Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year

So here we are, Christmas Eve Eve. I am always amazed at how quickly it comes and passes. I try to soak in every last ounce of this season from the day before Thanksgiving until the day after New Years. Being a traditionalist at heart, I strive for what Clark Griswald did, the perfect family Christmas. He didn't get his, and I haven't gotten mine, as of yet. This year brought many blessings our way, and one of them was getting to go on a business trip to Las Vegas during the first week in December. What a fantastic time we had. Everything was draped in seasonal decor, and the weather was just right. It was a great energizer before we were launched into all things Christmas. But even as I sit here wrapping those last few treasures for under the tree, while The Polar Express plays in the background, and the smell of my sugar cookie candle scents the house, I remind myself not to loose grasp of the Reason that is behind the pageantry of it all. The Reason that is bigger than the tree, the shopping lists, and the pants size that I will need to move into once this day is over. And I pray that Reason will be a constant mindset and focus throughout the new year. Wishing all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Too stunned to scold

It still baffles me how smart toddlers actually are. Mine, although still not speaking on a regular basis, has seem to figure out the ways of the world in just two short years. For example, every morning, after breakfast, Caleb will watch a Veggie Tale at the kitchen table as I do dishes, laundry, etc.. before we go to kid's gym. I have often turned around to catch him dancing, without any inhibitions mind you, on top of the table. He has been scolded etc.. many times for these actions and told repeatedly not to stand on the table. The picture above captures what I walked into the other day. Apparently, the need to be on the table got the best of him, but remembering my strict warnings, decided on a compromised position. I stood stunned, unable to scold.. He's too smart for his own good. And he's only 2!

Our visit with Bob and Larry

What do you get when you take one life-size cucumber, a full-grown tomato, one trunk and one treat? Well, basically the makings for the last couple of weekends around our house. Caleb, a devout fan of Elmo has recently crossed over into VeggieTales territory. Now, grant it, we are thrilled. They teach Biblical principles, help instill Godly values, and let's face it, if you really sit and watch them, are downright funny. However, whenever something captures Caleb- it CAPTURES him, and that is the only thing, when it's time for a video, that he wants to watch. Sam and I can now sing you any song that you could possibly ever want to hear from any of their videos. You want "God is bigger than the boogie man?" know it. "Oh Where is my hairbrush?", done. "Love your neighbor?", even Caleb sings that one. So you get the point. Well two weeks ago, they came to Lifeway, and I thought he'd be thrilled. Off we all go, with colds, to see Bob and Larry, only to find that Caleb suddenly turned shy and wouldn't even smile at the camera. However, he did later sit at their feet like he was watching them on tv. So much for dressing him as Bob for Trunk or Treat. Maybe next year!

My Mimi

Everyone who knows me, knows that one of the great influences of my life was my Mimi Darling. Mimi, my mom's mom, was one of my dearest friends. We shared a love of coffee,which started with her slipping it to me at a very young age, books, I got her hooked on Christian fiction, and shopping, my dad still talks about her dragging him from store to store the night I was born. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her, and sometimes, when I miss her quite a bit, I find myself pulling out that old blue night gown, the one I used to swing on, to see if it still smells like her. It does. I prayed for several "pre-child" years that Mimi, who struggled with lung cancer for quite a while, would live to see my first baby. The Lord answered that prayer, and some of the most precious photos and videos I have capture her dancing and singing to her great grand. In November it will mark her being gone for one year, and I still cannot believe it. I still reach for the phone to call her during times of trouble or triumph. And although a year has passed, I had not gone back to visit her house, the place where I spent many a summer and winter break. It wasn't until a few weeks ago where I felt the strong desire to take my little one to play in the front yard, where I spent so many hours. He laughed and played while throwing rocks around the front porch. She wouldn't have had it any other way.. well, maybe not the rock throwing.

Sun, Sea, and Sand

So, we just returned home from "vacation". We belong to a group of people that lacks time throughout the summer, so we head to the beach in the fall. We have done this for the past 4 or 5 years, and Caleb started to join us when he was just 3 weeks old, so I have sweet memories at Myrtle Beach. Now that our man-child is two, I found myself very excited about how he would react to everything. Last year, at 13 months old, all he really did was eat sand, he couldn't even walk then. This year, however, he didn't let me down! He embraced everything about the beach, and I just tagged along behind him with my camera! He adored the ocean, but was not content building sandcastles, he wanted to be in the water. He would run to catch waves, then would chase them as they rushed back out, only to get knocked down by the next one... with me right behind him to pick him up...so don't worry. And since I am all about memories, I hauled myself (and Sam) out to the (chilly) surf to watch him chase waves for a good solid hour. Sam also celebrated his 30th birthday there this year, and since we went with friends, we all enjoyed welcoming him to the club---so no more jokes honey. Ah, the beach, I miss it already... good thing, I have all these dirty clothes covered in it, to help me get through this rough time!

Caleb and The Great Pumpkin

Everyone who knows me, and reads this (Hi Mom) is aware that I adore Autumn. I cannot get enough of the smells, the colors, the breezes etc... I always feel like it's only here for a short visit, and then we are snatched up by the rush of the holidays and chilly weather. So, I decided that this year, we would make the most of every fall activity possible. However, since our schedule is nothing short of overwhelming (as I am typing this I am quite aware that we are leaving for a beach vacation in 2 days and I have an enormous to do list) it has been difficult to tackle my list of "memory building activities". This list, I have decided, is so much more for me than for him, but he is only 2 and hasn't quite learned how to protest yet. This year, I desperately wanted him to go pick a pumpkin, and since Sam had the day off, we ventured out to a pumpkin "patch" earlier this morning. I use the word "patch" loosely, as it was just a large variety of pumpkins in the parking lot of a farmer's market, but hey a memory is a memory! I found that no matter what my excitement level about an activity is, it sometimes isn't enough to enthuse my boy. He couldn't have cared less about the pumpkins, and was more fascinated by the crates that they sat on...boys! He did however pick one out to take home with him, and called it "pumpin" all the way home.. If only I could have found a hay ride and a place to bob for apples!

We're Two.......... (well on the Thursday we will be)

I have been very pensive this week, and maybe a wee bit sentimental over the fact that Caleb is turning 2. Yes, I do understand that it is 2, and not 30, but still. I have found myself thinking about how quickly these two years have passed, and how too soon the others will as well. Maybe that is why I am hesitant to put him in a Mother's Day out, or any other type of "school" so early on. There will be plenty of school for later, and I have become selfish of my time with him. I guess it all boils down to the fact that I didn't think that I would take to motherhood as much as I have, or that being a "Boy Mama" first would capture every fiber of my being like it did. I didn't count on loving the sticky sweetness that comes from a syrup-covered toddler as he runs his chunky hands through my hair, the enjoyment I would find over playing in the floor with a hot wheels car for a good solid 30 minutes while laundry awaited, or the cravings I would have for the smell of a sweaty little man, who spent the morning trying to beat the squirrels out of park trees. (I may have had a hand in teaching him that--but they really do outnumber us--one or two less isn't going to matter =). So as I rush out to get the birthday food for a Saturday marked with sugar infused two year olds, I think about how thankful I am for the juice stains on the rug, the pens stuck in the VCR, and the soft sounds of "mama" coming from his crib. Almost enough to make me want another right now. Almost.... =)