January 1, 2013

Christmas and New Years 2012

We celebrated a modified Christmas this year, thanks to an unwelcome guest, otherwise known as influenza, which arrived at our house promptly on Christmas morning. But, I am getting ahead of myself. First, Christmas Eve...my favorite day of the year. We awoke early and began our annual Christmas Eve Day traditions...

We lit our special candle...

we decorated the table...

we set out some goodies...

and we posed for the annual Christmas Eve photo before Mass.
(As you can see, my sweet Flynn was not feeling herself.)

 At some point during the day, I began to suspect that Flynn may be getting sick. So in between doses of sticky, purple Tylenol, I willed her to be fine. And she did perk up enough to attend Mass. We all went to bed that night with sweet dreams in our heads.

Christmas morning we awoke to snow and sniffles. It quickly became apparent that Flynn was not alright. She was burning up and inconsolable. My heart broke for her and for my other littles, as I realized that the Christmas I had envisioned was not going to happen. It was quickly mended, however, as my older children unselfishly told us to take her to the doctor and they would wait to open presents until she was back. Madison even offered to go with Steve to allow me to stay home with Peyton and Rhett. The doctors at the Emergency Room tested her and concluded it was a  severe case of the flu which would be very bad for five days before she would start to come around. She returned home, I gave her a quick bath, and we proceeded to have Christmas!

The kids were thrilled with their gifts from Santa. That Santa...he always knows, doesn't he?

Madison was thrilled with her Ipad...

Peyton was thrilled with hers, too...

Rhett was excited about his television for his room...

and I loved my gift from Steve! A Princess Diana Wedding Doll!

This is what my sweet baby was doing while all this was going on around her.
                                                                                                                                                                    
We spent Christmas week snuggled in our country home while the snow fell...over a foot!...and the world went on around us. We camped out on the sofa and coughed and sneezed...Peyton, Rhett, and I all got colds! We watched movies and sipped soup and tea. We laughed until we coughed and enjoyed our time together. Steve and Madison held things together and thanks to my organization, we had everything we needed right here. By Saturday, Flynn felt well enough to open her presents. And it was worth the wait.

She loved her Little People Princess Castle...

and the American Girl Baby was a dream come true!

New Year's Eve came quickly, and we were ready to celebrate!

We set another festive table...

set out the last of the goodies...

got the games ready...

set out a yummy dinner of meat and cheese for sandwiches...

and fresh fruit for dessert!

We had a fun night together playing games, snacking, and watching movies. At midnight we were all still up, and wished each other a Happy New Year! Then...we went to bed!


Today, New Years Day is one of my favorite days. It is also one of my least favorite days. I love the new start. A fresh new page in this book of life. I like putting my home back together and cleaning from top to bottom. I look forward to new tv shows, and long winter evenings snuggled in with those I love. I am sad, however, that my littles will return to school tomorrow. I miss them when they are at school. I will also miss the music, the cards, the magic that is Christmas. But, as I tell my children, it doesn't matter what day the calendar says...as long as we are together...we have fun...we laugh...we love... together. And that is what I wish for all of you in this brand new year...happy, healthy, love and laughter with those you love! Happy New Year, friends!

8 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful post. Even with the illnesses it sounds like great family time was still had. I am sad that everyone goes back to school/work tomorrow too. I was definitely spoiled this past week having everyone home. Happy New Year Billie Jo!

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  2. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Billie Jo! I am so blessed to be able to call you a new friend. I am wishing you peace, happiness and HEALTH for 2013!

    What a generous SANTA we have! LOL I loved the candid Christmas morning snapshots! So sad to see your sweet Flynn feeling so yucky. Influenza...ugh!

    Last year, Luke and I both got it at the same time...and we missed Christmas Eve Mass. With fevers, chills, body aches...we were both a mess. Only it seems so much worse for the toddlers than it does the grown-ups. Glad to see that Flynn is on the mend. (And I sure do miss those pink and purple girlie toys around our house! So many trucks/Lego/Trains, etc.!!!)

    Can't believe your kiddos have to go back tomorrow! phooey! Our archdiocese has us off until January 7th! hooray!

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  3. I'm glad your family is feeling better! We had some sickness over the holidays, too, but not the flu!

    I hope you have a wonderful 2013! It has been so wonderful getting to "know" you! :)

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  4. I'm so glad that Flynn is feeling better! That is so scary, especially in the little ones. Yikes! Your family was so sweet to work around her (and mama) and Christmas was still a beautiful time had by all. We had friends over for New Year's Eve, a first in a very long time, and we had so much fun. Ready to see what 2013 unfolds. May God bless you and your family abundantly in the new year!

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  5. I am so sorry to here you were all so sick over the holidays. The picture of poor Flynn on Christmas morning just breaks my heart. I am happy you are all on the mend and were able to enjoy New Years. Your New Years Eve sounds perfect to me...games, good food and home with the famil.

    Happy New Year! I am so happy to have met you this year Billie Jo!

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  6. Oh my word Billie Jo.. I cried reading your post. I feel the exact same way about New Years.. the happy and and sad. The twinkling lights and the magic all packed away but the new, the order the cozy winter ahead of me... that I love.

    And your poor baby Flynn. My heart broke reading that. I'm so glad that you were able to find a doctor open on Christmas day. Not the Christmas you pictured like you said but you were all together and that's what matters. Christmas is about family and being together. That's the real magic. She looks so sweet cudded up sleeping. I sure hope she's feeling a lot better and all of you are right now.

    Hugs to you my friend. Wish I could have popped over with some chicken soup. Happy New Year... so glad to have your friendship this upcoming year.

    Blessings to you in 2013
    tara

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  7. Awww poor Flynn! I am so sorry about the flu! What a terrible thing to have on Christmas, but your kids are so sweet for waiting to open their presents.

    Your New Year's Eve sounds just like ours with the snacks and games! Happy New Year!! :)

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  8. sorry it has taken me so long to get to this one!:)
    so sorry your family had to go through this on Christmas!!:( yoru poor sweet baby!:( but you all handled it like the loving family you are and made some special memories in there too.

    love those ipads! the girls want kindles next year....but the way they read, i'll spend a fortune uploading books!!!:)

    we love whoonu too. any other favorites in your house? we just got sequence this year and love it and apples to apples too.

    have a happy day billie jo:)

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Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo