Bah! Humbug!

I don't really know why, but I have found myself in a rut lately. I just haven't felt like blogging, or reading other people's blogs for that matter. I know, it sucks for me to say that, but I'm just being honest. I hate it. I love all my blog friends and I truly love all your kiddos and I enjoy reading about them. But sometimes the reality and sadness of this special life overwhelms me and I just can't bring myself to read. Please be assured that it is only a temporary hiatus. I love you all too much to stay away for too long. Also, please never doubt that I pray daily for you and your kiddos. So, I will be catching up on all your blogs soon. Sorry I have stayed away so long. I know how important this support system is.

I know it is still early, but I am having a particularly hard time getting into the Christmas Spirit this year. I don't know why, but it is bad enough that I actually considered not putting up decorations or a tree this year. Don't panic, Mom, we are going to. We realize how important it is for Marissa. Something so awesome happened with Marissa and Halloween this year. She got so excited and actually understood the meaning behind a holiday for the first time. It wasn't even about the candy for her, obviously. It was the pure joy and spirit of the holiday that was so fun for her. So we can't deprive her of that same joy at Christmas.

As we speak, I am listening to Christmas music, trying to get in the spirit. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays and I love the lights, decorations, and gifts, family and friend gatherings, songs, and such. Of course, more than that, the only gift that really matters, our Savior, Jesus Christ. But I am just having a hard time this year. Maybe it is the fact that every year, it hits the stores earlier and earlier. This year, Kohl's had a big section of the store set up for Christmas in the middle of September! It was still officially Summer! Insane!

Maybe it is all the hype that surrounds Black Friday. It is disheartening to know that some people actually skipped Thanksgiving, a time they should be gathered around family and friends giving thanks for all the true blessings in their lives, to camp out in front of stores starting Wednesday last week, just so they could get good deals on stuff. Things. Trinkets. Sad.

Maybe it is this story from Black Friday. Or this one. Or maybe this one. C'mon people, really? Is it worth it? All of that crap just makes me lose my faith and hope in humanity and steals my Christmas spirit.

But I am trying to get it back. I think by putting up the tree and the decorations around the house, I will be able to see the joy in my little girl's eyes and that will bring the spirit and joy back to me.

I hate that this post has turned into a whiny, piss-n-moan post about what a bad mood I'm in lately, so I will stop all that now. In the spirit of Christmas, I decided we all should break out our special Christmas PJs and I took a few pictures of Rissa and Jeremy in in theirs:

Elmo, of course! She was so excited when she saw them. She gasped with a wide open mouth and said "WOW!!!" It was adorable!

I guess I would be remiss if I didn't update on how Marissa is doing in school. She is absolutely loving it and is doing so well fitting in with her classmates and teachers. I take her to school each day and the bus brings her home. She has already brought home several awesome art projects she completed. She just loves everything about school, and we are so happy and proud of her!

School Days

Marissa made her big debut at school today!

I don't think I followed up on this post, but we had her Child Find evaluation and IEP and she qualified for all services. While she is not globally delayed, like she was a year ago, she is still quite delayed in many areas. Plus, she really needs the social interaction with her peers that has been lacking all these years. So today was the day! HOORAY!

Sporting the new Elmo & Zoe backpack Miss Janay made her!

Waiting for the teacher to come get us for the start of school. We were the first to arrive!

I went to her first day with her so I could get a feeling for what her day will be like. Tomorrow, though, she will be on her own. What a bittersweet experience! I know she will do fine. She's already made some cool little friends and enjoys playing with everyone and everything.

We are so proud of her taking this next step!

Better Late Than Never

So here's Halloween, finally!

A couple of weeks ago we got together with our trach family and had an awesome party hosted by Milo and his Mom, Janay. It was so good to see everyone. Marissa and Faith got to show off their newly naked necks and everyone had a great time!

For Halloween, we went to our friend's house and had a party/costume parade/trick-or-treating. Marissa just loved being in her costume but was a little taken aback when she saw everyone was dressed up! Batman with his mask really kind of freaked her out for a while.

Making friends with Junie B. Jones

Jeremy and I just loved watching Marissa trick-or-treat. She had so much fun going from house to house, holding up her little bag, and yelling "TRICK-OR-TREAT!!" as loud as she possibly could! She was also very polite and said "thank you" at every house. She had so much fun, she has talked about trick-or-treating every day for the last week!

Currently, we are preparing for a very big week here at Rissa's house. More on that later...