From Leslie

A quote that my sister just sent me:

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

Or....... - I have sissy wrists.

This is likely the technical name for my wrist pain. The non-technical name would be "holding Tooter too often". Both wrists did the same thing with Poodle. And, I've already gone thru one round of this with Tooter. It comes and goes - no big deal! Toot is in this "hold me ALL the time Mommy!" phase, and the result of NOT doing so is a lot of dramatic fussing and crying. Poodle did the same thing, so I know they get over it eventually.

BUT, if you see me in the wrist brace(s), you'll know it's no big deal. I have weak, sissy wrists, and this tendonitis thing develops when I stress them out a lot by holding heavy wiggly babies too often. The braces help me keep my wrists more stable, and that helps them get better!

Seriously - no big deal. But it sounds cool, huh? ::grin::

Oh - you little sweetheart, you.

Poodle was hanging out with Tooter in his crib. We often go in together to pick him up after his nap. So she and he are playing, and she's making these funny faces. She'd give a big sweet smile and talk, then scrunch up her face and frown and talk.

Then, she tells me, with her scrunched face, "this is how you talk when you're being mean". I say, "yes, that's true".

Out comes the big, eye-twinkling smile, and she says "And this is how you talk when you talk to God".

"Oh! Yes, that's true. Why do we talk to God like that?"

"Because He wants us to."

"Yes, that's true. What's another reason that we want to talk to God like that?" At this point, I'm very intrigued, because this isn't a conversation she and I have had at all.

And she says:
"Because He loves us".

::melting::
Oh, the simple beauty of the precious mind of a child.

Poodle's Heirloom Jewelry Box

This is the amazing Jewelry Box that GaGa made for Poodle. He gave this to her Sunday at lunch after church. He has been working on it for months now. On and off, a little bit at a time. Taking it beautifully slowly, so that the result is an heirloom piece that she will have forever. This is a shot of the top of the box. It is made from cherry - a wild tree that was harvested from the woods behind MooMoo and GaGa's house. The design on the top is a replica of Poodle's silver pacifier clip. You'll see a closer shot of that in a minute. The shine that you see is from multiple tung oil applications. You should FEEL the wood. It is as smooth as a baby's popo. Incredible - it is absolutely incredible!

This is a shot of the inside. The top tray is hinged (that's not the right word, but I'm not sure how else to describe it), so it folds up as you open the box. You can see the ring slots and the earring boxes on top, and the bottom will hold necklaces and bracelets. The top dividers and ring holders are removable and allow for customized organization! MooMoo included some pink felt which I will place in the bottom of the box for the time being. And, then, when Poodle is older, we'll put some black velvet in there.

Closer shot of the monogram on the top of the box, next to the passie clip that inspired it. You can't see the monogram on the clip very well, but the design in the wood is identical to the engraving on the silver clip! And the scrollwork around the actual monogram looks like it was stamped directly from the clip. It is an absolute work of art.

I'm trying to show a good shot of the intricate finger joints. If you run your fingers along the joints, you can hardly even feel them! The wood is so smooth.

Poodle is amazed with the box. It must make her feel so grown up! This shot shows the size of the box. Yes, she can "play" with it now, but she'll be able to use this box as an adult. And that touches my heart in a way I can't describe!

GaGa wanted to include some "real" jewelry to go in the box. BUT, I'm a meanie, and won't let Poodle have real things yet. She has some baby jewelry that I have put away for her, but other than that, if she were to get real jewelry, I'd just put it away until she was older. SO, I suggested that MooMoo get some silver charms, and some ribbon, and we'd make necklaces out of them. Then, later, we can put them on a real charm bracelet for her. This picture is sort of yucky, but it's an "S", ballet shoes, a butterfly, and a teddy bear holding an umbrella. (Poodle is into Mary Poppins right now, and loves umbrellas. Go figure).
Mom - you did GREAT with the charms. They're perfect!

Poodle modeling her ballet shoes necklace! (She chose purple ribbon for this one).

Thank you GaGa!!! I love my jewelry box!!!!!
(Thank you Dad - so much. You are an artist.)

Just...lol... give me 9 minutes... lol...

This is durned near the funniest thing I've seen in I don't know how long. It gets really good about a minute and a half into it. Hat tip to David for this one. lol... I can't breathe.....

I'm gonna catch it for this for a LONG time.

