One Last Look

January:  We celebrate Sarah's first birthday with a Princess Belle party.  There were costume changes, photo montage, and lots of performance by Sarah.  She reaches out and hugs a new baby doll to the delight of her devoted subjects.

February:  We have the kids' pictures made and enjoy a pancake Valentine's Day.

March:  As a devotee of The Pioneer Woman, we make the trip to Atlanta for me to attend her book signing.  It is great fun.  I am slowly becoming an author-groupie.  I really, really want to attend signings for Mary Kay Andrews (Southern chick-lit) and Jon Acuff (Christian author/blogger).

April: Lots of Easter fun with egg hunts, coloring eggs, and pretty Spring clothes.

May: Jeremiah has his preschool program and turns 3.  We take his to the Go Fish! attraction in town and he talks about fish for the rest of the summer.

June:  We play in the sandbox and inflatable pool a lot.  We also go to the "Fried Green Tomato" movie festival and check out the small town of Juliette, where it was filmed.  We swim at Lake Tobesofkee a few times.

July:  Our summer bible study is in full swing.  We attend our town's Fourth of July concert.  Hardcore potty training ramps up.

August:  The kids start back at Sonshine Preschool.  Sarah starts Parent's Morning Out and Jay attends 3 mornings in his class.  I have Tuesday mornings to myself.  Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

September:  Activities!!!  MOPS resumes, as does Ladies' Bible Study.  We are on-the-go this fall. I begin practicing with our Christmas choir.  We join my parents on a vacation to Hilton Head-- it is perfect in the off season.

October:  We hit the fair and ride the Agri-Lift!  Sarah and Jay meet their little cousin, Eli and we have a successful outing Trick-or-Treating.

November:  I host the Thanksgiving meal and live to tell of it.  We have a mini-Christmas with Aunt Natalie and Uncle James and buy our first live tree.

December:  I sing in the Christmas program.  It is a big commitment of time, but such a personal blessing.  Singing just fills my heart and makes me plain, ol' happy.  We enjoy Alex's swanky (for us) company party (and grandparent-provided childcare!) and then the no-holds-barred, Oprah-would-be-proud, family Christmas in North Georgia.  I don't even take pictures, because a new-to-the-fold photographer captures it perfectly.  I manage to pull off a clean and decorated house for our MOPS party. Alex and I are able to attend a Christmas Eve service in my parents' town. We spend Christmas Day with my parents and the spoiling continues.  Sarah chews on her new baby carriage.  Jeremiah holds onto his Dinosaur Train car for dear life.  It is a good Christmas.

It was a good year.  God demonstrated his faithfulness in the seen and unseen.  I am trusting Him for big things in 2012, things that only He can do! 

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

Here's our Christmas card.  Merry Christmas, blog friends!

Pretty cards and greetings are beginning to arrive, and I am inspired to reflect on this past year.  Here is, in a nutshell, ours…

Alex spends most of his day at IDMI, a computer software company that works with insurance companies.  He writes code, plays aggressive ping pong with co-workers (as in they had to come in and patch the walls one Saturday), and chats about Georgia football with almost everyone there.  We are both extremely thankful for this company.  It is run with integrity, by a boss who listens and treats his employees with respect.  It is a big reason we enjoy Middle Georgia so much.  Daddy’s arrival always brightens our day, and he is a great hide-and-seeker as well as child thrower, bouncer, wrestler, and swinger.  Our date nights are usually a Netflix movie and a cup of coffee, but we try to laugh and joke often.  Children provide lots of material!

Jeremiah is now 3 and a half.  He loves to have a matchbox car in his hand, and is obsessed with letters and spelling.  He spends 3 mornings a week at our church preschool, and has a wonderful teacher.  He is in big boy underwear, and growing so tall!  I always kid that he looks like a college freshman with his new buzz cut.  Jeremiah loves the cartoon Dinosaur Train, playing flashcards on Mom’s phone, bubble baths, swinging, taking walks, and any song with hand motions.  He is all boy, and he’s ours.  Jeremiah is very affectionate, and hates to be outside of our favor.  He wears us out, and he is worth it!

Sarah turns 2 this January.  She is all sass and goes through a gamut of emotions at a moment’s notice!  She is picking up vocabulary and loves to ask “What’s that?” as she shrugs her shoulders.  She flashes her toothy grin frequently and uses those big teeth to chomp happily away on her crib when she ready to get up.   She always greets us with a high-stepping run as if we have been apart for a long time.  Sarah loves Toy Story, and shouts “Buzz!” anytime she sees something related to the movie.  She prefers to carry about 12 baby dolls at any one time, and dumping things in and out of containers is a great thrill.  She has also begun to say “no” at everything, as in “Would you like candy?” “No….”  Sarah is a beautiful, rambunctious little girl who knows just when to melt your heart.

