Prayers Urgently Needed

Hey everyone.

I received an e-mail from a friend of mine today. A young couple, Jeremy and Stephanie, have recently adopted a Down Syndrome baby. Shayna is the 10th special-needs child this couple has adopted. They have recently learned that Shayna has leukemia, and due to laws regarding adoption and waiting periods, they have not yet been able to obtain medical coverage for her.

I don't know this family personally, but as a mother I can only imagine the nightmare it must be to have a terribly ill child and not have the means to do anything about it. Please send up prayers for this precious family!

First Word!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday, November 12, 2007, Lance said his first word:

"Wow."

His first word apart from "mama" and "dada" anyway. I really couldn't say which one of those he said first, because he had been saying them just as syllables for a long time. Yesterday though, he said "wow." It's so cute too, because he almost whispers it and gets this look of astonishment on his face as he says it! I'll try to get it on video for you sometime!

I need to go give him a bottle now. He is so tired and is having trouble sleeping. He caught a little 20-minute power nap in the car on the way home from mom's group which is keeping him from sleeping now, but I know he needs a nice long nap because usually he's had a 2-hour nap by now. Poor little guy!

You know the holidays have arrived when...

1. When The Red Cup is back at Starbucks!

2. When the palm trees outside of your apartment complex have been covered in white twinkle lights. (I will have to post a photo of this later. For those of you who don't live in an area populated primarily by palm trees, it's a sight that brings warmth and joy to your heart. lol!)

3. When you begin rehearsing Christmas music at your church.

4. When all the Halloween candy is on clearance at Target.

5. When you suddenly feel the urge to start wrapping up boxes.

6. When you start seeing ads for the annual holiday specials on television. (It's a tradition in my family to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in the morning while dinner is being prepared, and then to watch It's A Wonderful Life in the evening.)

7. When you attend social gatherings and spiced apple cider served out of a crockpot is a guest of honor at every event.

8. When you pull all your red sweaters out of the back of the closet and start wearing them regularly just because you can.


I know a lot of people think that it's too early to start celebrating Christmas. (I have to draw the line at Christmas music being played in the stores before Halloween. No joke. That actually happened in early October at a local craft store. Anyhoo.) But you know what? I love all the red and green, the twinkle lights, the festive music. I love picking out wrapping paper and carefully selecting gifts for the people I love. I adore the tastes and smells of the season. (While I previously mentioned the spiced apple cider, I do restrict myself to only making it between Thanksgiving and New Year's to keep it special!)

What things put you in a holiday mood?

Am I A Bad Mother?

I desperately need just 10 minutes of down time. Just to sit and breathe in and out without jumping up every 2 1/2 seconds to put back whatever Lance yanked off the shelf.

Just 10 minutes.

So I put him in his crib with his stuffed monkey. He's not too thrilled about being left alone, but y'all, I need some air.

Am I mean?

Ouch!

If you're going to chop up jalepeno peppers for the new chili recipe you're making for dinner tonight, either use gloves or be prepared for the tips of your fingers to be sore and tender for the rest of the afternoon.

I Need Me Some Z's

First of all, noisy upstairs neighbors kept me from falling asleep. I went outside to my balcony, yelled at them, and they were finally somewhat quiet.

Then, Snoring Husband kept me from falling asleep, so I went out to the couch.

It got hot in the living room, so I stumbled back into our room.

I finally fall into a comfortable sleep.

An hour later, Lance wakes up screaming.

And here I am.

Am I Nuts?

I went jogging this evening.

Jogging. Me.

I used to say that the only way you could get me to run is if you were to chase me with a knife. Or throw a snake at me.

However, I recently had the experience of watching some friends participate in a 13K marathon, part of which ran through Disney MGM studios while we were there last week. How fun would that be, jogging through Disney world after hours and the place is SILENT except for the stretch of road they allowed spectators?

Plus they got medals.

It's all about the medals, dude. Duh.