The Obligatory Christmas Post

Three Christmases this year:
*Curtis -- Searcy, AR
*Hodges -- Searcy, AR
*Kell -- Dallas, TX

Lots of laughter, food and fun! Happy New Year to all!

Expecting the Unexpected

What can I say? Just 5 weeks along with a long way to go. Keep us in your prayers!

Caught

Tonight's funny:



"Look Mommy! I can feed her! Kalleigh likes cheese dip!"

Outstanding.

Special effects

The soft focus effect seen here is carefully created by a 3 1/2 yr old prying open the camera lens cover and rubbing his greasy fingers directly onto the lens. Just because he can.

The one sock left over ...

It used to bother me. I'd fold all of the laundry and then -- what? Where's your match? There is no good reason in the world why your match shouldn't be in here.

But not any more! I've been doing something that I might even call brilliant. It's the perfect use for that sad little left over sock. Knowing its match will probably come through in a week or so, I turn it inside out, stick my hand in, spray it with Pledge and do a quick dusting job around the house!

It's almost exciting to find one left over!

(almost)

Holiday Tag!

Welcome to the Holiday edition of getting to know your friends.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love the idea of wrapping paper, but the practicality of gift bags.

2. Real tree or artificial? Pre-lit, 9-ft, artificial--when buying our home (March '06), one of my main priorities was finding a perfect spot for the tree!

3. When do you put up the tree? Preferably, the day after Thanksgiving, but if we can't for some reason, then I'll get it up as soon as I can after that.

4. When do you take the tree down? Hmmm ... last year, I think it saw the beginning of February

5. Do you like eggnog? never had it

6. What about Fruitcake? never had it either

7. Favorite gift received as a child? My Little Pony Castle

8. Do you have a nativity scene? no

9. Hardest person to buy for? John's siblings

10. Easiest person to buy for? my kids

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? "The Figgies" ;)

12. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail -- I may use Snapfish this year

13. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a toss up between Elf and Claymation Christmas

14. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually mid-December, but I'm proud to say that I already have a couple for this year!

15. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? who hasn't?

16. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? chocolate roll, apricot fried pies, custard, custard pie, cheese rolls, ChexMix ... no wonder I gain weight over the holidays!

17. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear, hands down.

18. Favorite Christmas song? Maybe Chestnuts, but I heard this song on the Special XMas station last year that was to the tune of Feliz Navidad, but the words were, "Police stopped my car." I'm still cracking up over that one.

19. Travel for Christmas or stay at home? usually travel, though we've had a few at home as well

20. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? of course

21. Angel on the tree top or a star? Cross

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Depends on which tribe: Curtis, Christmas Eve; Kell and Hodges, morning

23. What is the one present you want most this year? brown boots (and I think Mom's getting them for me!!)

24. Most annoying thing about this time of year? This is bad, but the bell ringers who stand right in front of the Wal-Mart doors so that you actually have to walk around them to enter

25. What I love most about Christmas? watching my kids receive as well as learning to give

This was so fun! I just stole it right off of Aunt Britney's blog. I won't tag anyone, but anyone can copy and paste like I did!

Happy Holidays!

Thankful

We had an amazingly uneventful Thanksgiving Day.

When Mom went back home after our dinner theater (more on that in another post) the weekend before TG, she took Johnathan with her! Then we were going to come up to Searcy on Wednesday to pick him up and to do TG with John's family. Mom was going to drive back home with us TG afternoon to sing with us at the mall the next morning at 7am (more on that in yet another post)!

Well, Kalleigh developed this really yucky cough, so we got her in to see the doctor Wednesday am, the morning we were supposed to leave. The cough was bad enough to warrant a prescription and instructions for lots of rest, and to watch the cough should it turn into anything worse. Since we were afraid that driving round trip to Searcy and back in 36 hours would not exactly be restful, and to try and prevent the symptoms from getting worse and possibly being contagious, we made the decision to stay home and let Mom bring Johnathan home when she came down.

