More Pics...

Daddy & Claira ridin' Papa Baker's 4 wheeler. She liked going fast, but HATED the loud sound of the motor!










Mother's Day weekend - 27 weeks












Claira & Mommy hamming it up...












This is Claira squinting and saying "light" because the camera flash is so bright. She's started doing that more, so I have to be quick about taking her pics!!!










I LOVE this picture of Claira - this really captures her personality & spirit!

Glucose Test

Got my glucose test results back and apparently failed miserably. Doctor said the results were "terrible" and I need to start monitoring my sugar. I'm getting a glucometer & test strips, sheets to record everything on, and have a consultation with a nutritionist next week. So, some things will be changing in our house, and until I've met with the dr & nutritionist I'm kinda in limbo and just trying to watch my sugar / carb intake until I know more. Loverly. No more starbucks (I will survive) and will just take it one day at a time...

Planning Greg's graduation party on Saturday afternoon - He's actually walking the line Saturday morning and I'm SOOOOO excited!!! I'm really proud of him and keep threatening to embarrass him at graduation by yelling & holding up signs, but won't do anything TOO embarrassing... He's adjusting to his new job - his hours suck right now, but hopefully in time, they'll become more "normal" and regular and things will even out.

Claira is hitting the terrible twos. Can that happen BEFORE she turns two??? She's not terrible - she just has some real sassiness (I can't take ALL the blame for that) and is starting to throw fits - it's getting interesting... But she's mostly sweet and cuddly and funny and we just try to get through those difficult moments when they happen and enjoy everything else. She's putting sentences together every day and it's fun being able to talk with her. I've got more recent pics and will try to get them uploaded soon.

Kaity is having a party in utero at the moment - can't tell if she's doing the Bump or the Hustle - but she's a mover & shaker right now. =) Can't wait to see her!!!

Little Miss Sunshine

First, I need to brag on Greg a little bit. Yesterday, his work schedule was a little light, so he stayed home part of the day and I walked into a VERY neat & straightened house last night!!! It was SO great! We're in the midst of upgrading our basement - the paneling has been ripped off the walls, and part of the insulation in one area where we had a small leak. There are little piles of rubble from the demolition in various spots throughout the basement, and he & his dad moved some bigger items out Sunday night - and then yesterday, he sorted & cleaned up & straightened the kitchen & living room and it was just REALLY fantastic... Thank you, Honey!!!









Here's our Little Miss Sunshine... This is from Mother's Day Weekend. She really likes having her picture taken, which is helpful, but always wants to "see" the picture afterwards. Since she's used to digital cameras, she doesn't "get it" when she can't see her pic on a regular one...


Greg & I Mother's Day weekend. I'm at 26 weeks in this picture. Mom took me shopping at Fashion Bug and I found some great tops that weren't maternity tops, but because of the "fashion" of the day, I can pass them off as maternity tops. WOOHOO!!! I hate spending money on maternity clothes that I'll only wear for a couple of months and not be able to use more long term, so that was a good deal - this is one of those tops...


Every child should know where their "Inner Goofy" comes from, don't you think???

Monday Morning

Miss Claira spent the night at her Mama Taylor's last night because I had to be at the hospital this morning at 7:00 am for the 1 hour glucose screen. I set my alarm last night for 5:05 am and THEN could NOT get comfortable, soooooo at midnight I as up taking a warm bath which finally settled "whatever" it was keeping me awake, and I finally drifted off to sleep. I opened my eyes and looked at my clock: 6:15 am!!! Panic - ripped my clothes off - washed my hair - had to iron my pants and drive like a madwoman to get to the hospital 35 minutes away...

Got there - 10 minutes late - only had to wait another 10 minutes - and drank down the mostly-flat Orange Crush tasting syrup they make you drink... All in all, it really wasn't too bad. Kaity didn't even seem to FREAK OUT about all the sugar, well, not for a couple of hours anyway, and even then, she has seemed pretty okay with it. That's good. I can remember Claira having a party after I took the first sugar test with her... My next appt is 6/4, and HOPEFULLY I don't have to go to the 3 hour sugar test later.

