Three Little Words

Anna Cate and I sat down Tuesday night to begin the annual ritual of stuffing candy bags and signing valentines for her classmates. As we stuffed, she guessed which classmate would like what valentine and wondered if the boys in her class would mind getting a "girly" card from her. She really wanted to put names on each card, but I explained that to make it fair and equal, we would just label each one "my friend". Valentine's Day is another event that has changed significantly since I was a child and for the most part, I think that is a good thing.

Because, as we talked, I remembered a girl by the name of Mary Beth. She wasn't very well-liked in my 5th grade class. Looking back, I can't quite recall why, but I had just been added to the official social ladder the previous year and was really still focused primarily on staying there and in turn, did not have time to analyze why some children were still left out. But, I do remember the look on her face as she passed out all her handmade cards with such excitement. And, the sadness that replaced that look when she returned to her seat (of course by me, because the teachers always sat me by the outcasts because they knew I would be nice to them) to find only two valentines in her own little box. Oh, the cruelty of children.

But, then again, there is some merit in getting a valentine with your name on it, that contains a special message just for you. The only other significant memory of elementary Valentine's Day parties I remember is of receiving my first "true" valentine. It was from a little boy named, Adam, and I was in 3rd grade. All the valentines had been given and we all were sitting in little groups - boys on one side of the room and girls on the other. I was quietly opening the individual little envelopes and when I turned his over, I saw written in tiny little print three words, "I love you". I remember feeling embarrassed and turning it over again and again just to make sure it was really there.

So, in an effort to be fair to everyone, little moments like that one disappear from children's lives, which I find to be sort of sad. In a strange turn of events, Anna Cate's "valentine" had to withdraw from school last week and was able to give his valentines early. And guess what was written on the back of Anna Cate's card? Three little words..."I love you".

Everything's Relative

So, it's raining in the desert. The last report I heard said that within 24 hours, we have received almost 60 percent of our total expected annual rainfall. For months, I have listened to my southern family and friends complain about rain and gloomy weather. Now, I can add my sob stories about fallen debris, standing water and tornado warnings.

But, in all honesty, other than a few anxious hours of watching weather reports that were spent following the possible tornado, AC and I have enjoyed the weather change. Rain in the desert is kind of like snow in the South, it's an event. We pull out clothes we normally don't wear, bring the umbrella out of the play clothes trunk and giggle when the water splashes all over the windshield temporarily blinding us to the outside world.

I've always heard that "one man's trash is another man's treasure", but in this case I guess you could say, "One man's depressing weather is another man's delight"!

We Dat Team

Matthew loves football. I mean he LOVES it. He could sit and watch every game that is played every weekend. He and Troy used to sit through games and quiz one another over the college from which each and every player on a team graduated. Anna Cate and I, on the other hand, enjoy one game every couple of weeks. Last fall, this caused some turmoil in our family. But, this football season, I decided that we could come to a compromise that would satisfy us all.

So, we decided to follow the Arizona Cardinals as a family this year. (Easy choice considering they are the home team and we had started cheering for them last year). The whole experience turned out much better than I expected. We made signs, ate picnics in the living room while watching and really enjoyed spending Sunday afternoons together. I was surprised that it became something that we were actually sharing together instead of Matthew watching the game and me entertaining Anna Cate. Somedays, they would actually play together and I would just watch the game.



Also, it became funny when Anna Cate would start to check the score to see if Arizona was winning and jump and cheer when they scored a touchdown. More humorous was when she would try to reassure Matthew when he would get frustrated by the game. I loved hearing her tell him it was "just a game" and there was "no reason to get so mad".
>After following them all season, it only seemed fitting that we should go to the "Send-Off Rally" held today at the airport. We arrived just as Antrelle Rolle was beginning to ask the crowd, "Who dat football team?" and the crowd responded by yelling, "We dat team!". Then Kurt Warner and Ken Wisenhunt spoke and thanked the crowd for the support. Interestingly, Warner mentioned how happy he was that the winning seasons had really encouraged community and brought families together, just like it had ours. After the speakers came the cheerleaders, the drum line and Big Red, the mascot. But, maybe the best entertainment was the over-zealous fans. Our favorite was a middle aged man dressed in full pads, black shorts, knee-high athletic socks, high top tennis shoes and a leather pilots' cap with the cardinal emblem on the side.

As we were riding home I told Anna Cate why I had thought it was such a good idea and she added that she was really "thankful we could all do something fun together" and that it was "cool seeing the people from the tv".

A Body Knows

About two months ago I abandoned my exercise and healthy eating regime. With all that was happening, I just couldn't keep the routine going, and I have to have a set routine to keep my discipline. I thought to myself that I would return to it after the holidays and that some time off wouldn't make that much of a difference. But, my body thought differently.

We spent the weekend before Christmas in Colorado Springs, total time spent driving was 24 hours, total time spent sleeping was 12 hours (over three days). I thought I was doing pretty well keeping up the pace. My body thought differently.

We enjoyed Christmas at home and then headed for Georgia to spend the holiday week with our families. The third night there, I noticed some bumps on my back. No one seemed to know what they were so we guessed that maybe Troy's little dog, Betty, may of had some fleas that had found their way to my back. (Sorry, Betty) They got a little bigger, but I really didn't think anything about them, except for the fact that they itched like crazy! A few days later, I noticed they had spread around my side and now made a neat little line straight to my belly button. At this point, I became alarmed. It was mentioned that I might have shingles, but that a doctor could only really cure the symptoms and since it was my last day in Georgia and they weren't bothering me terribly bad, I thought it would be okay to wait to go to the doctor when we returned to Arizona. My body thought differently.

