Thursday, December 4, 2008

These are the special times....







Well it has been a few weeks since I have posted...but that is not to say that not much has been going on at our house. It's only the first week of December and I already feel completely overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle that goes along with the preparation for Christmas. I vowed to myself early on that I was going to make every attempt to do only what needed to get done this Christmas and spend the rest of the time ENJOYING what Christmas should be all about with the kids. But no matter how prepared I try to be....there are always surprises along the way (i.e. computer failures....lost address lists, teething babies, doggie accidents...etc. And everything that I think will not be a big deal turns out to be....ie., re-tiling a shower, repairing a window or moving a pool table to make room for a playroom. The clutter seems to be a constant these days....and though at times my frustrations seem to outweigh my accomplishments.... I have to keep things in perspective. Hate to admit you are right, mama, but like you told me last week....we'll never be able to re-live 2008....so it's nice to just sit back and realize that among these minor frustrations....remarkable things have been happening all around me.

Joseph has been taking some steps for quite a while...but only recently has he started to take 4-5 at a time! He loves to walk (on wobbly legs, of course) back and forth between Brett, me, and Sophia...and simply adores when we cheer, "Yay, Joseph!" I was thrilled to get a picture of him on November 20th, when he was walking from Brett to his exersaucer. He was pretty proud of himself that he took 3 or 4 good steps....but as you can see from the picture... I think his daddy was even more excited.

Putting up our Christmas tree was also a momentous occasion at our house this year. Sophia was sooooo excited to get out all of the ornaments and hang them on the tree. She still remembers which ornaments she hung and which ones I hung and points out all of this year's new ornaments to any visitor we have! I loved how excited she was and how proud of her tree she is!

Thanksgiving was special this year as we had a new little person at the table this year. Each and every day we are grateful for those who helped us bring Joseph home. Sophia also got to see the Plaza lights turn on this year... she had seen them in the past, but never been there for the actual countdown. I missed the actual event so I could feed Joseph, but thankfully Thea took great pictures. I love the ones with Sophia sitting on her daddy's shoulder and I especially love the picture of Brett, Sophia and my cousin Anna. Each of them, in their own way, are examples of the MIRACLES that surround us at Christmas.

Sophia and I have been working on a "Christmas ABC" book....and I loved that on her "C" page, she picked "Christ" and drew a picture of the Nativity. I hope you can see her baby Jesus surrounded by Joseph on the left, Mary on the right, and the yellow guardian angel on the bottom right. Her 4 year old mind is remarkable!

And last but not least....Brett....you are remarkable for being my fix-it guy.....Thanks for putting together my new cabinet....even though it was in one-hundred pieces!
These ARE the special times.....

3 comments:

yiayia said...

Amalia, my special daughter, I read your blog the first time without the music--and cried--then with the music the second time--and I really boo-hooed! These ARE truly the special times. It's wonderful that you can capture these special moments -------don't forget to print these off!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay your mother will quit! Sophia's pix can go in Anna's gallery!!! And Brett and Joseph look adorable. Cherish these times. <3

Eryn said...

haha that pic of Brett's face when Joe is walkin is PRICELESS!!!

Kelsey Bakalar said...

How cool is it to see Brett so excited! It's great to be able to capture Daddy's innocent expressions, isn't it? What a special year for you guys.