These boots are made for...

Carly!

Yesterday, after we dropped Connor off at school, Carly and I ran to Wal Mart to pick up a few things. Somehow I ended up in the shoe department. I wasn't really looking for shoes, but I came across these black patent leather boots as I was scanning the shelves of little girls' shoes. I thought they were so cute and wanted to see how they'd look on Carly. I took her out of the cart and squeezed the little boots onto her feet. They were adorable, and I could tell Carly liked them because she immediately began clinking around on the floor walking and clicking all around the shoe department. There had to be about 4 women employees in the department and I could hear them all excaliming about Carly and how cute she was flittering all about in those adorable boots. It didn't take me long to deciide that we HAD to get those boots! I tried to get her back in the cart, but she wanted to walk, dance, and click around the store. So that's what she did for the remainder of the shopping trip. She wouldn't even let me take them off when it was time to get in the car. She wanted to keep those boots on...and I must admit, they did look awfully darn cute! See for yourself!

Here she is dancing and clinking around

at Nonnie's house later that morning

(I failed to mention that, just as I was about to remove her from the cart, she - in a squatting position - said "Look Mommy." I glanced down at the floor below her and there was a large puddle. I quickly realized that I had completely forgotton to put a Pull Up on her that morning...OOPS! Poor thing. One more reason why I just had to get those boots!)

WOW!!!

We have all commented at some point or another, and even more than once, that this has been such an inspiring, informative, andenjoyable experience. We've met countless other mothers, learned from acclaimed authors and speakers, and listened to some of the most beautiful and angelic-like voices. Our minds are jammed, our hearts full, and our suitcases PACKED (with all of the wonderful things we've purchased at the Resource Center) as we prepare to leave this convention tomorrow. I know I speak for everyone when I say that we are leaving here not only equipped with new ideas for our local MOPS groups, but also refreshed and overflowing with the inspiration we need to take home and, once again, embrace our roles as mothers.

There are certainly some highlights from our trip to share...

Julie Barnhill...hilarious mother and author of One Tough Mother

Go Fish...music group consisting of three men (also daddies) whose upbeat music is guaranteed to get every parent and child bopping to their beat

Erwin McManus...pastor, motivational speaker, and author of Living Wide Awake

Plumb...mother of three children and singer

Nic Gonzales and Jaci Valasquez...husband and wife duo (also parents), whose amazing voices I could've listened to for hours on end. They were so cute together and their banter back and forth on stage made all of us smile.

Getting to see and hear from Lynn Spears (mother of Brittany and Jamie Lynn)

"Real" moms and MOPS members who got up and shared their touching, and very personal stories about the roles MOPS had played in their lives.

Dr. Tim Kimmel...parenting author of many books including Grace Based Parenting, which all of us thoroughly enjoyed

The Gaylord...WOW! This place is amazing.

Spending time with the amazing group of women and mothers on our MOPS Steering Team. They all have such tremendous gifts to bring to our MOPS group and are truly inspiring people.

Our dinner together last night (at Rainforest Cafe) laughing and having a great time.

Talking by cell phone to our families back home...hearing "I miss you mommy" and "we can't wait until you get back home" and the excitement we all have to get back home and hug each one of our children and our husbands!

Day 1 in Dallas

We didn't realize this, or at least we didn't remember, that the only session we had today was a general session this evening from 7-9:30pm. That meant we had the whole day free!!!

Courtney, Heather, and I decided to get up this morning and get some exercise. Heather went out for a run, while Courtney and I visited the fitness center. WOW...what a place. There had to have been at least 12 treadmills, 5 elliptical machines, bikes, weights, and so much more. I must admit, I was quite impressed when the towel boy handed me a towel as I was walking on the treadmill. (He gave everyone one) Afterwards, Courtney and I went to the Riverwalk Cafe (modeled after the Riverwalk in San Antonio) inside the hotel to enjoy their breakfast buffet. Since it was $18 per person, we took full advantage and filled our plates, several times. It was delicious. It was just as we were about to leave that we were reminded that we were in Texas when a man seated nearby stood up, and as he put his suit jacket back on, revealed his gun in it's holster on his hip.

With all the free time on our hands, I knew immediately what I wanted to do. Sit by the pool! This pool was absolutely beautiful. Courtney and I picked out some chairs in the sun and relaxed while Heather and Liz took the shuttle over to the mall, as they both wanted pedicures. Here is where we spent the remainder of the day!

Megan and Sally had later flights, so they both arrived later this morning/early afternoon. Once Liz and Heather got back from the mall (which was apparently more of an outlet mall) with their newly painted toenails, we all sat together and caught up. We were all so excited to be laying at a pool without children to attend to. It was so relaxing, the scenery was beautiful, and the temperature was in the 80's with NO humidity. Just perfect!

