3 days left

I am so excited for Christmas this year. My son is old enough to be able to do it up right. He can open his own presents and get excited about them. Its not just about the boxes and paper this year. In fact, we have all the presents wrapped already and he is certain that they are all for him. Lets hope he isn't too bummed when reailty hits. I am getting excited about holiday parties, ornament exchanges and Christmas morning breakfast. I never got to open any presents on Christmas Eve and I always wanted to. So... I am living vicariously through Luke and letting him rip into an early present.

What I am most excited about is getting to see friends and family. I truly love being with my family. Not just out of obligation, but out of genuine fondness for their company. How many people can honestly say that? I feel so blessed. And I just came back from a Christmas with friends that was so fun and amazing. There is just so much to be happy about that it makes the other stuff just seem less important. All the stresses and dilemmas and otherwise negative things just get put into perspective when you think about the people and love in your life. Anyway, I am getting ready to give and receive and we are moving our candy cane through the days of the advent calendar. We even have a paper chain that we use to count down the days. We don't mess around. We count down twice so that we are completely sure we have the right day. The spirit of Scrooge tried to get us down today because the lights on our pre-lit Christmas tree quit working, my mom has a bad cold and I nearly broke my leg today (it was no where near that actually). But we are rising to the challenge and remembering what is important.

Good night dear friends. In case I don't post again before the big day... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! May yours be filled with laughter, love and the Lord.

Leslie

Repeat the Sounding Joy

There are 7 days until Christmas and I am hunkered down into the holiday spirit. I love this time of year, the decorations, the movies, the songs and the sweaters. Recently I went looking at Christmas lights and I was in awe and wonderment. And this year, the holiday joy is rubbing off on my son too. He has gotten interested in the holiday classic movies like Rudolph and, his favorite, Frosty. With so much merryment going on I am feeling the need for a list. This is a list of all the things that are making my days merry and bright lately:

1. Luke singing the words "Frosty, the snowman" over and over again. Just that sentence. And it is even better when he is supposed to be sleeping and yet all you hear is "Frosty, the snowman" on the monitor as he tries desperately to evade sleep.

2. I got all A's this semester in my classes. My current GPA is a 4.0 and that feels FANTASTIC! I wondered if I still had it in me and I guess I do. Once a nerd, always a nerd.

3. My Christmas shopping is done and I do not have to fight the crowds anymore. Although, my sister did have me on a scavenger hunt through every local Wal Mart and Target trying to find my brother-in-law the perfect gift.

4. Luke had a Christmas party at school today and I got to attend. It felt nice to be one of those moms who can enjoy school things with their kids. Seems like next year I won't get these opportunities so I am seizing them now.

5. I sent out Christmas cards and they were really cute this year. I will admit, the model was decidedly harder to get to cooperate this year but he was still a delight.

6. I don't have any more homework and so I am getting to read fiction books and take naps.

7. I am getting to see some movies I am really excited about like Brothers and Blindside. And also some movies that are older but still good like An Affair to Remember and Kramer vs. Kramer.

8. The most exciting seasons of So You Think You Can Dance and Survivor.

9. The new John Mayer cd. And an IPOD full of Glee music.

10. My son getting on the fireplace and dancing and singing. That boy can shimmy and shake.



And then there is this:

I am working out more. I have a goal to be able to run 6 miles straight. Currently, I am still working on 1 mile. But this body of mine is for sure getting older and harder to whip into shape. Two weeks of working out and my hip hurts, my knee pops and I have a huge blister on my foot. It sure makes for some good excuses not to work out but I am still going strong. "Can't nobody hold me down. Oh no. I've got to keep on movin'."

Tacky Schmacky

This weekend there was a huge event in town. Well, "huge" might be an exaggeration, but it was an "event". And it was huge in some circles, like my family. My sister, and her husband, hosted the first annual Tacky Sweater and Triathlon Party at their house.

Let me specify what the triathlon was about: it was 3 partner events, replete with their own single-elimination brackets: washer toss, darts and beer pong. I am not a master marksman, which means that I can throw things at large targets, and actually hit a few times, but when it comes to precision throwing or tossing I am at a loss. Therefore, myself, and my wonderful partner in suckage, Brook, did not make it past the initial rounds.

Now, that is not to say that we didn't make a few nice shots here and there. But I can be a good sport and for this one night I actually was willing to just sit and watch. There were some awesome victories and near wins and at the end awards ceremony there were some sure-fire surprises, namely that my parents placed in all events with a first or second place. What?!?

Talk about a proud moment for a child. Watching my parents place second in a beer ping tournament was a touching moment indeed. Another source of pride for me was the all-out effort that was put into the sweaters. My family does not do anything half-way and that was apparent in the sheer imagination and creativity that went into the sweater purchasing and making. It made for some hilarious photos and memories.

The Wednesday Run Down

Ok, so its Wednesday and it's also finals week for me. With 3 exams already under my belt, I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. One more, on Friday. So, I won't trouble myself, or you, with a list today. My brain is fried already. It can not possibly use enough energy to put together a list, no matter how random.

