Feeling Nostalgic

I've had a lot to post today! Tonight we decorated the tree with the girls. Gracie absolutely loved helping...Charlotte on the other hand was happier making the truck ornament go vroom vroom on the floor. 

Gracie handled the ornaments so gently and found the perfect spot for each one...only where she could reach ;) She came to an ornament I love 

And I said "oh "Great" gave me that one" and in the sweetest little voice she says "then you should hang it up" I broke down in tears. Not only did I miss my grandma at the moment I saw the ornament but also because of the tender heart my daughter showed me. 

After they went to bed we finished the tree. There's something about a lit, decorated Christmas tree that I just adore and I can sit and just look at it. So when we were done that's what I did

Doing this made me grateful for my special Christmas decorations. Before my Grandma died she had let me take home a couple ornaments (the little green elf being one) and then she went and got out the hanging mistletoe ball she hung every Christmas in the entry to the living room. It has a string and when you pull it it spins slowly while playing a song. She said she and my Grandpa received it as a wedding gift and that I could have it. 

The other thing I see as I sit in this spot is a Mrs Clause doll that was my Auntie's, and after she passed away I was able to bring home a few things of hers and this was one thing I chose. My Auntie LOVED Christmas, especially her tree and she would just sit content in her decorated house. 

And that doll sits on a grandfather clock (which of course is there all the time, not just Christmas!) which came from Almi's house. Almi was my best friend's grandma but was like another grandma to me. I spent so much time at her house growing up and the sound of this clock is something I distinctly remembered. It was in her entry right by her front door and I walked past it countless times. After she passed away her kids couldn't take it with them and passed it on to us. 

I know that life is not about things, but when you have things that represent life and the lives of others you loved it's pretty special. I feel very blessed tonight. 

Oh Christmas Tree!

We have tried to make it a tradition to go hunt for a Christmas tree and cut it down.  The first year we tried this (Gracie's first Christmas) we set out to get forest service permits in the Plumas Nat'l Forest with my Mom, us, and both our dogs...lets just say that it didn't exactly work out.  It started snowing, we couldn't read the forest service map, there were no trees anywhere except the ones I saw that Tim and my Mom kept reminding me were landscaped and on someone's property...my dream was getting dim...oh and Makai (my mom's dog) and Tim woke up the next day with ticks...
Last year Tim and I took both girls to Apple Hill to cut one down.  We brought Lacie, they had hot chocolate, the day was pretty...it was looking good until we had to walk up steep hills to get to the trees and Gracie started to whine and whine that she was tired...Charlotte was due for a bottle and Lacie went poop.  I looked at Tim, saw the closest tree and called it good.  He cut down the tree and carried it and the bag of poop down the hill while I carried Charlotte in the front pack, Gracie on my back, and held the dog's leash.  Not exactly the memory I had hoped for.
This year didn't have big shoes to fill and it wouldn't take much to make it better than previous years.  Tim and I started researching Christmas tree farms in the area.  Since we are new to Oregon we had no idea what we were doing and with Oregon being THE place for Christmas trees there were a lot to choose from.  Then one night Tim was on Groupon and saw a deal for a tree.  I looked up the place and it looked great...so we bought the deal.  Today was an unofficial opening day and after we were done with the parade downtown we headed to the country for our tree.  We drove and drove and came over a hill to the most beautiful place for a tree farm.  We were greeted by Lisa, the owner of Mitchell Christmas Tree Farm...she owns it with her husband and their three little boys.  There was a warming room with a wood burning stove, hot chocolate, coffee, candy canes, and treats (all free)...there was a campfire with stumps and chairs for sitting.  There was a decorated Christmas tree and picnic tables with Christmas centerpieces...and there were acres and acres of gorgeous Christmas trees.  We found our tree, the girls played and had snacks, and we just had the most wonderful time.  Gracie asked me as we left, "Do we get to go back to that place?" She was bummed when I told her we would be back but it wouldn't be until next year.
This year was better...as in a picture perfect day brimming with blessings, goodness, and joy.

Greeted with a decorated tree!

The warming room

Christmas tree hunter

Tim after he was done cutting!

The Mitchell family dog

Tim got it loaded and strapped to the car!

Our girls with our tree

Look at this setup!

Portland Macy's Parade!

When I found out they did a Macy's Christmas parade here I knew we had to go.  It would probably be the closest we would ever come to the real Macy's parade and I heard good things about it.  We decided to make a day of it with getting our Christmas tree after.  We got downtown early to find a parking spot then found a spot on the curb and got Starbucks and we were ready!  Both girls were a little grumpy before it started but as soon as the first band came by they were better.  The marching bands were amazing, they had fun big balloons (nothing like New York of course) and ended with Santa!  It was a very memorable morning.

Thanksgiving 2013

This year we had a quiet little Thanksgiving at my Dad and Debbie's house.  They live about an hour from us, so we went Wednesday night.  That night they had Nick (my step brother) and his wife Jen and their boys Xander and Cannon over for dinner to celebrate Nick's birthday which was Thanksgiving Day.  Debbie's parents Pat and Gene also came up for dinner.  Gracie and Xander play really well together and they had too much fun.  I can't believe I did not take ANY pictures the whole night.  On Thanksgiving Charlotte decided to wake up at 4:45 a.m and not go back to sleep.  We didn't get dressed until noon!  We just hung out, watched the Thanksgiving Day parade, threw the ball for the dogs outside, and enjoyed the gorgeous day.  I was excited because Charlotte was able to wear an outfit my Mom made for me when I was a toddler.  It used to have different lacing in the front as well as a different top, but I am so glad she kept it and Charlotte could wear it... Debbie had made almost all the food ahead of time so there was not much to help with on that end, and we all enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving meal before we headed home.

