It's go time...

It's another favorite time of the year for the Gunn's.  

and we've added two more skaters to our outings.  And a new location.

Two years to grow has made a big difference for Ella Jane on the ice.  She had a lot of confidence which helped her greatly.

I love watching kiddies get up from ice.  It's like new walkers all over again.  There is a moment in this series of pictures that I ADORE.  The moment where she's just about to take the risk to get up and balance.  To see if she can do it.  She's trusting, nervous and confident.  And oh are there so many life lessons that can be applied to these photos.

I love them.

The big kids were really helpful and kind with Sara.  She's been on the ice before but never by herself.  This was her first year going solo.  I was surprised by how well she took to it.  As Ella Jane described her yesterday..."she's one tough cookie!"

Thankful for winter, for our public ice rinks and kids who love skating.

We do it every year...

Our Gingerbread Compound has become a fun little tradition around here.  Right before our big blizzard hit in December, I stocked up on supplies for this little big project.

We spend a day or two at least just building the foundations.  Every child gets their own section and they can build however and whatever they want.  I love to see what they come up with.  Some years we have 'A' frames, other years we have people in beds and firewood.  This year Matthew made "a house that is messy".  It was clumped with tons of candy!

These pictures make me happy.  They are so colorful and represent our family well.  Something they look forward to every year and will perhaps (or perhaps not) carry on with their own families.  After about a month of our beautiful table display I let them have at it, and they spend a day picking out the different candy they still deem edible.

And that's the end of the compound for one more year.

I love the snow...

We finally got a substantial snowfall a few days ago.  It was way more than we expected coming in at 14 inches.  It makes everything around us white, white, white.  This 'ol girl forgot how hard it is to shovel snow.  It's hard but rewarding for me.  I love the time outside and I always play a little game with myself to see how much I can get shoveled in a short amount of time.  Except that I don't own a watch and an not keeping track of the minutes.  I'm my own worst enemy.

This picture is so sweet to me.   It says curiosity to me.  Sara had her Christmas program at school last week and during the refreshment time St. Nick comes to say hello.  My kids have never sat on Santa's lap.  They've never asked to, and it's just something we have never established as a family.  But when the pastor was telling us about St. Nick and how all the kids could line up to sit on his lap, well, mine jumped at the chance.  Actually, Matthew jumped at the chance and the rest followed suit.  I knew they wanted to too, but were never going to brave it without big brother.

 Sara's expression says so much to me here.  She's amazed I can tell that she's that close to Santa!

 I know they had a lot of fun and it was a unique experience for us.

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After I take the kids to school I come back and have coffee and hot chocolate with this little one.  Here she is wearing my hat.  I love this picture too.  I love everything in the background because it says so much about our daily life. 

Sara and I have been doing an advent scene for the month of December.  Each day adds a new character or animal or tree.  That little elf guy is usually by the front door but Sara wanted him to watch.  So funny.

And then here we are enjoying an early pretend lunch.  Sara was cooking of course.  It was very yummy.

The kids are all outside and it's snowing.  It's beautiful and I'm so grateful my kids are growing up here.  I've spent the day priming Ella Jane's bed because it will get a fresh coat of paint along with her walls.  Her room is a refreshing blue now.  Robins egg blue.  Beautiful blue.  It's peaceful right now.  The heater hums and I can hear the ticking of the clock.  I feel like I want to sit still so it will stay just a bit longer.  Alas, it's time to get up.  I think I'll go check on those kids!

Actually...

I think it was Rachel who was referring to Bruce Willis's character at the time and the cry like a little girl line. I've been thinking about it all day and I think I goofed it up.  Anyway.

I love that Jim has been caring for the kids all weekend and yet they still come to me asking "What's for dinner?" Oh sweetie.  Mama doesn't make dinner on days like this.  Daddy brings home pizza instead.  Happiness abounds.

Like a little girl...

... is how I cried at the doctor's office yesterday morning.  Jim and I are still big fans of the t.v. show Friends and although I can't recall the season, I'm pretty sure "like a little girl" is something Monica said.

It feels as if I've had either an infection or virus of some type for the last 6 weeks.  Bouncing back and forth from one to the other.  Pneumonia is my latest battle.  Of course, costochondritus doesn't help my cause.  That occurred after my first bout with the nasty cough and mama, is that ever painful stuff.  Trying to cough up the junk that pneumonia brings makes it even more painful.  Hence the tears for the lovely doctor at Acute Care yesterday.  She was very kind, knowing I had pretty much hit rock bottom.  I sure did look the part.

As miserable as it has been, I know in my head that I'll get better.  It's just hard to imagine it.  And very weird that no one else tenses up when they have to sneeze or cough.  Yesterday was spent in bed.  When Jim is in charge, the kids are like little soldiers and he puts them to some serious work.  Because usually by the time I'm this sick the house has gone to the dogs and I'm in no shape to help out.  Thus, the kids get more than their fair share.  He somehow manages to make it fun though and even in the midst of one parent down, the family is still running.  

I heard a lot of "Go Team Gunn!"(s) when I was up in bed.  It's our motto especially in times of trouble.  The kids came in every now and then to care for me in their own special ways.  Matthew made my bed up with a ton of pillows all nicely arranged and made sure the phone was right next to me so that if I needed to conference call him on the other phone I could.  Which I totally did.  My son is genius I tell you.

Ella Jane drew me pictures.

Sara let me snuggle with one of her animals.

Thankful for my husband who cares deeply.

And really looking forward to being healthy again.

Around here...

I am:

: painting a child's bedroom

: trying to capture everyday life

: letting kids sleep under the Christmas tree

: finding myself amazed that Sara can get herself completely dressed for the snow

: pleased that Jim took his cup of coffee with him to shovel the driveway

: enjoying scenes from our 1st snowfall