As for me, I just try to keep up!   I am involved with Ladies’ Bible Study and Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), both of which are a great encouragement and sometimes, a plain escape from kids into the world of adults!  I still tutor a bit, and get to exercise a different part of my brain.  Some highlights for me this year were hosting a summer bible study at my house and having about 20 kids upstairs while their moms and I studied and socialized.  I have wanted to do something like this for a long time, and finally did it!  Along with my sister, I committed to posting and learning bible verses throughout the year, and we are taking a trip in January to a Beth Moore conference for those who completed this task.  I have some serious review to do, but I can’t wait! 

Since a Christmas greeting focuses on what is good, I’ve left out our day-to-day challenges, mostly tantrums, frustrations, and trying to be patient, consistent, and loving.  I mention this because each day, and each year, brings its own set of challenges.  Especially at Christmas, I want to thank God for the highs and lows, because he came to bring life to the full--not a life free from pain or problems, but a life that takes those things and makes them for the good!  We thank God for the blessing of our children, our families, good health, and His abundant provision, day in and out.  Merry Christmas!

Love, Alex, Melissa, Jeremiah, and Sarah

This Ain't No Disco...

Ain't no country club either...  This our tree. We have our first live tree this year!  Two things I did not anticipate:  a) it is much fuller than an artificial tree and b) it takes a lot of lights. 

We always had a live tree as kids and Mom always fought for colored lights and we usually overrode her vote.  She was right.  Colored lights are so festive.  We are all about the flash, not the class, here.  My favorite ornaments are on the top fourth of the tree, and all the plastic balls and candy canes are on the bottom (the sacrificial lambs).  Sarah has already chomped down a Styrofoam package ornament, a ornament hanger (not the sharp hook part) and pulled tinsel out of a homemade ornament. 

Maybe one day I'll have a collection of glass ornaments and a themed tree in each room, but for now, I'm pretty pleased with ours.

What's your favorite tree trimming tradition?  Mine is listening to the Beach Boys and Amy Grant Christmas albums while decorating the tree.  We always spun those on my Dad's old, massive stereo/record player/tape deck system. Now it's streaming Pandora.  I'm not sure if the improved technology has the same warm aesthetics as that old behemoth.

May all your days be merry and bright!

Recovering Matchy-Matcher Seeks Input

Lovers of Stacy & Clinton, lend me your wisdom.  I am thrilled to be having our pictures made soon, and need some help.  Here's my concern:  I wanted to use what we having right now without making too many purchases, so I decided on navy and creme.  I went to Target today to get a creme sweater dress for Sarah and in my deliberations, saw one in PINK.  With a bow headband.  All bets were off.  Got it.  So, then I had to re-think things.  I picked up a light tan sweater for J, and have a light tan one for Alex, too. But,  I still like  the navy/creme best... can I be daring add pink, too? 

I spent about 45 minutes arranging clothes on the floor for this little hanger fashion show... I hope you are amused.  I don't know why I'm overthinking this.  It must be from watching "Clueless" too much in my formative years. 

What say you? (And be sweet.)

 Male Option 1: Navy vest/creme polo/ khakis and navy sweater/khakis

Male Option 2: Chocolate Brown pants/wheat colored sweater with tan/blue collar and brown pants/tan sweater/brown/blue collar

 Girls' Outfits: Creme sweater, jeans, pink flats (j'adore), and pink pearl necklace and Pink sweater dress (Pretty convinced about these... love 'em)

Family Hanger shot

I know it would be easier to rock matching Christmas sweaters, but I did say I was a recovering matcher.  Still hope to snag a picture of the kids in their Christmas best, though.

Thanks for playing!  (And think warm thoughts Friday... I don't want us to freeze outside!)

Thankfulness: My Testimony

I've been thinking about being thankful this month, mostly due to reading many "30 days of thankfulness" posts and hearing an amazing testimony at my MOPS group. The people and circumstances for which I am most thankful, my husband and children, my family, and the season of life I am in seem too big to fit into a short blurb. Too weighty.

Like Alex, my husband. We feel in love 8 years ago, driving around the North Georgia mountains. Can I tell you how tender my heart is to know that I am part of a love story? That I really, really fell in love, not just married a nice, bland guy? I never imagined that happening for some reason. I think everyone deserves to fall in love. It is wonderful. I am thankful he spent this weekend fixing our car, that he always speaks his mind, that he will not bend to fit into my box of what I think 'husband' should be. I love he is both brash and tenderhearted. I love that he goes along with my stream-of-consciousness style of conversation, and finds me funny. I love that he will sometimes "take it" when I'm singing some goofy song and he'll do the next line. I love him.

