'Tis The Season?

So, I went to Hobby Lobby today which is a craft store here in Montgomery. I was looking for some cute ribbon for Bennett's room. I have some little things I want to hang on her walls and I was looking for some pink or green ribbon. Maybe with polka dots if I was feeling a little crazy. But, guess what? I couldn't find any. In a craft store. You know why? Because the entire store is decorated for CHRISTMAS!!!! The "ribbon aisle" that is normally filled with blue and yellow striped ribbons has been taken over by red and green plaid ribbons. Oh, and I needed some scrapbooking tape. To get to that aisle I had to walk past three aisles of wreaths, candles, sleds, fake snow, and holly. I know stores have been decorating earlier every year, but seriously- isn't July pushing it?

And so I didn't get ribbon. I guess I'll have to wait until January.

Across the Pond

I just wanted to post a short note saying good-bye to our friends, Jeremy and Melissa Scarpate. We will miss you guys while you are in England, but we can't wait to come visit you, and Julia Catherine of course. Melissa- I'll miss our Wednesday night sessions, but hopefully we can have Wednesday night phone sessions. We had fun at your going away dinner and we are looking forward to your coming home dinner in just a few short years.

Retraction

We saw it with our own eyes tonight. Apologies extended. No cold medicications were involved after all in this momentous event. Doesn't she look so proud of herself? Her parents certainly are.

Big milestone (supposedly)

My parents were watching Bennett Tuesday morning while I was at work and they swear up and down that she rolled over, twice!

Me: (almost crying) NO! Did she really?
Mom: Yes! And your Dad saw it too!
Me: But, just like on her side, right? Because I've seen her do that.
Mom: No, on her stomach- all the way over
Me: But, not really on her stomach, I mean, kind of like on her side with her head arched back
Mom: No, Lauren- all the way over! On her stomach. Period.
Me: Crap.

So, my fears have come to fruition. I have already missed one of her big firsts. Now, if she sits up or talks for the first time while I am away, I will lock myself in a room with her and won't leave until she walks. So anyway, I come home and put her on her mat and ready myself with the video camera. Nothing. I push her, tickle her, press her legs- nothing. Well, nothing but smiles and coos. Rob comes home. We wait. The video camera is charged and ready and still nothing. Yesterday, back on her mat- nothing. Today, nearly 48 hours after the big roll over, nada.

So, now I am breathing easier. I think Grandmom and Grandad had a little too much cold medication that morning if you know what I mean. I am just going to pretend that it never happened. I am not entering it in her baby book until I see it for myself and they aren't allowed to keep her anymore unless I have a webcam with me at all times.

Wii be havin' fun 'round here

So for my Dad's 62nd birthday he got a Nintendo Wii. That's really what he got. Not socks. Not ties. Not books. But a Nintendo Wii. How cool is that?
So, how did we spend our 4th of July weekend you may ask? Not grilling out, not watching the John Adams biography on A&E, not running around with sparklers terrifying the baby, but rather playing fight to the death games of bowling and tennis.
Good times, good times. So, what else happened? Well, my niece turned eight, we saw an American Girl movie, we went swimming, we hung out with our good friend Phil, his fiancee, Sarah, and their friends from Ohio, Meg swam in the pool
Bennett hung out with her cousins and her Nana
and we watched the requisite fireworks.
What a wonderful weekend!!

Bennett's first baby-sitter

We love Kelsey!!! We know that she is going to be an awesome baby-sitter for little B. I have known Kelsey for years and she has been a cast member on CR222 for a long time. I think she has been with me through 3 church productions, 25 episodes of CR222, a trip to Gatlinburg, 4 acting classes at the Armory and 2 acting camps, multiple trips to Camp Chandler, and lots and lots of car rides enduring loud boys in the backseat. So, from the second she heard I was pregnant, Kelsey volunteered to baby-sit and I gladly agreed. We have left Bennett a lot with my parents, but this was her first time with someone outside the family. The reason for us leaving her? We all went to see Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl. Yes, we ALL went. Including Rob. It was my niece's 8th birthday and that's what she wanted. I think Rob volunteered to stay with Bennett about 36 times, but we got him in the theatre. And he actually liked it, but would never tell you that. Anyway, Bennett loved Kelsey and she wants us to leave again so she can play with her favorite baby-sitter. Thanks, Kels. We love you.

