Christmas break

Alright, we’re trying to get back into the swing of things now that 2011 has arrived. There was limited internet access over the break and not much time to sit down and write so I will do my best to catch up here.
Our little family enjoyed the two weeks off from work (daycare in Shadow’s case) spending time with family and eating anything we could get our hands on (paper in Shadow’s case.) We travelled to Kansas and Missouri to split the time up between the two families. For me, Christmas time is a much needed reminder that we have been given a remarkable gift, the gift of Jesus. Every time I wrap a present, I try to remember what inspired me to do so. Christmas can also be a reminder that those feelings of hope and graciousness are things that we need to feel and practice year round. Always, always count your blessings and give thanks in ALL circumstances.

Christmas is also one of the rare times I get to see my grandparents, aunt, uncles and cousins, since they all live in various spots throughout the state of Kansas. I look forward to any chance I get to go back there because I have a huge place in my heart for all of them and for the state itself.

Just some random things you might not know about Kansas (and perhaps don’t care to know, but this is my blog and I’ll tell you if I want to.)
·Dwight Eisenhower was from Abilene, KS. He was our 34th President and you can visit his boyhood home and Presidential Library/Museum in Abilene
·Amelia Earhart, first woman granted a pilot's license by the National Aeronautics Associate and first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean was from Atchison, KS.
·The first black woman to win an Academy Award was Kansan Hattie McDaniel. She won the award for her role in "Gone with the Wind."
·Helium was discovered in 1905 at the University of Kansas (That’s right; it’s not just the home of one of the greatest traditions in college basketball.)
·Dodge City is the windiest city in the United States, with an average wind speed of 14 miles per hour.
·Kansas comes from a Sioux word meaning "people of the south wind"
·The US government decided to let the people of Kansas vote for or against slavery. There were many fights between these people, but eventually those against slavery won. Because of the great violence during this time, Kansas became known as “Bleeding Kansas”.
·Pizza Hut restaurants opened its first store in Wichita, Kansas.
·The state flower is the sunflower and is always one of my favorites.
·The state capitol is Topeka, which in the native Kansa language means “to dig good potatoes”(I thought this was funny.)

Kansas may be flat, but it is full of interesting people, places, and things. I could probably write a book about what to see and do and why I love it so much. I am very proud to be from there, but I welcome coming home with open arms. We were ready to get back to Murray and try to get Shadow back in some kind of routine. He wouldn’t sleep in his travel bed and therefore ended up spending many nights with me and Jordan in our bed. His first Christmas was just too much to handle alone I guess. And that’s ok because Christmas shouldn’t be spent alone.

I am always grateful for the precious time I get to spend with my family, even if it is only once or twice during the year. But having Shadow here is just going to make every future Christmas more wonderful and blessed. This past Christmas was a great reminder that though many miles separate me from most of my family, they are always near in heart.

Black Friday

It was cold and dark as I crawled out from underneath the warm covers at 4:00am. I was going to give this Black Friday shopping thing a try, and already I was regretting it merely because of the hour it required me to awake.

For many years I had heard tales of people getting trampled, losing fingers, even dying when they ventured out to save big on the latest appliances, toys, etc. So naturally, I was nervous about what I was going to see at the Wal-Mart in the little town they call Kennett.

My only sliver of reconciliation is that we were going to be in the company of my sister-in-law. She doesn't take crap from anyone so I was fully prepared to stay by her side the whole time. I slowly got dressed and Jordan some how managed to get me into the car. We arrive at a half full parking lot 15 minuets later and I feel my heard start to race.

We walked into the store and I was preparing myself for a scene of blood and flying limbs, mothers cussing out employees and children crying. Basically I was waiting to see anarchy at it's greatest.

Was I so pleasantly surprised when we walked in the Wal-Mart and merely received a ticket for the item we wanted and waited in line. People were greeting each other and exchanging stories about how Little Johnny and Little Susie are just dying to have the New Whatchamacallit. It was wonderful. Jordan and I got everything we had on our list (and some more) all while I kept all 10 of my much needed fingers.

All of us left with our goodies and hit the McD's drive through from some sweet tea and coffee. When we got back to my in-law's house, little Shadow was greeting us with smiles. Overall, it was a fun and happy morning. The afternoon, however, brought out my "sleepy grumpies". But I suppose that was worth it considering I can now watch Harry Potter in HD! :)

Why I love November

As I'm writing this, I can hardly believe November has already come and gone. I have to take a moment to explain why November is probably my favorite month of the year. (March comes in a close second due to the epic madness of the NCAA basketball tournament.)

