Friday, December 28, 2007

Christmas Craziness

I must confess that I didn't even decorate this year. Not even a tree. Which is unheard of. I am normally the Queen of Christmas. But I finally had to accept the fact that I'm probably only halfway through my wait for Mia. And the realization that I was going to still be without her through another holiday season AFTER this one just ran me over like a bulldozer. I don't think I've ever experienced a depression as bad as this one was. But I'm feeling better. I'm working on digging myself out of it. And very much looking forward to starting fresh in the new year.

Since I was pretty down in the dumps this holiday season, Griffey and I decided to spend the night at my sister's house on Christmas Eve to try to take my mind off things. It helped. My niece and nephews always crack me up. They drive me a little crazy sometimes. But they always brighten my spirit. People fighting over who gets to sit next to me at dinner does wonders for my self esteem. LOL!
After a nice dinner, we put on our matching pj's. With penguins, of course. Here are some of the attempts at a picture with not only 4 squirmy kids but 2 dogs who insisted on getting in on the action.
After about a hundred takes, we ended up with a few that weren't so bad. Isn't it cute the way Travis slung his arm around my neck? He's my little boyfriend. It's good to know there's at least one man in the world who adores me. LOL!
We also tried some with only kids. I think this is the best of the bunch.
But this is my favorite. It depicts the T's in their truest form. Slightly off balance. I love that look on Tanner's face. Like he's so grossed out that his little sister has her arm around him and his little brothers are leaning on him. Ahhh..... sibling love.
After the jammie photo shoot, we settled in to watch our favorite Christmas movie, The Polar Express. I love that one. In true procrastinator fashion, none of the presents were wrapped. Wait now. MINE were.... but the T's parents had not even started. So Carla snuck upstairs to wrap while I kept the little ones busy with the movie. Then it was time for bed. We tried to be all festive and read a couple of holiday bedtime stories. I narrated Twas the Night Before Christmas. But I think it was pretty much lost on these guys who were totally wound up and not happy about going to bed. Finally, they were all tucked in and the wrapping was done. Then I set up Tatum's dollhouse. Here's the finished product.
On Christmas morning, the adults were all up before the kids. They're late sleepers. It runs in the family. Even Grandma made it over and sat down enjoying her coffee while we waited for some movement from upstairs. Tatum was the first one up and snuck downstairs. She made it around the corner before anyone even knew she was there. So I gathered her up on my lap and made her close her eyes so her parents could grab the camera and get the video recorder rolling.
The dollhouse was a huge hit. She loved it! Mommy and auntie even played with it for awhile later that morning. It's pretty sweet. Finally, all the boys got up and the mayhem began. So now I'll subject you to loads of present opening pics.


Tanner was psyched to finally get a Guitar*Hero video game of his own.

A little while later, my brother and his girlfriend showed up. Braeden opened his present. It was a kick ass Tonk*a front end loader.
But look what the boys chose to play with instead. Yep. They were both lovin' the dollhouse. Forget the Hot*Wheels cars, the Tonk*a trucks, and the Fisher*Price parking garage. They wanted to play with the dolls. It was hilarious! My brother and bro-in-law cringed a little over that. I don't think playing with dolls as a boy will affect their macho manly man- ness.
After all the presents, we had a big country breakfast. It was delish and we were all stuffed. Travis & Kristy had to leave and go to her family's celebration. The rest of us just hung out. I didn't even get outta my jammies until mid-afternoon. The kids stayed in their's all day. They played with all their new toys. The adults played some, too. Grandma took a nap on the couch and all the T's giggled over how loud she snored. LOL! We made some more munchie food in the afternoon. My bro-in-law got the Bourne*Ultimatum DVD for Christmas. He was shocked to find out that I hadn't seen the first two movies yet. So we had a Bourne movie marathon.

It really was a great day. No running around. No stress. Lots of lazy relaxing, lots of laughs, lots of good food, and hanging out with some of my most favorite people. It totally helped perk me up. I wish every weekend could be like that one.

29 comments:

Sandra said...

Great pictures and I LOVE all the jammie pictures :-)

Glad to hear you are starting to feel better, even though you have every reason to feel down!

Big hugs!

OziMum said...

Matching Pjs! It doesn't get any better than that, does it?!!

I'm sorry you're feeling so down. Last Christmas, I wasn't feeling so great myself. But for some reason I have renewed excitement and energy this Christmas, and had a blast. Just watching your nieces and nephews, warms my heart!

TBG Happenings said...

You are the best Aunt EVER!! Cool Jammies:) Glad being at your sisters house was fun. And it looks like Tatum isn;t the only one digging the doll house!!

Joannah said...

Cute, cute pictures!

Christmas is so much more fun when there are little ones around. We don't have anymore little ones in my family, and we didn't see Michael's youngest nephews on Christmas. I look forward to future Christmases with children in the mix!

Middle-Aged Moi said...

I LOVE those jammie pictures! How cute are they?

And your day sounds marvelous.....lazy and fun is the way to go!

PS- I would have played with the dollhouse too.....:-)

t~ said...

Will you be my kids aunt? You have the corner of aunt coolness cornered.

Love the pj's and the photos!

Robin said...

Krista, I'm so glad to read you had a wonderful Christmas with your family. You (among others) have had me worried. The wait is so terribly long. Your Mia will be one lucky girl to have you as her mother! I can see the fun now..

Kim said...

