Overheard

I had a whole other post planned for tonight, but I had to write this down before I forgot.

Sometimes before we take a long car trip, particularly if I'm alone with the kids, I will say a prayer before we leave. So, today, as we were leaving for the Y, Drew said he needed to "have a prayer." We paused and I heard this from the back seat:

"Dear Dod, I like it when Drammy sends me a Buzz costume and buys me Buzz Lightyear stuff. Tank you for Buzz Lightyear. And, Dod, I have to go to my room when we come home from the Y. Oh no, Dod! But I have to have my consequence...Amen!"

I think we can mark this down as his first confession.

Not Me! Monday

It's been a while since I've told on myself. I'm feeling a need for some catharsis. And for more airing of the motherhood grievances, check out MckMama's blog.

I have never, ever allowed my child to do something semi-dangerous just to keep him out of my hair. Not me!!






See???

LOL=Bless Your Heart

If you are not from the South, you may not be familiar with the phrase "Bless Your Heart." It sounds sweet, doesn't it? And you should hear it roll off the lips of an older southern woman. It's like sugar is just dripping around everywhere. Especially if she says, "Bless Your Heart, sugah."

But really, most of the time, this phrase is used to take the sting out of a snide, snarky, sarcastic or otherwise rude comment. Let me demonstrate: "My word. Did you see that dress she had on? Totally 1986...Bless her heart." See that?? A veiled attempt to cover up the fact that you just made fun of someone's clothing. This phrase shows up a lot around here when you're pregnant. Particularly if you carry babies the way I do-HUGE. "Oh honey, you are getting SO BIG, bless your heart."

I've noticed lately, that the "LOL" has become the world wide web's version of "Bless Your Heart." And, friends, it's not just limited to the South anymore. Nope. People all over the nation are attempting to make their jabs just a little less offensive by tacking on an LOL at the end.

I'm guilty of it, I'm sure. I can't think of an instance right off the top of my head, but I know I've done it. But let's be honest, internet correspondence is rife with opportunity for misunderstanding. And a good ol' "LOL" is like some thick icing over a cake that didn't quite come out of the pan just right.

Be on the lookout for some LOLs on your email and facebook. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Cel-A-Brate

Good times, c'mon!! Kool and the Gang. Just for you. You're welcome.

I know I've mentioned before that April for us is like another intoxicating round of the holidays. We have 1) Easter 2) 5 (yes FIVE) family birthdays and 3) our anniversary. It's just like one big ol' party all the time (Eddie Murphy or Blackeyed Peas-reader's choice! You're welcome, again) around here.

I've taken a few pictures of our celebrating fun, and now, you will be subjected to them all. Just like a good old fashioned slide show from Uncle Henry's Grand Canyon vacation. I mean, I just keep giving and giving...

First, we had our first cook-out of the season. We had some friends from Knoxville here, but they ended up coming over later and missed the actual cooking out. There was much mayhem and boyhood mischief since they have three boys. I, naturally, forgot to take any pictures once they got here. Clearly this is never going to become a famous photography blog. You know, in case you were thinking that...moving on...



Next, we celebrated Big Dan's birthday. We kept it low-key. Drew and I got him an ice cream cupcake from Marble Slab. Do you know about this fabulousness?? My sister, Katy, introduced me to them. It's like a little mini ice-cream cake. And, if you're wondering, ice-cream cake is my FAVORITE. But, I knew we didn't need a big ice-cream cake hanging around. And by "we", I mean me. So, these are perfect! And, i don't like to brag, but I freaking scored a home run on birthday dinner and gift. First time in nine years, people.



Do you like this hat that Big Dan is sporting? Sweet, no? I got it at the Dollar Store. I'm pretty sure it's going to become a tradition.

After Big Dan's birthday we got to celebrate Granna's birthday with Uncle Mick and Uncle Crick. Please note the utter lack of creativity. More ice cream cupcakes (in cookies and cream-Granna's fave!) and the birthday hat. But I'm pretty sure it was the first time in a while that anyone made Granna blow out a candle!!





