Under the Weather

Today's blog post title definitely has a double meaning. Early evening Christmas Eve, we were witness to the first ever blizzard warning here in Tulsa. Not only that, but according to one of the news stations, this is only the fourth time in the past 106 years that we've had a White Christmas. Now, the snow doesn't bother me in the slightest. It's never stressed me out. I'm perfectly content curling up in some comfy sweat pants next to a roaring fire, reading books and playing games with my family. And, if we need to get out -- as we did later that evening to get home from Grana and Poppy's and the next afternoon to get to and from Nana's house – the Tahoe has 4-wheel drive, so we just take our time and head out on our merry way. No problem.

The title's other meaning? Well, yesterday morning was a little anticlimactic when both girls (especially Cadie) woke up not feeling well. Instead of squeals of delight coming down the hall, I heard shuffling feet, and muffled groans, then Cadie immediately climbed into my lap without even a glance at the stash that Santa had left. Skip to today and two out of four of us are down for the count. Cadie is doing much better, but I've joined the ranks of feeling not up to par. Nothing serious; Cadie's running a slight fever, but seems to be feeling much better, just a little whiny and clingy. I'm battling some drainage and a sore throat. All that to say, it's the day after Christmas and the girls are finally playing with their toys. We had hoped to attend a Christmas shindig at Auntie Lolo and Keke's house, but it looks like we're going to have to settle for a quiet night at home. Something tells me it's just what the doctor ordered.

Maddie's new Hannah Montana doll

I can't remember what she was pouting about, but it's darn cute.

Cadie's favorite princess is Snow White, so she LOVED

her dress that Nana got her.

I got these comfy socks for Christmas.  Maddie

decided they would make a good hat.

Still learning how to use my new camera...

Now, the socks have at least made it to her feet.

Cadie wore my other pair.

One of my new all-time favorite pictures.  So much personality.  :)

I Heart Santa

There are so many things I love about the holiday season. Warm, crackling fires, Christmas songs, and neatly tied ribbons to name a few. This year, though, my favorite thing has been Santa Claus. As kids, Santa was always a part of our celebration. For me, Santa Claus is what brings magic to the holiday. This year, we've made it a point to make sure the girls understand that Christmas is first and foremost the celebration of Jesus' birth and that our world would be lost without that night when he was placed safe and warm in a manger. But, I see no harm in Santa being a part of the celebration, too.

So, why has Santa been my favorite part of this holiday season? Because the girls are totally into it. The past couple of years, they've been somewhat aware of him, but this year, he's at the forefront. Cadie and Maddie started talking, at least a couple of months ago, about what Santa would bring them if they were good. It changed nearly every time. One day it was a "Jumping Judy guitar" (something that does not exist other than in their imaginations), another day they wanted a necklace with a heart. Late last week, I impulse bought them a new kitchen online (to the replace the two they already have...they outgrew them, all right!), so I subtly – then not-so-subtly -- started hinting that Santa might bring them a new kitchen. Every time Santa appears on a movie or TV show, the girls go nuts and start screaming about Santa Claus coming to town. For them, this year, he is very much real.

Last year, during my annual after-Christmas shopping for clearanced wrapping paper, tissue, and ribbon, I came across a Santa Claus mailbox kit at Hallmark. It was really cute (and really cheap), so I picked it up and figured we could use it this year. I'm so glad I got it. When we pulled down the Christmas decorations, I found it again and decided to put it to use.

This past Saturday, after our Patton Family Christmas, we sat the girls down to write their letters to Santa. Cadie and Maddie dictated, and I was responsible for translating and writing. They didn't need too much prompting. Maddie's letter said:

Dear Santa,

I have been a really good girl. Please bring me ice cream cones like Cadie with cups for the ice cream cones. Please bring me table to do crafts on. I would also like some Sleeping Beauty princess cups. I would also like more and more and more jewelry like a necklace. Can I please have a Sleeping Beauty big purse, too? I also want a pony that's real to ride on.

Love,

Maddie

Both of the girls have been aching for a pony. I'm not really sure where that came from, but I'm telling you right now, if we ever get the land we want, those girls are getting a pony! Next, Cadie wrote her letter:

Dear Santa,

I want a "pobo" stick. Maddie wants one, too. I'd also like an ABCDEFG Doodlebops. And an Old McDonald's had a farm. I'd also really like a Snow White necklace. And a Yo Gabba Gabba TV/computer. I've been a good girl, Santa.

