Twas the night before Christmas.....

....or should I say the night before New Year's Eve! Better late than never, right?

Purpose....

Just in case you hadn't noticed, I haven't been blogging much lately. I can explain it in one or ten thousand ways. It is what it is. A dry season? A season of reflection? A step back? No good reason at all???

Whatever the case, that's the reality of it. I have a million things to share, but struggle with what will inspire, entertain, inform, or simply bore you out of your mind. I've prayed about my intentions, examined my actions, reflected on my beliefs. I've committed to the relationships that matter the most. Given my all to this thing called life. This life that God has given me. Somehow, the blog has taken a back seat. G0 figure!

But I'm ready to find the balance again....to share what I feel I need to share. I feel a responsibility to chronicle this thing called life. My one chance to get it right. I want to look back and see what I was doing on a cold day in the middle of winter. What we ate for dinner on a warm summer night back in 2011. When my baby lost her first tooth or when my oldest had his first date. I want this to be the place where I measure the moments. Where I share the minutia. The chance to share something that might possibly help someone....that might possibly change a life (more on that later...)

So, I'm back. Are you ready?

A trip to meet Santa....

....this is as close as I'm gettin'!

Nursemaids Elbow? A Do It Yourself, Fix-it Lesson!: A Re-Post!

About once a month, I get a random comment on a quite popular post from way back in the summer. Every time I get the email notification that there is a new comment, it makes me smile. :) I LOVE that something I have posted has HELPED a friend in need! How awesome is that!?

It seems my blog post on Nursemaids Elbow is a top hit on google....go figure! So, since I'm not the greatest at posting something new on the blog lately, how 'bout a re-post! Maybe it'll save you (or a loved one) an ER visit one day!

P.S. I had the opportunity to perform this maneuver again on Greer just recently. We were in the car with our friends, and their 3 year old reached over and grabbed Greer's arm, pulling it out of place. Thankfully, I wasn't driving, and I was able to pop it back in place right away.....I think my girlfriend was a little shocked! 30 seconds of screaming and good as new!

Click here to read the full post!

The Unexpected....

Well, today didn't turn out exactly how I had planned....

...but, does it ever? One thing I've learned since being a parent is that you've always gotta be ready for the unexpected. Amen?

I had a long (and quite busy) weekend at work. Working 24 out of 48 hours gets harder and harder (but is more and more rewarding) as the years go by. Most of the time, Labor and Delivery is fairly slow on the weekends. NOT this time! I didn't notice if it was a full moon or not, but lots of Mamas were having babies these days. And I mean LOTS!

As my Sunday was coming to an end, I posted this on my facebook status:

"Looking forward to my "Saturday" tomorrow....it's been a busy weekend at work! I miss my own babies!"

If I believed in luck, I'd bet that this status update jinxed me for the night....what do you think?! All kidding aside, it is pretty funny, don't you think?

I had the perfect evening/day planned. I would come home from work, throw in a load of laundry, kiss my babies goodnight and pack their bags for another busy week at school! I would load them on the bus around 7 am, drop Greer off in carpool at Mother's Day Out, and enjoy a few hours to myself. A few hours to shop, organize, shower in silence. A few moments to ready myself for all the business of the week and to get my house in order.

Yeah, that didn't happen.

When I got home from work, Chris told me that Reeves had had a tumble at a birthday party earlier in the day. He was coming down an inflatable slide (head first), crashed into the end, and hyper-extended his neck. Reeves was in terrible pain (and stiffness) by the time I got home and I knew that he needed to have it checked out. After a quick call to my parents, we decided that it was best to call the after hours service....Reeves just wasn't himself.

Much to my surprise, they recommended that we call 911 and have the paramedics come out to evaluate him before heading downtown to the hospital. They said that neck injuries are nothing to mess with (go figure) and that we should make sure he didn't need a c-collar before we drove him in. May I just say.....Reeves thought it was pretty cool that the firetruck and policeman made a visit to his house! (Making lemonade, friends!) Thank you to my sweet neighbors, the Holdens and Elrods, for checking in on us. Chris was happy to snuff out any neighborhood drama by explaining that it was NOT any sort of domestic incident...

...thanks for clearing that up, Chris. I know they were worried! :) JK!

So, the good guys at the Hoover Fire Department arrived in record time, gave us the Ok and and sent us on to Children's Hospital.

Where we waited.

and waited.

and waited some more.....

...poor Reeves was passed out by the time we were finally seen (and we were in the higher priority category.....I felt sorry for all those other children waiting to be seen!). The verdict? Bad strain/hyper-extension. Heavy doses of anti-inflammatory meds, limited physical activity for a while, rest, and TLC.

I can handle that.

