Goodbye, Adieu, Addio, Auf weidersehen, Adios 2007!

2007--WOW, what a year! I could go on and on about all of the wonderful things that have happened in our lives over the past year but I will let the blog speak for itself. It's been an amazing year to say the least. Great memories (and a few not so great) are filed away in their respective filing drawers of my brain. We have spent tons of quality time together as a family. We survived selling and building a new home (and we didn't hurt each other during the process). We made the difficult decision of leaving a church we dearly loved only to be welcomed with open arms at our new church home. Hands down, this move was the best decision we made the entire year.

When I step outside the box and look at the blessings I have been given in 29 years, I am nothing short of humbled. There are many titles I dreamed of holding in my life but none more coveted than wife and Mother. Those dreams are no longer dreams. They are my reality each and every day. Fabulous days, ordinary days and even tough days, there is nowhere I would rather be than right here with my family.

I would like to close 2007 describing the three loves of my life and who they at this moment in time...

Daddy...the first love of my life, the very core of my heart and the greatest gift God has given me. He is a determined provider for our family in ways that go much deeper than dollar signs. His growing relationship with God, our marriage and our children are his #1 priorities. The desire of his heart is to be an amazing Father. In my opinion, he has no problem exceeding that goal. He is strong and confident yet tenderhearted and kind. In 11 years, he has wiped many Charlie Brown tears. Some of them were the tears of others. Some were tears of his own and he doesn't have a problem with that. He is fun yet serious. He is intelligent yet humble. He makes business decisions as confidently as I can decide what's for dinner. He loves his job and goes to work every day to be with his friends, not his employees. He is my reality check when I forget to take off my rose colored glasses. He is my patience when mine is stretched. He is my encouragement. He is my love. He is my confidante. He is my best friend.

J...the love of our lives, our first child, our miracle. Tears of joy well up just writing his name. In the words of Celine Dion, "You're my life's one miracle". That is the best way to describe the first few years of his precious life. No matter how many years pass us by, we will always remember that he is our "life's one miracle" straight from the hand of God. He is bright and inquisitive. He is strong willed and determined. He is Daddy's #1 fan. He is funny with a side of silliness. He loves to be entertained and is quite the entertainer on his own. He loves computers and video games in any shape, form or fashion. He is tenderhearted, sensitive and kind. He is mischievous and sneaky. He loves his little sister in a way that melts my heart. He thinks he's smarter than Mommy and Daddy and some days we let him believe it. He is NEVER at a loss for words...EVER! He has an opinion on everything and is quick to share it with you. He keeps me on my toes and reminds me daily that being a Mom is not for wimps. He is the gift that opened my eyes to a world I never would have known without him...the world of Motherhood. He is strong. He is sweet. He is smart. He is brave. He is our little man...always.

MG...the love of our lives, our daughter, our gift from God. The namesake of both of her great Grandmothers, she radiates the spunk of both women all rolled into one. Each and every day I am amazed by this little girl as she explores her world with such awe and wonder. She has a boundless vocabulary and her ability to understand at 18 months old is nothing short of phenomenal to me. She loves Dora and Elmo almost as much as she loves her Daddy (and that's A LOT). She is laid back yet headstrong. She is sweet yet sassy. She is deliberate...she knows how to cut those big brown eyes, flash her smile and get exactly what she wants. Her Daddy melts at the sight of her "scrunched up eye smile" and I've been known to do the same. She came into this world with that ability and unfortunately for us, it hasn't changed. She has the cutest laugh and the most pitiful cry...one that even her brother can't dismiss. She is full of life and boundless energy. There is nothing sweeter than her armless hugs and slobbery, wet kisses. This precious child owns a piece of my heart that I never knew was empty until she filled it. Very simply, she is pure joy in one little baby girl body and everything I could have imagined a daughter would be.

We are thankful for each and every blessing God has given us this year. 2007 has been amazing and the coming year is sure to bring many new adventures. Looking forward, it is a great year in the making. I can not wait to see what God has in store for our family in 2008. Goodbye, Adieu, Addio, Auf weidersehen, Adios 2007!

the Epizooty strikes again...

