Christmas Poem

I received this poem from a friend who is currently serving our country. He is away from his family during these holidays. Although I never went through hoildays without my husband, we were apart while he fought this war. I know the situation all to well. Please keep your thoughts and prayers with my friend and his wife and children, as well as all the other soldiers who are serving our country while we get to be with our loved ones this holiday season!

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight...

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest.

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white.

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe.

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep.

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem.

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near.

But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know.

Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble. I struggled to hear.

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night.

A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old.

Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled.

Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child."What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,

You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light.

Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice.I'm here every night.

It's my duty to stand at the front of the line.

That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"Then he sighed,

"That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,

But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sisters and brothers..

Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son.

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,To stand your own watch, no matter how long.For when we come home, either standing or dead,

To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,

That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to asmany people as you can?

Christmas will be coming soon andsome credit is due to our service men and women for ourbeing able to celebrate these festivities.Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe.Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN 30th> Naval Construction Regiment OIC, Logistics Cell One Al> Taqqadum, Iraq

Little white lie

Natalie has been having a hard time going to bed the past few weeks. It seems as though there is always a reason for her to stay up a little longer or get out of her bed. Last night was no different. We brushed our teeth, went potty, read 2 books, talked for a few mintues about the day, said prayers and gave hugs and kisses. As I began to walk out of her room, she tells me she has to go poop. I said "Natalie, do you really have to go? If you don't really have to go then you are telling mama a lie. Do you understand? " She said "I really have to go". So we go to the potty and she says " oh! I think I already went poopy at aunt Ne Ne's" Then I responded "Natalie, you just told me a lie. That makes me upset that I trusted you and you lied to mama. It does not make Jesus happy either." Sitting on the potty she looked at me and said "HEY Jesus! sorry for telling mama a lie." I just gave her a big hug and told her how proud I was of her.

A lady to remember

Today is the day my grandmother passed away, two years ago. She was so classy and just had a natural beauty. She was so sweet, caring and giving to anyone who crossed her path. She touched so many lives during her 64 years. I think of her every single day and often try to make choices the way she would. I always remember how excited she was that my sister and I were having her great grand children within weeks of each other. She was thrilled when these little gals arrived. She always said she couldn't wait for them to walk around with little dresses on. When Natalie or Gracie or Shiloh do funny things, I can always picture her with that sweet smile on her face, or getting so tickled and laughing real hard. Those who knew her can picture that right now as you read this! That makes me smile. I wish that Natalie could have known her and been as blessed by her as I have been. I always tell her about "nanny" and show her pictures of her. I miss her so much! As I remember her this day and every day, a tear does fill eye, but I have to smile because of her legacy and how she touched my life! I love you Nanny!

Something cute to share

This morning when Nat woke up we changed Hoppy's diaper (hoppy is a plush family member) and redressed him for the day. We chatted and picked out her clothes for the day and went downstairs to finish getting ready. When she walked into our bedroom, she asked "where is my daddy?" I told her, he went to cast his vote. I thought I would try to explain to her what this meant. I told her, we had to choose who we wanted to be the next president of our country. She asked the typical 3 year old question...WHY? I said well we want the right person to be leading our country....She began talking about hoppy and what she had planned for the day, obviously not at all interested in what I was telling her. Josh returned home from doing his duty and she jumps up and says "Hi daddy! Did you cast your BOAT?"

Halloween costume dilemma solved!

In a previous blog, I wrote of the dilemma of finding a costume for Natalie. With much searching and decision making on us both, we agreed that she would be a monkey! Yes a monkey, just like Boots. Well as you can see in the picture she is not dressed as a monkey. We went to our favorite store to pick up the monkey costume we had seen a week before, to find that it was no longer there! As I am standing trying to figure out another costume, my sister calls. As I say hello, she is screaming in excitement, "guess what I found? guess what is in my cart right now!" My thrifty sister, was at the thrift store and had found a cute dalmation costume in the perfect size for my little Nat! We dropped everything and met her to pick it up!! No pne knows how excited I was to finally have this costume and not have to fret any longer!

Nat had a great time going out for her first trick or treat experience. It took her seeing her friends go to about 6 houses before she began, but after that she was a pro. I have to say, she surprised me. I didn't think she would do it. She is really coming out of this shy, timid stage...maybe it's the new haircut, mom?!?

little hands that love to bake

How sweet are these little hands? Natalie loves using her hands in play, doing art projects and most of all, BAKING! These hands have sweetened many cakes, cookies and pies. She loves to help Mi Mi make pizza and and chocolate chip cookies. Lately there has been quite a bit of friendship bread baking. So far this autumn season, we have made the bread, a pumpkin pie and our latest... pumpkin shaped cut out cookies. These little hands like to put in the ingredients, stir and pour, but mostly grab little bites and sneak little licks. Her famous line is "can I have a bite now?" Baking with these hands always make double the mess and double the time, but I love it and won't ever bake alone again! These hands will always be a part of baking in our house. The picture shown here is Nat making a pumpkin cut out with a mound of dough...I bet that will be the best cookie in the batch!

