birthday parties

{I promised you a funny video and then left you hanging.  My apologies.  I'll made good on my promise at the end of this rant.}

I'm not a fan of birthday parties.  There, I said it.  They give me anxiety.

Maybe it's the teacher in me that always wants to correct other children's behavior, or maybe it's the fact that some of the parties Reese has been to have been down right scary.  Case in point... In August Reese went to a campfire themed birthday party.  Complete with a real, minimally supervised fire and sticks wheedled into sharp points.  And the party was at night.  Then, last weekend, there was a party at mixed martial arts.  Lofton took one for the team and went along with Reese.  I begged off because I needed to go grocery shopping.  There was a game of dodge ball where a child got knocked off their feet and board breaking.  Hells bells, they are FOUR!

It's all too much for me. I just prefer a good, safe house party.  Play with some toys, open a few gifts, eat cake and head home.  Is it too much to ask?

And now, the video:

Yes that's my husband.  And the little one is my son.  What can I say?  Two peas they are.

hannah gets married

My sweet cousin Hannah got married Saturday afternoon. {prepare for picture overload}

It was a beautiful and festive few days, that for us, started with a ride through Narnia.

Reese and I thought the impromptu blizzard was fun and exciting.  Lofton, the driver, not so much.  Evidently icy roads are stressful and dangerous.

Regardless, we made it to my grandmother safely.  We had a short visit at the hospital, then regrouped and headed toward Madison.  Have I mentioned that Reese wants to live in a hotel?  Preferably one with a heated pool?  To say he was happy would be an understatement.

Thursday night we had dinner at my aunt's house and relaxed with the bride and groom.  We then headed back to the hotel where my mom and Reese engaged in a stinky sock fight.  Yes, you read that correctly.

Friday morning, mama and I hosted the bridesmaid brunch.  It was negative ten degrees outside and we arranged flowers in the car.  Otherwise, everything was perfect!

This girl was the happiest, most relaxed bride I've ever seen.  Makes my heart smile! Sweet Lofton flew solo while Mama and I spent the day helping with last minute wedding tasks.  Poor guy spent three hours in an over-chlorinated indoor pool.  

Friday night was the rehearsal.  Did I mention Reese was the ring bearer?  Yet another layer of excitement.  He almost burst.

buck taught him a new party trick

during her daddy's toast

And then it was wedding day! There was hair prep, makeup, and lots of pictures...

snapped this with my phone and it's seriously my favorite picture of her

The reception deserves a whole post to itself.  Mainly because I have a really entertaining video to share.  Stay tuned for that... 

And then it was over.  And yesterday we had to make the six hour drive home. With a child who spent most of the ride like this:

Exhausted and cranky from a jam packed weekend.  He fell asleep about the time we passed Exit 52, the Auburn exit.  Awesome.  I just transferred him to his bed and he napped until five.  So thankful we both had today off from school to rest and regroup.

in the midst

Somewhere I've seen a quote about being in the midst of a situation and not being able to see forward or backwards.  Pretend I've inserted that here, because that's where I am right now.  In the midst.

Last Saturday my grandmother was admitted to the hospital with what I thought at the time were some minor issues.  Unfortunately, what we thought was minor has turned out not to be.  

when Reese was born, October 2008

Her kidneys and liver aren't functioning as they should, and Tuesday night she stopped breathing.  It's been a long week, y'all.  Long and hard and exhausting in ways I didn't know possible.  I've cried more tears than I knew I had.  And that's saying A LOT because I can cry with the best of them.

I'm just sad.  But I'm also prayerful and not giving up hope.

And in the midst of all the uncertainty I've seen God's hand. In my sweet friends at work {who I literally would not have made it without}, in my third grade babies {who have been full of hugs and kisses and i love you's}, and from my husband.  Seriously, that guy.  I'm blessed. And next weekend --in seven short days-- my favorite cousin is saying I DO.  We are seven years apart, almost to the day, and I love her like a sister.

And also, in the midst of it all, there's the humor of a four year old.  I'm so thankful for his little four year old self.  He's prayed for Granny every night.  And he is really concerned about who is watering Granny and Papa's tomatoes while she is in the hospital.

And also, he tried to capitalize on my weary mind by telling his Daddy he was having a school party today and needed fruit snacks.  And so Lofton asked me about the party, and I really thought maybe in my dazed state I had forgotten.  Umm no.  There was no party that treats needed to be brought for.  He made it up.  This kid, I tell you.  He is a giant mess.

welcoming 2013

And with one little clock strike, 2013 begins!

I, for one, am a wee bit glad to see 2012 go.  Although there were some really great moments, there were also a lot of not so great moments.  Do you remember my word for 2012?  It was present.  And God, with his continual sense of humor, made sure I followed through.  Nothing like being reminded that life is precious to help you live your word.

My word for this year is intentional.  I'm going to continue to be intentional with my time, but also with my words.  It's a lofty goal for my big mouth! Moving on...

I celebrated a milestone Saturday; turning the big 3-0. Lofton had lots of surprises up his sleeve for me.

The best of them being this little nugget.

There was also a fun and festive dinner with our favorite friends.

My favorite little family, hands down. 

Today we start anew.  We began our day with homemade doughnuts.  There are also peas cooking away and greens to be cleaned.  Silly traditions that we love to celebrate.  

And there's this little guy--

We had family movie night Sunday and watched The Amazing Spiderman.  Since then Reese has been a web-shooting, furniture jumping superhero.  Adorable and busy and loud.  That's what being four is all about.

Happy New Year, friends! Tomorrow it's back to the real world...

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.