Family Christmas Pictures

We FINALLY got our family pictures taken (sigh). I'm pretty sure it's been on my list of things to do for at least 6 months. It really is a daunting task. But I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. We are at least all looking at the camera. Horray for that. Well, Merry Chirstmas everyone!!

Bedtime Snack

I came downstairs to get Preston into his pajama and this is what I found. Ryan, was of course supervising the little rascal, but he had apparently downed this entire yogurt in a matter of minutes!! He's recently started feeding himself and seems to be very pleased with his abilities.

This stuff is so, so yummy!!

All done!! Thanks. I think I'll go to bed now.

Candy and Gingerbread. . .

Are the ingredients for a great family project.

And this project really did take everyone's help. Adelyn and I started building the house while Preston was taking a nap and Ryan was at his Sunday meeting. By the time he got home, I'm pretty sure both kids were screaming and the gingerbread house was (unfinished) on the refrigerator. I let Ryan and Adelyn make the final touches while I fed Preston some much-deserved gum drops.

We were pretty pleased with the result.

And a smiling girl means the project was a success.

How do you know it is Christmas at the Rocque's house?

You find Christmas stockings all hung in a row. . .

A Christmas tree decorated with love (and lots of "help" from my children). . .

And a little nativity set to remind us all what Christmas is all about.

Warning: Depressing Post

I am REALLY tired today.

I am tired. . . of waking up every morning at 4:00am to a screaming baby and wondering if I should let Preston try to get himself back to sleep. Or if the whole family will have a better chance of getting a few more hours of sleep if I just get up and sooth him, knowing full well that he may never break this habit if I do.

I am tired. . . of vacuuming my front room over and over after my children spilled dishwashing detergent all over the place. No matter how many times I vacuum, I keep finding those little white and blue specks everywhere. Um, yikes! Those are toxic!

I am tired. . . of Preston waking up everyday from his nap cranky and inconsolable for hours, or sometimes even the entire rest of the day, because he only ever takes a 1-hour nap, but needs two hours or more. If he would just sleep more. . .

I am tired. . . of sweeping and mopping the floors. What more needs to be said?

I am tired. . . of feeling like I have to get upset before Adelyn will actually take me seriously and do what I have asked.

I am tired. . . of juggling two kids at the grocery store. It is always a little embarrassing when nearly everything in the cart has been opened and half-way eaten by the time we get to the check-out.

I am tired. . . of cooking, in general.

I am tired. . . of everything taking twenty times as long as it should to get done. I feel like I am trudging through mud all the time.

I am tired. . . of finding partially dismantled ornaments strewn all over my house. Why did I even put up the Christmas tree this year?

I am tired. . . of Adelyn changing her clothes four times a day, wanting to eat every 20 minutes, and being particular about what color her bowl and spoon are every time. Do you think it's too early to teach her how to cook her own meals and do her own laundry and dishes?

Okay, so that felt really good to write those things down. Miraculously, now I feel a lot less "tired." Life has just really felt heavy today. Thanks for letting me complain for a minute so I could get on with things. I hope it wasn't too terribly depressing. :) I know tomorrow will be a better day.