You prance. I'll Dash.

Those exact words came from my 4 year old today. She and Cohen have been playing some great reindeer games lately. Claire has gone so far as to rub her nose on the chalkboard (which is written on with red chalk) so she will have a red nose! I now have to refer to them as Prancer and Dasher as I cheer for them. I have been instructed to yell, "Wahoo Prancer! Great prancing!" and "GOOO Dasher! You dash SOOO fast!" It's really quite entertaining. Looks like we will be playing reindeer games well into the new year! But that will definitely be a catch phrase around our house for a while. "You prance. I'll dash!"

Does it ever truly go away?

**Update** You all should know that my husband does not share my views on this one! That's okay though...he pretty much has the final say around here anyway! Love you Big Daddy!

Two years ago, Big Daddy decided together that we were officially "done" having children. One boy, one girl....we are set. But answer me this. Will I ever really feel like I'm done? Will I ever be totally okay with not having a little one to cuddle? I'm sure my family (who was so supportive when I was miserable while pregnant with Coco) would like to remind me of how we ALL suffered through my last pregnancy. But I am a completely different person than I was two years ago. I can't help but wonder how my new found faith in our Lord would change the way I dealt with pregnancy. I can't help but wonder if we screwed up. NO Big Daddy, I am not saying you need to hit up the Shepard's reversal doctor! But I know, based on scripture, that I was not obedient to the Lord. HE is the one who is supposed to open and close the womb...not Dr. McClippy. (No, that's not his real name!) Please know that I do NOT take this post lightly. I am really going out on a limb here sharing my heart.

I have seen so many people struggle to get pregnant and I feel worse each story I hear. I am perfectly capable of carrying healthy children to term. Was I selfish to just put a stop to it just like that? What makes me think that I know better than God? Whoooweee, I certainly think a lot of myself now don't I? Ugh.

So for now, I will still be a little disappointed every time that day rolls around when my body tells me that I am no doubt withOUT child. Of course....that should have happened last week. **wink wink** But I will accept that the longing I feel is God's way of reminding me that HE is in control. Maybe I will think twice before making such a huge decision without consulting long and hard with scripture.

Created to be his Helpmeet

In the past I have mentioned my Bible study that I did starting last summer. I went into it not really knowing what to expect. (Probably because I had never done a Bible study before!!) I never imagined how it would change my life. I have wanted to sum it up for you but never really found the right words to do it justice. My biggest fear was using the word "submission." In this day and age, it has such negative undertones and I wasn't sure I could define the word without making it sound simply archaic. But leave it to MckMama. This post is almost exactly what I would have said if I had the ability to put it so eloquently. If you are a newlywed, read her post. If you are an "oldywed" and aren't happy, read her post. If you are perfectly content, read her post. There is bound to be something in there that you will benefit from even if it is just a feeling of accomplishment knowing that you are trying your very best to achieve the model God has given us for marriage. If you are like me, you will be reminded that you still have room for improvement! I just really liked her post and I hope you do too!

PS When I just spellchecked, the spellchecker suggested the words oldened and mildewed for the word "oldywed"! I don't mind being oldened and mildewed....as long as Big Daddy is right there beside me!

The Rockin' Reindeer Review

Claire had her Christmas program last night. This is the first year that she actually participated. The first year, she stood there but that was it. Last year, we knew she wouldn't even stand there so we opted to go to a Lady Chiefs game instead! This year was her time to shine. We talked a lot about it and she was ready....until the day came. She kept telling me that she didn't want to go, but I could tell she was just testing me. But then she got pretty upset and revealed that she was really sad that Nanny couldn't be there. I told her I understood but I had something that might make her feel better. So we went to my jewelry box and got out a VERY special necklace. It was a gold cross that my Grammy gave me when Claire was born. It was my mom's when she was just a baby. She was very excited and off we went to her performance! Here's a picture before the show. I'm not sure what has gotten into her, but she is into posing these days! It's too cute!
I'm trying to get video posted, but it's not working. I'll keep trying!

By Popular Demand

My favorite video of all times. This was my sweet Claire two years ago making cookies with Nanny and Grandma. If you haven't seen it, listen closely and enjoy. If you have, watch it again...it never gets old. My favorite part is how my mother-in-law doesn't even miss a beat while my mom and I can barely keep it together! Merry Christmas to all!

My Coco.

Well, here it is. FINALLY my little Coco gets his birthday slideshow. It's just 3 months late. I started with the pictures Auntie Karen took and then added some of my own snapshots. (Except the Easter pics. Those are Karen's too!) If they are blurry, it's because I saved them from the shutterfly website and not directly from a disk. (Just didn't want to make Auntie Karen look bad!!) Oh, and the song is one that I have had picked out for this occasion since the beginning of the summer! Every time I hear it, I think of my baby boy. So....ENJOY!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

G.I. Joseph

Claire and Cohen went to see Christmas lights at Elfendale and the live Nativity last night with Grandma Connie. Her parents (Papa Bill and Grandma Millie) came too. As they were watching the live Nativity, Claire kept insisting that she bring mommy and daddy back. "Grandma! We have to bring them back because this is the REAL Mary and Joseph and mommy only has the action figures!!!!"