The weekend was really nice. Took Claira to her cousin Kyle's T-ball game on Saturday - she saw all the boys out there on the baseball diamond and waved her hand and said, "Hi Kids!" She LOVES people!!!! Yesterday we went to her cousin Emma's dance recital and I think Claira put on as GOOD a show as we saw on stage. She was dancing and rocking to the music. At one point, she was trying to copy the arm and leg movements and jumping and turning circles!!! So, when she's old enough, I think it's definitely something we'll pursue for her - she was QUITE happy with the music and dancing...

Got most of my garden planted: cherry tomatoes, 2 kinds of watermelon (sort of an experiment), and a row of mixed lettuce. Got my orange peppers started in a pot indoors since it's not quite warm enough, and then I'll plant my zucchini next weekend. Last year, I had HUGE success with some little yellow "cherry" tomatoes - they were AMAZING - even Claira was eating them off the vine - but we couldn't find them this year, so we went with some "sugary" cherry tomatoes.

A pair of bunnies have proliferated somewhere in our back yard (or under Kevin's shed next door) and have had 6 babies. I imagine my little garden may help feed them on occasion - which is okay, as long as we can have SOME produce for ourselves. =)

Having a lot more Braxton Hicks contractions lately. Weekends bring them on - probably because A) I'm doing more moving around and getting things done and B) I don't drink as much water on the weekends as I do at work... So, I'm trying to think about those two things and Greg has been very helpful with moving laundry from floor to floor and carrying Claira when she needs it.

Little Miss THANG has more attitude than I think I've ever had, so for those of you who have ever had to put up with my drama and attitude - I'M REALLY SORRY. Lol... Actually, she's a fun kid (for the most part) and is really way smarter than Greg & I think we probably are, so we can't let on that we think she is smarter, or that will be the end of us... sigh...

Have been taking lots of pics with our regular camera - and just need to get a few rolls developed and some digital copies so I can post pics online. My parents are coming down for Memorial Day weekend and we'll be doing some "getting ready for Kaity" activities, and enjoying some DOWN time, as well...

I'm a Summer

You Are Summer!

Outgoing Friendly Flirty Cute Fun

What Season Are You?

Babies Don't Keep

My friend Dawn has started her own blog - and I've added her link to the side. I've only had a chance to read one of her posts, but I'm really excited that she's undertaken the "project"...

This has been quite a week. I nearly had a nervous breakdown yesterday and ended up just bawling after a very rough morning which ended with my slamming Claira's fingers in the bathroom door after discovering she was playing in the toilet. Again. So I took her to Mama's - went back home and slept and eventually made my way into work.

And my work schedule changed this week - we're working our summer hours (7:30a - 4:00p) which is FABULOUS once we get into the routine, but getting INTO the routine in the midst of potty training a daughter who does NOT really like to be awakened by anyone, and losing more sleep because of it - it's very frustrating and difficult this week.

There are moments that no matter where I am or who I have in my life I feel completely alone and overwhelmed by life's everyday circumstances. And sometimes, I just need to scream at the top of my lungs and let go of responsibility. I would love to "run away from home" right now. Not to leave my husband or daughter - that's not what I mean. I just want to run away from laundry and dishes, potty training and diapers, a messy house that I can't seem to ever get under control (with the chaos that only contributes to my feeling overwhelmed), and a job that gets busier in the summer which is when I HAPPEN to be due to have daughter #2. Sometimes the pressure is simply unbearable and I don't want to be nice anymore and I don't want to do anything for anyone else and I just want to sit and have someone take care of ME for a week...

I had a dream yesterday morning while I was napping and these random guys were coming into my house bringing shopping bags full of clothes and racks full of shoes - and in my dream, I walked over and picked up this really cute pair of sandals and just started BAWLING because it was so nice to feel that pampered. And it was only a pair of shoes.

So I pamper myself. Paint my toenails pink. Get my starbucks when I can. Use my chocolate-scented body lotion from Bath & Body works which makes me feel delicious. Prop my feet up in the recliner at night for a good 30 minutes to get the swelling to go down and TRY to ignore the basket of folded clothes that should be put away...

So I try to remember: Settle down cobwebs, dust go to sleep, I'm rocking my babies, and babies don't keep...

