The Magic is Back

This weekend didn't disappoint and was filled with good good things all around.

All of us are getting better. We still have cough flare ups and rough nights, but at least we're functioning much better during the day. I feel like I got some much needed rest over the weekend, even though we were busy. Paisley has been sleeping better, too, even though she likes to get nakkie-nakkie and throw her friends overboard.



We put out the small tree for Christmas. It didn't seem right to not have any tree, so the small one came out, was decorated, and it feels great. Paisley likes flicking the ornaments ever so gently and looking back at me with a smile. Next year, the big one will come out and it will rock her socks (without making her sneeze). But for now, the Christmas magic is seeping its way into our home. Twinkle lights. Envelopes from loved ones with Christmas cards. Curious Paisley pointing at wrapped packages. Love it! I made some gifts for some special friends and we'll be running those around town tonight - so excited!



Oh - I found "the plate." Even before Paisley was a twinkle in our eye, Jeromy and I had talked about how neat it would be to have a special cookie plate just for Santa when we had kids. We've seen some here and there but nothing tripped our trigger. Until now.



Isn't it beautiful? I love the look of it (reminds me of Dee-Dee's holly dishes) and even better - Macy's was having 50% off Lenox products that day. I'm so excited to set it out on Saturday night and on future Christmas Eves! When Paisley is old enough to start helping, I want she and I to make treats together for Santa.

Janie was a complete angel to us this weekend - she correctly assumed that Jeromy and I would have a lot of Christmas errands to run after the last few weeks of being cooped up and kindly offered to come by and get Paisley for a day of adventure and fun so we could finish up our shenanigans. Janie is so thoughtful and we really appreciate her stepping in. Without her help, I would probably still be a little stressed out at this point, but I'm more relaxed than I've been in weeks. Janie and Paisley met up with the Samsons and had a fun day of shopping and playing. Joshua is so cute with Paisley and loves talking to her, sitting next to her, and teaching her things. She always lights up around him and it is so neat to see a special bond between cousins! We received a few photos throughout the day and it was clear that Miss Paisley was having a ball...






Jeromy and I were rock stars with our errands. We mailed out Christmas cards and made ten stops during the day, finishing up our shopping for everyone. We love being with Paisley, but it was nice to efficiently slip in and out of stores without loading/unloading a toddler, dealing with a stroller, stopping for change breaks, and being able to linger in certain areas without Miss P getting fussy. Saturday concluded with a tasty dinner with Jeromy's family.

Neat story - Jeromy and I went to a large store on Saturday that had a ton of people in it (weekend before Christmas, mind you). The parking lot was stuffed full, so we had to park on the edge of the perimeter, basically facing down at bushes/sidewalk. There were vehicles on either side of us. When we tried to leave, the car wouldn't start. We were essentially wedged in by the two vehicles, making it useless for us to call on someone (they wouldn't have been able to reach us). Our only hope was to ask someone parked next to us to give us a jump... but who knew how long it would be until one of them came out? Not 30 seconds later, people walked up to the SUV to the right of us. They kindly agreed to give us a jump but didn't have cables. Jeromy had just put jumper cables back in our car that morning. Kid you not. Two minutes later, we were on our way (and off to AutoZone to buy a new battery - we confirmed that ours had a dead cell). It was such a blessing that this hiccup didn't delay our progress and that I have a husband that obeys promptings. God has really been looking out for us.

I enjoyed reconnecting with my sweetheart of a spouse this weekend. In between the "what do you think about this?" *hold up item* exchanges while out and about, we had some really awesome conversations. Mostly circling topics of faith, desires for the upcoming year, and what we want to be for Paisley. It's times like those where I re-fall in love with my dear Jeromy. I'm so happy that we're both on the same page about so much and that he has insight and wisdom about issues I struggle with. Jeromy always encourages me and never belittles. We both agree that we want to focus a little harder on our marriage next year so that we don't just become partners who take care of Paisley.

Sunday was relaxing. Jeromy got a call for work in the morning, so he was engaged in that for a bit at the house (we didn't make it to church - between that and being sick, it's been way too long - blarg). The rest of the day was spent making/wrapping gifts, baking cookies, cooking dinner, and playing with Paisley. Oh, and a bath of course...



Less than a week until Christmas! Even though my "stay-cation" time was reduced due to Plague 2011, I still have a three day weekend and a five day weekend to look forward to with a very short workweek in between - huzzah! I'm excited to see family, take it easy, and bask in the joy of Christ. Bring it. :)