My week of firsts!

This has been such a big week of firsts for our family. Some of them were great.....some were NOT so great!! Let me give you a grand tour of our firsts.

1. This Christmas was our FIRST one spent with just us, no other family. We had no agenda for the day. We were able to go with our own family flow. The last child woke up at 9:30 and we didn't start opening presents until almost 10:00. The day was wonderfully relaxing. As much fun as it was though, we would not want it like this every year. We did miss being with people.
2. Jeff bought his FIRST big gift for me. He bought me a Wii. I am so excited. I told him he doesn't have to buy my another big gift, for the next 15 years!
3. We went shopping as a family, on the day after Christmas, for the FIRST time ever!! I usually go buy myself on that day. We ventured out to spend some of those wonderful gift cards that we were given.
4. While out shopping, our FIRST all out tantrum was thrown in a Christian bookstore, of all places! I have never seen any of my children act like this in public. I have seen other people's children do this, but not mine. Joel was out of control!! He acted as though he was a spoiled rotten child that was possessed! I carried him out of the store, while he was screaming his head off at me. I was so embarrassed!! I know that I was being judged as a parent....and they all thought I was horrible!! Get this, for the rest of our shopping day....he acted like an angel!! Go figure!!
5. My daughter has begun to be embarrassed of me. My FIRST time feeling so hurt, at least in this manner. It seems that the way I laugh, dress and talk can sometimes be embarrassing to my children. I am so glad that it is not everyday, it would just kill me to be rejected like this often. I am growing some tougher skin through this experience. (I hate to admit it, but I remember doing these same things to my own mom. I had no idea how bad it made her feel though. I was only thinking of myself!! I would never want to be a kid again. I enjoy my wisdom that I have gotten through the years!!)
6. On New Years Eve, the children saw the ball drop, a big FIRST! They had no idea what the ball even was.
7. At 2:00 this morning, I was out shoveling snow! Definitely a FIRST for me!!

Happy New Years!! I hope that you all have a wonderfully blessed year!!