Girl Genius

Characters:
S
ME

Setting:
The game room, the evening before our cleaning lady arrives

S (pondering as she stalls from picking up toys that are strewn about): If Miss Abby chose cleaning houses as her job, then it must mean she loves cleaning houses.

Me (not wanting to burst her bubble): Absolutely!

S: Then I shouldn't pick up my toys before Miss Abby comes because she'll love doing it. We shouldn't keep her from doing what she loves!

Me (silently): Good one! But this little girl needs a reality check!

Ever So Thankful

It's November - the month to express gratitude and to be cognitive of a thankful heart. I have much to be thankful for...

• Health - the health of my family and myself. From experience, I know that health can't be taken for granted. You never know when things may change, so today, I am thankful for health.
• Hearts Overflowing - the love from my husband and girls is such a gift. I only hope I can give enough in return.
• Laughter - giggling girls and moments of private laughter with M. Is there anything better?
• Abundance - I don't know why I've been blessed, but I have. Though it may not last forever, I am grateful for the gifts I've been given.
• Security - Again, something that can be gone in an instant. However, today, I am secure. We've gone through many changes this year, and we're fortunate for our jobs and the security they provide.
• A Church to Call Home - God continues to put us in situations where our hearts grow. Our lives may be different next November, but thanks to God's grace, I know we can weather anything.
• Memories - life's lessons, moments from the past, reflections.

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."
~Psalm 100:4-5

Catching Up...

Haven't had much time to decently keep up with this blog, so here's a picture montage of what's been going on.

S and her sweet friend M at 3rd grade Bible Sunday...
Daddy's home from Boston with Harvard shirts for the girls. Hope he's saving more money than I know about...

Time to go to our friend's Hawaiian themed birthday party. Took 30 minutes to dress and 3 seconds to undress immediately upon arrival...

S sipping tea and eating fancy yummies courtesy of Aunt C and Aunt A, tea room goddesses...

A's first day of 3-year old preschool. Yes, those are the 3D glasses from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. She refused to return them for recycling. Don't you know all the cool 3-year olds are wearing them?

Wedded Bliss

It was so convenient how our anniversary fell right after this year's knock-down drag out. Come to think of it, last year's anniversary fell right after LAST year's major blow-up. I'm going to need to keep a watch on this development -something may be brewing here. I might want to schedule out of town work before next year's anniversary to avoid the fireworks!

Anyway, the nice part about the fight was making up (which requires flowers or purses) immediately followed by our celebration of the big day (which also requires flowers or purses AND wine). So needless to say, I have lots of flowers around my house right now (no new purses, darn it) . And Kleenex - because my allergies happen to be a nightmare this week.

The card was good too. VERY good. But getting the guy to pick a good card requires proper training. The first time they hand you a birthday card that shows a dog's face smeared with icing and an inside script that says "good to the last drop" you better do something. Otherwise you'll be getting cards with beer cans and funny messages from here on out. In case you're not sure, by do something I mean pout and have a temper tantrum about the awful card. Enough to make him rush right out and rectify the situation with the real card. The sweet one that tells how you're his soulmate, how he can't live without you, etc. But if you know how to get an actual love letter, tell me your trick. Because I'm still waiting for that.

But I digress...what I really mean to say is I love my husband and am so happy that we chose to spend the rest of our lives together. Waking up next to her best friend each day is the best gift a girl could get.

Fashion Forward

School clothes shopping was seriously fun this year. And by seriously fun, I mean not at all. As I held up cute argyle sweaters and plaid skirts, S looked at me with a face of barely contained disgust. Mom, I'm the only one in this family who knows anything about fashion! Dang - I guess she's right! After all, I'm sporting the mom capris and t-shirts on a daily basis. When the heck did that happen? We went through rack after rack of skull shirts and peace symbols. Who wears this stuff? Surely not 8 year olds! (Think again, mom)!

The shoe shopping went something like this - Twinkle Toes? Check! Converse? Check! The cute Keds that look like saddle shoes? Uh...don't even think about it!

Then came the jeans. Last year, we went into the dressing room together and laughed and laughed when S tried on a pair of jeans that nearly fell to the ground. This year when she tried on something too big, we both started to giggle, but S quickly said...Mom, shhhh! Don't embarrass me! WHAT??? I'm the EMBARRASSING mom???

After much deliberation, S picked out her special "first day" outfit. In my head I'm thinking...you're serious? You are not wearing that tie and vest! But my headstrong fashionista knew this was THE outfit. And after a 30 minute fashion show complete with music and poses, her dad and I agreed. The girl has taste and she's not afraid to use it!

But I'm not surprised. This is the same child who goes into my closet and digs out dresses that haven't seen the light of days in years. She holds them up and says...why don't you wear this today? It will make you look so pretty! She asks if today is the day she can pick out my shoes. Of course they'll be the highest of heels bought for that one occasion long ago. A stylist in the making.

Rachel Zoe - watch out! There's a new sheriff in town and she's gunning for your job! Now if we can only make it through third grade...;)

Dear Nanny,

Today marks ten years since you went to heaven. I can't believe that I have lived ten years of my life without you. So much has happened...

