Dec. 16th - We had our 1st Christmas gathering with my dad's side of the family at my Grandparent's house. Always great to catch up with those we don't get to see very often. Skylar entertained everyone with her dancing skills when she discovered the singing snowman my Grandmother had on the coffee table and talked on her new toy phone. She enjoyed playing with all of her cousins too. Granddad read the true Christmas story and sang Christmas Carols. We even had a visit from Santa! Skylar was not too thrilled that he came but was very happy with the babydoll he brought her.
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| Skylar knows how to work her phone better than mommy does hers. |
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| Santa giving Skylar her babydoll. (Skylar is not pictured because she was clinging on to me for dear life) |
Dec. 20th - I received a phone call from my sister. "Mom went with me and the boys to the Gaylord Ice exhibit and was going down the ice slide and fell and broke her ankle pretty bad. She will most likely need surgery. We are on the way to the hospital" It took a minute to sink in. She said when the EMS came they wanted to take her to Baylor Grapevine. My mom asked them to take her to Dallas because it is much closer to home. They were just plain rude! One even shoved my sister in the face with his arm as she was trying to talk to my mom. Eventually they shut the doors in my sisters face and left WITHOUT telling her exactly where they were taking her. At this point she was headed to Baylor Grapevine and my step-dad Ray was headed to Baylor Dallas because no one knew where mom was being taken. Disaster! Come to find out they did bring her to Dallas but not to Baylor...to PARKLAND. Enough said.
It's Dec. 21st by this time - Turns out she broke it in the front and back and it was going to need surgery. However upon releasing her to go home to wait for swelling to go down before surgery they discovered that the meds they gave her to set her leg were still had her pretty groggy so they admitted her for the night. My sister and I stayed all night with her to let Ray go home and get rest so that he could return in the morning. Because mom was being monitored so closely her bed was right across from the nurses station. It was an interesting night to say the least. I was filled with mixed emotions for the people that came through during the night. My heart ached for those who were most likely there because they had no insurance and were treated as such. People lined the halls and were forgotten about for hours. I think all to often the medical field can become a little too numb to the human side of things. Then again we had a guy beside moms cube that was yelling obscenities at anyone who was trying to help him and was threatening to throw things at the nurses station to get their attention. It was madness. Mom was released that afternoon to wait for surgery.
Dec. 22 - I slept. A lot.
Dec. 23rd - We finished our last minute Christmas shopping and baking. Santa didn't have time to put together Skylar's gifts so we were up until 4 a.m. working like little elves because Carl didn't realize that her kitchen had over 300 pieces.
Dec. 24th - Due to scheduling this year we ended up having Christmas on the Eve so that we were not spread to thin on the actual day.
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| Skylar's 2nd Christmas |
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| Princess Skylar discovers her castle |
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| She is so animated when opening gifts |
It was a wonderful morning! My heart overflowed with the joys of every emotion I thought I would experience seeing my own children on Christmas. God truly knows the desires of our hearts and I am forever thankful for every moment I have with her.
Later that day we went to Carl's parent's house for Christmas lunch. That evening we visited Carl's Gandparent's then went Christmas light looking. Once home we put on our matching pajamas and made cookies to leave out for Santa. The girls exchanged an early Christmas gift and all headed to bed in anticipation of Christmas morning.
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| Madyson, Skylar and Me making cookies for Santa. |
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| The girls on Christmas Eve |
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| Girls will be girls. |
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| Carl and Me |
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| Our lil' family |
Dec. 25th - It's CHRISTMAS!! The girls got up and ran into Grandma & Grandpa's room to tell them that Santa just left. And the fun began! Paper flew from one side of the room to the other.
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| One happy girl! |
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| She LOVED her purple sparkle boots so much she wanted them on right away. She kept them on most of the day. |
Later that evening we headed to my mom's for Christmas. It was great that my mom was able to be home with us. Originally there was talk of doing her surgery on Christmas Eve but fortunately it was changed. We had a wonderful dinner and lots of laughs opening gifts.
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| Showing daddy a tool box. Trying to keep up with all of her boy cousins. |
Dec. 27th - I was so honored that my sis-in-law Neely allowed me to tag along at her sonogram appointment to see the triplets. Our family is abundantly blessed! Have I mentioned how amazing our God is?? Well, he is! Afterwards we met up with the rest of the family at mom's surgery. After a 7 hr. wait they finally took her back and got her all fixed up.
Dec. 28th - I caught a little cold at some point so I slept a lot. Well, as much as you can with at toddler under toe.
Dec. 29th - More sleeping but felt a ton better. Visited my mom. She is a trooper!!
Dec. 30th - We had pajama day at home.
Spending New Years Eve with my mom & Ray. Looking forward to playing games and tons of laughter as we ring in the New year. Hoping it will be nice and quiet 2012. Well, at least until my 3 nieces or nephews arrive :) can't wait!!
