Reflection

This past weekend marked Christine's 4th birthday.  It is overwhelming to think about that day.  Time has definitely healed our pain, but those wounds are still close to our hearts.  Time, and of course new babies in our lives, has helped us move forward.  But one element is that we have learned to live with that loss.  We cannot walk around crying about it everyday.  We have to be happy.  We have to give our time to our children.  But there is always a time for it.  The tears are easy.

On Saturday Tim and I had hoped to go out to dinner but I was still bogged down with a mild flu and fever that night.  So we ordered in Indian food and reminisced about our girl.  We both agreed that Christine's presence in our life is when we take moments to truly soak in the happiness we feel when we are with our kids.  Her loss really taught us to slow down and really be present with each other and be present even amongst the craziness that having 3 young kids brings.

Some days it feels like a dream.  Did that really happen to us?  But then I feel the tug on my heart and I know it did.  However, we will forever be grateful for how it deepen our relationship and taught us to really enjoy everyday because you never know when your life will be turned upside down.

Christmas

As always, Christmas comes with many fun events!  Here are our photos to remember them by!

The largely anticipated, Santa on the Fire Truck!! Whitney was beside herself with excitement, but I told her she couldn't talk about it because I wasn't sure if we were going to get Colin up to see him.  Mean Mom, I know!  But he doesn't hit our house till well after 8 and Colin could be in dreamland by then!  Anyway, this year we were able to track his route and around 8pm I went to see if Colin was awake and he was, so I whispered, "Santa is going to drive by on a fire truck".  I mean can you even imagine his thoughts on this!  His eyes lit up and I was so glad I got this little boy up to see him!

Tracking his route

Tim asked why I didn't have them in long pants.  I thought this was part of the fun :)

What an amazing memory.  Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

Our next event this year was tree trimming at my parents.  Colin was heavily into decorating the tree this year and even got to "help" put the angel on top.  

We have decided in the last few years that my parents would give them their gift on this day.  Spreads out Christmas fun a little bit! They all got one big gift...

A super cool tent!  A cozy spot for watching movies as well as endless play!

Next up, our annual breakfast with Santa.   A shockingly good picture!

Then that afternoon we made Nanny's sugar cookies. 

A fun day spent with Auntie Ann too!

We will take a brief moment to mention Lauren's big, first Christmas event.  Burning her hand!  Placing her hand on this small ledge outside of the oven and then leaning on it to stand up.  Instant blisters, a trip to Urgent Care, then the ER who then sent us to Children's Hospital in DC.  The poor girl suffered 2nd degree burns that had to be cut open and cleaned.  She did amazing and luckily will have no long term damage.  I did my fair share of crying, but am feeling so much better that is just fine!  Tim, Lauren and I got home close to 1am on Christmas Eve.  A huge thanks to my mom and sister for making sure our house was ready for Christmas morning!

Christmas morning was magical.  The kids were ecstatic about what Santa had brought for them.  We spent the first few hours in the morning enjoying those toys.

Around 9am my family came over and we enjoyed delicious Creme Brulee French Toast.  Then exchanged gifts with my family.  

We all enjoyed some naps and finally finished opening up gifts that afternoon.  I like that we somehow have created this leisurely way of opening gifts.  We finished the day with dinner at my parents house.

A few days later we got to see the Butler side for a delicious dinner and a fun visit!

Sue arrived in town and we had a fun week with her playing with all our gifts.  

Uncle Casey had a few visits this month too!

Though on our way to Children's hospital, I wasn't sure what was in store for our Christmas plans.  We feel so lucky that Lauren was okay and that we got to have an amazing Christmas!!