Guess who has a fever today, AGAIN? Yep, it's J. High of 103.6 so far. His throat looks terrible though I should note that it always looks bad on a normal day. He has the largest, nastiest looking healthy tonsils of any child I've ever seen. I know, too much info for all of you non-medical people. I'm still fascinated by them.

Anywhoo, we're off to the MD in the morning for a rapid strep. We still haven't moved their records to their new Pediatrician so we'll have to see someone at the old office. J is already distressed because he won't get to see Dr. Anna at "Dr. Anna's office". Is there a girl reading this blog who has her own personal rapid strep set up, wants to make a road trip and a house call to swab some nasty tonsils on a holiday? Yeah, I didn't think so...

Someone in our family has been sick over all three holidays. Thanksgiving it was MG. Christmas it was me. New Years it's going to be J. I wonder who's going to get it next? That's how it goes, isn't it? A huge apology to our wonderful friends who were coming over for New Years Eve. Guess our families are flying solo this year unless, by some miracle, he wakes up cured.

**UPDATE 2pm: Strep negative...thankfully. Packed out waiting room so had to sit in the floor. Must be viral but he's still contagious with this kind of fever. He feels OK but fever is now 104. He is beside himself because his friend Elizabeth is not coming to his "game party" now. 5 year olds do not understand that friends do not want your germs. Happy New Year everybody!

We're building cathedrals...

Months ago, I emailed this passage to several friends. Yesterday one of those sweet friends sent it back to me. The timing could not have been more perfect. I felt the need to share it here just in case someone else I love needs a little reminder.

"I'm invisible..."
from The Invisible Woman by Nicole Johnson

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?"

Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Pick me up right around 5:30, please."

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it.

I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this. "It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:

* No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.

* These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.

* They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

* The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it."

And the workman replied, "Because God sees."

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.

The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand- bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women."

Momma said there'd be days like this...

It's been one--two--no, make that three of THOSE days. I rarely have days like this at this point in my life but the past three have weighed very heavily on my emotions. You know the kind of days I'm talking about? Days when you have something burdening your heart but there is not one thing you can physically do about it. I HATE IT! Honestly, over the past three days I have analyzed this situation every way possible. I have beat myself up. I have analyzed my character. I have questioned my own intentions and I still come back to the same conclusion. I am not a bad guy. I know who I am, I know who I'm not and I know this person has it ALL WRONG! I keep reminding myself what my Mom always told me as a kid...sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me. Well, you know what, that's a lie. Words do harm you whether you like it or not. In nearly 30 years, I have been accused more than once of wearing my heart on my sleeve. I know it and in recent years I have tried to blow things off and not take things so personally. My Meme, being the Queen of Worriers, has always reminded me to worry about nothing...pray about everything. I have really tried to do that this week as this situation has weighed heavily on my heart.

Then tonight, out of nowhere, I came across this...Tonight, after two sleepless nights, I am going to bed reassured that I am doing exactly what I know in my heart I was meant to do...no matter what the odds may think.



P.S. I know this is vague. We are all fine so no need for concern. I will not elaborate so please don't ask. It's really not worth sharing. I just needed to vent to someone other than Daddy as I've talked his ear off the past three nights. Bless his heart...he's the best listener...but this is a situation that even he can't fix.

Merry CHRISTmas!

