Christmas, thus far...

So much has happened in the Crouse House, and all in a matter of roughly a week! For starters, my sweet great grandmother passed away about a week ago. She had lived 96 years on this Earth and we were all ready for her passing. (what a blessing....96 years!!) I can only imagine the welcome she received by her Heavenly Father along with a husband and son that she had been without for so many years. She will be missed but this Earthly good-bye is only temporary!

The same evening of grandmaw's passing, I spent the entire night in the ER. I had woken up with some pretty severe back pain that lasted all day and continued to get worse. It brought me to tears, it hurt so bad, and I really began to worry that something was wrong with the pregnancy. After a long night, they determined that I had kidney stones and sent me home with pain medication. It's a touchy thing during pregnancy and there is not always a lot that can be done. I've spent the next week is CONSTANT pain and could not even attend the funeral. Some times it is worse than others, but it's always there. I've even been to the ER one other time, because I just can't seem to get comfortable. The most likely story at the moment, is that I still have stone that I am unable to pass. I see my OB doctor on Tuesday and I am praying for more answers and some relief. Im not sure how this is all going to end at the moment, but I ask that you be in prayer for it too. I have several more months of my pregnancy and I would really, really like to go back to enjoying it.

Despite the intense pain I've been in, I've still had many things I not only wanted to do but HAD to do (like work...ugh). Christmas is my favorite time of year and Im trying to not let my discomfort ruin fun traditions that not only I enjoy-but Maddie as well. So on Saturday, Maddie and I headed to Hallsville with Jaime to help him and his varsity soccer team help out in a service project at the Hallsville Outreach Center. This is something that Jaime really wanted his boys to do and asked me if I wanted to help. I thought it was a great idea and a way for us to all be together. I helped Maddie rake some leaves for a little while at a local park. I was so very proud of her! She thinks that helping is fun (atleast for now!) and I really want to encourage that idea within her. She spent a lot of time hanging out with her dad and the boys too along with playing at the park; which allowed me to sit down and rest.

Later that night, we did our annual Cracker Barrel/Santa Land trip. I look forward to this every year! We went and ate some good food, shopped around in the store, and then headed over to see the lights. Maddie LOVED it! She is at such a fun age this year. Afterwards, we pulled over and let her see Santa. While we waited in line, she was literally jumping up and down from excitement! I wasn't sure how she would act when it was actually her turn but she did better than expected. She ran straight to him, hugged him, kissed his cheek and was still in his lap. But when he asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she shut down and acted shy. It was kind of cute! So far this is what she says she wants when we ask:

a reindeer (she loves Rudolph)
brown horse (horses are her new thing)

a "baby-tar" (Barbie guitar)

I can't wait till Christmas morning! We've got plenty of other things over these next few weeks and Im looking forward to them ALL!