Love,

Cadie

At this point, both of the girls were getting a little squirrely. Cadie was rambling off nonsense, then focused back in at the mention of jewelry (that's my girl!) Then, I had both of the girls sign their letters, put them in the envelope, and give it a special stamp. Then, we placed the letters in the magic mailbox as I explained how the mailbox sent letters straight to Santa with special Christmas magic. They seemed a little wary, but were willing to give a try. We got back to playing, and about an hour later I told them to go check the mailbox. They raced over to it, yanked open the door, and gasped when they found it empty. Cadie immediately asked, "Mommy, where did our letters go!" I answered that Santa had gotten the letters by magic through the mailbox. Their eyes grew wide and they squealed with excitement. I told them that Santa might write them back, so we would have to check it every once in a while.

Cue the next morning, when after crawling in bed with us and playing for a few minutes, I asked the girls if they'd checked the mailbox yet. Cadie put her hands over her mouth and screeched, then darted out of the room to check the mailbox. She was back in a flash, postcard in hand, and hurled herself on the bed. I read them the post card, that went a little something like this:

Dear Cadie and Maddie,

Thank you for your letters. I will do my best to bring you what you asked for. Be good. Remember, I'm watching!

Love,

Santa

Both of the girls were simply beside themselves. They couldn't believe Santa had written them a letter, then sent it to them via the magic mailbox. I love it!

Now, the girls are braced to meet the big man himself tonight at Grana and Poppy's. Santa always makes a special stop at their house while he's out delivering toys. I'm just crossing my fingers they aren't too clever for their own good. I'm afraid this may be the last year Poppy is able to take on Santa duty. We'll see!

Do You See What I See?

Although I'm now well into adulthood, I can still remember vividly waking up in the middle of the night as a child and "seeing" spiders, little elves, and even people creeping and crawling around my room. They were more than just nightmares; until I was old enough to realize any better, they were real. My little sister, Laura, has struggled with the same problem. My hallucinations, you might call them, faded away before my teen years, but Laura still jokes about her latest late night fiascos every once in a while. It seems we Wolfe girls come out just a tad crazy. Now, after last night with Maddie, I'm afraid it might be genetic.

She went to bed like any other night. Prayers, two stories (one told by her and one told by me), and a good night kiss. About 2:30, though, we heard her panicking, hollering from her room. To be completely honest, I don't have a clue which one of us went in there first, me or Jeff. I think I took the first couple of visits, then we traded off from there. It's not uncommon for one of them to wake up once in the middle of the night every now and then, for various reasons. They dropped their Bebe, they had a bad dream, or Maddie occasionally asks for a drink of water. I just assumed this was one of those instances. After two or three trips to her room, though, it became clear it was something more. Eventually, I was informed that there were "animal sticker monsters" in her room and they were trying to get her. I calmly reassured her that there was no such thing and that nothing was trying to get her. A few more visits, at least an hour and a half, and quite a bit of exhausted frustration later, we finally gave in and just brought her to bed with us. One would assume this would solve the problem and Maddie would fall right to sleep, safe and secure in Mommy and Daddy's bed. Nope. She laid there awake for at least another hour, flopping around, sitting up (I'm assuming to check for the monsters), and fidgeting her feet. I consider myself to be on the more generous end of patience with my children, but I was nearing the end of my rope. At some point, she must have fallen asleep because so did I.

I decided not to mention it in the morning. No sense it bringing it up again when I hoped out of mind would mean out of sight. She hasn't said anything about it today, so I'm hoping the entire incident is long forgotten. During the night, I didn't give it much thought, but then I remembered Cadie's traumatic worries of spider invasions not so many months ago, which sparked memories of my own concerns as a kiddo. It reminded me how real those fears were for me when I was little, too young to know the difference between real and a sleep-induced haze.

Today, I'm exhausted, and can only hope for a Silent Night (are you catching all the Christmas song puns?) I ache for Maddie, knowing all too well how all consuming that fear can be. So, if she does happen to wake up in the middle of the night again, I'll do my best to be especially patient, reassuring her that Mommy and Daddy would never let anything get her. Especially, animal sticker monsters.

Christmas: Take One

Between the two of us, Jeff and I have quite the extended family. Both of my parents are remarried, and a lot of Jeff's family comes in for Thanksgiving, so holidays used to be pretty hectic. A few years ago, though, pre-Cadie and Maddie, we started a schedule that has worked out really well for us. Instead of racing from house to house to house every holiday, we spend certain days with certain family members. On Thanksgiving, we spend pretty much the Wednesday before through Saturday evening with Jeff's family because so many relatives come in from out of town and they're only here once a year. For Christmas, we spend Christmas Eve with my dad and step-mom and Christmas day with my mom. A couple years back, Jeff's family started the tradition of celebrating Christmas the weekend before, which is fine with me because it means the celebration starts that much sooner! After we had the girls, we also started spending Christmas morning at home, just the four of us.