We missed being with family, and most of all Johnathan, but I still think it was the best decision. And we missed out on the big TG meal, since I was not about to run out and buy a turkey to cook for the three of us! We did not miss all of the calories, though. :)

However, we did successfully rest for the first time in a long time! ALL of us rested. On the actual Turkey Day, we stayed in our pajamas all day until it was time to rehearse that evening. John and I made a pumpkin pie together (which is gone by now, of course) and for our "big meal" I pulled out some turkey lunch meat, some slices of provolone cheese and cranked open the can of cranberry sauce that I was supposed to take to Searcy. We drank Dr. Pepper and Fresca and finished off with our really yummy pumpkin pie. Needless to say, we did not get a lot of fabulous TG pictures because I'm sure that's just what you wanted to see--us in our PJs doing nothing. The only thing that I should have taken a picture of was that pie, because since I was making it for no one but us, it turned out beautifully, of course.

I am more thankful for rest this year than any other year. It has slowly but surely climbed its way up the priority ladder a few more rungs.

Oh, and I have a new first cousin-once removed! Congrats Chad, Elizabeth (esp. Liz for doing all the work), Carter and Ashlyn on the birth of Curtis Michael!

My two new favorite Star Wars characters ...

In Johnathan's words, of course:

B*tt Skywalker & Okie Pokie Nokie

Encouraging words

I'm getting tired. Anxiety begins to creep up. Discouragement knocks on my door. And then a breath of fresh air. Renewed strength.

Where did that come from? I ask as I look around ... and then up.

Of course. My help comes from the Lord! The one who made everything!

He's not going to let me trip. His love protects me through the night--he doesn't need sleep. He protects me as well as all of his blessed children.

When judging eyes seem to burn a hole right through my heart, God holds up his hand and deflects those rays (the ultra-violent ones) and keeps me from getting sunburned.

He's going to protect my soul and keep it safe my whole life. He'll be with me everywhere I go.

Now and forever!

Adapted from Psalm 121

Extra belated pumpkin patch pics

A while back, Johnathan's class went to the pumpkin patch, as most preschools do. I had just forgotten to put these on the blog. I put them up on Facebook b/c it's SO much easier, faster, etc. Anyway, here they are!

"Cheese" grin on the hayride.

"Found one! See?"

Kalleigh even got in on the action.

"Hi, Momma!"

Belated Halloween Pics

It's been a nice week. Not too much on the schedule. There were actually 3 nights this week when we have been home before 9pm! It's been great.

I've been doing a lot of cooking and cleaning ... finally! Yesterday, I made the most amazing pumpkin pie (or at least it smelled that way), but I made it as the dessert to go along with the rest of the meal I fixed for a friend who just had a baby. I confess to you that I did NOT want to give that pie away. Of course, I bought extra ingredients to make another one soon!

Here are just a couple of pics from Halloween/Trunk-or-Treat. I had several more pictures of Kalleigh than Johnathan because I took Kalleigh around while John took Johnathan around, and I had the camera. :)

Another story for those just learning to read ...

(Warning. Rated PG for some suspense.)

I rode my horse today.
His name is Gallant.
I brushed his soft coat of fur.
I brushed his mane and tail.
He is a very handsome horse.
I put his bridle on.
I put his saddle on.
We did a few practice drills.
Gallant moved each of feet right when I told him to!
He behaved so well when I was not riding him!
Mostly.
I tied a rope onto his saddle horn.
Then I asked him to trot around in a circle.
He did one circle.
But then ...
... he ran away and pulled the rope out of my hands.
He ran over to the other horses.
I was angry.
I took a deep breath.
I went over to him and brought him back.
I took the rope off of his saddle horn.
I got on Gallant.
He did a good job walking.
He wanted to run.
I wanted him to walk.
When he tried to run, I made him turn around in circles.
He did not like that.
He jumped around a little bit.
But I stayed on.
He did better at walking after that.
I asked him to trot.
He did trot, but he still wanted to run.
When he tried to run, I made him turn circles again.
Again, he did not like that.
He jumped around a little bit more.
But I stayed on.
He did better at trotting after that.
I asked him to run slowly.
He wanted to run very quickly.
I tried to make him turn around in circles again.
But he did not.
He ran, and Ran, and RAN!
I was pulling on the reins very hard.
He ran under a very low branch.
I ducked, but it hit my head.
He ran under another very low branch.
I ducked again, but it hit my head, too.
He ran straight for the fence!
He is a very fast horse!
I was afraid!
I didn't know what to do!
He was running and jumping.
And then Gallant stopped very quickly.
I fell off right before we got to the fence.
I rolled on the ground two times.
And then my back hit the fence post.
I was angry again.
But I was not hurt badly.
I took Gallant back to the round pen.
I tied him up and let him calm down.
He calmed down for two hours.
While he was calming down, I rode another horse.
His name is Blaze.
Blaze is Gallant's boss.
Blaze and I rode down the road a long way.
Blaze walked when I asked him to walk.
He trotted when I asked him to trot.
He ran when I asked him to run.
But best of all, Blaze slowed down when I asked him to slow down.
I liked riding Blaze a lot.
When we got back, I brushed Blaze.
I told him that he did a very good job.
Then I took his tack off and turned him loose in the pasture.
I untied Gallant and took his tack off, too.
Then I turned him loose in the pasture.
Does anyone want to buy a horse?

Quiet waters vs. Living waters

I'm doing the Beth Moore study, "Beloved Disciple," about John. Granted, she can be a bit over the top at times and sometimes she makes a whole lot out of nothing. But she forces me to think and helps me thirst for answers and feel the need to drink in the scriptures for relief.

I got excited today thinking about her comparison of Psalm 23:2 ( ... he leads me beside quiet waters ...) with Revelation 7:17 ( ... he will lead them to springs of living water.). The imagery of the Shepherd is the same; leading his sheep, feeding them, protecting them, supplying their every need.

But I'm fascinated with the kind of water to which we are led: quiet waters vs. living waters. Now, Jesus is the Good Shepherd yesterday, today and forever. Why the different kinds of water? Aren't the sheep afraid of lively waters? The difference, I think, is this: Our Shepherd will only lead us to places we can handle. On this earth, we're going to need some quiet waters from which to drink. But hang on, because Heaven is a whole different story! It is alive! We'll get the good stuff there that we can't handle here!

One of Beth's points was that we tend to think that everyone will look alike and everything will be white, and everything will be completely and utterly monotonous. Why leave a life of excitement to go there? No, I think we're in for the ride of our lives. The way she puts it is that on earth, it's like riding the Teacups. But when we reach Heaven, it will be like going from the Teacups to the Rockin' Roller Coaster!

I'm so thankful that our Good Shepherd gives us exactly what we need, and that his timing is perfect! I can't wait to see with my own eyes what he has in store for us!

P. S. I love that Beth is from Arkansas. Her hilarious accent is impossible to camouflage no matter how hard she tries. It catapults me back to my growing up years in Searcy!

Update on ZOE Conference

We have always loved the ZOE Conerence in Nashville, TN. This year was no exception! We heard from Randy Harris, Brian McLaren, Mike Cope and Dean Barham as well as other class presenters. They each did an outstanding job. It was Mom's first time to go, so it was fun to share all of that with her! We (Mom, John and I) stayed with my cousin, Elizabeth. It was so good to see her and her family! Thanks, Elizabeth, for letting us crash! We also met up with Pat and Deborah and their boys as well as Matt, a good friend from high school, for lunch one day.

We drove back to Searcy on Saturday night full to "overflowing," as that was the theme for this year. I think we can make it until next year now!

Here are the pictures I promised from our day at the farm and from Kalleigh's b-day lunch:


Okay, not from the farm or the party, but I had to snap this one of Johnathan and Uncle Kreg in their matching shirts!


Digging into her yummy cake!


Mamaw, the mastermind behind the Tinker Toys creation!


Kalleigh's cake that Mamaw made.


And my personal favorite of all the pictures I took that day!

There are several more pictures on Facebook, but these are the highlights.

While we were at the conference, John's mom kept the kids. I wasn't ready for how much I would miss them! I wasn't worried about how they would do with Momo, or how they would do without us. I just really missed them! Martha said they did just fine, as I expected they would. I am so thankful to her for keeping them! What a blessing!

