Emotional, the good kind

I've been incredibly emotional lately.  However, it's in the good way.  I am overwhelmed with happiness this year with my two babies as we anticipate Christmas. 

We have been enjoying lots of family time as we read the Bible stories for our Jesse Tree and as we light our Advent candles during dinner.  We've spent time playing Advent songs on the piano, Anna's favorites being O Come O Come Emmanuel and Immaculate Mary (played, of course, for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception).  We've been attending daily Mass three times a week (something we started in November when our schedule evened out a little bit).  We've played with our Little People nativity for countless hours and talked about Baby Cheea (Jesus).  Anna can pick out the various Navitity participants, her favorite being the Shhhheeeeep (followed with a resounding Baaaaaaa).  We're really made Avent a time of preparation and anticipation in our home.

I cannot even explain how much my heart swells when I think about celebrating Christmas with my two children.  They love spending time with family and they love all of the places and people we'll see for Christmas. 

I spent many years being emotional in the other direction.  Sad, that yet again, we had no anticipation of a baby for Christmas.  Sad, that there were no little people in our house to build traditions with.  Unknowing about the future and how many more Christmas' we'd have to endure the endless questions of, "So when are you guys going to have kids?"  It was hard and it was painful.  And it made Christmas very hard to anticipate.

And then last year we had our precious Anna.  The joy she brought to our home was immeasurable.  And this year we have our sweet Anthony.  And we couldn't be happier.  God has blessed us abundantly and it makes the previous years make much more sense.

Aside from the wonderful emotions Advent and Christmas are bringing me, there's the added emotion of my baby sister's birthday.   It's one thing to get older yourself and turn ages that sound old.  It's a whole other thing for your younger siblings to get old.  Today my sister Julie turns 21.  That makes me feel ancient.  She's the baby, the last of the Schmitt girls, bringing up the rear.  And she's such a beautiful young lady.  Julie is what everyone wants in a baby sister.  She's kind, she's sweet and she loves life.  She takes every opportunity to serve and every opportunity to love.  She's holy and definitely an example to all of us in faith.  Her love for Christ and the Church is something that has inspired me over and over again.  It constantly restores in me the hope for young people of today.  She puts her faith first and foremost.  Julie's determined and hard-working.  She never stops working towards her goals.  And at the same time, she'll take time out to help anyone.  She's constantly telling us about this volunteer opportunity or that one, this pro-life event she helped coordinate or that one.  I am so proud of her and all her hard work.  She is truly sharing her talents with all and she will make a wonderful nurse in the coming years.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for my beautiful (and old) baby sister.

One of the posts I didn't get a chance to write for my thankful posts was how thankful I am for my siblings.  Each of my sisters are so unique and don't worry Sara and Lisa, your posts are coming, your birthdays are, in fact, coming quickly as well :-).

In addition to my sister, today's my grandma's 80th birthday.  Another reason I'm emotional.  We had a surprise party for her on Saturday.  My entire dad's side of the family was able to make it, with the exception of my cousin and brother-in-law Kel who were working and Julie who is busy taking finals.  We rarely get to see all of this family at the same time, but everyone made it.  It was beautiful to watch Anna and my cousin's daughter, Evie play.  They're only like 6 weeks apart in age and they had such fun playing together.  We're lucky that we'll get to see them again at Christmas and I can't wait for these fast friends to play together again.  It was beautiful to see us all having such fun and taking such delight in family.

My grandparents and their 4 great-grandchildren.  Evie (22 mo), Cecelia (4 mo), Anthony (8 mo) and Anna (21 mo).

Anthony, Evie, and Anna watching Mickey Mouse on the iPad with my cousin  Krysta (Evie's aunt)

Happy 80th Birthday Grandma!

And then there are days like yesterday.  I had the day off, as the little guy I watch wasn't feeling well.  I spent the day taking the kids to the library and McDonald's to play.  We played and sang and shared a treat.  I snuggled my babies and loved on them all day long.  At the end of the day, I was completely exhausted and yet I felt like I was bursting with love for my family.  I love my job as a stay at home mom and it's nice to have a day off once in a while to remind myself of how blessed I am to be home with my babies, watching them grow, even if it means taking care of an extra child (or 2 on a lot of days). 

I had no intention of writing a post this long, but I haven't had much time to get my thoughts out lately.  I am overcome with happy emotions.  I'm crying a lot, but they're happy tears.  I can only describe it by saying I'm overflowing with happiness.  As much as I always look forward to the next phase (in this case, adopting children through foster care), I'm enjoying each moment with my two children and taking time to soak it all in.  I am increasingly thankful for our infertility and the gift of not taking things for granted that it gave me.  I know what special gifts my children are and try to make sure that's a constant reminder when days are hard.  It also makes me pray, in a very special way, for those that are walking the path of infertility and/or adoption.  I will never forget what those emotions felt like.