The True Meaning of Christmas

So yesterday I experienced the true meaning of Christmas. A lady from my birthboard made a simple mistake, due to hecticness or mommy brain....She is the wife of a military man, a hard job in itself, mom of three amazing children; two of which are special needs. Money is tight in their families just like most families. But she decided that for Christmas they were going to try to get a decent picture done and mail it to family across the country (remember, she is a military wife, most likely not going home for the holidays). While packing kids and packages into the car, she somehow lost her precious pictures. These weren't just any pictures. 2 of her children have an eye disorder that is causing her angels to go blind and their eyes do not track at the same time. Well, they were able to get a really good shot of all the children. Unfortunately no one found (or turned in) the pictures, Sears wouldn't reprint them for her so it seemed like she had just lost her money. A group of ladies on said birthboard created a group and within 24 hours had gotten this amazing women a professional photographer who is donating a full day session to redo the pictures and we raised $1,118.00! This is enough to cover 3 plane tickets for a convention for people with the same disorder as her children. Due to money they have never been able to go. This completely made the spirit of Christmas flame again in me.

I am thinking that later today I may dress the kiddos up and head to church. I haven't been to church since tech school over 6 years ago. I feel as though I am missing something in my life and I am hoping that this will fill the void.

Some good news from the battle fronts...My hubby should be coming home sooner than expected!! I am so excited by this!! I hired a friends brother in law to rip up the carpet in our living room/playroom and refinish the floors. And he is going to finish all the painting in the two rooms!! That combined with the pipes bursting will make a great "remodel" gift for his return. I can't wait for him to come home. Every night I go to bed thinking he will appear in the morning...Every morning I wake up and reality washes over me.

Ryan missed yet another first in Rory's young life...Yesterday was her first time actually playing in the snow. She got bundled up just like Ralphie in "A Christmas Story" and had so much fun running around flinging snow and brushing snow off anything she could. We have barely half an inch but she didn't care. She had fun just the same. Lily is getting tooth number 6...and she is crawling everywhere!! She has even mastered crawling OVER things, like the high chair, jumparoo, table runners etc...They are both fascinated with the Christmas tree...Rory loves the ornaments and Lily loves unwrapping the presents underneath...I don't even want to know how many presents I have re-wrapped/re-taped. And Rory taking all the ornaments off...Sheesh!!

Well, I am watching a Monk Marathon when I should be sleeping...I dont want bags under my eyes for church tomorrow...Night all!