At about 4:00, we decided we'd had enough sun and came back to our rooms to shower. Since none of really had lunch, we were all starving, and decided to go to the Texas Station restaurant (a full size restaurant inside the atrium) for dinner. It was a sports bar with the largest television screen I'd ever seen. We all enjoyed our meals very much.

Here we are outside of the restaurant

The general session was great. We heard from several motivational speakers, including Elisa Morgan, the founder and CEO of MOPS International. But I must say, the highlight of the evening was listening to the bang GoFish. They are a Children's Christian band, who's philosophy was to create music for children that wouldn't drive their parents BONKERS. When I tell you that they were fabulous, I mean it. Moms knew the words to their songs and were dancing in the aisles. The six of us were dancing on our chairs...

As soon as the session was over, we ran downstairs to the Resource Room (books, vendors, and resources for mothers) and get one of their cd's. I can't wait to play the music for Connor and Carly! Check them out...http://www.gofishguys.com/guys/index.html

It's time for bed now...tomorrow morning our first session is at 9am...

Until then...

Oh, does it have to be bed time already?

Mommy's down South, Connor's up North. It's Daddy-Daughter time! Although the evening flew by, it was memorable to be able to do nothing more than spend time creating dialogue and learning from the mind of a two year old girl. I often expected Carly to be the social butterfly of the family and was slightly concerned and/or curious when she assumed a passive role in the family in these early years (that is, besides the temper tantrums). However, it is more clear tonight that she was simply adapting to being the second born child and has developed an incredible sense of perception and skillful observation. As I picked her up from Nonnie's house through bedtime, we talked, played, sang, ate, learned and laughed with each other. On our way home, I decided that I would rather go home than get a haircut, which I spoke very briefly about in her presence when I got her for the evening. On the way home, we talked and I began to tell her we were going home to spend time together. She was quiet for a moment and gazed out the window. Then, she turned to the front and we made eye contact through the rear view mirror. "AWWWW, Daddy, you can get your haircut, it's OK", she said. I told her that I could get it another time and she insisted, "No Daddy, I watch you get your haircut and I can get a sucker, OK?" Naturally, I gave in and we went. During the haircut, she walked around and I asked her to please come back so I could see her. When she returned she rubbed my knee and said, "It's OK Daddy, I'm here. You're OK." Even the hairdresser stopped cutting to make a comment and compliment her empathetic comment. It didn't stop there. Carly approached again as I was getting up from the chair and said, "Oh, you look so nice......nice haircut". Any parent would have felt the warm, fuzzy feeling I did after that. So, we went to find the dinner of her choice at Ukrops. This was not easy and she was more fascinated with the pumpkins and displays, but gained the attention of many as she wandered around the store and I followed her like a puppy (trying to keep up). We finally agreed on a healthy meal that would satisfy us both. I chose a table in a corner and turned my back to everyone to only face Carly. I let her guide the discussion and she talked freely about her day with occasional waves to strangers and sporadic dances in her chair. At one time, she asked about mommy and wanted to know if she was home. I explained she was away and she turned to the beverage shelves at a distance away and pointed to a row of Mountain Dew bottles, "Mommy's drink,........dat is mommy's drink over there". I laughed, ...she was right. Several older spectators in the room approached us and shared their admiration of Carly's innocent smile/laugh and our daddy/daughter relationship that they apparently had been making judgments on through the meal. I had no idea, as I turned my back on everyone but Carly. She behaved so well that we walked to the ice cream section and picked a "treat" for us to enjoy together at home. Actually, Carly grabbed my hand and began to run instead. When we arrived home and put it in a dish, we laughed so hard and had so much fun talking that she did not even eat half of it. Instead, she asked to go upstairs for a nap and wanted me to lay with her and sing some songs. She did not move a muscle the entire time I sang to her and was an angel. She asked, "Daddy, can you sleep in my bed?" When my reply was no she persisted and whispered, "Daddy, can I sleep in your bed?" I almost gave in. Does it have to be bed time already? It was a good night and I didn't want her to go to bed so soon. Sweet Dreams Carly! Love, Daddy

And We're Off!

The time has finally come! The MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Convention this year is going to be held at the Gaylord Texan Hotel in Dallas, Texas. Several members of the Steering Team, of which I am a part of, are attending this convention. Four of us are flying out this evening, and the other two are joining us tomorrow morning. We will be busy attending workshops during our stay, but I'm sure we'll have some time to do some sightseeing and sunbathing by the pool. The hotel where the convention is taking place (also where we are staying) looks absolutely breathtaking. Take a peak...

I am really looking forward to spending time with this special group of ladies, and having some time to relax and refresh. I hope to come back energized and equipped with some new ideas for our MOPS group.

Until then...

Bye Bye Binky!

