Adulting

I learned at the last minute I would have today off. My first thought was to see if I could volunteer for the kids' Christmas parties at school but my local friends who were having brunch around my table yesterday advised very strongly against it. They reasoned I spend all my days caring for kids and should take the needed break. My friends are very wise.

We slept in forty five minutes because the kids didn't have to catch the bus around my babysitting schedule and were able to join the car rider population on their final day of school before a long winter break. We laughed and talked in the van and I thought I could get used to this. Santa and the chief of police were waving at students as they entered the building. It was super cute and a nice reminder that sometimes living in a small town is awesome.

As I returned home, Greg called with news he not only encountered a flat tire while at work but his spare would not budge off the under carriage despite an hour's worth of effort. He needed rescued. This wasn't exactly the breakfast date we had in mind but it could always be worse, I could have had a van load of babies to haul along.

After returning home with Greg and a few phone calls later, it was determined we not only need to deal with the existing flat tire and the broken system holding the spare but we also need an entire set of new tires. Merry Christmas to us.  I was able to secure an order for the new tires and set an appointment for Greg after Christmas with our local favorite car people and then went to take some measurements with Lauren of her upcoming new place. When we entered, we discovered a bedroom window was broken and left hanging open. It made my heart drop. Everything appeared to be in order but knowing both of my daughters will be residing in this location was not exactly a peaceful feeling.

Adulting was supposed to be fun today. I redeemed it by having lunch with Erin and Lauren and wrapping up one final Christmas surprise. In the end, all was well but that relaxing day I ordered? God laughs at me. 

Our Christmas Greetings

This year I was somehow talked out of ignoring the obligatory Christmas cards. I not only ended up creating photo cards but I also found myself writing a newsletter too. Strange things happen. However, at one time I was sending out one hundred and have reduced that number to fifty. I am still not certain they remain necessary but for those no longer on our mailing list.....here you go.

Merry Christmas! 2015 delivered many changes, challenges and blessings in our world. We handled some with more grace than others; but, thank God, the journey continues and He isn’t finished with us yet.

Being independent was a goal for Erin this year. She moved out on her own in April after graduating summa cum laude in her dental assisting program. She spoke at graduation with humor and gratitude. She is currently enrolled in a bachelor’s program for dental hygiene and will ultimately go to dental school to be a dentist. She was hired out of her internship with Aspen Dental and loves her job. She recently ended her two year relationship with Justin; but, they parted on good terms, still caring for each other.

Always true to herself,  Lauren graduated High School this year by marching across the stage to High School Musical’s theme song, Breaking Free - a theme also bedazzled onto her graduation cap. She attempted college this semester, but quickly learned it wasn’t going to be a good fit for her. She is navigating several part time jobs with the hope of moving in with her sister in January while she explores additional educational options.
Understandably exhausted, Makenna works most weekends and a lot of hours after school for the theater program in the tech department. She is balancing insane hours with a heavy honors class load. She has gotten sick several times as result. Other than that, she baby-sits and socializes with friends. We catch glimpses of her every now and then.

Gymnastics, school, friends, baking, reading and art are Kate’s favorite past times. She in the fourth grade with the same teacher she had last year. She has remained loving and kind despite her upper elementary status. We often joke we have five kids and only one is sweet; as sarcasm is lost on her, but is clearly everyone else’s primary language.

He loves kindergarten and can tell you how many days smarter he is as he counts school days. Ty is reading, performing well in all academics, and quite the little leader in his classroom. He firmly believes a fourth grade boy on the bus is his best friend, and stalks that poor kid with the stealth-like qualities of a bull in a china shop. He is still often found sporting costumes as clothing, and loves Legos more than any other toy. He is all boy; his energy is both entertaining and exhausting.

Many think we live in a zoo. We rescued Layla from life in a pen this summer. She is a handful, but pretty sweet. Erin says Layla’s job is to be the second child who doesn’t care about rules or exasperated humans. Brutus is aging, but still showing off a puppy-like personality every once in a while. And Makenna’s cat, Oliver, acts like a dog more than a cat. The dynamics are interesting to say the least.

A few bible studies, countless cups of tea, and lots of extra kiddos fill Sherri’s days. She averages 12,000 steps a day keeping up with the craziness and wonders why she is tired at the kids‘ bedtime. She still amuses herself writing at gsbaughman.blogspot.com.