And last, but certainly not least...Big Dan and I celebrate 9 years of wedded bliss. NINE YEARS. My little brother was 12 when we got married. TWELVE. And now he is finishing up his junior year of college. What??!! Even weirder, is that Katy was barely out of high school. Now here we all are nine years and 6 kids later...you know, 6 for the whole gang. I haven't been hiding four kids away or anything.

Big Dan just wandered in the kitchen and told me he was glad we decided to get married. Seriously. Love him. It seems like five minutes ago, and yet SO much has happened. Like a weird time warp Willy Wonka style. Ha! Our life is a little like a fun house. Or side show.

Love you, Big Dan! Can't wait to see what's around the bend!!



PS: We are still HOT all these years later!! =)

Smorgasbord

Well hey there! I mean, just typing the word Smorgasbord reminds me of the time my friend Jen, Daniel, and I went to this country buffet place and we had this waiter (what was his name?) that was totally strung out on some kind of heavy drugs. It really added to the whole experience of eating at a country buffet, which is full of WOW sights and smells. Anyway...

Been a little absent around here. We've been to crazy town and back. And in case you're wondering, crazy town is not as fun as it sounds. Daniel has been out of town, Emily has been a wreck, and it's tax time. Goooooooooood times!!!!! It seems the apex of crazy town has come and gone. Thankfully.

I have had several ideas for blog posts over the last couple of weeks. Sadly, I never got around to it. So now you get to read all of my random thoughts in one, long, boring post!

Emily's reflux has been off the charts. Her eating went super down hill and we were having a hard time keeping things "moving", if you know what I mean! However, it looks like the prune juice cure is taking care of business. She has improved on eating solids a little. She is up to a whopping four foods so far: oatmeal, pears, peas and squash. She has done well on all of them. That's the less than great news. The GREAT news is that we are now...drum roll please...a SWADDLE FREE ZONE! I threw the hammer down, oh yes I did. It was time. She was ready, I was ready and we are not looking back. We have had one tough nap time but that is it!! And, another drum roll please...she took some sips out of a sippy cup last night!!!! She is not a huge fan, but she did finally get that she could suck on the straw to make the juice come out. Oh sweet happiness. There is a light at the long dark tunnel of bottles.

Drew, it seems, has weathered "the phase" and come out on the other side a little more independent. This, I think, is what "the phase" is all about. Last week at school he declared that he would be putting his Ribbit in his backpack until nap time. We had been talking about it for a while, and then he decided. And that was that. This has been huge. It has enabled him to play more and with less inhibition. He has days where he is really out of his shell and it is really fun to see.

I am only 90 pages away from FINALLY finishing my 1000+ page book. It is great. Although, I have been a little more liberal in my skimming this time. I really can't bear four straight pages describing tactics in the naval battles in the Pacific theater. (Look how much smarter I am! I used phrases like "naval battles" and "Pacific theater")

You might have noticed the list over there ------> has been lacking in action. Don't worry, I have really good excuses all lined up. Per the kids' bedrooms...I decided I really should not make goals that are dependent on large sums of extra cash laying around. We are not really "extra cash laying around" kind of folks. So. It should probably come off the list. And as for April's goal, well, it's still April. And now that 5 family birthdays, Easter and our anniversary are behind me-look out dry goods!

More to catch you up on. Even a few pictures! Come back and see me!

Overheard

Ya'll, I'm on the verge of melting into sobs. Again.

Today I was in the kitchen getting ready to head to the family room when I overheard this conversation:

"There you go, sweetie." Drew puts a toy on the tray of the jumper for Emily. "We're best friends, did you know that??" Gulp.

"I love you so much, Emmy. I do. I love you soooooo much."

Seriously. I. can't. take. it.

And then, of course, he started swinging her around way too high. I was about to tell him to "Stop that right now!" until I realized that she loved it. She worships him already. I know there will come a time when she will drive him nuts and he'll probably be mean to her. But I hope these seeds of tenderness remain in his heart towards her. I hope she will always know how much he loves her.

6 months!!

Happy half birthday to you! Happy half birthday to you! Happy half biiiiirrrrrtttthhhday dear Emily! Happy half birthday to you!