So, I might as well let all of y'all in on what happened. Because even if you never, ever see evidence of "the event", you will most likely at some point hear a comment that will refer directly back to "the event". Besides, if this had happened on t.v., it would have been hilarious.

Alright. Wee bit of back info needed for clarification. Jmk buzzes his own hair with the clippers. Does it every 2-3 weeks, and uses a guard on the clippers that keeps his hair super short. After he finishes cutting his hair in the shower, he takes the guard off, and I'll take the clippers and clean up the hairline at his neck.

Okay. So, that's our routine.

And then came yesterday morning.

::groan::

So, I'm running a bit later than normal, and am hurriedly trying to get makeup on and do something with my hair that is in desperate need of a cut! Right - you know that feeling, yes? Jmk is cutting his hair, and opens the shower door, takes the guard off the clippers, and hands it to me. I start with his hairline. My mind is sort of on a million different things, but I've done this so many times, so it's okay. I start at his right ear, and go all the way across. The line is nice and straight and makes my OCD tendencies very happy.

I get all the way across the back of his head, and notice a little tuft of hair that was still too long. He had missed this tiny bit of hair earlier.

::groan::

So I flip the clippers over and run the clippers up thru that part of his hair.

The clippers that do NOT have the guard on them.

No. Guard. On. The. Clippers.

Y'all - I smooth shaved a hunk of hair out of my husband's head.

.......... let me know when you are finished laughing at the inSANity of what I just told you, and I'll continue.


Mmhmmm. You guessed what had to happen next. Jmk had to shave it all off! I caused my husband to have to cueball himself because of my wandering mommy brain.

Yepper. Gone. No hair on top of his head a'tall.

Oh, boy, did I cry. It didn't matter that he still looks so cute (his hair was really short anyway, so this wasn't the most enormous change, but STILL). It didn't matter that he has been wanting to do this, but I just wasn't ready or willing for him to shave his head. It didn't matter that his big blue eyes just pop. I was devastated and absolutely HORRified at what I had done. Horrified. I mean, it was an AWful feeling.

But this is where the t.v. sitcom ends. You'd expect fireworks now, right? Nope - What was so amazing is how SWEET he was. Didn't get mad. Didn't hardly check up. Told me it was FINE, don't worry, don't cry - and then just took those clippers and shaved the rest of his head. Then he hugged ME to make ME feel better. I kid you NOT!!!

Ahhhh - Sunday Morning at the Zoo. Never a dull moment!!! Just don't give me clippers!!!


p.s. - GaGa made Poodle the most amazing jewelry box, and I'm working on posting pictures of that. I just needed to post this story first, so that I can cover it up as quickly as possible! Ha!

Yay!!!

Put the kids to bed last night without cough medicine - first time since we all came down with the crud. And they did just fine. Slept well. Woohoo! Except for a wee bit of yuck left in chests, I think we have finished this round of the crud!

Never thought I'd quote......

....the top of a sour cream container.

From my latest container of Daisy sour cream:

"If life gives you limes, just rearrange the letters and return a smile".

Brag Brag Brag

He's probably going to kill me for posting this, but I'm so proud of Jmk. I had a Junior Miss meeting last night, and I did leave supper cooked. But in the time that I left for the meeting and came back about 2 1/2 hours later, he had fed the kids, gotten them ready for bed AND into bed, had cleaned the kitchen, and was working on redlines at the kitchen table when I walked in the door.

What a man!!!

Our crazies are very used to the man-to-man-defense-type bedtime routine, so doing it solo is always an interesting and extended experience.

Honey, thank you for making it so easy on me last night!

The torch is passed.

This picture is of a keychain that I bought for my mom eons ago. To be exact, it had to have been before I was 15 and had that precious document known as a driver’s license. Before I got my license, Mom transported me to ballet classes 3-4 times a week, cheerleading practices several times a week, rehearsals, games, OM meetings, etc, etc. Add to that my brothers’ copious amounts of activities. Her only break was the fact that my older sister had HER license. You see the appropriateness of the key chain.

There’s the backstory of that item.

