Stanley

This was not on my list of things I anticipated my Christmas to include. Today was a big "long way from the bus-stop moment."

My brother, A's Uncle Scott bought her a fish for Christmas. He presented it to her about five minutes after she had unloaded her stocking, which included Thomas' friend, Stanley, a white steam engine. So when everyone asked her what she wanted to name her fish, she didn't hesitate to name it Stanley.

I have to include this side-note for my own record-keeping. Stanley, the engine, was actually a gift from a coworker at Carolinas Rehab named John. John is British and prior to a few Saturdays ago, I only knew him to be a very nice guy who helped me with a lot of my patients, and said, "ssshedule" when he passed out patients' daily therapy times. The last time we worked together, he was extremely helpful and kind - he asked lots of questions about A and what she was into, what she wanted for Christmas, etc. I told him of her Thomas obsession and John told me that his 15 year old son had also been a big Thomas fan as a younger kid (of course I assumed all Brits loved Thomas, so him telling me this somehow made me feel British myself). After our respective lunch breaks, John returned to the hospital after taking a quick trip to Wal-Mart. He gave me Stanley and said, "you put this in your daughter's stocking - my son wants an Ipod-touch, so savor this time with her." Little did he know that this gesture would evolve into something entirely different.

Stanley (the fish) came in a big bowl with orange rocks, but the conditions up my parents' mountain-top house (and in a crowded car) were less than safe to be shlepping a fish around. So my mom came up with the idea to put him (or her?) in an extra coffee pot with hopes that he wouldn't spill out on the bumpy, gravel, hardly scraped, mountain road. Thankfully, we made it down the mountain without any trouble, but towards the end of our journey, I realized that Stanley was a bit flustered.

Then I realized that he was looking at his reflection in the metal band that encircles the coffee pot, something beta fish don't like to see I'm told.

I'm happy to report that Stanley is back in Charlotte and in his bowl. If anyone wants to fish-sit during our next trip to the mountains, A would be appreciative. If anyone has any ideas of how I can get back at Uncle Scott, I would be appreciative.

Our girl

For anyone who has gone on a play date with A and I, you've probably noticed that our girl isn't the most graceful character. Verbal: yes. Sociable: yes. Sweet, charming, funny, friendly, hilarious, smart (I realize I'm biased): yes. But she does not possess physical strength, coordination, or whatever-ness that it takes to stay on two feet. I realize that she is not even 2 1/2 but compared to her peers, she's down-right clumsy.


A: I love you. When you're reading this someday, you'll have either proven your father and I wrong or agreed that you've got your weaknesses. You may be an acrobat for Cirque de Soleil. Or maybe you'll be a circus clown. Either way, thank you for the laughs and thank our Father in Heaven for surrounding you with angels as you crash, fall, collapse, trip, stumble, collide, bump, jump, or poorly execute your aims. Some of the best parts of loving you are kissing your boo boos and laughing hysterically with your Daddy as we lie in bed at night sharing the day's stories.


For months, Ben and I have said that A is our own little Mary Katherine. So last night, as we were brushing our teeth, this came on on the SNL Christmas Special. I had to share:




Please keep A in your prayers. For her constant safety and protection and for her self-esteem as I'm choosing my own amusement over anxiety pills with regards to what Heaven forbid could happen to her.

Christmas Fun / Procrastination

A has declared today a sick day. Mommy points for FINALLY correctly identifying an ear infection and taking her to the pediatrician for a warranted co-pay. Sick days = laziness for all in the house. And I have fallen behind in posting the fun Christmas festivities around these parts. Plus, I'm in need of some therapeutic blogging.

So instead of tackling this stuff:



{while I wait on these imagines to upload, who can find the dog treats? my royal icing attempts for the Christmas cookie extravaganza that has taken all week? what about honey from breakfast (who knows what day)? find an "as seen on TV item"?? locate our compost container or compost contents that didn't make my shot? guess the missing appliance because Husband uses his time more legitimately then me at a real job that he's slaving away at, and doesn't have time to install our new one therefore the college version continues to take up my already limited countertop? and boy, one of these days, i'm sure i'm going to drop mykitchen-aid mixer and break my foot off... ok. uploading complete, end of keeping it real}

I'd rather be reflecting on this stuff:

A flock of little lambies who sang their hearts out at our church Christmas pageant .

An angel who calmed her last minute jitters by recalling "tender and mild"

A silly daughter and hunky husband (who hopefully won't leave me for walking home to the above pictures)... at Christmas in Huntersville festival.

A daughter who only asks for a candy-cane for Christmas.

Volunteering at Charlotte Motor Speedway at the Cookies for Kids' Cancer booth with some of my besties.

Hopping to my mounds of messes now! Merry Merries friends!!

WWJD

Apparently, He'd go to school.

I can't help but want to start a series on the places I'm finding our Little People Nativity. Did you know that Dollar Tree dinosaurs also lived in Bethlehem? And that the stable was an overflow train station for Thomas?

I'm sure my friend Lauren & her daughter Kit could contribute to the conversation as well.

The Puffin McMuffin

I love this girl. Also referred to as Shortcake, Lil' Partner, Miss Piggy, Pickle, Cowgirl, "A", & on special occasions, Princess Petunia Saskatchewan.

People say that with No. 2's arrival, God will increase my love, and allow me to love another child just as much. If this is the case, I think my heart may very well explode.