It is safe to say the new address postcard made it safely to the North Pole. Santa knew exactly where to find J and MG this year and J was relieved that his gifts were not left "at the old house". Some time last night Santa made his way to our roof and he did not disappoint. He left J just what he wanted: a "monster truck that turns into a gorilla" and a Mega Rig Shark Ship. Those were the only two things he requested from the big red guy and Santa didn't let him down. Santa left MG the grooviest pink and silver retro kitchen complete with snappy buttons, an oven timer and tons of storage to keep all the kitchen loot organized. That Santa, always thinking of practicality when it comes to organization. He's my kind of man. :-)
J received a new Leapster video game (kind of like a Gameboy from back in the day). It was a huge hit. Once he discovered how to turn it on he hasn't put it down since. He opened his other gifts although they obviously shadowed in comparison. Even MG couldn't resist the allure of the Leapster music. 3 Leapster games, an art kit, wild animal interactive game, books, clothes, PJ's, etc. Too much for one little boy...
MG was very in to unwrapping gifts this year. She can snap off a bow and a name tag in 2.3 seconds flat. Mommy and Daddy were hoping Santa would bring the pink retro kitchen so we gave her the pots, pans, utensils and dishes to match. Lots of clothes, a new table, books, Dora doll, etc. DoDo and MyMo were HUGE with MG this year. That's Dora and Elmo for those who don't speak baby. She also received her very own Dora cordless phone and repeated "DoDo" at least 97 times after opening it. Believe me baby girl, you don't have to introduce us again, we know who she is. Here's a thought little Miss...maybe you could keep your sticky fingers off the grown up phones now that you have your own? Maybe?
Ahhhhh, the aftermath of Christmas morning, nothing like it...I love the excitement that Christmas Day brings. We hung out in our PJ's, played with our toys, enjoyed Christmas brunch with Grammy and Papa, took a short little Christmas nap and then we were off to Nanny and Granddaddy Harley's house to complete the big day. We even had to cut out a little early as the kids had had all the fun they could stand for one day...and so had the parents. Sorry Nanny and Aunt Donna. I'm sure your pies and cakes were delicious.

I hope your heart was filled with as much joy as ours this Christmas. Beyond the shiny paper, the pretty bows, the gifts and all of the Christmas hype we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Jesus. He was one tiny and unsuspecting baby boy sent to Earth to change the world--OUR world--MY world. His presence in my life has certainly changed MY world for the better, that is undeniable. It is my prayer this Christmas that His light would shine through me, through us, through our marriage, through our children and through YOU in every way possible. Material gifts or possessions will never compare to the kind of love we can only experience through Him. Merry CHRISTmas my sweet friends...

Planning the best Christmas gift EVER!

For over a month, I have been piecing together the best Christmas/birthday gift I have ever dreamed up for my husband. As I have said many many times on this blog, I am one lucky girl to be married to this man and I wanted to give him something he would NEVER GUESS in a million years. I always have that goal in buying gifts for him but this year I knocked it out of the park.

Over the past few years, Daddy has taken a ski trip with his Dad and step-Mother in February. He anticipated each of these trips for months beforehand: for the sport, for the company and for the time away from everyday life. Last month, due to unforeseen circumstances, it was decided that the 2008 ski trip was a no-go. He was REALLY bummed about it but didn't want to go skiing if he couldn't go with his Dad.

Once I knew for certain that there would not be a ski trip, I wondered if I could create something equally as memorable, if not more so. First thing on the list: J and MG. We have never left them for any length of time so that was a big one to get over. Yes, I know we should get away more but it is what it is. I knew whoever cared for them had to be someone who could take care of them here in their own home. A few friends offered but I could not ask them to pack it up and move to our house while we were gone. Several days in an unfamiliar environment while missing their Mommy and Daddy might send everyone involved over the edge. I just couldn't do that to my babies, ya know? So the question was, who would be willing to take a few days off from their own busy lives to help me do something really special for my husband? My Mother, my step-Mother-in-law and my dear friend Courtney all stepped up to the plate. They are the only reason this trip is actually happening.

I wanted this trip to be all about him but with a few specifications: somewhere he's never been, 5 hrs or less by airplane, plenty of things HE would love to do and it needed to be a romantic kind of city. Also, not Disney World or any other family type environment. Being surrounded by little people might make us too homesick to have a good time. I quickly sent out an SOS to our world asking this question: Where is the most amazing place you have ever traveled and why? I received many responses from our friends but one specific city came up numerous times. After a little investigation I knew this was THE place. I spent the month of December researching, planning and picking the brains of those who were in the know. Thanks to all my amigas (and my Father-in-law) who humored me with all the travel questions. Thanks to those who had to listen to my yackity yack about the big secret Christmas gift. I'll gladly return the favor anytime you need to talk my head off about whatever. :-)

Daddy knew I was researching his Christmas gift and he was such a good sport with all of my secrecy. I was soooo paranoid. Did I leave something out? Did I clear the browser history on the internet? Will he find a strange number in the redial and call it just to see who it is? More than once I thought he knew what I was up to but it turns out he was clueless.

