Friday, December 9

The Joyous Family: Snowfall at 16 Days 'Til Christmas


I took all these pictures a long time ago, but how appropriate that at 16 days 'till Christmas,
we are covered in snow...
and the countdown-snowman is with the candy dish and matching salt & pepper shakers,
which are also covered in snow?!

Anyway...
I woke up about 4am, and followed an odd sound
to find one of my angels trying to see how much snow we have so far.
I did what any mother would do:
I turned on the porch light
and lifted him up to look out the front door...
and, of course, snapped a picture at the same time...
I'm just that good

Of course, then, this morning,
I was hardly surprised to be woken up early
-- with the sun...almost...except for a lack of sun, and just white low-hanging clouds --
by one of my children..
The fur-baby, "child"

Apparently, Lance could not wait to eat some of his beloved "ice cream"!
Of course, his bounding back and forth, insisting,
woke everyone else up...

I insisted that we get a picture of the height of the snow with a ruler,
before it all got trampled.
Joyce wanted to use one of the "cool 'ulers"
(one of our pink or blue, plastic rulers)
But when it could not be seen in the outdoors
(too see-through)
we opted for mom's old-fashioned wooden ruler
Isn't Joyce beautiful?
I love that toothy smile!
Even if it is a little early in the morning

Oh, and before anyone complains,
She does have shoes, knee-high socks, and leggings on,
but the snow is to high to see...
Oh, you meant the lack of a coat or gloves?

While I love things small,
-- I am small, after all --
and I love having little children
(and there are benefits to it all),
It does get interestingly hard to find clothing...
(esp"grown up" looking clothing, for a mom in size 12-14 kids)...

Baby Nina wears a size smaller then Joyce & Bruno;
Nina's size doesn't exist,
Because Joyce & Bruno are still wearing Newborn...
Good luck finding a snow suit or two in that tiny size,
nevermind gloves!
 LOL...

We're the little family,
A blessed family:
The Joyous Family...

Welcome to us...

Monday, December 5

The Joyous Family: First Gift at 20 Days 'Til Christmas


So, the days are counting down.

We're into December now, and already started having busy weekends!

We also received our first Christmas gift in the mail,
care of the Zingale's (my sister's family)...

I for one am happy to have something to listen to in the car when FLN is not doing Christmas music or when we lose them.
But...I forgot that there is one song on there I probably should have skipped
before the children heard it...
I have a feeling we'll be hearing "let it go" via "Panty-nix" on repeat the whole drive grocery shopping tomorrow...
Oops...

Also...
I have tried, many times, to explain to the children that the correct name is Pentatonix,
which is a musical term, and has to do with penta = five...
One particular time, I found Joyce going through her clothing drawer trying to find "five pairs of panties" she did not mind "nixin'" (getting rid of) "just like the singers"
Oh joy!
At least she got the "five" part right...


So, back to today...
After we unwrapped the gifts in the mail,
Excitedly, Bruno jumped on my bed, and did some sort of weird half-split pose,
to show everyone their/his favorite gift
(I also got a book):

On that note...
It used to make sense that Bruno would strip off more then just his shoes,
when he came in the door, after getting covered in mud and becoming odorous from sweat.
But at some point, it just became a habit,
and has nothing to do with mud,
or dirt,
or sweat anymore.
He just strips as soon as he comes inside.

After church...after walking the dog...after riding in the car...
After whatever...
Off comes everything, but the underthings (thankfully!)...
I can't decide if this is a phase, a Bruno thing, or a boy-thing?
I have pictures to remind me that my sisters and I went through our own toddler-in-the-nude
(except maybe a diaper) phases.
But Bruno is way past the diaper phase...

So to all the my friends who are moms-of-boys,
can you tell me: is this normal?

At least he wears clothing when we go out...
But I'll be surprised if he wears a coat this winter...
Welcome to us

Wednesday, November 30

The Joyous Family: Sleeping Soundly at 25 Days 'til Christmas

I never used to wonder how many children could fit into a single bed with me. Apparently, the answer is four more...
Yes, I'm counting the dog.

I never used to wonder what it was like to get a good nights sleep. A long, full, eight hours. Sound, like the dead, sleep.
Although I was blessed to have almost a few hours last night, in which I slept sound like the dead...dangerous, though it may be...
I must have been more tired then I realized.

There are a lot of things about having a child that changes things. Nevermind four children, five years of age and under...
and, yes, I'm counting the dog, again.
Why not?

