My Favorite Christmas Memories of '07

1. MaryEvyn sitting with Santa on our trip to Alabama chatting about a Dora this and a Dora that.

2. Sitting with Mrs. Claus listening to her tell a story about Christmas with Santa.

3. Baking cookies with all three of her older cousins (my brother's kids) at Mamaw's house (my mom).

4. Eating an early dinner so we could get her bath done and watch Rudolph for the first time while sipping hot cocoa. She cried because she wanted Rudolph's Daddy to love him. So sweet!

5. Making s'mores in our fireplace while watching the Charlie Brown Christmas movie.

6. Making and giving my homemade gifts this year.

7. Evyn's class Christmas party.

8. The day we decorated the tree, again, with hot chocoloate in hand. I use all family ornaments that have some significance. I have some from teachers I taught with at the Glen, some from students, from our honeymoon, our firsts (as a married couple, in our house, with a baby...), the yearly homemade one from Gram and featuring Evy's happy face. I love them all and remember them all every year. It is fun to share the stories with Evy and watch her carefully place each one on the tree (all in the same spot, of course!, which I later have to fix). It's also tradition in my family to let the youngest place the star on top. There is an annual picture just like this of me when I'm around her age with my Daddy. I love it!

9. Evy getting more play time with her cousins: Peyton, Bailey and Kyle and especially Ryan and Braden because she hardly ever gets to really see them. We had a great day at the Childrens Museum and Incredible Pizza Co. with them on Saturday. They are big fun!!
10. MaryEvyn opening her ballet shoes and music box. They were a real surprise and she jumped into our laps and threw her arms around our necks in her true dramatic fashion to say, "Oh, thank you, Dada!!" It was really fun!

11. Listening to MaryEvyn tell the "true meaning of Christmas story" (as she so adequately calls it) and sing "Away in a Manger".

12. My absolute favorite: taking time with her Gram to go shopping with her Christmas gift money (though I don't think she really got that it was her money for her gifts) for a few gifts for Vivyana, a little girl in Lake Jackson that was in need. We then got to deliver them to her the Sunday before Christmas. Quite a treat and the beginning of what I hope is a life long journey of serving like Jesus and learning what Christmas really means.

The winner and Merry Christmas!

Thanks, Reed, for your help "shooting" the video!

...and 100!!!!

Yea! I finally did it! 100 posts!!

I always knew I had a lot to say, but it took me a while to get to 100! I've been planning this one for a while...are you ready? Do you like surprises? I have one for you!

I have a special giveaway. No, I know I'm not a rockstar blogger with a thousand readers but there are more of you out there reading this than you let on. Some of you tell me you read my blog even though you leave no trace. So maybe this will bring some of you out of the woodwork!!

I have a really good giveaway (at least I definitely think so!). Do you want it? Good.

Then post a comment!!! I'll choose a winner on Friday... so post a comment, any 'ol comment and you're entered! Heehee, this is so much fun.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

P.S. No, Reed, you are not eligible to win. You should have taken your chance to comment when you could!!! ;-)

One more profession I could do (if it existed, and it should!)

Long title, I know, but here it is. I have strong opinions about public restrooms. I'm sure you do, too, if you've ever stepped foot in a gas station restroom. Here's what really gets me about restrooms: they say so much about an establishment, and it would seem relatively easy to make going to the restroom a pleasant experience, or at least not an unpleasant one.

I would love to be the person who will either visit your existing restroom and tell you what you need to do to improve your w.c. or I could see/hear the plans you have for your restroom and do the same. I'll call myself a Public Restroom Consultant. No kidding!

I mean, there are those places where you're not surprised to find that cleanliness is clearly low on the priority list. I've even refused to go in some places because I just couldn't take it. But then there are those places where you may be enjoying your meal, thinking you've just discovered a little gem of a place until you visit their restroom, and you think, "What happened here?" All of a sudden the little attentions that were obviously given to the menu and decor were just totally forgotten. When we were in Alabama we found this great little Italian cafe and were pleased by the menu and the neat surroundings. However, after a trip to the restroom, I was so turned off that for the first time ever I had to tell the guy at the counter that it needed attention. I will keep myself from telling you why.

