Sick Day

Today Drake and I had big plans. Big plans to surprise the kids with a trip to Disneyland. We couldn't wait to load them up in their jammies, grab bagels on the way and not tell them where were going till the Matter Horn was visible from the 5. I even had brand new Mickey Mouse shirts packed for them. Instead we were all surprised with a trip to the doctor's office this morning.

Happy to report it's just a virus and all three are on the upswing. Such a bummer though. Oh well, it's fortunate the kids didn't know the original plans for the day and we made the best of being home.

Apparently being sick at our house means eating pita chips and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 

Little sis' trolled for crumbs...looks like she had success

While they did this I disinfected like crazy, did laundry, stripped their beds, did laundry, washed dishes, did laundry, vacuumed said crumbs, did I mention the laundry?? Piles of clean clothes are still half folded on my couch. I haven't showered. In fact I'm still wearing the clothes I slept in (yes I wore them to the doctor's and Target) but guess what? I'm the one that gets to be here. For that I am grateful.

To make dinner for a family. A husband who works hard for us and children that are a gift to us.

Wherever I am, she is.

Ramen noodles for sick littles

To give baths...

And snuggle clean babes...

Sick day aside, tomorrow is December and mama had some prepping to do.

Filled our advent calendar

Made sure we had the fixin's for Snowman Soup

Added our newest stocking to the lineup 

I know sugar isn't the best thing for little bodies that are recovering from illness, but knowing what they had missed today even though they didn't I felt it my motherly duty to make it up to them somehow...

Yes, I let them make their first Snowman Soup of the season. They were delighted.

I don't like it when they're sick, what mom does? However I know I will miss it. Not the sickness, the moments. Being needed. Footed jammies. Ramen noodles and toast. Pudgy hands gripping hot chocolate mugs. Anticipation for the Advent calendar. Kissing their soft skin. I want to remember it all.

Kids, this is your mom at 28. Tired, yes, but loves you more than you'll EVER know!!

I don't want to forget what it feel like to hold them close and know that the Lord has entrusted them to me and they are a guaranteed blessing. Even when I'm tired, haven't showered and ate dinner while nursing (I only dropped a few grains of rice on her head). It's all worth it!

~Long Weekend~

Our Saturday morning walk made a comeback this week. Paired with breakfast in the village, it was nothing short of wonderful.

Ladies, how come we've never been here?? Girl's night out anyone...?

~Thanksgiving Part 2~
Saturday night Cara and James were gracious to open up their home and host another Thanksgiving. If anyone knows anything about James' cooking then you know this is an invitation you don't decline. Cornbread stuffing with sausage, need I say more? Or eat more? I had three helpings. Beyond the food was the laughter and fellowship. We are blessed that some of the closest friendships we have are with  family.

After we gathered to hold hands and pray we sat close around a table and raised our glasses to good food, friendship and the humor of family and parenthood. Good times!!

My boys

Sunday morning came too soon. With it brought a fever for Samantha and a cough (allergies thanks to the 80 degree weather) for Trent. Church was out, but Daddy's pancakes weren't.

He still hasn't made friends with utensils. We're working on that relationship.

The handsome chef :)

Poor Beauty...

Remember that we raised a glass to family life and parenthood only 12 short hours prior...here's the Honey and I actually living that out. Raise that coffee mug to no sleep, sick kids and the Terminex guy's truck breaking down.

Our long weekend was just as it should be. The right combination of family, pancakes, dress-up and reality. Right now I have a jammied baby smelling like grape motrin that needs and wants her mama. Hate that she's sick. LOVE that she wants only me. Please pray she feels better soon. Have a great week everyone!

Friday Confessions and High Tea

First off, Happy Birthday Beth!! Praying you had a blessed day.

I confess...
~I saw Breaking Dawn. Again.
~I will see Snow White and the Huntsmen just because Kristen Stewart is in it.
~I ate two pecan bars for breakfast this morning.
~We have mice. Not only am I neurotic (Drake told me so) I don't want to deal with it so Terminex is coming tomorrow.

High Tea

I love this tradition. I love getting dressed up and putting on perfume. I love drinking out of a beautiful tea cup with my own teapot. Scones with clotted cream is heavenly (just sayin'). Enjoying this with the women who helped shape who Drake is is a blessing. Today was no exception.

Hot chocolate for Miss Juliana

Divine

  Me and my girl :)

 

She loves her Grammy

I was having trouble with the lightning because it was just so bright. To my surprise we got quite a few good ones I couldn't pick just one to post.

Happy Weekend everyone!

Thanksgiving

I did it!!! I pulled off my first Thanksgiving dinner. No one left hungry, but we still have plenty of leftovers to make turkey sandwiches all weekend. Perfect.

I enjoyed (almost) every moment. From setting the table to uncorking the wine. It was so worth it to have the smells and excitement in MY house.

What made it even more worth it??  Catching this moment while I was prepping my sweet potatoes.

She's such a good big sister

You would think that I would be bubbling over with words...it's almost like I've been rendered speechless. Simply, I am in love with this day.

My sweet little attachment. What will it be like not to have a baby on my hip one day??  I will miss it.

Uncle Garret does the honors every year. Gobble gobble.

She was so excited to have sparkling cider in a fancy (plastic) cup. Lucky Aunt Kelsey was close by and must have "cheersed" with Juliana and Trent twenty-five times. Bless you Aunt Kelsey.

Adore my Trenters

I asked her to snap a few pictures for me knowing full well I would get one of these. Love it.

Another successful Kellas family Thanksgiving. Rich with good food, laughter, and a light hearted political discussion :)

 I love Sammy in this one...precious.

Why do I love Thanksgiving so much? Maybe because it's a day set aside for something we should be doing through out the year. Joining hands to pray. Enjoying a meal with loved ones. Expressing our gratitude for God's unfailing love, grace and goodness. I love our kids playing hide and seek with their aunt. I love the sound of football and chatter. I love the smell of stuffing and cloth napkins. I love that it sets the tone for the Christmas season.

Speaking of setting the tone...stay tuned. No Black Friday shopping for us this year, but Jules and I have high tea tomorrow with Grammy and Aunt Kelsey. It's a tradition we started years back and it never fails to put me in the Christmas spirit. Juliana joined us for the first time last year and can't wait till tomorrow. Sorry Sammy girl you still have a few more years. Hope all of you had a blessed Thanksgiving.