A Weekend Full of Extra Love

I am still in complete disbelief over the shootings in Connecticut on Friday.  From the second I heard what had happened while I was at work, I had a hard time staying focused.  I had plans to go to the grocery store after work, but that wasn't going to happen.  I desperately wanted/needed to see my kids!  When I turned on my car, the Christmas music I was listening to that morning started up again.  The next song that played was "Grown Up Christmas List".  What timing for that song to play.  I had tears streaming down my cheeks as I drove as quickly as I could to get to my babies.  I tried to compose myself before walking in to get them, but as soon as my Paigey came running for me, I lost it.  On this particular day, I gave both of them the biggest squeeze ever.  It felt so good to know they were safe and in my arms!

I can't even begin to imagine the heartache that all of the families in Newtown, Connecticut must be feeling.  When Wally and I were talking about it, I was bawling.  Those teachers/staff were/are heroes and those children were just innocent babies who were supposed to be safe in school.  This is supposed to be a happy, magical time of year for children and families.  I have cried and prayed more about this than I have in a long time.  And I certainly have cuddled and squeezed my own babies much tighter this weekend.  I rocked my baby girl until she was sound asleep for her naps and at bedtime and I slowed down and made sure to listen to every little thing my baby boy had to say. 

We had plans for a nice quiet weekend at home, and we made sure to take full advantage of that time with our babies.

It started with a trip to the street in our neighborhood that we love to visit but are thankful we don't live on for the sole fact that we would have to "keep up" with the Christmas lights craziness!







When we got back, I told Paige we needed to change her diaper and she ran to the bathroom and was trying to get on the toilet. She has been doing this quite a bit lately so this time I yelled to Wally to grab the little potty just to see what she would do. She loved it!



And then she pulled her diaper off (yikes!), grabbed her blankie and sat back down :)

Saturday morning we headed out for breakfast and made a stop at the store before Wally headed to Petsmart with the kids to get Nala's Christmas present and I headed to the grocery store.



That afternoon was all about baking cookies! 4 different kinds for a total of 280!







Paige enjoyed her first peanut butter blossom cookie!



We made some pizzas for dinner!



And then we headed down to the basement for some fun that included playing in "the cave", cookies, milk, and the movie Elf!









Sunday was filled with church, a little shopping, and frosting cookies!










So thankful to have a great weekend with my family!  So blessed!