Christmas Presents

At our house, we believe that Christmas is about the birth of Christ. Birth is exciting (though not painless). Birth is a new beginning. It signals the transition from mother's protection in the womb to exposure and growth in the big, wide world. This morning we were blessed to get a phone call from one of our very good friends, David. This particular friend has been a very good friend of Brad's since he was in 4th grade. It's been a while, but nevertheless, they don't generally call to with each other merry Christmas on Christmas day. It's just a guy thing, I suppose. My hubby is just not a linger on the phone kind of guy. So this morning when David called, I let Brad answer it. Next thing I know, my man is crying. Not big crocodile tears, but wet eyed, voice cracking, not able to speak kind of tears--tears of joy. My husband is not a cryer. He cried a little bit when our kids were born, but beside that, I can think of maybe two times that he has cried in our almost tens years of marriage. As soon as I heard his voice crack, I knew what was going on...David's wife is pregnant! Yes, we are normally happy when one of our friends gets pregnant or finds out they are getting a baby through adoption (amazingly, we have several adopted babies in our circle of friends). This difference in this case is that David and Renese have LONG said that they were not ready for kids yet. We were not expecting this at all. Let me emphasize that these are people we see all the time. We talk about a lot of stuff, but an actual, real-life, going to happen in this lifetime pregancy was never discussed--ever. We are so excited for them! The ironic twist to all of this is that about 2 weeks ago, Breanna asked me if Aunt Renese has a baby in her tummy. She has not not changed size, and does not look like she is pregnant. Breanna just asked me. I mentioned it to Renese and she just laughed, but didn't say a word. (What an amazing secret keeper you are, Renese!) I think Breanna has some psychic abilities or a straight line to God, or something. Anyway...we are so extremely excited for you both, and congrats to Grandma Donna (we are glad you survived the shock)! We love you guys and are looking forward to meeting the new little peanut!

Stinky and the Sticky Feet

We have a dog, two dogs to be exact. Labrador Retrievers. Best dog in the world. Before we had kids they were our kids. Poor babies. They got shoved down the ladder of our family hierarchy when the two legged kids came along, but we still love them. They still get to come in the house at night time to sleep. The last several days the weather has actually turned colder, so they have even had the opportunity to come inside during the day. They've even been on best behavior, so they have been out of the dining room where they normally stay behind the baby gate. Their names are Gomer (yes, like Gomer Pile) and Diamond (aka Stinky). I don't remember how Diamond got the nickname Stinky, but it just stuck. She is almost 10 years old. These things happen. Anyway, like I said, they have been sleeping in our bedroom. Last night as I was reaching over to turn out my bedside lamp, I heard Diamond walk over to my side of the bed. It was not the soft padding sound that normally occurs when she walks on the carpet. It was more of a schtuck, schtuck, schtuck, schtuck sound. Hmmm...I thought. That sounds kind of weird, so I got out of my warm bed and picked up her funny sounding feet. What the heck is that?????? Something was all over the bottoms of her front feet, something strangely sticky as it had Gomer hair and even a Christmas tinsel remnant stuck to it. Hmmm...she did not look too happy about whatever it was. Then it dawned on me: Breanna found a pack of gum earlier in the day and had been chewing on a big wad of it. The foreign substance on Stinky's feet was strangely reminiscent of a 3-year-old's gum wad. How it got on Stinky's feet, I'll never know.

I took Diamond/Stinky into the living room where Brad was still watching TV for a few minutes. I told him to pause it so Diamond could show him something. She plodded around the coffee table to show him her sticky feet to which Brad replied, "What the heck is that sound????" Breanna's gum wad, obviously. Poor Stinky. She did not want to be laid down in a submissive position to have her little feet poked and prodded, let alone pried apart and the hair trimmed out from in between them. But that is just exactly what had to be done. Imagine someone rubbing a big wad of gum in your armpit hair (or arm hair, if you are not a bohemian woman), and then pulling on it until it came out. Ouch. She closed her sweet, brown, watery, sappy eyes and just laid there. Poor Stinky. I just laughed while Brad trimmed. Sorry, Stinky. It brought to mind some of the crazy misadventures of the book Marley and Me: Life with the world's best and worst dog. (It's coming to theaters this Christmas for you non-readers out there, but I highly recommend reading it.) Marley makes Diamond look like Lassie in comparison. They are the same breed so it is hard to not compare.

I will close this tale by telling you that Diamond did get me back this morning, though. She woke me up at 5 a.m. to tell me she had to go potty and 10 minutes ago, please. We made it outside in time, but I did not appreciate getting out of my really warm bed at 5 a.m...gotta love me, she said, then she laid down in her little fuzzy ball and went right back to sleep.

Ode to the Girls

I love my friends. I love my family, too, but this particular entry is just about my friends this time. I have been reading what seems to be a lot of books lately. They are different story lines, different locations, different times even, but they have all been about relationships of one kind or another. They have inspired me to look at my friends and the relationships that I have with them and to appreciate how wonderful they are! They don't backstab or manipulate or judge me. They love, they pray with and for me, they laugh at my oftentimes corny jokes. They listen and they even sometimes read my cheesy blog. I love them all. I have to say that I am especially blessed to have several friends that I would call close and that I can tell personal things to. My friends are so wonderful (and I'm not being sarcastic on this one) that they even tell me when I have messed up and offended/insulted/angered/etc. them. That might sound weird, but I really do appreciate that. I know I have a big mouth and I tend to run on about weird stuff sometimes and say things I shouldn't. They let me know in a loving way. You ladies rock! So here is my ode to each of you...in no particular order...

Amanda...I totally appreciate your patience with my big mouth and how you are such a great wife to your hubby. You have such a gentle spirit and sweet soul. Your walk with the Lord truly inspires me.

Jen...I LOVE your sense of humor. You have such an honest air about you. You don't stew about things that bother you. You let it out and wear your heart on your sleeve. I love how you are so transparent about your walk with the Lord and your stumbling blocks.

Stacy...I love that even though we don't get to talk as much as we used to, we can always just pick up where we left off. You are so faithful and kind. You have always been so supportive to me, your hubby and your family. You are such a great example to me.

Debbie P...You are an amazing mother and wife. Your love for the Lord is evident in everything you do. Even though you have a few years on me (and you have had 5 pregnancies!), you are in AMAZING shape! You inspire me to take better care of myself.

Renese...You are so gorgeous and intelligent! You are the best hygenist/beautician ever! I have so much fun hanging out with you. Thank you for letting me have girl talk about s-e-x without thinking I'm a pervert. You are the perfect wife for David, and a fabulous auntie. You still amaze me with your grounding in and love for the Lord. I love to hear you speak at small group.

Cori...You have such sweetness and patience. You are a wonderful mother above everything else. You always put family first. You are a very generous giver of everything you have: time, love, smiles, kindness. You are the best salsa maker EVER!!!

Debbie S...You are so sweet. I love your contagious laugh. You are so friendly and fun--there is no way you have social anxiety disorder or what ever you call it. Your love for others is so apparent through the kindness of your children and husband.

Ruth F...You are so faithful to the Lord--it completely inspires me to see someone so normal that has such a beautiful love for God. You are an amazing mother to your beautiful and fantastic children. You see everyone around you through God's eyes.

Grace...Your smile lights up the room. You have such a big heart. You are so intelligent without being a know it all (like me). You are a super patient mother to your residents and will be a fabulous mother to your biological child. AND you are so on my team anytime we play Cranium!

Jessi H...You are such an amazing nurturer. You love on challenged kids all day at work and come home to love on your own family more. You are so kind and easy to be with.

Tina...Your creative energy and ideas astound me. You are a truly gifted artist. You inspire me every day that I get to work with you.

I could go on and on about all the fabulous friends that I am blessed with. I love my book club girls. You are all so insightful and fun! I just want to openly and honestly say thank you to God for all of my friends. So there you have it. Thank you to all of you for being my friends. I know I am kooky and off sometimes. You are all so patient with me. Thank you. I love all of you!