5am, or not, it is all worth it to see their beautiful faces...
And when I, somehow, managed to sleep soundly last night, only to be awoken by these two beauties crawling into bed with me, well, all I was thinking at first, through my foggy, half-awake brain, was how wonderful and beautiful they are, and how blessed I am...


Until the fog started to clear and my brain began to process a few things...like, how did the baby get out of her crib? Where did Bruno go after hoisting them up into my bed? And why was it so quiet? Too quiet...

I had a moment of panic...which did not really dissipate, much, once I found Bruno...

He was quietly taking down this mess, which led to the crib
#allthosebooks #heissmallforhisage

He said he had been quiet, so I could sleep.
He also, tried to reassure me, that he had used mostly hardback books, because they are more sturdy...

I'm sure he was trying to be helpful. Make sure the baby didn't wake me...or something...but #canthatpossiblybesafe? #howdidhecarrythebabydownthat?
#Godhelpme! #Ihadallsisters
#givehimcreditforcreativity #noideawherehegetsit
#howdidisleepthroughthat? #remindmenevertosleepagain #thankfulnobodywashurt...today

Welcome to us...

Monday, November 28

the Joyous Family: Introductions at 27 Days 'til Christmas


To start, let me introduce myself. My name is Hannah Joy, but I have been called Haney, Harney, Actuallywhatyabut, Somebody, daydreamer (ask my wonderful, home-schooling mom just how often she had to pull my head out of the clouds), and other various, sometimes rather odd, names. Most people are aware of the fact that I am over thirty, and a single mom to a mostly-wonderful boy (the four-legged, furry, kind). But for the sake of some of the coming posts over the next couple of weeks, I think it is important that I introduce a couple other members of this Joyous family that are not as widely known...

NINA:
A grandmother, hearing of the first grand-daughter, fought the crowds for one of the first Cabbage Patch dolls, which was presented on the grand-daughter's first Christmas (at barely three months old). Jannina "Nina" Florence, however, spent almost three years in the box, until she could be used to entice the grand-daughter to stop climbing furniture. Nina and that grand-daughter were almost inseparable thereafter. Nina went on every doctor visit, got dragged through the mud (and got left outside in the rain on a windowsill), was a pillow and tissue on more occasions then anyone could count when they stayed overnight in the hospital. In fact, Nina has had it so rough, that her fingers and the back of her neck (her head has threatened to detach) has been re-sewn on several occasions, until she finally got a pair gloves made during one of those homeschool sewing class.
In the all-to-imaginative mind...Nina is often portrayed as the adopted, adorable African-American infant. Her hair done up in tiny little braids, pulled back into an almost permanent pony-tail. She smiles a lot, and is a generally good-natured little one, who likes to pull herself up -- be it, by dog, pant leg, or furniture. When allowed to roam free, she can often be found trailing and trying to imitate Joyce, or climbing on Lance...



JOYCE:
For birthdays and Christmases, a great-grandfather, lovingly, would give his great-grandchildren money to be put away for college; but one time, just shy of the ninth birthday, one of those great-grandchildren, was given permission to buy something -- yet at the time of purchasing the desired baby boy doll, a toothy-grin-ginger-of-a-doll caught the great-grandchild's eye, instead! Joyce Elaine (the true middle name remains a mystery as the Cabbage Patch birth certificate got lost shortly after purchase), being one of the pose-able dolls, came in a pair of overalls so she could climb/hug trees; however, the wire in her limbs eventually broke, making her pose-able no more.
Imagined...Joyce was born with teeth, and a curly mop of red hair. She is about toddler age (2-3 years old, usually) with a cute, infectious laugh and joyful spirit that she takes, almost, anywhere. Her sassy, stubborn attitude, however, can often get her into (and trying to wiggle out of) trouble. (we have no idea where she gets it from ;) ) She takes after her aunt, in that she is like the energizer bunny and never stops, until she completely drops! She is a bit of a tomboy, and can often be seen running or dashing around. Underfoot. Climbing. Everything. Or hugging. Anything...

