Merry Christmas 2019!

We headed to Morganton on the Saturday before Christmas to spend the weekend with Zack's side of the family.  We spent Saturday with the Cantrells, Stanwoods and Houstons.  We had our annual Cantrell Christmas lunch with a "Dirty Santa" game to follow.  I came home with some games for the kids and Zack took home a Christmas cup and $20!  Zander somehow even got a pair of wireless earbuds since there were a couple extra gifts in the mix.  We love spending the evening at Grannie's house.  It is fun to have the cousins together.  Grannie got the boys new fishing rods and the family a tackle box for some family fun adventures in the future!  She even got the parents fishing rods too!  Aunt A and Uncle Jay got the boys Nerf guns which have been pretty entertaining while we have been home!  In the afternoon while Henry took a nap, we went to the Catawba Meadows Park to explore and get some little boy energy out before the evening.  We even went by my parents' and grandparents' old houses to see what they looked like a few years since we have lived there!  In the evening, we loaded up the car and went to see the J. Iverson Riddle Center (formally the Western Carolina Center) lights.  It was a great first experience for the boys, looking at lights that Zack and I had looked out when we were younger.

 Saturday night, during the gift giving and receiving part, I started to feel pretty terrible. I have been dealing with chronic sinusitis since July.  This evening brought wheezing and it was hard for me to catch my breath.  We decided to go to urgent care around 8:30 since I was pretty worried about how quickly I felt so terrible.  Turns out, I'm still dealing with the same congestion, etc. that has been messing with me for months.  On Sunday morning before heading to the Houstons to celebrate Christmas Part 2, I stopped to grab three new medications since mama can't take a sick day around the holidays! haha 

 We had the best time with the Houstons.  The boys got a remote control motorcycle (Maddox) and bow and arrow set (Zander)..... both on their wish lists!   Henry even got a Micky Mouse car! They also got some cute matching pajamas, slippers, and some clothes for the upcoming winter!  We had some pretty yummy food and enjoyed watching the kids play with all their new toys!

The boys were pretty worn out from their first two days of celebrating Christmas.  They both slept on our way home.  We timed it to make it back for our church's candlelight service that evening.  It was so special having both boys in the service with us.  We pray they will always know the light of the world that came to us as a little baby.

 "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." - John 8:12

 On Monday, we had some pretty rainy weather so we enjoyed some indoor fun!  I worked on cleaning the house and assembled some of the boys new toys so they would be entertained while I knocked out some of the household chores.  We also painted some cookies and made cookies for Santa.  I took Burke to his annual exam and made soup and sandwiches for lunch!  I was feeling pretty productive with our day.

 In the afternoon, we went to a local indoor jungle gym to get some of our additional excitement/energy out.  We ate dinner at ChickFila and went grocery shopping for the week!! With getting so much done, I am looking forward to some relaxing days during the rest of our Christmas break!

 We have fit in a couple naps already..... I loved cuddling with Maddox on Christmas Eve for a nap. 

 On Christmas Eve, we also tested out our new fishing gear.  Zack caught a duck (and fortunately was able to get the hook out of its beak and release it back to the wild) and Maddox almost caught a fish.  We will still be working on our patience with this sport.  Both boys enjoyed casting the line and reeling it back in!

 On Christmas Eve, we went over to Grammy and Grandpa's house for some tailgating type food and to watch the Polar Express.  The adults open presents on Christmas Eve so Christmas morning is all about the kiddos.  Grandpa and Aunt Lindsey helped Zander read an advent calendar to Emerson and Maddox.

 Santa did come to the Houstons on Christmas morning! He brought a train set for Maddox and a Hot Wheels crash set for Zander.  Fortunately, both boys are doing a great job sharing (so far)!  I had to go get 6 D batteries (with Grammy's help) at around 10:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve because Santa's elves didn't read the fine print and batteries were not included!  It made for a Christmas Eve adventure I won't forget!

Christmas morning was at our house. Great Grandma, Grammy, Grandpa and the Kennedys arrived for breakfast after the boys saw what Santa had brought.  I loved cuddling my new nephew while the cousins played with their toys.  Grammy and Grandpa got Zander a Parcheesi board game he loves and got Maddox a new Hot Wheels track!  The boys also got new jackets and some new clothes since they keep growing so fast!  We got the boys their traditional four gifts (want-skateboard (Z), pogo stick (M), need- shoes (Z/M), wear- new pants (Z/M), and read- Precious Moments bible (Z) and "Little Kids First Big Book of Why" (M).  After everyone left, I actually took down all the indoor Christmas decorations and we went for a long bike ride and to test out the new skateboards that Zack and Zander received.  We didn't take any naps but enjoyed a great day with family.  We ate dinner at Grammy and Grandpa's later that evening.  It was an early bedtime after an eventful few days! Zander read Luke 2 to our family from his new bible (he only needed help with a couple words) as we were cuddled up ready for bed. He went to bed reading from his new bible after he had been tucked in for the night.