Walk to the woods

Last Sunday, Natalie and I took a walk to the woods behind our house. Ok so we didn't walk into the woods, but just out to and along the tree line. We found some really cool leaves and did some exploring. When we came back in the house, we made some cool artwork with them.

Natalie's new haircut

After much debate, I gave in to cutting Nat's hair. It had been driving her and her daddy crazy for awhile. I was so long and just getting in her way all the time. She said she wanted it cut like a little friend named Emma. Well, mama couldn't go quite that short, as darling as it may be. So last Sunday night, she and I went to the salon and I did it. It is not an easy task cutting a child's hair and when it's your own child, you see that haircut everyday and see every flaw. I have re trimmed her hair 3 times and it is finally passing my approval. She looks like such a big girl now. I love it and so does she. She and her daddy want it shorter...I just say, BABY STEPS...

Quote of the day

Go out on a limb, afterall that IS where the fruit is
-Author unknown

So maybe I won't have a quote everyday, maybe on Wednesdays....

It's out...

After bath time, lots of persuasion and tears, I worked that splinter out! It's gone and it took everything in Nat NOT to smile. A few minutes later she said thanks for getting that splinter out mama!

Ouch...a splinter!

Nat came in from playing outside and told me she hurt her finger. As I as I bent down to check it out and give that healing motherly kiss, I saw it! Right on the bend of her little index finger, a SPLINTER! She refuses to let us even try to get it out. She claims it doesn't hurt anymore, but I see her favoring it and looking at it everytime she touches it to something. Gotta figure out a way to occupy her so I can sneak and do it....

Costume Dilemma

Should picking out a costume for a three year old be this challenging? Or is EVERYTHING with a three year old challenging? I mean honestly I really dislike this whole trick or treat thing...I really never liked as a child. I never want to force my child to do something especially something that is so borderline to becoming an evil thing, but she wants to dress up. Now I know she will never go trick or treat, which is fine, but she wants to be BUZZ LightYear! Ok, I can deal with that(even though I would choose something different)...YES ERIN, I CAN deal with it, however, I can not deal with paying $60 for this costume, that I have no clue how long it will be on her little body. I have tried many different options for her. We spent 30 minutes in the costume section at red dot boutique, which went from walking up and down the aisles, to her finding an "ugly Buzz costume, and me saying what about this monkey? Then her saying how about this? THIS=A John McCain mask. Then I said how about this dog outfit, she agreed to be a dog, but it had to be a dalmation. We couldn't find a dalmation, so she went back to the hanus BUZZ costume. I just said we will look some more at other stores, we have plently of time. Needless to say, we left the store with her having a meltdown and me totally stressed out! God, please lead me to a dalmation costume....

Gymnastics

After 3 sessions of swim lessons, which is 12 classes at 45 mintues each, and tears and terror every single class....we decided to try another sport! Natalie did gymnastic at the young age of 18 months and loved it, so we decided to go for it again! Natalie joined Gracie at Midwest Gymnastics in the 3 and 4 year old preschool class. She has the same coach as before, Coach Thad. He is wonderful with the children. Those who know my sweet Natalie, know that she has a touch of stranger anxiety and gets a little nervous in new situations. With that said, our first two classes were slightly challenging. The saying "third time is a charm" fell right into place. Nat's third class was just perfect with the exception of all the children having difficult time paying attention and listening to coach Thad. Anyone with children knows that it only takes one to throw an entire group of children off their game! Oh Coach Thad, bless your heart! I love watching her in her little leotard (even though her little undies hang out and it secretly drives me absolutly insane), and I know this is going to be quite a learning and developing time for her! As soon as Erin sends me some pics she took at class, I will post!

Our Family Addition

Happy Autumn! I decided this year that we would decorate our pumpkins in a way other than carving. As much as I enjoy carving a big ole' gourd and baking the seeds, I thought it would be fun to do something a little different this year. My search for unique ideas began...While taking it easy after my "so called minor" surgery( that's a blog topic in itself) I was reading a home decor magazine and by golly, I found my idea! We curled black pipe cleaners around our little fingers and glue them on the top for "crazy hair". We also glued on buttons and googly eyes as you can see for everything else, No Erin, not Oreos! So our little friends will sit on our porch and welcome our visitors!

An update on my fast

Well, I am four days into my fast. I have to say, after I made it through my caffeine withdraw on Friday and Saturday, I am feeling great! I have had my moments when I wanted to quit, but I overcame! It was especially hard when poppy bought Nat an ice cream sundae, but I didn't partake. I actually have a bit more energy and I am even saving money, by not running to McD's! Nat is coming along for the ride too, we are making healthy snack choices! I will keep you posted! This fast will last until October 20th, at which point I feel like it won't be a fast anymore, but a new way for me!