Anyway, I was reminded about these thoughts today as I visited a restroom at McDonald's and found a relatively small overlook: no hook in the stall for my purse. I ended up doing my business with my purse over my shoulder! ugh.

So I decided to list some components of the perfect restroom (which, by the way, I've probably only experienced a handful). Some of these are essential, some would just be more helpful.

1. a hook for my purse/bags/sweater/keys. I don't want a little shelf thingy. The bottom of my purse is dirty enough, thanks, and you don't need more horizontal spaces to catch more germs and dirt.

2. clean the floor. thoroughly. 'nuf said.

3. a trash receptacle in every stall.

4. paper towels. I know what they say about the hand dryers being more "environmentally friendly", but they stink. Most of the time, if that's all that's offered, I just shake my hands dry or pat them on my relatively clean jeans. Just put out the towels, that's what we all really want. Then if you must, slap on one of those stickers/magnets that remind us to just use one towel - it's all I really need, and the rest can air dry.

5. a working lock on all stalls.

6. pull the door to enter, push to exit. I've just washed my hands and I don't want to now touch anything. If this isn't possible, put a trash can next to the door so that I can easily throw away the towel (see #4) that I used to open the door.

7. good toilet paper. Not that stuff that I have to get a mile of to have any substance, y'know?

8. extra points: decor that matches the rest of the restaurant. I love how La Madeleine has the audio french lesson. I love their tile floor and full door stalls. Please don't install that full on downward facing lighting right over the mirror (am I right, ladies?)

I'm sure that there are more. I'm sure you have your own list. Go ahead and let me hear 'em. I'll add them to my job description! :-)

Christmas crafts (some of them)

Well, I finally got around to finishing some crafts that were swimming around in my head for a while. I can't show all of them because, well, some of them are gifts that I've yet to give!
Several months ago, I bought these neat plaques that look like old Christmas postcards at a Fort Bend Antiques Fair and mounted them on a red ribbon. Looks like I still need to trim the end and finish it so it won't come unravelled.

Then I've always been unsure of what to do with my Christmas cards. I want them to be out because they're so pretty and meant to be enjoyed but couldn't bring myself to buy one of those metal display things when I was sure there had to be an easier, more natural way. This is what I came up with this year. I found a pretty green gingham ribbon and simply tied it in a bow around a tack with some florist wire. For the picture cards I cut little slits in the sides and just strung them on. I left one end simply wound around a tack so I could easily slip more cards on if necessary.

This picture also shows off my other "craft": my new roman shades that my mother-in-law and Evy helped to make. Here's Evy helping screw in one of the screws that hold the cord. Notice her tongue sticking out in her deep concentration!

And, though it's not a craft, I'm so glad I found these great little clips that fit over our brick mantel. I've tried many different solutions over the years, but these are wonderful!! And they should hold up our full stockings, too! And, believe me, they'll be plenty stuffed come Christmas!

Nativity Ponderings

During this Christmas season, I've found myself wondering some things about the beautifully orchestrated story of the birth of Christ.

- Why are there no pictures of Mary giving birth? I guess I can see why, but, really, in my realistic moments, I wonder why. We see her astounded by the visit from the angel, we see her prego on a donkey (ouch, by the way), we see her calmly, lovingly adoring her sweet baby after the birth. But what was that delivery like? That brings me to...

- Who delivered, anyway? Was there some sort of midwife or someone to help this poor little girl? Surely, it wasn't just Joseph taking direction from some cow nearby...?

- And, ladies, can you imagine with me for a minute the conversation in Mary's head that evening. "I knew we should've left two days ago. I told him so, but did he listen to me...noooooo. Now, look at where we are! Was that....? Ewwww, it was, a mouse!!!" I mean, was there anything sanitary when she delivered??!

