Wahoo!

Who knew that a little pink scrap of foil could make a gal so excited? Not me. 

As of tonight we've gathered 370 pink Yoplait lids. I'll be shipping them off shortly (they have to be in by the end of the month) so if you have any additional lids to add to the pile NOW'S THE TIME! 

Thanks to all of you for humoring me...and helping me. Our little bit will make a difference.

A Project Completed

I've been wanting to make stockings for several years now. I found a cute (and easy) idea the other day and decided to put my new sewing machine to the test. 

I think I'm officially hooked. I have totally enjoyed the sewing projects I've done in the last couple weeks and am looking forward to doing more. All I want for Christmas is some spare time. I know it's not likely, but a girl can dream, can't she?

Fingers

Our little Ellie has always been a great sleeper. I've long since attributed this to two things. First, my Heavenly Father loves me and knew I needed a little help (and possibly a little incentive to bring additional children into the world). Second, Ellie refused a "binky" early on in life and came up with her own solution. One that wouldn't require a parent to help in the soothing process:

At first I didn't worry too much about it because, hey...she's sleeping through the night. Who am I to mess with that sort of miracle?

And, to be honest, it was kind of cute.

By the time we started to try and break her of the habit, the finger-sucking had become so entrenched in her daily routine that she basically foiled every attempt we made. 

Now, here we are, almost three and a half years later and those fingers are still firmly in place. One thing is sure...Heavenly Father may have given me a great sleeper, but He also made sure that she was just as stubborn as her big sister. I believe we have a fight on our hands.

Let the battle begin.

Dear Santa

There are so many wonderful elements of the Christmas season that it's difficult for me to choose my favorite. I do know, however, that sitting down with my two beautiful daughters to compose letters to Santa is somewhere in the top five. They really got into it this year.

Lindy's wish list includes a doll, a case of lipstick, a leapster, a lizard, perfume, sparkles, princess table & chairs, crayons, horse lego, and a Tinkerbell DVD.

Ellie's wish list includes a purple teddy bear, lego, a diamond, a  piano, and a stunning portrait of her mother. (Is it just me or does that purple hair make my eyes just pop?) She also wanted to make sure we knew that she was going to ask Santa for some slippers for mommy. What a sweet girl.

For the little artists, putting a stamp on the letters and putting them in the mailbox might have been the highlight of the whole experience.

      

Eight Months

The last month has been an amazing one. Junior has gained two teeth (and he already knows how to use them...ouch!), has learned how to crawl, and has learned how to throw a tantrum. Unfortunately for him the tantrums aren't really accomplishing much other than making us laugh as he tries to express his 8-month-old frustrations. He also found a love of toys with wheels, and took his first fall down the stairs. And along the way he somehow tricked his mother into getting up with him at all hours of the night again. (I just can't let a sick kid cry.)

Last night as I sat in the rocking chair, holding my sleeping son securely in my arms, I experienced a small moment of panic as I realized how quickly it is all passing me by. Each day he grows bigger, and more independent and I selfishly want to just tell him to STOP! The quiet, peaceful moments sitting in that chair will soon be fading memories...I don't know that I'm ready to give them up yet! Especially knowing that this might be the last time I'll ever have one small enough to cradle in my arms. Sigh.

I am surprised sometimes at how fiercely I love the little ones in our family. Motherhood has shown me, in the truest form, how one can experience the best and the worst that this mortal life can throw at you. But I have realized more fully that I am unable to appreciate, or at times even recognize the joy without having to wade through some of the tough stuff as well.