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MMMM - Barassed

So, I completely wiped out in Wally World today.

I was running on my way out the door (too fast apparently) right in front of the 5,000 check-out lines they had going this morning when my feet slipped out from under my body. And...BOOM! Really it was two booms because my knees hit kinda sideways before my entire body stretched out in front of the kiddie arcade. Some nice gentlemen (who probably wanted to laugh really hard deep down) bent down to help me up. I was fine to just stay there on the ground, preferable face down so nobody in my small town could see my bright red face. But I did my best to muster some dignity and carefully pulled myself to a standing position. No eye contact, I kept saying to myself. Just put your head down and keep walking.

That's what we call "MMMM - Barassed" around these here parts. I think this incident probably cracks my Top 10, which is no easy feat from the girl who once started her pom routine (including yelling "yeah") in front of the entire high school two whole eight counts before the rest of the squad (dancers and/or cheerleaders know how awful that experience really was).

Not sure what happened today. But the brand new, slick heeled boots from Macys need to accept part of the blame for my bruised knee and even more bruised ego.

I resolve to be much more graceful in 2010 - and to scuff the bottom of those rootin' tootin' boots before my next public debut.

Be safe, my friends, and enjoy ringing in the New Year with the people you love.

Not Again

Walker Dude has strep throat for the SECOND time this year!

Just like the first time, he seemed to get sick with no warning - via a high post-nap fever.

Walker has managed to stay fairly healthy thus far, but Group B Strep must really, really like him. Can't say I blame it really:).

We are treating him with lots of love, fluids, some bubble gum pink meds and UK Basketball.

All he wanted to do when he got out of the shower was snuggle with Daddy and watch the game. I took this shot right before I put his PJs on and put him back on Daddy's chest, where he fell sound asleep during the second half.

I hope you and your loved ones are avoiding all of the yucky viruses, infections, bugs and flu germies floating around out there.

Our Christmas Gift

Our family's big Christmas gift this year is a finished basement. Construction began a couple of weeks ago and will probably last another six weeks or so.

Three years ago we built this house together - after a year and a half in a duplex just down the road.

One of the things we did while they were framing the house three years ago was to write scriptures on the wall as a reminder to keep Christ as the foundation of our marriage and family. We think of those scriptures when we are experiencing a difficult season in life or celebrating a special blessing, like the birth of our son (there are scriptures talking about the blessing of children on the wall in what is now his nursery).

Lee had a great idea on Christmas morning. He suggested we do the same in our basement.

Here are some shots -

 

In the playroom...

In the study...

I think all the hard work exhausted Walker...

Dear Santa

December 24, 2009

Dear Santa,

I know we just talked two days ago at the mall, but I wanted to make sure you know how good I've been this year. If you don't believe me you can ask my Mommy. She usually doesn't lie unless she says that the ice cream is all gone and I can see a few bites left in her bowl.

I really don't care much about opening presents, although I would like some more pacis and maybe a book for bedtime. And a basketball goal so I can dunk like John Wall. But that's about it. 

To tell you the truth, what I really want is a reindeer, but Daddy is allergic to dogs so he's probably allergic to reindeer too.

Well, it's way past my 8 p.m. bedtime, so I better go crawl in my crib so you can come down our chimney. Just promise me you won't eat too many cookies or your bottom will get stuck and none of my friends will get any toys. And that would be really sad.

Here are some pictures of me and my family celebrating today. They were pretty good too this year, so you might want to leave them something little like a band-aid or socks.

Merry Christmas to you and the elves and Mrs. Claus.

Your Friend,

Walker

Me and my cousin, Harper, play so nice. We shared the ball.

 
My other cousin, Grace, told the nativity story while I played with the ball in the background.

 
I played with the nativity too, because Christ's birth is the reason we celebrate Christmas.  

Mommy and Daddy at Nana's house.

 
Me playing with my boat full of balls from Aunt Annie. 

My Santa Baby

I love doing side-by-side pictures from one year to the next to remind myself just how big my baby is getting. Last year, Santa held his teeny body in his hands. This year, Walker climbed on his lap and leaned in and (GASP) smiled. He didn't want to leave his arms when we were finished. He just looked up and smiled. I was kind of scared he would pull his beard:). I still cannot believe how much he loved Santa.

 

I tried not to think about how many sick, swine fluey hands have touched that Santa suit. But I couldn't shake the thought altogether. Any other OCD moms out there who envision the transfer of germs every time your child touches something in public?
 

15 Reasons for 15 Months

In honor of Walker's 15 month birthday, I want to share 15 of my favorite things about this particular age -

1. He knows people. Family and close friends. His eyes light up when someone he loves walks in the room.

2. He is obsessed with his belly button. He lifts up his shirt just to sneak a peak at the most random times. I can see his wheels turning like "hmmm, wonder if my belly button is still where I left it. Better check."

3. He finally lets me change his diaper without throwing a fit. Woo hoo!

4. He goes postal every time he sees a balloon. He has, has, has to have it NOW. It can be a little annoying in public places when the balloon happens to be attached to an end cap at the grocery store or on a piece of furniture at a Thanksgiving Day sale. But I must admit that it's really adorable.

5. He has a lap radar anytime he sees a book. If you want to be Walker's friend, pull him in your lap and read a book.

6. He gives big, tight bear hugs when we ask nicely.

7. He loves to climb up and slide down stairs on his tummy. And he's become really good at it - but I still stay right behind him the entire time because he occasionally decides to turn around and try to walk down like a big boy. I suppose he finds humor in the look of panic on my face.

