Christmas Day

Our tradition is to spend Christmas morning with my Mom and my side of the family. We ate a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, pork roast, homemade cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit, and potatoes. After we stuffed ourselves, we moved to the living room to open gifts. My family is small so we open gifts one at a time youngest to oldest. This year my brother, his wife, and her two kids joined my mom, nephew, grandma, uncle, Dana, and I. My uncle is hard to buy for so I usually give him gift certificates or cash. Last year, I gave him envelopes with clues and he had to hunt for his money. To make it more exciting this year, I had him answer holiday trivia questions. Each time he answered a question correctly he got a present. Everyone had a great time trying to help my uncle answer the questions. Here are a few pictures of our morning.

In the afternoon we headed over to Dana's Dad's house to celebrate Christmas with his side of the family. For a late lunch/early dinner we had ham, 2 turkeys, twice baked potatoes, rolls, and casseroles of all sorts. Dana has a big family so there are many mouths to feed. This year there was 17 of us, usually there's more. Unfortunately, I was busy socializing and forgot to take pictures until it was time to leave. I went to pick up my purse and saw my camera sitting on top. I snapped a few shots of the people who were left and one very obese cat.

Later that night, Dana gave JoJo, our dog, her Christmas present. She loves opening packages and didn't hesitate to tear into her present.

Overall, we had a wonderful Christmas with the greatest gift being able to spend time with our families.

Merry Christmas

A Few of My Favorite Things

Last year Dana and I were the Scooges of the block. No lights on the house, no tree, no stockings, not a single decoration. But, this year we decided to bring the Christmas cheer back to our house. Part of the reason was to display a few of my favorite christmas ornaments. It was a tough decision because it involved moving Ryan's things out of the corner of the living so the tree could go there. I know it sounds crazy and may have been disturbing to people who came to our house but moving his things was very difficult. Before I turn into a sobbing mess, here are a few of my favorite things.

We got this ornament at the OC walk to Remember

This was given to us last year from my coworker Kelly. Her baby boy, Hunter, passed away from SIDS.

Dana and I picked this up at the L.A. County Fair.

Nurse Cathy sent this to us last year. She made them for all the NICU babies.

This ornament came from Macy's New York.

This is our newest ornament. It was given to us this year by my friend Jean. It was hand painted by a lady she knows. We absolutely love it! Thanks Jean : )

Letter to Santa

Santa Claus

North Pole

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Dear Santa,

I know you are extremely busy right now answering all the letters from the little girls and boys but I hope you take the time to read mine too. Yes, I know I’m a bit old to be writing you but I still believe in you and miracles happening at Christmas. Yes, I’ve prayed to our Heavenly Father everyday but I think this Christmas I need your special touch as well.

This year I’ve been very good. I’ve taken all the Lord’s lessons and applied them to my everyday life. I’ve been a good wife to my husband; I even tried to cook dinner for him. I’ve been working really hard at work to come up with fun and innovative ideas to educate America’s future leaders (a.k.a 3rd Graders) despite my class size being increased. I’ve been kind and caring towards my family, neighbors, and those in need. Clearly, you can see that I’ve been trying my best to be a productive citizen and good person.

So, now I come to you asking for one very special gift. If possible, could you please bless my husband and I with a baby that could be here on Earth. As you know, a year and six months ago I was giving the most beautiful gift, a precious baby boy. Unfortunately, he had to be born at 26 weeks due to severe Preeclampsia. He put up a good fight but after sixteen days my husband and I had to say goodbye to our sweet baby boy.

We have been trying and trying to have another baby but things aren’t working out so well. On Dec. 17 we will go to our first In Vitro Fertilization Appointment (IVF). Don’t worry I’m not going to ask you for your sperm; my husband is very healthy in that department. I’m not asking for money either. We were saving to remodel our bathrooms but a family is more important to us. Santa, will you please send a little of your magic this way. Maybe it’s a twitch of your nose or a tug on your ear, whatever you do to fit down the chimney and get those reindeer to fly, please use some of that magic on me and let me conceive.

The IVF procedure is very expensive and there are NO guarantees but I believe with the blessing of our Heavenly Father and your magical touch my husband and I will hold another baby in our arms. Thank you for taking a moment out of your busy schedule to read my letter. Take care and say hello to Mrs. Claus for me.

Sincerely yours,