Christmas 2012!

This Christmas (break) has been a little more, um, downtrodden (?) than others and as from previous postings you've heard how it took me a while to really "get into the swing of the season" with everything from the cookie baking, present wrapping, etc. I can't really put my finger on what "it" was so I surmise "it" to be more of a compilation of many things all colliding together. There was the usual random tear that fell as my heart and mind scaled the wall of being giddily thankful to the falling of "MN homesickness" in wanting to be a part of the giggling, family-filled background noise that filled the phone's receiver as I held it close to my ear.  There have been the dealings with children, in sickness and in health. At times my heart heavy, and at others as light as a feather. Stresses of surgery and Christmas details. Anxiousness of delivered delicate packages just in the nick-of-time. Sorry, not the most pleasant way to start out a "cheery Christmas post", but it's the reality of the world I've been living in so why not just be 'real'?! Thankfully, God's mercies are new every morning and trust me, I have been calling on and leaning on them daily!! 
  We began our Christmas break the day school got out with a trek to Reno for Carson's next surgery early the following morning--I was all prepared for the worst (for the coming out of anesthesia portion of the day anyway) and expected nothing less. 

Carson, starting to get a little nervous....

...but gave one final smile before surgery.

CJ working on a popsicle post-surgery, but still pretty out of it

Let's just say that God's goodness and grace was felt a little more on the overwhelming side that day--2 little pieces of the cyst were easily removed without having to 'cut' behind Carson's ear but by going through the middle canal. The ear drum is healing nicely and despite the scar tissue that is built up, the doctor had a great report. I actually got to hear the full report this time when he came into the waiting room; my anxious heart wanted to see my son but I was reassured that he was actually doing quite well. Once being called back to the recovery room, I nearly teared up with joy as to what my eyes saw...a tear-filled Carson already lying still with popsicle in hand, one very tender-hearted nurse gently nodding that I was indeed on my way to him, and within a few paces I was lying in the bed next to my little guy. He snuggled in and for what seemed like a blink of an eye (even though it was about 2 1/2 hours) we were released! There was the usual "sickness" that accompanied thanks in part to the meds through the IV, the little bouts of dizziness, but overall this time, compared to the others, waking up was a breeze! We left the hospital and by the time we got back to our hotel, Carson was asking for pancakes! what?! :) We still had to 'fight through' some sickness/tiredness/dizziness/etc. but by dinner time, he was on the floor putting together his newly bought legos and ready to eat! So we did just that.... Next up is the post-op appointment at the end of January, which will also include a hearing test. We have been referred to a specialist who will perform the next surgery--reconstructing Carson's ear bones. That will take place later in the year so for now, we can 'rest'. Once again, I can't thank you enough for your prayers, messages, emails, phone calls, etc. All of that combined made the start to our holiday break a little easier--we felt the love!!!!! :)

monster truck legos!!

Thanks nanny and pappy! :)

Following Carson's surgery we still had a few days before the Christmas celebrations to finally finish putting up our twinkling lights outside, complete that stocking stuffer shopping, do some last minute baking and wrapping, and even slow down long enough to play in some fresh snow on Christmas eve! We were treated to a white Christmas as the snow continued throughout Christmas Day and beyond! This homegrown MN gal was lovin' all the fluffy white stuff that glistened so beautifully on the ground, all 10 + inches of it!

Christmas Eve 2012!

the traditional Christmas Eve gift...

...matching Pajamas!!! :)

 Writing a little note for Santa! :)

Christmas morning!

gifts the boys bought for each other

Giant Lego Idea book!!! :)

Carson's new Bible!! He loved it!

top of Austin's wish list....The Boxcar Children!

And now the Lego table!!!

"Drill baby drill...." :)

the MT box!!! (and it held a lot of good stuff! Thanks sis!!!!!)

presents from Gma and Gpa!!!

Austin reading his note from Grandma

Star Wars!! Thanks Gma!!

BLUE TRACTOR!!!!! :)

never fails...I always cry Christmas morning. Thanks mama. :) I LOVED it!

stocking time!

Mason loves Boz! :)

me with my beautiful sis-in-law Heather!

Mason at nanny and pappy's house...looking a little mischievous...

CJ's adventure pack...a "CARSON" adventure pack nonetheless!

Pappy showing Austin his new construction set

Then there was Christmas #2!!!

my 3 handsomes!!

my main squeeze :)

Helicopter flying!!! Can you find the three helicopters?!

Carson, Daniel, and Austin enjoying the snow!!

 As I mentioned earlier, this particular Christmas the snow fell...and fell....and fell....blanketing the ground softly and slowly and there was no keeping this family out of it! After Christmasing a few times and needing to get that claustrophobic feeling out of our systems, we took to the yard and mountains on different days and let the fresh, and at times bone-chilling, air ease the stresses and breathe new life in us; a needed refreshment of  laughing and being silly....and thanks to my sista Kari, I have the perfect frame that will hold the perfect picture to daily remind me of that silliness!!

mini-man Mason

SNOW!!!!!

Carson

Austin

inside the snow fort

Snow Castle!! :)

my amazing boys :)

CJ and MR having some fun in the snow

sleeping?!

Had to build a big snowman!

into the mountains we go!!!!

so beautiful!! Again--the camera just can't capture it fully...

now THIS is sledding!!!

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

view in the rear-view mirror :)

all smiles

sledding hill

Here goes Austin!

face full of snow!!!

 Andy and Carson going together--but I think Andy could use some "steering" lessons :)
 

chilly Carson

Austin had to go one more time....

 



















At the start of a new year, I am thankful for God's disciplining love and his faithful grace that I don't deserve. It was a semi-rough end to 2012...in my heart that is--but I am a work in progress and I'll say it again....God's mercies are new every morning. THANK GOODNESS!! I strive to be joyful in all I do, but fall short....I strive to be thankful in and out of season, but that sinful nature of jealousy/discontentment/self-pity creeps in and sometimes gets the best of me....I strive to seek the Lord first in everything, but then pride seeks to gain the upper-hand. We don't necessarily make new year's resolutions, but together Andy and I do set goals. One that has never changed, for us or for me personally, is to let the Lord lead us as He sees fit in accordance with His will--to be deepening and strengthening our faith and for us to parent in such a way that our boys desire to do the same. God never ceases to amaze us and shock us...and I have a feeling that this year will be no different. I can't wait to see what He does in 2013!!!
Happy New Year everyone from the Anderson family!!!