8. He rides well in his carseat. Forward facing makes all the difference in the world!

9. He adores animals. Any animal. Even bunnies:).

10. He eats anything and everything we put in front of him. I keep thinking it must be a growth spurt but it doesn't stop. I noticed a dramatic jump in his appetite when we stopped giving him the bottle (14 months).

11. He loves to dance. He even tries to jump but he doesn't get more than an inch off the ground. I laugh every time.

12. He may not be able to jump very well, but the kid sure can climb. He can and does scale just about anything.

13. He imitates facial expressions and everyday activities. His most recent favorite is blowing his nose.

14. Unlike his mommy, he's not a drama queen/king. He loves one-on-one play, but he gets really embarrassed if several people clap for him at once, for example. His sweet, shy streak that has come out recently is just plain precious.

15. His smile.

And I thought I had a bad day

I do not adore Mondays. Neither does Lee. And it's no secret around our house - although we do our best to laugh it off and maintain a glass is half full mentality.

Today was no exception. I started off my day in a funk.

Congested. Tired. Funky.

I was just in one of those moods. You know? Where you can't put your finger on it buy you just want to stay in your PJs and throw a pity party. Only you can't throw pity parties when you have work to do and a 15 month old to raise.

But you can lament the growing to-do list on your kitchen counter and fake a smile when your little one notices your gimpy mood. Where's my paci? I wanted to ask.

By the end of my e-mail typing, diaper changing, toy pick-uping morning, I had to get out of the house. So I threw my little bundle of joy (no really, I mean it) into my car and headed toward Louisville. Nothing a little Target (Tarjay) can't cure.

Only my happy little joy drive away from reality came to a sudden halt when I was stopped in front of a nearby elementary school so that every single bus and car could pull out. Are you kidding me? Patience, God, please, you know I need a good, big heaping.

I was so fed up with the traffic in town that I decided to hop on the interstate, where I was stopped for interlude #2 for road construction. Okay, God, not funny.

I finally pulled up to the big red dot, which Walker called "baa" over and over (for balloon). After saving my child from being crushed by the cart pushers in the little cart assembly line inside the door, I rushed the the clothing section for a little retail therapy. Oh, happy place, here I come.

I found several adorable and affordable tops, skirts and dresses. Score. But a short trip to the dressing room reminded me why I don't shop in juniors anymore. You couldn't pay me $16.99 to wear that skirt in public I wanted to shout at the fitting clerk. And why you're at it, please install some warm lighting and slimming mirrors. You obviously don't want to sell clothes today. Grrrr. I managed to find one decent (aka not mini) skirt and a sparkly blouse.

After picking up some socks for a local clothing drive, I headed to the checkout.  Alright, you got me. I did pick out a few more things. Which made my bill way too high for a 30 minutes trip to Tarjay.

I rushed home to change into my workout clothes. My sister met me there minutes later to inform me that my house smelled like onions on Friday (I was cooking potato soup w/lots of onions) and that she smelled like onions when she got home, meaning Lee and I probably smelled like onions at the two Christmas parties we attended that evening. Only I was too congested to notice. Not cool.

I tried to brush off the onion debacle as I sped toward the gym for a good workout. A couple of miles and 1,500 dumbbell curls later, I ran to my car to head home for dinner. There was a message on my phone.

That message changed my Monday.

It was from a friend going through a difficult situation. A very, very difficult situation. Much worse than the ill-fitting skinny jeans I tried on at Tarjay. Or the crumbs I had to clean up after lunch.

Those 35 seconds spoke volumes to my heart.

It reminded me of another conversation that I had with a friend this morning whose aunt was just diagnosed with breast cancer.

It reminded me that I am really, really, really, really self-centered sometimes. Many times.

I have a baby whose diapers I get to change and whose hand I get to hold. And we don't need strangers to buy us socks at Tarjay. And I have a husband who I can complain to when my day is yucky. And I own a car to drive me down the road. And my little cold will not keep me in the hospital. Or require surgery.

Lord, please forgive me for being so selfish and hard to please. Forgive me for missing out on the joy that you had for me this morning. Forgive me for focusing on me and my hang-ups and not on You. Lord, comfort those who are truly hurting tonight. Those who have physical illness. And emotional hurt. And true hardship. Those are the people who hold your heart - your peace, provision and healing. In Christ's name, Amen.

I do know one little guy who has got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in his heart...

Ten Things I Should Be Doing Instead of Writing This Post

1. Decorating my house. It is sad, really. But I haven't felt the tinsel and holly bug just yet. Please bite me soon or I will be deemed the official scrooge of my neighborhood.
2. Cleaning out my e-mail inbox.
3. Laundry - an insane pile is building up in my closet. I get an anxiety attack just thinking about it.
4. The John Wall Dance.
   
5. Sleeping. I know it's a bit early, but an early wake-up call is impending and he does not come with a snooze button.
6. Doing crunches to prepare for the butt kicking I get every Monday, Wednesday and Tuesday in my cardio/strength class. [The offer is still there to join me if you are free!:)
7. Wrapping presents - see #1.
8. Picking out light fixtures for the basement. Trying to find a balance between taste and budget.
9. Harassing Lee to find out what he wants for Christmas. He has not given me a single idea other than a signed John Wall jersey (see #4). If anyone knows how I could score one of these I think we would probably add you into our last will & testament. I. Am. Serious.
10. Checking the shipment update on my Christmas cards to be sure they get here by Valentines Day.

But you know what? I would rather be hanging out with each of you:). Have a great week.

What's a little boy to do?

 

A certain little boy longed to go out and play in the snow today. But a certain mommy didn't think it was a good idea because the little boy had a cough and a runny nose, not to mention his only snowsuit was size 6 months. What's a little boy to do?

Sit on a windowseat and experience the snow from the warmth of his mommy's arms. That's what.

Wordless Wednesday

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