You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!

So my sister and Kevin planned a fun-filled evening with James and I last week! THANK YOU GUYS--we really did have a lot of fun! We went to see a "live" play of "The Christmas Story." This happens to be their favorite movie and they really wanted to share the play experience with James--we all were very impressed with this grown-up date we had planned. So, we all dressed up and made a night of it!

James was quiet as a mouse through the ENTIRE first part! He watched all the kids in the play and didn't miss a single thing...he was just soaking it ALL in. After "half-time" as James called it there was more! He intently watched the entire 2nd half as well! We were so happy (and I was relieved) that he had so much fun and acted so well-behaved. He really did watch all of it...we know this because when Saturday morning came he re-enacted it! Mostly just the "you'll shoot your eye out" part as he fake hit himself in the eye and fell on the floor. Over and over again. I thought how cute that he remembers part of the play. :)

A week later he gets a Nerf type plane launcher--guess what he did? He said, "I'm gonna shoot my eye out!" and he launched that plane right into his own eye! Ouch! Luckily no bruising or anything. Sara happened to be on the phone when this happened...or she may not have believed me! She did say that the play was supposed to have the opposite effect and that he was supposed to learn NOT to shoot his eye out, ha...ha!

Then, yesterday I'm out with a friend of mine and he yells "I gotta gooo Wee Wee!" OMG I about died laughing and had to explain to my friend the whole thing. Of course, we called Auntie right away and left this on her voicemail. So, note to self...remember to take Sara's kids to "The Christmas Story!" If you have any warnings on other almost grown-up things that should have warning labels...please let me know!!

Holiday Buzz

I absolutely LOVE the holidays! I love eating, laughing, spending time with family and friends and mostly just watching my son experience things for the first time! At 3 he thinks he is so grown up and I honestly believe that in his mind he is!

His daddy always tells him to "Take Care of Mamma" anytime that he leaves. The neatest thing about this is that James does "take care of Mamma." It's adorable to see him automatically try to fill his "grown up" role as he tries to open the doors for me, makes sure I'm okay if I sneeze or becomes concerned if I'm coughing. These are the little things that give me massive amounts of encouragement and strength especially this holiday season. God knew what He was doing when he blessed me with my son.

This was the first Thanksgiving in 9 years that my husband didn't join us for Turkey Dinner with my family. I was sad to leave him behind, but I knew that doing so would somehow help me move forward. Of course all of the food was amazing and I'm positive I consumed more than my share, but this year at our annual gathering I noticed more than ever the "dynamics" of my local family...my mom, grandma, (late great-grandma and late great-great-grandma) are widowed---none remarried; my aunt, sister, cousin and soon to be me are all divorced; my youngest cousin isn't married yet and my oldest cousin is very happily married with two beatiful girls. All of this stood out to me more than ever! This was my "ah-hah" moment that gave me the determination to decide that I will choose to make decisions that will help me live my dream of a happy home which includes being & having a loving spouse.

Just spending time with my family made me feel loved and warmed my soul. James had so much fun playing "tea" with his "Nana" and cousins (Ellee & Preslee). The girls eventually dressed up as Disney Princesses and James refused to wear a dress (I was proud of him--he really is ALL boy!). They also played chase around and around and around the kitchen/living room over and over again. These are the small almost unnoticeable moments that make my life "Happily Ever After."

Thanksgiving 2008: Preslee, Ellee & James