Visit from the Parsons

I think I posted earlier that we went into the holiday season thinking we would not be seeing any of our family, but that our plans ended up changing. When the Parsons asked if they could come and visit sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas we were thrilled. We had not seen "Grandma and Tractor Man" since they came to see us in July and we missed them!

They flew to Illinois this time, which meant that instead of a two day drive they left Virginia and arrived in Illinois by 10:30am. They were tired from the early flight but agreed that it was the better way to travel. The boys loved getting to go to the airport to pick them up, although there was a little bit of confusion when we explained that we would not actually be going on an airplane. Lance wants to know when he gets to fly.

Having the Parsons here was a wonderful way to kick off the Christmas season. We enjoyed doing some festive things like decorating sugar cookies, looking at Christmas lights downtown, and watching Christmas movies. One of the things that they wanted to do while they were here was do their Christmas shopping for our family so we spent some time shopping. It was pretty funny to walk through Toys R Us with the boys pointing out everything and their grandparents behind them sneaking toys into the shopping cart. I don't think Lance realized what was going on, but clearly he knew who he was shopping with because at one point he just started tossing things into the cart. I had a chance to go shopping with just Pam and I told her that was just as much my present as anything she could buy me. The chance to go shopping and take my time and look at whatever I wanted without worrying about the boys was incredibly relaxing. Plus, I loved the "girl time"  and the chance just to talk and catch up. It was so much fun!

While they were here we did take the boys to go and see Santa Claus at the mall. This was our first time attempting something like this so I was worried about how it was going to go down. Lance tends to be very shy - and very stubborn. He seemed to pick up on the importance of telling Santa what he wanted though. Clark was well prepared and so Lance followed suit. They were so sweet talking to him and we even got what I think was a perfect picture of my boys.

The Parsons also gave Josh and I a gift - the chance to go on a date. We haven't been able to do that in months. We went out to dinner and then saw Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It was a great movie, even if the heat went out in the theater and we had to watch it wearing our coats and gloves. Why? Because it is ridiculously cold in Illinois, as I have quickly learned. The Parsons were here to experience our first Illinois snow - on December 3rd. I mean seriously, it wasn't even winter yet. It was beautiful though. The one thing that may get us through is that for us snow is still so much of a novelty. The boys and I love to go out and play in it, and luckily we don't usually have to go anywhere so I don't have to worry about driving in it.

The visit ended way too quickly, as it always does, but we had a wonderful time with Pam and John. We can't wait until our next visit, but after the weather they experienced I'm thinking they may not be back up our way until Spring.

Being Frederick

The boys have a book that a sweet friend, Mrs. Starr, gave them called Frederick. It's the story of a mouse named Frederick who, while his family of mice is busy gathering food for the winter, seems to sit idly by. When asked about his behavior Frederick says that he is collecting. He collects things like the warmth of the sun and the colors of summer for the cold, gray winter days.

I adopted a mentality much like Frederick's this fall in Illinois. Frankly I think it's because I am scared of what may be coming as fall progresses to our first winter here in the Midwest. We have made the most of getting outside and enjoying the mild weather in October and November. Every chance I could I took the boys outside. We went to different playgrounds and we played in the yard and we went for bike rides and walks. I wanted the boys to soak up as much time outside, as much fresh air and sunshine, as they could. While they could. It was beautiful.

It was also a good idea, because winter has not even arrived yet and we have already experienced our first Illinois snow. On December 4th the forecast called for possible snow showers. By lunch time there was enough snow outside it would have shut down the town back in North Carolina. It was absolutely beautiful though, big fat snow flakes that turned the world soft and silent like a winter wonderland. There was a lot of excitement because of the snow.

Since then, however, I can't recall a day when the temperature has gotten out of the thirties. The temperatures I see when I check the forecast are absolutely crazy to me. Highs in the low twenties. Lows in the single digits. Snowflakes popping up randomly here and there. It's just a different lifestyle up here. The cold weather and snow don't stop life from continuing on and I guess we will learn how to adapt. For now we are bundling up and enjoying the Christmas season. There's something that warms you deep inside when you see the lights on the Christmas tree, stockings hung by the fire, candles filling your house with the smell of peppermint. And then there's always hot chocolate. Lots and lots of hot chocolate. 

Thanksgiving

We went into this holiday season thinking we would be spending it just the four of us. We knew we would not be able to make a trip home, and at the time none of our family had made any plans to come out here. I am so glad that things changed. When Josh's cousin Jessica contacted us and asked if they could come down for Thanksgiving we were thrilled! Their family is currently stationed up near Chicago and, like us, have no family close by. We jumped at the chance to have them stay with us.

Anyone with little children knows that traveling with them - or having company with them - can have its own set of challenges. Jessica and her husband, Przemek, have an eighteen month old little boy named Gabriel so we went into the weekend knowing we'd just see how everything went. I'm so glad to say it all went wonderfully. The boys all had fun playing together - goodness knows we had plenty of toys to go around! Jessica and Przemek made themselves right at home so we could just relax and enjoy visiting.

Thanksgiving dinner was absolutely delicious. I can only take credit for the pies (you know I love my desserts!) and the rolls. In all else I was simply Josh's sous chef, an extra set of hands. Boy was it good. In addition to having Jessica and her family over we also enjoyed sharing dinner with a gentleman from our church who did not have other plans. We had great conversation and Josh and Jessica even got to Facetime their family back in Virginia who were celebrating Thanksgiving together.

The rest of the trip was just spent being together. Visiting, showing them our new church, exploring Springfield, and lots of good eating. It was great, and we hope that one day soon we can go up to Chicago and let them show us around.

We have so much to be thankful for this year. God has provided for us in so many different ways. I am particularly thankful for the new friends that God has brought into our lives and for how they have loved and embraced our family.