- Also, was no one willing to give up their room, even for a night, for a little pregnant girl and her hubby? Who would not have the decency to do that, huh? Maybe the innkeeper was unwilling to ask....

- I've also been thinking about that star. How beautiful it must have been. How God must have created it perhaps so many years ago just for it's light to appear that very night. And how unusual must it have been in order to cause those perceptive wise men to take note and be stirred to follow it. To have either known or somehow found the ancient writings of prophecy of a Jewish king.

- And, what was Mary thinking? I love the verse at the "end" of the Christmas story "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." I'm sure had they had Creative Memories back then she would've made quite the scrapbook of her amazing, perfect (truly) son. Surely she'd have written the words of the angel to her on that amazing night, maybe she would've described how she felt the night Joseph told her he would not divorce her but would support her in what God had called her to do. I bet she would've included bits to help her remember those first little blankets she wrapped him in, the odd way that the animals seemed to revere him somehow, the unexpected visitors who were told by an angel about this boy whose proud Dad just couldn't keep it a secret, and the long journey of the impressive wise men and their lavish gifts. All for her son. Imagine her trying to understand that this is not just her son, not just a baby. That somehow, in this dingy stable, God was trying to tell her and the world that this was their Savior, their King.

These thoughts amaze me. It amazes me how he used regular people to accomplish his most astounding plan of all. How the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace was brought into this world in the most humblest of ways.

And it comforts me. It comforts me to know that the same Father of Jesus, is also mine. That He takes the same care with the details of my life as He does with those of His Son. What have I to worry? If He can comfort this obedient, unwed, teenage girl whose life is suddenly not going at all the way she planned....then I can trust Him to handle mine.

It is a beautiful story He crafted. Only not beautiful in the Hallmark, Disney-esque warm candle glowy look that we sometimes see this time of year...but it's beautiful in the most worthy way of causing us to worship Him more. Causing us to learn more of His character, to trust Him more and to discover how desperately we need Him and how delighted He was to meet that need out of His love.

What a beautiful story of love. What a wonderful God.

Huntsville, Alabama Days 4-7

Day 4 - I needed a break and I felt like Evy did, too, so we stayed in the hotel and got some laundry done. Yes, laundry on our vacation. Evy enjoyed the opportunity to get her fill of Dora, Wonderpets, and Blues Clues on Nickelodeon which we don't get at home. Then that night we did one of the best parts: Galaxy of Lights at the Botanical Garden. It's a mile and a half long drive through of light displays like this:It was really neat. I'm not sure who loved it more, Reed, Evy, or me!

Then on Friday, I took her to Sci-Quest which is like a science version of a Children's Museum, and finally, there were other kids there! They were older, though, so we made our way to the "treehouse" that was for under age 7. They had this little kitchen that she loved...... and other areas made just for her! We built with blocks, played instruments, and after the school group left we went downstairs to try out the exhibits. Most of which were very interesting though over her head (and some were over Mommy's head!).

Day 5 was Saturday and I thought I'd take her to a little natural science museum that was one town over, but though we enjoyed travelling over the beautifully blue, very big Tennessee River to get there, once we did, there was a sign reading "Closed for lunch". Not wanting to wait around for an hour and a half, we drove the 15 miles back to Huntsville. As I tried exiting the freeway to return to our hotel, however, I found it blocked off by police and was forced to turn left. My frustration soon melted when I realized I was on a street I had been trying to locate because I'd read that it had a few interesting sounding local eateries. We did indeed find quite a gem with a killer chicken salad and the owner informed me that the exit was closed for the parade. "Parade?!!" I exclaimed. So we packed up our lunch and chocolate chip cookies, and headed out!

This is what we found! It was a beautiful day and the bands sounded great! I love a parade! We also saw this:

The General Lee (some of you older folk might remember that this was Bo and Luke Duke's ride back in the day!). It even played the Dixie tune for the horn! Very cool!

That night we went to a new outdoor mall that all of the locals had been raving about. It isn't finished we were told, but there's a waterway that will eventually have gondolas and a water taxi, and there's a movie cinema and (what sold us to take Evy)....