So, we got home around 2:30. Crashed. Slept in. Ate a good breakfast. Drank coffee and hot chocolate. Watched Elf. Followed up with our pediatrician. Skipped school. Stayed in our pajamas all day. Were all-around lazy.

So maybe the weekend was crazy, and last night was not very fun....

.....but today is what memories are made of! I love any excuse to stay at home in my pajamas with my babies!

Jesus and Football

Join us at a2 Church tomorrow as we celebrate the great gift

of Jesus Christ.....

....and let me hear a Big Rooooollllllll, TIDE, ROLL!

We southerners have our priorities straight!

Clever Stocking Stuffers

Santa has promised me that he'll be a bit more creative this year when it comes to stuffing my kid's stockings. In the past, he's gone with the cheap, last minute leftovers mixed in with the standard chocolate and peppermint sticks. You know what I'm talking about, right? The kind of stuff that you find at the check-out counter at Target or Walmart? Yeah....I told Santa that he better plan ahead this year! I have begged him to find some things that they would really enjoy (and maybe a couple of things that they could really use). Here is what he's come up with so far.....

Bookmarks that have a built-in timer.

Candy wrapper headbands like these....Santa actually

found some made from Smarties and M&M wrappers (Lucy's Favs!)

Cool little robotic bugs for Reeves....these things

are addictive to play with.

Now, my question for you....

....got any more clever/useful/fun ideas? I, ahem, Santa would LOVE to know!

What has a hold on you?

It's that time of year when (along with all the gifts under the tree) we tend to get all wrapped up. Consumed by what we need want (steam washers and new clothes and the perfect tree and flatscreen tvs and the most beautiful decorations for our house and the cute holiday outfits for our kids and the list goes on and on and on). It's so easy to do....no matter how hard we try to contain ourselves.

And I am guilty. I confess that I am the world's worst when it comes to this attitude. I want and want and want some more. The sales and the shopping frenzy and the hustle and bustle get a hold of me and I am overcome (don't worry Chris, if you are reading this. I have NOT done anything crazy). I have friends whose kids have lists a mile long....who live for the biggest and best on Christmas morning. I was that way.....I remember revising my list over and over till I got it just right. It's something I have struggled with my whole life.

Why then, have I been blessed with such unassuming children? Sure, they have an idea of what they would like to find under the tree come Christmas morning, but I know they will love whatever they get. They've never asked me, "Is that all?" and they genuinely appreciate the gifts they receive. Sure, they have hopes and desires, but I know that if we could only get them a couple of very small gifts, they would still say they had a magical Christmas. They've always been pretty grounded like that.....I sure hope it lasts.

You see, my children are way more thrilled by the antics of their silly little elf than they are by how many gifts they will get from Santa. They could care less if our Christmas card is picture perfect or if the decorations will impress the neighbors.....they just want to drive around and look for lit up manger scenes and inflatable Grinches. My kids want to buy gifts for a little child who won't get anything for Christmas and hang ornaments on our tree.

They want to sip hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and a peppermint stick stirrer and sleep in for a couple of weeks. They want to tear off the paper rings and count down the days till their stockings are filled with chocolate. They want me to sit and tell them the story of the night Jesus was born (again and again and again) by acting it out with their little toy nativity scene. They want to bake cookies and visit family and watch Christmas movies in their pajamas. Hoping for Christmas Carolers to knock on our door.

Isn't all that the good stuff? The things that we remember loving about the holiday season? I remember singing Christmas songs in church and cookie swaps and live Nativity scenes and the taste of the Christmas turkey. I remember waking up before sunrise and leaving cookies for Santa. I remember the smell of the holiday candles and praying for snow to fall on Christmas eve. Curling up in one cozy bed with my sisters and our animals....

I couldn't tell you what I unwrapped on my 9th Christmas or who all gave me presents when I was 5. Most of it was quickly forgotten or broken or taken for granted. Only a few things were treasures that stood the test of time.....and most of those weren't really expensive gifts. They were things that meant something.

So, you wanna know what I want most this year? I want the spirit of Christmas that has a hold on my children.....that really stirs my soul. What about you?

Fresh Holiday Design...

....isn't it beautiful?!

Thanks so much Danielle!!!

Check out all her fun and cute Holiday Designs! I have the candy cane screen saver and have entered a few of her fun giveaways....I love her style (and her sweet spirit....she is amazing y'all!).

The best part?

I am motivated now....new posts coming soon!

Is anybody there?

If you are even reading this blog anymore, well, then.....thank you!

It's been a while, y'all. A while since I've written anything about anything....right? I know, I know.....

....sorry.

I'm busy! Aren't y'all busy? It's that time of year. I LOVE that this time of year though. I'm just gonna do the best I can. If I post I post, if I don't I don't. Can you handle it?

