First Christmas

I should start this out by saying this isn't our "first" Christmas together. It's our 3rd. But...it is our first Christmas married and in one house together. This has come so quickly. This year has flown by...

Here is how it's come upon us so quickly...am I the only one who had Christmas sneak up on them? We started out 2013 with a bang. We were in the throws of planning our wedding (yay!), at the same time trying to plan HOW to integrate all into one family. This was not going to be easy, but with some planning ahead we knew we could do it. At the same time we were going through some "marriage coaching" with a wonderful couple who also blended two families together. What wonderful guidance we gleaned from them and a fantastic program! I would recommend it to everyone! And, it's not just for people getting remarried, but for those getting married for the first time or just wanting to improve their marriage or those who need some extra help. Wonderful program....Marriage Team
Anyways, back to the story....So, we are working on getting things set (as much as we could) to have one big happy family. Around the end of January, we decided to get married on our original date we had chosen (actually my DH wanted this date...I was not so thrilled about it). Valentines Day. Yes, we were going to get married on a day that I normally didn't like...but he told me it was time to have a new perspective of that day :) So, yes, we got married on Valentine's Day (we can at least guarantee we'll never forget our anniversary!). At that point, we didn't plan on moving everyone into one home until after the school year ended (we have 4 kids between us and at that point they were in 2 different school districts). God had other plans (thankfully!) and a house opened up just a few blocks from my house and one we all fit nicely into. Thus the busy year......
Moved. Two houses into one.
Had some "issues" with new house. :(
Kids sports.
Family "gel" time...lots of that!
Summer break = crazy schedules
More sports...in face EVERY weekend in July & August was soccer
Everyone getting ready for school.
Changing schools.
Football
Soccer
and more soccer
School starting.
Then it was Thanksgiving
and now we are here!
Oh, I left out DH changing jobs about 3 weeks after we moved and he started working graveyard shift. Gone 5 nights a week and his weekend was Tuesday and Wednesday. NOT something I was liking. But we made it work. About 2 1/2 months ago, he was blessed with a new job, doing what he loves and working a normal schedule with weekends off. I'm SOOO happy about this!

So, Christmas this year has been interesting. We decorated early since all the kids were home. I play Christmas carols every chance I get.....but while planning the kids vacation time, I will miss them the week of Christmas when they are with their dad. They will be with us on Christmas day (again...thankfully!) then back the next week. THIS is the hardest part of Christmas for me. Missing my kids. But I am grateful they will be home with us the week after! :)

Here is the part that is hard. Two families with VERY different traditions. HOW do you make sure everyone feels like they are getting to have Christmas? How do you make sure nobody feels left out? This has been a juggling act. I had to remind my step son to pick out a few cards so we could send a card to his mom & grandma (we have full custody). Then there is the buying of gifts for each other (we have the kids all buy gifts for each other). This is FUN for me. Not for them! HA! I love seeing how much they know about each other, how creative their gift choices are for each other. There was only a few times I had to step in and make some changes. Each of their personalities comes out with gift giving. SO MUCH FUN! Everyone survived. Gifts are wrapped and under the tree, the torture is done!

Every year I try to make new "traditions". Something we can do as our "family". This is easy to do with my little one....the older kids aren't so easy. I could use some suggestions! But, I refuse to do the Elf on the Shelf. I don't have the time or energy to keep up with that one! What I want to come up with is something the kids will take with them when they leave and KNOW they can count on when they come home for Christmas! I'll admit this. I have watched WAY too many of the cheesy Christmas movies on AMC, UP and Lifetime this season. I'm a sucker for a good, heart warming story that does nothing except bring hope! I could watch them all day long!

So, I don't feel like this post really got anywhere...just a bit of rambling. My apologies for not posting sooner, life is crazy....but wonderful at the same time!

I would love to know who's reading this. Leave me a little message if you read this. Maybe tell me your favorite Christmas tradition. Like I said, I need some ideas! :) God bless & Merry Christmas!

Finally...a moment

Hi :)

I'm Erica. I'm a mom. I'm a wife. I work. I carpool. I cook & clean. I adore my children, all 4 of them. I have my struggles. I do THM. I love to laugh. I love movies. I rarely watch tv. Boy was that one random! lol!

Now you know me. I'm a simple girl. I'm a happy girl. I've learned to love life....it's easier with an amazing husband by my side.

I don't think anyone will read this, but I'm writing anyways. God has had this on my heart for a very long time. Write. Get your heart out there. Let people learn from you, cry with you, be a support...so here I am! Who's out there?

I live a VERY busy life, but writing has always been something I can do, get the thoughts out of my head. Sometimes they'll be random. Sometimes it'll be happy, sad, silly...you get the idea! LIFE!!!

Yes, we are a blended family. That makes life WAY messier sometimes. Also makes life THAT MUCH MORE FUN!!!! We are learning to live together, love eachother and be a family. Want to follow along?

If so, stick around.......