It is with extreme excitement that I(we) bid farewell to Carly's binky. We took Connor's binky away shortly before his third birthday, and I planned to do the same with Carly. November would be the time. But last night, as we were laying in her bed together talking, reading stories, and singing songs I asked her if she thought she could sleep without her binky. She thought about it for a minute. I bribed her with some Barbie-like dolls she has been collecting and playing with. She could earn "grandma" and "brother" who have been sitting on top of the refrigerator for some time waiting for her to earn 5 stickers. I knew she desperately wanted them because she reminded me each day that they were on top of the fridge. She took the binky out of her mouth and handed it to me. I had originally thought that I would give her the dolls in the morning, if she went all night without the binky. But when she suggested that I give them to her before going to sleep, I thought that was actually a good, immediate idea. When I gave her the two dolls, she smiled from ear to ear. I reminded her that she needed to sleep all night without the binky in order to keep grandma and brother. And she did!
Bye Bye Binky!
She still has her taggie blankie...and still favors that one rainbow colored tag on it. That doesn't bother me, although I can't ever get it clean.

Proud Momma

This story touched my heart, so I had to share...

On Saturday morning, while I was in Cape Charles, Matt took Connor and Carly to the Glen Allen Day Parade (along with dear friend Doug and his two children, and our neighbors and their two children). During the parade, as candy was being thrown to spectators, all the children raced to pick up whatever they could find. After getting permission from Matt, Connor ran to get some, too, and returned with only two Rolos. Shortly after he did that, Carly and our neighbor's daughter started complaining (a.k.a whining) that they didn't have any candy. Connor thought for a moment and quietly said "It's alright girls. Here you go, you can have these..." He proceeded to give each girl a Rolo, leaving himself with nothing. He never complained or mentioned it again.

Maybe our daily discussions about sharing are going somewhere. Thank you, God, for answering a prayer!

My sweet boy...I love you.

Cape Charles

The Third Grade Girls spent some time together in Cape Charles this weekend. I first met this group of very special women in 2001. We all taught third grade together at Mechanicsville Elementary School. It was my third year in third grade, Nancy's second, and Becky, Donna, and Sally were new to the grade level. It was their first year of teaching...they didn't know what they were getting into! We all bonded very quickly and our relationship together evolved into a beautiful friendship. Although only one of us is still teaching, our friendship continues to grow and we try to get together, at least for dinner, once a month. We have been through weddings, babies, babies, and more babies, and most recently, retirement.

Nancy and her husband have a beautiful home in Cape Charles, and the rest of us decided it would be fun to get together there for a weekend. We left our families behind Friday evening and headed for the Eastern Shore. We had a wonderful time chatting and laughing all the way there. We met Nancy and Butch at Stingray's, just outside of Cape Charles. We were told it is often referred to as Chez Exxon, because it is a barn attached to an Exxon Gas Station, and is a favorite among the locals. Boy were they right! Many of us had the broiled crabcakes along with some homecooked sides like macaroni and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. The food was unbelievable. I can still taste those crabcakes...the best I've ever had.

After settling in at the house, we sat around Nancy's livingroom (with strawberry daquiries and peanut butter balls) and talked for hours. We finally retired to bed around 12:30am.

The next day, we awoke to the scent of breakfast that Butch was preparing for us...eggs, hash browns, bacon, cantaloupe, homemade biscuits...mmmmm! During breakfast we planned our day. The church was having an auction, so we started there. While we were browsing around (there was furniture, holiday decorations, dishes, paintings, you name it...they had something for everyone), the auctioneer began the bidding. When we witnessed a large piece of furniture sell for $2, we got excited and decided we ought to bid on something. Some of us found some items of interest. Butch was going to stay at the auction and bid on our behalf, while we tried to find some yard sales. So we had to tell him the item of interest and the amount we were willing to pay. The poor man had to memorize all of this. Sally and I are the yard salers, so we found lots of good bargains at the few yard sales we stopped at. We got Christmas decorations, clothes, a wireless router (for my mom), and so much more. They we headed up the road to Tracinda's Country Treasures. Nancy knew about this shop, which a woman opened in her parents' home, and thought I'd enjoy it. As we drove up to the small ranch, quite a ways into the country, we all questioned it. The moment we walked in, our mouths dropped to the floor. It had my name written all over it! It was a house FULL of country home furnishings and decorations. I could've spent all day, and lots of money, in there! We all had a great time, and each found something to take home. Check it out...http://www.tracindascountrytreasures.com/ For lunch, we drove into the historic waterfront community of Onancock, which was coincidentally hosting it's Harbor Fest that day, and had a delicious lunch at Bizzotto's Gallery and Cafe. After lunch, we headed back to Cape Charles.

