The last weekend in November was beautiful. Well, Saturday night was really cold, I remember, because we debated on going to Dutch Wonderland with friends. We opted not to. Then Sunday was gorgeous... really warm and really sunny. We didn't make it then either, though, because Shawn started decorating the outside of our house, and I made the family baked chicken, mashed potatoes and salads for dinner.
After several arguments about the Christmas tree, we returned the tree we bought Black Friday. It was advertised to be 6' and didn't even reach Shawn's nose. It was also skinnier than anyone in our family (including the Bean!). Shawn said it was great because the kids could destroy it and we wouldn't have to be shoooing them away. I said it looked awful in our house with the high ceilings and I was the only one that cared about the tree anyway. He was disappointed but gave in. So, we dug our old tree that didn't light up last year out of the crawl space in the basement. But, it worked this year! And it looks lovely. And, we need to teach the kids boundaries on what they can and can't touch, I think. But, Shawn said that he wants a Charlie Brown Christmas tree for Christmas this year. :( He also said that if Christmas trees go on sale at the end of the season, we'll buy a bigger, nicer pre-lit tree.
We started putting up the tree and thought the boys might be able to help decorate this year. They promptly started playing with the decorations instead. I'm probably too particular about how I like things decorated, so eventually Daddy got the boys interested in other things to do and I finished decorating by myself. I LOVE to decorate the house for Christmas. Shawn dug out one of our instrumental Christmas CDs and the whole house was warm and glowing. I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful family and such a nice house. I felt completely cozy and loved. Here's the finished tree (although, this picture really doesn't do it justice).
And here are some of my other favorite decorations as we continue with happenings this past week. The first is the figurines from Charles Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol." Shawn took me to see this play (was it last year or the year before?) at the Renaissance Faire.
And here is our fresh-baked family... but it looks like it needs another gingerbread to include Caleb Luke. Continuing on with events, on Monday morning I went first thing to have my ultrasound. The gal was extremely nice, and we talked the entire time. She said "oh, I doubt that you'll have any problems... in fact, I'm going to use your pictures, if you don't mind, to get re-accredited. I need someone thin." I almost laughed out loud. She said the signs are 40, fat, fair and female. Well, I had three out of four (I'm just not 40 yet). That said, the surgeon told me that women accumulate stones when they're pregnant, so the above factors really have nothing to do with anything. Anyway, the woman must have called me thin 3-4 times throughout our time chatting. I think she must need glasses. She then told me that I should start thinking about who was going to do my surgery and recommended Lancaster Surgical Group (letting me know that she shouldn't be saying any of this, but she's seen several surgeons botch the job and she wanted me to be healthy). She also goes to the same OBGYN that I did until they discovered she had multiple forms of cancer, and she's been seeing specialists all over this region and beyond. She said when it comes to health, you simply go to the best of the best. I had been going to Lancaster Surgical Group for my varicose vein surgeries, so that made me feel good that she recommended them. She also told me that she hosts a play gym at their church and invited me to come. It's free, no registration required, and she said it's great when the kids can't get outside - this gives them time to get their energy out in a fun atmosphere. I think I'll check it out! Then she showed me my gallbladder, explaining that it should look black. But, it was stuffed full of white stones. There were more than a dozen.
As she pushed on my belly, I could have cried. It was SO sore. I also realized during that time that she was digging in there that I've been experiencing the pain of my gall bladder even without them being severe attacks at night. Not long ago as I was running, I got what I thought was a side cramp. I hadn't cramped up in years running, so I thought it was bizarre, and I barely crawled home. This was the exact same pain I experienced as she was pressing on that area of my abdomen. Likewise, when I was at school the other week, I had severe pain shooting from my stomach to my back and I kept trying to change position as I was teaching to get some relief. Now I know that they were all inter-related. I'm so thankful my friend told me that I should get my gall bladder checked out!!! Hopefully all this pain nonsense will be done soon.
I got home in time to take Joshua to school, then I called the Lancaster Surgical Group who couldn't get me in for a week. That afternoon and evening was class (thanks for watching the boys, Mom!).
Here are our stockings, hung with care by the fireplace. We just got a quote to make our fireplace vent-less gas, and it was over $1,300. As much as I would LOVE to make that happen, I don't think it's in the budget this year. :( :(
The following day was MOPS. I was still sore from the ultrasound the day before and I really debated on whether or not I even wanted to go. After praying about it, I felt like I should, and I got the boys ready and we headed out. I'm so glad I went! The group of gals that were there at my table are some of my favorites (not that that matters, but it does help you have a good time) and the speaker was Keith Walker. He did an awesome job of talking to us about what men & women want out of life. Taking his advice from two books he's read that I'd like to read some day "Wild at Heart" and "Captivating" by John Eldridge, he said men want three things: 1) to rescue a beauty, 2) a battle to fight and 3) to live an adventure; likewise, women want three things: 1) to have their beauty unveiled, 2) to be an irreplaceable part of the adventure and 3) to be romanced.
His entire talk was good, but I didn't feel like I could relate to most of it. He was saying how many times men are so full of themselves that they don't know how to treat their wives and he gave wives some things they could do to help their husbands become the type of spouse they were meant to be. I could have cried... Shawn really is amazing. I don't say that to brag as much as I say it because it's true. He really does all of those things already. If anyone needs to work harder, it would be me. And, I wasn't even sure of how to begin. I asked the other girls at our table what they thought an 'adventure' would be and how you do that when you have babies. It was a great time of discussion, but I felt like there was more. So, I called Shawn and invited him to lunch and we talked about it. Well, I talked about the morning and he said he'd "think about it."
That afternoon, I told him I'd like to buy him tickets to see the Redskins v. the Saints, and he declined the offer, saying he'd rather save the money, it's too cold outside, and he didn't want to see his favorite team get trampled, even though he also likes the Saints. So, I didn't. But then the game was good (although the Redskins did manage to botch a play at the end to lose the game) and while it was cold, it wasn't frigid. I was bummed I didn't buy him the tickets, which were relatively inexpensive for the seats. But, when he said no, I felt like I should honor his opinion.
I'm at a loss of how to incorporate the teaching into our lives. I just always want to be working at making our marriage last and our family one based on the Lord and His love.
Wednesday was preschool for the Bean and school for me. Thanks for watching the boys, Nonie!
Below is a picture of my piano with one of my all-time favorite decorations - I love the candles in the candelabra. They are snowmen and snowflakes. Shawn said they're cheesy, but I LOVE them!
If I remember correctly, Thursday was a bit chilly but it wasn't raining and I was feeling a little bit of cabin fever. So, bundled up the boys good and we went outside. First, we took a walk around the neighborhood. In fact, some strange man stopped me and told me he had a brand new crib that he would give me. I told him I had one, but thanks. He said 'Come inside and I'll show it to you.' There was no way that I nor my babies would go inside his house. He seemed nice enough, but I'm far too paranoid. I told him that I'd keep it in mind if I knew anyone needed a crib. So, if any of you readers out there need a crib, there's an old gentleman in our neighborhood trying to give one away!
That night, Lisa & Isabella came over to watch the Beth Moore Bible study video. We only have one more to go. We always enjoy visiting with them, and Shawn got to do some shopping by himself while she was here. Caleb started to say "Bella Bella Bella."
The picture below is of a snowman that Shawn's boss' wife got Joshua (I think) that says "Jesus Loves You Snow Much!"
Here's a picture of the house decorated with the red bows and greens. It's a little hard to see in this picture, but they look beautiful. I love this time of year!
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