I'm Still Here

It's been something like 2 weeks since I've posted last. I promise I am still here. Just needed to take a break for a little while. We're visiting Erik's family now and then heading off for a little family vacation. Can't wait to post some more soon. Should have lots of pictures and stories to share. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Small Town Christmas Parade

I remember the first time Erik ever attended the Covington Christmas Parade. I guess it was just actually 3 years ago; after we had moved here from Memphis. I would be lying if I said I was not embarrased. I could only imagine the regrets he would experience that particular night of us moving to Covington as he watched the tractors, 4-wheelers and rather unimpressive "floats" march down Main Street.



While I can say that I don't remember him saying anything derogatory about the parade, I'm quite sure he was thinking them. But on that first night of being back in my home town watching that parade, floods of childhood memories emerged. My father would always park his truck right in front of our church--directly on the main route. All the kids from church would pile in the back and wait anxiously for the parade to begin. We would watch the horses, fire trucks and the Shriners and then cheer with such excitement as Santa made his yearly debut on the top of the biggest fire truck. It was such a wonderful time as a child.



Well, for the past 3 years we have crawled into the back of his pick-up truck (thanks for Mr. Hyatt for a great substitution this year) and I have watched my own children anticpate those thrown-together floats, the loud fire engines and the obligatory Santa appearance. Even Erik, my city boy, has grown to appreciate the Covington Parade for what it is.



It might not be much, but it's ours. So, until next year.......

Lucy holding her ears. Those sirens were so loud!

Dance! Dance! Dance!

I don't know if my Ella will ever be as graceful or talented a dance as my sister, Rebecca, but boy does she love it. Her face lights up the minute those ballet shoes go on and she loves to make her taps click.

The day I had the chance to watch her dance was a rather stressful one for me. It had been a challenging day for me at home and I was a ball of nerves by the time we made it (barely) to dance for this "viewing." And on top of that I knew that we had to hurry out of there to make it in time for the parade. As Lucy and I found our place on the floor (did I mention we just barely made it in time), I let my body slowly relax. As I watched Ella do her stretches and answer her technique questions, I began to smile. Then by the time the tap number to Frosty started, I was beaming with pride. It absolutely thrilled my heart to watch her without a care in the world. She was so innocent, just having a good time.

That dance performance was all this mommy needed to put life into perspective.

Even Lucy got in on the action. She loved watching Ella dance and would try to imitate every move. Mrs. Julie, the instructor, got so tickled just watching her! She said she could not wait to have her next year.

The Mighty Hunter

Growing up in a small town, all I knew was here. I knew men that hunted, fished, rode 4-wheelers, farmed, etc. I just assumed that that was the kind of man I would marry. After all, I too, enjoyed those things. It's just how I grew up. Then after high school, I moved off to the "big city" and never looked back. My first week at school, I saw my future husband from across the way and I had an immediate feeling that he was the man I was going to marry. I did not even know his name. I just knew.

All those visions of what I thought my life would be came to a screeching halt. He was nothing like any guy I had dated or met. He was so smart and articulate and athletic and handsome and well, the list could go on. He was the perfect man for me. He does like to ride 4-wheelers, can snow ski like a champ and loves nature. He is the best father 2 little girls could have and a wonderful helpmate and friend.

Recently Erik got to test out those hunter instincts that every man is supposedly born with. We have been plagued by moles since be moved into our house. They have destroyed our back yard. Erik reminds me of Bill Murray on Caddy Shack with those darn moles. If they weren't so hard on our yard, it would almost be funny. Well, we were outside earlier this fall watching the girls jump in our leaves. Erik came to a sudden halt and just froze. He looked down and slammed his hand on the ground. We all jumped and stood in amazement as we watch him pick up this little mole that he had just killed.

It wasn't a 10-point, but I was still proud of him. Our Might Hunter.

The Great Catch

He got this with his BARE hands!

Our Christmas Card

Most of you who read this will receive our annual Christmas card. This year, just like every year, I really labor over the picture(s) to include and the design. I know they are nothing fancy, but they are really special to me. For most of my college friends and all our family out of town, this is the only opportunity for us to show off just how beautiful our girls are.

This year I had no problem deciding what I wanted our cards to look like. I had envisioned them for months. The only problem was convincing the girls! I took no less than 60 shots of them (new appreciation for Emily and Phil). Only 2 were worth keeping. I think they turned out so cute.

The Other Man in My Life

This post is for Erik.....



The other man in my life


But don't worry honey. Neither the UPS man nor the Fed Ex man can hold a candle to you. Just tonight, as I was working on the blog, you looked at me and said "you are even prettier now than when I met you." I love you, Erik.