Jeremiah and Sarah? Is there enough characters to describe my profound emotion towards them? That I got to carry two miracles? From the double-lined test, to the ultrasounds, delivery, and those first sweet days? How they squeal when we give kisses? It is like God put them in my arms and said, "You see? THIS is how I feel about you, Melissa." Whoa, do I love them.

And my 'nuclear' family, Mom, Dad, and Natalie. How I can only speak one-liners from our childhood movie favorites with Natalie. How my parents will literally do anything for us. How safe and secure we were growing up. How much we were sheltered from-- in a good way. We love each other like crazy, drive each other crazy, and probably seem a bit crazy. We're Campbells, after all. We love each other. Group hug.

What frames all of these relationships, though, is the Giver of them. Knowing Jesus. Let me tell you that which I am most thankful. It is my assurance of salvation. It is a precious gift. I want to brag about how good He is to me. I trusted Jesus at age 10. Starting at age 8, I would feel very antsy at the invitation time at church. I knew I was a sinner, and that I deserved hell. Blunt, harsh, but true. At age 10, I was ready to put my faith in Jesus, to be saved from my sins, to be baptized, and to become a member of His church. I knew the waters didn't save me. I knew they were a symbol. I knew 'it' (how to become a Christian) really, really well. And I truly believe that I was converted, or saved, then. However, if there is anything that God's enemy wants to challenge, it is our salvation. I never felt 100 percent sure of my decision. I didn't understand the totality of what He had done for me. I kept getting hung up on the human methodology. I "believed in my heart and confessed with my mouth," but I never said the 'sinner's prayer'. Maybe I wasn't really saved. Throughout my teen years, I would feel drawn to be 'rededicated' or even 'get my baptism in the right order'. But I didn't want to look foolish. Didn't want to be that person always walking the aisle.

Here's what made the difference: the work of the Holy Spirit. I actually learned who He is and what He does. Like he seals me in Christ, and is a guarantee of my salvation. That He is the power to actually live more like the person of Jesus. That He is the Spirit of God, himself. When I began to learn this, at about age 19, I really began to live out my faith.

But wouldn't you know it would take me almost a full 10 years more to humble myself? I was 28, a new mom, in a new town and church. A travelling evangelist was preaching that morning, and calling out to those who needed Jesus. I remember him mentioning baptism, and I heard that inner voice say something like, "Do this. Be sure. I have come that you may have life to the full." So I did. Walked the aisle, and got baptized (again) that night. And you know what? It was settled! Never, never again did I have to wonder about it. Yes, I was saved already and had evidence in my life that I had been born again. But that last little doubt, that thing the enemy would get me with in the still of the night, was gone. I still have battles to fight, but that one was WON. God gave me that gift because He loves me. Man, he always goes the distance.

Praise God. He loves me. I love Him. I'm thankful.

Thanks for letting me share this with you. Be encouraged!

The second time around

I am on Season 5 of The Wonder Years. I remember watching the first episode over 20 years ago, when I was 9, a few years younger than the main character, Kevin, a 7th grader in the late 60s. I enjoyed it then, but I get it now. It's just about perfect. It mixes comedy and drama without being heavy handed. Kevin's father is gruff, yet his son falls in his arms after losing his first love. Norma, Kevin's mother, is a homemaker, who is the quiet force at home, and undisputedly her husband's first priority. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, loss, and what really matters is deftly tucked into 23 minutes and humorously narrated by a grown up Kevin, now a father in his own right.

Give it a try on Netflix and you won't be disappointed.

Hello, blog, it's been awhile...

October came and went quickly! I have felt like a jack of all activities, but master of none. This is something I want to change in the New Year: when to say yes and when to say no. Under-commit and over-deliver.

I have really enjoyed practicing for our Christmas program. It is the best therapy to sing deep truths about and to a great God.

The kids flipped over trick-or-treating! We visited Publix first and of course, they do it right! Lots of goodies and freebies. No wonder I'm a second generation Publix lover. After dinner, we went around the 'hood and met some new neighbors. I let them pop candy straight on their mouths and I am not ashamed. Sarah was flying high on the heady rush of unlimited lollipops, and took awhile to calm down. The kids and I overslept today and I took my own advice and rested instead of frantically hurrying out the door.

We have gone cold turkey on the underwear front for Jay, and are seeing better progress. Doing a Dobson: love must be tough!

That's all, folks!

Vacation

I'll keep this short:
Hilton Head dreaming. To grandparents traveling. Carter's shopping. Register ringing. Emmy watching. Cooler packing. 16 Land's End arriving. Porch sitting. Beach playing. Sand throwing. Fun having. Grill outing. Bike riding. Me sweating. Date night having. Let's wait til they're asleep returning. Sunny day enjoying. Burgers on the beach eating. Me reading. Alex bugs biting. Aunt Susan visiting. Pictures taking. Kids squirming. Last meal partaking. Homeward going. New record making: no vomit attacking. We'll be returning!