BRUNO:
When that great-grandchild (above) with her great-grandfather's birthday money, found the girl doll she could not resist, she had also picked the boy doll she wanted. It had been a difficult decision to go home with only one doll, but to her delight, when her surprise birthday party came around, her mother had somehow (aren't mother's amazing?) snuck that boy doll home to be wrapped and saved for the party! Bruno Shane, like Joyce, was one of the pose-able Cabbage Patch dolls; he came with a tennis hat and shoes, to run and play outdoors, but unlike Joyce, he still has a couple of pose-able limbs.
(side note: when that great-grandchild "outgrew" dolls, she kept three: (1) the inseparable, raggedy doll called Nina, and (2 & 3) Joyce and Bruno, who, in a way, were a last [tangible] gifts from that great-grandfather, due to the great-grandfather's death but a few months after the birthday)
Imagined... Bruno has a cute, dimpled-smile, bright blue eyes, and can sometimes fool a person into thinking he is a shy, thoughtful oldest child (about age 5). Sometimes, he is a gentle, caring, helpful older brother to his sisters. And, well, sometimes, being older means he has a couple little sisters to tease, torment, blame, and dare into trouble. Or maybe it is because he has no brothers that his boys-will-be-boys nature is brought out on his sisters. Especially Joyce -- it begs the question, would she have been a tomboy if she did not have Bruno to lead? Some days, he brings out the tomboy, whether she wants to or not! And other days, it is a toss-up as to who likes mud the most or can get dirty the fastest!

LANCE:
Yes, let us not forget the four-legged, fur-baby! (the one most of y'all already know). Born at the beginning of 2013, just about the time the hunt for a service dog began. In a dream it was revealed that it would earn the nicknamed "doughboy" as not a day would pass without the bringing forth of laughter (think of the Pillsbury doughboy's laugh). Shortly after, as if by a miracle, a picture of said puppy (then called Lance) was found online, and within a week, was given as a gift.
Upon adoption, the puppy was given the full name of Sir Lancelot Doughboy. Aside from Doughboy, Lance has earned several nicknames -- among them: Lancey, Goober, Goose -- but he only truly responds to his given name. He continues to be a source of pride and joy, and a (mostly) wonderful adventure. To train. To raise...
Imagined? No, Lance can not be portrayed, or imagined, as anything but himself, because he is already quite real! (unless a person only sees a dog?)...but...he is fantastic at posing for pictures, so I'm sure we'll have some great adventures in the days ahead! #watchful #hekeepsawearyeye #goodboy

Welcome to our home...

the Joyous Family: Escapades To Come

Most of my friends are married with kids. Plural. And it's the Holiday season...
If you've ever been one of the unfortunates to still be single during this time of the year, you know what I am not saying...The stigma, from family, friends, movies (seriously, media is the worst!) to find someone for the Holidays. The cold, lonely nights. The joy of sharing anything, everything, about the Holiday preparations, with someone...
I mean, look at my place! It's beautifully decorated for Christmas! A winter wonderland theme, in blues and snowflakes, and...
Wait, you did not know? Didn't anyone tell you?
Oh, yeah, I'm single. (Who is there to see, let alone tell all?) The drive to decorate for the Holidays lost its appeal many years ago when I realized NOBODY would get to see it. Even if I post pictures online, at least 50% won't have it come up on their feed, and of those who do, less then  2% can truly appreciate/imagine it (pictures don't do justice; am I right?!)...
Oh, and then there's all the cool, cute family stories circulating. Or the not so cute family holiday stories with the hash-tag: keeping it real...
If I have a reply, lets be honest, who really wants their stories of mishaps and children compared to my dog?
If I was #keepingitreal, I'd have to add that I suffer from a bit of jealousy, too. Well at least you HAVE a husband to come home to NOT notice your decorations, or complain about whatever. Or children, who throw fits...
I could complain. I could throw a fit, too...I could remind everyone that nobody's life is perfect...
And don't tell me about how nothing is like one of those corny Hallmark movies...I am too old, with too many married (and sometimes divorced) friends, to NOT see how real, or unreal, life gets in the married and motherhood scene (but, if we're being honest, here, despite all the times we feel like banging our heads against a brick wall, or all the messes and tantrums we must dissipate, we'd do it all over again, wouldn't we? Because those moments, no matter how far between, where they smile at us, or notice, or thank, or well, just be their wonderful, adorable self, ARE TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!)
But instead of being jealous, or complaining, I'm going to do what I do best: have fun! So here's the scoop: over the next few weeks I am going to post pictures with a story of mis-adventure for the day (not all stories are true; a person is more then welcome to ask for the real story, in some cases; Some, however, are BASED on true stories, much to someone's chagrin and embarrassment, somewhere).

(ADDED NOTE: the coming pictures and stories are meant as a comic relief. Relief from the stress and grind of the Holidays, and the other stuff going on in the news. It is not meant to "make light of" or to offend anyone...in fact, it is probably more humorous and therapeutic on my sake...please enjoy, or don't...)