...a carousel. This girl can't turn away from a ride on a teacup or a pink pony!

On Sunday, Day 7, we went to the mall play place again to kill some time and eat lunch before we headed out to downtown historic Madison for the tour of homes. Some of them turned out to be a little disappointing (besides the one I already blogged about) and two of the homes were brand new builds!! Why you put brand new homes on a tour of historic homes I still haven't figured out...but it was fun nonetheless.

Monday was a flurry of packing, checking out and picking up Reed from work to take us to the airport. Wow, all I can say is that, once again, I found myself with new respect for single moms. Getting through security alone was enough to turn (more of) my hair gray!! But the flight was much smoother and I was just so delighted to be heading home, though it's missing a lot without my Puppy here. (I miss you, Sweetie, and can't wait until you're home with us!)

So, if you have kids, and want a place to go, Huntsville was really more fun than I had imagined. It's no DisneyWorld or anything, but the people were extremely friendly (and really do have that cute, funny southern drawl), the food was excellent, and the weather was fine! So, head on da-yown ta Huhnts-veeeeille, y'all, and tell 'em thuh Cutshawwwls sentcha!

Walking Through a Magazine

This is one of the most unbelievably beautiful houses I've personally seen! This afternoon we took the opportunity to go to downtown historic Madison, very near Huntsville, to tour some homes there sponsored by the Historic Society. It was built in the late 1800's and has now been decorated to a T! So, let's get to it, shall we?

This is in the front formal living space. There was also a great Christmas tree that I took some decorative, crafty notes from and a white slipcovered sofa with more beautiful pillows!

Look at this great frame filled with cork and little whatnots in it. Love it!

This is the master bedroom. There's a fantastic white old fireplace to our left and the entrance to the master bathroom behind us. They must have converted a room to accomodate it - it's huge and, as you can imagine, truly beautiful and cute! There were people all over, so I couldn't get a good shot of it. Besides, it had mirrors all over - and terrific art.

The dining room. There are french doors to our left and the entrance to the main hall to our right at the head of which is this:
Speechless. To the left is the kitchen. It was amazing!
Guest bath. My dream! Love the red toile wallpaper, the bureau sink, the sconces... there's white wainscoting surrounding the black tub to our left.

Never mind that I didn't/couldn't get pictures of the little girl's room, which was an absolute dream with it's silver tree filled with pink paper chain garland and pink ornaments, the white iron bed with an adoroble quilt. The little boy's room was equally perfect with it's cozy leather chair with a cowhide print blanket on it. Nor do I have pictures of the sunken real family room with brick floor and fireplace where we had the pleasure of meeting the owner of the home. She said she had moved in only six months prior and only had to paint. Ugh. I told her it was amazing. She then mentioned two other homes on the tour that we had yet to see. She said that they are brand new builds but after touring them, she said she found herself liking the grass on the other side. After touring those homes, I'd emphatically say that her grass is the greenest I've ever seen. Just about the shade of green from my envy!!

Huntsville, Alabama - Days 1-3

Having said what I did in my previous post, I actually handled our travelling pretty well. Due in large part to MaryEvyn handling everything like a CHAMP! Our flight was delayed about 20 minutes or so, but she was easily distracted in the busy terminal. Once on the flight I was worried she might be frightened by the noises and turbulence. No worries necessary (except for me who could be seen grabbing Reed's sleeve with each bump! In my defense, it's a lot scarier when you're on a plane with three to a row, 12 rows and 1 stewardess!). She watched her Charlie and Lola DVD and never gave a whimper or whine. As we landed around 9pm, we got our rental car to find that they had no record of our request for a car seat. But about 10 minutes later and several more to figure out how to work the dern thing, we were off. All in all, we finally were settled in our room by 11pm. Poor baby was soon out! I think she's still trying to sleep some of that off!

The next day I decided to take it easy and since our hotel was right in a mall parking lot, we went to their play place (after some Starbucks for Mama!). It was a super nice mall (better than Sugar Land - gasp!) especially with the family bathroom that had a perfect toddler sized toilet and sink - she was enthralled!

Day 2 we went to the Earlyworks Children's Museum. These gorgeous trees with their fall colors are everywhere, but especially brilliant in front of the museum. A picture doesn't do it justice! Anyway, inside, there is a strong emphasis on Alabama's history which is quite rich and interesting. There was a large talking tree and, Evy's favorite, a talking clock, a recreated general store, homestead, keel boat, and this great old buggy!

There was also a really fun, open toddler's play area with all kinds of pretend areas including this little "farmyard" and puppet show stage. There was absolutely no one there besides 3 other kids and their mommies so we had the run of the place and a lot of individual attention!
That evening we went to Santa's Village which is set up downtown in what is known as Constitution Village, where Alabama's state, yup, constitution was signed, anyone know the year? Cynthia, any guesses?! Anyway, these historic buildings which usually house artifacts that tell of their former uses were transformed into Christmas uses. For instance, the old print shop was now where you could write a letter to Santa, put it in the mailbox where elves picked it up and delivered it to the old post office. The homestead was made into Santa's home where we found none other than the jolly man himself receiving his visitors. Evy was hesitant at first, but after a little chat with the friendly old elf, and a candy cane, she warmed right up!What did she ask for, you wonder? Well, you'll just have to wait and see if he delivers! Also, in the print shop, Mrs. Claus, a retired sweet little teacher, read/told us a story by the warm fireplace - this was my personal favorite (I wonder why?). There were also two live reindeer (yes, there is such a thing) and some "snow" flurries. Throw in some cookie decorating in the old bakery, jingle bells from the blacksmith, and old wooden toys in the workshop and it was delightful! All put on by volunteers who just love children that much! Great fun!
Now to Day 3 - The Historic Huntsville Train Depot and my biggest disappointment because just the day before it had been crawling with people all there to welcome Barnum and Bailey's circus to town and unloading at that very depot! They paraded the elephants and everybody right up the street to the arena just outside our new hotel and we missed it! Ah well, we still had a fun time. We got to ride a trolley on tracks, explore the train depot with it's old graffiti on the third floor walls from confederate soldiers held as prisoners when the union army captured Huntsville. There was this 440 engine outside of a roundhouse on one of those turntable things (I don't know what they're called, do you, Gina?). Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool and we were told that when they have student groups, they actually turn the train around. That would be neat to see! There was also this old ladder firefighter truck - the first used in Huntsville that we could climb all over. We could even run the bell, siren and lights. It was very fun! If you look closely you can see Evy in the driver's seat.

Apparently I needed more accountability...

We're in Alabama this week (more on that later - although on my blog, I guess this one will appear after my next one...oh well!) and travelling, well, it's just not really my thing. My terrific two girlfriends love to travel. Overseas, even better. Me, I like my home. I like knowing where my chocolate is hidden (sorry, Babe) and the best way to get where I want to go. I know where a good restaurant is and I know the places to avoid. More than this, I love, love my bed. I have what I lovingly call my "squishy pillow" which is full of downy soft feathers and surrounded in a flannel case which I place beside me simply to give me a snuggled in feeling. I also have a stuffed rabbit called Lucy whose sole purpose is to allow me to hold her and keep my arm from falling asleep when I do. (Really, she's purely functional...no sentimental attachment!) Oh, and then, of course there's Reed, who laughingly says he enjoys his third of the bed!

Anyway, I divulge all of this so you know how thoroughly out of my element I am when I am on the road. Huntsville is actually truly lovely but there have been some bumps along the way. Some minor inconveniences. The kinds of things, among many, that we can choose to let upset our whole frame of mind, take our state of being from just peachy to mildly irritated to explode at any minute. In retrospect, the kinds of things that remind me that I am so very inclined, bent, to see the world revolving around me. To lose sight of the bigger picture.