Home.

For me, home is now Middle Georgia. I really like living here now. Almost 13 (gasp!) years ago, I was a sophomore in college, heading to my first Campus Crusade Christmas conference, and I remember first passing the model plane that sits off I-75. My new car buddy and I scoffed at such a random eyesore, not knowing that the Aviation museum was several miles down the road. Little did I know that one day this very exit would be the hub of most of my activities. Irony, irony.

Perspective is everything, and mine's obviously changed. We moved to middle Georgia when Jeremiah was 6 weeks old. Our family life began here. I remember nursing him in a lady's stall at our now-church home. He pottied there, too, a few months ago. Silly, but that's the stuff I remember. Little milestones.

Living in the suburbs of Atlanta was all I could have imagined for myself. Arts and culture in the heart of town, malls and McMansions in the neighborhoods. We were by no means on the 'fast track', but greatly influenced by it. The schools, the churches, community sports-- everything was, and had to be, the best. We were Geo Metros in a leased Lexus world. My doctor's office-- top notch. Oil paintings on the wall, all the pregnant ladies manicured and professional.

Here in Middle Georgia, where our second child was born? Efficient, but over-worked doctors. There were no "let's get to know each other" or "what's your birth plan?" conversations in plush chairs. It was "baby looks good, feelin' okay?, see you next month" visits.

But.... Sarah's baby nurse, who saw us wait and worry over a MRI for a spinal concern and saw us leave without the procedure, gave me her number, asking me to call when we found out if there was a problem. She took an interest. She cared. I called her back twice, finally able to share good news.

It seems that people here have time to show they care. There's a little less distraction, less traffic, less keeping-up. More openness about faith. More manners practiced and kindness. Our pastors and staff know our names. And they genuinely care. We don't just attend church; we belong. It's neat. Alex has a great company and a boss he respects, which I'd say is rare.

Less opportunity for fine culture, perhaps, and more events at an "Ag Center" than I would have ever imagined attending. But I like it. We've become a family here.

There's no place like home.

Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter...

I began a new bible study with the ladies of my church entitled "John, The Beloved Disciple" by our friend, Beth (Moore).  In the introduction video, she encouraged us to write a letter to God honestly laying out all the things we really desire.  The study centers on the heart, as John identified himself as "the one Jesus loved". 

I haven't written mine yet (though I will).  However, when I examine what I think about when my mind wanders, it often goes to what I desire.  And most of what I desire is pitifully small in terms of eternity.  I know God will, and has, meet my every need.  I just need Him to reveal what my needs really are.

I like stuff.  (That's shocking.)  Like I-phones.  And mini-vans with automatic doors.  And Southern Living decor, and Pottery Barn Kids catalogs, and fully funded emergency accounts and all things shiny and new. (Hey buddy, I like new stuff).  We all do.  If I pretend I don't like and want that stuff sometimes, I'm just a hypocrite.  Anyway.  This stuff  preoccupies my thoughts at times, even though I know any thing, or even any relationship or quality or goal apart from God's perfect timing is a striving against the wind, to quote my bud Solomon.

So, I think I "want" contentment.  I want to actively seek and find Jesus and let him deal with all my wants.  'Cause my wants--from the trivial to the sacred-- will only be blessings in His time.  HIS time, Melissa.  His time.

And, y'all, my sweet father-in-law upgraded our family phone plan and I'm getting a fancy phone that I don't need, but want.  Keep me in check and make sure I still watch the children and don't suffer from cool phone addiction.  And smile, too.  'Cause it's okay to enjoy a cool phone.  Because I delight in the Giver of all good things, not because he is the Giver, but because he is GOD.

And........... I think I think too much, but that's how he made me!

Playdates, Beth Moore, and Making Lemonade

Last summer was lemons.  And this summer, lemonade.  The difference? Community.

Summer as a mom with young kids can be fun.  It can also be tough.  Last lemon summer, I had a 2-year-old and a 5 month old, a case of serious anxiety, and day-after-day at home.  No Mother of Preschoolers meetings.  No Ladies Bible Study.  No preschool.  Summer came full-stop.  Just me, my hungry nursing baby who needed more food, and two backsides to diaper. 

So when late May rolled around this year, I took action.  What I thought might be a fun playdate and social time turned into something bigger.  I invited any interested girls from Sunday School  to my house to discuss Beth Moore's So Long, Insecurity and rounded up some great babysitters to sweeten the deal.

It was fantastic.  The subject matter rang so true and I believe getting together as a group of believing mothers with similar experiences allowed this group to become more than friendly acquaintances that post on each other's wall online.  We experienced biblical community.  I found myself admiring the members more as I learned about challenging experiences they shared and found that so many of us dealt with the same fears.  What's better is that we weren't commiserating.  We were "spurring one another other onto love and good deeds." I hope it continues and friendships grow over time.

