Fantastically Normal

I haven't posted this week because our week could not have been more normal. Not boring. We've had plenty to do and all, but it's just been really normal. Nothing exciting or terrifying or humorous to report. I have to admit, I've really enjoyed it. We got a few of our Christmas things out. Sophia really likes the nativity set. Joseph went missing for about 18 hours but I found him in the toy closet. Here's Sophie kissing Baby Jesus. I promise she's not eating him. Even if she was teething, I wouldn't allow chewing on our Savior.

We're Number One!

Seriously. It is something I guess I never really thought was a possibility, but here we are. After a well-fought Border War (we'll not call it a Showdown) with Kansas, the Missouri Tigers are #1! I'm just going to enjoy it. I'll leave the thought, stress and worry to others more capable and knowledgeable than myself.

Erick went to the game with Seth and Angie, and several members of his KC family. Needless to say, he had a wonderful time! Sophie and I were relegated to the hotel room. She stayed up for most of the first half, raising her arms and yelling "Touchdown!" She wore her Tiger ears all day Saturday and growled frequently. She's quite the little Tiger. We're very proud. Here's a picture of our Tiger and the scoreboard after the victory!

Go Tigers! Rip the Sooners!

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a full weekend, and it seems like we're back to regular life far too quickly. Sophia is on antibiotics for an ear infection, so that has added new twists and turns to our sleep schedule. Fortunately, she has been as sweet as imaginable, so it was even harder for Erick to return to work this morning.

We spent Thanksgiving afternoon at Erick's Aunt Lindy and Uncle Rollin's house. That was lots of fun with lots of family. The rest of the weekend, we spent on our own in Kansas City or with Erick's cousin Andy, wife Julie and daughter Lexie. We had lots of fun shopping and hanging out together.

Of course the highlight of the weekend was the Tiger victory over the Jayhawks. That's for a separate post, I think.

It was a wonderful weekend. Although, I think I could have spent more time being thankful. I guess I'll just have to make up for that this week!

Thanksgiving

I tried to think of a clever post for Thanksgiving, but I couldn't come up with anything. Like most, I'm thankful for the gifts in my life and for the love of my God, family and friends. We're traveling to Kansas City to spend the day with Erick's family. Then we'll hang out long enough to catch the MU v. KU game on Saturday. Well, Erick will catch it. I'll be in the motel room watching on TV with the rest of the world. Boo hoo. Hopefully it's just a good time with no stress. Right. Anyway, we're looking forward to our four days together as a family, although Sophia is getting over an earache.

I hope that everyone's Thanksgiving is filled with love and joy. We'll be thinking of you all.

Being Mom

To be Queen Elizabeth within a definite area, deciding sales, banquets, labors and holidays; to be Whiteley within a certain area, providing toys, boots, sheets cakes. and books, to be Aristotle within a certain area, teaching morals, manners, theology, and hygiene; I can understand how this might exhaust the mind, but I cannot imagine how it could narrow it. How can it be a large career to tell other people's children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one's own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone, and narrow to be everything to someone? No; a woman's function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute. I will pity Mrs. Jones for the hugeness of her task; I will never pity her for its smallness. - G.K. Chesterton What's Wrong with the World

So why doesn't it feel that way? For all of human history, the most noble task was that of being a mother. Yet, in recent Western history, we find it difficult to lower ourselves to such "menial" responsibility. It is not to say that all women are meant to be mothers, let alone to stay home with their children. But why is it so easy to think of one's self as wasted at home? It's an interesting thought. What a career..."to tell one's children about the universe." Pretty daunting. Chesterton also points out that it is not only a widening and benefit to the mind of the child, but to that of the mother as well. Quite the opposite of wasting away.

The Up-Side

The purchase was unintentional, it's true. However, we have decided to make lemonade - figuratively, of course. The centerpiece really is beautiful. It is a healthy orchid with several lovely white blooms. I have decided to make it the focal point of our bedroom when we move our bedroom downstairs. That is a project that is going to come to fruition some time in the next few months, after a series of projects is completed. Erick has a good point, though. It will be a depressing focal point when it's dying. So I need help to keep an orchid alive. Does anyone have any tips or facts that I must know to be able to keep this healthy and blooming? I'm at a loss. Not a green thumb, to say the least. So please help!

As far as the bedroom decor goes, I'm thinking dark sage green with black accents, brought together with a nice hotel quality down comforter. Mmmm. I'd love to dive in already!

We should be our own sitcom

You've seen the episode. The confused and somewhat unsophisticated main character goes to a charity auction and accidentally bids top dollar for something he thought he was getting free. Well, we lived that last night.

Last night, Erick and I went with David and Casey to the RAIN Wine and Art Auction. Obviously we knew that purchasing things was part of the attraction. However, when the auctioneer said that he was going to warm up the crowd by offering the centerpieces to the first seven people to raise their paddles, Casey thought they were free. So she said, "Where's my paddle, where's my paddle!" I was talking to Erick during the exchange and had no idea what was going on. I thought Casey said, "Raise your paddle, raise your paddle!" So Casey and I now have lovely matching centerpieces. They really are beautiful. They really weren't free. Fortunately it all goes to a great cause. We had a lot of fun and can't wait to go again next year...all the wiser.

By the way, we looked fabulous, but failed to take a picture. We were too overcome with all the bidding and what not.

It's Official

Sophia has basically been walking for at least a month now. But she was holding back on the big walks, like down the hall and between rooms. Well, she's officially a toddler. A lot of people have said it will be more work, but honestly it has already been such a relief! I am no longer tied to a two-foot weeble wobble...that DOES fall down. So I think we'll both be much better off this way. I hope you can watch this video. She's a cutie. And yes, that is a ribbon attached to her foot.

Sleeping Angel

Sophie's had a little trouble sleeping at night this week. She's had a cough waking her up. I give a big "Booo!" to that. Anyway, she's been taking really long naps to make up for it, so I'm not complaining! Just thought I'd share a photo of my sweet angel right before I woke her up.... She was still sweet after that.

I hate being sick

That about sums it up. I was sick yesterday and today. Some sort of stomach bug that really just left me with no energy whatsoever. That, combined with a couple weeks of REALLY early mornings, left me pretty well worthless today. Poor Sophia. Thankfully, she's finally in a phase where she is getting better at entertaining herself! Hopefully tomorrow will be better, but I don't see myself getting up to work out in the morning.

blech

Christmas at Silver Dollar City

As a student at College of the Ozarks, I ran low on entertainment options pretty quickly in Branson. Many reasons for that. However, during the Christmas season, Erick and I loved to visit Silver Dollar City and stroll hand in hand through the Christmas lights, sipping on a hot cocoa and watching the little families pass by.

This weekend, we returned as one of the little families. It was fun to return to a place that meant so much to us during those years. It was even more fun to watch Sophia's eyes as she saw the giant Christmas tree light up for the first time, or tried to make friends with strangers. The difference in enjoyment when you are seeing something through the eyes of your child is astounding.

First Sentence

Sophia put her first words together in sentence form today. Erick was my witness. We both thought she said it before we looked at each other. Of course she won't say it again, but it was SO cute. She said "Tiger go (growl)!" We were very impressed, not to mention pleased! Our very own baby tiger! Seriously!

Time Change

I remember a time when I looked forward to the fall time change. An extra hour of sleep? Fits into my schedule great. Thanks, US Congress. Now...not so much. We have been awake before five every morning this week, thanks to our darling little Sophieclock. On Sunday morning, she slept till almost 6, so we thought it wouldn't be such a bad adjustment. Wrong. She hasn't made it to 5 o'clock since. Need I say it? "Boooooo!" More naps, fewer naps. Hotter, cooler. Darker, lighter. We've tried it all. Now we've just resigned ourselves to a life of Mountain Dew and Starbucks and going to bed early.

Falling back sucks. I'm tired.

A couple melancholy fall thoughts

I had some time to write down some thoughts, and a few flowed as poems. Sorry they're so melancholy. It always makes me feel better to get it down.

Choices

The anger gets swept away on the colorful breeze
My hair falls across my face reminding me of your holy touch
How can a world filled with hatred reflect your intoxicating beauty
My sadness sinks into me like the fall rains - providing moisture for my soul
Emotion feeds my mind and pushes the pen
How to be grateful for the freedom that brings pain and life in the same breath

Am I?

I look down to avoid your gaze.
How can I hide my shame?
You know me better than I'm known to myself.

That's the problem, isn't it?
Who am I deep down? You already know.
I don't face you because of the fear that deep down I'm nothing -
And I'll see it written on your face.

Photo Shoot

On Saturday, I proposed the brilliant idea to David and Casey that we go somewhere lovely with our lovelies the next day to get pictures. Because "we never get pictures of our whole family!" Brilliant idea. And it turned out brilliantly. We went to Rock Bridge State Park, where there were several other families with the same idea. The leaves were really gorgeous. Of course the gorges, rocks and hills were beautiful too. So I think we got some good pictures. All of the kids had their moments, and believe it or not, they may have overlapped in just enough places to make for some good photos!

It was a good time regardless. We do have beautiful children...

Wish I had a plane

We were just talking about how nice it would be to have your own jet. Just fly anywhere you want at the drop of a hat. Not have to worry about traffic and carseat fits. Get places in a fraction of the time. Here are two of the main reasons I would really want a jet...my two nephews in Stewartsville. Jeffrey and Jacob. Aren't they cute?