Grandpa was definitely missed on Christmas.  This will be the first Christmas we didn't spend with him on earth.  I hope he was able to participate in a pretty spectacular birthday party in heaven!  Here are some pictures from recent Christmas gatherings with him.

Merry Christmas from the Houstons!!
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace". - Isaiah 9:6
Happy Birthday Jesus!

Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Honestly, "Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is the one song that has been hard for me to listen to this Christmas season.  For me this season has been somewhat sad.  I think it is because of the last final days we had with Grandpa.  It was hard to watch him unable to communicate anymore, unable to eat or drink, and those last nine days were just hard.  These days happened during the "busy"ness of the Christmas season.  The time where you are spending time with family and friends, celebrating these relationships and celebrating the birth of Jesus.  I continue to pray daily that Grandpa is in heaven right now celebrating with Jesus and I will get to see him again one day when my time on earth comes to an end.  I pray that this Christmas for my grandpa is extra special, as he gets to meet the Savior who came as a lowly baby, a perfect lamb to take the punishment we all deserved. Its just the uncertainty of it all that makes this time of year a little different than in previous years.  It also makes me so very aware of the conversations I am having with my kids.  I want them to truly understand why we celebrate Christmas and why this time of year is so significant.  This is no small task with the way gift giving and receiving has evolved over the years.  If you are reading this, would you pray for my boys and their future decisions to follow after Christ?  I pray that they will take the firm knowledge they have from the Bible and apply it to a heart-filled love and acceptance of God's gift for them- He so loved them that He sent His Son that if they believe in Him, they will have eternal life. (taken from John 3:16) ;)
Side note:  we have a pretty small family on my dad's side (since he is an only child) which makes you notice when one of the key members, who has been there for so many holidays and celebrations is suddenly absent from these gatherings.  We had my grandma's Christmas party tonight, and I couldn't help but remember all the years when we spent Christmases at my grandparents' house in Florida or in North Carolina or at this same Christmas party in the last few years.  After all this rambling, I want to include some of the best parts of the last two weeks.  When you have a six year old and four year old.... you can't be sad for long because they fully embrace the Christmas spirit!! The other night, Zander was pooping and he was singing Christmas songs which we could hear loud and clear through the bathroom walls and door.  We went for a tour of the neighborhoods around us, looking for lights earlier tonight, just like my family used to do when I was younger.  I have loved getting homemade presents the boys have worked on that will be kept for years to come!  I have loved hearing their Christmas wish lists (which keep changing daily it seems! :/)  Here are some of my other favorite Christmas activities we have taken advantage of during this wonderful time of year......

We attended our local Christmas parade..... I love how the boys are leaning out over the curb to watch for the next float and see how much candy they can collect! We came home with two full gallon-size zip lock bags!

 I was able to grab dinner with my co-workers..... they are like my second family!

 I grabbed a quick picture of the boys reading before bed one night ;)

 Zack had his work Christmas party two weekends ago and mine this past Saturday night!  We considered these date nights and the boys had a sleepover at Grammy and Grandpa's!  Win Win!

We made Christmas cookies at Grammy's.  While the kids napped, we watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.... it is one of my favorite movies!  Uncle Boomer can definitely quote the entire movie!

 Thanks to a free family pass, we took our boys to the local ice skating rink!  We had a blast!

 With the boys spending the night at Grammy and Grandpa's, we met them at church on Sunday morning.  Grammy snapped a couple pictures of the boys all dressed up!

Today was all things Christmas!  We started with a Danish and Tea at Maddox's school. You can tell he is really excited we were there! haha

 He performed three songs shortly after breakfast.  He is a Frog this year with Mrs. Jennifer.

 Then, Grammy helped me throw a Christmas party for Zander's class.  We played Bingo, painted ornaments, decorated cookies and ate yummy snacks!! This class has the best parent support!! It was definitely a group endeavor to keep all these kiddos entertained!

Shortly after school, we headed over to Great Grandma's for her Christmas party!! The boys were excited to see Santa!

 As you can see from Zander's most recent Christmas list, he wants a skateboard and bow & arrow.  He also wants to know how many elves Santa has!  His teacher sent me his list from school and somehow a smart watch was added to it! haha  I think its funny that we don't own smart watches, yet he thinks that would be a reasonable request.  I have already mentioned that Santa doesn't give smart watches to six-year-olds.... maybe when he is older?! ;)

Update: Today was pajama day at both our schools.... we had fun!! :)