Three Years Ago

Lazy Days

You know that the weeds in your backyard have gotten out of control when you are too embarrassed to have the bug man come spray. So we spent all day tackling our back yard jungle so we can be pest free again. You also know that you have absolutely nothing to blog about when you are writing about weeds. So, maybe I will just post a few pictures of a sweet baby. Those may be a little more interesting and maybe something more noteworthy will happen to us next week. If not, it's on to rust stain removal posts.

4 months old

Bennett is 4 months old today! Will her entire life fly by this fast? Weren't we just putting together a swing and decorating the nursery? I know I am biased, but I must say that I think we have a good one. She is just an amazingly calm and peaceful baby. She hardly ever cries, takes three naps a day on cue, sleeps 11 hours straight every night, smiles constantly, will go to anyone who will hold her, loves her books, is content to play on her mat, and doesn't get rattled by hardly anything. They always say the first one is the easiest (well my parents certainly do) and that the second one will be payback, but I think I will just enjoy the first one for now.
She is now holding her head up like a champ, reaching for objects, and putting everything in her mouth. I am just trying to take everything in and am praying that the next 4 months won't go by nearly as fast.

Grumbling

I heard a sermon Sunday night that has managed to stay with me for two whole days now. It's not that I don't listen to the sermons, it's just that I have a hard time remembering them. When your job consists of helping to plan the services, listening to the sermon outline a dozen times on the Tuesday before, contacting dozens of volunteers on Wednesday, running over the power point on Thursday, finalizing the production schedule on Friday, either rehearsing a drama or editing a video clip on Saturday, and then working from 6:30-12:30 on Sunday to make sure everything goes right- well, sometimes it's hard to remember the sermon in the midst of all that. Thanks goodness for my quiet times or I would be spiritually bankrupt.

But, going back to this sermon. Our teaching pastor, John Schmidt preached on grumbling. I won't go into his sermon or his points too much- that's why he's the pastor and I am just the tech girl. But, what I took away is that I grumble too much. Just as the Israelites did with Moses, I fail to see God's blessings over my grumbling.

When does the spouse that we thought was so wonderful when we were first married turn into a constant source of annoyance? (I am just hypothetically speaking, I promise!!!!) When does the house that we prayed for and seemed like such a blessing turn into a house that is too small? When does the car that met our every need turn into an old piece of junk without the latest gadgets? When are we ever satisfied? Could there ever possibly be a time in our lives when we say, "Enough. I have enough. And I don't need any more." Can we ever stop and say, "Lord, thank you for my husband/wife. They are a gift from you and I am so thankful. Lord, thank you for my house. I am so grateful and I don't need anything bigger. Lord, thank you for my car. It may not be the 2009 model that my friend has, but it suits my needs, and I thank you. Lord, my closet is full of clothes. I don't need any more. Father, I have no idea what it feels like to be hungry. Thank you."

Anyway, just a few rambling thoughts from someone who has actually visited third world countries and still has the audacity to grumble and complain. James 1:5 tells us that God wants us to ask Him for things and He will not resent our asking. I am taking that to mean wisdom, discernment, guidance, and even yes, things. I can't tell you how hard Rob and I prayed for Bennett, our new house, and even our used mini van. But, I want to stop complaining about things that I am so incredibly fortunate to have and spend a lot more time being grateful.

Beach Bound Bennett

Ah, yes. Seaside, Florida. A little slice of heaven on earth. Where lazy days are filled with riding bikes, swimming in the ocean, shopping in the town square, and laying in hammocks. When I make my first million I think I might just have to buy a house there. My Mom retired a few weeks ago so we surprised her with a family trip to the beach. Bennett loved the water, but hated the sand. Good thing. Her parents aren't exactly the types to lay out in the sun, so if she had liked it too much, we would have been in trouble. We had a blast hanging out together- even if I did lose Big Boggle and nearly fell off of a bike while trying to ride while holding ice cream in one hand. For those of you who know me well will recall that I didn't learn to ride a bike until I was 21, and the rest of you can quit laughing. Anyway, here are some pics taken with Rob's awesome Nikon D80.

My beautiful niece and my daughter

Happy First Father's Day, Rob

Mom's future Christmas Card, so pretend like you didn't see it

Could I possibly love this little girl any more?

Rockin' the beach look

First time in the ocean

Four lovely grand daughters

Bennett at 3 months

Bennett loves: Reading books, mirrors, baths, and smiling faces
Hates: tummy time and shots
Tolerates: the dogs
Is scared of: Loud noises and the sound her mobile makes when the batteries are dying
Is happiest when: she is cuddling with anyone in her family