Not to be outdone, Greg keeps up with the yard, multiple vehicles, and a job with responsibilities that changed this spring. He and his partners at UPS support all of Santa’s efforts at this time of year, so he is anxious to see January and his family.

This is the photo I wanted to use for our cards but couldn't imagine elderly family members opening this and understanding my unusual sense of humor. So I was pretty pleased when Greg needed a card for his employees. I amuse myself.

Who Needs Cable?

For reasons that still are not clear to me, Lauren and Makenna decided to wear Erin's high school graduation gown tonight. And then in the spirit of teamwork, they attempted to feed the dogs together.

 

Life is never dull around here.

Baughman Christmas, The Ugly Sweater Edition

We celebrated Christmas with Greg's family this weekend. The teens thought an ugly sweater theme only they were aware of would be a fun addition to the celebration. The rest of us chose to focus on Grandma's sweet treats and family time together. We were spoiled as usual and the weather allowed outside playtime as well. It was a good day.

And now the progression of persuading a stubborn six year old into participating in a photo for Grandma.

For the love.

Baby Ava

Anna became a big sister this evening and she couldn't be any more excited. I was honored to be asked to bring Anna to the hospital with my kids to meet sweet baby Ava. Is there anything more perfect in the world than a brand new baby? I don't think so.

Welcome the world little one.  You are already so loved.

Family Christmas Party

I hosted a party for my babysitting families today. Rather than have all the fun myself, I invited parents to join and as result, the kids were able to create more crafts. It was much calmer than previous years but also a nice way to have everyone together before new babies are born in the next month. Greg smoked a pork tenderloin for the grown ups and I made reindeer sandwiches for the kiddos to help off set the sugar rush gained in Mrs. Claus' cookie decorating station. We included the traditional reindeer food because it humors me as much as entertains the children.

A felt tree with felt ornaments will remain throughout this month for little fingers to enjoy decorating all by themselves

My families are awesome and I am grateful they share a large part of their lives with me.

My World This Week

He started wearing sunglasses to school this week even though it is as dark as night when he boards the bus. He thinks he's cool but I know his parents and "cool" isn't part of his DNA.

And So It Begins

Erin had to work the day after Thanksgiving and was a bit sad her time with Grandma and Grandpa would be shortened as result. So we kidnapped her for lunch before Lauren and Makenna ventured into the mall and the rest of us went to see the new Peanuts movie. The movie was pretty cute. I text my sister-in-law on our way out of the theater to let her know I thought her family would enjoy it because Brad is a big fan of Charlie Brown. Jessica text back they were already in the car on the way to the theater because great minds think alike, obviously.

After Mom and Dad left, we warmed left-overs for dinner and then started to decorate for Christmas. I have scaled back enough I honestly believed this process would quick and painless. That was my mistake. After a few hours spent finding a broken bulb on a brand new pre-lit tree and a makeshift tree stand for said tree was created so it would fit inside the bucket I intended to use, I am happy with the results. The little tree is exactly what I hoped it would be. Ty says it is so pretty, Santa may take it back to the North Pole with him.

I plan to leave the trees outside for the duration of winter since they offer a little light to contrast the upcoming grey days. I love the simplicity of the wooden snowflake on the door and red and white pillow on the swing. I believe the look welcomes winter, not just Christmas. The little mailbox by the front door serves not only as a place to countdown the days until Christmas (a job Kate will take very seriously) but will also contain all our holiday greetings this next month.

My grandma's nativity remains the center of our mantel and the little white nativity (displayed on Greg's childhood bible) I have loved since childhood in my mom's house are the two decorations I look the most forward to setting out each year. The kids can't wait for our giant Santa but most everything else is still in the attic. The older I get, the less I enjoy clutter.

Erin and I tackled small business Saturday in our favorite local shops where a new dress for her was purchased and new-to-me purse was finally invested in after drooling over it for a month. The shop owner laughed when I walked it because she knew her 25% off sale would bring me back in to look at it once again. She's good. But more than new dresses and purses, it was pretty sweet to spend the day with Erin while Greg yelled at the Ohio State/Michigan game at home. I just saw this quote on Pinterest and couldn't agree more. "Hanging out with your grown up kids is like visiting the best parts of yourself."