First of all, November is the month where I feel fall has finally arrived. I can bring out my sweatshirts, boots, fleece, blankets, slippers, and hot chocolate and not fret about the next day being close to 70 degrees.

Second-Birthdays! My birthday falls on November 12. My mother's is November 10th. I have a couple good girlfriends that have their birthdays in November. Can I also say that Laura Bush(11/4), Grace Kelly (11/12), Claude Monet (11/14), Calvin Klein (11/19), Scarlett Johansson (11/22) C.S. Lewis (11/29), and Winston Churchill (11/30) all have November birthdays. Do you see the trend? Apparently all brilliant, fascinating, and attractive people are born in November ;)

Third-Thanksgiving. It's such an important holiday and doesn't get all the attention is deserves because Christmas has already run over it. But I like to give Thanksgiving its due focus because I don't want it to feel overlooked. It's such a simple and sweet holiday really. A day to remind us to be thankful and gracious in all circumstances. To remind ourselves that we are blessed to have our friends, family, health, and animals that just happen to taste so good.

And last-but certainty not least-Jordan and I were married in November. This past November 21st marked our 1st anniversary. I never imagined the day I would become someones wife, much less celebrate it a year later. I know time is relative to everyone. A year can be considered long, or very short. But celebrating this 1 year seemed to be the final kick in the head that said, "Yes you are married! Yes you are loved! and Yes it is gooooood! It was as if I could say, "Well we made it the first year, the next 59 don't really seem like a big deal! Bring it!" This short (or long) year seems like such an accomplishment.

This year we celebrated by going out to dinner at The Brass Lantern, a very cozy place near Kentucky Lake. And then we caught the late showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. (It's wonderful to have a husband that supports and enables my Harry Potter habit.) But in all seriousness, it was the best night. To simply reflect on the past year and be in each others company is all I really needed. I am so blessed to have Jordan in my life as my husband and I will love November all the more because of him.

So, there you have it. My reasoning as to why I love November so much. Is there a month you love as much as I love November?

A Short Story.

Since I haven't posted anything in a while I thought I would pull from some old un-posted material. This is from a while ago but still sends a message we all need to hear from time to time.~~~~~~~~

I would like to tell you a story about Dot and the land she called home. Dot loved her school and where she lived. She wanted to tell everyone about it and encourage people to come and explore this place that she so loved. One day she thought she should pay a visit to the Wizard. She wanted to let him know that the land he governed had a special place in her heart, but she was unhappy. As she walked along the blue and gold path, she came across Gossip.

“May I go with you to see the Wizard, Dot?” Gossip asked.

“I’m afraid not.” Dot answered. “You see, if I bring you along, people are less likely to trust me and confide in me. Sometimes the things you say hurt people and they might lose respect for you.”

Looking a little rattled, Gossip went on to ask, “What if I asked the Wizard to grant me honesty, then may I go with you?”

“Ok, you can come.” Dot said.

After a few minutes, Dot and Gossip were met with Favoritism.

“Where are you going?” Favoritism asked.

“We are going to pay the wizard a visit.” Dot and Gossip replied.

“Can I go with you?”

“No, I’m afraid not. If you come along people are going to see that you favor others and don’t let the rules apply to everyone. Then they will feel like they are unimportant or unequal.” Dot said.

“If I ask the Wizard for fairness, will you let me come?” Favoritism asked

“Ok, you can come.” Dot said.

They had almost reached the place where the Wizard lived when they came across Mr. Unprofessional.

“Where are you going?” He asked.

“We are going to pay the Wizard a visit.” The group replied.

“Can I come too?

“I don’t think that would be a good idea. If you come along with us, then others will not respect you or look up to you. They might become angry with the way you handle different situations among our group or may dislike the way you treat others.”

“If I asked the Wizard for morals and ethics, would you let me come?”

“Ok, you can come.” Dot said.

So all three met up with the Wizard. Dot explained how much she loved her home and how much she wanted others to see it likes he does, but that the people in her group sometimes make it hard. So the Wizard granted Gossip some honesty, Favoritism some fairness and Mr. Unprofessional some morals and ethics. And Dot was happy.