This one moment

This is one moment I don't want to forget. Jason is gone tonight for work. My parents are moving out of our house and into their condo. One night where it's just me and the kids. Thankfully they played to themselves for just enough time that I could make eggs and bacon for dinner with their staple side dish of applesauce. 

Austin has to go potty so we wipe Ava off since she's the messiest eater on the planet and we all go to the bathroom. Austin got done and was trying to tell Ava how to sit on the potty and push like you have to go #2. So they have me laughing because they are taking turns making grunting sounds and of course it's hysterical to me. Love the faces they made! Ok enough of that on to the mushy stuff! So Austin then tells Ava 'you're my bestest friend ever!' So of course I respond with awwww cause that stuff never happens between these two bickering siblings. So they hug and then Austin tells me I'm his friend and so is Ava and we have a group hug in the bathroom of all places. 

After a long week I am tired. When I'm tired, I mean really tired, I can cry in any moment. So I am proud that I held out and didn't bawl my eyes out in the bathroom but almost....

So now we're in the basement, feeling empty without all my parents stuff and we're cutting paper. What toddler doesn't love to cut paper? All the toys in the world and we are playing with good old wrapping paper rolls, paper and scissors. That'll show you to spend too much money on all those toys. 

That's all. Just a memory. 

A Full House

This Christmas is just as crazy as last. Last Christmas I gave you my heart but the very next day you gave it away......no one else singing that song with me? Ok, excuse me for trying to fit Christmas songs into every day conversation.

Last year we were moving into our new house just one weekend before Christmas. The house was barely decorated and was so brand new that it felt kinda cold.

This Christmas, we are fully decorated with a huge wreath, a big urn out front with berries, sumac, and pine, lots of bows and ribbons around wherever we could place them, a mantel overfilled with tiny lights and candles.....I could go on.

Although, I don't think it would be THIS decorated if I didn't have my Mom living in my basement. My parents moved in about a week before Thanksgiving since they sold their house and the condo they are building won't be done until around Christmas or a little after.

Both Jason and I will be quite sad when my parents move out. For one thing, my dad is, what do you call it, a Mary Maid, or Molly Maid, or something like that. When I walk in the door with two tired kids from a long day at school, it's so nice to see that the laundry is done, there are no dishes in the sink, and the wood floor isn't covered in dog hair.

My Mom keeps me as productive as I can be. We have made Christmas candy and caramels, wrapped presents galore, worked on homemade cards, sewn stockings and infinity scarves for teacher gifts, and I am sure there is so much more. Not to mention our list of things we WANT to do is huge. We still have to make tablecloths and favors for the tables since I am hosting Christmas this year.

Just as much as I will be sad to see my parents go, my Mom even said today she will be just as tearful. It's kinda funny that she will only be a half mile away and yet we are talking about it as if she is moving out of state. Honestly, my parents can't move any closer. But that's the way we like it.

My Grandparents on my Mom's side were a huge part of my life. Every Saturday we spent the day together. Talk about memories. Playing dice, making gin n' tonics (I was always too young...but I'll forever remember those), having dinner together always followed by a dessert, and then more cards or dice!

Looking forward to many more Saturdays filled with family.

For now, this full house will be getting ready for a Christmas with 25 more members of this crazy family eating, opening presents, chasing little kiddos, and lots and lots of laughing!

p.s. Austin wants a garbage truck for Christmas. A BIG one. 'THHHIIIIISSS BIG' as he stretchs out his hands to show Santa just how big it has to be.