More Favorite Things

I hate for anyone to think that I abuse or torture my child.  You'd think that's what was happening Sunday night when I sat him in his high chair to  - -  wait for it - - CUT HIS HAIR.  

Oh the drama... the screaming... the wailing.  This is Jonathan's fourth cut, and by far his worst experience.  Poor baby. 

This precious little one was born with lots of thick, dark hair.   So, it became very necessary early on to give him his first haircut. 

He finally calmed down when The Polar Express was popped into the DVD player and I gave him one of my haircutting combs to hold.  

He loves the scene where the train is stopped by all the reindeer  - - or were they caribou?  Anyway - - he calls them dogs (Ga! Ga!).  Anything furry with four legs is a ga.


I've linked up four songs to share.  Music at Christmas is probably my most favorite thing of all (besides a little Christmas cherub named Jonathan).  These songs are so precious, and although only two are technically Christmas songs, they all hold deep meaning for our celebration of Christmas.

"Revelation Song" - Kari Jobe 

"When Love Sees You" - Mac Powell

"Be Born In Me" - Francesca Battistelli

"Light of the Stable" - Emmylou Harris

I had to link up Emmylou for you - - as much as I love the Selah version - - this is my childhood memory of this song, and therefore my favorite.  Enjoy!

I'm not exactly sure why I walk through the doors at Oak Hills Church without a hanky twice a week... or why I bother to apply mascara.  The worship is always so powerful.  As much as I love to sing, I'm always so choked up, I only seem to be able to manage a croak or two most of the time.  I can't wait for Christmas Eve service!

"What then shall I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd,

I would bring a lamb.

And if I were a wise man, 

I would do my part.

Yet what I can I give Him,

Give my heart."

from "In the Bleak Midwinter"
~Christina Rosetti~

A Few of My Favorite Things

Christmas is interesting for us every few years.  The first Christmas after a move can be difficult because I often find some of my favorite Christmas decorations broken in the journey from there to here, if I find them at all.  One of the first things I have to do is take a little inventory and make sure some of my most treasured items remain un-damaged.  

The little angel above was one of the first things I searched out.  So far my little kitchen angel has made four cross-country moves unscathed.  I'm not sure when she came to me exactly, but I do know that my grandmother (Evelyn) gave her to me when I was quite young.  She comes to my kitchen every year around December first.  This year only three items required repair.  I can deal with that.  

Generally I pack old Christmas photos in the car with me, but on this move, they remained in the Christmas boxes for the movers.  The b & w photo in the middle is of my mother.  Jason and Jeremy are to the left.  Safe and sound.  Yeah movers! 

Tasha Tudor is one of my favorite people.  This is an advent calendar I ordered from her website a couple of years ago.  It took a while to locate the calendar this year.  I found an old frame in the basement this year and popped it in.  Jonathan, Daddy and I open a flap each night before bed.  I'd eventually like to create some kind of advent wreath like these.  Right now, I don't have a space far enough out of the reach of a certain very curious toddler.

   

Tasha Tudor books and old Santa photos.  

The photo to the right is of my Dad.  To the left... me!    In years past I have given these books as Christmas gifts.  I grew up with Welsh Corgis and Tasha had quite a brood at her house.  The book in the background to the right is A Corgiville Christmas.  The Tasha books are too wordy for Jonathan right now, but I look forward to a time when I can read them to him. 

As Jonathan grows, I'm searching out ways to make traditions that will work, even in our "move every two-three years" lifestyle.  We both want to celebrate in such a way that we magnify our Lord and Savior and point our son to Christ.  Over the past seven years, we've learned to budget for Christmas giving and also to pare down our gift-giving list.  Our church supports a Christmas charity similar to Operation Christmas Child called Manos de Christo.   Our church is also building a satellite campus in the most depressed area of San Antonio -- the west side -- where I taught on our last tour.  This project holds a special place in my heart.  My hope is that some of the families of my old students will be impacted in a positive way.  If you're looking for a way to give this Christmas, here's the link to a very worthy cause.   

This afternoon we decided that it had been way too long since we sat down at a restaurant and let someone else bring us our food and take care of all the clean up.  Here's Jonathan coloring on the kids' menu.  Reasons we love BJ's? Avocado egg rolls, flatbread pizza, pizookies and smiley-face potatoes.  

Contemplating actually biting into a potato with a smile on its face.  It's kinda like chomping the heads off those sweet little cheddar bunnies and those smiling goldfish.  Something about that doesn't seem right.  

Yesterday was Jason's work party followed by a nap for all three of us and a trip to Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro to see the big guy in the red suit.  Jonathan didn't smile, but he didn't wail either.  I'd call that a successful trip to see Santa.  

Notice the pride on this face... and the pants in the floor.  

This year we're adding birthday cake for Jesus to our Christmas traditions (thanks to a list published by our friend, Melissa, in her blog).  In last year's December edition of Home Life Magazine I found an excellent idea.  Starting at the New Year, take all your Christmas cards, place them in a container on your dinner table, pick a card each night, and pray for that family until you've run through all your cards.  I love it!  

Another thing on my list of favorite Christmassy things -- Christmas cards.  This year we put together a holiday card that's more "Thanksgivingy", something I plan to do each "move" year from now on so that we can make sure all of our friends and family have our new contact info before Christmas cards start going out.    Kind of devious, I know.  

Another favorite thing -- taking time to get another blog entry out to all of you.  

Goodnight!  

Our Week In Reverse

 Jonathan and I began attending story time at the Boerne Public Library on Wednesday mornings last week.  It's a great time and a great way to meet new moms and kiddos.  Jonathan, with gingerbread man in hand, had already managed to remove the stick that was attached.  This photo was taken just prior to the poor gingerbread man's arm amputation.  Jonathan wasn't too interested in the story.  Our little politician was up working the room.  Jingle bell time (with real jingle bells) wasn't nearly as interesting as conversing in that language only he and a few other little people in the room could understand.  The only thing more exciting than socializing???... bubbles during the goodbye song. 

  

This is a photo taken just before we headed out to Bible class on Tuesday.  We're already signed up for next semester.  I love my Bible study and Jonathan loves Bible class.  Our GQ man is growing up.  Here he is sporting the turtleneck Giggie and Bop bought him for Christmas.  Jonathan walked all the way from the parking lot to Bible class and all the way from Bible class to the parking lot for the first time on Tuesday.  

Bundled up for the trip to Bible class. 

Sunday evening marked another milestone for Jonathan.  Miss Whitney kept him for two hours while Jason and I attended a memorial service for moms and dads who have lost children to miscarriage, stillbirth, fetal demise and ectopic pregnancy.  The service was held at the Threads of Love building at our church campus.  I'd really wanted to attend the service and was so thankful for the opportunity to go.  

If you're unfamiliar with Threads of Love, it is an organization of women who sew, knit and crochet for premies in the NICU (who are too small even for preemie and newborn clothing) and for little ones who fly to Jesus before or shortly after birth.  We took a guided tour of the facility after the service.  These ladies have a very powerful ministry.  

Jonathan had a great time with Miss Whitney... technically his first non-family sitter.  We felt very comfortable leaving Jonathan with Whitney.  Jonathan loves her, and has played with her on multiple occasions.  Her parents are right across the street.  He didn't cry at all when we left.  He really didn't want Miss Whitney to leave.  

Hammin' it up for the camera

The "one-sock wonder" now knows how to take off his pants.  He hasn't figured out how to put them back on though.  I can't help but laugh, although I know that's probably the least appropriate response.  He's just so proud of himself when he gets those pants off.  This is the sheepish look Jonathan gets on his face just after "Uh-oh" comes out of his mouth.  Interpretation - "Uh-oh" means I did something on purpose and "Uh-oh! I got caught."  

Putting on the charm

Last Friday we attended Christmas Craft Day with the MOPS and Moppets.  Jonathan painted the angel himself.  The graham cracker creche was my creation.  Jonathan ate marshmallows and graham crackers while I put it together.  At one point it was mauled by a hungry attack toddler, so Mary's head is severed, the sheep has one of its legs sticking out where its head should be and the shepherd has coconut dandruff.  Notice the roof sags a little too.

  

This is what happens when you're in a hurry on bread-baking day.  On the bright side, the hole makes a great handle.  I had to take a picture. 

Drying Racks and Pesky Pacifiers

I didn't win the drying rack, but, as usual, my Mom had a better idea. This was her mantra throughout most of my childhood. "I believe I could make that." So, I may have a pending project for Jason and me when he returns.

In more exciting news (at least to us), I DID NOT chicken out this time and went cold turkey on the pacifier issue this week... this week just after we'd returned from extended time with family... this week when Jason is away during a definite "Daddy is my favorite person in the whole universe!" phase... this week when I could find just about every excuse under the sun to chicken out... just like every other week. This is night two without the pacifier and I think I can safely say the pacifier is GONE!

Vaya Con Dios pacifier. We loved you while we knew you, but we will not miss you. Praise God. Hallelujah.

AMEN!

Okay folks...

I'm trying to win a drying rack for Jonathan's diapers.

Here's a cool blog to check out.

http://www.homesteaddryingracks.com/1/post/2011/11/christmas-givaway.html

We can't do a line on base, so this might just work on our sunny porch.

Here's a little update...

Forgot to mention that Jonathan was a complete angel in the car, coming and going. He's really growing up. He slept straight through last night... 12 hours. That was sooo nice for mommy. :o) As usual, he got so used to being held and cuddled this week that he's really out of sorts today with daddy at work and mommy working around the house (Not complaining... exactly what we hope for and expect when visiting family and friends). Of course he's missing his Bop, Giggie, Kirbie, Aunt Steph and Uncle Jeremy... and especially Daddy. We're taking lots of snuggle breaks, but mommy finally had to resort to play pen/ video time to get him calmed down. :o( He's quietly watching Winnie the Pooh from the pack n play in our room. We've really been trying to keep the TV off as much as possible during the day. We've got bread to bake and cloth wipes to prepare for the warmer, laundry and preparations for Jason's travel this week. Thankfully I made a couple of big pots of soup to freeze before we left, so lunch will be super easy today.

Wish me luck with the drying rack! :o)

Homebodies

As much as we sometimes wish this term described us, it just doesn't fit. We're tired, but very happy after a wonderful visit to Tupelo to see Giggie, Bop, Aunt Stephanie, Uncle Jeremy and last but not least by a long shot... KIRBIE PEARL.

It's been a while since I've posted, so here's an update. The weekend before Halloween we ventured about an hour NW to Medina, TX to check out a pumpkin patch there. It's deep in the TX Hill Country, and as beautiful as it was, there was quite a crowd there. We headed back to Pipe Creek where we bought our Christmas Tree a few years ago and enjoyed a much smaller affair. There was a big mountain of hay to dive in, some games, a hay ride and lots and lots of pumpkins.

The next weekend, my oldest and best friend, Jennifer, came down with her family. That's Preston in her lap beside Jonathan. We had a great time at Sea World and on the play ground.

Peter Pan didn't like his hat much. I need to get him back into his costume and snap a better picture, but this gives you an idea.

Mom was down to visit over Halloween too. Here she is with Jonathan on the front porch.

Jonathan admiring our jack-o'-lanterns.

We spent last week in Tupelo, MS with Jason's family. I love visiting Tupelo. We relax all the way there. The fall colors were gorgeous, and it was actually green in spots there. Wow. Jonathan had a wonderful time staying with Giggie and Bop (his grandparents) and playing with cousin Kirbie.

It was so much fun watching Kirbie and Jonathan play together. Kirbie was such a good play mate and Jonathan had so much fun. Jonathan got to see Kirbie four times last week! Here she is reading Jonathan's ABC book to him. Kirbie is only three and can say her ABCs all by herself. What a smarty!

Sweet girl Kirbie Pearl

(Giggie's catchy nickname for Kirbie)

Jonathan napping with Bop

Our last day in Tupelo was filled with activity. Aunt Stephanie and Kirbie came over again, and Jonathan finally got to meet Aunt Lourie, Uncle Thomas, Emily, Lindsey and Logan. He had a ball. Emily, Lindsey, Logan and Kirbie were so good with the little guy. Here's Jonathan digging into Kirbie's goldfish.

We returned home this afternoon after a detour through Ft. Worth to visit my grandmother. We were able to see my brother, Aaron, my aunt and my cousin, Bryan as well. We're so tired, but so thankful we got to spend so much time with our family.

Hallowe'en

Here are some photos taken by my friend Jeannie at Veterans' Park in Boerne. It was a nice afternoon getting to know Jeannie and Amelia.

Feel free to weigh in here if you want. I need some advisors on this issue.

I am in a muddle about Hallowe'en. For some reason, it's long my favorite holiday. As a Christian, I've been conflicted about that for some time. The Hallowe'en of my youth was very innocent. We had a fall carnival in the old rock gym at my elementary school, the pumpkins were happy, the cartoon specials were sweet... only slightly suspenseful.

Growing up in Texas, fall was the first taste of relief from hot, hot summer and Hallowe'en coincided with the first evenings of 40-50 degree temps. Of course, candy, dressing up and seeing friends and neighbors is always fun for kids. As I got older, the history behind the holiday fascinated me. Like every holiday we celebrate today, it has some pagan roots.