A Lot Going On

Well, this is late, but Happy Mother's Day to my friends who are mothers. I really got to celebrate this year and it was a lovely weekend! Greg, Claira & I drove up to my parent's house Friday night and spent most of Saturday with them. We were able to have a late lunch with Dave & his family and got to visit a little with them. Saturday evening, Greg drove us up along the Lake Erie coastline and we found a nice hotel where we spent the night. It was right at the lake's edge and was very peaceful and relaxing. I enjoyed the view of the water and the sound of the waves and seagulls - if it hadn't been so windy, I could have spent the entire evening right there outside watching and listening... We got up in the morning and found a pretty yummy breakfast buffet and drove home. We had Sunday lunch with Greg's parents and Kevin's family - and enjoyed a mostly nice day together. All in all, it was a lovely weekend. Having the time with Greg & Claira to celebrate Mother's Day was really special to me.

Mikhael Shane graduated from high school yesterday. WOOHOO!!! Congratulations, Mikhael!!! He had several friends and family members who were planning to stay and be there to celebrate with him. We were sorry we could not be there, too, but I thought about him all day yesterday and how proud I am that he accomplished this. I can remember my graduation day - it was quite an accomplishment to me - and I hope he is proud of himself and the hard work he put in to reach that goal. My understanding is that he will be out of town for the summer, and then plans to go back in the fall to start at college. He & I haven't been able to connect in recent days so I don't have the nitty gritty details just yet...

Without divulging TMI - Claira has been having problems for some time with constipation - we are on a "regimen" of sorts to help get that taken care of, and it's been a rather unpleasant week so far. She is being mostly good considering some of the ordeal, but it has been tough and I've wanted to "run away from home" several times. It's horrible when your child suffers (can I get an Amen, sistas?) and when you have to inflict some discomfort in order to help her in the end (no pun intended...) but it appears she does seem to be improving and we'll get through it.

[FYI -I had a ridiculous ordeal getting a prescription filled at Walmart Monday evening - after working most of the day, being late to her appt because of a semi wreck on the highway, standing in line for 20 minutes at the rx counter AFTER I'd dropped off the prescription and spent 40 minutes filling my shopping cart full of groceries (including popsicles & frozen meals), a daughter screaming and crying because she NEEDED her medicine, my feet were throbbing, and I was having Braxton Hicks contractions that would not let up until I got us & everything else into the car and guzzled some white raspberry tea and scarfed some pnut M&Ms. Claira cried almost the entire time home because she was hurting so bad, and it was an absolutely FRAZZLING evening and I'm going to be glad when things settle down...]

Greg is finishing up his job in Sandusky this week and starting his job in Mansfield - so that is a transition taking place, but things seem to be moving well for him. I'm really glad and he seems to be really settling into counseling and working with people. He appears to be much more satisfied with work and I'm happy for him!

Today is my brother Dave's 29th bday!!! I can't hardly believe it. I remember when he was born - and UGH it makes me old to realize it was 29 years ago!!! Happy Birthday Dave. And I did NOT break your arm... XOXOXO

Updates...

So, Greg was hired at the local job in Mansfield, and will end the first part-time job in Sandusky May 18. The Mansfield job will begin part-time and go full-time rather quickly, according to his new supervisor. So, he is sorta working 4 part-time jobs at this point, will whittle it down to 3 in a couple of weeks, and may be down to 2 some time in June.

Claira is definitely in a new "phase" and we're trying to work through it. At our church small group, there are several other babies younger than Claira. She seems to like them and wants to hug or kiss on them, but in her enthusiasm, she tends to pull them down and then it's like she becomes a WWF or RAW wrestler with them... Yikes! We're a little concerned with how to handle this. She obviously does NOT like to share, and she is big for her age, and she plays rough. She plays a lot with her older cousins (6 and 4), and it seems thinks she is bigger than she really is, and after talking about it last night, Greg & I agree that she probably doesn't play enough with kids her own age to know how to be a little bit gentler... She's not a bully (yet) and I think we can steer her at this early point to becoming a bit gentler and learning how to play like a 2 year old. =) Am I crazy to think that?

I'm feeling odd these days. Having some nausea, and even vomiting, and my stomach seems to be reverting back to its more sensitive stage like in the first trimester. I'm at 25 1/2 weeks, and my belly is starting to feel full and heavy and I'm definitely having hot flashes. I've also become prone to bursting into tears (gotta love the hormones) at very random and unpredictable moments, so needless to say, it's a little scary to be me these days. I can only imagine how scary it is to be AROUND me these days... Allergies are the bane of my existence right now and they may be contributing to the nausea

My digital camera is on the fritz and pretty well needs to be replaced. Here I am at 6 months and haven't taken ANY belly pics. ARGH!!! I got my hair chopped off yesterday and feel SO MUCH BETTER and it's easy to style, and even though it's short, Greg commented that he thinks its cute, so all in all that was a good choice for me. I need to spend less time getting ready in the mornings and having all that heat-inducing hair off my neck is great!

So, these are the most current happenings in my life and I'm literally taking it one moment at a time. =)

Bloggin' Mama

It's been so long since I've blogged, and I actually have a few minutes, so I felt like talkin'.

Spring 2007 classes will end for me April 22 - school is winding down - besides the ACCURSED Math class (beginner's math, mind you), I have LOVED every minute of my online lectures, my homework, the papers... It has been an incredible challenge and I've really done better with it than I expected to. I'm not talking about grades, because while I want to do my best, the pressure to achieve straight A's does not exist for me anymore. Come on - get real - I work full-time, I'm a wife, I'm a mom - why should I stress myself about whether I get an A or B if I'm actually learning something? Settling into a routine has been difficult, but having the internet at home and with Greg's help, I've been able to get a handle on it and really enjoy it. I'm anxious for warmer spring weather so I can plant my small garden and get some flowers in the ground - if the deep freeze will ever leave us alone...

Claira is growing up WAY too fast. Seriously. This girl is more than I can comprehend sometimes. She pushes every one of my buttons (good & bad) and sometimes within seconds of each other. She uses the word "No," quite effectively, and although it hampers our morning routine and getting out the door, she is displaying a very sharp mind and strong opinion and I'm GLAD she is not a pushover. She IS bossy & strong-willed & has "attitude" - all of which she inherited in part from her mother. At moments, I am proud of that fact; at others, it's the most frustrating thing in the world. She is also SO affectionate and funny and LOVES to laugh. She & I have great play times together and the greater her ability for conversation becomes, the more enjoyable and wonderful I think she is.

Kaity (Kaitlyn Isabell) is coming right along. I am feeling much more movement in the past 2 weeks and that has been wonderful. Greg (FINALLY) felt her move for the first time this morning. I still feel like she is a tad more gentle than Claira was - and I am sensing somewhat of a pattern with her. I am really trying to watch my caffeine - she is certainly reactive to it - and I don't want her born with the caffeine addiction to which I am prone... Seriously - caffeine withdrawal is miserable. But she has her morning "play" time and her afternoon "play" time. Occasionally I wake up in the middle of the night because of her movement, but it usually signals one of two things: I need to use the restroom, or I am STARVING. So, she is consistent!!! All ultrasounds and checks show her to be developing healthy - and somewhat bigger at her stage, but nothing to be concerned about. Of course, I'll be subjected to the ever-lovely glucose tolerance test in a month (GAG!), but everything so far - is so good.

Greg, bless his heart, is really finding his way into the counseling community. His first job was not what they initially told him it would be, and combined with the on-call hours during the week and weekends, he decided it wasn't for him and was concerned he couldn't be there for me if I needed him. As that door was closing, several others opened up, and he is still continuing to interview at various places. Right now, he is working part-time at an alcohol / substance abuse counseling office in Sandusky. He was just hired Monday to work at a Christian counseling office in Sandusky on an "as needed" basis (working with his part-time hours at the other office), and they have already called him with 6 referrals!!! His main part-time job is posing some concerns because his supervisor (with the proper licensure to supervise him) is leaving, and he would be left without a credentialed supervisor to document his hours with the state. In the mean time, he got ANOTHER call for a 2nd interview at a place in Mansfield, and has an interview scheduled there next week. I suggested that it's possible that this new door has opened because the other in Sandusky may be closing - and we are really taking it one day at a time. He's somewhat concerned, as he always is, about his role as provider, but the bare-bones truth is that JEHOVAH-JIREH continues to open the door, even with all of the struggles and roadblocks we've faced in our marriage - and we can really only rely on Him... Greg has always done his best and always looks out for us and just knowing he WANTS to provide for us is really sweet and wonderful.

Enjoy the pics of Claira - I will try to post her Easter pics this weekend!

Pics of Claira

One Cool Chick!















Cute Claira Face!!!










Praying at Applebee's

It's a Girl!!!

Claira is having a baby sister! We (finally) saw her for sure yesterday. She was moving and wiggling and kept her feet tucked under her. When she finally stretched out her legs, she hid behind her hand... But we got a clear shot and know for sure. The tech was laughing at her because she was being "modest" and wouldn't let us peek.

Everything looks great. Placenta is in a great position, baby is right at the size she should be. We even got some 3D pictures, and when I can figure out how to scan them and load them here, you'll see them!

We're talking through names and will post that as soon as we know...

Sometimes, I Just Don't Wanna...

Sometimes, I just don't wanna be "the wife/mom". It is NOT that I don't want to be married to my husband or to be mother to my daughter. It's NOT that I don't want to have to my family - it's all the other "stuff" that makes it HARD to be a wife & mom.

It's the working all day 5 days a week and trying to take classes online (which I freely admit I willingly chose to do) and then coming home and trying to think about dinner and potty training and laundry and dishes.

It's easy for me to want to do dishes rather than focus on potty training because getting dishes done is a completed task in a limited amount of time, where potty training requires much more thought and attention and will be continual for some time.

It's the 2 full baskets of clean laundry that must be folded & put away so we have work clothes or play clothes, knowing that as I'm doing so, there are 3 other loads that should be washed, dried, folded & put away.

It's desperately needing the internet connection at home to get my homework done that is giving us nothing but problems (and NO connectivity despite numerous phone calls to customer service representatives who speak with a very strong accent and can be difficult to understand) and having to run to my in-laws (who don't mind) to take a quiz at 9:00 pm before the quiz deadline. It's needing to read 15 chapters a week and listen to 9+ online lectures in order to prepare for the quiz or test I have to take in 3 days. I REALLY want to be in classes and finish my degree and feel like it's something I'm doing just for me, and yet it just seems to be something else that pulls me further away from my family.

Greg tries to help. He puts dishes away - he has been making coffee in the mornings while we get ready for work - he tries to entertain Claira while I read my chapters (and while she whines for "Mama" regardless of what antics he tries) - he runs laundry through the washer & dryer to GET them into the "clean" baskets - or straightens up the living room or kitchen so I don't have to. But that list of things that must be done just never hits the end...

I think I could even sacrifice Starbucks to pay for a maid service (if I actually spent that much on Starbucks...) I can't tolerate that chaotic clutter like I used to and I'm turning into Monica Geller about the house, only I feel completely helpless about it.

That whole "Proverbs 31 Woman" thing is just something I can't possibly imagine ever attaining, and trying to think about doing so just frustrates me to the point of giving up...

So maybe it's not the whole "I don't wanna be a wife/mom" so much as it is "I don't wanna be the Proverbs 31 Woman"... MAYBE, that's what it boils down to for me...

Long Time, No Write...

So it has been 3 months since I've blogged - been a little busy...

We're now 18 weeks along in our pregnancy. Baby is really starting to move around and make his presence known. No, we don't know for SURE that it's a boy, but our ultrasound is scheduled for March 23, and hopefully he will feel like showing off...

Claira is growing like a weed. She is saying phrases and sentences and is wayyyyyy too smart. We have fun with her, and she is learning how to whine for things, and we are learning how to teach her to ask for things. =) We are trying to prepare her for a sibling as much as we can, and it's going to be fun. She likes to pat or hug or kiss my tummy (or even hit occasionally), and says "Baby" or "My Baby." She tries putting her milk cup to my belly button because we tell her that the baby will drink milk. She'll tilt her head, kinda squint her eyes, and say, "Awwwwww" when we talk about babies or see pictures of babies. She's certainly going to enjoy being a big sister...

Greg has started a new job today - counseling with alcohol & substance abuse. He worked at a place for about 4 weeks as a crisis counselor, but it wasn't to his liking or taste. It also required some on-call time and overnight stays, which after he started and understood how much he'd be gone and how far away he'd be, realized it wasn't something he wanted to do. His new job is a ways away, too, but it's more to his liking, and there is a possibility of it becoming a full-time gig.

