NYE in the D

Well, kind-of. Brook, Wes and Brandon decided their Christmas present to each other this year would be to go to a sporting event. So, they got tickets to the NYE Red Wings' game. The rest of us decided it would be fun to stay somewhere in the area and ring in the New Year together. So, we got a hotel in Farmington Hills, which was super-close to 12 Oaks Mall. We did a little shopping before we checked in. After we checked in, we enjoyed a few cocktails, as the kids played. When the guys left for the game, the women and children left for the much anticipated Chuck E Cheese. My how my NYEs have changed! We later let the kids swim, then took over the breakfast room of the hotel. The kids were pretty much destroying the place (OK, not really, but there were quite a few spills to clean up), while the adults were chatting, snacking and enjoying a beverage or 2! My sisters (Jaime included) are 3 of the women who know me best. I love to get together with them, b/c we share the same values and can freely talk and not feel judged. It's an open and easy environment.

Around 9, it was time for them to go to bed. By "them," I might mean "me," but to save face I'll let you believe the kids. ;) If I were going to do this again, I'd get 1 big suite; b/c when the kids go to bed, we're now stuck in our rooms! (If Veronica was to do this again, she'd say "no kids!" Haha!) The guys got home around 10 and I was in bed by 11! I'm lucky I made it that long. Mama needs her sleep! Max didn't sleep well and Brook had a cold, so I didn't sleep well, either. (Thank goodness there was time for a nap on the long car ride home.) After Mass the next day, we did a lot more shopping (I wasn't too tired for that, of course); then, headed home. It was a great trip!

"Is it time to go to Chuck E Cheese yet?!!"

Oh Zack, our little ham!

And they're off!

Bisonet Christmas

Our Christmas day consists of going to Mass in the AM and then over to Brook's parent's in the PM for dinner and gift-giving. It is always a cozy and special time at their place with lots of good food and many laughs!

Chillin' w/ Uncle Trent

Havin' fun w/ Grandpa!

Excited to open some presents with Uncle Carey and Aunt Meghan!


Say "Cheese!"

Anna's so good with her cousin!

Putting Things into Perspective

I came across this blog recently and it shook me to the core. (Read with caution. You will need tissues.) Tripp lived his entire 2.5 years in extreme pain, due to a genetic skin disease. He couldn't cry or talk, b/c he had a trach. He couldn't see. Bath time was torture for him. As was having his diaper changed. He couldn't even grasp his mom's hand at the end of his life. It's absolutely heart-breaking. How do you watch your precious baby be in so much pain? His mom has to be one of the strongest women I "know."

Max was in bed, peacefully sleeping, when I was reading this one evening. I just wanted to run into his room, swoop him up and give him the biggest hug. I wanted to touch his skin and be thankful I could do so without hurting him. He started crying and I literally RAN to him, b/c I was so thankful I was able to hear him cry. Reading this woman and her child's story really put things into perspective. Not that I think I have a bad life or anything, but sometimes I take the little things for granted. For the most part, our lives are lived in the "little things." Mother Teresa once said, "In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love." Ahhh, isn't that the key to life?

Becoming a mom has taught me, more than anything, that life is about choices. And the biggest choice I have is my attitude. No, being a parent isn't easy all the time. It can be frustrating and down right infuriating when you're trying to mold and shape another human being and they won't co-operate. But I am a firm believer that everything (and I mean everything) God allows us to go through in life is meant for our sanctification. The key to being sanctified is to embrace (or just accept) the event AND the grace God has for us. It's all a choice. To be positive. Or to be negative. I am going to work on being more positive this year. I've noticed recently that I have a tendency to bring up the negative a lot. And there's so much positive in my life! When things get tough in my little world and I feel like throwing myself a pity party, I am going to think of this woman and her little boy and remember . . . I have it pretty darn good!

Christmas Morning in Pictures

Santa came!

Grandma Theresa got him a little elf outfit. ;)

He's excited, can you tell? HA!

"I can't wait to eat that wrapping paper!"

He loved the bow on his head!

Our Christmas Baby

Every year, Fr. Bill asks for a baby to hold during Christmas Mass. He wants the congregation to have a visual, so Jesus as a baby is more real to them. So, we volunteered! I was a nervous wreck! I had Max's feeding and nap times all planned out, with the hopes he'd be good for Father. There were a few prayers offered, too! ;) Well, he WAS a perfect angel! Father held him from the beginning of Mass through the end of the homily (30 min) and he didn't make a sound!! Once in awhile, he'd reach up and touch Fr. Bill's face. It was so cute! He is never that well-behaved for us. We told Father, he can hold him during Mass from now on!

All ready to go! (Do you think baby Jesus wore khakis and a sweater vest?)

Being the Christmas baby is hard work!

Christmas Eve

We went down to Parma and Concord to see our extended families on Christmas Eve. I'm not a fan of traveling on holidays, but it's either travel or miss out on seeing everyone. So, we travel. :-) The first stop the Gaston's, where we had a much to brief visit with Karen and Russ and their adorable kids - Avah and Benn. (Benn showed off his baseball skills by stealing bases.)

Next, was Gma Bisonet's. . .

4 Generations

Brook, Max and Grandma

And lastly, Uncle Jeff's for my mom's side. There are so many of us that we have been getting together in his heated barn the last few years!

My cousin Bevin and I with ours babes - born just a month apart.

He almost did it . . .

He almost stayed out of the tree! I was out in the kitchen and came into the family room to find the little rascal doing this . . .