Post-Christmas Glow

The holidays have come and gone and I am just now getting to update everyone! Sorry for the delay. The Holiday season has been so good to us and I am constantly reminded of how lucky we all are. Soccer season ended and seemed to immediately be replaced with Nerf everything! The boys work on target practice with Devo daily (you can imagine how that goes). The good news is she thinks it is fun to try and catch the flying bullets and seems fairly unaware that they are being shot at her. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, just our fam here at the house. Rob and I were determined to keep it stress free so we ordered most of the dinner, relaxed, played with the kids, relaxed some more and enjoyed. It was soooo nice. Thanksgiving is always partnered with Christmas decorating in this house. Tree, ornaments, garland, snowmen, Santas, lights and stockings all went up! I am proud to announce that Austin's stocking is finally finished and the fireplace was complete!!! It felt like a major victory since I have been working on that stocking for the near two years of his life!! The Jenkins/Burke clan came in town right after Thanksgiving and we had a wonderful and eventful time. The origins of the "get together" was a half marathon, then changed to a 9mile Chocolate run, but do to complete lack of training on EVERYONE's part we were hopeful to finish the 3mile run instead. But with a major turn of events and one failed grasp of a monkey bar, B broke his elbow and the run was off! Though it was NOT what we had in mind for the weekend I have to say we were so grateful to have Bob's medical knowledge and connections to help us make our decisions on B's care. We were also incredibly lucky to have so much family around to take care of the rest of the kids at home. B made it out of surgery great and came home the same night to a house full of "get well soon" signs and attention. It took 2 of us to dress and bathe him the first day but soon we got the hang of things, the pain wore off for the little dude and life was set back on track. For 24hrs....then poor little Gracie got sick right before her flight home and was in rough shape for the rest of the visit. Day 1 of visitors being gone and Rob being in Dallas for business, the boys and I settled in for days of "too much TV", comfort food and vegging on the couch, until Austin broke his nose on the ledge of Braydon's bed. Then Caleb fell off the top bunk, split his ear open. This landed the brothers at a friend's house for the night, and he and I back in the same ER we were with Braydon at 3 days earlier. We were bandaged and back at home in 6 hours, brothers picked up and everyone in bed by 1am. That night I came to grips with the fact that CPS would LIKLEY be visiting and there was nothing I could do about it. Day 2: Caleb spiked a 102 fever Day 3: Austin started throwing up and had a fever of 101. They both recovered fairly quickly (2 days each) just to have Austin break out in hives right before Robbie got home (early) from his trip on Day 4. *Did I somehow forget to mention in all of this that Margie had injured her tail? She wound up in the Vet on three different occasions, was walking around/into things with a cone on her head and eventually chewed the tip of her tail off....yep, two whole weeks of Awesome... On the bright side of it all!!! CPS never came, they didn't have to "set" Austin's nose, Caleb's ear healed amazingly and family (though far away) was SOOOOO helpful. Jess and Jonny sent over a weeks worth of food. Mom and Dad got a cleaning service to come (HUGE HELP) and friends brought food and great company throughout!!!!! One week out of Hell and the Doanes were in town for Christmas!! We had such a wonderful visit! They came with gifts galore and helping hands. We had a great few days of taking it easy, then we went to Sedona for a little sight seeing, it was beautiful. And before we knew it Christmas eve was upon us and we had a night of cocktails and MAJOR Construction! This years gifts were not only on the generous side but also on the large side! A Jeep from Santa, spring rocking horse from the Doanes, teeter totter from Mame and Cap'n, TMNT everything, horse stuff for Caleb, pretend play (grocery cart, cleaning items, baby doll) for Austin. Christmas was a HIT! I am not sure who enjoys it more, Rob, the kids, or I!! We are a Christmas family, that is for sure. From decorations to build up and day of, we all love the magic! The injuries are all almost nothing but stories now. B got his cast and pins out the day after Christmas, Caleb doesn't have as much of a scab left on his ear and Austin's eyes and nose have no bruising left. Watch out 2013! The Doane clan is healed and ready for more!!!