Snowday

Since I am doing the SAHM thing and Fuller isn't in school, I didn't really pay attention to school and business closings due to the wintery mix last night. I was going about my day like normal when Esther called saying she didn't have to go to work today, could we party?

Our party turned into fun at the aquarium and lunch at our house. It was a good day. I took a few pictures, but they are still on the camera.

Unfortunately the day has turned sour... since it seems all of the members in our family have developed a cold. I'm glad we got out of the house today since we might be a few days before we feel up for it again.

The white stuff

Right now I am listening to the rain pitter patter outside, but earlier I was dazzled by big, chunky white flakes flying through the air and covering everything but the roads and sidewalks.

As quite a few regional bloggers have noted, snow in our area is a big event. The news is covering it with tag team field reporters located on various roadsides around the region. Kids get their 15 seconds of fame when some random reporter pulls out his/ her cue cards filed under "Snow in Chattanooga: Big event, as rare as Big Foot." These questions may be "Do you like snow?" "Think you will have school tomorrow?" or "What do you think about all this white stuff?"

I decided to head out to the store after Fuller went to bed so if the snow is still around in the morning (rumors are it will be icy) we can just bunker down and enjoy the "winter wonderland." I bought one of last gallons of milk on the shelf, not because I think we will be stuck in the house for days, but because Fuller is out.

I really don't mind winter so much when we have excitement like this. It breaks up the monotony of biting cold and bleak landscape. I think I could stand winter for another week. Then I might start staring out the window looking for the first signs of spring and wondering when I can break out the chacos.

Veggie Tales Movie

We took Fuller to see The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything this afternoon. It opened today and I figured Fuller might like to see it after his doctor's appointment. Heck, I wanted to see it.

Fuller enjoys Veggie Tales, ever since we introduced him to silly songs. We gave him some of the Veggie Tales DVDs at Easter and he asks them as much as he does Cars or Nemo.

The movie was a good kids movie, full of music and action. Some witty jokes for the parents to get, and a pretty simple plot line. There may have been some spoofs I am not too sure of because I haven't seen all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies or cared about the Golden Compass, but the movie held its own, even without my knowing about those things.

Fuller's behavior during the movie was excellent and mostly involved. Since he is three and used to mainly watching his movies in our living room, I was happy he sat still in the booster and chomped away on his popcorn. He told us when he had to go to the bathroom, so he gets extra points.

On of the best parts of the movie was the Rock Monster music video at the end. It was a great spoof on Rock Lobster and made me giggle.

It was a good family outing and I'm sure the movie will end up in our DVD library some day.

Happy Birthday Ben!

On Tuesday Fuller and I went to see Esther, Luke, and Ben.

When I mentioned the upcoming jaunt to Fuller ("Do you want to go see Luke?") Fuller wouldn't settle for anything until we were in the car and on our way. Damon said it made sense since Fuller and Luke hadn't seen each other since the car ride to the airport. It had been almost three weeks since they had hung out, so Fuller was ready to see his buddy.

Tuesday also happened to be Ben's birthday. Remember how we all waited breathlessly while Esther spent days and holidays in bed rest? His birthday was sooner than anticipated, and he had a cozy visit in the NICU, but Ben is home and happy with his family now.

We took Ben (and others) some store bought cupcakes to celebrate in a small way on his actual birthday. Fuller picked out the only Spider-Man cupcakes in the store and and he happily gave them to Esther when we arrived. Once we got into the blowing out of the candle, Fuller and Luke each got their own candles to blow out.

What amazed me was Fuller first blowing it out and then taking the candle out of the cupcake and licking the icing off. My amazement turned to horror as Fuller started eating the wax candle. And then I started laughing because Fuller spit it out and knew he had done something yucky.

Ben brother Luke spent quite some time singing the Happy Birthday song and plugging in everyone's names as they came to him. The kid knows birthdays.

We had a good time, even if it was a short visit. Happy Birthday Ben!

Wish granted

My little sister, the one who lives in Florida, was really hoping to see snow while she was here in Ohio. And we are all thrilled the coming of 2008 has fulfilled her wish.

I went to bed at 1 a.m. and it was just cold and windy. To wake up and find the white stuff hugging everything outside was magical. Fuller was thrilled but is content to be inside right now. We will dress him appropriately for some snowy fun later. After I have another cup of coffee.

How is your 2008 shaping up?

2007 was awesome

Fuller fell down the stairs twice today. And at dinner he got so worked up over something silly he tipped over his kiddie table, falling with it to the ground.

I am thankful I am ending 2007 without a trip to the ER for anyone in my family.

I just did a retrospective post on my personal blog, and I have to post here a similar statement: 2007 was awesome for our family.

When I quit my job in January life really turned around. I was able to focus, find a groove, and really got closer to Fuller and Damon in the process. I have tons of good family memories from 2007 from traveling to more moments just being together.

As for accomplishments, we did some more work on our house (the porch!) and Fuller is potty trained. Big accomplishments in my book.

Happy New Year everyone, see you in 2008 when we are making it great!

Christmas past

Tomorrow our extended family will dress in Vieja-approved clothing and attempt once again a family picture. This year we have a three month old little girl to add to the mix. Fuller is usually a pill an angel during the family photo shoot, so it should be interesting.

Fuller's first Christmas we tried several times (over two days) to get a family picture with a Happy Fuller and ended up with this:

When we attempted the same thing in December 2006, all the pictures feature Fuller sitting on his father's shoulders eating a cookie. Just so he would sit still and be quiet.

It's just another fun family tradition and we are all looking forward to it.

Fuller's letter to Santa

It has been stated before- we are not teaching Fuller about Santa. And as mentioned before, I grew up with a notion of a never real Santa, but somehow my parents sneaked in Santa-centric traditions into our Christmas celebrations.

One such tradition is the cookies and milk left by the Christmas tree. (Somewhere along the way we started leaving a beer instead of milk.) With the cookies and milk we also left some sort of letter, and the letter always had a reply on it the next morning.

All in the name of fun, but never of belief of the man with the bag.

This year we played along and gave the letter writing responsibilities to Fuller. He played along well and composed this fun correspondence:

Dear Santa,

You rogue! Borrowing a page from the Devil’s “greatest trick” and making people think you don’t exist was pure genius. We can only marvel at how completely you’ve fooled most of the world. In this modern era of Big Brother, it is truly amazing how anyone, let alone a morbidly obese senior-citizen with a penchant for dressing as a 16th century ponce, can retain such anonymity. Compound this with your annual obsessive compulsion for trespass and unbidden philanthropy and one could even consider you “the bon vivant of spectacle and daring.”

Finding ourselves once more the subjects of your good natured neurosis, we bid you a hardy “Merry Christmas” and wish you continued freedom from governmental oversight and judicial prosecution.

Love,

B. “Fuller” Crumley

BFC:dcc

(Signed, but not read)

and on behalf of:

Damon, Alicia, Austina, Nathaniel, Sarah-Ginny, and Genevieve

Fuller might have employed a ghost writer of some sort.

Merry Christmas

We have been having fun with my family here in cold, cold Ohio.

Fuller fell our first day here, so most of our pictures of him show him sporting this reminder of his face plant. He was playing with my mom's exercise ball, fell off of it, and skinned his nose perfectly on the carpet. And since we were heading upstairs to eat dinner, it made for a really fun dining experience.

Tomorrow is when we will have our Christmas dinner, so we can relax on Christmas morning opening presents for thirteen people. In 2004 we did something similar, eating our big meal a few days early to accommodate family travel. Christmas morning we enjoyed about four hours of opening gifts for 20 or so people. We don't anticipating it taking four hours this year, but we want to be leisurely and enjoy the gift giving (and receiving) experience. And yes, we open one gift at a time in our family.

If I don't get back until the last scrap of wrapping paper has been trashed, then I want to go ahead and extend a Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

And if I do find a few minutes to hang out here, just think of it like an extra Christmas gift!

Musical highlight

Christmas music has always been a big part of family traditions on my side of the family. We always made time to attend church concerts and often my parents would team up to organize local Lessons and Carols services at our various churches.

This made me smile this morning, since it gave me so much music in 3 minutes:

Season opener

Last night, as my dad was driving us from the Columbus Airport to Dayton, OH, Damon said, "The Christmas season has officially begun."

Me: "Whatever, I put up a Christmas corner!"

Damon: "Well I don't have to go to work, so it feels official now."

I guess by that reasoning, it makes sense. We cut the red ribbon on our Christmas season by flying Skybus to Ohio and are settling in for celebration and fun family time with my side of the family.

We are the first of the siblings to arrive, so Fuller has had some concentrated "Gampa Fred" and Vieja time. Tomorrow Aunt Stina arrives to give him even more attention. It might even be better than Christmas.

Tonight we decorate "Fuller's Tree," a small fake tree in the family room that will be covered with the non-delicate and plastic-y ornaments of Christmas past. Mom finished decorating the upstairs tree with red and gold adornments of various shapes, sizes, and textures.

Surrounded by remnants of snow and getting to sit beside the fire makes it really feel like the Christmas season has begun. And it makes me wrinkle my nose and smile.

Things I have spent entirely too much time pondering today

can I fashion a shipping box out of recycled pizza boxes?

should we buck tradition and have Fuller take Pooh Bear to Ohio instead of Curious George? (he seems more attached to the bear than the monkey.)

will Fuller ever cheer up?

why are the people at Wal-Mart rude?

why did I run out of packing tape on the very last package?

why does skybus lay out their boarding passes to take up more than one 8 1/2 by 11 piece of paper?

are zip up boots a silly choice to wear in the airport?

if I am wearing a brown coat, why am I wearing black gloves?

can I feed Fuller Christmas cookies for breakfast?

when should I schedule time to fix my hair today?

should we buy food on the flight? (answer: NO.)

will I be able to fit everything in two suitcases?

this blog entry.

Christmas part 1

This afternoon we had our home Christmas celebration. We ate a lunch of salmon and then spent some time talking to Fuller why we get presents. It wasn't very easy since his eye was on the prize- opening his presents- but eventually he seemed to understand the "Jesus is the reason we get presents" concept.

Damon and I prefer to make strides in helping Fuller understand the religious concept of Christmas instead of confusing him by insisting there is a white bearded toy delivery guy who is real. I grew up with the Santa figure in my life as a "nudge, nudge, wink, wink" kind of thing- we never thought he was real.

Bob said something funny the other day, something along the lines of "why should Santa get all the credit?" And while it was funny, it makes so much sense. Why can't I expect my son to thank me and know how hard his parents worked to make the presents part of Christmas possible? Besides, keeping up lies is too much work. I would prefer to start with the truth and later on explain the myth of Santa as woven through time and folklore. I enjoy a good Santa story (Miracle on 34th Street is one of my top favorite Christmas movies), but I know the truth.

Fuller opened his gifts today, gifts we brought back from Lake Martin. We made sure he knew who each gift was from. Cars and Spider-Man were big on the gift list from relatives, and he got an exciting amount of books (two about trains!).

While it was small, it was meaningful and I hope a great gateway for Fuller to truly understand what happens on December 25th.

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Sunday School starts again

Last week was our first Sunday School class since we abruptly quit last May. Today was our last Sunday School class of the year. We pick up again in January 2008.

We are thrilled to be teaching in the new space. The Sunday School rooms are warm and inviting. They still smell new from the fresh paint. The air is still filled with excitement as the halls are filled with students ready to learn and play. Today, as we arrived surrounded by snow flurries, we were very happy for the new central heat, since for many years past we have been using space heaters, coats, and gloves.

No shivering occurred while we cut out shapes and glued them to make angels.

Fuller's Sunday School experience is going to take some getting used to. He gets distracted by the toys and still prefers the free form play of the nursery. Last week he wouldn't color but this week he left class with two Christmas crafts- an angel and a sheep. I look forward to more Sundays like this, and thank Mrs. W for having the patience to teach Fuller at that time.

I think we are going to have a great Sunday School year in our new building. I'm so happy for the new space.

Making my list

We leave on Tuesday around 4 p.m for the Christmas trip to Ohio. I know I keep saying how much Fuller is looking forward to it, but I have to admit I am getting more and more excited as well. And as my excitement grows, so do my lists.

Tomorrow I have to start making strides toward organizing and packing. Since we are flying Skybus, we want to pack as lightly as possible. Fortunately my little sister and her family will be driving through Chattanooga on their way to Ohio, and they have offered to stop and pick up a few things like larger presents. So, I need a list of things to pack and a list of things to leave to be picked up by SG.

We have to pay $5 per bag for each of us. We plan on checking Fuller's car seat (but don't get charged for it) and I would prefer to keep our baggage to two suitcases and our carry-ons. The flight isn't very long (from Chattanooga to Columbus, direct) so I know we don't need a lot of inflight entertainment for Fuller. My notebook computer comes with me as carry-on, but we really won't need much else. (The flight is less than an hour.) So I need to make a of list of our carry-ons.

And then there are the various projects I need to complete before we leave. A list for that task grows each day, and I hate looking at it.

Making lists and checking them twice... I guess it is that time of year.

Plane jumping and number running

Thursday afternoon Damon IMed me with the idea to go to Finley Stadium and watch the Golden Knights do their practice jump for the game the next day. People were invited to walk on the football field, tour the stadium, and check out the games at First Tennessee Pavilion.

When Damon came home from work, he told Fuller we would go see some people jump out of an airplane. Fuller immediately launched into a monologue of some sort which included paragraphs about getting on a plane and going to Ohio. Since he has been asking everyday to go to Ohio, we were sorry to tell him this was a different plane and it had nothing to do with his ultimate dream of going to Ohio.

Watching the flares light up the sky and the men glide to the earth was as thrilling to Fuller as running around on Davenport field. He liked running on the numbers and tackling Daddy.

Since we didn't get tickets for the actual game, getting to go a day early was a lot of family fun.

We might not live in luxury homes, but we still have a ton of fun.

And the gifts just keep on coming

Back at Thanksgiving I was able to assist my mother-in-law with purchasing our family's gift. We received a membership to the Tennessee Aquarium. I have always wanted one of these, and was so happy she offered to get one for us.

Our new membership cards arrived last Saturday. Tuesday Fuller and I broke it in.

After Fuller's playdate with Luke was given a raincheck, Esther called and asked if we could get together on Tuesday morning since she didn't have to work. I immediately said, "Let's go to the aquarium!" Since Esther's family had a membership as well, it worked out for us to meet and bring along Heather and Jonas.

It took us about two and half hours to make it through both sections of the aquarium. I was the only one who had a camera, but the day was throughly documented.

While portions of the aquarium did give me some vertigo (looking through the thick glass can do that), we still enjoyed watching the kids run around exclaiming over the water life they saw. The penguin exhibit was fun and we even got to see some Santa Scuba Divers giving a presentation in the Secret Reef.

Fuller's favorite part was playing the touch tank of Sturgeons. He, Jonas, and Luke got sufficiently wet splashing while the Sturgeons ate their lunch.

I see this as the gift that keeps on giving. We can go as often as we like, for as long (or short) as we like. We can take friends with us and make it a real outing. Or just a quick trip inside when we visit Daddy for lunch.

Thanks Grandma Linda and Grandpa Albert! Fuller loves it!

This post sponsored by Border Billards, where you can find a pool table light to go with the pool table you might get for Christmas.

PSA: buy your batteries

My friend Deb posted on her blog about batteries and it reminded me of this one tidbit:

When I purchased Fuller's Smart Cycle, I failed to notice or check if the thing needed batteries. Damon was putting it together and got to the "insert size D batteries" and asked me if we had any.

It seemed like a classic parent/Christmas mistake. Getting all excited about a gift and then not being able to use it because of missing batteries.

After speaking ill of the guy who checked us out at Toys R Us (aren't they all supposed to ask if we need batteries?) I checked the battery drawer. We had all kinds of batteries but size D. So we had to steal the D batteries from the Roomba invisible walls.

Learn from us: see what toys/ electronics need batteries and have them on hand before giving your gifts!

I'm in trouble

When I put Fuller down for the evening it was with the promise that tomorrow his friend Luke would be coming to play. And later I got an email from Esther that Luke is ill and we will have to cancel the playdate.

I feel badly for Luke (and Esther!) but I am really feeling badly for Fuller. He will wake up tomorrow and ask when we can see Luke and I will have to break the bad news to him.

Fuller is starting to remember so much. He knows we are going to Ohio some time in the future and asks at least once a day if we are going to "Hi-o?" We had to resort to a calendar with Xs to cross off the days, but it isn't really sinking in.

Damon suggested that just like we give Fuller time outs based on his age (3 minutes) we should tell him about upcoming events in the same way (3 minutes before we leave).

I'm not looking foward to Monday.

Our Christmas Corner

I finally got a few items from the attic (and spent $3 at Wal-Mart) and made a little Christmas corner. I put three table top trees ($1 each at Wal-Mart) on our round table, draped some greenery over the easel, and used one strand of lights on the whole thing. I'll pile the presents under it tomorrow morning.

I think it looks great and Fuller enjoyed it while he was still up. Christmas in one corner works for us this year. When we get to my mom's house we will have the full on Christmas decorating experience.

Next year, we will have our own decorating experience complete with computerized lighting show. Or maybe just a wreath on the front door. I'm still undecided.

We might need to invest in some Cat 5 wire just to make this happen. Thanks for sponsoring this post, Norfolk Wire!

Closed

Yesterday Fuller was better after his attack of the stomach monkeys, so I dragged him around town as a reward. Well, probably not a reward so much (I'm such a funny mommy!), since he decided to become a little twit in each store. And he got worse in each store.

To help lighten his mood, I took him to McDonald's for lunch, with the promise of getting to play on the playground. But first he had to eat. When he finished (and the term "finished" is relative) we got up to go outside and the door was LOCKED. We have had some rain in past few days, but really it wasn't wet out there yesterday afternoon. Cold, yes. Wet? No.

Since it was the afternoon lunch rush I didn't feel like bugging a manager to unlock it, so we left with Fuller in full on disappointment mode.

Fortunately the memory of a 3 year old appears to be the equivalent of a gold fish and he was in a happier mood for the next and final store. (The toy from his happy meal helped keep him occupied.)

Fuller is an awesome kid and I am sorry he didn't get to play on the playground, but here is my confession: I'm kind of glad the playground was closed.

It was cold and while Fuller had his coat, I didn't. And I dreaded the moment I would have to leave with Fuller kicking and screaming, "Slide! Slide!" We were getting close to nap time, and I wanted to just get to the last store, turn in my prescriptions, and get home.

Fuller is an awesome kid and I know I will make it up to him somehow, someday. But sometimes, it ends up about what works for Mommy and yesterday I think the playground being closed was a little blessing.

Today we are homebound (Daddy took Mommy's car to work), so it can be all about Fuller. We don't have a playground in house but we do have trains and playdough.

Family time

Our first Sunday of Advent was a little adventure in parenting.

Since our church doesn't have Little Lambs during the advent season and Fuller is too old to go to nursery, he was in the service for the entire length. And surprisingly, he was very good. There was one outburst during Cal's prologue to the Lord's Supper, but other than that, on the way home we heaped praise onto Fuller for how good he was.

Recently we seem to have found ways to carve out more family time in unexpected ways. We had lunch with Damon at Greenlife, we got to tour the new expansion of the church building, and we just seem to stop and enjoy each other more lately, instead of mingling around the house in our own bubbles.

It's times like these I wish we could freeze. I guess I have to blog it instead.

Coffee maker

I asked for a new coffee maker at Mother's Day. I got it and recently it broke. Fortunately I don't have to look into newcoffee makers to find a replacement, I still have the small four cup coffee maker to use. And I did ask for a new ten cup coffee maker (for when we have company) for Christmas.

Fuller still likes to "help" me make my morning coffee by counting out the scoops or imitating the sound of the coffee grinder. It has become a highlight of my morning. When I can teach Fuller to actually make my coffee, then it will awesome.

Moving day

Damon spent the morning at our church helping with some of the final tasks in the expansion project. Our Sunday School/ Fellowship Hall/ Nursery wing has been under construction since May. Today volunteers from the church showed up to clean, help move our pastor into his office, hang cabinets, and hang other things like clocks, white boards, and bulletin boards.

I took Fuller over so I could capture a little bit in pixel form. I'm afraid the pictures don't really do the excitement justice. The new wing is beautiful and I know our church can't wait to get back into the Sunday School schedule.

Tomorrow there is an Open House during the Sunday School hour, with refreshments, crafts, and just getting to know the new space. We have so much more space now. We even have enough space to add a new Sunday School class- the 2s and 3s. That means Fuller gets to go to Sunday School while we teach in the 1st and 2nd grade class.

Our church is so blessed by the growth we have had and we are blessed to have the means to expand the church in this way. I can't wait to see the wonderful things God has planned for us.

Sleeping patterns, two

Thanks for the advice or the "been through that!" comments on Fuller's recent sleeping issue. I have to admit we are blessed that he still takes a three hour nap in the afternoon. (This varies based on travel.)

Fuller's bed time routine involves teeth brushing, one last potty trip, changing into a pull-up and PJs, singing a few songs, and prayer. Recently he has been asking for a story, so we read as well. When he snuggles into bed, he loves hugging on one of three stuffed animals- Big Bear, "baby" bear (aka Classic Pooh), and Curious George. I have heard of other kids wanting to take all kinds of assorted things to bed with them- books, precious toys, cufflinks, even an empty box. I've wondered if Fuller would take to something similar, like sleeping with his trains or cars.

Even if his slumber is delayed an hour or two, it really isn't the nightmare some parents have had getting their child to sleep through the night. And that is something that helps me sleep at night.

Lunch with Daddy

Half of my day was spent outside the home today. We had a thing at the bank, I had to go get a tetanus shot, and then we all went to lunch. By the time Fuller and I returned to the house, it was almost 2.

These kinds of days are rare and make me feel a bit off kilter. And it isn't like I hate leaving the house, but today's activities were postponed activities (except the shot) so it felt like it was all crammed in and getting in the way.

But the neat thing was the time we got to spend with Damon having lunch as a family. We took off over the river to the new Greenlife and ate lunch from the deli.

When people stop and have lunch together, sometimes I think it is even more special than going out for dinner. You might have projects piled up or tasks waiting for you when you get back to the office, but taking the middle of the day to sit down and eat with others is special. It gives you a solid break but sends a message you really want to spend time with that person. (Maybe someone should do some market research about the difference between lunch out and dinner out with friends or family.)

Our little family had a good time sitting outside on the deck at Greenlife, the sun was warm enough to keep us comfortable. But the company was even better.

Christmas conundrum

Two of our neighbors have put up their outdoor Christmas decorations and once again it leaves me wondering... should we even bother?

If the answer is yes, then I have some work to do tomorrow. If the answer is no, then cool.

When we travel for the holidays, the mood doesn't alway strike for me to set up the tree and decorate. And this year we are leaving earlier than in years past (and staying longer) so it really seems silly to drag it all out. But there is a pile of wrapped presents in the corner that look out of place without a tree all lit up for the season.

It is a conundrum.

Maybe I can find a compromise somehow. Any suggestions?

Happy Birthday Tia

Happy Birthday to Sarah-Ginny! She's my baby sister, Fuller's Tia, and now she is a great mommy to Genevieve.

Let's see, I'm 31 so that makes her 26. Pretty neat. She's in her late twenties now.

We get to see her and her little family for Christmas, so I'm very excited about that.

I am rambling now, but just because I am trying to think of an embarrassing story to tell. Something family friendly.

Well, there was the one time she did some mud wrestling with my other sister, Austina. It's not as sexy as it sounds, guys. My parents were digging a hole for a tree and it was full of water. Dirt, water, and two little girls who wanted to play. I think they were around 6 and 8. And it probably started as something small, sticking their fingers in the mud, and then it grew to something bigger, like full body immersion.

My baby sister is very special to me. And I love being her big sister and passing along my parenting advice in the terms of "we did this, so don't do it." Learn from our mistakes, kid.

Happy Birthday, Sarah-Ginny!

Pretty girl

I took Lively to the groomer yesterday since we want to have a family picture done sometime this week. And yes, a family picture includes the dogs.

We have been shearing Lively ourselves, in the comfort of Fuller's bathroom floor. It isn't an activity she really enjoys and with our limited skill and equipment, it tends to show in the results.

I took her to Petsmart this time, and I think they did a good enough job. I think I asked for too long of a cut, but at least it is all even and her face and paws are cleaned up. And there were two bows in her hair, but one fell out already. But I think she still looks darling. She's my first baby. And I want her to be taken care of, even with a little bit of pampering.

We are still here

We appear to be stuck in a holding pattern, existing on little more than being awake (and really I am not doing it that well). Next week we pack up the car and head to Alabama for a Thanksgiving by the lake. I made the mistake of telling Fuller we would be going to visit Grandpa Albert and Grandma Linda and now he keeps asking to go see them. (He still doesn't get the concept of "next week.")

We wake up, we eat and get dressed, we read, we play, we eat... and we nap. Somehow we make it to 6 o'clock and it is all down hill from there.

We'll get our mojo back... probably after my coffee tomorrow morning.

Early panic

Damon calmly told me last night, "Thanksgiving is next week."

And I uncalmy exlaimed, "What?!?!"

Then my head was cut off and I started running around in a manner befitting a chicken.

Well, not really. It's more like panic gripped my heart and induced confusion and terror.

Why does this happen every year? It is earlier this year, since the first of the month was a Thursday, but now I have even more days to curl into a whimpering ball at the difficulty of finding just the right thing for that one person. And be upset that I didn't go ahead and get that other thing when I knew it would be the right thing.

Vague much?

I'm also trying to figure out how to make the holidays less about stuff and more about love... love for God and his wonderful Gift, love for each other and just being together, love for the simple things. And I guess I thought if I got all the shopping and gift grabbing buying done early I could really concentrate on the real reason for the season.

I'm a bit ashamed of my panic last evening and how I immediately turned my thoughts to what I didn't do. It's time to figure out exactly what I can do. And maybe the vise of panic will loosen its grip.

When mom's away...

Damon and Fuller picked me up from the shuttle drop off around 1 a.m. on Monday morning. I was thrilled to see them, hug them, kiss them, and talk to them face to face.

When we got back to the house we all stayed up for a little while, waiting for Fuller to calm down before putting him back in bed. While we waited (and I fought falling asleep standing up) Damon filled me in on their adventures. Dinners at McDonald's, breakfast at Krystal, and some fun at Craven's House.

After Fuller was in bed, we headed to our own bed for needed shut eye. But Damon kept gushing about all the fun he and Fuller had, from reading to playing computer games.

I'm so glad to be home with my family and I am thrilled my guys had such a great time together without me. Yesterday was my day of rest, so today I turn over my swag bag to Fuller (there's some fun stuff in there) and start light- laundry, shopping, and cleaning. It might carry over through Friday, but I get to start today.

Happy Monday on Tuesday to me!

Oh what a night

Lots of fun for The Man in the Yellow Hat, Damon, a small Tiger, Uncle Peter (aka Calvin), and the rest of us. I know I have been behind in uploading flickr and whatnot, so I put up the pictures for now. I will title, tag, and whatnot everything tomorrow. (click the picture to go to flickr.)

Halloween is here

I have been non-stop since yesterday. I finished painting the porch (pictures later) and then started playing catch up with the stuff that fell to the wayside while I painted. Today I had a doctor's appointment and then off to mom's group.

I am trying to straighten the house before our Halloween visitors come by. Luke and his uncle Peter will be making the neighborhood Trick or Treat rounds with Damon and Fuller around 6:30 this evening. Esther, Peter's wife Janet, Ben and I will be relaxing at home, passing out the candy.

Last year I ended up passing out candy Fuller collected because we ran out of the stuff we bought. So I was pretty nervous buying candy this year. Will it be enough? Will I end up with too much? I figure if I have some left over I can just put it away to give as treats for our Sunday School class.

I have an important question to ask, but before that I think it is important to point out some links as to why I think it is ok to "do" Halloween.

Christians usually fall into one of four camps:
1) they don't do anything in October
2) they have a party at church, usually a celebration of Reformation Day or a Fall party
3) they have a Fall party at church one day and then go trick or treating on the 31st
4) they just go trick or treating.

Our family goes with option four for the fun of getting multiple chances to dress up and get candy. It ends up being completely secular to me. I grew up as a pastor's kid who trick or treated, but wasn't allowed to spend money on costumes. I like how we now make our costumes from thrifting or sewing for ourselves.

For me Halloween is candy and costumes. I don't do the ghosts, witches, or goblins when I decorate. I prefer a generic fall theme complete with candles.

I didn't plan on getting into this, but Rebecca started it. And I wanted to pass her post along because I know a lot of people who read here don't read her (but they should!). The first article she links to is a great read and it was this quote that reasonated with me:

The concept, as dramatized in Christian custom, is quite simple: on October 31, the demonic realm tries one last time to achieve victory, but is banished by the joy of the Kingdom.

Wondergirl posted a great letter her pastor wrote and is also worth a read.

And now for my important question: When your family passes out candy do you put it in the trick or treaters bags or do you let them take it from you?

Picture pages

My sister noticed I put four pictures up on Flickr and then they disappeared. The story behind that is I am behind on posting pictures (we have been busy and have pictures to prove it!) and when I started to upload them on Saturday, it interfered with the internet broadcast of the Auburn game. So I canceled the upload and didn't do anything until today.

I have more pictures to upload, and I need to title and tag the ones I did today.

Unfortunately, until I finish the front porch, you may just have to wait.

Busy and fun

Busy day today.

I have My Family Dinners this morning. While I am spending about 3 hours to myself preparing next month's meals, Damon will be working on Fuller's costume for the Fall Costume Party this afternoon. And Fuller will be doing his best to build the best block tower ever.

Then there is the fun of the party. Seeing other kids' costumes, playing games, hanging out with other adults and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. So much fun!

What does your Saturday hold for you?

My keys and I are not on speaking terms

It has been an "off" week for me. I blame my lack of scheduling at the beginning of the week. I couldn't remember what day it was today and when I finally decided it was Friday I was disappointed to learn it was actually Thursday.

My out of kilter body/ mind disconnect reached comedic proportions today when Fuller and I returned from a trip to the thrift store. I was going to unlock the back door and somehow my keys slipped from my fingers.

Within a nanosecond my keys fell in the space between the back door and our concrete block step. This space is about a quarter of an inch wide. No way could my hand fit in there to grab the keys. To make the ordeal even more fun, Fuller had to go potty.

(I got us into the house, but I'm not going to publicly share how.)

I tried a few different tools, but the what finally worked was using some wire to slide into the ring and carefully pull upward through the crack.

If my keys were my teenage son, they would be so grounded.

Taking care of family

This afternoon I went online and purchased the dogs' flea & tick medicine AND their heartworm medicine. I'm a little proud of myself because we are still keeping our promise to keep up with the dogs heartworm pills.

I don't really need healthcare management software for the dogs, I just have to stop being lazy and actually order the medicine. I was motivated this time because I knew I could get a good deal on PetCare RX. And since I went through both ebates and couponchief I was able to get a better deal.

Next time we take the dogs to the vet we can be honest and say we have been keeping up with their medicine!

Opening of the 2007 Fall Season

Last week we got organized and opened the 2007 Fall Season of Evenings Around the Fire Pit. We rearranged the patio furniture, Damon chopped/ spilt wood (I purchased a wood-splitting wedge for this purpose), marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers procurred, and we found the extra long cable so we could watch football outside.

I even bought telescoping roasting sticks for the marshmallows, to replace the dinky ones from last season. I think the marshmallows keep Fuller happier than if we had popcorn machines at his beck and call, since that is his favorite food.

Damon mentioned how we do this more often in Fall than in Spring. I decided it is because it gets darker earlier so we get to enjoy it with the boy more before he dissolved and must be whisked to bed. Also when the weather is cooler something awakens in our souls begging to sit around the dancing flames and absorbing smoke particles into every centimeter of our clothing and hair. Spring doesn't necessarily lend itself to this soul begging because the air is getting warmer and who wants to sit around a fire pit and be sweating?

Last Sunday we had some friends over to make s'mores and it was a fun time of fellowship and chocolate. Damon got to share his marshmallow roasting tips (constantly turn the marshmallow over the coals, not the flame) and we talked about everything from football to homeschooling.

I'm looking forward to see what other fun develops around the flames this Fall.

Tricks people play

The fun never stops around here.

Yesterday morning I was drinking my morning coffee when I felt something not liquid in my mouth. When I fished it out, it was part of a dead bug. I was so grossed out I couldn't bring myself to make another cup.

Later I finished loading the dishwasher and ran it. When it was finished I went to unload the dishes and realized on of the items on the top rack was an empty coke can. I giggled and wondered how much I needed that morning coffee if I was loading our recyclables into the dishwasher.

Later I told Damon about my morning. He was equally grossed out by the bug (though he also thinks coffee is gross as well) but laughed heartily when I told him about the coke can. Apparently he put the can in the dishwasher the night before to see if I noticed!

I still think I should have had more coffee.

Monday is great...

When you had a great weekend!

My sisters both came into town. Sarah-Ginny, Nat, and Genevieve drove up from Florida for Nat's cousin's wedding. Austina drove up to get some quality time with her favorite nephew and niece. So by association, I got to hang out with both my sisters.

We had a lovely brunch at IHOP with Fuller and Genvieve. Fuller received some gifts while Genevieve slept soundly. We all ate well and then went to Starbucks to get the nasty taste of of IHOP coffee out of our mouths.

It was fun to hang out with them and hard to see them go. I really wish they all lived closer, so we could get together more often. But we will have Christmas this year. We can all have a cuppa and giggle about Christmases past.

Trying to find the track

I have a schedule posted on our magnet board in the kitchen. My schedule for the day included running the roomba in both the living room and the kitchen. Mom's group was at 10 am. And I should have worked on priming the front porch some more. Also, dinner was to be the last of the Citrus Chicken.

Instead I went to Wal-Mart (our cupboards were bare, ya'll!), tried to comfort a child in pain, made an appointment with the doctor, took Fuller to the doctor, made Calzones, and spent 30 minutes in CVS waiting for two bottles of amoxicillen. And in the interest of disclosure, I did some online shopping for myself.

We have been back from our weekend away since Sunday night and just don't seem to be back on track. I caught an acute case of the lazies and crippling exhaustion after doing 10 loads of laundry on Monday. I might need drug rehabs for all the coffee I have drunk in the last three days. Fuller has been on and off ill since last Tuesday when he threw up and today he was in a lot of pain from an ear infection. And the state of the clutter in my house is making me want to throw everything into storage bins and ship them to an offsite location.

I'm hoping tomorrow I can wake up refreshed and knock out some items on today's list as well as tomorrow's.

Pachelbel Bedtime

Back to regularly scheduled blogging tomorrow. Until then, sleep well. Fuller is... and so soon will I.