Christmas

I should aways blog about events that happened 4 months ago. Although the details are a little fuzzy, I look back with gratitude, on the sacredness of the season. 

Blessed beyond words. 

Gift heaped upon Gift... always more coming.  

The greatest gift is that of a savior, born to us... even in April.  

We picked out our Christmas tree. You'll notice Quinn on the far right. He's our personal Christmas Tree picker-outer. I think he's been in the family photo for the last 3 years. We are so Orange County. 

Ron and I zipped up to St. Helena with the Paschalls for our annual get away. I need this trip every time. The deep breath, the slowing down. It's sustaining. We do the usual Napa things... the good food and the wine. We also do the things that fill us up. We all run on the treadmill and then sit in cozy chairs and read for hours... 

We hike and talk and take walks. We share... we eat. We take naps. We walk every morning to a little bakery and get the best lattes known to man. 

And when we're all filled up, we go home, better because of the time that we have spent together. 

These guys sang their hearts out at their Christmas performances. Rosie sang Christmas songs from all around the world and Sadie sang about Mary going, "bump bump bump bump riding on a camel's hump."

If you can see past the sea of arms and heads that blocked the view, you can see Rosie sitting down on the stage. See her? She's to the left of the lady with the pony tail. 

Umm... excuse me m'aam? The 80's called. It would like its scrunchy back. 

Duffy Cruise... checking out the Christmas lights in Newport Harbor with our favorite small people. 

Santa's lap and other festivities... 

Our week to feed the hungry fell on Christmas Eve and so we packed and distributed 70 lunches for people to eat on Christmas Day. My heart was heavy and I ached with the idea that people might be alone on Christmas Day, eating peanut butter and jelly while the rest of us would be surrounded by love eating homemade bagels and my mom's egg souffle, See's Candy and a turkey dinner. 

I'm overwhelmed with having so much when others have so little.  

 After, we went to church and to dinner at our pastor's house while Papa and Mimi came down and got the house cozy. All were in their jammies preparing for Santa's arrival- grateful for the joy of being together and the magic of the evening. 

Christmas Morning brought the traditional trumpet. My dad has played Christmas songs on the trumpet every Christmas morning since forever. This year, I was keenly aware of the fact that we grew up on 5 acres with no houses as far as the eye could see instead of 5 feet from the neighbors next door like we are here. 

He's pretty good for a guy that plays once a year, though, and the neighbors enjoyed the serenade. 

After an incredible day together, we headed up to Huntington Beach- Erin and Simon gave us all tickets for a 3D showing of Frozen at the El Capitan theater. It was so fun.. the kids were in heaven and I have to admit that the adults were too. Loved the story, the strong female characters and especially the music. 

Winter totally ignored us this year but we decided to take advantage of the warm temps and take Ron whale watching for his birthday. A peak experience was laying inside the boat's catamaran pontoons with both girls piled on top of me watching the dolphins play. 

As if the last few days hadn't been full enough, we packed the car and headed up to Bass Lake for New Year's Eve and to experience Yosemite together- a gift to all of us from my parents. We had the best time. The whole family comes alive in the valley amongst the tall trees and the granite cliffs. Who wouldn't? We tromped around, breathed deep, looked at the trees, made snowballs out of the small bits of snow on the ground, rode the bus around, read stories at the Ahwahnee and enjoyed time together. Rosie and Lucy were sworn in as Junior Rangers after completing various tasks in the park. One of the tasks included gathering trash. I'm pretty sure we picked up every cigarette butt in the valley. 

John Muir would be so proud. 

It truly was an amazing experience. 

It doesn't get any better than this!

December.. is it warm in here or is it just me?

What do you get when you combine a busy family, full time jobs, new adventures and plenty of fun? A December blog post in March! No apologies. Just the pictures. But first, my long overdue birthday letter to my Sadie William, 4 years old. 

Dear Sadie,

Today as we walked home from preschool, I must have asked too many questions. You looked up at me wearing this hilarious palm tree print hat with messy braids that I think I did on Tuesday and said, "Mom, I'm done telling. I can't talk to you right now."

Oh, ok. I like quiet walks.

But you know what, Sadie? I totally get it and I admire your strength to say so!
Strong one.

That's one of the many words I use to describe you at 4. You're strong. You're small in stature but you hold your own. You know who you are and what you want. This year of growth has brought on some sass... oh, mercy are you sassy. Dad bought you this pink snow hat that you pretty much rocked for 3 months straight.
Auntie Erin started call you Edith (from Despicable Me) and the nickname fit you to a T.
You. Go. Girl.

Other words that I use to describe you at 4 are: sensitive, wicked smart, funny, helpful, cooperative, tender, brave, kind and gentle. 

And the list goes on and on and on. 

You love preschool this year and your teachers, Mrs. Langley and Mrs. Shepherd. You like to ride the bikes, write your name, swim and tickle. You love to play outside and anything that includes a ball: basketball, soccer, catch and "bollyball." You love to do puzzles, color and play Memory. It's your favorite. We play it so much that I play it in my sleep but I always lose. Always. You're so good... and also I can't help but let you win. You love to run from place to place... it's your favorite mode of transportation, actually.... usually after shouting,
"wanna race?"
 When we're at the park, the swings are your first pick and you also love the slides.
I love to watch you make friends... you do it easily. Whether we're at the park or the beach, you'll find someone just your size and say, "wanna play with me?" Everyone always say yes. How could they say no? Playing with your cousins brings you pure joy and you love your Papa and Mimi and all of your aunts and uncles. Wrigley is also one of your best buddies.
You feed him and love to roll around with him.
You make us laugh. When we take Rosie to school and pick her up in the afternoon, we cross a pedestrian bridge over the 5 freeway. You'll often stand on the overpass and pump your little fist (whole body) wildly to get the semis to honk their horn.
They always do... again, how could they say no?
Our biggest battle is your hair. You hate to have your hair brushed. Hate is an understatement. I've developed a point system to overcome this obstacle.
Lies.
The agreement that you and I have come to is to basically never brush it. Ever. You get out of the bath and I sort of try to touch the brush to your head like a fairy godmother with a magic
wand... and then we put it in braids and leave them... all week. 
I'm considering dreadlocks.
You are extraordinary, Sadie William. You are such an incredible little girl. You have a huge heart. You're full of compassion, empathy and gratitude with a good dose of discernment... even for a 4 year old. May you always know that your are infinitely loved... by your family and a Perfect God that created you. He provides Love, Joy and Freedom that never run out. I can't wait to watch you experience more and more of this as you grow older.  It's the best adventure.
I'm so blessed to be your mama, Sadie.  We all love you so much. What a gift you are to this family.
I love you deeper than the Grand Canyon and higher than the Giantest Giant Sequoia.

Happy Birthday... 3 months in.