Some sister and some NYC

My sister came to Philly and we didn't even go into the city...well, not Philadelphia.  We did make the two hour drive into New York City and knocked some items off of Amy's life to-do list :)

We had a great time and Jon and I successfully drove like New Yorkers...although I lead us through the Holland Tunnel twice...oops

Amy got to meet our boys and was entertained by their hospitality and personableness...we also toured my school and watched the entire first season of Community...oh and shopped like good American citizens...and I do mean shop...it was a great trip...and I would have to say my favorite part was watching my sister and Jon get to know each other more...family makes me soooo happy

Much love,
Emily

Christmas is over

finally :)

No, we had a great Christmas with our boys...we ripped open the last of the presents today, and they truly liked everything we picked out for them...which was a relief and a miracle :)

Jon's flight got in only 40 minutes later than it was expected, a far cry from my sister's canceled flight on Monday.  Amy will be flying in tomorrow and will spend a week with us.  We are so excited that we have more time off while she is here...so it looks like we will be exploring the Big Apple!

My four days of solitude were interesting...I whittled down my Netflix Instant Que, crocheted my little hands off, enjoyed a mani and a pedi...and wished Jon was there for every second of it.  Jon enjoyed time with his family in Arkansas, and shared with me how wonderful his grandmother's funeral was.  I thought that it was especially special that so many of his family members were involved in the service.

The snow is melting away, and we didn't even get to make a snowman...but I'm sure there will be LOTS more!

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

a day without Jon

The three boys that spent Christmas with us and I woke up at 3:30 am this morning to take our Jon to the airport for his flight to Little Rock for his grandmother's funeral.  After coming home and all going back to bed, the day started with the impending doom of the winter's first snow storm.  Lucky for me, our other two boys were not able to return home tonight, so I only had to wrangle three boys on my own...but the snow kept me on edge.

Usually I would not care about snow because Jon is the adventurous, "forge three hours in the snow to go somewhere like On the Border" kind of guy...I on the other hand don't even like to drive to work if there is promise of more than an inch of snow in the day...

So here I am, sitting in our home, watching 6 inches plus of snow fall and praying that my sister's flight into Philly tomorrow isn't cancelled and that my Scion can make the trip to the airport and friends' house the two of us will borrow for the next four days...that God will provide the needed time away that Jon is getting...and that I will not be stuck here for four days...alone

But, pushing all of this aside to clean and spend sometime with our boys...we enjoyed the beautiful winter wonderland and watched movies together in our warm home.  A spaghetti and meatball dinner with salad and garlic breadsticks was just the thing to end the day, with no one complaining about eating together...

It was nice to hear the boys say they miss Jon (even though I think that also meant that they missed the xbox he took with him)...and I sure did miss him.  Never in my life have I had a glimpse into what being a single mother would be like, until today...sure, I could do it, but I don't want to drive in the snow, I don't want to be without my hubbs...he is so good to me and the boys!

Please keep Jon and his family in your prayers...tomorrow they lay Grandma Singleton to rest in Mena, Arkansas...Jon is ministering the funeral...and is looking forward to three days of just family time...also keep my sister, Amy, in your prayers as she travels to Philly, and both of us as we explore the North East together over the next week!

Much love,
Emily

Merry Christmas

We have had a wonderful Christmas morning.  Duncan Donuts, stockings, Uno Attack, XBox Kinect...and bunches more food later.  We only have two boys spending the entire day with us...so that is nice...and they are definitely in the holiday spirit :)

Jon and I are waiting for family to Skype with us today...thank goodness for technology!

{We hope your family and you have a wonderful Christmas day, full of love, laughter and God's obvious presence!}  

Much love,
Jon + Emily

We are ready

{for Christmas}

things we love {about our boys}

I know there is a lot of frustration and craziness on this blog...so I would like to start a new habit of sharing what we love about our boys.  So, hopefully, you will be able to see the beauty that is in our home as we do!

I love that our boys beg me to play games like Apples to Apples and Monopoly Deal with them.  It is in these times that I see the innocence of their youth...and we laugh and fight over games, just like a family.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

What do you get when you combine an Emily who has 4 major projects due in a week...6 boys who act like they are all on crack...and one tired husband

CRAZY HOUSE, PA

That is all