Positive Changes

As I have turned another year older, I have declared a few lifestyle changes, and of course I am blogging about it so I am held accountable by any and all the read! I thought I would make a list of 31 resolutions, but my list is not yet complete. (I chose 31 because that is the age I turned on the 18th.) Here are a few to top my list:
1. I am fasting for 31 days all soda, fast food, candy, ice cream, cookies...you get it
2. I will spend at least 31 minutes a day involved in cardio excercising
3. I will spend 31 minutes a day of uniterrupted time with Natalie. No TV, no phone, no internet, nothing...just my girl and me. We will do whaterver she wants; play, read, dance, talk...
Ok so this is where I stop for now. I will keep working on it. If anyone has any additions to my list, fell free to help me out!

Reflecting

So I sit here at my salon, doing my personal laundry, drinking a tea that I just bought at the grocery store and listening to Natalie "making appointments" on the unplugged phone and it is 10:15 PM! Why you might ask, am I doing these random things and keeping my daughter up so late....Well let me unload....Everyone I know in Ohio experienced the incredible wind storm on Sunday afternoon, no secrect there, and many people lost electricity. I know my family and I are going through what many families have gone through this week, but we seem to be a minority in our city. You see those of us residing on one of four streets are the only families without power. Many schools and businesses in other areas have suffered power loss, but as those places get back to normal and get their power restored, we sit in the dark. We have learned alot so far this week and made some changes, that are starting to seem like hidden blessings. We threw all of our food from the freezer and fridge away. We have flashlights everywhere and Natalie knows right when we walk in the door to pick up her flashlight so she can move about the house. We have had no television, which surprisingly, I do not miss at all! We have played dora memory game by flashlight, along with reading books. Natalie had her 3 year old check up even though the doctor's office had no power. By the way she growing and developing just perfect. We seem to be talking more and using our creative brains more. Yes it is quite frustrasting that we can't just flip a switch and have light, or open the fridge to get food out to cook, but when I reflect on this whole experience, I have to say, we could have it alot worse and instead of thinking "poor me",I am going to consider this a blessing. A blessing that I have learned to live in a way that could bring my family closer to each other. A blessing that I have learned different methods of interacting and entertaining with my daughter and learning how to deal with inconveinence. So who knows how long this will last, but it can't get any worse. I can handle this and anything else God might have in store for us, He wouldn't send it my way if I couldn't, right?

Apple Picking

On Monday evening, Nat and were playing outside and I had this brilliant idea that we should to an apple orchard Tuesday morning and pick apples. So I asked her if she thought that would be fun, her reply "wowie bozowie" (those familar with Boz the bear picked up on that) "yes mama, you are the best!" So I found a farm and even a recipe to make homemade applesauce and apple butter. Yes I am feeling slightly Betty Crockerish. Well it rained all night and by morning everything was a soggy mess, however we intended to go apple picking! We got dressed in our jeans and sweatshirts and nat wore her frog boots. We drove to the farm with sucj excitement to pull in and find out they were CLOSED! I am thinking what in the world...the website said they were open...I must be reading the sign wrong! Natti yells in the back "we're here, let's pick those apples". I then told her the news and her reply was let's go to another farm". I called my mom to share our bad news so she tried to find another farm for us to go to. Everything is closed on Tuesdays! I was having a real bad attitude about this...not sure why, it was apple picking afterall. I told the girls at work and later when talking to a friend, I told her too. Later that afternoon, after baking bread and finger painting, Nat said "this was a fun day mama, we can pick apples another day" I thought, oh my! I have had this bad attitude all day about picking apples and she has had a great day just being with me! My 3 three old gave me a serious attitude check!

Three

This morning as I cuddled with my baby girl, I became slightly emotional remembering three years ago, I was holding her just the same as today. I have so many incredible memories of the past three years of our lives, but August 30th, 2005 was the beginning of it all. Where has the time vanished to? I just can't believe that little baby is such a big girl now. How quickly she went from totally depending on me to such strong independence. Now don't get me wrong...I am so glad she is growing up to be such a wonderful little lady. I have so much fun with her. She is like a little friend. We just talk and laugh and play. She has such a wonderful personality, she is so intelligent and I couldn't ask for a better little girl. Throughout our lives, we receive many blessings and discover such happiness, but when God blesses you with a child, that is the best blessing you could receive and everything about that child will bring you more happiness than you can contain! So, instead of being sad that my baby is really no longer my "baby", I am going wipe my tears and put a smile on my face and watch her fill my life with happiness! Happy Birthday Natalie! Mama Loves You!