Minivan

We bought a minivan. I've had minivan envy since we went to Florida last May and rented one for vacation. We started "seriously" looking a couple of months ago. We prefer to buy used cars, (and by prefer, I mean that both times we've bought a car, we've bought used) and JD was born a skeptic when it comes to sales people. Add to that his training as a lawyer, and he is prepared to do a shakedown of anyone who tries to sell him anything. We use Craigslist as our used car database, and we looked at two minivans that were listed there. JD didn't feel comfortable about those vans, mainly because he wasn't sure the owners' stories were legitimate. I was beginning to get frustrated because the vans looked great, ran well, and the people selling them seemed perfectly normal and reasonable.

So knowing all that, would you expect this same man to say to me two weeks ago, "Hey, there's a 2006 EX-L Odyssey on Ebay for [x] dollars. It's a great deal. Should I bid?" So, I told him to bid thinking that there was no way it would go for that price. Long story short: We won the auction and now own the van. The van was in Atlanta, so we had to pay for shipping it here, but we got a pretty good deal on that as well. So far, we have been pleased with the van, and I'm so thankful that my husband is patient and wise and overly skeptical at times. We were blessed with a great deal and a much nicer, newer van because he was not impulsive.

Jack of All Trades

We've had some crazy weather over the last week. For a few nights, we had lows in the single digits and teens, and the last couple of days, we've had highs near 60. It appears that the insects are confused, too. The warm weather brought them out of dormancy, and they were buzzing around Madelyn's room at my in-laws'. She came downstairs during her naptime one day and told us that something was buzzing around her head. JD went upstairs to remedy the situation, and when he was done , Madelyn said, "Daddy, you're a good daddy. You're really good at killing things."

Last week, we bought a minivan (I'll post a story about that soon.) Unfortunately, we left the lights on one night, so the battery died. Since it is new to us, I couldn't figure out how to pop the hood and therefore, could not charge the battery. Madelyn was upset that our new van was broken, but I was able to convince her JD would be able to fix it when he got home. She said, "Daddy sure is good at fixing things. He can fix things better than you can."

Advent

This year we have focused on the Advent season as a family. I was inspired by a couple, Jack and Kathy Stockman, who spoke at our MOPS meeting a few weeks ago. They wrote and illustrated a book, The Advent Book, and at the meeting, they discussed various ways to celebrate Advent as a family. Their book is a bit pricey, but it is beautiful and has really added a lot to our Christmas this year. Madelyn has asked to read the book every night since we started, and now has most of the Christmas story memorized. We have also used an Advent wreath this year, and both of the kids get really excited when it's time to blow the candles out at the end of our book readings. And as further proof that the book and wreath have been excellent in focusing their attention on the "reason for the season", Madelyn asked to take the wreath and book to Nana and Granddaddy's. We leave tomorrow to spend a few days with them.

I'm not sure when I'll have a chance to blog again. I'll try to get some pictures and details of Christmas ASAP. Until then, I wish you all a very merry Christmas. If you have time, click on the video below and read the lyrics as you listen to the words of the song. It is a very powerful version of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

Making cookies and playing nativity

We had some friends over to enjoy some cookie making. Madelyn wanted to give cookies to our neighbors as Christmas gifts.










After we finished making and decorating the cookies, Madelyn and Jake started playing together. After a bit, Madelyn and Jake came back to where Margaret and I were, and Madelyn said, "Okay, Mommy, you say 'no room here' after I say 'knock. knock.'" So, here's how it went:

Madelyn: Knock. Knock
Me: No room here.
Madelyn (walking over to Margaret): Knock. Knock.
Margaret: No room here.
Madelyn (back to me): Knock. Knock. Do you have any room?
Me (catching on): No, but you can stay in my stable.

Madelyn and Jake ran off to the the "stable" as Mary and Joseph to act out the Nativity scene. It was so cute and they came up with the idea completely on their own. Here are some pictures:


Madelyn with Jesus and the manger



The wise men brought gold (toy banana)


Frankincense (toy fish)


and myrrh (homemade snowflake)

Decking the halls

A few more pictures of our decorating:





The kids' tree

Trying to get decent pictures...

Madelyn acting like the camera is going to hurt her


Madelyn saying, "Cheeeeeeeeeeese."


Madelyn again saying, "Cheeeeeeeeeese."



Pierce is mad because he wants the ball.


Unfortunately, this is the best one. (Yikes, the pictures on the wall are pretty crooked.)



With some cropping, I came up with these:

Trimming the tree

If only spelling were really this easy...

Last week we went to my friend's house to decorate Christmas cookies. Melissa has a son named Owen. As we were driving there Madelyn says, "I know how to spell Owen." I told her that was great and asked if she could spell it for me. Madelyn said, "Sure, you spell it O-N."

Randomness

Was Louis Pasteur Catholic? If so, he should be considered a saint. Pierce woke up from his nap yesterday with a pretty high fever, and he has been congested for quite some time. I decided it was time to call the doctor. He has an ear infection. After one dose of the antibiotic, the fever was gone. Miracle? Close enough for this momma.