So, Monday, with the new mental energy that a new year always seems to give everyone, my mind is working on the children’s rooms, and thinking about how they can be better decorated. To that end, I start removing some things from Poodle’s room that no longer seem to fit in there. One of them being this lovely large box that my mom beautifully covered in the blue toile fabric that was part of Poodle’s nursery ensemble. It was one of the gifts she gave to us at the baby shower that the church threw for us when I was still preggers with Poodle. Inside this large hinged-top box, Mom had put lots of lovely things like a leather-weave bound journal, a tooth fairy pillow, little hand-painted boxes decoupaged with pieces of our wedding program, and the like. And, then, there was a silver plated box with a butterfly on top. And inside, laying on top of the soft red lining, was this keychain.

It’s not that I hadn’t seen it before. I had! Several times. The day of the shower, a couple of times after that. But, each time, with all the momentous things that were about to happen, or were currently happening, the significance of the handing down of the key chain was…. well – almost lost. It was appreciated, and it was a lovely gesture, and it was sweet. But the impact was lost among the drama of being pregnant for the first time and learning to be a parent. Maybe that’s why I subconsciously left everything in that box as it was. Maybe I knew that I was missing some heartfelt meaning because I was too busy with more urgently felt emotions.

Until New Year’s Day. When I opened the lid of the silver box and saw the keychain, I felt a noticeable passing of the torch. It was a quiet moment; the kids were elsewhere for that brief instant. I could actually feel my mom quietly smiling at me. No words were necessary. A shared bond of motherhood finally recognized.

Not just a keychain anymore. Thank you, Mom. I feel like I’ve earned my Eagle badge.

An observation.

Doesn't baby skin just smell like a squillion dollars?

And isn't it the most deliciously kissable thing?

sigh........

Joy!

Tooter's got all 4 First Molars coming in at the same time, now. Woohooo! Well, technically, one of them has already broken through the gumline, and there's another one that is close. (The 2nd not being one of the ones from the previous post, though!) The silver lining of this is that a lot of progress was apparently made during the past week when he was taking cold meds, including tylenol.

However, now that he only needs a bit of medicine at night for his coughing, I was prompted to look in his mouth to explain some of his, um, behavior yesterday. ::ahem::

S'okay. More teeth just means easier eating for him! (Feel free to remind me of this statement when he's 14 and I can't keep enough food in the house to keep him satiated).

Well, I do declahre

From the mouth of my apparently VERY down-south little 3 year old, when her father asked her some random question as she was eating lunch a couple of days ago:

(and I will try to mimic the accent for you)

"Huuney, Ahm eatin' luuhnch".


::snicker:: We just thought her first emphatic "y'all" was priceless. This had us uncomposed for a good two minutes!

Happy New Year!

We at the Zoo hope that 2007 brings you good health, much happiness and prosperity, but most of all, that you find an even closer walk with our Lord. And in that, we know that you will find much peace and joy.

(We know that our own walk with the Lord needs a lot of improvement.)

This seems like a REALLY great chapter of the Bible to keep on the forefront of our minds during the upcoming year. I know I fall so far short of so many of these important directions.
Romans 12:

1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

God Bless you all for 2007!!! May your household be able to sleep thru the fireworks that are everywhere the next few days, may your resolutions be resolute, and may you find yourself smiling and laughing more than you thought possible!

Waaaaahhh

Sorry. Had to whine a bit. We all feel so gross around here, and I certainly don't need to b-o-o-h-o-o to the rest of my family who are all in varying stages of this same junk. Aren't YOU the lucky one!!!

Thankfully we don't have anything truly serious like the flu. It's your standard cold virus that clogs up every piece of your respiratory system, makes your throat feel as if you swallowed sandpaper, and leaves you wondering about the truck that had to have run right over you as you were sleeping.

I think Jmk is on his way up out of the mire. Hopefully he'll feel better by Tuesday when he goes back to work. Poodle should be a day or so behind him. Ole Tooter and I will bring up the rear, I'm afraid.

I was so hoping we'd all be better by church tomorrow. Missing church just doesn't do anyone any good. BUT, a bunch of hacking Zoo folks isn't exactly what the congregation wants to hear, either.

Blech. Where's my kleenex?

Another Season Passes

The "I can't believe we're all in town at the same time again!" gathering. Lok on the floor, and Jaime (with Baby Audrey in tow who is scheduled to make her appearance in April'ish), then Jmk, Tooter, Granny (98 and holding!) with Poodle, then back row is GaGa, Robert, Leslie (aka Aunt Sessie), David, and last but not least MooMoo (the only one brave enough and cute enough to wear the reindeer hat!)

