Christmas 2017

I love Christmas.

It is by far one of my favorite holidays. I love the decorations. I love the music. I love the lights. I love the family time. I love the stories and the movies. And I love the meaning of Christmas. Hearing the Christmas story, hearing God's word.

This year has been no different. I will admit, I was a little nervous about how this Christmas would go, the first one since the divorce. How would time get split with Jacob? I was selfishly wanting him to be with me on Christmas but didn't want to take away an opportunity for him to see family he doesn't get to see very often either. Luckily, everything seemed to fall into place. Jacob was able to go down to Des Moines the weekend before Christmas and my dad picked him up on Christmas Eve day to bring him back home.

What from I can tell and was told, Jacob had an absolutely fabulous time in Iowa. He seriously loves his cousins so much!! I saw a few short videos of them playing and it just warms my heart. I hate that they don't get to see each other more. I'm also jealous of the fact that I'm not there anymore to really watch and enjoy that interaction between the three of them. They're at such a fun age with great imaginations. Jacob, of course, loved opening up presents as well! Who doesn't!? And he came home with plenty of new toys and clothes! Although, strangely enough, his favorite "toy" was a tape measure! :) It's always the little things!

I was certainly wrapped up in a lot of Christmas music this year. The Advent Cantata put on at Christ the King was a big one this year. Our director certainly put us to work with a lot of music and not very easy music. But all the hard work absolutely paid off, and we had some great performances. We heard a lot of great compliments. I still find myself singing some of those songs too!

I also agreed to sing at the services on Christmas Eve. While there were a total of four services, the praise band only sang at three. And we had three very difficult songs that included quite a few instruments. I was pretty nervous we weren't going to get the songs ready in time for the service, but we did and they were some really fun songs to sing. While my performing was done after three services, I also went with my mom out to Butternut; she had volunteered to play the piano. And then, Jacob and I went along to the 10pm candlelight service at CTK. So there was plenty of more singing!

But in addition to the singing, I really enjoyed the two messages I heard that day. And I enjoyed how they tied into each other. If you want to hear one of the messages, you can view past services of CTK on their website. But I have a bible journaling entry in mind for these messages so I'll let that speak for itself once I have it done. :)

Once we got home, very late and very much past our bedtime, a very tired Jacob helped me put out cookies and milk and reluctantly let me take his picture in front of the tree before climbing into bed. The next morning, Daddy joined us to see what Santa had brought Jacob! It took a groggy Jacob a moment to realize that Santa had brought presents but when he did, the first thing he noticed was "the booger game!!" Yes, Santa brought Jacob a Gooey Louie game. If you're not familiar with this, you basically pick booger's out of Louie's nose and try not to be the one who blows his brains out. This was what Jacob asked for. Boys. As Daddy worked putting that together, he went through his stocking, getting very excited about the chocolate and wanting it for breakfast. There was also a stuffed toy that Jacob had basically thrown aside in his excitement to get to the booger game, but when I held it out to him and asked him what it was, he happily yelled "It's the Grinch!!" How the Grinch Stole Christmas has been a favorite book and movie of Jacob's this year. He can practically recite the whole book himself. He was very excited to have his own Grinch. He opened some other presents that weren't quite as exciting - new PJs, socks, underwear - and then got to open the biggest present under the tree. It was a dinosaur attack playset from his dad. As soon as Jacob saw that big dinosaur, oh boy! He started yelling and jumping up and down - "dinosaur! dinosaur! dinosaur! dinosaur!" :) Let's just say, it was a big hit.

Later that day, we had a nice mid-afternoon meal of appetizers and desserts. Meg made it home and Missy & Joe and Grandma and Grandpa joined us. Jacob also got to open another present from his great-grandparents - a big book on the t-rex! These people know Jacob. :)

Daniel and Josh got home on Wednesday night and Daniel brought the flu with him. :-/ On Friday, we celebrated our family Christmas. We opened presents that morning while we ate sticky buns. We had a big Christmas dinner that evening. It finally felt like Christmas was here. Mom and Dad both got exactly what they wanted for Christmas, without any surprise, thanks in part to Amazon and Jacob. haha For a sibling exchange, we did books. It started out as a cookbook exchange but a well known fact about me is that I don't cook. So I have no need for a cookbook. Well, Dan had my name and when I opened the box - a cookbook on the basics, including over 1000 pictures! My brother is so funny. My dad said I have to cook supper twice a month now. I must think of some sort of revenge. But Daniel also got me two books that were actually on my list, so maybe not any big revenge....

Jacob, of course, continued to get spoiled by everyone. Books and dinosaurs and toys! He also got a new dinosaur bed set and dinosaur lamp for his room. I'm hoping this will be exciting for Jacob as we transition him into sleeping in his own bed again. Wish me luck. He also got a toy from Nana and Papa that he had seen in the store - Mr. Dusty - a dump truck that scoops up toys like legos. He literally jumped up and down when he opened that gift. The only problem with this toy? The noise was not on when we viewed it in the store. It's loud and obnoxious and has a very short list of phrases. Haha. But Jacob loves it. Actually, I don't think there was anything that he didn't really love.

We also played a small "game". Mom bought a bunch of small gifts from the Dollar Tree and wrapped them all up. Then we took turns pulling gifts out of the bag and opening them. Or if someone else got something we wanted, we could steal. It was pretty fun, but Jacob was definitely the most excited! He just loves opening presents! :)

On Saturday, we had another family gathering with my dad's side of the family. There were a lot of people in our house, a lot of kids and noise, and a lot of food and drink. It was nice to see so many family members and enjoy that time together. The basement did become a bit of a madhouse when the kids discovered the trampoline... hehe

The rest of the holidays were spent just spending time together, binge watching the Crown on Netflix and playing some games. It's always hard when we have to say goodbye to everyone, but it definitely makes us appreciate our time together.

Overall, it was a very successful Christmas season.

Jacob's Anecdotes vol. 3

These never get old...

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One night that AJ called to say goodnight to Jacob, we were still at church so he left a voicemail. When Jacob and I got in the car, I gave him the phone to listen to the message. Jacob listened to it over and over and over. When he handed me back the phone, I asked him if he liked listening to that voicemail. He said "Yes!" I asked him what his favorite part was. Jacob said, "When daddy said no momy's bed." (We're still trying to get Jacob to sleep in his own bed....lol) I asked Jacob if that meant he was going to sleep in his own bed like a big boy! He said, "yes!" I said, really?! And Jacob said (in the most serious voice), "No." Oy. The next morning when we were on the phone with daddy again, he asked Jacob if he slept in his own bed the night before. Jacob said, "You said no mommy's bed so I slept in mommy's bed" with a huge smile on his face. He's too smart for his own good.... He still asks to listen to this voicemail, insisting that the "no mommy's bed" part is the funniest.

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No matter what Jacob says or does, whenever I laugh at his antics, he has to ask me, "What are you laughing at?" Then once I tell him, he'll laugh too and then, of course, continue to try and make me laugh again and again.

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Jacob was going to spend the weekend in Iowa with his favorite cousin! The night before he left, I asked him, "Will you miss me?" And Jacob says, "No. I love Evie. She's my cousin. My cousin Evie." He's always saying things like this! He loves his cousin Evie! :)

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Sometimes when we're reading a story or if we start doing something, Jacob will hold up his hand and say PAUSE! Then he'll go grab some toy or book, cuddle back in next to you and say "okay, you can go now" or sometimes he'll "pause" us because he wants to be the one to say the prayer. Super adorable. 

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One night as we were driving home from church, a bunch of houses had their Christmas lights on. Jacob asked if we were at the park. (Sibley Park does a huge Christmas light display that Jacob loves!!) I told him no, that those were just people's houses. He asked if we had Christmas lights up on our house. I said, no and when he asked why, I told him because it's a lot of work and Papa didn't want to do it. I said to Jacob, maybe when we have our own house one day, we can put lights on it! Jacob got excited and agreed! But then he got all serious and said, "But I won't be able to help you." When I asked why not, he said "Because I'm too little! I'm sorry!" He was so sincere! 