God's Timing

I have to admit.... I was confused with God's timing over the last week and a half as we watched Grandpa's health quickly decline.  I was confused because we were called on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to hear that he had been unresponsive the whole morning.  We came to see him and he woke up.  We said our goodbyes and how much we loved him..... he told me he loved me, and I was able to pray with my grandma, mom and dad while holding grandpa's hand.  It felt like that was the day that Grandpa would leave this earthly home.  But he didn't.  He went another nine days where he was unable to eat or drink.  I would visit each day and some days he would just be staring off and other days he would lock eyes with me like he desperately wanted to say something but he could no longer communicate.  The last day I visited, he slept soundly while I rested my head on his chest.  I remember thinking this was the most peaceful I had seen him in a long time.  I guess I should have realized that this was near the end.  Even with the nine days to prepare for this substantial loss to our family, it seemed to still come as a surprise when my dad came to my school to tell me that grandpa had passed away that Friday morning and that the two of us would need to go tell grandma.  I put all this back story here because I am admitting that I questioned God's timing with my grandpa's passing.  I questioned it until I was with my grandma, mom, dad, and sister (and Eli) sitting at the funeral home on Saturday morning.  Our family had decided to have a private family viewing before my grandpa was cremated.  Grandpa had requested we not have a service or visitation so this was the only time we would be together with the sole purpose of grieving our loss.  As we were sitting at the table, discussing final preparations, it hit me that God's timing was perfect.  As I looked at a folder that my dad brought with him, I realized that this same folder was in my possession just two months earlier while my parents were out of the country.... just in case I would have to start the arrangements if they were unable to.  I looked at my little nephew sleeping quietly during the time we were with my grandpa's body, praying and sharing sweet memories we had with grandpa.  My nephew, who if he had been born just two weeks later would have not had the chance to meet grandpa.  My sister would have had to deliver a baby while grieving this loss.  My parents who would have had to split their time between being with their new grandson and making arrangements for my grandpa.  December 6th will always be a hard day for our family in the future but I now see how perfectly timed grandpa's time on earth was.  Even the challenges of the last week gave me an opportunity to really savor each moment I had with him, knowing it might be the last.  So I guess what I'm saying is..... it's okay to be confused by God's timing but in the end, His timing makes perfect sense.  I'm including two pictures below that connect my thoughts a bit..... a picture of Zander holding a sign he made that says "Its the Wonderful Time to Love the Lord".... he created his own song after hearing how hard it was for me to hear "Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"..... I think its ironic that the word "time" is in both songs.  (Ignore his hair..... Zander slept on it and wanted to rock it to school that way!;))  Also, I'm including a picture of Eli.  He has been such a comfort to us all as we grieve Grandpa's death.  He has been passed around all the family members, especially within the last few days.  It is a comfort to think about the long life Eli has ahead as we celebrate the long life that Grandpa lived.

Ecclesiastes 3:11- "He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

To My Grandpa

Grandpa,

I miss you already! I know you are in a better place, reunited with family members and friends you have lost here in the past.  It doesn't make it any easier to say goodbye to a man that I've known my entire life.  A man that I lived next door to since I was less than a year old until I started living on my own.  A man that is in so many of my happy memories.  Memories of camping, sleepovers every weekend, entertaining you and grandma by performing plays, singing songs or dancing around your living room with my sister, your smile and laugh when I did just about anything, helping me learn how to drive my first car, dancing with you at my wedding, and I could go on and on......  You had been sick for awhile and to be honest, it was hard to see you this way.  It is easier for me to think of the memories I listed above than to think of the last couple years.  The last couple years, you were often confused and had a hard time getting around.  That is why I'm so thankful that today (for the first time in a long time) you have no more pain, you have clear memories and you are able to experience something I look forward to one day.... you are seeing our heavenly father!  You are seeing God and how all his promises in the bible have come together within His perfect plan.  You are seeing that it made sense all the church services you attended and sometimes fought to comprehend were all part of what God had planned specifically for you when He sent His son to die on the cross for our sins.  I look forward to seeing you again one day.  I look forward to seeing your smile and looking into your brown (almost black) eyes.  These eyes I looked into every day for the past week as we knew your time on earth was coming to an end.  Some of my final memories with you include you telling me you loved me as your final words to me.  You holding my hand as you struggled to sometimes catch your breath.  You looking into my eyes as I told you it was going to be okay and God was going to make everything new.  The chaplain coming in to pray with you and reading Psalm 121, reminding you that our help comes from the Lord and He is watching over you.  Your heart beating while I laid my head on your chest one last time on the day before you passed.  It is hard to really put all my thoughts into this blog post.  I just want you to know that you are deeply loved by God and by your earthly family.  We miss you and mourn our loss.  We are grateful this is not the end, and we will see you again.  Thanks for always keeping us on our toes and starting this whole crazy family with our grandma! I love you, Gramps!  "See you soon!" 

I'm loving little reminders of you throughout my day.... like listening to your voice on a voicemail I saved from four years ago or seeing your handwriting in the bible you and grandma gave me when I was about ten years old.  Zander has been carrying this bible around for weeks and I happen to look at the front page just yesterday.

4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” - Revelation 21:4-5