Spicy Magnolia

Antics of a Big Boy

My momma is waaayyyy behind in updating you about my latest antics. She had a full plate in January and didn’t get to write about what I’ve been up to since I turned 11 months old, and now I’m only 2 days shy of turning 13 months. She’s got lots to write about ‘cause I’ve been up to lots. Folks, I have my momma on her toes! It’s funny to see her run after me. I think she’s silly. So since Momma hasn’t written, I thought I’d give you the low-down on the big stuff I’ve been up to and what I’ve been learning since I was eleven months. ‘Cause I’m a big boy now, ya know?!

i love reading bos (momma calls them books). love, love, love!

da is my bestest buddy (that would be the dog).

i cry when da da leaves for work to bring home the bacons.

mama, mama is my back up word for everything.

wa do gets my food taken away (all done). i even help pick up the food on my tray to put it on the plate, as well as my sippy cups ‘cause they fit on my plate, too.

it’s fun to put items from the big basket onto the moving belt at the grocery store. i impressed momma one day when i did that.

i know how to sign “toys away” and the big people cheer for me when i put them away, so i do.

i like helping close doors.

sometimes i sign “please” and “thank you”. and when i feel like it, i actually try saying it. momma is always saying those words. she sounds like a parrot.

i astound mommy with my energy level.

i got nine tooths now.

couple weeks ago, momma enjoyed holding me for each of my afternoon naps. i loved it. now i want her for every afternoon nap. she’s trying hard to fix that though. poor me.

but momma’s blessed: i still take two naps! she thinks they could be longer though because i like rising when the rooster crows after sleeping 10 hours.

stacking blocks is fun. knocking them down is even funner.

bananas are still my favorite, and i can throw down some food. mommy and daddy call me a “trooper” or a “jewel” because i’m good to take out to eat. since walking, sometimes when i’m done though, i’m done. Done.

i is a walking machine. forget crawling. crawling is for babies. i’m a big boy.

i’m learning how to obey daddy and mommy. i’ve learned pretty well “no touch”.

sharing food with ma is fun (molly).

i think bigger kids than me rock! i greet other kids with a pat and a smile.

give me time in a new place to feel safe. then, i’m a full-blown ham.

chase is my favorite game. at the park, i like the slide and swings.

momma says i pick up on things quick. i’m a quick boy on my feet, too.

if you want a kiss, ask for it, and i’ll give it. open mouthed.

riding in the car face forward is awesome!

i got some cool noise tricks with my tongue. i’ll show you sometime.

i’m a music man.

i may not say them yet, but i know lots of words and know when it’s time for things, like lunch.

four. four hair trims since i was born. and about to have another one. momma tells me that God knows how many hairs are on my head. lots! and lots!

i is a sweet boy. i love lovies.

monkey, sugar bear, angel boy, cotton-headed ninny mungin are my nicknames.

i no longer get a bottle at night. mommy can’t bear to stop giving me a morning one. soon, but not yet.

sometimes i think whining or screaming will help me get my way. the big people are out to prove me wrong.

i think da da is the coolest and run to him first thing when he gets home. momma tries not to be jealous.

momma is silly. she dances, sings in the car, she tries so hard to make me laugh. we have some special times laughing, like when i try picking her nose when she’s rocking me. that makes us laugh.

i pick up sticks at the park just to give to molly.

my most favorite times are when all of us are playing on the floor together: da da, ma ma, ma, and me

 

Momma loves you, oh, what does she call you? Oh ya, Internet peeps. She loves ya lots. Which makes me love you, too. Happy Valentine’s Day. We send hugs. And I send open-mouthed kisses. <grin>

Look Who’s One!

Today was a most wonderful birthday celebration for our little one year old! Here are a plethora of pictures for you to get a glimpse of our special day. But before I get to the pictures, guess what the chap did yesterday for the first time, the day before he turned one. Any guesses?

He took his first steps! It shocked me, and I’m so glad I caught him in action! He took three or four steps toward me and I was ecstatic. I couldn’t get him to repeat it, and didn’t expect him to for another week or so, but surprise, surprise, he did it again today during his birthday party, several times. He still approaches the new-found development cautiously and carefully, but it won’t be long till we have on our hands a full-blown walker. So it’s a good thing I bought new tennis shoes recently to run after him effectively. <grin>

Without further ado, here are some pictures from today:

 

All the decor before the guests arrived (you can click on the images to enlarge them). It was so fun decorating, making our home bright and colorful. Hubby’s 32nd birthday is Tuesday. Do you think he’ll mind me using “first birthday” decorations for him as well?