So, the week of Christmas finally came around and I felt like I'd been run over. The epizooty had gotten the best of me but it WAS NOT going to get the best of my surprise. I mustered up enough of my rhyming skills to create the best scavenger hunt EVER! What, I think, he thought was a new TV turned out to be 100 times better than any surprise I've ever given him.

Daddy's Christmas SURPRISE!!!!

There are no secrets at the Womble house. It is a general rule we made when we first married. However, there are exceptions to every rule and good secrets fit into that category. After all the other gifts were opened on Christmas morning, I handed Daddy what he THOUGHT was his Christmas SURPRISE. He unwrapped the first package and the big treasure hunt began. The note inside said...
"This year, a treasure hunt will lead you to your Christmas surprise." Underneath the note was an envelope. Inside the envelope was the first rhyming riddle that led him to his first clue.


Clue #1 in MG room: 3 trees
(Muir Woods National Forest-Giant Sequoia Trees)
Clue #2 in Laundry room: toy handcuffs
(Alcatraz)

Clue #3 in upstairs bath: Geotrax bridge
(Golden Gate Bridge)

Clue #4 in Kitchen snack cabinet: left over fortune cookie
(Chinatown & Chinese New Year Parade)

Clue #5 in Playroom: corkscrew
(Napa Valley Wine tour)

Clue #6 in the attic: toy airplane
(Plane ride to our destination)
Brrrrrrr...it was a little too cold to be searching for a clue in the attic. Sorry Daddy.All of his clues together... Attached to clue #6 was the riddle that sent him back to the Christmas tree. I made him lay out all of his clues and then open his last box to find the final clue. It was PERFECT! I was snapping pictures like he was Brad Pitt and I was a member of the papparazzi. Pay attention to his face as it changes from 'what in the world does this all mean' to 'wait a minute, does this mean what I think it means'. Daddy: "a bridge? a box of rice? Rice-a-Roni? Rice-a-Roni...the San Francisco treat? [long pause...you could totally see his little wheels a turnin'] ARE WE GOING TO SAN FRANCISCO?
Mommy: YEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS, we're goin' to San Francisco!!! Merry Christmasssss! [as I snapped this photo]
His smile quickly turned to concern...
Daddy: Why are we going to San Francisco with the kids? [I'm sure he was having flashes of horrible plane rides, sleepless nights in a hotel and nothing kid friendly to do in a grown up city.] blah blah blah. Hahahaha...
Mommy: We're NOT! We're going together...just me and you baby!

The huge smile quickly returned when I unveiled all of the details. Hold up that Rice-a-Roni box baby...San Francisco HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!So, come February we are off to the City by the Bay for a little celebrating...Merry Christmas, Happy Valentines and Happy 30th birthday handsome. You have earned this trip three times over. Your interests are the very reasons I chose this great city...great wine (Napa Valley), fantastic food (a plethora of foodie restaurants), your love of all things transportation (trolley cars), your curiosity for things out of the ordinary (Alcatraz, Sequoia trees, Chinatown) and your desire (and mine) for us to have a little more grown up time in our lives. I love you more than anything or anyone on this planet. The look of excitement and disbelief on your face will forever be etched in my mind. 6 days together, just Daddy and Mommy, exploring a fantastic city and enjoying some much needed grown up time together. I absolutely, positively can not wait...

Christmas Eve...

Making muffins with Mommy on Christmas Eve morning...
Putting out our reindeer food...
Cookies and Christmas Tea for Santa...
Daddy thought that since all the kids in the world leave milk for Santa, the Wombles should leave him something much tastier than milk. J thought that was a great idea. MG just wanted Santa's coo-coo's
Placing our star atop the Christmas tree to remind J how the wise men followed the star to baby Jesus...
Our living room after Santa made his stop...

Crazy December in Review...

Just so I can document what December entailed for 2007...

