dentist visit, take two

I have confession to make: I bribe my child.

A skittle for letting us clean out his ears, a starburst for cleaning up all his toys without whining, multiple skittles for scoring a goal at soccer... I have no shame.  And really, I don't feel bad about it.  Sometimes you just need a little incentive.

Yesterday we headed back to the dentist.  He was leery.  So was I.  But when I was there last week they had an opening and I just took it.  Dawn, my hygienist and mama of one of my school babies, suggested I talk to him and see if I could figure out exactly which part of the dentist he didn't like.

Of course, he had a list.  First up-- the chair.  Followed by the weird toothbrush and nasty toothpaste.  The toothbrush and toothpaste were an easy fix.  I just took his.  The chair I wasn't so sure of.

Long story short, yesterday went great.  He sat in my lap in the chair.  An easy fix for what he obviously feels is a giant issue.  {And by giant issue I mean he's asked about the chair forty eight times in the last two days.  What?  He gets his anxiety honestly.} After that it was smooth sailing.  He had his teeth counted, cleaned and flossed with no complaint.

And afterwards, he picked his reward.

Yogurt Mountain. Pink lemonade sorbet with a healthy dose of sprinkles and gummy bears.

magic morning

I've decided that there's nothing like Christmas with a four year old.  Nothing.

He just gets it.  And it's awesome.

His first words this morning when he walked into the living room and saw the twinkly lights illuminating Santa's loot?  Whoa, Mama! 

We've played with every single gift today.  And when he laid down for his nap he told me this was the best day ever.  

Merry Christmas.

heart broken

I worked all weekend on preparing my heart for going to work this morning. I was going to be tough.  We were going to revisit our safety plan and I was going to answer their third grade questions best I could.  Did I mention I was going to be tough?

That lasted all of five seconds before I dissolved into tears.

I'm always, always a mama first.  And my first thought Friday was of my own precious baby boy.  And the parents, who just like me, sent their kids to school on Friday with a kiss and a reminder to be sweet and do their best.  And now those same parents have Christmas trees with presents that will never be opened.

I know it's not really about presents.  But it is about all the milestones and memories that will never be made.

My second thought Friday was of my other twenty kids.  I love my school kids.  Like really love them.  I think the majority of teachers feel the same.  I didn't become a teacher for the money or the vacation days. I just really like hanging out with kids all day.  I like watching them learn and helping them become independent little people.  Just like Reese spends the majority of his day with his teachers, I spend the majority of my day with other people's children.  And I try, every day, to remember to treat my children like I would want Reese treated.  It's an enormous responsibility.  And to think of those teachers trying desperately to protect those precious children hurts my heart so deeply.

So, I, just like millions of other mamas out there am hugging my little one a little tighter.  Letting him spend a few extra minutes snuggling on the couch and staring at Christmas tree lights.  But I'm also hugging my school kids a little tighter, too.

seven

I thought I could never love Lofton more than I did on December 17, 2005.  But I do.

Every single day since then has been an adventure.  Some happy, some not so much.  But it's a journey we're taking together.

Marriage is hard.  Sometimes really hard. And sometimes we are the hardest on the ones we love the most. But marriage is also fun.  And Lofton makes me laugh-- sometimes with him, sometimes at him.

We went to dinner Saturday night, and after all these years, we still sit on the same side of the booth.  And we laugh and we talk and time passes too quickly.  And those are things that I'm thankful for because I know that not all marriages are like that.

happy anniversary, lofton.  i'm thankful for every hug after a bad day. i'm thankful that you clean the bathrooms without complaining. and i'm thankful that you love me so good.  

christmas comes to town

Finally, finally I'm done decorating for Christmas.

I started last weekend when Lofton was gone, but we waited until yesterday to get our tree.  Something about having the tree up makes everything feel special. Even if you bought your tree while wearing leggings and flip flops.  Why must it be so hot in December?

Decorating the tree gave me the perfect opportunity to practice picture taking, as well.  Without further adieu, Reese's special ornaments:

2012

2011

2010

2009

Still loving this new camera, by the way.  Obsessed.

Today, I addressed approximately one zillion Christmas cards.  Even licked all the envelopes.  Yuck.  Then we built a gingerbread house together. 

 Umm... why are those things so dang difficult to build?  Just when you think it's all glued with icing, it collapses.  

Again.

We finally got it secure enough to decorate.  Reese has moved on from it now, so if it falls apart we'll just toss it.  Memories made.  

Now if I could just get my shopping done.  Santa is really loving amazon.com this year... 

parade

I was a duck hunting widow this weekend.  

Lucky for me, my parents can be easily coerced into driving up to keep us company.  Thanks Buck and Emo!

They arrived just in time Friday afternoon.  I'd had a long day at work {full moon, Haley's last day, parent conference} and was just finishing up my glass of wine.  We went downtown for dinner and then came home to listen to the Opelika Bulldogs beat Carver.  Play for a state championship in Jordan Hare Stadium on Friday night?  I think we will.  

Saturday morning came early.  Actually it came every hour between midnight and five.  I willingly shared my bed with Reese.  Silly me, I thought he would sleep on Lofton's side of the bed.  No, no-- he slept on me. 

The parade was at ten, and although we haven't had much success in the past, we made a go of it.  It was an excellent opportunity for me to practice using my new camera {early birthday present courtesy of my parents & hubs}.

In case you're curious-- he's shielding himself from the Chick Fil A cow.  Between that and the horses that pooped right in front of us, he was overjoyed by the experience yet again.

And my favorite from the weekend:

Literally busting out of his Christmas jammies.  Oh well.