So, we got home to Tyler Sunday evening. On the way, we had a tire blowout, so that was far from fun. But it couldn't have happened at a better place. We were just on the south side of Little Rock and in the right-hand lane when it happened. It was the back left tire that popped, so since we have front-wheel steering, it didn't throw the van out of control. We were able to exit immediately where there was an empty lot where we put the spare tire on. I called Mom and she looked up the closest Wal-Mart. It just happened to be the next exit. It just happened that the automotive service center was open - on Sunday after 4pm. It just happened that ours was the last job they were taking for the day. It just happened that the tire was actually repairable and we did not have to buy a new tire. Amazing! The whole ordeal set us back about three hours. Thankfully, we weren't rushing back for anything except bedtime! The kids made the most of the pit stop:


The Flat.


The Feast (okay, it was popcorn).


The Fun - Look Out, Little Rock!

So much to say ... so little motivation ... I'll play the tag game instead!

I hadn't seen this one before. It's a Husband Tag! We all like to brag on our husbands, so here goes!

1. Who is your man? John
2. How long have you been together? 9 1/2 yrs
3. How long did you date? 2 1/2 yrs, although 2 yrs of that was long-distance!
4. How old is your man? just turned 33
5. Who eats more? Depends on what we're having. Chicken? John. Donuts? Me.
6. Who said "I love you" first? I did
7. Who is taller? John, by 4 inches
8. Who sings better? Like Harry Connick Jr? John. 40's style lounge singer? Me. Country? We can bring the house down together!
9. Who is smarter? Book smart? John. Common sense? Me.
10. Whose temper is worse? Mine
11. Who does the laundry? I do
12. Who takes out the garbage? John
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? John
14. Who pays the bills? John
15. Who is better with the computer? John
16. Who mows the lawn? Both; we take turns edging and mowing
17. Who cooks dinner? I do
18. Who drives when you are together? I do
19. Who pays when you go out? John
20. Who is most stubborn? Hmmm ... probably I am, but John might say otherwise!
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? John
22. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine
23. Who kissed who first? I kissed him
24. Who asked who out? He asked me out
25. Who proposed? John
26. Who is more sensitive? John, unless I'm pregnant ... then it's me. And, no I'm not.
27. Who has more friends? I do
28. Who has more siblings? John -- he's the youngest of 6
29. Who wears the pants in the family? We try to share them mostly. It's pretty tricky, but gets a lot of laughs!

I'll tag my cousins and my sister. Brag away!

Lectureship & Beyond

First off, thanks to those of you who have been praying for John in his part of Harding Lectureship. He taught three classes on Monday (his birthday!) on worship, and they were full and there was some good meaningful discussion! This evening he co-presents the keynote with Bruce McLarty as they lead everyone in a meaningful praise experience. Keep the prayers coming!

Jan Jones's celebration ceremony was just amazing. It was in the Admin building on Harding's campus, and it was PACKED, upstairs and down. Quite a tribute to her. Thanks to John for handling Kalleigh on his own at church Sunday morning, and to Dad for picking up Johnathan and me early that morning so that we could go.

I so missed being with my Ladies' Bible Class group on Tuesday! Thanks to an excellent back-up leader who filled my role, I knew you were in good hands!

As I eluded to earlier, John's birthday was Monday, and then Kalleigh's was yesterday! The kids and I spent most of the day yesterday out at the farm with Mamaw and Papaw. Papaw is doing just about as well as can be expected. Several of you have asked about him recently. I think the last time I gave an update, he had just had his first round of chemo and felt okay after it. He has now had at least 4 treatments, and from what the doctors can tell, the chemo is doing its job. Papaw can eat whatever he wants now--we didn't know if he would ever be able to be off the tube feeding again! He can get around pretty well now. In fact, yesterday, he saw a dead limb on the tree in front of the porch and was able to go get his saw and saw it right off! That's hard work for anyone! All of the surgery wounds on his abdomen are healed. We are all SO GRATEFUL.

Also while we were there, Mamaw made Kalleigh's first birthday cake! It was beautiful, of course, and I did take a picture of it, but you'll have to wait until I get home to post pictures from our trip, for I have forgotten my camera cord.