December 5:
J's "Happy Birthday Jesus" party at AWANA

December 8:
Company Christmas party

December 9:
"Everything Glorious" Christmas musical directed by Russ Lee (our Music Minister) featuring our amazing church choir. They sang their little hearts out and it was awesome! There is a beautiful song by the group Avalon called "Orphans of God". I discovered this song when a friend used it in an adoption video I made for her daughter. I think I may have cried the ugly cry as we listened to Amie sing while viewing the images of orphans, homeless, elderly and those many times forgotten by our society. It was just a great reminder that God doesn't forget anyone...ever! I wasn't the only one crying the ugly cry so I didn't feel alone. :-)

December 10:
Peek-a-Boo Santa pics of the kids (pics to follow)

December 11:
Point of Grace "Winter Wonderland" tour with my friends Rebekah and Wendy. We stayed out until midnight and had a fantastic girls night. Thanks for going with me ladies. Let's do it again soon.

December 12:
J and MG sick...just in time for Christmas

December 14:
Alaina Claire's birth day

December 17:
J's Preschool Christmas party and the last day of preschool for 2007

December 19:
Mommy and Daddy's big shopping day

December 21:
Shopping for Daddy day

December 22:
12:00 pm: Christmas with Meme and Papa
5:00 pm: Christmas with JimPa and NeNe

December cootie bugs...

December cootie bugs have taken up residence at the Womble house. It always happens to someone I know. This year, it was us, along with several other households in our circle of friends. Someone at the Womble house has been sick with hacking cough, runny nose, goopy eyes, fever, a stomach virus or all of the above for the entire month of December. Well, one week before Christmas guess who finally gets hammered? Just when I finally find my Christmas spirit, just when I have 2000 things to do, just when I don't have time to be sick I come down with the epizooty. I ended up at urgent care this morning following a long night of praying for an Albuterol treatment. Nothing like a little respiratory distress to send you to the Dr. on a holiday weekend. I haven't wheezed like that since the 6th grade. A big 'ole shot of Decadron and three prescriptions later I'm back at home. I'm thinking about all the things I need to be doing and all the things that are going by the wayside. Either way, we're off to Meme and Papa's for lunch today and back to our house tonight for Christmas with JimPa and NeNe (Jay's Daddy and stepmother). I'll have to keep my germs to myself which equals don't touch anyone in any way and hide in the corner away from other humans. But hey, at least I'll be there. I'll have two doses of antibiotics by the party so I should be covered. MG and I missed Thanksgiving so I don't want to miss Christmas too! Go away December cootie bugs...you are not wanted here any more!

WANTED on charges of assault and battery...two Bratty Brothers at the Chick-fil-A playground

Yes, I'm behind for the entire month of December but I'm so hacked off I need to vent. J was assaulted by two brothers at the Chick-fil-A playground today. The bratty little brother (~4/5 yo) was slapping, scratching and hitting while the older brother (~6/7 yo) was pounding on J's feet. J and the bratty little brother were on the top step and the bratty older brother was on the step below so that's all he could reach was J's feet. J was hitting him back while I'm trying to remain reasonably calm, "Boys, you stop it RIGHT NOW!". Then, the bratty little brother bit the crap out of J's arm...TWICE! J tried to pull away but the boy had his jaw clamped down so hard he couldn't get away. I'm watching it all unfold from the floor and I can't do a thing about it. I. WAS. SOOOOOOOO. MAD. Of course, the Mother was no where in sight, the place was packed, J is wailing and MG has joined the screaming fest because J is so upset. When the bratty little brother came down the slide J was yelling at the top of his lungs to him...

J: "SANTA IS NOT GOING TO BRING YOU ANY PRESENTS ON TUESDAY BECAUSE YOU ARE MEEEEAAAAANNNNNN!"
Bratty little brother: Yes HE WILL! SHUT UP!
Mommy: You know, it's not nice to hit and bite other people. You need to keep your hands to yourself.
Bratty little brother: SHUT UP!
Mommy: YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF! {said with big googly eyes while trying to contain my anger--did he SERIOUSLY just tell an adult to SHUT UP?}

I scooped both of my screaming children up and headed toward the door. Bratty little brother thought I was headed to find his Mom so he ran out the door first and pushed against the other side of the door so I could not get out. It took everything in me not to sling that door open and throw the little brat straight across the room. Meanwhile, J is bleeding from the scratches on his face and telling me he needs to go see Dr. Anna because his arm hurts. Another Mother sitting beside the door, not bratty little brothers Mother mind you, had to tell him to move and let us out. He would not listen to my requests to "move away from the door, please".

Now I'm so hacked off at myself that I didn't find their Mother and tell her what they did. The sad part about it is she might not of even cared. On the way home I asked J what happened.

J: That boy wanted to go down the slide but I told him it wasn't his turn yet
Mommy: Did you hit him first?
J: No, he started hitting me and scratching me so I slapped him in the face

Normally, I do not condone hitting in any way, shape, form or fashion. BUT, when my son is bleeding in the back seat I am not going to give him the "we do not hit people" speech. I couldn't say a word to him either because at that moment I wanted take a few swings myself. Adults don't really do it...they just think it...or at least most of us do. In my lifetime, I do not recall wanting to hurt two small children...until today.

Bratty Brother Tag Team: You better watch out! I hope I don't see you in a dark alley any time soon. And I echo the sentiments of my son...I hope "Santa doesn't bring you any presents because you're MEAN!" Do whatever you want to me. That's fine. But do not, I repeat, DO. NOT. MESS. WITH. MY. CHILDREN. Nothing will bring out the Mommy horns and googly eyes faster.

--signed one hacked off MOMMY

She's at it again...

Mommy: J! MG! It's time for lunch, come to the table please... [looking into the refrigerator for lunch food]

I didn't see the little sneaky one reach in and pull something out. Obviously she didn't need ME to make her lunch. She decided to take lunch into her own hands and waffles must of been on her mental menu. Maple syrup anyone?

Welcome Alaina Claire...

Alaina Claire, long awaited baby sister of Jake and Will, arrived this morning at 7:49 am. In the words of her proud Daddy, "She's here and she's perfect". Those are always the words we want to hear first.

She weighed 7 pounds 15.5 ounces and measured 19 inches in length. In true Spence form, she has a head full of dark hair (perfect for little bows I'm sure).

For those of you who do not know Rachel, she is one of my very best friends from high school. We've been friends for 14 years and I know we'll be friends at least 114 more. She is just a fixture in my life. James is her wonderful husband whom we adore as well.

Guys--we could not be happier for you to join the world of pink. We are so sorry we can't be there with you today. The Womble germs are keeping us away and we do not want to share the wealth with any of the Spence 5. Once the germs are outta here we'll be on our way to meet the new baby sister. Love you all...

Thank you Lord for an uncomplicated surgery for Rachel and a HEALTHY baby girl for their family. What a blessing she will be to all of us.

MG and the loo...

The phone is missing. The other three handsets say "IN USE" but #4 is no where to be found. Sorry everyone, our phone is off the hook today. I wonder where I put it? I wonder if MG has been playing with the phones again? Where in the world could it be? 94 minutes later I located the missing phone. How do I know it was 94 minutes later? The phone has a call timer that begins when you press the flash button. It took me 94 minutes to find her new hiding place. When we purchased this set of phones I jokingly said, "Well, who needs a submersible phone?" Guess the jokes on me...No worries people...the upstairs toilet is rarely used and still clean from the day before. After a good Clorox scrub and a few days of drying out it was good as new. Definitely not false advertising when they labeled this one SUBMERSIBLE.

Later on in the day, J and MG were playing in our bedroom. I peeked in to check on them...where is MG? As soon as I opened the bathroom door she said..."Uh-oh...Ma-ma...Uh-oh". Never good words to hear when your kid is secretly playing alone in the bathroom. Apparently, J opened the door to the bathroom and forgot to close it back. He also forgot to put away his flushable wipes AND flush the toilet. MG, being the little sneaky one she is, made a quick run to the kitchen trash, got out the empty milk carton, went back to the bathroom, pulled all the wipes out of the box, threw them in the toilet and then topped it off with the dirty stolen milk carton. She did all this in the time it took me to put in a load of laundry.

And yes, I converted this one to black and white to spare you the obvious. Let's just say J left his sister a little surprise. NICE.

Is your blog broken?????

The subject line of an email I received yesterday: is your blog broken? I got a good chuckle out of that one (thanks Kim). No, actually, with the new design it is better than ever. Sorry to all of you who check in on us from time to time. I've been swamped with holiday card design up until last Friday (my deadline). We spent last weekend at holiday parties and a Christmas concert at church. I've spent this week recooperating and catching up on everything else that passed me by in the month of November. I was at my computer quite a bit over the past month but I spent my time in PhotoShop instead of Blogger. I'm back now...well...it could be after Christmas before I'm REALLY back. "Tis the season...

I'm having trouble getting in the Christmas spirit this year. It just doesn't FEEL like Christmas to me with all this crazy weather. Ya know? I've got to get on top of it. It's mid December and I really haven't started. MG has enjoyed pulling ornaments off every Christmas tree within reach (thus the reason I'm not excited about putting up my own tree). Since I'm participating in the Christmas blogger open house, I simply must get a move on.

BTW, thanks to all of you who placed an order for Christmas cards this year. I know your choices were endless and I appreciate that you chose me to create your holiday card. In January, I'll be updating my website. In addition, I'll also be offering blog designs on a limited basis. If you are interested, let me know. I haven't decided on a price yet but I will before I post it on the Peek-a-Boo blog.

I'll get up to date soon. Hope you all are enjoying December. Christmas will be here in a blink...guess I need a tree, huh?

Like mother like daughter...

At the close of another holiday card season, MG has decided to be my mini-me. In the computer chair, with something to drink, a snack and the telephone just in case it rings. I'm happy to put another holiday season behind me and so are my kiddos. I'll be whipping out our Happy New Years card sometime in January. For now, I need a break from Photoshop. Merry Christmas everyone!

a beautiful day...a beautiful wedding...a beautiful Bride...

Today was a beautiful day for a beautiful wedding for a beautiful Bride. Andrea is one of my best friends from high school and this day belonged to her and the handsome groom Neil. It is hard to believe we have been friends for over 14 years! We've been talking about this day for all 14 of those years and her dream of a Christmas wedding became a reality today. We are so happy that she has found someone to share her life. It has been a long time coming and she truly deserves to be with someone who treats her like a Queen. She found that someone in Neil. It was an honor for three of the four Wombles to stand up for her on her special day.


J. was the most handsome ring bearer in the history of ring bearers. He took his job very seriously and after a little practice, his ring bearing duties went off without a hitch.

Funny #1: J. was quite distressed most of the weekend as he could not for the life of him understand why Mommy was walking with someone other than Daddy. "Mommy, you're walking with the wrong maaaaannnnnnn" was heard several times from the back of the church during rehearsal. He even asked Ryan (Neil's groomsmen- my escort), "Why are YOU walking with MY Mommy?" I held my breath as we walked out of the church just praying I wouldn't hear his little voice before I got out of there.

Funny #2: At the rehearsal on Friday night, we told J that this was the church that Mommy and Daddy married in 8.5 years ago. His response..."Where was I when you got married? With Grammy?" :-) Ummmm...nope...not quite...

Funny #3: Daddy was nominated as the "sound man" by the wedding coordinator an hour and a half before the ceremony. The real sound man Andrea paid never showed up. Unbenownst to the bride or groom, we called everyone we could think of with any type of audio/sound system background along with half the church staff to walk us through it. No one was home. Thank goodness Andrea hired a harpist who had no need for a microphone during the first 20 minutes. The church pastor showed up literally five minutes before the first solo at 5:35 and saved the day. Thank you Lord!

Funny #4: The Womble boys looked fantastic in their wedding attire. I, on the other hand, looked hideous in my strapless bridesmaids dress. I had to glue it to my skin to keep it where it was supposed to be. Despite my dress, which looked beautiful on the other girls by the way, our bouquets were gorgeous: White roses with white feather trim. Interesting combination but they had Andrea written all over them.

Here are a few pictures I snapped the next day before the tuxedos went back. Daddy is wearing his "deer in the headlights" look. It actually means 'I can't believe you are making me put this penguin suit on AGAIN!' More photos to come after I borrow some from the people who remembered their cameras. Although you shouldn't hold your breath for a picture of me. If I come across one I can Photoshop myself to look like a rock star I'll post it. Otherwise, just use your imagination. Me, big hair, lots of makeup, strapless gown and high heel shoes. I was there...I promise...I have the flowers, the earrings and the blisters on my feet to prove it.