CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

The many Christmas's of The Shaw Family

I know, I know...it's March. Who really cares though, right??? 5 years from now, when I look back on this post, I will remember that life was so full in the end of 2010 and begining of 2011...that I didn't have time to stop and post on my blog until March. I will remember that Christmas that year was a calm before a storm...a beautiful blizzard of a storm. And I will remember that I loved this Christmas. :)

Christmas at Home

This year, we had our Christmas Morning at home...and on Christmas Eve! We wanted the kids to be able to open their gifts at home, and to have some time to enjoy them, so we decided to open one day early. There were really no complaints with this! lol We loved having Christmas in the little farm house. Hard to believe that next Christmas, we will have a little one toddling around and grabbing all the ornaments off the tree. For this year, Charlie had that job.

Christmas with the Teens

I tell you, the teens in our ministry, are really just like family in many ways as well. We love them, and miss them when we are away from them. For Christmas this year, the group went downtown for light gazing, carriage rides, and the Spaghetti Factory!


Can you see the awesome shoes that Nicki and I spotted???
It is good to have a fellow shoe lover for a friend.

Hannah...not Banana


Christmas at the Shaw's

This year, all of Brian's extended family from Arkansas and Mississippi came up for an Indiana Christmas. It was a full house, but there was a lot of fun to be had! We played games non-stop, went on a "cousins" date, and really enjoyed the fellowship.


(Abbie and Isaac with one of their favorite doggies...Meater. He has been with Aunt Amanda and Uncle Justin for as long as they can remember.

Now that, is cut throat card playing.

BLING! Cory showing off his awesome Santa Bingo prize.

Out on the town...kinda. "Cousins" date. Hopefully a new tradition.

Christmas at the Pulliam's

Christmas at my Mom and Dad's house is like going to Mr and Mrs Claus's. Everything is just perfect and you have that warm fuzzy feeling like when you just come in from the snow and are drinking hot cocoa. Know what I am talking about???

Aren't my parents beautiful? (Or handsome...depending on who you look at!)

Our Christmas Eve

The very first year that Brian and I were married, we went shopping together on "our" Christmas Eve. "Our" Christmas Eve is the day before all the festivities begin. Normally, that is the 23rd of December. We love this day. Most years, we eat at Olive Garden for dinner and finish up shopping. Some years we have not been able to afford to do much, so we all just have a nice dinner at home and then go look at lights or something. But, we always try to set this day aside for us. This year, we took the kids to the Children's Museum, then to Dr Boccone's office to check out Gracie, and then to our annual Olive Garden dinner. (Which was provided via gift card from an awesome teen!!!)

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December Snow

December snow is a special snow. The kind of snow that makes even the old at heart, feel like a 5 year old once again. The kind of snow that you peak out of your window first thing in the morning, to see how much you got. The kind of snow that you can't wait to play in. It is the snow that holds amazing hope, anticipation, and MAGIC!

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Getting Caught Up...

My goodness sakes! I have been gone from the blog for a very long time. My life seems as though it is completely different from the last time that I signed in. So, here is a quick outline of what has happened in our little home since the beginning of December:

December 13th- Brian took his finals and finished up the last of his ACTUAL classes at IBC. He now only has correspondence work! YAY! Big step...graduation in MAY!

December 23rd- Dr Boccone informed me that there could be issues with Gracie b/c I was now measuring behind schedule. I went from measuring 34 weeks pg to now 29 weeks. I was 32 weeks exact. Nothing serious, and we could wait the 2 weeks till the ultrasound, he says.

December 23-29th- CHRISTMAS! Enjoyed hanging out with all of our family. :)

December 30th- Isaac goes to the Dr with an ear infection, sinus infection, pink eye, and asthma...wowsers. Also, we took the teens to Indy for Christmas. Had an awesome time. Realized that my tummy felt a lot easier to carry for some reason.

January 5th- Go in for my ultrasound and the tech, Shirley lets us know that things are not looking so hot. We go out for lunch and come back to see Dr Boccone. Guess what? Put into the hospital! I had lost all but 4 cm of Gracie's water. (You are supposed to have 15-25cm) Kind of a dangerous thing. We stayed overnight and ran enough tests to make us all feel comfortable with allowing me to go home on bedrest. Come back in a week to see if things have gotten any better.