Puff Ball Jar

Months ago we started a reward system for Gracie for good behavior. I saw the idea on Pinterest and with a quick trip to the Dollar store had all I needed. Gracie got to decorate the fish bowl with fish stickers and I put "caught ya being good!" on it too. For good behaviors she earns some puff balls and when it's full she gets a new movie (she has filled it three times so far) It works really well for her...but she had been working on those last puff balls for awhile now and she started before we moved! I knew her choice of movie was going to be Sleeping Beauty (she's only read the book) so when I saw it for a great deal I bought it and stashed it away. Well tonight was the night. She had a great day and over dinner she earned the last couple puff balls (okay so there were like ten left but close enough ;) I asked her what movie she was going to pick and she told me...asking if we could go tomorrow and get it. I ran upstairs and got the movie and brought it down. It might as well have been Christmas morning because that's how excited this child was...she just had sweet, genuine joy and surprise on her face and in her voice. So now we get to start over and watch the good behavior!!

Spend Less, Give More

I heard on the radio this morning that the top most requested gift for Christmas this year for 4-5 year old girls (and boys and many other age brackets I am sure) are iPads or other tablets. 

Hidden in my closet is the Cinderella gown that Santa will bring Gracie this year. It's gorgeous, sparkly, with lots of layers...and I got it at the resale kids store half off after Halloween...and that's her only Santa gift. 

The church we have begun to call home here in Oregon has been speaking about something called Advent Conspiracy. All this means is at Christmas time spending less so you can give more. They don't mean giving to friends and family, though that is special too. Our families are blessed to have what they need and don't want us to go out and spend money on them. We have used our gifts and talents to make most gifts this year. What we were also able to do to give more with some money was participate in packing a box for Operation  Christmas Child. Gracie helped with every step from picking out the toys/toiletries/shirt/school supplies to pack a box for a little girl in another country to praying over that box that will be opened by a little girl who has waaaaaaay less than she probably ever will.

This year I know our girls will be spoiled by their loving family and friends...and that is totally fine. But as our girls grow older I am just glad we have gentle reminders this time of year to not give in to all the spending and the show...and remember the meaning of Christmas and this time of giving. 

The little things...the simple things...like snuggling on a couch before watching Charlie Brown Thanksgiving ;)

How can it be almost December?!

I guess finding out we were moving as the calendar barely turned to September... followed by packing during that month...moving...then unpacking and getting settled and we find ourselves at Thanksgiving next week and then...what? Christmas a mere three and a half weeks after...

I still feel like we just moved and I catch myself starting to say "Oh we just moved..." but it's been almost two months...TWO MONTHS.

One of the hardest things for me has been being so far from my mom.  We still talk all the time but I used to see her about once a week.  When I was teaching I would just swing by her house because it was so close to school.  It had been 7 weeks since we had seen each other when we decided to meet in Medford for the weekend to visit and see my grandparents (her parents) and my aunt (her sister).  I drove down with the girls and made a stop at my aunt's house first.  She wanted to bless us with one of her awesome wind chimes she makes with antique silverware.  She had also made a little leather purse for Gracie with a braided strap.  My aunt is a lot of fun to be around and even gave Gracie a piggy back ride as we walked around the property where she lives.

We were able to visit with my grandparents who are 83.  My grandfather has helped with the Vietnam Veterans and volunteers at many events.  We went to the Memorial Park and captured a few pictures.  

Finding Grandad's name on the wall

The girls loved staying in a hotel and so do I.  Gracie was even up and ready to swim early Sunday morning.  Saturday night my mom stayed in the room and I went down to the Jacuzzi with my magazines and sat there...all.by.myself.  It was what I needed.

Reading their new books from Gammie before bed

We stopped by Harry and David before heading out of town to come back home!

It still feels pretty surreal that we live here.  Driving home from Medford I was pretty much still in awe of the surroundings.  

We have been having such nice, dry weather lately which I hear is very out of the ordinary for here...but it has been so cold.  This morning Gracie and I were heading to MOPS and the car said 27 degrees.  For many other states, 27 is still "warm" but coming from Sacramento this is a new kind of cold.  Thankfully I like gloves, head wraps, warm boots, and warm coats!  

The girls have continued to adjust just fine.  Charlotte is officially a toddler, and will walk mostly around the house but isn't quite ready out in public yet.  Gracie came to MOPS with me for the first time this morning and was so excited to play with all the other kids.  She came home with a "Five Little Turkeys" book she made in class as well as a Thankful Pie craft.  Her teacher is amazing and reminds me of my mom's friend Cathy, who is a long time teacher and has such a warmth about her.  

We still miss everyone back in California and it is getting easier and easier as the days and weeks go by.  We do look forward to having more visitors in the months to come and in the meantime we have been able to communicate other ways...we Skype with Tim's parents and grandparents, Facetime with family and friends and in fact Gracie got to Facetime with her little bestie, Reese, today.  If you want to see cute, watch 3 and 2 year old girls chatting face to face on their Mommy's iphones...

More posts in the coming weeks with Thanksgiving at my Dad's and then Christmas fun!