Butch was waiting for us on the steps when we pulled up. He shared the auction happenings and purchases. Sally, Nancy, and I each won at least one thing we wanted! I came home with a tall metal bucket, which I have since filled with branches of fall colored berries. It looks beautiful next to the fireplace. Thanks, Butch, for that $2 bargain! We spent some time chatting some more, and ate some of Nancy's delicious chicken salad, before packing up and getting ready to head back to our families in Richmond. Becky took on the role as "packer" and attempted to arrange all of our purchases into the trunk. We wondered whether we'd be able to fit it all...along with us and our luggage. Becky and Donna had to sit on either side of the cooler with bags surrounding their legs and I had no room for my feet to rest on the floor, but we made it - bargains and all!

I am so grateful that this special group of ladies came into my life. I have learned so much from each of them and truly cherish all of the memories we've made.

Love you, drive safe, GO HUSKERS!

The "shack"

Butch cooking breakfast for us

Breakfast

Tracinda's

The trunk

The Third Grade Girls

Thankful Thursday

So much to be thankful for this week...

...the opportunity to serve in the Nursery at church. I always enjoy the time I get to spend in there cuddling and playing with babies. Of course, my favorites are those who are crying. I love crying babies - I love the challenge of trying to calm and comfort them. This week it was sweet Hannah. She cried and cried for her mommy and nothing soothed her. I was not going to give up. After a good 15-20 minutes of "near hysteria", I did it! She stopped crying and was pleasant the rest of the morning! Ahhh...success!

...the new message series at RCC

The first message, Creativity in Marriage, was great! Have a listen for yourself...

http://www.highimpactliving.net/highimpactliving/wordpress/2008/09/15/creativity-in-marriage/

...being afforded the opportunity to work a few days outside of the home. Some days I just need to get away! The financial advisors I work with downtown are fantastic, and are very receptive to my (very) flexible schedule. Some weeks I don't work at all, some weeks I work 3 days (but never more than 3 days). My hours (11:00am - 4:30pm) allow me to continue my typical morning routine with C&C and avoid morning and evening rush hour.

...my mother! I can only hope that I am even part of the grandmother she is to C&C when it's my turn to become a grandmother. She is consistently offering to watch C&C, asking them to spend the night, etc... My kids love her. Adore her. They lovingly refer to her as Nonnie, and always ask when they can go see her. While they're there, she entertains them and always has fun ideas/activities in store for them whether it's baking cookies, drawing, coloring, working on writing their names, reading books together, building, playing card games...there is always something fun at Nonnie's house.

...that my annual complete body scan at the dermatoloist's office was uneventful. Last year, when I went for a scan (initiated by me, because of a mole I wanted checked), I had a mole on my back that she wanted to remove and biopsy. She did it right there in the office. As she was pricking me with novicane (sp?) and scraping the skin, I was gritting my teeth and talking, and trying to do anything but think about what she was doing. The procedure was very quick and painless. I did great! I was so proud of myself (I'm not a needle person!). I got dressed and went into the waiting room to checkout. As I was getting ready to schedule my follow up appointment, I felt queasy and mentioned to the receptionist that I needed to sit. The next thing I knew, I was on the floor, looking up at five or six women looking down at me. I had passed out. They suggested that I go to the hospital to be checked because I had fallen straight back onto the concrete floor. The fire rescue team arrived in their rescue truck (ambulance). They took me to the hospital by ambulance...WOW...and it was determined that I had suffered a concussion. My head hurt for at least 3 weeks. Needless to say, I was happy that I didn't need anything removed this time!

...Nail Boutique! I have gotten my nails and toes done since 1992 and I love it! I have been going to the same nail salon since I moved here in 1999. This week I went for OPI's, "Oh...to be 25 again"

...this upcoming weekend away with the girls! The ladies I taught third grade with (We call ourselves the "Third Grade Girls") have remained close and try to get together at least once a month. This weekend is our second annual (mmm...I hope it will continue to be an annual thing) trip to Cape Charles. One of the ladies, who just retired this year, has a beautiful house (Ughuum...shack - inside joke!) in Cape Charles and has invited us to spend tonight and tomorrow with her. I can't wait to spend some quality time with the girls!

2 1/2 Years in the Making...

As the title of this post suggests, I have been working for 2 1/2 years to complete this project. It is with a great sense of pride and accomplishment that I announce that I have completed Carly's First Year Scrapbook! (Connor's First Year still has yet to be completed, but it's almost there!) Scrapbooking is a passion of mine, so I have enjoyed every single second of it. It is a labor of love that I hope, one day, she will look back on and appreciate. My gift to you, sweet girl. I thought I would give you a glimpse through the album at some of my favorite pages...

Expecting You/The Miracle of You

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, How We Wonder What You Are

Anticipation/Your Birth

Getting Ready to Come Home

Welcome Home/The Nursery

Family

Family Tree

Birth Announcement

"Hoppy" Easter

3 Months

Fall/Thanksgiving

Christmas/Santa

Santa Was Here...

Where Has the Time Gone? (1 Year)

Now I guess it's time to start on her Toddler album...