by another sweet friend, Elizabeth. It was a riot. Those storm trooper helmets are HUGE. And the boys just had a blast playing with them.

Sweet River...

I love this of Gabe bending over...not sure why! lol

Later, we went out to give the new swing from Mamaw and Papaw a test drive. Both boys {Gabe and River} LOVED it. Can you tell?

And oh, my. The perfect way to end the day. Two of my loves soaking up some time. Are they sweet or what?

It was a pretty perfect day. Cold and wet and yucky...but still perfect if you ask me. People we love. Good laughs, great friends, and celebrating a much loved little prince.