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.