6 months since the day Emily was born. Unbelievable. And happily, her 6 month birthday coincided with Easter weekend, so no need for a special photo shoot. I'm thankful for that because she is increasingly hard to dress these days!! Now for the stats...

Emily, at 6 months you:

*Weigh 16 lbs 2 oz and are 26 inches long. Good growth these past two months.

*You are definitely out of your 3 month clothes and pretty much out of 3-6 months clothes. I finally packed away your gowns. I cried!

*You are finally sleeping through the night! HOORAY! Every now and then you'll wake up with your head up against the crib rails or something random, but most nights you do great. Sleeping 7 or 8 hours in a row is definitely benefitting me. And therefore benefitting Daddy and Drew!

*Your foot is tiny. A little 0-3 month shoe still swallows your foot. You are barefoot a lot. People always comment on it. I'm not sure why it's a big deal. Your feet rarely touch the floor!

*You tolerate time on your tummy a little better now, although you still puke almost every time you're on your belly. You have learned to scoot around a little and can get to the toys you want most of the time. When you can't, you don't really hide your frustration! Ha!

*You babble pretty much all the time, except for when you are chewing on something. It's a toss up as to which one happens more.

*You are VERY social. You love looking at people, especially other kids. A big group of people brings out your smiles and laughs.

*You think Drew is hilarious. And, you've started laughing at him when he is being naughty. Between you and me, this is not really helping matters.

*You're supposed to be sitting independently. You are really not interested in it at all. Dr. Betts tried every trick he knew to make it happen. He's not worried. I'm not either.

*We've started you on solid foods. We started with pears because they are super non-allergenic. It's kind of been slow going, but we are going to try to work some more in. You definitely love the idea. We've just got to get your tongue cooperating.

*Your big brother adores you. And I mean, like, a lot. He is so sweet to you and has started playing with you any time you fuss. I just wanted to have this written down for you someday when he's being a mean ol' tyrant of a big brother!!

We love you, Emmy Lou (which is what we should have named you since it's what I call you all the time!) and can't believe how fast you're growing.

Easter

Easter is my A-Number One all time favorite holiday.

I love that there is not a lot of hoopla. We don't start talking about Easter in January. I think that's refreshing.

I love that nature is like a big blinking neon sign pointing to the significance of the holiday. Death to life. All things new.

I love that we have been able to keep Easter very low key in our lives. Please don't be offended in you're in my family. For some reason, I just cherish the thought of keeping it simple. And not taking a road trip.

I love that we made it to church this year without anyone being sick.

I started off my Easter week with a preschool music program at Lyla's school. I just need to say that I was thisclose to completely dissolving into a giant puddle of sobs. I really have no idea how I held it together. I am a complete SUCKER for a kids program, especially a church music kid's program. And watching Lyla up there singing. Whew. It was too much. You might be thinking that I'm in big trouble the first time Drew is in a program. But then you'd be forgetting that most likely he will refuse to be in the program. So, maybe I'll have it together by the time he's 12 and might be in church program.

Friday we had a Mom's Club "Spring Fling" egg hunt. Also known in the not-so-politically correct circles as an "Easter Egg Hunt". You may have heard of it. Anyway, Drew got a stomach ache and had a weird look on his face for a good solid 15 minutes, so we hightailed it out of there before he puked all over the "Spring Fling". After an hour on the couch he was fine. Bad jelly bean maybe.

Saturday was one of those days you don't plan, but turns out to be so fun. I needed to go to Opry Mills to return some stuff and Big Dan was working, so I dragged the kids with me. In and out, I thought. And then we found out there were Easter (Spring Fling??) activities happening at Bass Pro Shop. Well, heck yes! Sign us up for some Easter time fun. So we made an Easter ornament. For the Easter Tree?? Not sure. But, really, nothing says Easter like a styrofoam egg that's been bedazzled.

There was also some other fun at Bass Pro, but it's a surprise. I can't reveal it to you just yet due to some technical difficulties. It will be worth the wait. Trust me.