 

 

The birthday boy in the outfit Meems picked out for him. It has tiny trains on the cuffs of the overalls and trains on the socks as well.

 

We enjoyed a small, intimate party with a few dear friends: Rob, Leah and Evan (little 2.5 week old Ella Kate stayed home, but I got my hands on that precious girl last week) and then Chris, Jill (who was greatly missed but celebrated with us in heart) and their two kiddos, Harrison and Haddie. And last but not least, our special Pops and Meems. We started off with some homemade guacamole and The Pioneer Woman’s jalapeno poppers, which were a hit (among the big people)! Seriously, Ree was right when she wrote in her cookbook to make three times the amount of poppers you think you’ll need. For lunch, we grilled burgers and hotdogs, and the jalapeno poppers were tasty on the burgers, too. And Momma made some delicious potato salad. Then to top it off, I made Brennan’s birthday cake which was chocolate citrus.

It was a blast watching the four kiddos play together! When the three older kiddos were done with their lunch, Brennan desperately wanted out of his high chair so he could continue joining in the fun. And Miss Molly was a crowd pleaser as well.

Oh, how they love this boy!

 

 

From left to right: Haddie, Chris, Harrison, Leah and Evan munching on some chips, guacamole, and hot dogs. Such joyful faces!

 

 

 

Eating his first hot dog and some scrumptious potato salad.

 

 

Once the other three kiddos finished and started playing again, we moved Brennan over to the adult table while he finished his plate. But don’t be mistaken, he’s not really looking at me taking the picture so much as he’s looking at the other kiddos playing and wishing he could join them. Which he did.

 

 

 

Funny boys! I just noticed the top of Haddie’s head and her pig tales at the bottom of this picture. <grin>

 

 

 

A Christmas princess.

 

 

I love this picture of Brennan getting ready to eat his cake and laughing at Harrison. It’s always Haddie’s and Harrison’s goal: to make Brennan laugh!

 

  Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Brennan. Happy birthday to you! And the birthday song wouldn’t be complete without clapping, huh Brennan?

 

 

The first bite. A little skeptical, he is.

 

 

It seriously doesn’t take long for the mess to begin.

 

 

That’s affirmative. He likes it!

 

 

 

Kim at Kim G Designs was so kind to have Brennan’s bib made for me in time for his birthday. I thought it was so cute!

 

 

 

 

 

Our family of three enjoying some yummy cake. But it looks like Brennan is ready to get down and play again.

 

 

These are some happy campers!

 

 

Rob and Evan, two happy boys after eating cake.

 

 

    It was a blast watching all of the four kiddos playing together. It was, however, impossible to capture a photo with all four of them looking at the camera. <grin>

 

 

 

   What do all little boys need to have? A rocking horse! Thanks Pops and Meems! Molly needs to check out all the new toys.

 

 

Happy first birthday, precious boy! I look so forward to the next year with you, and am forever thankful for the good and perfect gift that you are. I delight in you!

 

 

 

 

A Luminario Maker in the Making

One of my most special Christmas traditions is making homemade luminarios with my Daddy on Christmas Eve, which we put along the walkways and light when it gets dark. I don’t remember how the idea originated, and good golly, we’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember. My brother used to be a part of the tradition, but you could always tell he was somewhat disinterested. He’d maybe help with a bag or two and then go off and do his own thing. Eventually, he came outside for a few minutes to watch us then go back inside to do who-knows-what. And now, he doesn’t even grace us with his presence. So it’s a Daddy-Meggie tradition these days.

This year, we welcomed a newcomer. We have to start him out early so he sticks with it through the years and eventually passes down the tradition. In other words, we’re deeply hoping he shows more interest in it than Mac.

Supplies you need:

paper bags, candles, rocks or dirt, a candle lighter, and a helper

Like grandfather, like grandson.

Next year we’ll have to get him mittens which allow him to use all his fingers. It’ll help keep the bags intact. Although, who am I kidding? That’s not gonna really help the bags, is it?