Now, not to say that suddenly and inexplicably finding myself outside of my hotel room with an over-tired daughter and overloaded arms holding a room key that no longer will complete its function is a part of God's grander scheme (though, it very well could be)...but maybe the bigger picture is simply remembering what little is under my control, giving a sigh, and finding a way to make it "fun" for my sleepy little girl.

Instead, I vent a bit of my frustration, and this increasingly perceptive little girl takes the cue from her now annoyed mother and begins to screw up her face and vent as well. First the "Waaaaah!" of a cry, and then the whining, "Moooooommmmmmyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, I want to go insiiiiiiiiiiiiide! Why won't it opeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!!?" Then more boohooing.

It hits me like Reed's alarm clock did this morning, I thought, "If my first reaction hadn't been one of frustration, or such as whatever it was, she wouldn't be doing this. As I've known all along, but now even more so, she is doing exactly as she's been taught to do by *gulp* me!"

I quickly steeled myself, dropped what I could there at the door and in my best oh-this-is-going-to-be-so-much-fun voice, I encouraged her to go with me back down the elevator to get our key reinstated. We did and by the time we made it back up to our room and I got her down for a rest, I was thanking God for another shadow of accountability - this little girl He gave me. He is wanting me to show her a better way. A way of selflessness and love. A positive, glorifying way of seeing our lives and the little inconveniences that come our way. It's worth it for Him, and, now, it's worth it for her.

Our Trip to the Deer Lease in Pictures

Harriet (my mother-in-law), Evy and I crashed Reed and his dad, Jim's, yearly hunting trip. Though I teasingly don't call it "hunting." It is, of their own admission, really just "shooting" or as Reed says, "harvesting" of deer. Whatever it may be, it takes place on a beautiful and calm ranch outside of Junction, Texas and was made more enticing to us womenfolk this year with the completion of the brand new house and hunter's quarters which are under the same roof, just attached over on the left of this picture. We had full access to the house with it's big screen tv which we never turned on, and pool table which Reed and I happily split two games!Much of the time we spent thus occupied:

which allowed Harriet, the most voracious reader, to finish two and a half books while Reed completed book 4 in the Harry Potter series and me to finish Mansfield Park. But don't be fooled we also read and did many other things outside. Evyn, for instance, spent much of her time with this:

and this:
making a gingerbread house with Gram (lick a little, decorate a little, lick a little more, see if Mommy's looking, pop a candy in your mouth...)

and this:

What more does a 3 year old need: Lovie, her tiara and a bunk bed! (Note that Mommy has already set up her sleeping arrangement below...I know, I'm such a party pooper!)

This ranch was truly inspiring and restful. The North Llano River runs across one side and there are some wonderful workers employed there who help Mr. W. keep his sheep, cows, goats, horses, hay, and pecans very happy! In return, Mr. W. makes them a hearty breakfast when he is in as he did for all of us on the first morning. Beer batter pancakes and runny eggs - a delight!

An overabundance of hay! I was not tempted to go any closer since we were introduced to a large rattlesnake hide tacked to a board that was found right in these bales only days earlier!

The pecan tree lined walk to the goats. The pecan orchard is to our left.A boy and his dog. This is Nody (it stands for Not Our Dog Yet, though, as you can see, he has now been fully adopted, but the name has stuck!)
The sweet and gentle horses. We got to pet them, but not ride.

The sheep in the newly harvested hay field. The goats were more than happy to follow us in the car for that's how they get fed, but stopped immediately when we were actual people and would not let us get close.
The cows and the horses in an enviably shady spot.

"Oooo, it's cold, Mama!"
Oh, and there was some hunting. Reed got an 11 point deer (that's huge, by the way), the biggest they'd seen on this ranch and then got a 7 point that evening. After that, they were done! (Happy deer!)
On the way home, we stopped to see a cousin in Boerne, Tx. and I was able to talk the family into a picnic downtown so that I could take in a few of the very numerous shops there!
Then it was a race to beat the cold front we could see coming across the sky. I'm happy to report we are home and happy and dirty clothes are in the wash as we speak!
Happy Thanksgiving, my friends, and if you need any venison, now you know who to ask!