The kids caught a quick nap in the car before I hauled them to the neighborhood Easter egg hunt. Because being a good mom means cramming in the memories, right?? Honestly, I wasn't sure how Drew was going to do after a 25 minute car nap. And, well, there were other kids at the Egg Hunt so it was dicey. All that said, Drew had THE BEST time. He got his face painted. (Did you pick yourself up after faninting??) He jumped in a bounce house with around 6 ten year olds-big ones-and cracked up every time he got knocked around. And you should have seen him take off on the Egg Hunt. His flip flops came off and I was pretty sure he was going to break down. I shouted "Just leave your shoes!! Go, go, go!!" At least I'm not an intense mom...He took off and did awesome. Oh, and did I mention he entered a bunny hop contest??? Yeah he did. He didn't win, but it's only because he's the only one who actually hopped. He had a complete blast.







I love Easter. I love that Drew is learning about God's love for him and all that He did for us.

And some sweet icing on the cake?? Reese's Eggs, baby.

His Choice

His life was not taken from Him. He chose to give it.

"No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." John 10:18

"So Pilate said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin." John 19:10-13

The moment He chose the will of His Father over his own will, Satan was defeated.

"And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him." Luke 22:41-43

The will of the Father was driven by His overwhelming love for us. Us=me & you.

Jesus' followers were waiting for Him to display his power by attacking his attackers. They watched for him to rise up against their oppressors.

He was not weak in His choice to allow His death. The power was displayed in His decision to stay on the cross. Like now, He saw the bigger picture. The real oppressor was our own sin. One final sacrifice to atone for the sin of all creation.

The story does not end with sacrifice. But with miracle. With glory.

"And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." Luke 24:5-6

This is the beginning and the ending of Christianity. Sin-->Death-->Sacrifice
-->Life

Christianity has picked up a lot of baggage over the last 1960ish years. Christianity is belief in Christ's death and resurrection and repentace for sin. Nothing more. Nothing less.

"Who is this King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle!" Psalm 24:8

Good Friday

"It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last." Luke 23:44-46

No matter who you are or where you are, He did this for you.

Indy

Was it worth it? Was it worth a 10 hour car trip alone with a preschooler and a baby?

In a word, YES.

We had such a great time at Todd and Nikki's house! There are many things that made the trip worth it. I'm tired, so you can read about them in a nice, concise list fashion.

1. Absolutely the number one awesome thing about Indy was the fact that Eli (the little guy who just turned four) owns a Buzz Lightyear costume. A full, head to toe, includes shoe covers and gloves Buzz Lightyear costume. With light up wings. LIGHT UP WINGS! I'm just going to let you marinate in that for a minute...

Yes, Drew nearly peed his pants and proceeded to wear the costume the entire weekend.

2. Nikki and I made a rainbow giant cupcake for Eli's birthday party. At 11:00 p.m. Moms are awesome. (And I swear that's the last time I'll say "awesome" in this post.) It's always more fun burning the midnight oil when there is someone fun to talk to.

3. Drew jumped on a big trampoline for the first time in his life. And loved it.

4. i jumped with Drew on the big trampoline and didn't injure myself.

5. I got to watch Eli and Josh play the Wii. Have you ever watched little kids play a Wii?? It's nothing short of hilarious. Utterly hilarious. And even funnier when the four year old says, "My arm hurts from too much bowling!"

6. Todd and Nikki live in a quintessential midwestern neighborhood. Like, they literally hang over their back fences, babies on hips, talking. It was a little like visiting Pleasantville. In a good way. I felt like I could move in that day and have 10 new friends.

7. People could not stop talking about my "accent". I kind of forget I have one. Then Nikki's sister said, "Listening to you makes me want some biscuits and gravy and sweet tea!" I mean, I love inspiring that kind of thinking. It's good to be a southern girl.

8. Drew had some boys to play with. And he loved it.

9. Emily slept through the night. I mean, this is good wherever, whenever, you know?

10. I was reminded of how important family is. All the time. And how important mommas are to each other. Go find the nearest momma and hug her neck. She worked hard today!

Would I do it all again? Hmmm...that's kind of a trick question. Hooooooopefully, the next time I head up the road it won't take 10 hours. But, we'll go again. Oh yes. We will.

Just as soon as Katy and I work in our trip to King's Island.