We've eated with Kreg and Keleigh a couple of times. Today for lunch, we met John's mother, Martha, and brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Laura, their son, Jake, and Kreg and Keleigh to celebrate Kalleigh's and John's birthdays. Later we'll meet up with Mom and maybe Mamaw and Papaw at Mazzio's.

Mom's been in Chicago on a recruiting trip this whole time we've been here, so I'm looking forward to seeing her in about an hour and a half!

Then tomorrow we head to the ZOE Conference in Nashville! I can't wait! The kids are staying with Martha--thank you so much!--and Mom's going with us. This will be Mom's first time to go to the ZC, and I just know she's going to love it! Plus we're staying with my cousin, Elizabeth, so that will be fun, too.

I'm sure I'll have a full report from tonight and after the ZC. So, until then, I miss you, friends, at home and look forward to being with you again!

A Hard Day

When you lose someone, you start reflecting on your own life and your relationships. I've been doing a lot of reflecting today.

John's aunt, Martha's sister, died this morning. She was older and it was not unexpected. But it has caused me to think of my own sister and how much I love and appreciate her, even in all of our many differences! I can't imagine losing Kristi, and so I feel for my mother-in-law. To make it more difficult for her, she is the Harding Lectureship Coordinator ... and Lectureship begins Sunday. Please pray for her and the decisions she will be making over the next couple of days.

Jan Jones also went on to be with our Maker early this morning. My heart breaks for Craig, Rees and Elaine. Jan fought a six month battle with pancreatic cancer before it was finished. One of my great joys is playing the piano at home to relax and relieve stress. I wouldn't be able to play at all if it weren't for the three years I spent as Jan's student! Then, she accompanied me for a couple of different auditions, and was always so complimentary and encouraging! And we had fun "cutting up" during Spring Sing rehearsals as she worked with the hosts and hostesses. It's so hard to believe that she's gone. I can only imagine the applause of heaven as Jan finished her grand concert before God!

Buddies

Kalleigh and Abigail were born two weeks apart. Abigail's mommy and I shared the joys and pains of carrying our little girls and grew to be close friends through it! I am thankful to have such good Christian friends as these!

Plus it's just really fun to watch the girls play together ...


Abigail is so much taller than Kalleigh (big surprise)!


Soft hands ...


Sharing a book.


Best buddies!

We have a walker

She's definitely walking. Kalleigh has been standing up from the ground on her own (not just pulling up) since 9 months. She has been taking a few steps at a time for maybe a month now. But it's finally starting to click that this could be a more efficient mode of transportation. She is realizing that she can carry things around in her hands (rather than her mouth!) when she walks. And she's doing it more and more without encouragement.

This is early for us. Johnathan didn't walk until 14 months, and it was even after that that he learned to stand up from the ground on his own.

I think she's definitely trying to keep up with Johnathan!

I don't have video proof of the walking yet, but here's a picture of Kalleigh on the day she learned to stand (about 2 months ago):


Did you see that, Mommy?

She is up to 6 teeth; all four in the front and the ones just to her left on the top and bottom. She's a little lop-sided right now!

Tomorrow I'm watching our friend's little girl who is two weeks younger than Kalleigh. I should have some good pictures from that play day!

Story for those just beginning to read ...

That's about where I am mentally today!

I rode my horse today.
His name is Gallant.
I put his saddle on.
I put his bridle on.
I took him into the round pen.
Gallant worked on obeying me.
He kicked high in the air when I was not on him.
He was like a bucking bronco!
Then he calmed down.
I was a little afraid to ride him after that.
But I did.
We walked by the side of the road.
Gallant was afraid to go across the bridge.
I got off and led him across the bridge.
I got back on him.
He was afraid of the cars.
He was afraid of the cows.
He was afraid of many things.
I was afraid, a little.
But he never kicked high in the air when I was on him.
Gallant wanted to trot.
I wanted him to walk.
We walked ... most of the time.
We rode back to the barn.
We were both safe.
I love my horse.
I think he loves me, too.

The end.