This week, my son has had some trouble in the sleeping department. Its not normal and it certainly is making for some nice attitudes in this house. My hypothesis was that he was not getting enough energy out during the day with the weather being what it is. So I have been on a mission to wear out my son. Today we drove 40 minutes on the other side of town to try a new place. It was called the Stomping Grounds and it was awesome. I would go back in a heartbeat. $5 for hours of play that exhausted my son is a definite bargain. Pictures to follow.

And lastly, what would a Wednesday blog be without a So You Think You Can Dance shout out? Last night was a great episode with several awesome dances. And while I am still honing my prediction skills I am willing to take a stab at it. My votes were scattered but I think that are reflective of the general public. That being said, I think the following people will be in the bottom four:

Ryan

Ashleigh

Ellenore

Russell

Unfortunately, I think that Ryan and Ashleigh will go home. If Ashleigh pulls out the sympathy vote then Ellenore will be out. I wish it wasn't Ryan but I think it is. Legacy and Russell just have huge numbers in their side. I guess we will see who is right.

Good Deeds and Foolishness Run Amuck

I am fairly certain that my son is going to be something great in this world. He will change lives and lead the way in world peace. Ok, so these are lofty goals but they are not born from nothing. Earlier this week, my son and I partook in some all-American do-goodedness that he took right to. I had promised my son a trip to the park, in the cold, as a reward for helping me make Christmas gifts. As we were enjoying the park, two dogs came running up the busy street. We convinced them to come over to us and of course Luke was automatically in love. They followed us home and we took them in and gave them water and warmth. They were with us for about four hours and Luke was worried sick about them every minute of that time. He wanted to pet them and chase them and play outside with them. It was pretty sweet, actually, how devoted Luke was to those strange dogs and how much he wanted them to "find mom". My heart swelled with pride to see such compassion in action and to witness such joy on his sweet face.

And now for the foolishness I promised. This Christmas season I wanted to start a new

tradition. So I instituted a Dinner & a Movie schedule which involves a movie and dinner every weekend until New Years. The catch is that all of the movies are Christmas themed. Trust me, I have it all planned out. So far we have only had one movie, and it was Elf. Our dinner was spaghetti and meatballs, without the syrup, and peppermint ice cream for dessert. We listened to Christmas music, drank wine and sang karaoke. And of course, there were accessories to wear. I labored over making elf ears which turned out looking more like donkey ears or "mouse ears" (as Luke says). Either way, it was a sight to behold. It was a fun night and an excellent start to a new tradition. Dinner & a movie #2 plays next Sunday. It promises to be another night to remember.

Joining the Snow Brigade

Everyone is posting about snow these days. Because lets face it, snow is headline news in Texas. And here, in my part of the big H-town, we were blessed with snow as well. It lasted from 8:30 to about 3:30 and of course, it was a BIG deal. Unfortunately, at our house it never stuck. But it was still a unique experience that Luke and I got to enjoy together. It was a vast improvement over last years minor snowfall, when the sheer coldness of it made Luke cry. This year there were mittens and hats to block out the cold. And because of this, he did not want to go back inside. It was poor mommy who could not handle the cold and forced us inside for some warmth. However, like a good mom always does, I had my camera on hand to capture some of the fun. It was a magical day full of sweet, magical moments in the snow. So even though our snow day pales in comparison to the ones that other Texans are experiencing this week, we took every advantage of it. Who knows, we may not see it again for another 5 years.

Another Weird List

I know that today is Thursday and not Wednesday. But I have a weird list that I just had to share. I did not make this list up, it was an official list that I found. Actually it is a list of rules for the annual Santa Games held for Kris Kringles from around the world to compete for the title of Best Santa. I found this list to be kind of hilarious so I wanted to share it. Apparently, to be considered for Best Santa:

1.Santa has to be nice to everyone, especially children.
2.Santa has to be completely sober.
3.Santa [suit] has to be clean and looking its Santa best (red or gray and white)!
4.Santa can have a big beard, but not a silly mask.

Here is another wacky list for ya. In the Santa Games the contestants compete in:

1.Chimney climbing

2.Porridge eating

3.Kick-sledding

4.Reindeer racing

5.Gift Wrapping

6.and something called Santa's Christmas Eve

Who knew? I surely did not. We don't pay too much attention to Santa in our house. We don't even visit him in the mall. But even I can appreciate a good competition. So here's to the Santa Games and this years winner, Jim Chan (from Hong Kong).

I got Disco Fever

Well, not really. I don't like disco all that much, actually. It is my least favorite genre of dance on a show that features many genres. Of course, I am talking about So You Think You Can Dance. It is back on and I have been slacking in my coverage of this show that I love. But, now that its down to the top 10, I am ready to share my opinions. I have been voting, so I am doing my part to keep hope alive for the ones I like most.

So far, my favorites are as follows:

And they are, from left to right: Kathryn and Ellenore, Jaokb and Legacy.