 

Already skidaddling. Please, please don’t be like Uncle Mac looking for something better to do.

The dirt was boring. The bag was even more boring. Maybe this box of white things will be more fun.

How’s that wax tastin’? Must not have been very good because you spit it up five minutes later by the front door.

Candle quality control is vital.

There ya go! You’re an official luminario maker.

You keep clapping for yourself all the way through life, buddy. I’ll keep clapping for you, too.

Checkin’ out our progress. Pops, we gotta line the bags up better. You’re slackin’.

I don’t think Seymour would like wax either. But way to share!

Job well done, fellas! I think we have a new life-time luminario maker in the family. At least he will be if he knows what’s good for him.

 

Christmas Essence

It’s already a week after Christmas, but it feels just like yesterday when we were all together in San Antonio with my folks and Mac and Julie. My parents’ place was beautifully decorated with both new, bright baubles to discover, like the miniature Christmas trees adorned with personal touches that graced each of the guest bedrooms (rocking horses, toy soldiers, and trains were on Brennan’s tree), as well as aged decor that has been in my family’s home for years. Even some of the older displays had new touches though, such as this Santa. The number of names on there has nearly doubled over the past ten years (Brennan’s name is on the bottom right in blue).

Brennan and I had some special “just Meems” time before the rest of the party crowd arrived. Our favorite morning was Wednesday when we left the house shortly after Brennan woke up and went to Starbucks for coffee and hot chocolate; the grocery store where Brennan LOVED riding face-forward in their special race-cart, driving with his feet; and Chick-fil-A for their amazing breakfast burritos I recently discovered. I could eat those everyday.

The festivities really began when Mac and Julie arrived on Christmas Eve. Last February, my Momma and I bought Brennan’s Christmas Eve outfit on sale; it’s been hanging up in his closet for nearly a year and he finally got to wear it!

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It’s an annual Christmas Eve tradition to open one package, which is always a new set of pajamas to wear that night. Brennan was only interested in his package for this split second.

But this year, Matt and I were presented with another gift: a ceramic plate and mug painted by Brennan and Meems. It had reindeer on it made from Brennan’s hands and feet. I could eat off that plate every day of my life and never tire of that red-nosed reindeer staring back at me.

These next pictures capture the essence of this Christmas to me:

          

Simple beauty. Never-ending begging for food, even shrimp cocktail. Serving hands. Feasting. Celebrating. Light. Loveliness. Smiles. Gathering. Conversation. Fellowship. Lavish love. Childlike wonder. Memory making. Traditions. Giving. Receiving. Games. Acceptance. Scrumptious food. Preparation. Anticipation. Excitement. Thoughtfulness. Purpose. Firsts. Second Chances. Forgiveness. Commitment. Steadiness. Rejoicing. Generosity. Humility. Hope. Saving grace.

A Christmas to Remember

Some Christmases stick out more than others, don’t they? Like the Christmas you received exactly what you were pining for, like a fish tank with real fish to which to tend. The Christmas your brother cut his head open on the edge of the coffee table after jumping on the couch, causing you to throw up in anxiousness for him. The first Christmas you spent away from home. The one where you walked down the aisle to your groom. The Christmas when part of your family was unemployed and Christmas, albeit slightly different, was the most meaningful and simple. Or the Christmas you were waddling with a watermelon-sized baby in your belly and your house flooded two weeks before that baby was supposed to make his grand appearance. Most of those memories emote giddy excitement and sweet nostalgia, while others (namely two) spark nausea. And if there’s any question about which two, well, let me just say blood and flood.

This Christmas I’ve entered into new territory. That melon-sized baby is no longer in my belly (thank the Lord), but is rather a two and a half foot moving target with eyes that light up at the sparkly lights and whose fingers love to grasp hold of the cushy needle-pointed nativity figures on the coffee table. There is so much to savor, to capture. Brennan won’t remember his first Christmas, but with the simple wonder of watching a child during Christmas, it certainly makes it, for me, a Christmas to remember.

These are just a few things I treasure thus far this season:

• Last Wednesday night, we bundled up and went to a nursery to buy our Christmas tree, named Farley (the nursery-given name). I mustered up the motivation to tackle the decorating the same night after Brennan went down to bed. Reading Amanda’s story here about her little boy Jackson waking up to a decorated, lit tree, inspired me. I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t take too long. I suppressed as much of my perfectionism as possible. I would’ve cursed the lights, however, if there wasn’t a simple solution to be had for the incongruous strand that didn’t plug into any of the others. I was elated to get Brennan out of bed the next morning to show him our Christmas tree. He’s shown much interest in some of the ornaments and particularly Gaga’s hand-made nativity tree skirt. He doesn’t quite understand how come they don’t come off the skirt.

 

• A couple of weeks ago, the two of us ventured to Hobby Lobby where I let Brennan pick out an ornament for his little tree in his room. While my eyes were scanning the rows of ornaments, there was one that stuck out to Brennan immediately. His tiny finger pointed directly at a big face of a Collie. I grabbed it to let him play with it, slightly amused and pleased he obviously loves dogs, while I looked for another option thinking any other ornament but that one (not ‘cause it’s A&M related, because I am a faithful Aggie fan, but because it was a big, huge dog head! I am seriously having to make up with my family after my “We’re going to the national championship game” comment). With a small snowman in hand, I turned to leave, whereupon the Collie fell to the floor and started playing the TX A&M fight song. I didn’t realize it was supposed to be TX A&M’s mascot, Reveille! It even sheds. Brennan had fur all over his hands from playing with it. So out we walked with a shedding, fight-song-playing, huge dog head of a Christmas ornament for 2009. Just look, it’s almost as big as the bears:

Here’s Brennan’s first ornament for our big tree from my parents and the one below it is one I found at Hallmark to mark his first Christmas.

 

• After two attempts in which tears and exasperation ensued (for both me and the boy) to take some pictures by the tree in one of my favorite outfits of Brennan’s, we finally captured some happy shots.

• We can walk into a crowded store, and while my heart may sink or easily become anxious at the thought of standing in a long line with an 11 month old, he instead is all smiles and waves, having the pure ability to transform even the grumpiest, impatient of sorts into friendly faces.

• One of my most favorite times of the day during this season is when we give Brennan his last bottle of the day, peaceful Christmas music is playing in the background, the tree lights are on and the rest of the lights are dimmed. We sit around the kitchen table, light the Advent candles, go through our Advent readings, and pray together while Brennan falls asleep in his Daddy’s arms. (This is during breakfast, but you can see the Advent wreath).

• It’s also been the tender, simple moments with Brennan that will be etched in my heart as seasons pass: singing “Silent Night” on the player piano; snuggling together reading The Three Trees (a powerful tale); playing with the nativity scenes together and talking about each of the characters; gazing at his little tree together with the lights on in the quiet peacefulness of his room; taking him outside to show him all of the beautiful lights his Daddy worked so hard to put up; staying warm and toasty by the fire in our PJs while it’s cold and drizzly outside; enjoying our walks in the cool of the day when the sun finally comes out, looking at everyone’s Christmas decorations; and lots and lots of snuggling.  Oh yes, there have been rough moments, days when he’s clingy and crying and miserable because of teething and what not, but that’s not what I’ll remember about this Christmas. This, this is the image I’ll remember about Christmas:

What are some of the things you’ll treasure about this Christmas so far?

Thanksgiving Remembrances

Happy December! I can’t imagine a better way to start out this first day of December than with the arctic blast blowing through Austin; Christmas music playing; a fragrant pine candle lit; some much needed time spent with Jesus and the reminders that living “for the greatness of God is to live a great life” and that “His greatness is big enough for the two of us”; a happy, babbling baby crawling about; and a cup of hot tea in hand. It’s only 9:30 a.m. as I’m writing this, but it’s already a glorious December day.

It seems longer than a week ago that we boarded a jet plane for the Oakland/San Francisco area to spend Thanksgiving with Matt’s family, hosted this year by Matt’s sister and her hubby. Despite his ear infection, Brennan traveled amazingly well; you’d never have known the fella was sick. Even the two-hour time change wasn’t an issue. He fell right into Pacific time without a hitch and was much more flexible with the comings and goings and adjustments to his schedule than his momma. Oh, the lessons I learn from that child are a hundred-fold.