So, last night, we kicked off our Christmas celebrations (1 of 4) with a Patton Family Christmas. We had a yummy Italian spread of lasagna and spaghetti with meatballs, knowing full well we'd be getting our fill of turkey and dressing soon. Then, on to the really good stuff: presents. Opening presents used to be about the excitement of not knowing what I'd be getting; now, though, it's all about the look on the girls' faces when they open up their gifts. And, they got some great stuff including play food by Melissa & Doug from Grandma and Grandpa. They were the first things they opened, and I was worried they would have eyes for nothing else the rest of the evening. I grew up with Fisher Price Fun with Food, so I'm a bit of a play food snob, but I have to say, Melissa & Doug have gotten it right. They are the first ones to come out with a product that even comes close to comparing. Cadie got an ice cream set and Maddie got a cookie set. The ice cream set is so neat because there are magnets in the ice cream scoopers and the scoops of ice cream, so they can actually scoop the ice cream and it sticks until they drop it onto the cone. The cookie baking set is neat, too, because the cookies are fixed with Velcro so they stick to the cookie sheet, and they also stick together so they can "cut" the individual pieces to bake. Another hit was their jewelry box from Grandma and Grandpa, complete with costume jewelry to go inside. When it comes to jewelry, my girls definitely do not think "less is more"! They got a bunch of other great stuff including a giant set of coloring stuff from Uncle Julius and Aunt Kimberly.

Maddie & Daddy

Cadie & Uncle Julius

Aunt Kimberly shooting video

Grandma & Cadie

Maddie & her cookie set

Cadie scooping some ice cream

Cadie holding up the art set from Julius & Kimberly

Grandpa opening up his brand new tackle box!

Cadie admiring herself in the mirror of her new jewelry box.

Maddie & Julius, testing the new jewelry

Maddie & Daddy

Julius & Cadie

Maddie, all dolled up

Cadie

I have to say, though, that I got the best present of all; a very unexpected present. Even though we'd agreed that we wouldn't be buying gifts for one another (due to a recent purchase that is now hanging on the wall in our living room), my thoughtful husband presented me with a VERY generous gift: a brand new Canon 5D Mark II. This is the grand-daddy of cameras. Full frame, 21.1 megapixels, unbelievable ISO, and a bunch of other stuff most of you won't understand! There has been only one other time Jeff has managed to completely surprise me in our relationship (when he proposed), so now he's up to two. I'd say he's on a pretty good roll!

Finally, we wound down the night with a viewing of "Wild Hogs" while the girls (at least Cadie), drifted off to sleep in their Christmas jammies.

This morning, we woke to the heavenly aroma of homemade cinnamon rolls and fresh fried bacon. The girls scurried in while Jeff and I caught a few more winks. After a mug of hot chocolate, we loaded up our booty and headed home, one of four celebrations under our belt. If you ask me, we're off to a great start!

Cadie with her hot cocoa

Maddie with her hot cocoa

Finding a Balance

After Jeff was home from the Tenkiller job, I just knew everything would slow down and return back to normal. I didn't think about all of the stress, tiredness, and overall feeling of burnout that had built up over the previous six months. Nor did I consider the almost smothering explosion of my "side" business, bringing with it hours and hours of necessary editing time. Add to that the various commitments I willingly committed to (most because I wanted to) and the responsibilities that come along with said commitments. All together, it became too much. No longer was I able to be the wife and mother I want to be, that I am devoted to being. No matter what all the extra stuff means to me -- and believe me, some of it is very important to me – my first priority and responsibility will always be mother and wife. I had to make a choice, to save myself from drowning, so I took a step back and tried to get some balance back in my life.

I could immediately tell a difference in the girls. It's amazing how much kids soak up from their atmosphere. Once I was more relaxed and less stressed, so were they. Finally, I was able to get down and play with them, read to them, and laugh with them like I've always done. I missed that so much.

Now, I've learned my lesson. I can't continue to be the "yes" girl that I so often am; I hate to say "no", but not at the expense of my sanity and that of my family. I've limited my photography to certain parts of the week and put a self-imposed cap on the number of sessions per month. It seems ungrateful to complain; this business has become more successful than I ever could have imagined and I've made so many new friends in the process. I've cut back on the extracurricular events I've committed to, even though I love to have my hands in just about anything I can. These past few days I've literally felt a load slowly lift off of my shoulders (and neck!) What is it about us moms (and dads) that makes us feel like we should (and can) do everything? Even when it's at the expense of what and who matters most. Well, I say no more! I'm tired of spreading myself too thin. From now on, it's all about my family.