Sunday, January 4, 2015
We had a wonderful Christmas break and I have to admit that I am pretty bummed that it is coming to an end. The last two weeks flew by so quickly that I am still reflecting on all the wonderful times we had over the break.
We left on the 23rd and drove to my parent's house to drop off Lucy. My dad has been so gracious to help us out and keep Lucy so we do not have to board her when we are gone. We had supper with my parents and then tried to get some sleep. We would be getting up early in the morning to head to TN. The kids were so excited and I am pretty sure they only slept a few hours that night. I had woken up on the 23rd with a terrible sore throat and was still not feeling great, so I was up several times in the night and the kids were wide awake :). We left around 5:00 AM on the 24th and made the eight hour drive to Gatlinburg, TN. The Riggs' clan rented a cabin in the mountains and we were all looking forward to a wonderful Christmas. We arrived in TN and was surprised by how warm it was for December! I was glad that I grabbed a few short sleeved shirts and my fan before we left.
It was a great time of visiting and watching the the cousins play. It really is amazing how they just pick up from where they left off. The kids were in Lego heaven and we were all stepping over Lego's the entire time. Aunt Janna had bought the kids Christmas pajamas and we all had a good laugh. The sister-in-laws did a little shopping on Friday while the daddy's took the kids swimming. The boys and Janna went to a TN Vols basketball game one night and the rest of us girls stayed up way later than normal laughing and talking. Janna and Papa took the kids to see Night at the Museum while the others went to see Unbroken. It was just a wonderful time to get out of the city for a week and take a breather. We all headed back to Nashville on Monday and we were able to visit with our dear friends for a few hours. It was nice to hug the neck and visit with one of my faithful prayer warriors. It was nice to thank her face to face for her encouragement. After our visit the family went to Cracker Barrel for supper and our eating at our favorite places we do not have in Chicago continued :) (we had Zaxby's for lunch that day).
I did not have a good night sleep on Monday night. Before bed I got a text from my dear friend who shared with me some heartbreaking news and I just hurt so bad that she was hurting. I was sleeping on a air mattress and believe it or not I thought I was going to freeze to death. On Tuesday the guys and Janna were heading to the Music City Bowl and the girls had plans to visit with friends and family in Nashville. Emma, Chloe, and myself were meeting Kaleb and Kraig for lunch and I was so happy that I was going to be to see them. We had lunch at Logan's and then Kaleb had to go to work, but Kraig went with us to Target. Kraig and I then spent over an hour just talking in my car in the Target parking lot. The girls fell asleep and we just talked and it was one of the highlights of my year. Yes, I said year. I wish that I could see those boys more than a couple of times a year!
We left TN on Wednesday and went back to my parent's house before heading back to the city. We picked up Lucy and spent New Year's Eve with my parents. We came back to Chicago on New Year's Day and it was a beautiful sight to see the city come into view. It is always good to have a break from city life, but I always love returning to it. We have spent the last few days putting Christmas decorations, presents, and clothes away. We have also been finishing up the ridiculous amount of homework that was given to Samuel and Chloe. I think I was more upset about the homework than the kids :). We have been very fortunate and have had a pretty mild November and December. Unfortunately, January is starting off to be a typical Chicago winter. We were supposed to get a little snow last night, but it continued to snow all day today. Insane temperatures are moving in tomorrow and probably some more snow tomorrow night. I grew up loving snow. As a kid it was fun to play in and always the hope for a snow day. Living in TN I really loved snow because it was almost a guarantee that we would have a snow day. Last year's winter changed my attitude toward snow and I really do not like snow that much, but I guess I will just have to suck it up and dream of spring.
We left on the 23rd and drove to my parent's house to drop off Lucy. My dad has been so gracious to help us out and keep Lucy so we do not have to board her when we are gone. We had supper with my parents and then tried to get some sleep. We would be getting up early in the morning to head to TN. The kids were so excited and I am pretty sure they only slept a few hours that night. I had woken up on the 23rd with a terrible sore throat and was still not feeling great, so I was up several times in the night and the kids were wide awake :). We left around 5:00 AM on the 24th and made the eight hour drive to Gatlinburg, TN. The Riggs' clan rented a cabin in the mountains and we were all looking forward to a wonderful Christmas. We arrived in TN and was surprised by how warm it was for December! I was glad that I grabbed a few short sleeved shirts and my fan before we left.
It was a great time of visiting and watching the the cousins play. It really is amazing how they just pick up from where they left off. The kids were in Lego heaven and we were all stepping over Lego's the entire time. Aunt Janna had bought the kids Christmas pajamas and we all had a good laugh. The sister-in-laws did a little shopping on Friday while the daddy's took the kids swimming. The boys and Janna went to a TN Vols basketball game one night and the rest of us girls stayed up way later than normal laughing and talking. Janna and Papa took the kids to see Night at the Museum while the others went to see Unbroken. It was just a wonderful time to get out of the city for a week and take a breather. We all headed back to Nashville on Monday and we were able to visit with our dear friends for a few hours. It was nice to hug the neck and visit with one of my faithful prayer warriors. It was nice to thank her face to face for her encouragement. After our visit the family went to Cracker Barrel for supper and our eating at our favorite places we do not have in Chicago continued :) (we had Zaxby's for lunch that day).
I did not have a good night sleep on Monday night. Before bed I got a text from my dear friend who shared with me some heartbreaking news and I just hurt so bad that she was hurting. I was sleeping on a air mattress and believe it or not I thought I was going to freeze to death. On Tuesday the guys and Janna were heading to the Music City Bowl and the girls had plans to visit with friends and family in Nashville. Emma, Chloe, and myself were meeting Kaleb and Kraig for lunch and I was so happy that I was going to be to see them. We had lunch at Logan's and then Kaleb had to go to work, but Kraig went with us to Target. Kraig and I then spent over an hour just talking in my car in the Target parking lot. The girls fell asleep and we just talked and it was one of the highlights of my year. Yes, I said year. I wish that I could see those boys more than a couple of times a year!
We left TN on Wednesday and went back to my parent's house before heading back to the city. We picked up Lucy and spent New Year's Eve with my parents. We came back to Chicago on New Year's Day and it was a beautiful sight to see the city come into view. It is always good to have a break from city life, but I always love returning to it. We have spent the last few days putting Christmas decorations, presents, and clothes away. We have also been finishing up the ridiculous amount of homework that was given to Samuel and Chloe. I think I was more upset about the homework than the kids :). We have been very fortunate and have had a pretty mild November and December. Unfortunately, January is starting off to be a typical Chicago winter. We were supposed to get a little snow last night, but it continued to snow all day today. Insane temperatures are moving in tomorrow and probably some more snow tomorrow night. I grew up loving snow. As a kid it was fun to play in and always the hope for a snow day. Living in TN I really loved snow because it was almost a guarantee that we would have a snow day. Last year's winter changed my attitude toward snow and I really do not like snow that much, but I guess I will just have to suck it up and dream of spring.
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