Beautiful Little Surprises

December 27, 2008

Posted on Saturday, December 27th, 2008

I love having kids for many reasons. One of them is that, like most people, I love to be entertained. There’s nothing more entertaining than children, no? Life is full of surprises with these little crazies in my life. With them, Christmas travels and festivities never ever have a dull moment. (Even if I would really really like a dull moment every now and again.)

For instance, right before we were leaving for Christmas at my parent’s house, bags packed and boys in the car, I was running around looking for pacifiers. I’m a wise mother, and I knew we would need at least five for the car trip. That way, when Asher threw the third one on the floor just for kicks and then cried, I’d still have two pacifying pieces of plastic up my sleeve. Or in my pocket.

But I couldn’t find any, of course. I knew that the boys had just been playing with about six of them in Asher’s room, but they were nowhere to be found. I called out the door, yelling to Ryan to ask Miles where they put them. He said, “in Asher’s room.” I looked again. Nothing. So we left with two pacifiers and spent the next few days at my parent’s house, searching for one or the other every hour or so. Especially at night groping around in the dark, trying to make sure Asher wouldn’t fully wake, when both pacifiers could be found under his crib or hidden under his blanket. I finally came through the anger and depression stages of pacifier grief and had accepted that we could make due with only two. After all, there are worse things.

Then yesterday, I found this beautiful surprising treasure…

Right where they belong, in the bottom drawer of Mommy’s dresser, with the pj’s. Makes perfect sense. It was like hitting the jackpot in the land of the EO. FIVE pacifiers to place in all corners of Asher’s crib to ensure a better night’s sleep. Pure bliss. And a good laugh too.

I would like to say that Ryan and I enjoyed the Christmas Eve service at my parent’s church, but I’d be lying. We didn’t really see any of it. Miles and Asher haven’t quite mastered the art of sitting still and being quiet. We spent much of the service with other parents who have no control over their children lovely families in a room off the sanctuary. Except for when the pastor called the kids to the front for a story. About three minutes into it, Asher took off down the center aisle to be with the kids up front, stumble-walking with me trailing behind to ensure he wouldn’t unplug any speakers or fall off the stage. Then my Dad gracefully took over watching him in front of the crowd. That was so nice, even if he did end up giving everyone quite a show when he tried to stop Asher from climbing something by grabbing the back of his pants. Let’s just say there was a full moon in Bethlehem.

Now we’re back home, catching up on sleep (sort of) and battling the toy packaging to release the boys’ new treasures. We ended up with piles of recycling strewn about, so I asked Miles to grab the small pieces of cardboard and bring them to the recycling in the back room. He listened. What a pleasant surprise! So I puffed up my chest a bit and smiled to myself, patting me on the back for being such a great Mom. Later, as Miles napped, I went to feed the dog and found her bag of food full of cardboard.

It was close at least, the dog food and recycling bins are in the same room. I’m choosing to believe we’re making progress!

Sigh.

And finally, life’s surprises are not all about our kids. No, sometimes strange animals show up on your driveway to welcome you home from your Christmas travels. Even though you live in the city…An odd little city dweller, don’t you think? We will call him Nick, since he arrived shortly after a man with the same name, only of the “Old Saint” variety. Or perhaps The Little Drummer Boy. Or Star of Wonder. Or… o.k., I’ll stop.

I hope all of your trips, food festivities, and merry-making adventures have been full of surprises as well. Maybe yours have not been as deeply meaningful and profound as our surprises. If that’s the case, don’t you worry. There’s always next year.

{ 25 comments }

Cynthia December 27, 2008 at 4:39 pm

Sounds like a great time was had by all. Love the ‘Full Moon in Bethlehem’ thing!

Keyona December 27, 2008 at 4:40 pm

Sounds like you had a great holiday!

charrette December 27, 2008 at 5:30 pm

Life is all about enjoying, rather than being thrown by, all the surprises. So happy you found all those pacifiers. Can’t wait till you get the tiny little package I’m sending you (speaking of surprises).

xo

charrette December 27, 2008 at 5:31 pm

Oh yeah, and that full moon in Bethlehem? Priceless.

Kristina P. December 27, 2008 at 6:15 pm

Wow, is that a possum? Sounds like a great Chrismtas, Heather.

Growin' with it! December 27, 2008 at 6:17 pm

ahh i remember those pacifier moments! sometimes i wonder if i needed them for myself some days. well that sounds strange, but hopefully you know what i mean…just needed a moment of peace and quiet?!

the possom? one at our house too. ain’t that nice of santa to give us a new pet!? although dale, my beagle thinks it is his new chew toy. boy has he tried catching him let me tell ya. hate to hear or see it if he does!