Love the pictures...
Looks like everyone had soooo much fun...
Love the pj's... you are the BEST auntie.. and are going to be the BEST mommy...
Glad you are starting to feel better... You will have little Mia soon...
Hugs to you girly..

Gail said...

I'm sorry this wait has gotten so very long.
I understand the ache for your little girl.
But with your postive "pick yourself up" attitude and your great sense of humor, you are going to be one fantastic Mommy to Mia!!
Glad your feeling better.
Your pics are great!
Happy Holidays.

kitchu said...

Can I come next year? Cuz I didn't decorate anything either (bah humbug was the word at Casa de Boob), and I so want a pair of penguin jammies, and I'd like, totally wear them with you guys, plus I want badly to play with that dollhouse (specially with the boys, that is hysterical). And there's nothing better than giggling when grandma snores, right? Sounds like this was THE perfect distraction for you. Sorry you are feeling blue without Mia. If I think of this wait in global terms (ie, YEARS) it freaks me and so I just can't go there. Good thing I beat that May 1 deadline, cuz I'm totally gonna be poppin' anti-depressants before this sh... I mean wait... is over.

Mamacita said...

I need some of those PJs. You all look so cute! Big Hug. I hope 2008 brings you Mia.

Catherine said...

Lots of great pics and the play-by-play was fun! Yeah for matching penguin jammies!

Glad you're starting to feel better. I totally understand the empty feeling of not having our daughters with us this Christmas and preparing to be that way next year too. Not fun.

I have my shovel in hand friend and am happy to help dig you out. That's what friends are for and we're here for one another.

Love ya.

Daniella said...

Merry belated Christmas! Great pics and I'm glad your digging out - I am too.
Oh, we do qualify for the free re-do - just need to update the homestudy.

wzgirl said...

Love the pj shots! Talk about Auntie Love. So cute. And, that dollhouse? Tha' BOMB!!

I feel you on the wait & the holiday. Its rough & you did a great job of making the most of it.

Noemi said...

As everyone else I just LOVE those penguin pj's! You are definetly the coolest Auntie ever! I am glad that you decided to go over the T's house and distract yourself a little. This wait must be horrible on you and everyone else waiting.

Love the pic of the boys playing with the doll house. I can't wait to get one for my niece as soon as she is big enough.

Take care!

Polar Bear said...

I LOVE you pajama pictures! It looks like so much fun, and what a great tradition!

We didn't put up any decorations this year either. I just couldn't do it. I know exactly how you feel. I wish there was something I could say, but I have no clue.

Have a wonderful New Year!

Shannon said...

Christmas wasn't all that this year for me either. Really good that you slumber partied and got caught up in the craziness that it should be though. =) Great jammie pics! I got some penguin jammies from my school secret santa and thought of you!

redmaryjanes said...

I just LOVE the matching pajamas! And I can't believe that the grown-ups were up before the kids. Wish that trait ran in our family : )

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry the wait has gotten so long for you. I can only imagine how you must feel. I'm so glad you have the resilience and humor you have to help you through. I'm also glad you had the great thought to stay at Carla's. If anything can keep you upbeat, it's being around kids!! Great idea!! I'm so glad you spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day there instead of home alone. It looks like you all had a GREAT Christmas!!! Merry Belated Christmas to you all and Happy New Year!! Love you all, your cuz, Debbie

Debbie said...

The PJ pics are GREAT!!! Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas. We did the Bourne trilogy and the Priates trilogy. Lots of fun!!!

Abby's Mom said...

Looks like the perfect Christmas! I always spend the night at my sisters on Christmas Eve. It's fun to be the cool Aunt :)

Hang in there, I was right where you were this time last year! This too shall pass. Time keeps moving and Mia Is Waiting!

Colleen said...

"sigh" I am so sorry that this wait just plain SUCKS! But it does look like you did the best thing and that is to be with family and kids - and with matching pj's nonetheless. And the dogs? Love it.

Happy New year Krista. Crossing everything I have that things speed up.

C's Mom said...

Hey baby - I'm glad sis and her troops were able to drag your arse out of the dumps. Maybe we can just do trees on alternate years as we wait. I skipped last year, you this year, I'll probably skip next year again so be ready to put your tree up.

I'm glad to see the holidays go by and am looking forward to making some changes in 2008.

Smoochies sista!

Mama Melissa said...

Hi there. Does Dayton mean Ohio? KY? I live south of Cincinnati... and my daughter has been home for 6 months now. I understand about the wait, and I am sorry you are still there!

Oh, and my daughter's name is... Mia. :)

I am also single and would love to chat or be an ear if you need one sometime!

Happy New Year,
Melissa (and her Mia!!!)

Steffie B. said...

I love all the pics with jammies on. Too cute. I'm so sorry it was a hard Christmas for you. I think it was that way for many of us on this journey. There is hope Mia may be home with you next year. Only time will tell! Hang in there......you have a beautiful family!

C said...

Merry Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Take good care of yourself this year, and know that many people would love to help...

Donna said...

Glad your family was able to pick up your spirits and help you enjoy the holiday. Have a happy new year!

Pug Mama said...

Merry (late) Christmas!
Great that you have such an awesome sister.
I can not believe the kids slept later than the adults - unheard here on Christmas morning.
I told the kids NOT to come into our bedroom until at LEAST 7:30. At EXACTLY 7:30 (I'm not exaggerating) the door flew open and they were on bouncing on our bed.

4D said...

Hugs. I hear ya about being down, down, down. You had a great idea to spend some special time with loved ones who make that lovely smile of yours appear.

Keep smilin!