I loved how Antique Mommy recapped her Thanksgiving with a list of things she’ll remember, along with a few things that she won’t. Here are some of the highlights, precious moments that will remain etched in my heart over the passing of time from this Thanksgiving.

• Sunset gazing. Our first night there, we drove up to the highest point in Berkeley to watch the sunset over the bay. We enjoyed appetizers and champagne as we toasted to being together as a whole family, the first time in over two years, I think. It was breathtaking and cause for pause.

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• The food. I mean, how can a foodie not remember the food!? Kim has become quite the chef extraordinaire! The girl doesn’t pick simple recipes either, so a lot of time and love went into preparing not just delicious food, but works of art. (These photos were from our picnic and day-outing in Sonoma.)

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• The mornings with my boys. The three of us, along with Papa and Nana, stayed in a house in Berkeley that was graciously shared with us for the week. It had a fantastic view of San Francisco (it’s a bit hazy in the picture below). The three of us were the early morning risers and enjoyed mornings out on the deck. I’ll never forget playing peek-a-boo with Brennan that spurred deep laughter by using Matt as the object to hide behind; how Brennan would lean in towards my face to give me kisses; and what my little boy looked like the morning of his first Thanksgiving.

• Brennan’s ability to brighten lives. I know the sociability of my son will likely vary throughout his young life, but I hope and pray that the friendly outreach he has toward all people, particularly towards those considered unlovely and lonely, will be a character trait he exudes the rest of his life. Right now, Brennan is constantly waving to any passerby, whether or not they take notice. The three of us went out for breakfast on Friday morning, a quiet, drizzly and still morning. As we sat together as a family, laughing and sharing our highlights from the week, there sat a middle-aged lady in the corner of the restaurant by herself. Alone. Buried deep into a book. She could very well have been content and happy. She also could have felt very lonely as she sat solo the day after Thanksgiving. Brennan was persistent in turning around in his high chair to wave at the lady. Between every bite of his pancake and banana, his little body would twist around with his arm and hand extended moving in an up and down motion. She finally caught his eye and a grin appeared at the simple, friendly gesture. I’m not sure how she walked in, but she left her table with a smile on her face that morning.

• The special, beautiful touches. I can name few people who will go out of their way to lavishly make their guests feel welcomed, treating them as the most special people in the world. Kim is one of those people. Along with her hubby, Tom, they have the gift of hospitality. Even with a young toddler, she worked on extra, finishing touches that set the tone for the whole week: personal welcome signs on each of our bedroom doors; gift bags of a picture frame for me and Matt and Thanksgiving bibs for Brennan; notes written on our name cards at the Thanksgiving table; Scripture verses tied to our glasses for each of us to read aloud. She had a few personal helpers that week: Tom, Ruth (Nana), and her younger sister, Melissa, whom I know were all integral behind-the-scenes servants to see Kim’s creativity projects fulfilled!

• Family bonding. This took place over the course of our few days in California, but Thanksgiving Day was the most meaningful as we gathered around the table together to celebrate and give thanks for so many blessings we’ve been given, mainly each other. After the little boys went to bed, each of us went around the room answering a question we’d picked out of a bowl. We shared things we were thankful for; how we’d seen the Lord’s faithfulness demonstrated the past year; and what character trait of the Lord’s had been most evident in our lives right now. Tears and laughter ensued. As Truvy from Steel Magnolias aptly said, “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion". Hands down, that was the most special moment of the trip for me.

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• Cousins. Seeing Brennan and Jadon play together for the first time! It was our entertainment for most of the week. <grin>

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Things I will likely forget but are kinda fun to mention:

• Ed & Tom both stepped in fresh dog poop on our way to dinner. Thank goodness for baby wipes!

 

• It was a good thing Ed drove slowly to Tom and Kim’s place on Thanksgiving and that we didn’t need to get on the freeway, because look who left my walking shoes on top of the car:

• It was not my best moment: waiting for the Christmas Tree lighting to take place at San Francisco’s Union Square. It was taking forever and well, the excitement of being in the cold with all the Christmas lights with Brennan for the first time quickly wore off with the overwhelming sensation of feeling claustrophobic in the mass of people. And Brennan’s reaction to the tree lighting: he burst into tears because the crowd’s loud cheering scared him. But we got some really cool pictures:

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Any Thanksgiving remembrances (precious moments or likely to forget moments) that you’d like to share?

