Dear Family and Friends,
I was going to include a brown paper bag this year out of courtesy for all of you hyperventilating that a Christmas Card from the Ivanovsky’s came in the mail, and in the month of December no less. But I couldn’t find one that would fit in the envelope...
First, before I tell you how wonderful, beautiful and smart my children are, I have to tell you a story. About three weeks ago I was sitting at the kitchen table dispensing medication to the five out of six children who were sick with bronchitis and the invalid cat. I actually had a chart that I made to keep track of when who got what, some kids had up to 3 different medicines 4 times a day, and two kids were being nebulized every 4 hours, I was also forcing medicine down the cat at least twice a day. I was very sick with the same thing that I had come down with during hurricane Ike and couldn’t get rid of. Paul and I looked like the people from
Night of the Living Dead. We both laid awake at night listening to the kids with asthma breath, debating when we should take them in to the emergency room. We also just got a new labradoodle puppy, who I am trying to potty train. I quit potty training the CHILD and have just focused on the DOG. The child by the way has just done it herself. Then there is the cat who got hit by a car and had three broken bones in its pelvis, so we were nursing it back to life. My day was really staring to look bad. In the mail that day I got a Christmas card, this is the beginning of December, I was hating whoever had sent it. But I vowed that this year no matter what, I was sending out cards. Then the last healthy child vomited on my foot.
Anyway, three weeks later life is great! Cat is up and walking, kids are all healthy, dog is kinda potty trained, child is totally trained and Paul and I are getting about three hours of sleep at a time! Quite honestly I quit sending out cards because I was sick of announcing a new child. But tada!! I am announcing the birth of our first BOY in 11 years!! Rush Craig Ivanovsky was born on January 15th of this past year. This kids is the sweetest thing you have ever seen, he is just starting to walk and is a little teddy bear. There is not a cuter kid on the planet.
Tucker is 11 and in 6th grade, he plays the saxophone, and is still in the gifted and talented program at school. I seriously can’t help him with homework any longer. He also just came off an amazing season of baseball, his team won the world series with a walk-off home-run and a no hitter. It was the first sporting event that I have cried at. Tucker also amazes us with his wicked sense of humor every day!! He also has a passion for politics that is going to get his parents in trouble!
Emma is 8 1/2 and in 3rd grade. Emma was baptized this year and loves achievement days at church. She is such a little mother and so good to everyone. Emma is so helpful to me I couldn’t do it without her, everyone needs the “Emma model” she comes complete with the best babysitter around accessory as well.
Paige is almost 7 and in 1st grade. I am the 1st grade level room mom coordinator for their school, so I get to spend a lot of time in her class room. She is well liked by all the kids in class because of her sweet personality and good nature. Paige had surgery on her ears last year and her hearing has improved greatly. She also is getting glasses as soon as they call to say they are in. We picked out ones that are stunning on her, she can wear anything and look good.
Avery is 5 and in Pre-K. She is the Martha Stewart in the group, I can ask her to do any project and she gets it done. Avery is really in tune with the needs and feeling of the rest of us and is so nice to have around!
Storie is 3 on the 29th of December. She is something else... We call her Storie Bean, as a nick name. She demands everywhere we go that people call her “Beaner” It makes for interesting conversation. You know how they say Women speak 10,000 words a day and Men speak 6,000? Well, Storie gets in no less than her 12,000 and I am not kidding. She and I have the most amazing chats during the day. I sure will miss my Storie at this age and don’t want her to grow up!
Paul and
I are doing good. My sister and her husband watched the kids last week so we could go to San Marcos and Christmas shop for a few days. Bless them. However, they no longer want kids. Not that ours were bad, actually the opposite, they just couldn't believe how much work it was... Paul has been working hard, coaching, playing basket-ball and being the most amazing Dad. Really, I’m not trying to get new appliances... : ) He really does everything he can to lighten my load, and be as helpful as possible.
We love this time of year and look forward to hearing from all of you! Come visit or call anytime!
Love,
The Ivanovsky's
So that was the Christmas letter that got sent out. I hope it found it's way to everyone's home, but if you didn't get one and think you should have, you probably should have and I hope you forgive me but now at least you know why it didn't get there.
Christmas with six kids is always exciting! The whole month before Christmas Storie kept telling everyone who asked "I want so-da!" for Christmas. Aunt Anna asked her what kind and she said "Black." I think she wanted the Cherry Coke Zero, but for some reason Uncle Jeff and Aunt Anna thought mini Coke would work. Who gives a three year old a caffeinated beverage?? I guess it's Christmas, but boy was that one happy little kid. (We had to include a photo of Storie as she wouldn't speak to Santa...)