Did you know that I woke up in the wee hours of the morning ten years ago today? I sat up in bed and looked at the clock - my chest felt tight. I found out later that you died at the same moment that I was staring at the clock. When I woke up and found out that you had gone, it was the worst moment of my life. You were the first and only person I've lost. I've learned that although the heart's capacity to love expands and grows, the piece that you owned has always longed for you. I'm sure it always will - until we see each other again one day.

We sat together in your living room two Saturdays before your funeral. We were filing our fingernails and rocking in the blue reclining chairs like we always did. I can't remember if we were drinking sweet tea, but I'm sure we must have been. You said...Christe, I know I won't be here for your wedding, and I know you won't want to wear the girl's wedding dress (thanks for saying won't wear, not can't wear, by the way - I'm sure it was a ridiculously tiny size), but you might want to cut out some of the beadwork and have it sewn into your own dress. I did all of the beadwork. I said...Nanny, you'll be here to see me get married. You'll be around to do it for me. You weren't...I never touched their dress. It didn't feel right without you.

We went to Wal-Mart that same weekend. You had to ride the electric scooter around the store because the cancer had taken an enormous toll on your body. I used to run to catch up with you and it felt like the tables were turned. However, we laughed and laughed through the store. You got stuck between a pole and the shelf on one of the aisles and Aunt Nette and I had to get you unstuck. It was so funny! Then when we made it to the check-out line, you bumped into someone's butt with your scooter. Do you remember how funny that was? I knew the end was coming, but we were enjoying the simplest of tasks together. It was a moment I'll cherish forever. Did you know that we found your shopping list from that day later on? Dadoo kept it in one of your flower boxes for a long time. I don't know if it's still there or not.

Later on that evening was the last time I saw you in a lucid state. You were speaking to your brother, Uncle Richard, on the phone. I walked in before heading out to dinner and kissed you. You said into the phone...did you hear that kiss? That was my granddaughter. You sounded so happy and so proud. I had just graduated from college and you got to celebrate it with me. I knew you loved me.

I saw you again the Saturday before your funeral. You didn't know who I was. I sat with you while Dadoo left and took a break. Hospice had been called in. There were bottles of pain pills next to your bed and it was scary. I knew what was happening, but I wasn't ready. How can you ever be ready for loss? I crawled into bed with you, just as I had so many times before. I said...I love you, Nanny. You said you loved me too, and I think for a moment that you knew I was there. Later on, I had to drive back to Houston - to set up my new classroom. I didn't want to leave you and when I left, I heard you say...where's Christe? That was the last thing I heard you say.

For weeks after you died, I couldn't remember anything. All of the memories I had of you were wiped away. I remembered you, but I couldn't remember us - not a thing. One night I dreamt of you and when I awoke, the memories flooded back in. Here's what I remembered...

• We made sloppy joes when Dadoo was not there. He expected manly meals, but we loved eating those things as we watched TV.
• On my birthday, you would tell me about the night before I was born. I sure do miss hearing that story!
• One Easter when I was a little girl, you handed me a bag of M&Ms. I said...thank you Easter Bunny...bawk, bawk! I wanted to relive that commercial, so you did that silly, special thing and made it happen.
• I picked wildflowers for you every spring. You placed them all over your house in small vases. You always acted as though they were the most beautiful flowers and they were.
• When I sat beside you at church, you held my hand. Your hands were the most beautiful, comforting hands I've ever seen. Sometimes I dream of your hands.
• You also ran your hands over my bare legs at church and gave me a little knowing smile. I'm pretty sure you didn't approve of me not wearing panty hose to church, but you tolerated it sweetly.
• Your purse was always full of breath mints, Kleenex, and Carmex.
• You always used Caress bath soap. I still buy it to this day because it reminds me of you.
• I played dress up in your shoes everytime I came over to your house as a little girl. That is, until my feet outgrew yours. You had tiny little feet and I was sad when your shoes no longer fit me. I thought you had the most beautiful, glamourous shoes. Plus, pretty fabulous costume jewelry too!

You didn't live to meet my sweet babies or my wonderful husband, but you would have adored them. I want you to know how happy I am. I have a great life. You probably already know that though, if you're allowed to look down from Heaven. I miss you dearly and I'm thankful that you were my grandmother. I will love you forever - to the end of time and back.

Your granddaughter,

Christe

Father's Day

Father's Day has come and gone, but I've been making a mental list of why my hubby is such a wonderful father. Here goes:

• How many dads would get out the toolbox and open up a box fan because a butterfly was trapped inside and his girls were about to cry about it (all three of them)??? And then spend the next 20 minutes trying to put it back together without getting upset? :)
• M recently read Parenting with Love & Logic and has become an even better dad because of it! He's been such an inspiration to me and I gladly follow his lead in parenting daily!
• Watching him tango around the bathroom with his daughters in the morning - music included. Love that man!
• Playing board games around the coffee table after dinner a few nights a week - the girls love this!
• Being an all-around great provider: providing a beautiful home, security, and unlimited love.
• Knowing that the connection to his Heavenly Father is important in making him a great earthly father.
• There's much, much more...but I don't want to give him a big head!

We celebrate him much more than this one day a year. Each day we eagerly await his return home and we know there's nothing he wouldn't do for us. What an amazing dad and husband and what a houseful of fortunate girls!