Become as a child...

This is a little boy who called in to a religious radio show.... good kid.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Turkey Day! Our family is so thankful for each of you. Now eat up!

Elf Yourself!

I saw this on Liz's blog, and I couldn't resist... Enjoy seeing my boys doin' a little Christmas jig...

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9542183398

Girls' Night Out

THANK HEAVENS for girlfriends! Just wanted to give a shout-out to my great friends for a fabulous and fun overnighter. We headed up to the in-laws' place in Midway (thanks Bob and Suze) and had a wonderful evening of food, shopping, treats and lots of talking. Alex and Mark asked me what I did up there, and I said that we talked until 4 or 5 a.m. They just looked at me like, "huh? how can you do that?" Well... with these girls, it's easy! We couldn't believe how late it was. It's always so nice to hang out with the girls, and discuss everything from kids to religion to high school memories. One thing that I'll always be grateful for is this awesome group of women who all helped me and each other survive the turbulence of adolescence and young adulthood and who still help each other through all the various stages of life. I don't know what I'd do without you all! Next year, we're taking pictures to "journal" our outings... pajamas, baggy eyes, and all! Don't forget to sit on your heals, ladies!

(This was the only picture I got.... When we woke up, there were 5 or 6 deer on our back patio... lovin' it!)

Prayer

Ever since Alex was a tiny baby, we've been saying prayers with him. In fact, his second word was "amen." He's always been so reverent, and is very good about folding his arms and closing his eyes. However, he absolutely refuses to say the prayer now that he's older. He's done it once or twice, but he rarely likes to do it. We don't push it, because we don't want it to become a power struggle.

Well, yesterday, he decided he wanted to say the blessing on the food at lunch and at dinner. He knew all the typical "phrases" by heart, and practically said the whole prayer by himself. I was so proud of him. After the dinner prayer, he looked at me and said,

"Mom, Jesus says, 'Thank you, Alex, for saying the prayer.' "

Yep, little one, Jesus does say thank you. I do too. :)

Silly Alex...

So, I've been pumping ever since the babies were about 3 weeks old. It works out best for me (rather than nursing), but poor Alex has to endure waiting around for mom a couple of times a day while I'm hooked up. The other day, he came to me and said, "Mom, when I'm a girl, I'm gonna pump too. K?" He just cracks me up. :)

On Sunday, we got home from church and Alex said, "Mom and Dad? I'm sooo glad to be home. Don't you just love getting home? When you get home from church, then all the people can't bug you anymore."

And finally, Mark dressed up as Matt Foley, motivational speaker, from Saturday Night Live for Halloween. He did a pretty hilarious skit for his family about living in a van, down by the river. Alex obviously paid close attention, because yesterday I had Jackson on the bed, and Alex came up to him and said, "Jackson! You live in a VAN! A van down by the river!" Laughed out loud at that one!