Heidi Ashworth December 27, 2008 at 6:37 pm

How do you think of these things? (full moon in Bethlehem)Too cute! Love it! And the cardboard in the dog’s dish (did I get that right? I have forgotten already–blame the kids, it’s always their fault regardless)is too funny. The pacifier dilemma–I remember it well. That’s why I refused to give one to my 2nd and 3rd. The Big Guy really needed one, though. Clearly. Happy New Year Heather!

James December 27, 2008 at 6:42 pm

Wow! What a lot of fun you had! You’re absolutely right about children. There’s hardly ever a dull moment with them around.

We had an opossum hanging around our yard once. I think he left after our German Shorthair Pointer got to him before he could escape into the safety of a tree. No wait. That was the raccoon. Never mind. He left after the confrontation, in which I intervened because I was afraid our dog would get hurt if it came to blows. You do not want to corner a raccoon.

I do, however have a few pics of an opossum in a tree in our yard at night.

Fun post! Thanks for sharing!

Sara@ Butterville December 27, 2008 at 6:42 pm

You are SO funny! I still can’t get over the fact that it takes 5 suckies for a car ride. That is enough to drive anyone crazy. Now I know why you are the way you are. ;) I’m joking!!!
Is that a possum? EWE! They scare me. Why not a white squirrel or a raccoon at least they are cute…

The Mom December 27, 2008 at 7:42 pm

LOL I love all those pacis, i’m glad my daughter’s thumb is attatched. But I do have a half dozen blankies around just in case!

Kazzy December 27, 2008 at 9:20 pm

Love the “full moon in Bethlehem” comment! It is so true that kids make the holiday though. No more cute little toys being bought around here. It is all about ipods, or cameras or cell phones. It’s all good, but I miss the screams and cheers. sigh.

Glad all of the pacifiers were found too! I remember those days of the stash in the crib! Seems like yesterday. LOL

Sabrina December 27, 2008 at 10:08 pm

Oh what it is to read your blog after a holiday. :)
Miss you and hope to see you soon!

RosyRose December 28, 2008 at 12:13 am

Hey I remember pacifier days! The middle of the night stumbling in, hand under the bed frantically searching for that piece of rubber to stuff in the wailing babys mouth! Oh yes, I remember!

Willow Tree December 28, 2008 at 8:50 am

Your Nick may not be quite as friendly as Saint… Nick. :o)

Loved your church story; that was me last year – could Not sit in the sanctuary with my 2 little ones so we had cheerio confetti and rocking chairs a plenty in the mother’s room.

I’d say progress is progress, take all the listening the boys will offer, LOL.

Blessings, Carolynn

Motherboard December 28, 2008 at 12:00 pm

LOVE the full moon over Bethlehem… I had to re-read that just to make sure it wasn’t your DAD’s full moon. (it wasn’t was it??)

Those crazy possums are mean! We had one show up on our porch in Illinois! Scary larry! (that was his name!)

Happy Holidays!

Lorie December 28, 2008 at 12:10 pm

I love your little visitor! And the binkies in the drawer! Love it!

Troy & Tara Livesay December 28, 2008 at 12:29 pm

Love to you Heather. Icky animal in your driveway. Not a fan.

hug-
t.

Troy & Tara Livesay December 28, 2008 at 12:29 pm

Love to you Heather. Icky animal in your driveway. Not a fan.

hug-
t.

Troy & Tara Livesay December 28, 2008 at 12:29 pm

Love to you Heather. Icky animal in your driveway. Not a fan.

hug-
t.

Troy & Tara Livesay December 28, 2008 at 12:29 pm

Love to you Heather. Icky animal in your driveway. Not a fan.

hug-
t.

Lara December 28, 2008 at 4:03 pm

I’m so happy you had a wonderful Christmas! Love the binkies in the PJ drawer. Kids are awesome.

NorahS December 29, 2008 at 9:14 am

Sounds like a good holiday. Wishing you a Happy New Year, too!

3 Bay B Chicks December 29, 2008 at 9:19 am

Heather of the EO, I love your blog. Your stories about your kids and your approach to life make me endlessly happy. It was fun to log back into the blogosphere and come upon your post about pacifiers as one of my first this morning. It sums up my life in a nutshell.

Happy New Year!
-Francesca

PS: I’ll do my best to make sure that Tyler addresses your riveting vomit or diaper question! :)

LisAway December 29, 2008 at 12:19 pm

Is Nick and opossum?

Greg thinks we don’t need more than one pacifier. I wanted to buy a second one once, and he just asked what could we ever want with two pacifiers? So Aaron just has one. When he’s sucking it it’s always clipped to him, though. I’m not sure how we manage, but we do.

I think my DH has forgotten that our other children always had multiple pacifiers. And that it made sense.

Kate Coveny Hood December 30, 2008 at 1:21 pm

I think that I would scream if I saw that animal in front of my car. But then I’m afraid of squirrels that get too close.

This reminds me of my new favorite term “a surprising happiness” – I’m glad you had so many of them this week!

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