My dog ate it.

I am horrible at excuses. Even this post title is a sham because we don't even have a dog.

In the last post I promised photos from our family packed holiday. I got my camera out once, took two photos (both of which are blurry, only had Madeline in them and were all around bad), and then put it away. So two huge family gatherings and I have nothing to show for it.

We did have a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was a grand old time and Madeline loved being the center of attention (at my in-laws at least, she had Mia and Maz to contend with at my parents.)

I hope everyone's holiday was awesome. Now it is time to clean and put up the Christmas decorations. I have been looking forward to this for weeks. I will try to take more than 2 (very cruddy) photographs!

I am thankful for...

...my blurry but totally lovable family! (we took this photo with our tripod... not so good...)

...little girls with smiles as heart melting as this one. (I know it isn't the greatest photo, but look at how happy she looks! That is totally Madeline right now.)

...a husband who is the most amazing father to our daughter. (Why yes, that is a pop-oo in his mouth!)

...that Winne the Pooh is machine washable. Yep, dip #2.

I hope you all have wonderful Thanksgivings! I will have photos of our family packed day after the holiday!

mg

Childcare anyone?

Madeline has been a two day regular at DoodleBuggs! Love and Learn Childcare for almost four months! It is an in home daycare with small numbers and big hearts! Madeline loves her buddies and Angie, the woman who runs the day care. Why am I posting this? Well there is an opening (which is rare) at DoodleBuggs! So if you or anyone you know is looking for a place to send your little ones (in the Kirkwood, Glendale, DesPeres, Webster Groves area) leave me a comment and I will get back to you with Angie's contact information.

*logo courtesy of Jodified Designs! Go visit Jodie's blog, she is an awesome designer and photographer!

Dentistry?

Christy commented on the shirt my brother was wearing in the previous post so I have to tell you all the story behind it. Then you will understand why I love my family and my brother so much.

First go back, way back, to this post and read the comment under the photo I originally posted of my brother wearing this shirt. (The shirt was my Christmas gift to him so that is why he is wearing it over his other clothing.)

Welcome back. What took you so long? And did you see how little Madeline was!?!?! AWE!

So the story:

Many many years ago, before most people had computers in their homes, we were at a close family friend's house for a party. These friends had a computer. It played games like number munchers and of course, Oregon Trail. Elliot, who was about 7 or 8 at the time, was in the play room on the computer playing the wondrous game. His wagon was fully loaded. He had successfully forded the river, twice! He had only lost one ox and 3 pounds of food. He was cruising right along.

At some point he came out into the living room where all the adults were hanging out and asked, "Mom, what's dentistry?" She explained what dentistry was and then he went back to the play room. About 5 minutes later he came back into the living room looking a little paler than normal. "I just died of dentistry. I didn't know you could die by going to the dentist?!?!"

At that point my mom went back into the playroom and saw the computer screen.

"Elliot has died of dysentary."

This story always makes my family laugh and when I saw that shirt I had to get it for him. I don't know how happy he is that I told that story to the world but I hope he thinks it's funny too. I am sure he will. Right Buddy?

mg

whiskers off kittens

Christmas 2007

When we were kids, my brother and I collected the whiskers of our cats. It wasn't anything cruel. Cats shed their whiskers just like their fur and when we would find one on the ground we would put them in a bowl in the roll top desk.

This is only one of the thousands of happy memories that involve my brother. Happy Birthday Elliot. Here's to many more years of happy memories!

Love,

Your sister

mg

I have been in a funk. This happens at this time every year. The sun sets too early in the evening. The beautiful colors fall from the trees and turn a cruddy color of brown. The weather turns cold and I have to pack on the clothes and although I love my hoodie and sweats, I could do with out my coat. I feel stuck.

I'm stuck without sunshine. I'm stuck without color. I'm stuck in my darn coat.

I am fighting this funk really hard. In the past I have just succumbed to it but that does me no good. (just ask Kevin, I am no fun when that happens) I am trying to see the positive, be glass 1/2 full and soak up the sun when I can. So instead of focusing on what is wrong, I am going to focus on what is making me happy right now.

• Madeline Opal. I mean she might be a crazy toddler, but when she walks up and gives you a kiss for no reason, I can't stop my hear from melting.
  
• Kevin. I enjoy my time with him more than he knows.
  
• Crafting has always been a way for me to get my mind relaxed and although I don't have much time I have found time over the past few days. I'll share photos some time soon.
• Tea. I have a hot cup next to me now. Ahhh.
• The semester count down. I only have three more days of classes for my regular semester classes. I have some really interesting students this semester. I wish I could share my stories with you all. Although I have one that I don't think anyone would believe. Maybe someday I can share... until then.
• And this is making me feel better too.

mg

behind the time

I am feeling a little (or a lot) behind. But I don't want to stop posting. So another photo from two weeks ago.

When I asked Madeline to smile this is the face I got. It is almost cartoonish. I have never seen that face before. Nor have I seen it since. But isn't it adorable?

mg