I'm still wiping bottoms, though one's finally in underpants most of the time, and I still have moments of worry, but I'm stronger.  This summer's been sweeter.

What the World Needs...

More good made-for-TV movies.  And I'm the one to deliver.

Alright, rom-com junkies. Go to Netflix and watch My Girlfriend's Boyfriend.  Three reasons I liked this:

1) No inappropriate material: no cursing, sleeping around, what-have-you.  Extremely rare in this genre, unless you count our hero Jane (Austen), and even she was a little saucy.  All those hushed-up marriages of convenience, such as Lydia and Wickham.  She loved the bad boy  Case in point: watch Mansfield Park. 

2) An honest-to-goodness plot twist.  Really!  I was surprised!  It was great!

3)  Jimmy Olson from the 90s Lois & Clark stars as one of the leading men, and let's just say he's aged well.

So when you're bored folding laundry, look up this little gem, and you can thank me then.

Before you know it, it'll be December and I'll be fa-la-la-la-Lifetime Christmas movie-ing.  That really is the most wonderful time of the year!

Me & HP

I arrived late to the Harry Potter series in the winter of 1998.   At 19 and a sophomore in college,  I read the first in the series over Christmas break.  Initially, I picked up the book out of curiosity for the whole phenomenon.  And I joined it.

Me & HP entered adulthood together.  I quickly read books 2, 3, and 4 and eagerly awaited reading number 5 the summer of 2003.  I had dressed up as Hermione for a singles Halloween party the previous fall.  Not exactly a flirtatious strategy, but that's me.  I read the fifth book right when it came out,  after attending a friend's wedding without even a buddy to sit with at the ceremony.  Harry faced danger at every turn and only wanted a place to call home.  I faced my first years of teaching middle schoolers and life as a young single girl.   We were in the same boat.

Harry followed me on my first anniversary weekend trip through the mountains of North Carolina.   Every agonizing step he took toward the complicated truth of his history, his parents, his mentors, and his foes, I took with him on my living room couch.  And finally, he faced his destiny.  He moved on to a new normal, and so did I.  

Which brings me to the last book, and the last movie, Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows, Part II.  Obviously, there has been a lot said about this story and its moral (or lack of) value.  So I won't go into that.  It is not a Christian book nor is it written by a professing Christian author.  It draws on mythology and world religions, and thus, also has Christian themes.  If I was still a 9th grader in Ms. McCoy's Lit. I class, I'd probably think, "Harry dies so that others may live.  Just like the Old Man and the Sea.  BAM! Christ figure."

But now, I know something so much truer.   Harry, a fictional character in a fictional world, sacrifices himself to destroy the evil within himself.  But the real God-Man died to destroy the evil outside himself because "in him is no darkness at all." 

I loved every minute of  The Deadly Hallows both because it's a fantastic, epic story, but also because it echoes something real that cannot be perceived with human eyes, but experienced in the spirit.

There really are agents of good and evil battling in the unseen realms of the heavenlies.  And it really will end in conflict.  It will be epic.  And good: our God, He will triumph.

And like Harry,  all will be well.    And that's worth getting excited about.

Seven

I wrote this a few months ago thinking about our anniversary, which is today.  We got to watch the last HP movie this weekend, and he got me a spa day.  Boy did good.

Although it is more than 3 months away, I feel like celebrating our seventh anniversary today. Even though it's not the first or tenth or twenty-fifth, it feels more significant this year. Like we have something to celebrate. We've lived some life. Won and lost. Laughed and cried. And laughed again.

This year has been the hardest for me, and I would say for our marriage. The pressure of providing monetarily, physically, spiritually and emotionally for a family is too much to bear without a loving spouse. I think we both put our heads down and plowed through and are now breathing some fresh air. And all I can say is it is God. His love in my heart. For Him, for Alex, and for our family. He is the Healer.

I know that last paragraph sounds melodramatic. Please take me at my word and believe it is not. There have been no visible demons to slay. No infidelities, deaths, or outward crises-- Praise God. Just life. Its stresses and hardships and disappointments and fears. That's enough in itself to face. So I'm just happy. He's brought me a "mighty long way; that's why I love Him."

We are not special or unique or worth praising. I am sharing this because my heart is full and it needs to overflow in thanks. And so, I've been running montage in my mind. Got the perfect song picked out, too.

If I had a jazz quartet playing at my beck and call today, and a fabulous dress to wear, here's what I'd have them play.

"'Cause in my mind, we can conquer the world/ in love/
You &I/ You & I/ You & I...."
(Listen here to Michael Buble's version)

Love to my husband today. If you ever decide to run away from home, I'm grabbing my purse and coming with you!

4/19/11 for 7/17/11
Melissa

Dance, Girl!

Signs of Life

I read a memoir recently called Signs of Life by Natalie Taylor.  I grabbed it off the shelf because it was a) about a new mom and b) by an English teacher.  The book chronicles a year in the life of this 24-year-old mother who loses her husband to a sporting accident while she is  5 months pregnant with their child.  They are newlyweds about to hit their second year of marriage.  The book is brutually honest and also hilarious.  Natalie has a great 'voice' and I can imagine she's a fantastic teacher.  Each chapter is taken from her journals and begins with a quote from a piece of American Literature that she is teaching her high school students as she grieves.  She invents and converses internally with her Fairy Mother Godmother who tells it to her straight about what mothering really is.  I highly recommend this book.  While the author is probably agnostic and uses a peppering of swear words, she is real, touching, and funny.  The book proves that when you think life is over, it's not.  It may be over as you know it, and that is worth grieving.  But pain can be purposeful if we let it make us stronger by enduring and thriving in the midst of it.  Thank God I've not been where Natalie has.  But as a young mother, I can relate. Worth looking at.

Here are some small signs of life I've caught:

Sarah really like to fill things up.

I think this is great.

A young John and Jackie, you think?

Got the bright idea to dump out all outgrown clothes in an attempt to straighten closets and get ready for our Fall Consignment Sale.  The door to this room will be locked indefinitely.

Hair accessories!  Really!

The gnawed crib.  Proof that the IKEA crib might trump the heirloom crib in terms of wear and tear. 
And heartbreak.

More dumping of stuff.

Staying alive!

Pic Fix

Miss Sassypants

Sing this while doing the 'mix it up' move.
"Eat dirt. Eat dirt. Eat dirt, eat dirt, eat dirt."

Made by Mama.  Chocolate Chip Cake with real buttercream icing.
 Almost as good as Aunt Publix.

We filled up the sand box.  Jeremiah was spoiled by his grandparents on the occasion of his 3rd birthday.  We discovered Life cereal-- more accurately, I remembered that I ate it constantly growing up and it's better than Cinnamon Toast Crunch in terms of fiber and sugar content.  We also got a kiddie pool that I'll need to snap a picture of us in.  They go nuts for it.  It's "the beach" to Jeremiah.

Riveting stuff, yes?

There's Roper at the Movies...

And then there's me.  Let's call this "Lis on Netflix while doing Laundry".  Satellite TV is gone for now, and we're back to Streaming Netflix.  It's cool.  Tons of Veggie Tales shows, sitcoms, and movies instantly.  I watched The Young Victoria in parts yesterday amid laundry during naps (Sarah's nap, Jeremiah's enforced 'quiet' time) and really enjoyed it.  I knew of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, but the movie makes me want to read about them.  The movie might even mildly interest your adult male because of the political strategizing and an assignation attempt--blood!   The love story between the two royals is obviously highly romanticized, but based on the Queen's real journal entries and prolonged mourning of her husband (she lived 40 years as a widow and had his clothes laid out every morning in his memory).  So sweet.

Ladies, go get this from Redbox or Netflix.  It's entertaining, funny, and interesting.  The married royals do kiss in their jammies a bit, but there's no objectionable content.  I was finishing up the movie while the kids were snacking, so I began to get nervous with the jammie scene, but it was just jammies with a hug and kiss, then "Good morning, wife" from Albert to Victoria. 

While I'm on my critic bent, let me recommend The Middle on ABC.  It's about a traditional family who are off-beat, but they actually like each other.  The episode last night was the parents taking back the house and not catering to their children's every whim.  So funny.  Anyone who is on board for traditional parenting (as in you are the adult and therefore the expert in your home, not a book by a child psychologist) will be amused.

Enjoy!

This Says It All

Happy 3rd Birthday, Jeremiah!

Don'ts and Do's

A blog is much like Wikipedia.  Anyone can write one, so you know the information is accurate.  (Thanks, Michael Scott).  At the tutoring center where I work, three young ladies are getting married.  I love weddings. I've already admitted to registry stalking.  Without further ado, here are:

Lis' Wedding Don'ts and Do's

 (My parents call me Lis when I'm being bossy, which is most of the time, so the title fits)

Don'ts

1. Overthink and Overstress:  My breaking point was that the dyeable bridesmaids' shoes were not the exact same shade as their dresses.  Think blush and bashful, friends.  Mix and match.  Not just match. Also, seating charts don't matter.  In the grand scheme of things, ivory versus bone invitations don't either.  Nor does the intricate pattern on your china, bubbles versus birdseed, ice sculptures, bird releases, and all the garage the wedding industry shoves your way.  It's a big day, and it deserves special attention.  But those small things are not what you will remember.  Trust me.

2. Try to lose a ridiculous amount of weight.   The brides-to-be I mentioned are all dieting. None could be over a size 10. (Please don't think I'm saying size 12 and up are fat.) All look healthy and slim.  Really.  Get your dress to fit your body and pick the dress that flatters you, not necessarily what's most in fashion currently.

3. Slouch.  I think it could be generational, but today's youth are slouchers.  As in their posture.  I wish someone had been in charge of making me stand up straight, because I slouched in a lot of my pictures and wish I hadn't.

4. Act a Fool.  This goes back to number 1.  Don't diva out.  Be gracious.  Stay on top of thank yous.  Don't put presents away until the note is written.  Do something nice for your parents.  Thank them.  Tip everyone.

5. Let the Moment Pass You By.  This day may be one of the only times in your life where everyone important to you is in one place.   Be yourself.  If you want to cry, cry.   I wore a goofy grin and cried and laughed and danced with all the groomsmen.  Drug my new husband around the floor for each specially selected song.  Danced with my sister. So, take pictures with everyone.  Eat the cake.  And the groom's cake. Lift your glass, whether it's Sprite or champagne.  Kiss that man 100 times.  It's an awesome day.  Celebrate it.


Do's

1.  Take time to set goals.  Weird for a wedding tip, but this is more for the marriage.  What do you want your marriage to look like?  What tangible steps will you take towards creating a good marriage?  Do it now, because the busyness of life will come after your resolve.

2. Have a wingman.  You need your support system and you especially need someone to keep you in line.  When you get so absorbed in the minutiae that you can't think straight, you need someone to bring you back to reality.  Hopefully, your fiance can be a voice of reason, but you need someone else who can bring you objectivity.   The Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom are probably already planning baby names, and your best girlfriends are more than likely in the throes of their own romances, so find someone who has been-there-done-that and lived to laugh at it.

3. Prioritize.  Weddings are costly, no matter the budget, so decide what is most important.  For me, it was pictures and music.   Then venue and flowers and food.  Not elaborate favors or over-the-top "wow" moments. 

4. Accept help.  If someone wants to throw you your 15th shower, let them.  This is not just your day.  While you have the right to have your wedding follow your tastes, be sensitive to those in your life that want to be included.

5. Be Thankful.  It was hard to think of a fitting end to this list, but I think this covers them all.   Don't forget to take time for your other relationships, especially your spiritual one. It makes the day all the sweeter.

Again, I love weddings.  I have a family wedding to attend this August.  Got my dress.  I'll RSVP, buy off the registry, and otherwise be a good guest.  And most importantly, I'll "get down with my bad self," because life is to be lived!

Now, go forth and wed (or be wedded) well!

See?  I followed my advice.

The Graduate

Before kids, I didn't understand preschool.   Thought parents who put their two-year-olds in a preschool were, well, shriking their responsibilities.  Even insulted a preschool teacher's job to her face (passively, of course).  Oooh.  Bless my heart.  What can I say?  I was just plain ignorant.

Life has a way of making you eat your words real quick.   Today was the last day of Jeremiah's preschool and his graduation.  Before kids, I'd probably mumble under my breath about how silly such events are, and how they undermine true achievement.

But now that I have my own, I'd be pretty hard-hearted to disparge an event that celebrates children.  Once I joined the ranks of parenthood, my eyes were opened to how extraordinary life really is.  How fragile and fleeting.  I personally know two families who are dealing with childhood cancer.  So getting dressed up and singing sweet songs and making a big deal of another year of life passed?  I'm for it.  Still shots, video, blog updates?   Yes, yes, and yes.

To Old Me:  I've read John Rosemond.  I agree with most of it.  I know the difference between self-esteem and self-confidence.  I know my child should not be the center of my existence: my god.  I know that intrinstic motivation can be diminshed by external rewards.  And I still agree with all of this.  But now, I have a weekend's worth of experience. My attitude's changed.

My child sang "Jesus Loves Me" without tearing off the stage, screaming.  So I am celebrating today.   He is sleeping under my roof tonight, healthy.  And I am grateful.

Deal with that, Old Cynical Me. You have just eaten your words.

J.K.I.R.

Just Keepin' It Real. I think this phrase has reached its saturation point. It's the modern Bless Her Heart. Have you ever pulled this phrase out to cover an overshare, maybe the details of your child's bathroom habits or a piece of "information" about someone, such as "I know I shouldn't judge, but can you believe..."?

I find myself saying JKIR frequently. And if I use it as a conversational diversionary tactic, how real am I keepin' it, yo?    Bless My Heart.

What are your pet phrases?

Mother's Day Gifts: A How-To Guide

I just returned from buying Mother's Day cards, and I'm so eager to pontificate on the subject of Mother's Day that I had to sit down and write it now.