By the time I got to see the doctor, I had about 100 little blisters that were tender to the touch lined up nicely around my torso. It felt like 100 little pin pricks all occurring at the same time and it hurt to sit, bend or lay down. The doctor took one look at me, and prescribed me an antiviral medication, a steroid and a topical cream treatment. Then he said I needed to rest and come see him again in two weeks.

The doctor said the outbreak was most likely due to emotional stress and being over tired. So, what did I learn from this experience? I need to seriously consider taking care of myself a top priority. I get so consumed with taking care of my family that I often put off taking care of myself. I need to sleep. My body keeps going, but obviously, the lack of rest is hurting it and my immune system. And, shockingly, I am happy to report that I also learned Matthew and AC are capable of taking care of themselves for a couple days without me. Things may not run exactly as they do under my watch, but that's okay. (And I am going to work on maintaining that attitude as one of this year's resolutions).

AC's First Concert

Anna Cate wants to be a rock star. She wants to sing in front of crowds, sell lots of CD's and have everyone singing her songs when they are played on the radio. She also wants to play the guitar. When she dreams, she dreams big and it's one of the things I love about her.

But, I told her that she must first learn to play the piano and she agreed. This compromise brought us to a music program called "Let's Play Music". It's a three year program that teaches children musical concepts through hands-on activity and games. Anna Cate absolutely LOVES it. They had their first recital tonight where the first year students played "Jingle Bells" on their bells. I couldn't get the picture bright enough during the recital, so I asked her to repeat the performance in our kitchen.

Hope you enjoy!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Anna Cate came into our room this morning and snuggled up to me like she always does, but this morning she added that we only have 14 more days until Christmas. FOURTEEN DAYS! Really? She again commented about how long the wait is while visions of all the things I have yet to do filled my mind. We lay there and discussed things for a few more minutes and I mentioned going to see Santa.

She got real quiet for a few moments and then said, "I don't want to see Santa because I don't know what you have wrapped for me and I don't want two of anything."

Hmmm, good point. I suggested that Cheesehead had watched me wrap the presents and therefore would probably tell Santa if there were any duplicates. Then she added that she was "pretty sure [we] wouldn't wrap a bike" so she would go with that choice.

We arrived 5 minutes after the mall opened and there were only three children in front of us. She got on Santa's lap and he gave her a huge hug and said he remembered her from last year and I was shocked to see her smile and give him a huge hug in return. I walked around to choose my picture package and looked to see them in deep discussion. Anna Cate later told me that she couldn't remember how to explain the type of bike she wanted, but Santa said he understood because "a lot of children were asking for that this year." (Just in case you are wondering, she wants a bike with the "brake on the handlebars where she can pedal backwards and not stop")


So after adding an art kit to the wish list, they smiled for pictures. Santa then gave her a book and she gave him a double high-five that I really wish I had been able to capture on film. He gave her a big chuckle and looked at me and gave me a wink. I guess he knows how special she is too!

Five for Friday - Five Christmas Traditions

Ahhh, the songs, the shows and the shopping...the decorating, the baking and the picture taking...We all have our favorite things about Christmas. When I was a child, I loved the smell of the freshly cut Christmas tree, driving around looking at all the lights and the presents stacked under the tree. Now that I am an adult, I have been able to share some of the memories I once loved with Anna Cate and we have created some traditions of our own.

1. Hot Cocoa and The Polar Express. We kick off the Christmas season by snuggling on the couch with cups of hot cocoa and watching The Polar Express. Instead of a fire, we have our windows open while cool breezes blow in making it actually necessary for us to use our Christmas down blanket. With only the lights from the tree lighting the room, it is a cozy and calm way to begin the most hectic of seasons.


2.Elf on the Shelf. Four years ago, an elf by the name of Cheesehead, began visiting us throughout the Christmas season. (It happened to be the year Matthew and I were discussing having a second child and AC wanted to name said child "Cheesehead". I thought if the elf received the name than the child would be spared.) Even now, Anna Cate wakes up every morning intent on discovering the elf's most recent hiding spot.

3.Playing in the Snow. I know this one seems strange, but many different venues bring in snow during the season and set up areas where children can sled and build snowmen. This year, we will be travelling to Colorado Springs for a weekend and are hoping to find lots of snow!

4.Christmas Eve at Mission. Our church makes Christmas Eve a true event. They bring in live animals for the nativity, snow mounds for sledding and several rides for the children. The night closes with a short message and carols on the lawn outside the community center. Everyone bundled up in their coats and scarves, drinking hot cocoa and singing carols to candle light leaves me with such a feeling of peace and joy.

5.Travelling to Georgia on Christmas Day. When we began this tradition, I wasn't sure I would like it. But, now when all the presents have been opened on Chrismas day, there is no sense of it all being over. Actually, for us it is just beginning and we are all excited to get back and see everyone.

We make so many fun memories during the Christmas season in our home. Anna Cate's memories will be completely different from the ones I had as a child, but I hope they are as happy. When asked in music class last night what her favorite thing about Christmas was, she answered, "I don't really have a favorite, but I know what I don't like...the waiting!"