January 12th- Go back in for a follow up ultrasound. Gracie's water had now dropped to 3cm. Dr Boccone was gone, so Dr Gentry made the call. Hospital for good until sweet girl came. He ordered strict bedrest and for me to eat as much as I possibly could. I had also lost 2 lbs...which brought my weight gain total to 5 lbs even. We believed that we were in the hospital for at least 2-3 more weeks. I was only 34 weeks pregnant at the time.

Later on Jan 12th- Our awesome nurse Clevette comes in and lets us know that Dr Gentry decided that it was too much of a risk for us to keep Gracie in. As long as she handled labor well, we would induce and try for a vaginal delivery. If she started "acting up" we would go straight to a c-section. They induced us at 9:00pm.

Jan 13th- Labored all day. Strange labor that made me very ill and hurt in places that you would not think you would hurt. Migraine like headaches, hip pain, need to go to the bathroom every 20 min (not joking), and of course the contractions. By 3 in the afternoon, I had established labor and was really not budging much from my 3cm. After discussing with the Dr and Nurse, I decided on the epidural. No such luck with it being a good one. Really stunk. 1/2 paralyzed...felt pain on the other 1/2. Weird. Come midnight, I was ready to just sleep some.

Jan 14th- Woke at 2am with the epidural gone! Extreme contractions and covered in sweat. Called down to the nurse after about 30 min. Things were moving...and they were moving FAST! Epidural would no longer work, and I would just go natural. At 4:00 am, we started getting ready for the pushing, and at 4:36, teeny Grace Kelly Shaw was born. There was major concern for her health b/c of the lack of fluid and her being a preemie. The Ped specialist was sure that she would need oxygen and possibly even be transferred on a vent to a special care hospital. As he was checking her out, he looked over to Brian and shook his head. This girl amazed him. She was perfect. A perfect bundle of 4lbs 15oz and 18 inches long. They did take her down to the NICU after we held her, and allowed her to recover over night. A little oxygen, but she came out fine. Suprisingly, she passed her carseat test and was released to go home on just the bili blanket due to extreme jaundice. Left the hospital weighing in at 4lbs 6 oz.

Jan 16th- We went home and had to return to the hospital every day for the next week...Gracie's bili levels were not going down the right way.

Jan 19th- ISAAC's 6th BIRTHDAY! We took him to Cheeseburger in Paradise. And he got a new airsoft gun. Promptly had that gun taken away only 2 hours later for shooting it without Daddy there. lol. He now knows all the rules and has done very well. Course, it is put up way high to where he can not reach it!

Jan 21st- Gracie is readmitted to the NICU. Bacterial Pneumonia. She was still not at birth weight, not eating, and sleeping close to 23 hours of the day. Poor girl had to have 2 spinal taps, chest xrays, tons of blood work...so sad. Broke our hearts, and mommy cried. Brian and I were able to stay at the hospital with her, while the kids went to Mamaw's and Papaw's. We went on a couple of dates and even went to church together. Kind of a nice time, with the exception of our sick little one. :(

Jan 26th- Released from the hospital once again. Going home felt so good this time! When we had been released before, I sobbed most of the way home!

Feb 1st- Ice storm hits...we had to evacuate home once again due to no power. STINK! Would we ever be able to stop toting a suitcase around? Back down to Corydon we went, for 2.5 more days.

Feb 5th- Brian turned a ripe old 32! Happy Birthday Baby!

Today- sitting toastie in my jammies... Little baby beside me in her papasan chair. Kids playing in the background. Life is very good.

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Welcome Little One...

Take a peak at Gracie's Birth Announcement on Shutterfly.
Click on Picture....more info later!

Love Package Pink Birth Announcement

Customize your own unique baby announcements with Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

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Need a GREAT Christmas gift???

Anyone who has read my blog for awhile, will remember me talking about my friend "The Snowman Lady." My friend Niki makes these AWESOME snowman kits. Really, there is everything you need for a snowman, except snow. And, the bags come with your family name (or whatever name you want on there) printed on the front. These make a great inexpensive family gift. I know that you will not be disappointed. PLUS, you would be supporting a wonderful lady and her family. :)



If you are interested in purchasing one of these darling kits, leave a comment, and I will make sure that Niki sees it. ;)

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Thanksgiving.

Every year, we get to together to eat Turkey. Every year, I try to remind myself of the things I am thankful for. Every year, I am convicted over how little Thanksgiving I offer all year long. This year, some friends have done a GREAT job of reminding me to be thankful. Plus, my New Year's resolution to remember the little joys of life, has really helped too! And, I must say: "A Thankful Heart is a Happy Heart." ---Ok so really, Madame Blueberry said that, but it is good. lol.

So here are my top 10 things I am thankful for. Not in any certain order mind you. They are all great gifts.

10. That my children seem to be growing in their own personal walks with the Lord. This is my favorite part of being a mother. Abbie has learned lessons of forgiveness and perseverance this year. Isaac is learning lessons of obedience and service.

9. That Brian has a job. This time last year he was laid off. We love our new ministry, and love our "kids" aka teens. Really, they are a new part of family. The church is also a treasured welcomed addition!

8. That we have a beautiful home. This time last year, we were facing the loss of our house b/c of the economy and lack of job. It is a scary place to be in when you don't know if you will have a home at Christmas time. God provided abundantly when He sent us to the Miss Country Bumpkin. She is lovely and provides for all of our shelter needs.

7. That my belly is blossoming with the growth of a dearly loved daughter. He has turned my grief into Joy and extended beautiful Grace to me. For all the struggles of this pregnancy, I am still in awe how HE has worked a miracle.

6. That He keeps teaching me lessons of humbleness, patience, and endurance. I am grateful for a loving God who prepares us before AND as we walk. He knows what is coming, and prepares us for the journey ahead. I love that. And am incredibly thankful that He gives us this gift. Otherwise, we would be miserable not knowing how to handle our trials.

5. That God placed wonderful people in our lives. Each person placed, has a purpose that He designed. I love it when we can see what purpose they play. The support of family. The encouragement of friends. Seriously, isn't that a great gift?

4. That He gave me a great husband. I may not always like him. (Hey---being honest here.) But, he is such a good man. Brian endures my hormonal state and my lazy housekeeping skills. And he always is looking for the lessons that the Lord is trying to teach him. He is a great dad. And he loves others. I am proud that he stands by my side.

3. That God gives us simple little pleasures to lighten our loads. Some of my favorites this year: Toads in a little boys hand, White sheets hanging on the line, sunrises coming up over the corn, finding a $595 coat from Bloomingdales...for $10 bucks at the Goodwill, discovering that my daughter treasures Christmas like I do... These are all little things that I don't deserve.

2. That He offers salvation to me. I am seriously one not worthy girl. But, He still loved me enough to draw me unto Him. And really, although the instant I accepted His gift and repented, I was saved... I love that He still offers ways for me to draw even closer to Him. He still offers daily grace.

1. That He has brought me out of the valleys of life and set me onto a beautiful mountaintop. Air is fresh up here...and while the trials of the valley are still very easy to see, and my hands still hurt some from the climb...I can breathe. He knew this place was coming, while I was stuck on the ledge. He knew the summer of life would be here. This year, I am so thankful for the Mountain.

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Chicago!!!!!!!!!

We started out our Holiday season by going to Chicago this year! ("holiday season" is actually what I call the time from Nov 1st to Jan 1st lol... Officially when I start celebrating Christmas and Thanksgiving!)

Abbie's 9th birthday was on the 8th, and all she wanted was to go to The American Girl Place. I have been wanting to go to Christmas at Macy's, Isaac was craving chocolate (go figure), and Brian, well he just wanted to be near BIG buildings. lol It really was a great little last trip before we add in our little girlie, who inevitably will make little trips like this harder for awhile.

The weather was 100% perfect, 63 degrees and sunny. Super, Wonderful time.

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