Archive for November, 2007
Or maybe, I should title this post: Santa, Part “Ho”. Read this article. And then read this hilarious commentary on the article.
So today Kevin and I are off to Bedford to celebrate Thanksgiving. His family does Thanksgiving the Saturday before, so that we can spend Thanksgiving Day with my family. In honor of Thanksgiving, knowing that Christmas is just around the corner, I wanted to show you a silly/serious video and share a poem. I didn’t make the video, nor did I write the poem, I just agree with both.
Video: Christmas with a Capital “C”
Poem:
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.Why the PC Police
had taken away,
The reason for Christmas -
no one could say.
The children were told
by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men
and Angels and things.
It might hurt people’s feelings,
the teach ers would say
December 25th
is just a ‘Holiday’.
Yet the shoppers were ready
with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down
to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna,
an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing,
something quite odd!
Retailers promoted
Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by
Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging
their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas -
was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples
and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas;
it won’t touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive,
Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used
to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden,
Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather,
on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate,
there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus,
in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word,
as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak
of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas
was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season,
stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’
under your ‘Dream Tree’
Sipping your Starbucks,
listen to me.
Choose your words carefully,
choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
not Happy Holiday!
November 16th, 2007
No, I’m not talking about the TV station. This is the name of my current Bible study - Community Bible Study.
Shala told me about CBS last year. Her biggest joy was the children’s program, which Colby I have come to know and love. My wish is that if I am going to learn about the Bible, I want my kids to learn the Bible too. (Kennedy goes to the children’s program too, but the curriculum starts at age 1.) Colby learns wonderful songs and can tell me the Bible story each week. They put Bible verses to music, and he loves it.
This year the name of the study is Servants of God. We have already been through the book of Joshua and are currently finishing up Judges. Next is Ruth. After that comes…. (can you tell me?) We’ll finish in May with 2nd Samuel.
So why am I mentioning CBS right now? We did just meet today, but Thursday, November 29th is “Bring a Friend to CBS” day. If you are in the BCS area, please let me know if you want to be my friend and come to Bible study with me! I have thoroughly enjoyed the study and the core group I’m in, and I think any of you would love it. (Email me if you’re coming, especially if you have kiddos and need “childcare”.)
November 15th, 2007
It only comes once every four years. No, not the Olympics.
How many of you voted on November 6th? Yes, of this year? I didn’t either. It saddens me that the American public casts more votes for American Idol than the American president. Yes, I know it’s far easier to vote for Idol and you can vote more than once, but I would hope more people would make an effort to vote for the most important leader of the free world.
More people our age (24-32) are getting on the bandwagon. We are tired of complacency and want action. I’m not talking about party lines, I’m talking about some unnecessary things the government is doing with our money - Social Security, taking too long in Iraq, death penalty vs. life in jail.. . Do I have your attention yet?
I haven’t given much thought to who I will vote for yet, and yes I know it’s still a year away. But I do know there needs to be change. I’m borrowing this link from the Supers. I had some interesting but not shocking results… Let me know what yours were.
And, here’s an interview with Ron Paul that I found compelling. Again, I am not supporting any candidate yet. I’ll let you know when I know.
November 14th, 2007
It’s been awhile since Kevin and I have been “out on the town” by ourselves. With Kennedy’s feeding schedule and Colby not wanting to take naps or go to sleep at night without heavy convincing, it’s been a little tough. Plus, by the time Kevin makes it home some nights, we’re just exhausted. So, the week prior, we “planned” to have a date this past Friday night.
I say “planned”, because nothing really went as was planned. If we had stuck to a plan, it would have been so boring. (I know I won’t get a software writing job anytime soon, but just follow me here.)
[PLAN] Here’s what I told Kevin: “Kevin, my ideal date right now would be for you to take me someplace quiet so I could read a book and relax and think.”
[NOT_PLAN] Here’s what happened: We went to eat and there was a live musician playing pretty loudly. Although, it turned out to be really nice. Kevin and I sat by the window and it was almost romantic, like we were in a movie or something.
[PLAN] And, we had to go eat somewhere: “We have that gift certificate to Doe’s. Let’s go there.” (Doe’s is in Downtown Bryan, in the historic district.)
[NOT_PLAN] So what happened?: We drove up to Doe’s and the place was closed… on a Friday night? The lights were off but the chairs were stacked on top of the tables, like they could reopen later that night or the next night? So, we left the car by Doe’s and walked a few blocks in the slightly windy weather to Square One. I ate a wonderful Tomato Basil soup followed by a pasta dish with chicken, and Kevin ate salad while coveting my Tomato soup and then a chipotle beef pasta dish. Yum!
[PLAN] So, how about that quiet place?: Kevin planned to take me to Barnes & Noble so we could look for some books I had been wanting.
[NOT_PLAN] Can you guess?: Actually, we did make it to B&N, but we made a pit stop at the Palace Theater in downtown Bryan, to see Ross King playing in concert. He’s a fabulous singer/songwriter, and we grew to love his style when we led worship for Breakaway while we were in college. There were so many people there, it was wonderful.
Barnes & Noble was fun; I did find a kid’s devotional book I had been looking for to use with the kiddos, and Kevin found a book I’m sure he’ll blog about when he’s done reading. But mostly Kevin and I just got a chance to talk about what God has been doing in our lives, separately and together…ly. A wise lady (actually, Ross King’s mom…) once told me, “Never stop dating your husband. Besides Jesus, he’s the most important person in your life.” I completely agree.
November 13th, 2007
I always knew there was a difference between boys and girls, despite the obvious. But, now that we have a son and a daughter, it has proven to be fact. About four years ago, I read the book Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. He speaks of the innate differences between boys and girls and how our culture has taken to emasculating males, in so many areas. (I highly recommend it, whether you have a son or not; it is very appropriate in dating/marriage as well.) So many early childhood experts want for boys to play with dolls or have exposure to the same toys girls have. And, they want girls to play with cars and balls and swords too.
Colby is a wonderfully compassionate and caring child. He is incredibly empathetic to his baby sister and to his friends when they cry. BUT - he is ALL BOY.
We have a bubble sword. Colby wants to chop down our trees with it. Colby has a play kitchen outside. He cooks acorns, makes sure they’re “not too hot”, and then throws them in the air. Kennedy has baby dolls. Colby kisses them, then throws them in the air. (After all, they are toys.)
When we bought our house, it came with a makeshift wooden playground in the backyard. It’s actually not so much of a playground as an A-frame with a few steps and a plastic slide. We move the slide often because it collects water when it rains. Colby likes to move the slide himself, to dump out the water and to play on it. One day I noticed he had moved it to the fence. Here is one of the sweetest and most boyish moments I have captured with the camera - Colby, as King of His Castle.
(He is throwing acorns down the slide.)
Then, he runs down the slide to collect more acorns.
Sometimes he falls off the slide, but he just looks for more acorns!
I told Colby to stand on top of his slide and say, “I! AM! COLBY!” He said, “I, COLBY!”
Oh, how we have been praying that Colby would be like Joshua, a brave and courageous man. And, as part of my CBS lesson last week, that Colby would be like Gideon, a mighty warrior!
November 12th, 2007
We started feeding Kennedy solid foods. I bought a few different things so I could steam them, squeeze them, and freeze them in ice cube trays. On the list - sweet potatoes, bananas, apples, and avocados. We started with avocados first, because we were having Mexican food and it seemed like a good idea. (Plus, Tim said Elissah liked avocados and she and Kennedy are only a few weeks apart!)
I’ll stop the commentary here and let you see for yourself how things went… The first picture is funny to me - like, “What are you going to do to me?”
In case you were wondering, that list of foods has become very short… she only likes bananas AND only when her Daddy feeds her. I guess it’s a good thing I’m still nursing her, because she won’t take a bottle either. Sounds like Mama’s Girl!
November 11th, 2007
(Has anyone seen that funny SNL skit from the 70s with Dana Carvey as the Church Lady?)
It is just hitting me that Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away, and Christmas is about 6 weeks away… I haven’t started my Christmas shopping, I haven’t even thought about our family picture and Christmas cards, and it’s not helping that our high temperature outside today was 85. Who can think about decking the halls and roasting chestnuts by a fire when it’s that warm outside?
Regardless of what I need to do before December 25th rolls around, this Christmas Kevin and I are debating about what to do with Santa Claus. This is the first year Colby is going to pay attention to the gifts, at least I’m assuming. Kevin and I really like the idea of giving three really big gifts to the kids - like the Three Wise Men. (I know it may not have been Three wise men, but I do like tradition, and however many there were did bring three gifts.) The gifts for the kids would be things they like and have asked for, but limiting it to three so as to not go overboard. And, with that, I just assume the gifts would be from us. I’m all about giving credit to where credit is due, and I don’t really like the idea of Colby thinking we didn’t get him anything for Christmas.
But, Kevin and I did grow up with the notion of Santa Claus every Christmas, and we enjoyed it. I felt really special when I was 8 and I found out who Santa really was… but I couldn’t tell my sisters! Even now, my parents have said that Santa will stop coming when we stop believing. I think Katrina still believes in Santa, at age 17. 
But when Kevin found out Santa didn’t really slide down the chimney and come from the North Pole, he cried. I think he was 6.
So, what do you do for Christmas with your kids? Santa, or no Santa? Any other traditions you want to share?
November 10th, 2007
Here’s a few more things to add to our list of what we’re doing to make less of an impact on the environment:
- reusing plastic water bottles and/or refillable water bottles. Here’s one I want for Christmas - Biter Bottle
- bringing my own coffee cup to It’s A Grind - I save paper, and I get 10 cents off each cup!
- changing my toxic cleaning habits (see below)
To change these cleaning habits, I needed two main ingredients - vinegar and baking soda. I threw out all the harmful chemicals underneath my sinks and in my laundry cabinets, and now I primarily clean with vinegar and baking soda. Although usually not at the same time. (Remember the volcano you made in elementary school?) Other products I use - dish soap, water, washing soda (for the dishwasher & the laundry washer), and lemon scented oils so my house doesn’t smell like a pickle. Besides being cheaper than any other cleaners we used, the most short-term payoff is I don’t have to worry about my kids getting into and accidentally swallowing harmful chemicals!
I also just started using cleaning cloths by Method. (Another thing to add to my list -we hardly use paper towels anymore!) I love Method’s microfiber cloths. They’re not cheap, but they seriously clean quicker than I’m used to - I don’t have to scrub so hard anymore. I wish I was getting royalties from them to promote their products, but oh well. 
Oh, and while I’m on this Method kick, if you purchase $20 or more of Method products, you can get a reusable tote bag for free. Go to their website for more info. I did this just a few weeks ago and received my tote bag this week. It’s so cute AND you can fit lots of stuff in it, plus you can zip it up to a very small size.
Today I just heard about a new line of products called Lily’s Garden Herbals through my new friend Amy. She’s giving away some products from Lily’s, and she wrote a fabulous blog about natural cleaners that I completely agree with. You can also look through her site and find her recipes for cleaning and her post about Earth Day 2007.
November 9th, 2007
If it hasn’t been mentioned in one of our other posts about Kennedy, she LOVES to bounce. She will bounce in your arms, bounce laying down, sitting up, you name it… So tonight Jenna asked me to hang up the doorway bounce thingy. I think that is the official name… yeah. The doorway bounce thingy is sitting in the doorway to our front foyer, which echoes quite a bit. Kennedy loves this because she also likes to hear her own voice. This woke up Colby so he came out and we had a little bounce time.
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
November 8th, 2007
Whenever I hear these words from Colby, it’s usually one of three things:
1. He has strewn his toys around his room.
2. He has been eating and has smeared food all over his face and clothes.
3. He has been outside recently and has gotten muddy.
Of course, all of these are a direct result of his being 2 1/2 AND his being a boy, but #3 is the one he especially enjoys. Take a look for yourself. Oh and yes, I do own my fair share of Spray N Wash.
Mud in full view
Me: “Colby, let me take your picture!”
Colby: “Cheese!”
Up next - Colby: The King of His Castle.
November 7th, 2007
No, I’m not speaking in tongues. This is a pseudo-acronym for National Blog Posting Month. If you’re wondering why we’ve been blogging so frequently, this is your answer! And, the only requirement for NaBloPoMo is that you blog every day in November. It gives us a chance to update the world on us, and it gives you a chance to read our musings.
Today, this is all the update you get.
November 6th, 2007
Technically, this was yesterday, on the 4th. As you can see from the picture, she is sitting up very well. These overalls are so cute on her and she looks great in them! (Thanks, G-Mom!) But, that was the only time Kennedy has and will ever wear them because she’s outgrowing all her clothes.
Kennedy weighs 20 pounds and is 27 1/2 inches long. She now has 4 teeth on the bottom (2 are clearly visible) and 2 on the top. She still doesn’t have much hair; she never had much to begin with either. But, the hair she does have we think will be a reddish-auburn color. Her eyes are so blue and she also has her Daddy’s long eyelashes.
Her very first syllable was “mmmmm”, which she turned into “mmmahh mmmahhh”. I’m declaring that her first word was Mama. :) She has also said “dada” and recently (um, yesterday) said “ga-ga”. Yes, she’s advanced in her speech, but in our family, she has to be quick to get a word in edgewise!
Kennedy’s favorite word is “Bubba”, which is what we took to calling Colby. She loves to say Bubba, and Colby loves to hear her say it. She also loves to be held and hugged, and she likes to hug back and give those sweet open-mouthed kisses. Although in this picture, it looks like Colby is holding on for dear life and she’s trying to escape!
We think she will crawl soon, because in just 2 short weeks she has gone from this position… (on tummy)
…to this position (on all fours)
Actually, there’s she’s on 3 limbs. She does get to all 4 and then starts rocking back and forth. What a cutie.
November 5th, 2007
I’d just like to point out that I have the most beautiful wife and daughter in the world… here are some pictures to prove it, and a video, too!
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
November 4th, 2007
With all the scary recalls of toys with lead in the paint, I don’t want to take any chances with my kiddos. I am buying only wooden toys made in America!
I found a list at My Two Boys. And, she’s giving away wooden toys throughout the month of November - I’d love for Colby to win this cute tool box from Natural Pod.
November 3rd, 2007
On Tuesday (the 30th) my MOPS group planned out a Pumpkin Patch Playdate at one of the churches in town. They set up storytime, games, and pumpkin painting. I wanted to go and take pictures with the kids and the pumpkins. But, the night before, Kennedy slept terribly and I was incredibly tired, so I asked Kevin to come home from work and help me get the kids ready for our 10:30 am outing. He agreed and we were able to make it.
We drove up to the church, and there were NO big pumpkins there. NONE. (When we got home later, I had gotten an email which explained that the church had an unusually large run on pumpkins the Saturday before, so the nice ladies in charge went and bought some small pumpkins for our kids to paint. At least we had that. And, what was I thinking, going the day before Halloween?) Kevin’s picture-taking opportunities were incredibly limited, but he found a way around that. (Read on.)
So, we get out, walk up to our group, and Colby decides to run all around the large grassy area. This is pretty normal for Colby, except that this particular field of this particular church bordered a very busy street. So, off Kevin went to chase Colby around, while I talked with the other Moms and carried Kennedy in the mei tai. Kevin ended up taking some really good pictures of Colby, all the while making sure Colby didn’t dart out into oncoming traffic. Oh, and Kevin was completely dressed up for work that day, too, slacks and a long-sleeved dress shirt with dress shoes.. he might have even been wearing a tie? But he definitely wasn’t wearing his running shoes.
At some point in time, Kevin switches kids with me - I play chase while Kevin takes pictures of Kennedy. But as soon as it’s my turn with the boy, he runs over to the little pumpkins and throws them on the ground. He thinks they are balls. In his mind, they’re round, they’re orange, they must be basketballs! After a little while, he starts crying and screaming like he’s in pain. “What’s happening?” I ask him. “BAAAAAA,” Colby says. Lots of tears, lots of sadness. I ask if he wants to paint a pumpkin or put stickers on it. “NO, HURT!” he tells me. I ask if he wants to listen to the story or play games? “MAMA, BOOTY HURT!” ohhhh, no.
Well, long story short, Colby had diaper rash. So I took him to the car to change his diaper and make sure he was okay. All the while, Kevin is taking care of Kennedy and talking with the other Moms in my MOPS group! What a trooper.
I am so grateful that Kevin came with me because I could not have handled all that drama by myself with 2 kids! With all that he does, working 3 jobs - at Capsher, at home, and at church (but not in any particular order), it never ceases to amaze me that he puts his family first. He really didn’t have time to take off and go with us to this function, but he knew it was important to me to try and be there. I could have never gotten there without him! In something that seems so simple, he really does care about the details of my day and I am truly thankful for him. Kevin is such a great Daddy to his kids, but he’s an even better husband to me.
Here’s the pictures he got to take that day.
Check out these dimples!
Check out this hat!
Yummy hay.
Colby as The Thinker
Our Two Beautiful Children
November 2nd, 2007
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