(You can click on “View Full Album” to see enlarged pictures).

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving week, dear Internet peeps! I’m truly thankful for each of you as you’ve come along this journey with me. Blogging has sure been an exciting ride for me, and I thank you for sticking with me as my precious little boy has slightly altered my time commitment to ya’ll. Some days, let me be honest, I wish that weren’t so. But at the same time, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. My journaling has waned throughout the last seven years, but since Brennan was born, I’ve been journaling my favorite moments with him during the day, special moments of his development, and heartfelt cries on the days that are rough in the trenches. All to say, a breath of new life has come to my journaling because of the one I wouldn’t trade for anything. In fact, I’ll need a new one soon (if any family member needs an idea for a Christmas gift). <wink> 

My folks came into town this past weekend to celebrate my momma’s birthday. After two weeks of colds being passed along in our household, Brennan finally got it.  I took him to the doctor this morning to be sure he didn’t have an ear infection, and sure enough, a doozy of one is in his right ear…his first one!  We’re pumping him with meds and praying for the little guy to feel ok during our flights tomorrow. How can a sick little guy still be this happy? At least he seemed to enjoy the piece of dog kibble he ate today.  And the leaf that I found in his mouth last week didn’t seem to bother him all that much either…he even slept through a nap with it. I finally discovered it before he started eating his dinner. His momma needs to be more watchful!

So this weekend ended up being quite restful and low key as we pigged out on some scrumptious Mexican food, hot turkey sandwiches with a Gruyere cheese sauce, and German chocolate cake. It’s a grand way to usher in the holiday season. Matt and I are trying to lose 10 lbs. each, and why we think we can start this weight loss regime, which has no specific plan to it except for quality (for me) and quantity (for him) control, during the holidays, is simply nonsensical. But we’ll try.

My momma came to the rescue this weekend big time! For Thanksgiving, I am in charge of a pecan pie and some good ol’ southern cornbread dressing from a recipe past down through my family for generations. Screw the weight loss plan.  <grin> It was my first time making the stuffing and I did some prep work on it this weekend. At the grocery store, I was supposed to get turkey neck to boil.  Don’t ask me why, oh why, I thought that “gizzards” were just another name for turkey neck. So on Saturday morning, I boiled gizzards for four hours. When I told Momma I wasn’t sure if they turned out right because they looked kinda funny, she went over to take a peak.  She nearly vomited. Ok, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but no wonder I couldn’t “shred the meat” of the gizzards! You’re not supposed to shred organs! When Matt told his family I was busy boiling gizzards, their reply was “Oh, she puts those in the dressing, too?”. They’ll be very relieved to know my momma stepped in to rescue the dressing from going in a direction that certainly wouldn’t be as appetizing. And guess what…the neck looks like a neck:  long and neck-like!

Here are some things I’m thankful for this year:

• A hubby who has stuck with me throughout all of my emotional ups and downs this year, who is a committed teammate who cheers me on, who helps me every step of the way, who is an incredible Daddy, and who works so hard to take care of us.
• A baby who has brightened up my life immeasurably more than what I can put into words.
• My God who has been so gracious and tender to me as I stepped into this new role of mommy hood. The ways I’ve seen His faithfulness to me are numerous. He has been “the stability of my times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.” (Isaiah 33:6)
• The gift of laughter.
• Friends. Friends whom I can be completely myself around and they still love me.
• Being able to stay home with Brennan.
• My Molly who is such a comfort to me, who allows me to snuggle up to her and get lost in her silkiness.
• A God who is constant, unchanging, and completely good...no matter what is going on in life. As Beth Moore poignantly wrote today, our lives are like “…a wild concoction of joy, laughter, pain, and bewilderment. Our one true unmovable thing is Jesus. He continues to be the uncontested center of life around here. Even when we waver, wander, or stumble, He remains steadfast and faithful.”  Amen.
• A roof over my head. Running water. A heater to turn on when it’s cold outside. An A/C to run 24/7 when it’s hot as blazes. Food on the table.
• A family who is incredibly supportive, encouraging, and so much fun to be with.
• A safe and pretty neighborhood to take our daily walks.
• That I’m loved.
• That we can go the doctor when we need to, with easy access to medicine, and for the good health that we’re in.
• That we won’t be eating an assortment of turkey organs in our stuffing this year.

