Mama of 2 P's in a Pod

Sometimes the holidays can bring the best out of people. And sadly, a lot of the time it can bring out the worst too. Usually I am into the season. Excited to spend Christmas with our family, as dysfunctional as it may be. But this year, I have had a hard time getting into the spirit. Christmas Eve I was pretty much over it. I am not usually so negative, but the recent events of two officers murdered and those children taken away in Connecticut, plus the every day negative news headlines and stress of the season was enough to get me in the Scrooge like mood. Thankfully, our little P and her sweet spirit reminded me that those things are all just things that are out of my control. When we got together for her nightly prayers, she wanted to add a prayer for the mommies and daddies in Connecticut who didn't have little ones to tuck in for Santa. Wow. That hit me. I am eternally grateful for her and her way of being my amazing Grace. There is nothing like the harsh slap of perspective

9 years ago Kris and I became parents for the first time. We were both terrified. Me more of the labor and delivery part at first, but both of us on "how in the world can we take care of someone so little and so vulnerable" part. I was in my last hour of back labor at this point 9 years ago. It was a long and painful 12 hours. No medicine offered could have taken the edge, but once it came time for me help Piper into this world, it became relatively easy. She decided when to make her appearance all on her own, very much like the person she is now. She's ready when SHE is ready. December 13th wasn't the day she wanted to arrive so she stayed put for five more days. I loved being pregnant, especially that second and third trimester when reality of carrying another life becomes pretty known. The kicking, the hiccups, the foot caught in my rib cage or the entire body flip that made my stomach have a corner for a brief time. I loved knowing that I was part of a miracle and

So my last post pointed out that October went exceptionally fast....well November was pretty much the same. In fact, I blinked and it was gone. Life is busy and seems even busier when routine is out of whack, as was our November. The P's were involved in a fall soccer tourney in KC the first weekend in November. It was my first time taking on a full weekend of tournament action by myself, ok without Kris, because my mom, the trooper she is, was on hand to help me. Kris was here, working and then, playing in the annual Battle of the Badges tournament. He was able to see one game out of three so there is that to be thankful for at least. I do have to say it went pretty well. I managed to get us there safely and back and it was a great experience for all of us. Well mostly. The Sunday of the tourney was the football game. It was the first year the girls and I have missed watching Topeka Fire take on Topeka Police. I was a little bummed but sometimes we must divide and conquer and I