I've had some minor ups & downs with the pregnancy - urinary tract infection, which can cause pain, bleeding, even preterm labor - and although it has not been serious, we're just trying to take things a little slower. It's hard to do when we both work, have Claira, and I'm taking online classes, but we're figuring it out. I'm having serious insomnia which is just wearing me out - but the dr gave me a prescription, and I got one night's rest this week, which was totally amazing. I will only use them occasionally, and look forward to knowing those nights of rest are available to me now!

School is great. Other than my math class. Although this last Math section was actually decent and gave me some hope - I took an American History course and got a B. I am now continuing with the Math class, and have added a Humanities course and a Bible course. I'm enjoying them a lot. It's a challenge - finding the time to do it all - but we just got internet at home, and it's going to make things a bit easier to manage. =)

For the most part, we're all doing well, and are just trying to take things one day at a time. Will try to post more often and stay updated...

YAY - IT WAS WORTH IT!!!

I am late in posting this, but CONGRATULATIONS TO GREG for passing his National Counselor's Examination on Monday, 1/8. He is now an official, "professional" therapist! He has sent off for his license from the state, and has had a couple of interviews recently which sound promising.

Yesterday, he received his (beautiful) diploma from Ashland Theological Seminary! Graduation is set for June 2!!!

I am really proud of Greg. It was not easy, and sometimes it was downright awful, but he studied hard and he worked his butt off and HE DID IT!!!

CONGRATULATIONS, Sweetness!!!

Our Holidays

We spent Friday-Sunday with the Baker's and had a nice family get together Friday evening (12/22). We stayed with my brother Dan & his family and it was a really nice, very relaxing time. We enjoyed ourselves a lot and Claira loved playing with her bigger cousins.

We had Christmas breakfast with the Taylor's and it was a really nice time. The kids enjoyed opening their gifts and Claira was into Emma & Kyle's guitars! We got to have a nice nap, but woke up to Claira with a fever.

We were in the emergency room with her Tuesday morning for several hours - the doctor thought maybe it was croup because of her barky-cough, BUT instead, she tested positive for strep throat... I'm wondering if that's what I had the week before, but they didn't take a throat culture then, and still gave me an antibiotic which took care of most of it.

Needless to say, yesterday (Wednesday) was our worst day. I felt HORRIBLE, and although Greg had the day off he was in & out trying to find a toilet to replace our (only) broken one and had an appointment with his counseling supervisor in the afternoon. Claira & I did take a LONG nap in the afternoon and although I had to sleep in the recliner I got to sleep for 5 hours straight for the first time in weeks. The nightly trips to the restroom have been mixed with a very restless Claira for the past several weeks, and I enjoyed the rest. Greg stayed home with us today just to help, and it has helped a lot.

So, Claira is on antibiotics, I'm trying to force fluids with both of us (my sinusitis is lingering) and that with a broken toilet... (which IS being replaced tomorrow morning)...

Needless to say, I am glad we had this week off from work, because i"d have had to call in several days anyway. =) Mixed blessings...

Hope your holidays were happy & healthy.

Christmas Traditions Poll

Rather than post a long drawn-out newsletter(which has mostly been shared on this blog already), I wanted to post a "poll" of sorts and find out what kind of family traditions you enjoyed growing up and what family traditions you are incorporating into your family now.

The day after Thanksgiving we would normally put up our Christmas tree. My dad would disappear after bringing all the boxes in, and the chaotic decorating began. The tree would go up and every knick knack we had would go into a box to be replaced by a Christmas decoration. There were endless boxes and surprises every time we'd decorate and I enjoyed this a lot.

There was always the baking/cooking/candymaking weekend, too. It didn't just happen once, but my mom was an EXPERT at managing about 6 different projects at once. I don't know how she did it, but she would have different pots & pans going, while decorations were going up and Christmas music blared in the background. We always made peanut butter balls, toffee, dipped pretzels, baked and decorated various assortments of cookies. The freezer would be PACKED to the limit until we could put together the gift plates to take to church or give to neighbors, but we always had more than enough to sneak a peanut butter ball or 2 after school with a glass of milk...

On Christmas Eve, after we were older, we could open most if not all of our family gifts to each other, or gifts that had been sent to us. On Christmas morning, we got to open our gifts from "Santa." This was always fun, especially while Dave was still young and we got to be part of keeping Santa alive for him.

As a kid, my favorite part of Christmas was Christmas morning when everybody was (FINALLY!) awake. Mom & Dad let us kids dive into our stockings to keep us entertained and from literally exploding before opening our gifts. But it wasn't my favorite part because of the gifts or stockings overflowing with goodies.

First, my dad would read Luke 2:1-33. (Okay, first, he would ask if our beds were made - he just LOVED to torture us - and we'd have to go make our bed if they weren't made already...) Whenever my dad would read this passage - even when I was young, it would make me cry (and it still does). It was a moment of simplicity when the real meaning of Christmas Day was acknowledged and fully realized. I always wondered about Mary & Joseph and how they must have felt at the birth of Jesus. Then, we would sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus, and that would start our celebration.

We're still early into our family Christmases, but Greg & I are beginning to talk about the things we'd like to do so our children can have those traditions & memories of the holidays when they grow up.

Whatever you plan to do for Christmas this year, wherever you plan to go, and whoever you will be with, the most important thing to remember is that Christmas is about Jesus Christ - Emmanuel, God with us.

What would you say are your favorite family traditions? Are there any you plan to incorporate into your own family?

My Husband Deserves a Parade

My husband really deserves a parade. Since he finished his classes last week (Thank you, Jesus!!!), he has been SOOOOOOOO amazing at home. He has actually taken over some household chores and seems to have made them his own! (Feel the drums pounding???)

Saturday morning he was required to work overtime in Columbus, and Claira & I were left to our own devices. For the most part, we did well, but as the day wore on, we began to butt heads. Claira had not been sleeping through the night all week and ALL of us were exhausted. When Greg got home after being gone about 8 hours, Claira & I were being a bit cranky with each other and Greg asked how he could help. I don't remember what I said, but the next thing I heard was, "Well, why don't you go take a nap and I'll take care of Claira." WOW - what magical words to my sleep deprived ears. I could have cried right there on the spot, but I didn't. I just took myself up to bed and slept. It felt SO good. When I got up, Greg said he was making dinner - and despite the fact that we simply didn't like the fish (through no fault of Greg's), it was REALLY nice! (Yep, I'm hearing the brass section now! GO TUBA!)

Sunday morning I wasn't feeling so hot - I've got a yukky cough - and Greg helped with Claira and with me - put dishes away, and made supper AGAIN that night!!! We managed to get our Christmas tree up (despite Claira's help) and it looks really pretty in our living room. (Yep, I can see the batons twirling and the colorguards' flags flying now!)

He told me I can't clean the bathroom anymore (cuz of the cleaner fumes) and that he would do it. Said he would help with laundry, too. (Wow, those trumpets are LOUD!!!)

He has been so sweet & attentive - I already feel very spoiled, and had to brag on him!!! (Yeah, no scantily clad cheerleaders for this band - I'll take care of that part...)

Positive News!!!

Claira will be a big sister next year - we're due in August again. =)

Santa Claus IS Real!

I got this in an email from my mom with no credits or publishing info, but had to post it here today!

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus,"she jeered. "Even dummies know that!" My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandmaalways told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous"cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" She snorted...."Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun.

"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money,"she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car. " Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, and the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's second grade class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that BobbyDecker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat.

I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat! I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby reallyneeded a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas. That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible). Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby. Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes.

That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

May you always have LOVE to share. And may you always believe in themagic of Santa Claus.

Happy Birthday Sweetness!

Today is my handsome Hubby's 37th birthday. When I woke him up this morning and said, "Happy Birthday," he said "I'm 28 today." Yes, he is living in denial...

His mom will make his traditional banana pudding today. As much as Greg LOVES cake (and I mean the bakery kind with the sugary icing), for his birthday, he always wants banana pudding, and his mom makes it from scratch. I believe it was Mommy Reynolds' recipe, and now his mom makes it every year. It is SO good - we're all looking forward to that tonight... His mom has learned to make a batch just for Greg and a batch for everybody else...

I'm giving him a cologne sampler - it's what he asked for, and in the end, I get to reap some of the benefits. =) I hope he has a great day and enjoys his day off (even though he IS running errands today).

I love you, Sweetie. I'm glad we are married. It's a happy start to our week of celebration!!!