What are some things you’re thankful for this year? I hope you have a most memorable and special Thanksgiving! Again, I’m thankful for ya’ll, too, and it’s a joy to share life with you, in all of its “wild concoctions”. Blessings, friends.

Out of the Jungle

 

I was running through the jungle, like a wild little monkey.

All of a sudden, these people snatched me up and they were kinda funky.

They told me to come along and follow them, a banana they had in hand.

I figured I couldn’t ever be too chunky, so my tail and I skedaddled across the land.

      

 

We arrived at a festival with funny lookin’ creatures and lotsa sweet candy.

So tired was I, dazed and confused.  All I wanted was a banana, then I’d be just dandy.

 

  

After pinning a giraffe with a spot, back to the jungle I was to go; but the funky people took me home instead.

The magic wore off and I became a little boy.  The monkey was gone and I laid my sweet head in a big, comfy bed.

Father’s Day Weekend

I have to post something new because every time I bring up Spicy Magnolia, I see that picture of the unknown “Brennan double” and it throws me for a loop; I have to keep reminding myself that that is not Brennan.  If you’re like me, I want new images please!

Therefore, let me post some photos from Father’s Day weekend!  Me, Brennan, and Molly ventured to San Antonio last Thursday afternoon to spend the weekend with Pops and Meems.  Hubby joined in the fun on Friday after work.  My parents’ home is a wonderful getaway for me and Brennan during the week; it’s really fun to be with my Momma right now because she is off work for the summer!  So we’re making every moment count while we have her.  On Friday, we ran a couple of errands which included a stop at Babies R’ Us to look for a walker for Brennan.  But they don’t make walkers like they used to, I guess.  The one me and my brother used was a big, colorful ring that bounced off walls.  The only ones we saw were made of such hard material I’m afraid they’d make a big dent in the wall!  Neither did Brennan enjoy them much when we tested them out, so we opted to wait.  Instead, we enjoyed rocking in the comfy rocking chairs while I gave Brennan his bottle.  Then we headed to the mall to do some Father’s Day shopping and grabbed a bite to eat at Chick-Fil-A.  The mall was so loud and crazy it left Brennan a little over-stimulated.  Poor guy was shaking with all the ‘excitement’.  Meems finally got him to sleep in her arms.

Brennan has his own petting zoo at Pops and Meems’ place.  Four puppies!  FOUR!  If dog slobber was clean, we’d have the most spic n’ span baby on the planet!  It’s amazing Momma still has pretty things around her house with balls flying everywhere.  Hopefully Brennan will keep the track record going to her advantage.

 

Matt and I usually enjoy a more leisurely morning at Pops and Meems while they take Brennan.  I still have to get up for a bit to get a bottle ready, but after that I’m free to hop back in bed.  Before Brennan, I would wake up and pile in bed with my folks while they read the morning paper and Matt slept in.  I loved those times, and it’s hard for me to pass them up now even though I could use the extra sleep.  So I opted to drag myself out of bed and enjoy the mornings with three of my most favorite people.  How could I pass up moments like this:

The only thing we got out to do on Saturday was grab some burgers at good ol’ Longhorn Cafe!  We didn’t need to eat anything the rest of the day.  Upon walking into the restaurant, I told Brennan, “Welcome to one of the best greasy joints on earth!”  We were originally going to spend the weekend in Austin, but Pops and Meems had a special date night already planned:  they went to the Il Divo concert!  Look how pretty and handsome they look! 

I wanted to include a picture of just my Momma and Daddy because this little clown couldn’t keep still.

 

Happy Father’s Day!  Hubby got to sleep in <grin> and we saved up room for our lunch.  We grilled out fajitas, picked ourselves up some fixin’s from Chuy’s and made homemade guacamole and salsa.  To top it off, we ate nearly the whole pineapple upside down cake Momma made!  It was DELICIOUS!  For part of Matt’s and my Daddy’s Father’s Day gift, I traced mine and Brennan’s hands and made lots of cut outs of them to write messages of appreciation and love.  The big hands were notes from me and the little ones from Brennan.  My Daddy got the blue and pink ones and Matt got the orange and green ones, and I hung them around the table and the chandelier.  We love our guys!

