Christmas Eve

Sounds heard around the White House (ours) on Christmas Eve:
"I can't get it to take the picture" Misti with new camera.
"I'll be glad when you figure that thing out" Jeremy to Misti regarding above.
"Is that IT?" Jenna regarding toy she didn't think she wanted; she later loved it.
"What if Santa takes my toy?" Hudson regarding new toy which was placed in his room.

Basically, after Christmas Eve service we had dinner at Pastafina with the Whites, made Happy Birthday Jesus cupcakes, went to see Christmas lights while they cooled, came home & iced, and then opened one gift. It was the "big" present they chose, of course. Jenna was less than pleased at first, obviously she wanted something else. She came around. Hudson was immediately enthralled, hence his apprehension that Santa might take it when he came tonight. We've decided we might have issues when the kid doesn't trust Santa. Now nestled in bed, convinced (hopefully) that they have to stay in bed until the sun is up or they might scare Santa, Santa & Mrs. Clause better get to work.

What did we ever do before kids? I love this stuff!

Humility of Motherhood

These are pictures of Jenna's new bicycle and Hudson's new gun. Friday we went to Red Lobster and to Academy. While at Academy, Jenna tried new bikes. She was really in desperate need, her knees hit the handle bars of her old bicycle. During her experiments with Dad, Hudson and I perused the toys. One after another, "Mommy, I want this," until "the gun." When he spied the gun in the picture, complete with sound and real bullets, his voice and tempo changed. "Wow, Mommy." It was love at first sight. After I became "the best mommy in the whole world," Jenna and Daddy had selected the perfect bike. Jer took off to look around, and so did Hudson and I. As I was looking at a shirt, I heard a sound that was like regurgitation. It was. I took off running for the bathroom, at the back far corner from where I was - and we left a trail the whole way. After cleaning him up, I went in search of workers to tell them what happened, and started trying clean what I could, despite the lack of paper towels in the restroom. It took 6 workers to quarrentine our area - our trail. As soon as Jer found us, he thought quickly - he paid, and H and I went to the truck. So embarassing!

But - we have a new bicycle and a new gun. We're working on wearing the both out!

That's why...

Jenna has never had one of her molars come in. Last August our dentist thought he saw a calcium deposit blocking the tooth. Today we made the leap to the oral surgeon. It seems that baby tooth never developed and just stayed right under the gum. All of her teeth under the gum, her future adult teeth, look great. But, the underdeveloped baby tooth is blocking her 6 year molar. It's gotta go. Sigh. My baby girl will have to be sedated and have that cut out. He assured me she'll bounce back faster than I would, but it's still scary. The other scary thing was I saw two big wisdom teeth in her lower jaw, so this probably isn't our last oral surgeon visit. Better keep that dental insurance when she's a teen and college age.

Hudson is a model. Really. A friend of ours is starting a photography business and needed a cute little boy for her samples. Ours is that cute little boy. I just had to brag about that. He doesn't have professional head shots or anything, but visit around Granbury, and you just might see his smiling face. He did well, too. I was worried, because anytime we step into a studio, he goes limp, covers his face, and screams. She took us to the park and just snapped away. She even got hime to pose. I can't wait to see them, and when I do, you will too!

StoneWater will have our first staff retreat this weekend. The staff leaves Sunday, the spouses follow on Monday. Big fun! We love our staff. Currently we have Jeremy and Joey, children's coordinator - Kendra, children/finance - Suzanne, Executive Pastor - Dave, Video/Tech/Youth - Jason, office director - Rebecca, worship leader - Eric. It's a fun group!

Loss

I think I've wanted to express my grief over the loss of Chas, knowing it would be therapeudic and a way to share how much he really did mean to me and to my family, but doing so just makes it so final. So real. It's easier living in the shock and immediate sadness than the long term. But, here it is another Sunday morning, and I find myself grieving all over again. Loss is hard. Yesterday was the first time that it hit Hudson. Of course we sat the kids down and talked to them about it, but Hudson is just 2. Jeremy was watching some PBS special on guitarists and it showed a bass player. Hudson said, "Daddy, where is Chas?" I had been waiting on this question on a Sunday or Saturday. Jeremy explain that Chas was with God. Hudson asked, "When he gonna come back?" Jeremy explained that he wasn't, but one day we would see him again, in heaven. Hudson hugged Jeremy really tightly and said, "I'm sad, Daddy. I love Chas."

Later I was giving Eric a hard time about the candy machine that's STILL in my garage, a year after he and Chas purchased it to make some money. In a way I want it out, but, then again, it's just a part of Chas and Eric that remains in my garage and I see multiple times a day. Silly, huh?

Long Time Gone

I have neglected this blog for far long enough. Some quick updates - I am still running. Not as hard as I had been, but I'm working on getting my mileage back up to 20 miles per week. I am also working on those abs an arms - a cute, but strapless bridesmaid dress is my main motivation for the arms. I am working on my National Board Certification, lots of work, and going to DC for a school conference in June/July. Jeremy will be coming along at our own expense; we figure it's worth it. One of us is going free - she'll have to work, of course, but we'll get to visit in the late afternoons and evenings.

Jeremy is still reveling in church stuff. He's meeting with a new coach/mentor and likes implementing those ideas. The church continues to grow - getting close to a regular number of 700 a week. Crazy. The church is currently looking for land, a tough road in Granbury.

Jenna is growing. I cut her hair a little shorter, getting rid of the stringy stuff, and she looks more grown up and more like a child at the same time. She's absolutely beautiful and delightful.

Hudson is all boy. He likes super heroes, tractors, and running. Stubborn boy, but sweet and cuddly too.

Michael, my brother, is in town. It's good to see him. He looks tired, of course he had just been in transit for two days last time I saw him. It's also a little bittersweet, knowing that he has to go back in a couple of weeks. But, my principal gave me the day off tomorrow to hang with him - so I"ll make the most of it and try not to think too far into the future!

Just 7 1/2 more days of school (minus 1 day with Michael, and 1 day writing scope and sequence), so, 5 1/2 more days - but who's counting? ME!

Oops

I obviously forgot about this for a little while, but I'm working on getting back in the habit for our friends who are away from us, and for my brother who will soon be leaving for Iraq again. Please pray for his safety and security while he is there.

We're doing well. Schools is good as there are only 5 more weeks of the trimester left, and then I'm back to juniors. I have enjoyed seniors, but they require a lot of 'babying' and cajoling. Hudson is fighting some bug - he has a fever and has asked to go to bed twice today - once this morning and promptly at 7:50 this evening. I get to stay home with him tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to it. I've had a sore throat & ear ache for 3 weeks now - really, so that gives me the chance to go back to the doctor tomorrow. I have a fever now, so maybe they'll take some action. Jeremy is having a grand time doing all of his normal 'stuff.' Jenna is still our princess and is getting smarter all the time. Jeremy gave both of the kids brownies this weekend and gave Jenna 4 and Hudson 3 (I was gone, and he has assured me that they were small). Jenna said, "I have 4." Hudson said, "I have 4, too." Jenna looked in his bowl and then at Jeremy and said, "Daddy, Hudson can't count." He said he cracked up, it hadn't occurred to her that Hudson doesn't know everything she does. So, later, when they went to Nana's, Jenna told Nana that Hudson isn't very smart. Thank you, Nana, for explaining that he's just younger! Too funny.