Christmas has come and gone

Well, as promised, here is a picture of our Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Our Christmas was really nice. We opened family gifts on Christmas eve (a Yoder tradition) and talked about why we celebrate Christmas and why we give gifts. Then Christmas morning we woke up, ate our delicious Christmas breakfast casserole (a Berry tradition), with our cinnamon rolls and waited for daddy to get up. It only took the kids going in 3 times to wake him up. Each time he would respond with a sleepy, "okay in 10 minutes." This is Richard's favorite response when ever he is woken up for anything. Of course, being the loving and understanding wife that I am, I didn't send the next kid in after the 10 minutes. We waited about 30, then tried again. So our gift opening finally started with stockings at about 10:00. Then Uncle Ren and Aunt Shelley stopped by on their way out of town to give some gifts to the kids and to try my casserole (as if he didn't make 4 for himself). The kids are way too lucky! They got more than they needed, but it really wasn't too much. Most of it was clothes that I either made or found at a consignment shop. So, with that out of the way we played for a bit, then made our gingerbread house. Great Christmas day activity. We found a kit that was on sale for $5 at Walmart and since I always wanted to try it out, I bought the kit. We had a lot of fun creating our little house. It stayed up for a day, then we started to eat it!! Anyway, Christmas evening we went to Denny's for dinner. There were actually a lot of people there and little serving staff, so we had to wait, but that's okay. I didn't have to cook or clean. It was a great Christmas! Since then we have been playing and working, and watching movies. I have eaten what too much junk food, gained 5 pounds, and I'm sure my teeth are about to rot out of my head. If Richard brings home one more bag of candy (he brought 3 home last night) I may have to kick him out! Just kidding of course.

I know we all worry about Jacob's health so here is the latest. I took him to the doctor and he has been put on yet another medicine for allergies and asthma (that makes 4 now). Amazingly, this one is working I think. He has finally stopped coughing, which hasn't happened since October. Hopefully we found what works and can take him off of some meds that haven't worked, in my opinion.

Abby has her own health issues. We think her ear drum has burst because of an infection and too much fluid. She just finished her atibiotics, so hopefully the infection is gone and the drum will begin to repair itself. If not, then we have to go back to the ENT and possibly another surgery. Please pray that this will not happen!

Elliott is my light in the darkness, he is healthy so far. Little sniffles here and there, but nothing to write home about.

I'll try to post more pictures, but I don't know how much time I'll have before kids interrupt!
We love you all and hope you had a great holiday!!

Well, I don't know where the time has gone, but Merry Christmas to you all. We are excited to celebrate Christmas this year. I think we are finally figuring this gift thing out. We have finally realized that our kids don't need or really want a ton of stuff on Christmas. They each only asked for about three things. Although we can't get Elliott the computer that he asked Santa for, we are doing our best. Last year we just had fun being together, staying in our jammies and playing with our stuff.
So here is the update. Richard is doing really great. He is really successful at his job and has actually been told that he is one of the top salesmen for truck caps. As you all know, it doesn't matter what he does, he will be the best! I am losing my position at the YMCA because some upper management does not see the need for supervision in my child care area. I think this decision will be changed when they realize what a huge mistake it is. We are having budget cuts at the Y and evidently I make waaaaaay too much for them to afford me. So I will now be teaching the homeschool P.E. class, a pre-school dance class, and I will be picking up hours in the child watch area. I'm not excited about that last part, but until something better comes along...
Jacob is great of course. He is almost a Math Whiz at his school which is fantastic. We were hoping that he would get it before break, but he missed on problem. There is only one person in his class that is a Math Whiz so far. He also has learned chess. Richard taught him the other night. He picked it up really quickly and is now practicing so he can build a strategy. Abby is...well...Abby. I really don't understand her sometimes and I'm sure I am not the only mother of little girls that feel the same way. She has become helpless. She can't do anything with out me. Here is one example: the girl has been going pee on the potty for 3 years and she thinks I have to be there with her. Well, we all know how this went over... I said no...she whined...I said no...she cried...I said no... she does the pee pee dance...I said no-do we see where this is going? I find myself losing it! Why can't she understand that no means no? One of the tubes in her ear has fallen out (which it is supposed to) and of course that has been bothering her, so no matter what terrible thing happens to her during the day, it's because of the tube. Unless of course Jacob is home because then it is "his fault." Elliott is just perfect! I know it isn't going to last forever, but other than the use of the words idiot and stupid, he is great. He is helpful and loving, he plays nicely with everyone, and obeys pretty well. He is also really good at entertaining himself. Give the kid a car and he is just fine.
I hope to have some more pictures posted soon, I need you all to see our Christmas tree! Last year we started a tradition of making our own trees. Last year it was a big piece of butcher paper and our green hand prints made the leaves of the tree. This year, all I have to say is Charlie Brown!
Have a great Christmas everyone!!