Tonight I think these people are in trouble:

My vote for who should go home:

Mollee and Nathan

But I think that these people will go home:

Nathan and Noelle

365 Days of Change

Today marks the one year anniversary of the day my husband left and our marriage, and my life changed. It was a day like any other day and yet it forever changed all the days that came after it. My life since that day has been an ongoing process of healing, bleeding, healing, bleeding, healing and scarring. To say that I have walked through this changed is an understatement. I have been more than changed, I have been transformed. I had to put some serious money where this big mouth of mine is when it came to living what I preach. I hope I fared well in that department. What I do know is that I picked myself up, put the pieces back together and started my life anew, with the tools that I had left. It was hard and I relapsed several times but it did not define me or defeat me. I won't lie though, I woke up today and felt somewhat sentimental and reminiscent. That was a huge part of my life. I cherished my role as wife and mom. But... God closes doors just as surely as He opens them. He gives and takes away. This life of mine is so short and I want to live it and not tolerate it. So, while it has been sad... it has also been full of searching and finding. I have found myself, inner strength, faith and hope. This path I am on now feels really good. I have got one more week of school until the end of my first semester. One step closer to starting my new career. I love this life. It is flawed and it is fleeting, but it is mine. I have this supportive family, some loving friends, a church I am enjoying, a son I adore and a future that is hopeful and full of promise. All of this is my way of saying that I welcome today. It sort of ends the circle of a year I am glad to finish. Lessons learned. Hearts broken. Faith tested. And I survived.

As a parent, there are good days and bad days with your child. Of course, for most, the good far outweigh the bad. But every once in a while you experience a GREAT day with your child - a series of moments that you will hold in your heart forever and remember on those bad days. Today was one of those days for me. It wasn't because we went anywhere special, because it was a day of running errands. And it wasn't because anything remarkable happened - it was because of the little things. Whether it was my frame of mind, my attitude or his - it all worked today and by the end of the day, as I rocked him before bed, I could not help but cry in gratitude for my sweet baby boy.

I love you, little boy, because you give me hope in the hard times and you fill my heart with joy. You are a light on my dark moments and the laughter that fills my days. You have shown me more about who God is and why He loves me than anything else I have encountered in my 29 years. You are sweet and kind and loving beyond condition. Little boy, you have been my reason for trying harder, standing stronger and trusting more. When I was tempted to give in, your love for me and your faith in me to provide for you and keep you safe and lead the way, made me keep going just a little farther. I am so proud of you, my little boy, because you are growing in to a happy, confident and loving person. And today was a great day, my love, because I spent it holding you, laughing with you, watching you and playing with you. I love you for all that you are, and I thank you for allowing me to be super-mom in your eyes, even with all my faults. I am thankful for you, everyday, in every way, even in your terrible tantrums and stubborn fits. Today, little boy I am thankful for:

the way you lovingly touch my face when you need to be comforted, the way you pat my hand as you are starting to fall asleep, the sentences you are starting to speak, your willingness to "help" in the kitchen, your sweetness when you cracked the eggs on the floor, our "I love you" shouting matches, your firm hugs in the grocery store, your sweet songs in the car, your need to have me see everything you see and do everything you do and the simple fact that you want me where you are. For all of these reasons, and so many more, you make my cup runneth over. Little boy, you have changed my world.

Love,

mommy

So, today was a GREAT day. It was made even sweeter by the knowledge that he is leaving tomorrow to spend Thanksgiving with his dad. And I will miss him every second. Luke used his big boy potty today and was so excited when he did. Nana, Paw Paw and I celebrated like idiots and Luke could not stop grinning. These dorky parent-moments make every day so interesting and exciting.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope you enjoy your family, friends and feasts.

You've Got a Friend in Me

This weekend I was Dallas-bound for a little R&R with the best friend and her fabulous family. Her family recently added a new addition about 5 weeks ago and I was anxious to hold that little guy. So I committed myself to driving the 4 hours it takes to reach their house. It is not the best drive ever, especially when you are travelling solo. But my ipod and one Mr. Nicholas Sparks helped considerably on that front.

I had expected a stay-in weekend of baby cuddling and girl-talk. However, the Skaggs had other things up their thrifty sleeves. We had not one, but two nights of activities. It was fun to get out and about in Dallas and to explore the DBU campus and the downtown holiday festivities. And the other perk was that I got to hang out with some old UMHB friends that I hadn't seen in a while. There was laughter and Cattan-playing and some Christmas Merryment.

I arrived home today, ready to see my toddler and excited about the week ahead. A few more days of school and then a long holiday weekend. I can't believe there is only 2 weeks left of school. The countdown begins. But before I sign off for the night, and cozy myself into bed, I want to leave you readers with a brief rundown of why I love the Skaggs family.

- They are a back-to-the-basics family that is not showy or fancy in any way.

- They laugh at all of my jokes and make a few of their own.

- They are honest about everything and are accepting of your honesty as well.

- They are models of how a healthy family runs and operates on the day-to-day.

- They are the same in public as they are behind closed doors.

- They know how to save a buck.

- They are easy to talk to.

- They know my past and are not afraid to make fun of me for it.

- They know what they like and aren't afraid to ask for it.

- They value their friends and make every effort to hold them accountable.

So there you go. Some good reasons that explain why I would be willing to drive 4 hours, alone and in the rain, to spend the weekend with them. Plus, they sort of asked me (in a round about way) to write a list on my blog about them. Doesn't make it less true though.