Here are a few pics from Thanksgiving.....

....at least I'm still taking pictures, right?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have YOU kissed Your Turkey(s) today???

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Papa gets a checkup!

....all better!

You're Invited!

a2 church will celebrate ONE year next Sunday.....and it's going to be an amazing celebration! We would love for you to join us!

Storybird

Reeves and his buddy Jake have been writing stories back and forth (well, let me correct that.....Reeves is still working on his story, but he was pumped to get one from Jake last week). These boys are little kindred spirits (just like their Mamas) and it breaks my heart that he is not just down the street anymore. Amy and I are always trying to find ways to keep them connected. You won't believe what little gem I was just introduced to.....it is amazing!

You have got to check out Storybird.....

Reeves' teacher is using the website in her classroom to let the children create and share stories of their own. We can read them from home and even leave comments....the kids LOVE that part! They can even collaborate with their friends or family to create a story! How cool is that? Reeves and Jake can create a book together and soon the site will allow us to print them and have them to treasure forever! (p.s. typing that last sentence brought tears to my eyes)

These are the kind of finds that make me love modern technology so much....seriously cool! The best part? It's free!! Go check it out for your own little "authors"!

Things I loved....

....about today.

1. It rained.

2. I got to stay home all day long! I love rain, but I love it even more when I get to stay home and enjoy it!

3. Greer slept till 11:00! Do you know how much stuff I was able to get done this morning while she slept? It is beyond belief....seriously!

4. I worshipped! I blasted my iPod and sang at the top of my lungs. God is sooooo amazingly, incredibly good! Nothing like praising Jesus while you fold your husbands underwear....Ha!

5. I laughed out loud when I couldn't get my front door to open for the Fed-Ex guy....it was really funny. Maybe you had to be there....

6. I got an unexpected call from a stranger dear friend! We chatted about life and fears and adventures and marriage and love and relationships and kiddos and the weather and the South and football and family. What a joyful surprise!

7. I fed my kids ice cream and cotton candy on the way to the dentist. What's wrong with me?

8. My kids didn't have any cavities!

9. Greer said Purple!

10. I figured out Apple TV.

11. I made a perfect pitcher of sweet tea. Ahhhhh!

A funny story to start your week....

....I totally meant to get this up over the weekend, but I got sorta busy birthin' some babies (and cheering on my team....Roll, Tide, Roll)!

The past 2 weeks have a been a whirlwind for us! As if it weren't exciting enough, the week of Halloween was also Red Ribbon week at the kids' school. They had a theme every day (hat day, team spirit day, etc...) and on Friday the entire school dressed up in "high" '60's fashion to celebrate the decade that brought us go-go boots, tie die, and peace signs.....

....it was fun dressing the part! The funniest thing to me was that we were celebrating the '60's during "Drug Free" week! Anyone else find that as ironic as I did? Gave me a few good giggles all week long!

So, here's the funny story I wanted to share with you write down so I wouldn't forget it....

One morning last weekend, I was pouring my first cup of coffee while the big kids were enjoying their breakfast.

"MOM!," Reeves screamed, "You're drinkin' DRUUUUUUGGGGGSSS!"....

"Huh?"

"Yeah, Mommy, they taught us at school this week that caffeine is a drug....and you're drinkin' DRUGS!"

"Yes, baby, caffeine is in coffee, but I promise it's OK for Mommy to drink it."

"Yeah, Reeves," Lucy corrected firmly (and if I'm not mistaken, there was a wiggle of a finger and a hand on her hip), "Remember.....

....It's an adult choice!"

Love it!

God has opened a window!

We have had a busy couple of days, y'all. Greer's response to the laser surgeries seems to get easier and easier every time. Hallelujah and pass the gravy! Other than being a little grumpy and groggy and terribly hungry.....she was her same old self all day yesterday! We both ate some comfort food (aka cheese grits) and took big naps. It is our treatment day tradition!

We love our doctor here. We love the outpatient facility where she has her treatments and have actually gotten to be friends with some of the staff. They remember us when we walk through the door. The nurses cheer Greer on as she whizzes through the hallways in her flintstone car. She has favorite toys in the playroom and they have the best sippy cups ever! Muffins and coffee for me while I wait in our nice little private room with the door closed and my head bowed.

Greer shows no sign of fear while we wait to walk to the clown door, and I am confident that she is getting excellent care in the operating room. We have a great "treatment day" routine, and I am a big believer in routines. They instill trust and confidence and that's something every toddler craves. I don't want anything to change. I want to be able to continue with her treatments here in Alabama at our hospital.....with our doctor. That has been my prayer since we started weighing our options concerning treatments and what is best.