I called the doctor last night around 5:30, and the nurse said I could bring Pierce in at 7:15. We left there around 8:00 and went to pharmacy to get the prescription filled. Pierce was CRAZY in the pharmacy. It was like something you would see in a video to promote abstinence. Things were flying off the shelf and he just thought it was hilarious. You would never have known he was not well if you were seeing him for the fist time. I was quite frustrated when I left the pharmacy, but then I began thinking about how many people in this world don't have the option of getting to the doctor and getting the necessary medicine. I did it in under 4 hours. My attitude quickly changed, and I am so thankful to live where I do with the amenities I have.

We left the house Sunday night, and a telephone book was by the door. When we arrived back home, Madelyn said, "I can't wait to read the xylophone book."

It is quite humbling sometimes to hear your children echo things that you say. For example, I heard Madelyn a couple of days ago say, "Honestly, Pierce, is that necessary?"

It is also quite gratifying to hear your children echo things that you say. For example, Madelyn prayed the other day, "Thank you, God, for sending the baby Jesus. That's why we celebrate Christmas."

My new favorite ditty

The song starts about a minute into the clip.

I've been tagged

Emily at Bella Babies tagged me with questions about myself, so here goes:

8 TV shows I watch (This is really hard for me. Don't watch much TV):
1. House
2. 24
3. American Idol (sometimes)
4. Friday Night Lights (doing something weird with Direct TV I think, so I haven't watched it this season).
5. Damages (coming back in January)
6. Sesame Street
7. Barney
8. Army Wives (I promise this is the only Lifetime show I watch)

8 Favorite Restaurants (Also hard for me. Don't get out much)
1. Chipotle
2. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
3. Chick fil a
4. McDonald's (Love the coffee)
5. Five Guys
6. Cold Stone Creamery
7. Morton's
8. Chili's

8 Things That Happened This Week:
1. Finished Christmas shopping ( I think)
2. Church Christmas party
3. Started doing Advent stuff with kids (A week late)
4. Put up the Christmas tree
5. Watched the Hokies win the ACC championship
6. Watched the Redskins lose again.
7. Decorated cookies with friends from church
8. Went to Bible study

8 Things I look forward to (in no particular order)
1. Owning a minivan (is this weird?)
2. Owning a house
3. Real snow because the kids will be excited
4. Christmas with the kids
5. Seeing family during Christmas
6. Seeing sunshine (lots of clouds and rain around here)
7. Getting back to a church service (we've been occupied with traveling, exhausted kids and nursery duty the last few weeks)
8. Getting dressed up for JD's work party this weekend

8 Things I wish/pray for:
1. My kids not telling me "no"
2. A calm, but firm, spirit when dealing with the kids as they disobey
3. That I will not be anxious about anything. That in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, I will present my requests to God.
4. Living closer to family
5. That my kids will know and love Jesus
6. That my kids will be safe and protected from the evils of this world
7. That my kids will make honest and prayerful decisions throughout their lives
8. That I didn't have Goldfish crackers smashed into the carpet right now

8 people I tag:

1. Melissa at Home of the Hills
2. April at Join the Mureens
3. Robin at A New Rakow Beginning
4. Jen at Clark Blog
5. Sarah at Scott Family Fun
6. Dina at Naturally Caffeinated Family
7. Joelle at Drew and Joelle
8. Anyone else who might feel inclined

Madelyn's first letter

On Saturday, Madelyn was talking about riding on airplanes and recounted her experience from last spring. She mentioned the flight attendant handing out snacks and then asked why they didn't have fruit snacks. JD suggested she write them a letter to ask why they didn't have them. Here's the result:


It says:

Dear S.W. (Southwest),

I like your airplanes. Why you don't have fruit snacks?

JD helped her quite a bit, but she did a lot of it herself. She also insisted on an envelope and stamp and personally made sure it got in the mailbox. We'll see if they respond.

New Prayer

Madelyn's class has started praying a new prayer before lunch, and she's been singing it at home as well. This morning, JD decided he would sing it, so he began:

God, our Father,
God, our Father,
Once again, once again

Madelyn interrupts

No, Daddy, it's:

God, our Father,
God, our Father,
One second, one second,
We will ask your blessing.
We will ask your blessing.
Amen. Amen.

WHY

does Madelyn always to manage to ask, "Mommy, did you pass gas?" at the most inappropriate and unnecessary times (like when the only other person in the same shopping aisle is passing your shopping cart with his and there is nothing remotely smelly in the area)?

AND

does Target already have swimming suits on the racks?

Thanksgiving fun

We are back from our Thanksgiving visit, and other than a run in with a stomach bug, we had a great time. We were able to visit with a lot of family, and the kids had a bit of an early Christmas since we won't be back to visit my side of the family during the Christmas season.



