Wednesday, January 24, 2007

If You've Got A Minute...

Well, I'll go ahead and tell y'all that this might be my longest post to date. First, I'll fill you in on a couple of things going on with us lately.

Last night, I went with a bunch of girls from church to see "Dreamgirls." I've been wanting to see it, but it took forever to come here. I liked it a lot...it was a typical musical...so if you don't like musicals, you won't like it. They do sing several of their conversations (in case you didn't know, that's what happens in a musical...HA!) Also, (knock on wood) Brady has decided that wearing underwear and using the potty aren't so bad! He's been doing great with his pottying....FINALLY! I think it clicked. Just one accident in the past several days! Yippie!

OK...now for the lenghty part! I took the kids to the library yesterday, and I found a book that I want to share. The title caught my eye, and then, the author. Karen Kingsbury. My mother-in-law is big into her books, so I was interested in what she had to offer in a children's book. It is great! If you don't have kids, you might not give a rip about this, but if you do...I think you'll enjoy it! My only mistake was not reading it myself before I sat down to read it to the kids! It was all I could do to muddle through it without crying like a baby! Enjoy!!

Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts:
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past,
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts...

The last time that I held a bottle
to your baby lips.
The last time that I lifted you
and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying,
needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket,
wanted to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me,
still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you'd marry
me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past--
Would I have held on longer if
I'd known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park,
your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten,
those last days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League,
last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all
your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow--
will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog
in that old backyard pond.
The last time that you run barefoot
across our fresh-cut lawn.
Silly, scattered images
will represent your past.
I keep on taking pictures,
never quite sure of your lasts...

The last time that I comb your hair
or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you
and tuck you in at night.
The last time when we cuddle
with a book, just me and you.
The last time you jump in our bed
and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson,
last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school,
last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days
that haven't come to pass.
But as I do, I sometimes miss
today's sweet, precious lasts...

The last time that I help you with
a math or spelling test.

The last time when I shout that yes,
your room is still a mess.
The last time that you need me for
a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night
with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster,
stealing precious days that pass.
I want to hold on longer--
want to recognize your lasts...

The last time that you need my help
with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for
advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me
about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey
for your high school team.

I've watched you grow and barely noticed
seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time,
I'd hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning,
you'll be going far away.
College life will beckon
in a brilliant sort of way.
One last hug, one last good-bye,
one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand
just how much you'll be missed.
I'll watch you leave and think how fast
our time together passed.

Let me hold on longer, God
to every precious last.

Monday, January 15, 2007

The Traveling Penguin

This is the name of the book Macy will be studying at school this week. We were asked to make a suitcase out of a cereal box, so that as they study this book, they can stop in different "countries" and put something from each "country" in their suitcase. Now, I am what I like to call "creativity challenged." I was a little worried about this project. Now, this is a holiday, and I refused to go to Wal-Mart and spend a lot of money (well...ANY money for that matter) on a bunch of stuff for this project. Considering my "challenge" and the fact that I used only stuff I had around the house, I'm quite happy with the way it turned out! Behold, the suitcase!


There are just a few touches of glitter glue around a few of the flowers...you can't really see that in the picture. I am a little jealous that one of my friends (though she did go to Wal-Mart) hot-glued a drawer pull on the top of hers for a handle! I had to settle for some ribbon!

In other news, I start back to work VERY part time tomorrow. Brady will start pre school Tues. and Thurs. from 9-1, and I'll work during that time (at my old stomping ground...insurance office of a local home health care business). I'm looking forward to it, and I think Brady is really looking forward to school. He'll do great, but I am having a little trouble believing that he's old enough to go! My babies are just growing up too fast! Macy will cheer at her first "jr. pro" basketball game on Saturday! Pictures to come. Have a good week...AMERICAN IDOL IS BACK!!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Update...

Well, I don't really have much to post about, I'm just getting sick of looking at that picture of all the Christmas cookies!

We had a good and BUSY Christmas and the new year has started out ok...unless you count Brady's bout with bronchitis. Here he is giving himself a breathing treatment:

He cracks me up! He's had to take them in the past, and he's always done well with them, but it was really funny to just hand him the mouthpiece and watch him sit there and take it himself!

We had a good time with all of our family over the Holiday. My brother and his wife were able to stay for several days. It was great to spend time with them. The kids get along SO well! Sam just LOVES my kids! He follows them around and is thoroughly entertained by them! It's great to see them interact. We enjoyed being with my in-laws as well, but my other nephew (bless him) had bronchitis over Christmas, so he wasn't himself! We look forward to getting those kiddos together again very soon!

I'll leave you with one of my favorite pictures that came out of the whole weekend! It's amazing that we were able to get a picture where all three of them were smiling so big and naturally! I guess when you're watching your Papa act like a gorilla, it's likely to make you laugh!!!