on busy season that flies by so quickly.....

Christmas with four children 3 and under is definitely different than what it was with newborns or even just with adults.  They add such a different feel and the time together really becomes all about them.  As I have shared earlier and on Jackson's caringbridge site...he was so excited to give others their presents before the holidays.  He could hardly wait.  However I have to say, once he learned that he got presents from people the joy of giving to others slightly was minimized and the joy of receiving became a much bigger priority.  All in all he did great...even when his sister tried to steal his present. 

 Christmas pj picture #125...oh the joys of three toddlers and an infant when trying to get a posed picture. 

 The joy was high and in full swing with all the kiddos even with very few naps.  Sleeping was not a high priority for any of them. 

 it will be so much fun next year when all four are running around and full of energy.  I think we might need to hire a sitter if we think that the traditions of games and puzzles are going to continue...but we did get one more year in.  We accomplished a 1000 piece puzzle and a 1/4 maybe a 1/3 of another. 

 Jackson even decided he was big enough to play the adult games....fast scrabble involves spelling little man...maybe in a few more years. 

All in all the Schrock Christmas was a great time and we look forward to many more in the future.  We even seemed to make it through this one with no sickness....Tims' family Christmas to come.....waiting on the pictures...

Christmas preparation.  We have finally gotten our systems rebooted around here and I think we are on the mend.  We will see what the traveling gets us.  Usually we come back with one of us at least not feeling well. 
We have been doing lots this year to get prepared for christmas.  It has been so different this year having two little ones who want to help and be a part of everything.  When I say different, sometimes that is good different and sometimes it, well just takes alot longer.  Which I guess isnt' a bad thing. 

The other day Jackson and I wrapped presents.  He helped hold the paper and then he carried all the no breakable presents to the tree.  He was so cute....he got so excited when he found out who each gift was for.  It is great that he hasn't asked one time, if there are presents under the tree for him...he is much more excited about the ones he is giving to others.  Trust me this is not something that he got honestly from his mama...I was always curious about which present was for me....  My mom usually had to hide the presents and wrap them just before...because we were to nosey.  The hunt was always so much fun. 

We recieved a gingerbread house from one of Jackson's doctors at Riley.  WE are keeping it in the garage until next week when we are going to put it together...everytime he sees it...he gets all sweet and says: mama, my gingerbread house, awe.  He is so stinking funny sometimes.  I think I am mainly waiting for a time with some help.  I can't imagine...frosting, trying not to break pieces and an 18 month old weapon of mass destruction running around that = wait for a weekend with Daddy. 

I gotta say all in all this year has been the best so far with Christmas preparations...it has been fun having the kids participate in things and get so excited about everything: the tree, santa, singing happy birthday to Jesus, singing christmas songs, watching christmas movies and making lefsa with Nana Corrine.  There is not one thing that has topped anything else...but it has been a joy watching the two of them enjoy the season with us.  WE are So BLESSED!!!

A big week.....

This week started with news of Grandpa Cross' passing.  He was a very humble man.  He loved his family and would do anything for them.  I am blessed to have met him. Jackson was named after him.  I have always wanted a name continued through my kids middle names.  Even though we have been harassed by many do to its similarity to Jack Daniels, I am glad we chose Daniel, when we were naming Jackson.  I spoke with a young woman in the nursery during the funeral on Tuesday.  She was a member of their church and sat near them on Sunday mornings.  She didn't even now Grandpa as personally as those of us in his family, however his kind heart shown through to her, just in the way he handled himself sitting next to her and her family.  She said he never got upset even when her kids were loud.  My response was that he probably enjoyed it more than it bothered him.  We took the kids with to the funeral, we spent most of our time in the nursery, however we took them out to the grave site mainly for Avenlea to get a nap as we drove.  Jackson and I were talking as we waited for Adrian to return to the car.  We were talking about how Grandpa was sledding with Jesus in heaven in all the great snow.  He then asked where Daddy was and I said he was in that big green tent saying Goodbye to Grandpa.  Jackson responded:  Jesus is there too.  Some days I am sure this kid is connected in such a powerful way with our Lord and Savior.  I am certainly Glad Jackson has another Guardian Angel in heaven.  This holiday season will be a bit tougher not having Grandpa smiling at us and playing games with us, but we know he is in a much better place and God's timing is just right.

