'Twas Merry Indeed

This past week has been truly merry as we have spent it here in beautiful Colorado with my parents. It is always so great to have them visit, especially at the holidays. There was no need for "Dreaming of a White Christmas," as it snowed the entire day. It was beautiful and the day after Christmas was sunny and clear. We are truly privlidged to live in such a beautiful place.
Eliana's first Christmas home with us was wonderful. She mostly observed her brothers and played with the wrapping. All of our kiddos were very blessed to receive so many wonderful gifts, but having her here was the best in my mind. All I am hoping for the new year is that she will settle in and attach closely to her daddy. He just wants to pick her up and hug her and love on her. It is hard for me to understand what is happening in her little mind that is keeping her from allowing him to do that. I know her short life has been full of uncertainty, but resisting his attempts to just be her daddy are really tough to take. One of these days, she will realize how good she has it.

I am posting a few pictures from our week. I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and truly could celebrate it for what it is... Christ's birthday. Also, if I don't get back to the computer before Tuesday, I wish you a very Happy 2008!

Coming Up for Air

Well, this week has been a doozy and I feel like I am just coming up for air. Poor Milan was sick with the flu until Saturday and then guess what happened to me in the middle of the night on Saturday. You guessed it- UGH! I am hoping and praying that none of the kids have little latent flu bug guerrillas hiding in the hills. Anyway, feeling much better today and trying to get caught up on the mile long to do list. Here I am four months later, ordering pictures from our trip to China. I have looked at them on the computer so many times, it seems that surely I would have done that by now. Well, don't be so sure my friends. That third baby really does throw a bit of curveball at you as far as time and memory.

On that subject, I truly believe that I left about 3/4 of my brain back in China. Anyone who knows me, or my side of the family for that matter, is probably aware of our love affair with list-making. Yes, we are the types who have been known to add items to the list even after their are completed, just so that we can check them off and note that they were accomplished. Sad, I know. Anyway, at this point, I need a list to keep track of my lists. I keep finding little notes to myself, but the scary part is that I don't even remember what half of them are supposed to remind me to do. (Note to self: make more detailed notes to self.) I am also finding that I keep making the same lists over again. Translated: I am not getting very much done! I should be a little gracious to myself, I guess, in that I am getting the kids school done, but there are just so many other details in life. (Note to self: win lottery and hire personal assistant) Oh yeah (Note to self: Must actually play lottery in order to win- Need personal assistant to remind me to buy lottery tickets so that I can pay her) You see my dilemma.

The good news is, that even with lists longer than Marley's chains, I have three beautiful children, a great hubby/daddy, great friends and family and we are all, for the moment, healthy. Speaking of great family, I am really looking forward to my parents visiting for Christmas. Thankfully, the snow isn't supposed to hit until a day after they arrive, so we should not be reliving the horror of Colorado 2006 which twice delayed their trip last Christmas. So, for now, I will choose to look at my glass as half-full. (Note to self: Make it half-full of Margarita. Things are looking better all the time!)

Until next time when I am uploading photos for development at 1:30 in the morning and therefore find the time to blog... Merry Christmas.

San Frantastic

We were fortunate enough to spend last week in the San Francisco area with Milan's family. Eliana did really well- loved her Baba (grandmother) and her Auntie Lilana. Her little cousins were great with her and our boys and we all had a great time.
I will post a few highlights here...

1) Within about 2 hours of landing, Elijah was in the bay. Completely. Over his head, fully clothed, shoes and all. Mind you there was an oil spill just a few weeks ago. Lets just say the sand was still a bit more sticky than usual. Of course, his going in was not part of our plan. I wouldn't exactly call it safe swimming conditions. But, if you know our Elijah, you know that he marches to the beat of his own drummer. A really, really, really fast drummer.



2) As always, we enjoyed taking in the sights of the city. We were blessed with a beautifully clear day and we spent some time learning about the history of the defense of the bay.

3) We were fortunate enough to spend an afternoon at the Nuttree with good friends recently moved from Colorado. It was so great to see them and their three beautiful children.

Nuttree

4) Time with Milan's sister's family was great. The kids loved each other and had a great time. Milan's sister is an incredible woman and he especially enjoyed the treat of playing tennis with her most every day.

San Fran 07

This is TOOO Funny!!!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1186088488

Thanks for the tip Margaret!