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We took Jacob to see Santa the other week. The photographer kept saying, "Say cheeseburger!" And so Jacob said cheeseburger. After a couple of times though, you could see something click in Jacob's mind. The next time the photographer asked him to say cheeseburger, Jacob proudly says "Cheese sandwich!" Haha 

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One night at supper, Papa handed Jacob the dish of pickles. He said "Take one and pass it to your mother" (meaning the pickle dish). Jacob took one pickle out of the dish and passed it to me. HAHAHA! At least he was listening!! :) 

Coming to an end...

It's hard to believe that 2017 is coming to an end already! I definitely plan to do a recap of the whole year, but for now, let me catch you up on things since my last update post. 

I survived working at Fun.com for the Halloween season. I think it was harder on Jacob this year, having me gone so much. He was so excited when I told him I wouldn't have to go to work at night anymore. While I love the extra money, I might have to reconsider doing it again next year, or at least cut back some of my hours. 

Speaking of Halloween, Jacob went as a dinosaur to school and then, because he didn't want to take that costume off, a Dinosaur/Frank the Combine for trick-or-treating. Ha! I managed to finish the Frank the Combine costume, with some help from my parents on the final touches. It was indeed A LOT of work. And I probably made it too big because Jacob would only wear it for a while at a time before wanting a break! I think I've learned my lesson and will just be buying a costume from now on. :) 

Jacob of course clocked in as much time as he could on the combine again this fall. Something he never gets tired of. We also got some family pictures done and I absolutely love how they turned out! 

November came and went pretty quickly. Things at Eide Bailly are definitely keeping me busy. I was able to go to the YWCA Women's Leadership Conference at the beginning of the month and really enjoyed that experience. I also spent a full Saturday-Sunday-Wednesday singing at all the church services so let's just say I really got the sermon that week. :) 

I got myself a new tattoo - something I had been thinking about for a long time, but really decided what I wanted just this past year. I have the words "Let God" on the inside of my wrist. My daily reminder to let go of those things I can't control and to let God take control. It is the thing I struggled with most this past year. 

I also hit a deer and totaled my "new" car. That was an awful experience but I'm thankful it wasn't any worse. I have finally bought a new car (the exact same one as my old car, only different color and with more miles). It's been quite the learning experience dealing with insurance and warranties and car loans. When all is said and done, I'll still owe about $1500 on the old car loan which hurts, but could be worse. 

Megan came down for a week of vacation and Thanksgiving and it was super great having her around. Jacob LOVES his aunt Megan! Thanksgiving was good - we ate out in the barn at the Butternut farm, which was super fun. And of course, good food! 

The following weekend, Jacob went up north with my mom and dad to visit Meg and spend a couple days at a resort near Duluth. I think even with Jacob, they had a pretty relaxing time. :) 

Jacob is still a ball of energy. He seriously never slows down. He's still enjoying preschool and not only is he learning a lot academically, he's learning how to play with other kids his own age. We've been discussing this a lot at home recently. As an only child, he's use to playing by himself or playing with grown-ups. At daycare, most of the kids are younger. It is a learning experience for him to know how to interactively play with other kids and doing things like taking turns. 

He still loves to learn. He still comes home singing songs. He loves to count and often wants to count all the way to 100! He loves asking us "what does this say" on a book or a sign. He likes to ask "what does ______ start with?" and together, we figure out the answer. He still likes writing letters and even some numbers but coloring or drawing still isn't high on the list. He still loves for us to read him stories but he also likes to take books and read to himself. It's super adorable and I hope his love of reading continues. He also still loves all things dinosaurs, tractors, trucks, cars, bugs... typical boy things. :) 

Some things have been hard. Due to a number of reasons, Jacob was spending too much time on the tablet and we needed to cut some screen time out. Thankfully, we were able to start that the week Megan was down and having her around really helped make this easier. We've also been struggling at bedtime. Again, there are a number of reasons why this is probably happening but it's exhausting to say the least. 

But for the most part, Jacob is a healthy and happy kid. He continues to be the joy of my life. He is funny and smart and adorable. :) 

I think that's about it for now. Watch for my year recap soon!