During this weeks events, we were also all taken down with the stomach flu. It was a great reminder to me that Jackson's immune system just isn't what everyone else's is.  All the rest of us have been hit for about 12-24 hours.  Jackson has been down for the count for about over 48 hours.  He has been able to continue drinking through this one and tylenol seems to give him some relief, but it reminds me how fragile he really is.  Sometimes I get annoyed when our plans have to change due to him or someone in the home we are going to getting sick, but It is for his good.  I need to remind myself of this when I am being scoffed at by people who just don't get what we are doing when we hunker in during the flu season.  But I am reminded this week how fragile life is and how much we need to take advantage of the time we have, living a life that is speaking to those around us with our actions.   I guess if I go out being someone who overly protected her family, I am ok with that.

Thank you Grandpa Cross for the incredible life you lived and I feel greatly blessed to have been able to be a part of your family for the last 6 1/2 years.

christmas 2010

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Happy 18 months Sweet Avenlea!!

 Happy 18 months Baby Girl!!!!  Wow how time does fly.  This saturday marks Avenlea's 18 month birthday.  She is such a different kid that Jackson.  I can't even tell you.  IF I had one word to describe her:  SPUNKY.  There is never a dull moment in our lives since she entered the our world.  I love every minute of it.  Even on the rough days I can usually find some funny moments in our day. 

 She is very curious about everything.  She loves to explore and has to do everything herself.  ON her own without any help.  Her funniest thing to do by herself is walk up the steps.  It is so funny.  Most of the time she tries to take the steps like an adult alternating her steps with each foot.  if we are not bracing her from behind she would fall straight backwards.  She would be a great model for a V8 commercial.  Her feet get so far ahead of the rest of her.  Anyway the independence is great and a struggle at the same time.  LIke I said she loves to explore.  This also means their has been about a hundred percent increase in the mischief and discipline around here too. 

 We have started with time outs and they are surprisingly going really well.  as long as you don't get too far away from her.  This was actually quite funny.  These are all the typical things that I have seen other kids do but they are new to this house. 

I gotta say this is cute.  most of the things she does are cute...just don't tell her.  My friend Laura said to me today that she is too cute to be a trouble maker...that is exactly what is going to keep her in the trouble maker world.  Everyone is going to let her get away with it, because she is cute.  So far this mama is immune for now. 

She is jibberjabbing as well.  THere are some words , more, ma, dada, grandma even came out today.  But the funniest part is the jibberjabbering actually sounds like a conversation.  The intonations go up and down and she waits for me to reply.  Sometimes I try, but to be honest...most of the time I have no idea what she is trying to tell me.  She also can tell you what a couple different animals say.  My favs are the puppy and the lion.  When it comes to toys.  She is still into carrying everything around, but for the most part her favorite toy is whatever her brother is trying to play with or her kitchen.  She loves slamming the doors and dumping all the dishes out on the floor.  (she does very well helping to clean up too).  They are so cute when they sit and read books and play together.  it is moments like these that make me happy they are close in age. 

She is taller than Jackson now and weighs a bit more too, however she is still in her 12-24 month clothing range.  She just seems to be getting taller and thinner.  She is cutting two molars which has caused some drastic changes in eating habits.  So much so that they did some blood work on her last month to make sure everything was ok.  she was drinking over 64 ounces of milk, juice and water and pretty much not eating anything through out the day.  But we are happy to report all is well. She has started to eat things again and still drinks on the high side...but we have made the move to a little additional water...which doesn't taste as good so she doesn't drink as much. 

She has started hiding and she usually has her pants filled when she comes back out, so we have started working a little on potty training.  THe other day we found her banging on the bathroom door and then a diaper filled with poop.  I think she might have been trying to tell us something.  This mama is in a new world so we will see how this goes.  the ease of no public restrooms is going to soon be in our past.  SCARY!!! 

I hope you all enjoy the holiday's!!!  hopefully we find my camera soon so we can share ours with you.