Pierce is saying "Cheese!"

Mom making yummy mashed potatoes.

Pierce licking the beaters with yummy mashed potatoes on them.

Dad carving the turkey

Madelyn loved the trampoline.



Pierce with his great-aunt Alice.

Pierce with his cousins Tori and Connor

Pierce with my cousin Amber

Thankful

It is Thanksgiving Day, so as so many of my blogging friends have done, I thought I would do a thankful list.

1. We have now gone 24 hours without seeing our children throw up. Yes, the kids had a nasty stomach bug and we spent Tuesday night into Wednesday morning listening to our children dispense of their breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. I apologize if you are reading this after partaking of you delicious Thanksgiving meal. I have had this thought every time my kids have stomach bugs, but one of the most pitiful sights in the world is seeing a young child throw up.

2. We have had an enjoyable visit with my family, and while JD has done some work, he's had a relatively stress free visit and we've enjoyed having him available to play!

3. We get to see extended family that we only see a couple of times a year.

4. I caught up with some high school friends that I haven't seen in some time

5. I live in a free country protected by the bravest men and women in the world.

6. My husband has a great job and is able to provide for his family.

7. I have the privilege of being a stay at home mom.

8. I have great friends.

9. 24 is back (Okay this is a silly one, but I do enjoy the show!)

10. I will allow myself to start decorating for Christmas on Sunday.

I hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Bottomless pit?

No, just a baby.

Madelyn kept asking for more food today. I asked her why she was so hungry. Her reply was, "I have to keep eating so that all the food can join together and make a baby in my belly. Then I can throw it up and take it to Ma and Granddad's." (We are leaving tomorrow to spend the week with my parents, and apparently, Madelyn still thinks babies come out of your mouth when they are born.)

'Tis almost the season

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Ballet and "No! No!"

Madelyn started a new ballet class this fall. Her teacher has had back issues and she has had to cancel a couple of classes. Her name is Ms. Judy, but Madelyn affectionately refers to her as Ms. Judas. We've been trying to correct that, but we haven't had much success.

In other news, I heard Pierce yelling "NO! NO! NO!" today. I figured Madelyn was harassing him, but when I checked on them, they both had their noses stuck to the kitchen window watching sNOw flurries blow in the wind.

Air and Space Museum

We decided to venture into the city again this weekend, as we took the kids to the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum. I thought the kids would enjoy seeing all of the airplanes and rockets/space shuttles. However, within the first ten minutes, I was getting the "where's all the cool stuff, Mom?" vibe. We lasted a little over an hour, and the kids did enjoy some of the stuff, but the museum was not the hit that the zoo was. Pierce did like the big moon, so we took a couple of pictures in front of it, but you can't see the entire thing in the pictures.







Tomahawk missile. How would you like to see one of these things coming at you?


The Wright Bros. original plane flown in 1903 at Kitty Hawk, NC:

They actually rode on top of airplane and flew using little wooden controllers just like the mannequin in the picture. Can you imagine? I realize they didn't fly that high or that long, but still...

Dear/Deer

Madelyn sometimes asks us to write a note in her lunchbox so that her teacher can read it to her during lunch at school. Something along the lines of "Have a great day at school. I love you!" suffices. Madelyn asked JD to do it today. So, he got his paper and wrote "Dear Madelyn,"...

Madelyn: No, put Madelyn.
JD: I did. It says "Dear Madelyn"
Madelyn: But you need to write Madelyn.
JD: Do you want me to write "Madelyn Madelyn"?
Madelyn: No. Draw Madelyn next to the deer.
JD: Do you want me to draw a deer?
Madelyn: Yes, you said "Deer Madelyn."

Finally, it clicked. She thought JD had started her note with "Deer Madelyn".

Thank you!

I wanted to post a note to say thank you to all of our veterans out there. Our family truly appreciates the sacrifices that you and your family had to make in order to insure and preserve our freedom. We are the "land of the free" because you are so brave. Thanks again!

Trip to the zoo

We went to the zoo on Saturday, and we had a great time. Unfortunately, my camera battery was dead, so we had to settle for cell phone pictures. Pierce was amazed while watching the elephant get a bath. All we've heard for the last three days is, "Emphant. Baff." Here are the best pictures from the day:

Orangutan in its cage:

Orangutan "tightroping" around the zoo:

Tiger:
Panda sunbathing:

Mommy,

when babies come out of your belly, do you get a big hole there?

Me: Well, sometimes that happens, honey.

Madelyn: Do you have a big hole in your belly?

Me: No, I don't.

Madelyn: How did your babies come out?

Me: Oh, they came out a different way, honey.

Madelyn: Oh, I know. They came out of your mouth.


Whew...really wasn't ready for that conversation.

Halloween Pictures

Madelyn was a cowgirl and Pierce was a cowboy for Halloween. Madelyn loved trick or treating, and it was a very mild evening, so it was a very pleasant experience. Here are some before and after pictures of the evening: