Are you kidding me?

Guess who woke up at 3:51 am screaming my name while covered in vomit? Guess who got to take a dip at 4 am due to the above stated vomit incident? Guess who watched Elmo Potty Time at 4:30 am because she couldn't go back to sleep and her entire bed was in the washing machine? Guess who finally went back to sleep not long after everyone else in the house was up? That would be MG.

Guess who is hacked off at the world today because he is missing his Valentine's Day party at preschool due to a snow day? Guess who is hacked off because he is also missing Valentine's Day party #2 tonight at AWANA? You guessed it. That would be J.

Guess who is ready for a nap and trying to make the best of the situation? That's right...that would be Mommy. And just in case I haven't made it clear over the past several months, we are SICK of being SICK! Happy Wednesday friends! Hope the stomach virus and winter weather avoids your family today.

So long. Farewell. Our hair has gone Bye-Bye.

Don't you just love the Sound of Music? Now that I've deliberately placed that song in your head, here's the play by play of our evening.

The Mom and daughter before photo...

11.5 inches GONE! You should have seen the curly fro before she braided it. The curl had to be completely brushed out. Her hair just kept getting bigger and frizzier by the stroke. If this were 1982, she definitely would have won the award for THE BEST 80's hair you've ever seen.

8.5 inches GONE! Look how scrawny my braid looks compared to hers. Clearly I did not receive her hair genetics.

This one was for J. I knew he would think I looked so silly with those things all over my head. I was right. He thought it was hysterical.

Doesn't she look 10 years younger withOUT all that hair? Mom, do not ever let your hair grow that long again. Short hair is very "you". At this point Mom had to leave so this was the only after shot I took of both of us. You'll just have to picture me with my beautiful Mom without the aluminum foil on my head. :-)

Since we didn't have the opportunity for an after shot of the girls, I had mine taken with my favorite little man when I got home. He's definitely the cutest one in the photo but at least you can see my new do.
As soon as J saw me walk in the door he said, "Mommmmmmyyyyy, you look beautifullllll!" in his "sweet voice". He said it with such sincerity. He sees me as his beautiful Mommy... Awwwwwww... I think I need another Kleenex.

Two braided ponytails are in the bag and headed to Locks of Love and Pantene Beautiful Lengths. 11.5 inches of curly locks will certainly put a smile on the face of a little girl who has lost her own for whatever the reason may be. My Mom has been growing her hair out for nearly two years. Can you believe that? Two years with a trim here and there. It was certainly worth it Mom.

If I could personally give my hair to anyone, as scrawny as it may be, I would give it to my friend Karen. She has persevered through a cancer that just keeps coming back for more. She has lost a lot of things in the time I have known her, including her hair, but she refuses to let this intruder define her. Karen, if you are reading this post...

As a friend, a woman, a wife and a Mother, I am inspired by your passion for life, love for your precious family and unwaivering determination to kick cancer to the curb. In reality, you don't need my hair. Your hair grew back months ago. You couldn't use it even if I conned someone into making a wig for my friend. I can only hope that my hair, as scrawny as it may be, is given to another "Karen". A friend, woman, wife and Mother of someone else who refuses to allow cancer to define who she is to the world.

Thankful Thursday...

Before I begin Thankful Thursday I have a prayer request I would like to share. I did not ask permission to do this so I will not use names. My sweet friend K and her husband R, along with his family, received some very tragic news last Wednesday. R's Mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It has metastasized to both her liver and stomach and her prognosis is very grim. K, R and their children immediately traveled home to help care for her during this heartbreaking time. R will be traveling back home this weekend as he has to return to work next week. K and the children are staying to help as needed. Would you please remember this family in your prayers today and in the coming weeks? I realize that praying for a K or an R is not very personal but please remember that God knows which K and R you are praying for. Thank you.

• I am thankful for a Super Bowl Sunday spent with great friends and football (for the boys--I did not actually watch the game)
• I am thankful for the Bible Study I began this week and the accountability it places on me to spend time in His word.
• I am thankful my friend Karen is sick as a dog (Translation: Monday she began an experimental trial for treatment of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Post infusion she has been very sick which means she is probably receiving the actual treatment and NOT the placebo...hooray!)
  
• I am thankful J did well at his first kindergarten screening (or at least he said he did).
• I am thankful my friend Amy received her Letter of Intent yesterday. If all goes as planned, she will be traveling to China to bring home her precious Mina next month.
• I am thankful that TODAY I get to chop off this ridiculously long, thin, nappy, stick straight hair. More importantly, I am thankful I get to give it to someone who needs it much more than I do.
• I am thankful that I think I have finally found a reputable Homestudy Agency for our adoption. Translation...we can FINALLY get this show on the road!

One brave boy...

This morning I took J for his first Kindergarten screening. We took MG to Daddy's office to hang out so it was just me and my little man. He was so excited on the way there asking all kinds of Kindergarten questions. I tried to explain to him he has about six more months before he actually stays at a big boy school. Today the teachers wanted to meet him and ask him a few questions. Well, there was no convincing him. He was going to Kindergarten TODAY. Here is our conversation as we got out of the van and walked toward the front steps of the school...

J: Hurry up Mommy! Unbuckle my seat! We have to go to Kindergarten!
M: OK, buddy. Mommy's trying to hurry. [unbuckle seatbelt] OK, let's go.
J: [jumps out of the van and walks quickly toward the front steps...then slows down and reaches for my hand]
J: Mommy?
M: Yes, J?
J: I think this is a little nervous
M: What buddy?
J: I THINK this is a little nervous
M: You mean you are feeling a little nervous?
J: Yes, I think SO
M: It's OK buddy. You'll go with the teacher when they call your name. You'll be nice and respectful and answer the questions they ask you. No silly stuff, OK?
J: OK, Mommy. But what if they ask me and I don't know?
M: Well, if you do not know the answer then you just tell them you don't know. You don't have to know all the answers. You just have to try your best.
J: OK, Mommy. If they ask me a question and I don't know then I'll just say "I don't know".
M: That's right J
J: OK, Mommy. [long pause and a deep breath] I think I'm ready to go to Kindergarten
[still gripping my hand we walked up the steps together to go to "Kindergarten"]

Isn't that just the sweetest thing you've ever heard? I was a little nervous for him too so I didn't realize how sweet that conversation was until we were on our way home. Anybody have a Kleenex? I could use one right now.

And the winner is...

ME! I'm a winner! I'm the winner of not one, but TWO, great prizes over the past month. I never win anything. I just don't. Looks like my luck is changin'.

Wendy hosted a giveaway back at the end of December for the cutest little outfit. Along with it came a square bowl with matching chopsticks. Technically, I didn't really win by some random drawing. I won because she thought I deserved to have the outfit for our daughter. You see, we are beginning the process of adopting a baby girl from China. She was sweet enough to just give it to me because she thought I deserved to have it. Here's why... Isn't it just perfect? When I received the box in the mail she had even thrown in a few more baby goodies just for kicks. Wasn't that the sweetest thing? Thank you Wendy for the precious gift. It's a little too small for MG at this point. I'm going to tuck it away in the abyss of my closet. I promise I'll remember who it came from and send you a picture of Ms. Molly in it...you know...someday when she comes home. Don't ask me when that will be. I don't know. However, she has the cutest little custom outfit waiting on her when she FINALLY makes her Womble Times appearance.

Fast forward a few weeks...

Can you believe it? I won something AGAIN! NO KIDDING...I did! I read this blog called the Nesting Place. This girl is hysterical. I love her because she tries to be all incognito like me. She's the Nester. That's her name. Isn't that funny? She has great decorating ideas and her house is just the cutest thing you've ever seen. I want it. I know you are not supposed to covet the things of others but I'm breakin' that rule right now. I love her toile sofa like I love Dr. Pepper and chocolate. My husband would croak before he allowed such a pattern into our living room but that doesn't mean I don't love it anyway.

OK, anyway, I entered her contest entitled "Attention MOOCHERS! Free tassel!" Hmmmm...never thought of myself as a moocher but free...I'll take FREE any day. Well, can you stinkin' believe it? I won something again! This cute little tassel and a jar of upholstery tacks.
I know, you are wondering why the heck I'm excited about upholstery tacks. Go check out her blog post about Window Mistreatments and you'll understand. There will be a little bit of mistreatin' goin' on at my house very soon.

Ok, so, to my point. THANKS to Wendy and the Nester for my super duper giveaway prizes. I better write this down. I may not win anything again for the rest of my life after winning two things in one month. But hey, it's been a good run while it lasted. I can't wait to use all three of them...especially that precious little black outfit. :-)

P.S. I just re-read this post and realized it sounds just like me. I journal like I talk when I get excited about something. Can't you just hear me tellin' you this story over the phone? :-)

Subjecting myself to a little scrutiny...

I can not believe I am posting this on the internet. I seriously must be loosing my ever lovin' mind by subjecting myself to such criticism. Putting my pajama clad, make-up-less face on the blog for the world to see. Here's why: I hate choosing a hairstyle. Really, I hate it. I'm just not, ummmm, the trendy, stylish kind of girl. I used to be a bit more style conscious but time (and a few extra pounds) certainly change how you feel about things. Much to my friend Andrea's dismay I have stopped putting much thought into my hairstyle (or my wardrobe for that matter). She takes care of me in the wardrobe department. Her loss is my gain (most of the time). OK, anywhoo, to the point.

Most of you know I have been growing my hair out to give to charity. Well, I've decided IT IS TIME TO CUT THIS CRAP OFF! I am going to donate my hair to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths in honor of my friend Karen. They only require a minimum of 8 inches and their donated locks go to women who lose their hair due to the side effects of chemotherapy. My Mom and I have been growing our hair out together. She is sending her curly locks to Locks of Love since she easily meets the 10 inch minimum. Locks of Love is, of course, the charity that creates wigs for children with the same need.

Anywhoo, below you will find two photographs of my fat face with a short haircut sitting on top of it. Please vote for the one that does not make me look like a big 'ole puff ball. Remember in less than 3 weeks I'll be on a super duper vacation with my hubby taking 2.2 million photos in front of every SF tourist attraction in history. I don't want to look like a mushroom head so help me choose the best one.

Oh, and if you think they both look like crap just tell me and I'll start over. I keep reminding myself...it's JUST hair...it will grow back...someone else needs it more than you do...

















Now, all you long haired beauties out there in blogland: I challenge you to chop it off with me. It's JUST hair girls. It WILL grow back and you will have done something nice for someone who needs your hair much more than you do.

Little Miss Drama Queen...

Her new favorite thing to do when she's hacked off. Put her sweet little hands to her face, squinch her eyes and wail at the top of her lung. It is so cute and I can't help but laugh at her. I'm sure she appreciates that I'm laughing while she's crying.

Are you kidding me...KINGERGARTEN?

Tonight, I attended a KINDERGARTEN Open House at a school we are considering for J. Yes, you read that correctly...KINDERGARTEN! I had an "OH. MY. GOODNESS" moment as I walked into the gymnasium full of parents. Our baby is going to KINDERGARTEN? KINDERGARTEN! How in the world did this happen? JTW, you are not supposed to be old enough for KINDERGARTEN. That happens when you are a big boy and in my eyes you CAN NOT be old enough to go to big boy school. That milestone is in the future. THAT milestone has been what we have been working toward but it has always seemed light years away. THAT MILESTONE is something I am not ready for. Ready or not, it is coming and we have about 6 months until the big day. Our big boy is going to Kindergarten along with many of our friends big boys and girls. Lord, please help the Mommies find peace in the word KINDERGARTEN.

Thankful Thursday...

I am thankful the Womble 4 are germ-free this week (knock on wood)
I am thankful that my Mom turned 29+20 last week, she is healthy and she is MY Mom
I am thankful it is STINKIN' COLD outside and we have a warm place to snuggle together
I am thankful for the privilege of watching my children discover new things every single day
I am thankful for a fun playdate with friends this morning
I am thankful there was an empty childcare slot for MG so I can participate in a Ladies Bible Study at our church in Feb/Mar
I am thankful for sweet friends who participated in my challenge this week (and I'm still thankful for those who did not :-)

iiiiiiiiice...nooooos...mmmm

Do you know all of the "parts" on your face? Well, MG does. She even likes to point them out to you with objects. This time, her pointer was an ink pen. I heard her talking about her "parts" and I was praising her for it from the other room.It wasn't until I rounded the corner that I discovered THIS. Can't you hear her...iiiiiiiice...noooooos...mmmmmmm.

Post #200!

I can not believe that I have sat down 200 times over the past year to document our family life. Really, I can not believe it. I have never been good at journaling. I own several beautiful journals started with the best of intentions complete with entries on the first 3 or 4 pages. The rest of the book is empty. Sad, I know. I am so proud that I have done this. I know years from now I will be even more grateful. I'm all out of fresh and poignant things to say these days. Instead, I'll leave you with one of my current favorite songs. It speak volumes to me...



and I couldn't post this without leaving you with the part that makes me teary every single time...

So give to the needy
And pray for the grieving
Even when you don’t think that you can
‘Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So think of your fellow man
Make peace with God and make peace with yourself
‘Cause in the end there’s nobody else

(Chorus)

‘Cause it’s not who you knew
And it’s not what you did
It's how you live

If only the standards of the world mirrored the final words of this song.
"It's not who you knew, and it's not what you did, it's how you live."
Here's to 200 posts and many, many more to come.

Brrrrrr! Baby, it's cold outside...

What do two little Wombles do when temperates are in the teens outside and have been all week? We have exhausted all toy resources and they are pretty much bored out of their skull. Well, a little bit of Curious George never hurt anybody, right? MG loves to pile up with her brother and go "nigh nigh". Aren't they sweet?

Banana Dawgs...

We have a new addition to the J menu...

One hotdog bun, one banana, peanut butter and raisins=a Banana Dawg!! Shhhhhh, PLEASE, no one is allowed to tell our son that a hotdog bun is actually bread. That would quickly discontinue the banana dawg from the Womble menu. In J terms, hamburger buns are definitely bread but NOT hotdog buns. They are, well, they are just hotdog buns. :-)

First trip to the Movies!

In the midst of the epizooty that arrived at our house again, Daddy decided to let MG and I nap and take J to his very first movie: The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. Per Daddy's report he did all of the typical movie-goer motions. He was bored with the never ending previews. He ate over half the large bag of popcorn. He chose the drink that would leave a nice ring around his mouth. And last but certainly not least, he missed the last five minutes of the movie because his super duper Hi-C caught up with him. :-)

***For those who asked why he's never been to a movie theater: because of his corn allergy. We had him retested at the allergist late 2006 and he had outgrown it. We have slowly introduced corn products into his diet over the past year. Popcorn and whole kernal corn obviously being one of the last things to introduce. Once we worked that in and all was well we felt OK about the movies. Finally, there was a kids movie worth seeing so we jumped at the chance to take him.***

Grammyday!

Happy Birthday Grammy! Today my Mom turns 29 again (plus 20 years). I'm sure she will be beyond THRILLED that I shared that with the world. Well, really, just the three people who read our blog. J called her bright and early this morning to tell her the words we all love to hear. I'm not sure that you love to hear the HB song at 29+20 but I think one would love hearing it from your grandson.

Grammy, we hope your day was perfect and you spent it doing something you enjoy. We'll get together soon to celebrate (once we can all get WELL...we didn't want to give you germs for your birthday). We love you...

WANTED: Decontamination Crew

Well, guess who has the crud...AGAIN...the Womble 4! We were all so excited last night. We were supposed to FINALLY meet Alaina Claire today. J was super excited that he was going to see Jake and Will. Then, we all went to bed. Two hours later we began the sicky dance. Up. Down. Up. Down. We were up most of the night with hacking coughs and snotty noses. It's just a cold but newborn babies do not need colds. The girl is going to be eating solid food before we can be germ free long enough to meet her. Ahhhhhhhh! I KNEW this would happen. We were going to go up on Tuesday but Rachel had stuff she had to do. I even laughed and said with our track record you KNOW we'll be sick by Saturday. Sure enough, I was correct. Maybe next weekend...maybe? We are in some serious need of decontamination crew. Any volunteers?

a CHALLENGE...

***edited to add: deadline Friday, Jan 25***

2007 was a great year and I have spent the entire year blogging about it. I accomplished exactly what I wanted: chronicling the life and times of our family one story at a time. I can not wait to turn The Womble Times into a book. It will be like a scrapbook of 2007 without all of the scrapbooking. I have spent the last week reading through 2007, double checking grammar, spelling, etc. In doing this I discovered there is something missing.

I think I have done a great job chronicling everyday life. I think I have done a great job describing Daddy, J and MG throughout the year. The one part I have left out is ME! I have discussed my life, shared my heart and much of what is inside but I have not DESCRIBED myself. If for some reason I am not here to tell them, I want my children to know who I was. Now, I'm not PLANNING on kicking the bucket anytime in the next 60 years but just in case. Who am I? Who is Mommy? I tried to come up with a little post about ME to include in the book but I don't really know where to begin.

SO, here is where you come in...

I am challenging all of my amazing friends and family to help me. Here is your assignment: if someone asked you to describe me (Mommy), what would you say? You can post it in the comments or send me an email. Whatever you prefer. I will include it in the 2007 book as a page about me. Someday I'll appreciate that I included this page as a description of who I was in 2007.

Just to entice you to participate, everyone who submits a description will be placed in a drawing for something very special. It's a surprise but I promise you will love it!

RULES:
1. If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all
2. Do not use any real names in your description
3. If you are my Husband or my Mother you must participate--no excuses :-)

Name that candidate...

I don't discuss politics. We are all too opinionated when it comes to the subject. Most of the time, it's a loser discussion all the way around. I came across this little quiz today. Answer 11 questions and it will reveal which Presidential candidate views most resemble your own. It takes about 2 minutes and then you receive the results.

For the sake of friendship, I am closing comments on this one. :-)

hope for Hope...

Here's her story. You all know I'm a sucker for these stories. I can't help it. They get me every time.

This Momma is sewing custom dresses to raise money for the adoption of her daughter who lives in China. She is a Waiting Child and her file will be returned to China at the end of January if this family can not raise the funds they need for this unexpected call to adopt. Her big sister is modeling a few samples below. Aren't they precious?




OK, so stop reading my post and go here to place your order. You can choose your color, fabric and size. You'll be dressing your favorite little girl in the cutest little dresses while helping this family bring home their daughter.

Welcome 2008!

Happy New Year friends! I hope your New Years Eve was safe and full of great memories. We had to cancel New Years festivities with our friends thanks to the epizooty. However, we have a rain check we'll be cashing in very soon. The Womble 4 hung out at home, did a little filing and organizing (how's that for excitement) and topped off our evening with game night. We weren't nearly as exciting as J's friend Elizabeth who was supposed to take part in game night, but I guess we filled the void.

I'm not one for resolutions. Let's just be real, I never keep them. Instead I've decided to make a list of things I want to accomplish in 2008.

---I want to donate my hair to Locks of Love
---I want to find an 11:00 small group at church that is a good fit for us
(and that our children can last all the way through)
---I want to complete the window treatments for my entire house
---I want to take J to buy food for our homeless shelter once a month
---I want us, as a family, to eat healthier
---I want to mail our dossier to China on my 30th birthday
(sealed with a pink ribbon, a kiss and tears of joy)
---I want to decorate every room in this house including hanging things on the walls
(I have issues with putting holes in the wall--weird, I know)
---I want to develop a OAMC plan for the year and add Meal Planning Mondays to the blog
---I want to post Thankful Thursdays every week (or at least every other)
---I want to take pictures of my children in front of Cinderella's Castle
---I want to join a ladies Bible study at church
---I want to keep my ferns alive longer than one season
---I want to clean out and donate everything we do not use or need
---I want to create at least 50 greetings and 20 blog designs for Peek-a-Boo Greetings

Hmmmm...now that I've reviewed my "want to do" list it looks like I have a busy year ahead. Hey, at least I didn't set myself up with a bunch of goals I know I can't reach. They are attainable. Well, most of them are minus the fern thing. My thumbs are as brown as they come. Happy New Year guys. May 2008 be the very best year imaginable for all of us.