Yesterday, I had some time to sit and chat with Greer's wonderful dermatologist, Dr. T, about our plans to travel for her next treatment. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you might want to take a minute to read this post. It's a complicated situation and we are facing some big decisions about what to do next.

Dr. T and I are in agreement that Greer responded best to a laser that our hospital hasn't yet decided to purchase. But there is hope on the horizon, friends! Please be in prayer with us as we await the decision of the laser company. They are in the process of working out a lease agreement so that we could continue treatments here. This is HUGE, y'all! Pray, pray, pray! I will let you know as soon as I know something!

But, I have even bigger plans! I am thinking about petitioning the hospital to reconsider the purchase of the laser we need here. The laser so many birthmark buddies in the southeast need. It might be a big undertaking, but I'm gonna give it my best shot. What do I have to lose? How MUCH we have to gain! I'm in the process of praying it out and then I will put a plan into action (any advice would be great)!!!

Our Nana...

....I know.

Totally not what you were expecting from me tonight, huh?

I'm tired, and I have a lot to tell about our day today. I'll work on a coherent post in the morning. I just wanted to share this sweet pic of our pup and tonight seems as good as any! Nana loves fall. She chases leaves and gets to stay inside more and she's just so darn cute.

Couldn't you just eat her up?

On the eve of Treatment #9....

....we're ready!

Greer and I will head to the outpatient surgery center bright and early for her 9th laser treatment! Can you believe it?

Well, I can't! My baby girl is soooo strong. Stronger than me. That's for sure.

She is such a champ.

Please join us in praying for our baby girl. After all these times, it's still hard. Hard to put her through the anesthesia. The pain. The swelling. The goopey-goo. The stares.....

But.....what a blessing she is. What a blessing this journey has been. What AMAZING THINGS God has done.....

What a miracle!

Halloween 2009.....

......was soooo much fun!

We traveled northeast (...really only an hour away) to spend the day with my parents and their amazing neighbors. It was an incredible celebration, and we all had a blast! We couldn't have asked for better weather....or company. It was so much fun. See for yourself....

My little pumpkin won 2nd place in the costume contest, Lucy and Reeves got to ride in the parade, and Papa carved another amazingly "wild" pumpkin for all to enjoy! Hope you had a great weekend, too! Until next year!

Check Out My New Buttons!

My blog designer friend, Danielle, made me these cool little buttons!

Check them out and let me know what you think (all you have to do is click 'em and you'll see)! I will add blogs and buttons as I find new favorites, and of course, keep you up to date on Greer's birthmark journey. When you click on the "Bye, Birthmark" button, you'll find all sorts of info and links pertaining to Greer's story and vascular birthmarks in general. There's even a "birthmark buddies" blog link list!

Oh, and speaking of Danielle, check out the awesome holiday template giveaway she's having on her design site (along with a few other fun giveaways). I can't wait to have a holiday look on my very own blog....it'll be even sweeter if I can win one! She is so amazingly talented, and her spirit is as sweet as can be!

Thanks for all you have done for me, Danielle....I can't WAIT to meet you soon!

Can't wait for the stillness!

We're busy, y'all. It seems like ye ole blog has fallen by the wayside....and I must admit that it has been low on my priority list lately. Sad, I know. It stinks that when I have millions of things to post about, I can't seem to find time to post about any of them! Oh well, I'll give it a shot!

The kids are pumped about Halloween, and frankly, so am I. We are heading to Gadsden to spend the evening with my parents and the kids just about can't stand it. It's our first year (in a long time) to not be dressing up as a family. We did a family theme for 3 years in a row....but this year I just decided to let the kids take their pick. I can't wait to unveil the results! Nothing spectacular, but every costume has a story. I promise to give you a full-on post on the subject later in the week....

Lucy has her first "real" fieldtrip tomorrow, and we are so excited about it. We are heading to a real "working" farm where we will pick cotton, feed cows, pet goats, run through a hay maze, and choose a pumpkin. The kindergarten classes have been studying all about farm animals (remember the farm breakfast) and are even awaiting the arrival of a bunch of baby chicks!

In FACT....

....those chicks are going to be hatching sometime tonight or tomorrow, and YOU can watch them LIVE by clicking here! Cool, huh? The kids are beyond excited! I bet your kids would love watching, too! Check it out!

All that and so much more. I'm trying to keep things in perspective and soak it all in. I love my life....all the crazy busy fun, but sometimes I just want to be still.

Still.

I'm not sure I even know what that word means anymore....

....but don't you worry! I'm about to have a rendezvous with stillness. Yep, that's something I'm going to find time for. Real soon.

How do you find time to be. still. ???? I would love to know!

Miley Cyrus 2009....

(btw, beauty hurts)

Thanks Jaime!!!

....it's all about the hair (and fabulous outfits)! Didn't you know???