Two More Days Til Christmas....

Merry Christmas from Team Larson! For some reason I’m pretty emotional today- I think it’s because I can finally have the chance to relax a bit…Caden’s at school having his Christmas party. He was so excited when I dropped him off this morning. I got through my last week of school- and managed not to break down once. My school does a tradition that I absolutely LOVE where we get the entire school together in the morning and sing carols around the piano and Christmas tree. What is it about kids singing songs that make them look so darn angelic?!? :) The parents are invited to spend the ten minutes or so with us, and it’s just really, really cool. This year when we sang FROSTY- an image came to my mind…and I could feel that hot sting of tears starting, but I held it back- and made it through. I know, Frosty isn't really one of those emotion-striking songs, but it's the memories I attach to it that made me want to cry. Music is the one thing that always gets to me…I’m pretty good at choking back tears- I’ve perfected that with practice, but when it comes to music, it gets me every time. Here’s the “angry ribbon dancer” and his brother dancing to FROSTY…oh what fun they were having!
Boy do we miss you Coleman.




I woke up today thinking of last year on Dec. 22nd… we took Coleman on what we didn’t know at the time would be his last outing…to the Polar Express Train in Boone. He wasn’t feeling the best – but as always made the most of the day. His favorite part was that his buddy Eli could join us, and his cousin Jacey came along and spent the night with us that night…Cman also loved that he got a cookie on the train, and eating at McDonalds afterwards! :) It was such a great day for us all, and we’re forever grateful for all who helped set the trip up. Two days after this, on Christmas Eve morning Coleman woke up and tried to talk, but only mumble-jumble would come out…

Well, we all know what happened from that point on…

I actually typed out a recap of our Christmas last year. I think it was the first time I actually sat down and put the details on paper…- I won’t post it here- why bring everyone down? I saved it to read in later years, but really didn’t even need to type it out- it’s burned deep in my memory bank. It was so very painful…We’re just so thankful we had this good day:

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Back to the present…I have to say a HUGE thank you to so many people who have sent cards/gifts to Caden & to our family…I find it hard to explain how much we appreciate it…we continue to be brought to tears. There is something about the kindness of a stranger- how it touches your heart…just please know how DEEPLY grateful we are…I really wish I had the words.
Sunday was Caden’s Church Christmas program. He was a Sheppard and worked so hard to have his WHOLE part memorized. All the boys said the part together, he mostly just stood there and mumbled along! :) Still, it was a wonderful program.





I’m uploading a video of one of his songs I’ll have to post later…it’s taking a while.


Then he had his school Christmas program last night. He told us on the way to sit in the front row- but it was so packed, we ended up being up on the bleachers, which actually worked out okay. I think we could see better from there, but I saw HIM come out on stage scanning and scanning the front row…poor guy. It took everything in me not to stand up and shout “I’m BACK HERE CADE!!!” He finally found us in the bleachers half way through and gave a little wave and smile. When we got home he was putting his jammies on and said, “geez- I’d better take off these old-fashioned socks and save em!” (black socks-)




Last weekend we took him to the mall for a picture with Santa…



He was so funny because he told me before he went he was going to pull on Santa’s beard, and if it came off, he’d know it wasn’t the real guy- but when he got off his lap, he said, “MOM! I checked him all out- that beard was REAL!”

Here are a couple of maps he drew to make sure Santa knew the floor plan of our house and where to leave the loot. Too bad he drew them on the kitchen counter while using a permanent black marker that soaked through! :) Thank God for magic erasers!






He continues to make us laugh…he said he wanted to add something to his Christmas list last night- a Spy Kit? I told him, “ohhhh noooo you don’t….you can’t add things NOW- it’s too late in the game for that! Santa already has everything ready. I’m pretty sure the sleigh is packed.” He said, “well it’s not like there’s levels to this game mom- it’s not like we’re on level three or nothin- Santa can still bring it.” I said, “It’s level FOUR CADEN- GAME OVER!!! NO MORE ADDING THINGS TO YOUR LIST!!!” haha

I’m working on our Christmas video- a special one I made for Cman, and our family one, so will be posting those soon. Sure hope we make it back to my family’s tomorrow…there is a WINTER STORM coming…complete with freezing rain and ice…surprise, surprise. We’re going to do our best to get there, but won’t be taking any chances- we’re hoping everyone stays SAFE.

From the bottom of our hearts we wish a VERY Merry Christmas to you all...May the love we feel on Jesus’ birthday be with us every day of the New Year. And in Caden’s words- LISTEN UP- JESUS IS THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS! :)



Never before have I been more grateful for the gift of our Saviour.

Blessings to you all,
FOREVER TEAM LARSON


(Photo by Morgan Fredrickson Gowrie) THANK YOU MORGAN- WE LOVE YOU!!!