I'll start with the good stuff. Christmas. It is always a nice time of year. I love sitting in our cozy room with the tree and stockings. It's just enough to feel Christmasy all month. The boys did a great job decorating one afternoon while I was at work. It made me so happy to walk in to that scene after my day. I don't like to go overboard on Christmas stuff. Simple things make me happy. This year we spent Christmas Eve and the 26th mostly at home just relaxing. I love to get out and do adventures and see friends and family, but I like to come into a cozy and just be with Tony and the boys. A little conversation, a little playing with new Christmas toys, a little baby snuggle, a little coffee. I am looking forward to the days when we all go out and ski or for a winter hike together. But I will miss these days where we just chill. Speaking of family ski days ahead. Colin just got started skiing this week. One time on the magic carpet with Tony, and so far one lesson at Hickory. Just little Nicholas to get there, but don't want to rush that. I love introducing these boys to skiing. The lifelong opportunities to get outside in the winter and enjoy the cold snowy days. I love my sun, but appreciate the 4 seasons and the magic of variety, and I want my boys to know how to ski as much as ride a bike. Thankful to have cute little Hickory just 10 minutes away. These boys don't know how good they have it.
And we do have it good. I don't take that for granted. Our scary night a few days ago, renewed my feeling that we are lucky. Not everyone is. There is something about an intruder in our house that makes me hurt for him a little. Who is he? And why did it come to this point that he ended up in our house at 2:20am 3 days for Christmas?
2:20 we heard crashing in the house. We thought it was the one of the boys. When Tony realized that they were still in bed, we went to the living room to investigate and saw a man. After some scary yelling, he saw the guy head up the loft. Tony ran back to us and we made the 911 call. I don't think we will ever forget this night. Probably the scariest thing to ever happen to me to this point. My heart still races when I have to relive the story. I will not forget the feelings of panic, as well as the relief of seeing that police officer. I won't forget looking at this guy's boots, snow pants, bag, pocket knife. Thankfully he was caught. Thankfully we are safe. I try not to think about what could have happened? Thankfully Tony and I remained calm enough during the event and afterwards to not completely freak the boys out. I have a little PTSD from it. A few times I have been doing normal things around the house, like opening the garage door to put out some recycling and that feeling comes back. That guy was in our garage. That guy was in our cars. It's this unusual unease. I feel safe. I realize that this was a one in a million possibility on Old Mission. I realize this will likely happen again. But, it has made me slightly more scared of the dark, slightly nervous going to bed, slightly more like I want to crawl into bed with my babies.
We have used this as a learning opportunity for the boys. A conversation about alcohol and homelessness and why someone might resort to this. But it still doesn't make sense. The world is a big place and we don't live in a bubble.
And then, there is work. I am on week 4 at GTWC. I like it! Actually, I want to show up and be crazy busy. Right now, I sitting here wishing someone to walk in the door. The schedule hasn't been too bad. Sure, I kinda miss everyone today and wish I could hang out and build Legos and go to Hickory with them today. But, I have thought about this so much for the past 5 years, and realize that I want this too. Though, Colin and Nicholas would rather not be in school. Colin is actually doing a little, I think. The more school time helps it become more of a routine. He hasn't been too sad about going like he was a couple months ago. Nicholas has been hit with one germ after another. He mostly has been fine at school and only seems to have sad days when we realize he is fighting off a cold or stomach bug. I definitely appreciate my days with them more now. Sure, they are still a lot of work, but I am thankful for the mommy days and moments. They both whine and cry easily, but their smiles and goofy times are numerous too. And Evan, its amazing what he can do at age 7. Sometimes it feels like he is a third adult. He can usually find something to entertain himself with... or we can something together that is entertaining for me too. We just got Ticket to Ride Europe from Santa. So fun to play a real game with him.
Then, there is Cheerio. The highlight of Cheerio's visits this year include the letters that him and Evan exchanged. Magical! So sweet to see Evan writing to this elf like a pen pal. Ahh, sweet Evan, growing up but staying innocent. What an age!
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