First of all, this day is a big deal.  BIG deal.  It's not just a token day.  I'm preaching to the choir on this one, but trust me if you don't already feel this way.  It's big.

You don't have to be far along into motherhood to understand what a tremendous thing your mother did by birthing or adopting, loving, and raising you.  No matter her shortcomings or failings, because even the best mother is still human, your mother is worthy of praise and respect every day, and especially on Mother's Day.

Fathers and sons:  This is a big deal to your wife and mom.  She probably cooks your meals, washes your clothes, cheers you when you're down, praises you when you're up, and does a hundred other things for you of which you may be unaware.  You are *it* in her eyes.   So spend a little time and thought and thank her!

I am a big believer in letting your loved ones know what you like.  I'm not shy about coming out and telling my husband exactly what I'd like, whether it is a monetary gift or not.  So go ahead and tell them!

Here are my ideas.  I am not quite an arbiter of good taste, but I think I'm reasonably well informed!

The New Mother or Mother-to-Be:  Jewelry.  It's time to ante up, big boy.  If your wife is giving birth to your child, especially your first child, she deserves a precious metal or stone.  This does not have to cost a fortune; you can get a nice necklace or earrings for under $100.  A pair of pearl earrings, a necklace charm, or a nice, engraved silver bracelet would be a wonderful gift. This is probably the most disposable income you'll have for a while, so go for it!

The Mother of Babies and Preschoolers:  Special keepsakes are what I treasure.  Here are some things I love:
* a special picture of your children with mom
* hand impressions of little ones
* photo books
* beauty services (hair, nails, spa certificates)

Anything that involves careful thought will be a wonderful gift.

The Mother of School Aged Children: I believe this is the beginning of the chauffeur years.  Mom's driving, scheduling, and doing a lot.  Here are some thoughts:

* a market tote (to carry all her stuff.  and your stuff.  and their stuff.)
* an updated Ipod play list (the modern mix tape)
*anything personalized.  You can never go wrong with monogramming.

The Mother of Teenagers:  This mother is hanging on for dear life.  She needs to laugh and vent.  Some suggestions:

* Comedy DVD (A chick flick or comedy special)  My favorites are Sinbad, Anita Renfroe, and anything by Jane Austen or the Brontes made into a movie or mini-series.  It's a lock.
* A Kindle or Nook
* A preloaded Starbucks card (really loaded... not just $5).  The woman needs to flee sometimes.
* A detailed (custom cleaned, vacuumed, and scented) mini-van.  She's been driving that thing for a while now and it has lost some swagger.
*Tickets to a show.  Your kids can watch themselves for a few hours.  It won't kill you to sit through a musical.  And no smart remarks.


The Mother of Young Adults:
* A weekend away (Bed & Breakfast certificate or even a mini-cruise)  She's made it.  Your offspring are in relative stages of self-sufficiency.  Now is the time to celebrate.
*A letter of thanks.  By this I mean sitting down and free handing a serious letter recalling specific examples of qualities you are thankful for in your wife or mother.  This could be the most precious thing you give her if you will take the time and energy to do it right.

The Grandmother:  This woman has come full circle.  She is reaping the rewards of her investment.  This should be a slam dunk.
* Anything you would give a young mother-- keepsakes of the babies! 
*Anything that says her special grandmother name: Nana, Grandma, et cetera.
* Time.  If you do not live in the same town, schedule a long weekend visit soon.

The Aunts and other Special Women in your life:  These ladies need to be remembered.  They have mothered and celebrated you, too. Don't forget to buy them a card with a personalized note (not just Love, Me) and include pictures and drawings.  Flowers never hurt, either.

Some links:
Things Remembered for monogrammed keepsakes
ProFlowers
Pandora Jewelry
Kindle and Nook
Apple Pie Ridge- great B&B in North Georgia
Chateau Elan- luxurious North Atlanta getaway with spa for her and golf for him
The Fox Theatre


Don't forget:  Buy or make a card now-- one from you and one from the kids.  No joke cards from husbands.  Plan something special, whether is is pancakes in bed, a nice brunch, or a purchased gift.  Or all three!  Go wild, go overboard, go crazy!  She loves you and she is worth the fuss.  Tell her!

And all of God's people said, "Amen." 

Blog Shout-Outs:

Love you, Mom!   I know you are enjoying your hard-earned reward!   Miss you Nanny and MaMaw!  Thank you, Deanne, MIL and Grandma, who did an excellent job with your sons and I'm reaping your hard work!  All my aunts: Susan and Debbie who treat me like their own daughter, Jan and Kris who adore our kids-- love and thanks. Great-Grandma Beverly, you are such a spunky grandma!  My sister, Natalie, who is the best aunt to Jeremiah and Sarah--we're so lucky to have you. 

We love you all.