 

I’ve worked on this post for three days now (certainly wouldn’t think it would take me that long, but it did), and I have yet to come up with a grand ending except to say that it was one great Father’s Day weekend!  And now, I’m just ready to hit “publish” and be done with it.  <grin>

Finally…A Post!

How’s it going, Internet peeps?  Or in the words of my hubby, waz up?  Don’t ask me how a week can pass since my last blog post.  It’s mind boggling to me. 

We are officially, already…and sadly, in the dog days of summer.  This was our weather last week: 

And pray tell me, what do I do with a 4 month old during sweltering hot days? 

Speaking of dogs, I am shedding like a dog.  Seriously.  I am losing hair by the handfuls and it is absolutely disgusting!  All the hair that my body held onto during pregnancy is now finding its way onto anything but my scalp.  I have found myself more annoyed with the post-pregnancy body issues than the ones I had while pregnant.  Grrrr.

On another note about dogs, we had to buy Miss Molly a new dog bed.  But the pet stores I went to didn’t have what I was looking for:  a 1) large 2) dark 3) zippered (so I can wash the cover) doggie bed.  So I did a little searching online and found an awesome new bed for our spoiled puppy at L.L. Bean:I’ll confess that I have laid on it…well, just my head…and it’s pretty comfy.  I think it’ll be to her liking.  If not, too bad baby girl.

One reason I haven’t blogged recently was that I spent one full afternoon last week getting pampered.  <grin>  <BIG grin>  Thanks to Matt and his folks, I enjoyed an afternoon at the salon with a friend getting a massage and a pedicure as my birthday present!  It was fantastic!  My friend, Jillie, went with me and we left the salon rejuvenated, refreshed, and ready to go home to our precious families.  Kudos to our hubbies for taking care of our kiddos while we played at the salon, grabbed some fabulous cupcakes from Hey Cupcake!, and chatted while sitting back in the rocking chairs outside at The Domain. 

Hubby and I also had over a young lady who will be Brennan’s first ever babysitter (aside from our families)!  This was a big step for me!  But amazingly enough, I think we hit the jack pot…and on our first attempt, no less.  Calling the young gal about a babysitting job was the oldest I have ever felt in my whole life!  Seriously.  She should just be my peer, right?  It doesn’t matter that I am 14 years her elder, right?  And why was I so nervous talking to her?  For goodness’ sakes!  I felt ten new grey hairs pop up as soon as I dialed her number.

I had a most special first Mother’s Day weekend!  I drove down to San Antonio after MOPS on Friday afternoon (Matt came later that evening) to take Brennan to my Momma’s school to introduce him to all her teacher friends.  I was surprised at how much the middle schoolers paid attention to him.  Brennan’s eyes bulged at seeing all of the colorful posters in the classrooms and hallways.  It’s hard to imagine he’ll one day be a big boy walking the halls of his school.  Time, please be generous to me.

The weekend was tremendously relaxing.  We enjoyed scrumptious meals, pleasant evenings outside, afternoon naps, lively conversations with lots of laughter.  We were going to go to Sea World, but all of us felt more like staying around home and taking it easy than facing the crowds.  Probably the highlight for all of us:  taking Brennan swimming for the first time!  The fella was a champ!  We took it slow and easy, gearing him up for his first dunk.  He enjoyed the continual movement of me walking around the pool with him, and he took the dunking very well…no tears, ya’ll!  He felt so accomplished afterward.  <grin>  I can’t wait to get in the pool with him again. 

Our beach bum chillin’ wearin’ the sunglasses and hat from Pops and Meems.  The hat says, “No pinching allowed”.

My pool buddies all ready to go

  I survived.  I did it.  It feels oddly familiar…wasn’t I in something like this just four months ago??

I made a Mother’s Day brunch for my Momma on Sunday and have a very tasty recipe to share for Cherry Strata, so look for that and the Chicken/Artichoke casserole recipe that my Momma made for Easter brunch later this week.  For my Mother’s Day gift from Brennan and Matt, we’re going to have some family portraits taken!  For those in the Austin area, any photographers to recommend?

Alrighty, folksy-shmoksies, it’s certainly not as grand as Brennan going swimming for the first time, but by golly, I sure do feel accomplished postin’ somethin’!