We are done...well...almost. I did buy a chain of beads to go around it. We went with that instead of Leonard's favorite tinsel because I want a different look to the tree. That sounds stupid, but I am hoping it will work. Even small changes, if the kids allow them, might help me to breathe through this.
Here is James standing in front of his creation. For it is truly his. I kind of wussed out. He put on about 97% of the ornaments. I only placed the blue ornament you will see below and our first ornament which you will also see, in all it's blurred glory because I wasn't able to hold the camera steady. They have the "places of honor" this year. Each year, certain ornaments will go in the "place of honor", which is directly below the star, on the highest branches to the left and right. Usually it is reserved for the Packers ornaments (nobody said we had class) I have collected over the years. Also note that my son is unable to keep his eyes wide open for a picture. I didn't take the 20 minutes that I did to take the Halloween pictures this time. I try to do the "Tyra trick". For those of you with lives who don't watch ANTM marathons, this trick is to keep your eyes closed until just before the shot. I will shout,"Open!!!" and James will open his eyes, and I'll snap the shot. This time it sort of worked, and we got the half lidded look. He also got to go shopping at school today. Secret santa.
He loves shopping for everyone and then bringing the bags home and showing everyone. The way it goes is that whoever the gift is for has to close their eyes. Only, he has the habit of saying what the things are as you are looking at them so the giftee usually knows what their gift is. Only he didn't do that this year. And it was bittersweet. On the form, where you are supposed to put the names for parents, grandparents, and siblings I screwed up. I wrote his daddy's name. Sometimes I think I am going crazy. If you look really close at the closeup picture of the tree (with James' big glass snowman for his first Christmas), just to the left of center is my 2nd grade picture in an ornament we made in class. Me, with the grown out pixie.
The last two shots are of our first Christmas ornament (after we were married, in 1996) and Leonard's first ornament that was made for him as a baby. It is so simple and so Leonard that it hurts. I keep trying and failing to find ways to do this.
Lastly (gosh is this entry disjointed), I was at the ER with my daughter on Monday morning...early. Her back was killing her and I wanted to make sure it wasn't a kidney infection. They did an ultrasound, found some cysts and sent her on her way with some painkillers. Luckily, they were not busy and we were pretty much in and out. I can't believe how easily they prescribe painkillers. I'm really glad she is okay. I think, sometimes, that emotions can make pain intensify. Okay, I don't think it. I know it.
14 comments:
The tree looks beautiful! I love the pic of James in front of it. His grin is precious.
You did a good job. Be proud!
erm, cycts? Won't they treat those with more than just pain killers? Poor thing. :(
Lovely tree, though!
Thank you betts. He's a big grinner.
J, she is on bc pills and they have changed the script three times but they haven't really worked well. I get cysts, but not any that cause the kind of moaning that she experiences.
At our house, I don't recall having a problems with people keeping eyes open for pics, but we all have horrible camera faces. You know that fake smile, goofy look. We all have it. And my little one, she cannot look at the camera or sit still long enough to take her picture, I am always getting the back of her head. I agree with J, just pain pills? Weird.
What a cutie James is!!! & what a gift for you to have him to do the tree for you all this year.
My daughter and I both share the inability to have our eyes open in pictures. Peanut closes her eyes even when there is no flash.
James is so handsome! This is a lovely post and I hope your daughter is feeling better soon!
THE TREE IS FAB-A LOUS!!! I applaud your effort,little love! Keep going! hugs
The tree turned out so good. Bravo to James for doing such a great job with a little help from you:) He is so handsome Laura, I know he is just a boy in age, but such a good looking one with a twinkle in his eyes. My niece has had trouble with cysts for over 10 years and they treat it with birth control. Fortunately it hasn't been so bad as to send her to the hospital. I hope Nichole is feeling much better soon. I whole heartedly agree with you on emotions intensifying pain..
So very true as you know. Hope your spirits are lifting this week for you. ((HUGS and LOVE)) to you today.
Laurie in Ca.
I think you are doing the best you can and that is enough! The tree is beautiful and I think sometimes we have to start new traditions in place of ones that may be too painful to continue.
James is GORGEOUS! What handsome boy you have!
I hope your daughter is feeling better too. Good grief. You've had it coming and going, haven't you??
You ARE doing it and not failing. It hasn't been that long. You try to change little things and that's the best way to cope. Baby steps.
That's a handsome boy you have there!
Love the tree, and your son is so cute...I love the grin!
I totally sympathize with your daughter. I had difficulty with cysts when I was in high school and early college. They treated mine the same way....(b.c. and pain pills) However, I do remember that they hurt like heck! Hope she's feeling better soon!!!
Sending some love and good thoughts your way!
James is sooo adorable!
I love the way his eyes look--makes the smile look more true.
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