We had our last Christmas gathering last nite - with Lok's crazy but wonderful family. Aunt Jaime is really starting to show now, and we are SO excited about getting to see Baby Audrey (the name is official! Audrey Rune!). Jmk and I got all Nyquil'd up for the gathering, and sort of zombie'd ourselves around. The kids are doing okay. Still feeling poopy, but energetic in spite of it. Odd combo, really. Poodle doesn't have her full voice, and I am loving that. Ha!!! This thing is pretty much going to be a full cold with chest congestion and the works. Blech. To ME, it simply means that we need to hang around the house in our sweats all day and watch movies and veg on the couch. Don't you think?

As I watched my sister drive off from our house headed for Nashville this morning, I realized how much of a blessing it was to have everyone here. So many families weren't able to do what we did. Both Jmk and I got to see everyone this Christmas. God was and is so good to us.

Then, I realized that while I was sad to see Leslie go, I knew she was looking forward to getting back home and to her routines. And that is a nice thing too. To be able to visit with your family and still be glad to be going back to your own home.

Family is good and crazy and beautiful. And I love mine so much! Both the side that shares my genes and the side that calls me their own because of Jmk!

::sniff:: Merry...

..... ::cough:: Christmas!! ::cough, cough, sniff::

The Annual Christmas Eve PJ Party! We gather, eat wonderful party food, and do a lot of laughing. Pictured here are Lok, Poodle, Amy, Jay, Jmk, PopPop, SueSue, and Tooter. Please notice the distant eyes of the feverish Poodle, the "I'm ready to go to bed" cries of Tooter, and my lovingly redecorated Christmas tree complete with 5 or 6 decorations on one branch. I think Martha Stewart is jealous, frankly.

I do hope everyone had a wonderful, peaceful, and fun day yesterday. And, if you're like us, and have another celebration to go, I hope it goes well!!! The rest of the Zoo is in varying stages of some cold virus yucky thing. Praise the Lord, the Zoo Mommy hasn't caught it. [spoke too soon! We're all down now!] But it actually kept Zoo Daddy out of the woods this morning. Not good!!!

We actually have been able to do shortened versions of everything so far. Poodle's fever started Christmas Eve, and was making her feel poopy Christmas morning. But in her normal good nature, she wasn't too bad fussy.

The only thing we've had to miss out on was seeing a college friend who is in town today. She has 2 younger munchkins and rightly didn't want to expose them to whatever this current bug is. Especially her baby. I hated having to miss them, but I did encourage them not to come. Knowing that I helped to infect her little ones would have been no fun. But, other than that, we've been able to do everything else!

We have one more family gathering tomorrow night (my side), and then the festive decorations will be put away for another year. We have had fun this year - Santa Claus was a little more real for our 3 year old, even if she wasn't all that interested in anything except being held Christmas morning.

And everyone has been so good to us...... we are so blessed to be a part of our families!

However, as our preacher said Sunday morning, there is no better gift that a person can give another person than the gift of the Good News of the birth, life, death and ressurection of the Lord Jesus. Praise God for that!!!

Warning. Sense of humor required.

Again - more stolen goodies from SparseMatrix. This was highly amusing for me - take a moment for some fun!

Virtual Christmas Card

Thank you so much to everyone who sent us cards this year - the update letters are wonderful and we SO love the pictures. We sort of get to see these beautiful children grow up from year to year, and it's humbling and startling and precious all at the same time. God is so good!!!

We sent out lots and lots of cards ourselves this year, but just in case the USPS had a hiccup and you haven't received yours in the mail, here is a virtual card for you! (With the sensitive info erased, of course).

As Poodle would say, "we want to give you all a big, squeezy hug" - with extra "smoochy kisses" for the darling children in your lives. As we remember the birth of the most precious child, our Saviour, our prayer is that He will fill all our lives with His Spirit now and in the years to come! His glory first!!!

Website Update

There's a new link on the family website to the recent JCPenny portraits for Poodle's 3YO shots and Tooter's 1YO shots!

For some reason, the Smiles By Wire site is down, so the link may not be working right now. I'll try to remember to check it later today or tomorrow, and if it is still not working, I'll look into it.

To all who check in with us on a regular basis - thank you so much!!! We love you all!