Do I have the cutest kids in the world or what? :) I love that they love each other so much.

Confession

I've got a confession to make. I'm selfish. It's something that I've known about myself for awhile. But something that I've not been willing to change because, well, if I'm not selfish, then I don't get what I want. Right?

Here's what usually happens...Let's say it's a holiday, or my birthday - you get the picture. I have an expectation of what I think "people" are going to do for me. So, I've got a scenario in my head of what's going to happen - and it's all of the things that I would want to do for other "people". Then, guess what? It doesn't happen. Something else might happen that's not as thoughtful or special (in my mind)...then I'm disappointed and I get sad. Let's face it...sometimes I even cry. What?

I realized at Christmas this year, when I found myself re-living the above scenario, that I'm tired of getting sad about silly stuff like that. I find myself wanting "people" to do things for me, say things to me etc. that show me that I'm important to them - so important that they really want to do or say something that will show me how much they care. When I got sad this weekend, here's what I kept hearing over and over in my head...You've got a loving, caring Savior who has shown you over and over and over. He's even given you the ultimate gift and he did it because He loves you.

That's powerful stuff. So, I'm working on it!

Core training

If anyone is interested...Eli is teaching Pilates at my house. 5:30 a.m. :)

I haven't been very nice to my sweet husband lately. I could make up excuses...but I won't. I've just been grouchy and he's taken the brunt of it. We have an amazing relationship - the ability to talk things out without getting angry or yelling...tears maybe, but no yelling. So, I'm going to try really hard to be nice. Even when I'm grouchy.

Chris will tell you that he knew he was going to marry me instantly (who can blame him, right?) :) I, on-the-other-hand, wasn't that quick. Not because he wasn't super. But because I was in a weird transitional time in my life. But here's when I knew...The day I got the phone call that my mom and dad had been in a wreck, I was at Chris' apartment in Harrison. We had just come in from a walk around his neighborhood. I noticed several missed calls on my phone. He was there to see me fall to my knees screaming when my sister told me about the accident and that mom was in critical condition but she didn't know about dad. He listened to me cry out in prayer as we drove. He had to watch me scream out when Kerry called to tell me mom was OK, but dad was gone. He sat beside me as I cried, and cried and cried...He met most of my family, for the first time, grieving in a hospital and at a funeral. He took all of his remaining vacation days to be with me - and I didn't pay much attention to him. He was just there, supporting me when I needed him. He drove to my mom's house every single weekend for months - a 3-hour drive one way. All of this, and we had met only 2 months before. Most people would have bolted...but he didn't.

So, I read this verse in 1 Corinthians 13...it described him. And I knew.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Growing Up

Eli crawled for the first time today! It's not a "real" crawl yet - more of an army crawl. But he got on the hardwoods and took off - after a snowman that he wasn't supposed to have. I have a feeling life is about to get a little more interesting...

There's more!
One of his bottom front teeth came all the way through today - and the other looks like it's about to pop through! What an exciting day for Eli (and his mommy)!

What I love about my friends...

I had a random thought today...I thought about my favorite people - the friends in my life who have for some reason chosen to invest in me. I love them because they fit the qualities that I love to see in people...

• I love it when people consider how what they say and do affects people...and think better of it when it is something that may be hurtful.
• I love it when people are able to talk about things that bother them calmly and rationally without blowing up.
• I love it when people are alone and singing in their cars.
• I love it when without a thought, people give things away that mean something to them just because they know someone else would love having it and could use it more.
• I love it when people are able to see other people's point of view.
• I love it when people can refrain from using offensive language when something upsets them.
• I love it when people are humble enough to apologize - even if they're not "really" wrong.
• I love it when people can give and take a joke.
• I love it when people are kind and respectful to everyone...even if they "mess up" - like the waitress who makes a mistake on an order or the Wal-Mart checker who is going too slow.
• I love it when people aren't easily angered.
• I love it when people have to wait a long time in line and don't complain.
• I love it when people waive "thank you" when you let them out in traffic.
• I love it when people mouth "sorry" when they accidentally pull out in front of you.
• I love it when people tell you when they have a problem with you or something you've done, instead of talking about it behind your back.
• I love it when I see people rally around their friends who are hurting.
• I love it when people invest in other people's lives - expecting nothing in return.
• I love it when people have kind and gentle hearts.

Good news...Good news...

Oh my...it's been a long time. I took a little vacation (well, really I just need an extra hour or two in the day). I'll try to do better.

In case you're wondering...Baby boot camp was a success! Eli is going to sleep between 7:30 and 8 and sleeping until around 5:30 a.m. And, he figured it out really fast...not much crying. He still wakes up at night and cries for a few minutes every few days, but can put himself back to sleep pretty quickly. YAY Eli!

And here's more good news...Memaw is keeping Carlee and Eli (and Jenna) Friday night so Chris and I can go out to eat. We haven't been anywhere by ourselves...without the kids...since August. It's time!

Have a super duper Christmas!

little case of the grouchies

I've been a terrible blogger. Not only have I not had that much to say lately, I'm pretty sure that if I did, I'd be too tired to say it *whine* Both kids have been snotty and coughing. Carlee had some bad asthma issues that kept us up a few nights. And pretty much, I'm just grouchy. Chris and I have been staying away from each other. You know when you're really tired how bad little things irritate you? (or is that just me?) Well...either way...I'm there. This isn't the time to be loading the dishwasher wrong, or putting unmatched socks in my sock drawer, or leaving wet, dirty washcloths in the shower. Really. I'm going to be grouchy the rest of today, then, I've really got to make a choice to not be grouchy tomorrow. I'll tell you how that goes.

So, baby boot camp had to come to a temporary halt. Once little dude is feeling better, we'll be back at it. He's actually doing pretty well...considering.