Left Brain Grocery List

Several months back my mother sent me a link to the video below, it is GREAT, enjoy :)

http://youtu.be/-YFRUSTiFUs

Merry Christmas..wait it's January already??

Yes, I know, I am a little dated in this post as I am quite behind on my blogging...but Merry Christmas from the Willoughby's, we had a very blessed and rather busy holiday season visiting and spending time with family. below are some pictures courtesy of Cat's new camera :)

Aunt Jamie and Jamison

Cat and Aunt Sara

Cody getting his "Mater" truck

Kendall waiting to open her presents

Kendall, Jamison, and Uncle Ryan

Colin and Joshua

Family Pic :)

Miracle Man

I saw this on another Mom's blog about her biggest "Pet Peeves", and while I am very grateful for my husband and love him very much can I get a whoot..whoot... from the other Mom's out there on the pet peeve below:

People who nominate my husband for sainthood because I might get some time out on my own – “Oh, is your husband babysitting? Isn’t that nice for you!” Yes, he is a great guy. But in my world, when a parent is taking care of his own kids, we don’t call it babysitting. We call it parenting!

Chief Screeching Owl

Last Friday was the Kindergarten "Pow Wow" or Thanksgiving program. Pictured above is Cody as "Chief Screeching Owl." Like his name...there is a whole other story behind it. He had to choose an Indian name that was representative of him, the end result was one we could all agree on, including Cody, personally I liked "Stands with a fist". Anyway I really enjoyed the program, all of the kids did a great job, it was the perfect way to start the Thanksgiving holidays.

Halloween

So I know I am running a little late with this post. We had another great Halloween this year, complete with the Mad Hatter, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and a monkey. We went to trunk or treat at the kids school on the Sunday before with games and rides and then went trick or treating around the neighborhood the night of. to say we have got a lot of candy would be a definite understatement.

Pumpkins

This past weekend we were invited out to my in-laws to carve pumpkins and eat some good food (sauerkraut & brats). We had a great time visiting with family. Below are some pictures from the day along with our finished product...

Cody's pumpkin

Kendall's pumpkin

Cathy's pumpkin

Colin's pumpkin

Joshua, Cat, Colin, Jamison, Cody & Kendall

Uncle Ryan, Aunt Jamie & Joshua

Kendall hard at work

All four completed pumpkins

Cathy carving

Michael

Colin & Aunt Jamie

Sleepy

It's 11:45 I have just gotten good and asleep when I am awakened by the sound of Kendall crying. I hobble up the stairs half asleep into her room and see her sitting there in the middle of her crib looking for her pacifier. I noticed that it had dropped onto the floor so I picked it up gave it back to her, gave her a kiss tucked her in and turned around to walk out the door. She immediately rose up and began crying. "Kendall", I said, "It is night -night time, mommy is going to sleep and Kendall is going to sleep" Naturally that did not matter to a 17 mo old that wanted her mommy to hold her.

So I lifted her out of bed, and stood there a few minutes rocking and snuggling with her. I walked back to her crib to lay her down. She was almost asleep, so I stood there a few minutes caressing her head as she kept peaking so sleepy eyed at me to make sure I was still there. As I was standing there with her I thought to myself how very lucky I am, how blessed I am to be her mother, to be the mother of 4 beautiful, healthy children, and how although at many times being a mom can be so stressful, it also brings unparalleled joy.