Another early trip for Santa

Brian is working again this Christmas day, so the Merrick Children woke up to an early Christmas morning!
I'm so happy that Santa comes a day early for children whose parents work on Christmas day. This is the second time in 17 years that I have been off both Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. Six years ago I was off after having Haven, and this year it just happened to work out that I was off both days. I really don't mind working Christmas Day, after all I love caring for the people and their families during the holidays, it makes me realize just how blessed we are!!! Not to mention that after 12 hours, I get to go home to my family while others are stuck in the hospital (most of whom are fighting for their life).
     Last night after Santa dropped off the presents I snuck into the living room to take a photo of the beautiful sight...... Finally after four long years there were 5 stacks of presents for 5 wonderful children! How beautiful it was!

Last night the little ones set out Santa's cookies and hot coco and I grabbed a few pics of all 5 of my babies together.

Then I grabbed a quick pic of the stockings (we had to move them to the staircase, now they won't fit above the mantle). Then it was lights out......

Santa left lots of things for each one.

Merry Christmas!!!!
I'll post more photos later

Hunter's 17

Again, wow, how the time has flown by. He used to be just a little thing and now look......

We took him out to eat with his Nana and Pa, and we brought Molly along too. Happy Birthday Hunter!

Haven's 6

Wow how time as flown by..... Just yesterday she was born....Or so it seems....

 We had two family gatherings (just because we couldn't get everyone together at one time). Brian's family came one day, mine the other.

Although I wanted to have a nice little party for her, with her friends. It just wasn't in the schedule.

So maybe this spring we can have a few of her little people over for a late party.

Oh Christmas tree......

We managed to get all 6 trees up again this year, it was a crazy few hours but we got it done! Brian and the kids helped so much and they actually did the majority of it without me. What would I do without my husband? He truly is the best thing that has ever happened to me. This was Hadley's first Christmas home, although I'm not sure this was the first Christmas tree she has ever seen. There were Christmas trees in China, and I'm sure her foster mother had a tree. It took her just a minute of two watching as Brian put the ornaments on the tree before she figured it out. Before long she was in full motion putting them on as fast as the other kids.

The kids had to wait until I got home from work to decorate the tree, this Christmas has been more busy then any other we've had before. Which it is the busiest time of the year for us. I know many people say that too, however we have other things happening in addition to the other  bits and pieces that make December the busiest time of the year. Haven and Hunter have birthdays, we both finished up semesters in graduate school, and we traveled to China. Not complaining, just saying..... But we did get it all completed, and I am so proud of us for hanging tough until we finished it all.

I hope that our children learn that they can do anything they want in life, as long as they hang in there and finish what they start even when it seems impossible.

Make Em' Laugh

Haven's winter dance recital was themed "a night in Santa's workshop", Haven and all the girls did a fantastic job! They had the cutest clown outfits, and we couldn't help but smile the entire performance. Haven was born a performer, maybe she can channel all that drama she has into a career in the performing arts...

Cake Pops with Haven and Hagan

Today was a great day, first day that Hadley got to go to her new church. I finished another test for this term, just two more test and one paper to write in just three days.... I'll get it done no worries!!! I let the kids run around, get into stuff and make lots of noise and lots of messes..... Don't sweat the small stuff right? Then this evening I let Haven and Hagan make cake pops after dinner. I can't just ignore them and focus on my school work all day, I am still their momma...

Then it was bath time for the girls

Then Hadley hung out with Harrison until bedtime.

another successful day.