Sweet Miracle

Being a mom is truly the best job in the world. With kids you get hugs and kisses when you're having a rough day, you see their smile and hear their silly questions, you watch their intuition drive their activities and interests, you are continually teaching them life's worth and instilling your own values. Then, there comes a moment when you sit back and watch the choices that they make, coach as often as you can, let them explore, provide guidance, witness their learning and always protect them. Having children has taught me all about sharing and giving, negotiating and probing, leading and following, loving and teaching. Most importantly, it has taught me never to take a moment for granted.

Being an aunt is even more. It's all these things and friendship; it's about role-modeling and mentoring. Kids search beyond their parents for that idol because they realize that their parents are interested in safety, not popularity. But aunts and uncles provide an acceptance, a sounding board, and a realistic opportunity to ask real-life questions and accept real-life answers. I know because of the impact that my aunts had on my life.

In just four short months, I'll be an aunt and it'll be my chance to give back all the insight and friendship that I was given. And as my baby sis and her hubby await this sweet miracle, it's their opportunity to feel all the emotion that parenting brings. It's a true love that you can never fully explain.

Little One, you will be the sunshine of their lives. You will change lives, and you will be forever loved... not only by them, but by us too. We can't wait to hold you in April.

A special birthday

Grandma, you really are the best we could ever ask for! Happy happy birthday to you!
As Caden put it, Grandma and Urlacher are both 54!!!

'Tis the Season

I'm typically the one who kicks off the season in August, requesting and developing wish lists. Things were different this year. Between getting two kids in school, starting a new job and moving the family, we didn't get started until after Thanksgiving. Not all bad though. We surely lived up the moment of thankfulness in 2011. But come 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving evening, I grabbed my shopping plan, called my girlfriend, and we headed out for 12 hours of Christmas shopping. And, so, Black Friday became the kick off to the season. We slurped a Starbucks, our eyes went cross-eyed, our feet were in pain, but we stuffed the van full of gifts for all!

The next day, our family headed out for the traditional choosing and cutting of the Christmas tree.

This experience dates me back to my childhood, year after year. I remember trudging through the tree farm in snowpants bundled so tightly that I could barely walk, helping mom and dad pick out the BEST tree around, and then feeling like I was really helping to cut down the tree. Now my kids are doing the same thing...

After lugging it back to the car, tying it on top, and driving home wishing I could see it from inside the car, we were always anxious to get it in the house to see if it really would fit. Funny how the same thoughts and excitement run through my little ones as well.

After the dreading task of getting the dumb tree to stand straight in the [insert every cuss word you can think of] stand, we begin the decoration process! As children, the hubby and I each ironically received a Hallmark ornament relating to our interests each year. Today, we have our 31 years of memories, plus the beginning of Cade and Layna's collections as well. It makes for a good story each season, and even a few jokes about Jarin's pink car and cardinal bird ornaments!


This year, during our day of decorating, Odie showed up. He brought with him a book explaining his existance and the mission that Santa charged him with -- to watch over the kiddos each day. The little imaginations ran wild with questions when they found out that Odie has magical powers to fly to the North Pole each night to share his observations.

Then it was on to the outside of the home for a little skill on the ladder! Very proud of my husband for reaching all the peaks. He's such a dare devil! He even wooed the little man by letting him pick out a lit reindeer for the front yard. And for all of you who know my style... you probably also know my thoughts on that!

My task was to design and order the Christmas cards. Okay, so the reality is that the photo was the work of Images by Miss Kate, and the card design was completed with the ease of Shutterly. So maybe I can't take full credit, and neither can I promise that they'll reach all of you in time for the holiday. However, here's a sneak peek just in case!