Today Alyssa’s school was dressing up as community workers. She really wants to work at Publix (our grocery store) when she grows up, but Ethan didn’t think that was a community worker. I told Ethan I could get a night job at Publix the other day and Alyssa said, “No, Mommy. I am going to work at Publix.” Well today we convinced her to be a nurse. But she wanted to be Karen. So here is Nurse Karen.
I love a friendly face. I love just being around people that you have history with. New friends are good to have, but there can just be that awkwardness. Today I met up with Heidi at her new house, surrounded by boxes and tons of cool birds. We spent a little time catching up. I helped her unpack the dish towels and found the perfect drawer for them. I was such a big help. We had a quick lunch, but I am looking forward to our future lunches with the girls, trips to the zoo and just having another friend in town. Welcome to Nashville Houstons.
We have had this space in the playroom for awhile. It was one of the first rooms I decorated, but I couldn’t decide what to put in this nook. So we decided a book nook. The girls like to lean back on all the pillows and read for 1 to 2 minutes tops. But whatever. It looks good.
It doesn’t happen often. Even the days when Alyssa is in school, Meg and I always seem busy with something. Then when she naps, I usually try to work or clean or something. Today, Megan refused to eat lunch so I put her in bed early. I made myself lunch and ate at the coffee table while watching TV… 7th Heaven, but technically still TV. It has been a nice hour and half treat. But now it is over, time to wake up Meg and pick up Alyssa from school. Then there is the pile of laundry upstairs, a few ends to tie up for work, and oh yea – what is for dinner??
Oma is coming back soon too… but until then this is how we play with her.
Megan will lay down right in front of Oma and just stare at her. Alyssa on the other hand wants to show Oma every single toy ever invented by man, even though Oma bought her most of them. We are able to video conference with her on the laptop, so we can move Oma around the house to show her different things. Tonight Alyssa played Twinkle, Twinkle on the piano that Nana taught her and then we moved into Alyssa’s room to watch Megan fall off the chair a few times. Have I mentioned Megan climbs on everything now. I am starting to think the baby gate is not safe enough. We enjoy these visits with Oma and know that she loves to see the girls faces too.
My parents came to visit us last weekend. It was my 32nd birthday and a holiday for them. We had a great time together and really enjoyed the weekend. The girls loved playing with them, and I loved the extra hands. Alyssa’s favorite was that when she woke up in the morning, she could take books down to Nana’s bed and they would read together. They also had a slumber party with Strawberry Shortcake – popcorn and all. Thanks mom and dad for sharing our life with us here.
Have you been moved by the spirit lately? For the past several Sunday mornings, I have been moved. When we began looking for a church home in Nashville we were very disappointed with our findings. We left a great, healthy, loving church, and subconsciously we were looking for what we knew. What was familiar to us. But we both knew we could not duplicate that church. Within the last few weeks, we have both come to find that God will give you more than you ask or imagine. Because what I asked and imagined was a church like FC. A church that carried the same traditions. A church that worshiped the same. A church that even prayed the same. But God has shown us that there are many different ways to worship. And we are moved by the spirit at this new church near us. Moved to tears as we enjoy the music, moved by the spirit to get involved, to give money to worthy causes, and especially moved as we see others moved by the Spirit. There is something powerful that makes people stand up and raise their hands to God while the rest of the congregation sits. There is something powerful that makes the singers tap their legs, shake their heads back and forth to the beat and just sing with all their heart. God is alive and working in this church and we are happy to say we have felt it.
We decided to try something new for ’08. I have talked about cutting Alyssa’s hair for a while. When I wanted to do it, Daddy said no. When Daddy approved, I didn’t want to. So today, we agreed and even convinced Alyssa it would be fun. We let her pick where we ate lunch, she choose Moe’s, and then we sat with the rest of the kids in Franklin for a haircut. Daddy and I were both nervous, but we are so happy with the results. Alyssa likes it too, but is worried that it is growing too fast and it will not be short anymore.
I started this day at 6:30am trying to be one of the first to check-in online for our Southwest flight on the 26th. And if you know that you can check in up to 24 hours in advance, then you have figured out we depart at 6:25 am. Crazy, I know. Thinking about it now, I am trying to remember why I picked that flight…I know there was a good reason. Alyssa woke about 7:15 and had to be patient for a good hour before Meg woke and we were ready for her to go downstairs. She was so anxious to see what Santa had left her in her stocking that she missed the giant doll house on the ground. She and Meg played with that for a bit, then we had breakfast and opened some more gifts.
Then I began what will hence forth be known as “Our First Christmas.” Our first Christmas in TN and my first Christmas lunch. I am pleased to say that it was all fabulous and even the girls enjoyed it. It was great to have my husband helping, adding his input [he reminded me the turkey needing seasoning] and most of all doing the clean-up. I am so lucky to have a wonderful husband to share these experiences with. Choosing to be away from family for Christmas Day was hard, but we made it special because we were together.
So now the kitchen is clean, bellies are full, one is napping… and I will begin another daunting task. Remove the tree before we leave and pack up the family for a 4:45 am departure tomorrow. Merry Christmas to all.