I was never introduced to horror movies, ghouls or evil spirits... the scarier side of Hallowe'en, so it never occurred to me that it might not be the best of celebrations until I was much older. Now that I have a tiny son to think about, I really don't know how I'll present it to him. Thankfully, he's too young for it to be a real worry at this point. If you have an opinion, I'd like to hear it. I may not agree... but it will probably help me decide how to discuss the holiday with my son in the future. For now, we'll enjoy the fall leaves, cooler temps, pumpkins and "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown..." and I'll still take the liberty of saying "Happy Hallowe'en!"

Back to "Normal"?

Boerne MOPS Meeting #2 happened today. I have to admit, I really, REALLY, REALLY didn't want to go. I didn't feel much like I fit at the September meeting... not because I was made to feel left out. The ladies there were VERY friendly and helpful. I just feel so old and backward compared to the moms there. I'm not stylish... I don't really like to shop that much... and I like to be comfortable. I have two-tone hair because I'm trying to grow off the fake and let the natural silver highlights take over.

I determined this past weekend that I would, in fact, be attending, if only for Jonathan's sake. It's not about me after all. Jonathan spends the majority of his time with me, playing with me or playing alone, depending on how busy I am each day. I get sick of me. I can't imagine how the poor baby manages with only a couple of mornings in the week to interact with little people his own age. So I prayed. HARD. I am an introvert who tries very hard to be an extrovert. It's exhausting. I love people and I come by that naturally. I'm very interested in the details of people's lives, but I'm not the gal that runs up and introduces herself to other folks. I need serious alone time to recharge.

I tiptoed in, purposefully a little late today so I wouldn't have to think of things to talk about, and found that we had a couple of new moms at the table with us. I'd had very little sleep the last couple of nights and we had company yesterday afternoon, so I was exhausted and not in the mood to pretend to be "Jackie the Extrovert."

At one point, the whole room was asked to pull out their cell phones to play a game. Only two of us pulled out "antique" phones. That other person happened to be sitting right next to me. I told her I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to play this game. She laughed... she wouldn't either. Neither of us had smart phones, neither of us text, neither of us are on Facebook, we both follow Dave Ramsey principles and we're right about the same age. I believe God sat us next to each other. We hit it off immediately. So, maybe I'll have a kindred spirit there at the pumpkin patch play date Thursday... and if she can't show, at least I'll know I have a kindred spirit out there... and I have her number!

Back to vacation pictures...

I have to back up a little bit for this post and revisit our first leg of the trip. Here are all my favorite guys lined up in one room (with the exception of Uncle Jeremy, Uncle Aaron and Uncle Josh)... the room of a gigantic RV that is! Bop drives RVs to dealerships throughout the country and he happened to be driving this one through Amarillo the day we arrived. Pretty great picture of all four of them... wouldn't you say? We stopped through Amarillo to stay the night with my parents before we headed on up to CO. So - we met up. I'm so glad we did! Jonathan had a great time with both Grandpas that weekend.

Pappa Jack, Jonathan and Bop in Amarillo

Two of a kind

Here we are in front of our cabin on the last day of our stay.

View from our cabin windows

Pappa Jack and Jonathan on the trip back home

Sleepyheads

We planned some time in Amarillo on the last leg of our vacation, and took a drive into Palo Duro Canyon with Grammy and Pappa Jack. Here are the proud grandparents with their little guy.

Allens at Palo Duro Canyon

So we're trying to get back to normal around here... whatever that is. Tis the season for food pantry donations, Christmas shoeboxes, trying to figure out Hallowe'en costumes and all that. I love this time of year. MOPS today, Bible Study tomorrow, a little guy that really needs more nap time, but, since we got back from CO, will only sleep for 45 minutes in his crib at a time. Argh. Thankfully he's not pulling that at night. From the sound of things, we may be sacking out in the recliner with Winnie the Pooh playing in the background in just a few minutes.

I'd decided to be much more intentional about learning time with Jonathan and have devised a schedule and toy/ playpen rotation that we're starting this week. The speaking session lined up exactly today at MOPS. I love it when that happens! The speaker provided a great a framework to go on. It's amazing how much more settled he seems and how happy he is when he can predict what's coming next in the day.

We live in a well-ordered creation and I believe the Creator crafted us with a desire for structure. If you're anything like me, a desire for adventure and impetuosity can rule a day more easily than a schedule... but going from controlled chaos to order and structure in our house has made a huge difference for him and me. Obviously, I've never needed to be more disciplined with my time than right now. I'm much more productive these days and spend a lot more quality time with Jonathan.

If you're the praying type, say a prayer for us in our next adventure... getting rid of the pacifier for good! Ha Ha! Hope this finds you all well! Hopefully we'll have pumpkin patch, Sea World and zoo pictures to share soon! Love from Boerne, Texas...