'Sup Dog?

My funny friend, Amanda.





We took dinner to the Carlisle family and their new baby Anna Brooke tonight and she showed up with this necklace. Apparently one of her students brought this to her at school today. She wore it proudly--and I am sure she made that little kids' day!

St. Nick's Day

Last weekend, our family celebrated St. Nick's Day. This is a strong Eurpoean tradition that Erik's German family has celebrated for many years. After Ella was born, we decided that we would continue this tradition with our own children. Hopefully this is something they will continue for many generations to come.

Here is a condensed overview:

A real-life bishop in what is now Turkey, Saint Nicholas earned his sainthood for numerous miracles, but his neighbors knew him best as a kind and generous man with a great fondness for children. Today, in many parts of the world Saint Nicholas delivers gifts on the eve of his Feast Day, December 6, and Christmas is reserved for the religious observance of Christ's birth.

The Stockings were Hung.....(look, there's Harley!)

Lucy plays with her new Slinky, although she has NO clue what it is or what it does.

Daddy is happy, too!

A Letter from Santa

My friend Elizabeth who lives in Georgia, but is originally from Covington, told me about this girl who designs postcards from Santa and then mails them to your children. I just had to check it out! So, today we received our letters. The girls were so excited. They are definite keepsakes.

(If you want to order one you can email Amy Erickson at amyerickson@mac.com Just give her your information and she will send you a proof. It is that easy! Enjoy!)

When I Grow Up

Today I went to pick up Ella from school and found her on the ground surrounded by 3 of her preschool teachers. She was actually in the flower bed, not the ground, per se. Apparently she had spotted a few very large worms and in typical Ella fashion proceeded to retrieve them.

Ella has always been fascinated with "creatures." Frogs fascinate her, especially those that wander helplessly into the swimming pool. They instantly become pets--until she drowns them while swimming.

So as she gets into the car (I am waiting with a bottle of germ-x and wipes) Mrs. Beth says "Hey, Ella! Maybe you will be a veterinarian when you grow up." So began the conversation:

Ella- "Mommy, I think I will be a veterinarian when I grow up."
Me - "I think that would be wonderful."
Ella- "Well, I think you will have to help me. You know--my nose gets yucky sometimes--when I'm around cats."
Me- "Ok. I will help you."
Ella " You will have to make sure I take my medicine before I go to work."

Just when I think the conversation is over, it only gets better.

Ella "Mommy, you will have to be my helper. You can work in the front while I see the other patients."
Me "Oh! So you want me to be the nurse."
Ella "When it rains you will have to bring the outside animals inside so they don't get wet. That is what you will do when I am working."
Me "Ok. I will make sure I do that."
Ella "Well, we will need to live on a farm so we can see the animals better. You better build me a house by you."
Me "Ok, baby. I will help you and live by you."
Ella "Well, what are you going to do with Lucy and Daddy?"
Me "I suppose they will live with us on the farm. "
Ella "Is it a nap day?"

And the conversation changes. Just like that. Apparently all she needed to hear was that Mommy and Daddy weren't going anywhere and that we would help her no matter what she did.

And it's true. That's all our babies need. To know that we are here and support them in all they do. That's our job. That is why I was born.

A Few Random Pictures

Here are a few pictures worth remembering.....

me and the girls in their snowmen shirts I made

Ro and Lucy. My sister's and father's birthdays are a little over a week apart. We have recently begun celebrating both on Thanksgiving day. It always adds just one more fun event to the day!

The girls snuggling one morning.

Me and Super Lu and Ella, too!

My friend Ginger just sent me these pictures. I just had to post them!

Super Lu and Mommy

Ella and her friend Carter at school

The Elf Came

As so many have posted, we too, have an elf. His name is Harley. (Ella came up with that one.) Because we were gone for Thanksgiving, Harley had to stay in hiding until the first of December. It has become the morning ritual for Ella to finish her chocolate milk and then start searching for him. They are both still trying to "believe" in him. You can tell they want to, but something about that little inanimate being flying to the North Pole and talking to mommy is just a little hard to believe.

Harley's first appearance was on the Christmas tree in the girl's bathroom.

Isn't he so mischievious looking?

More Thanksgiving

We were lucky enough to spend Thanskgiving with both our families this year. After lunch in Covington, we headed East to visit with Erik's family. There are lots of cousins to play with at Grandma and Grandpa's house, so the girls anxiously await each and every visit!

Aunt Ro and Uncle T

My sister and brother

Me and my Sis

Rebecca and Tommy

Our cousin Annaleis (she's Lucy's favorite)

Catching Up....

To say "I've been busy lately" would be a gross understatement. WOW! It's been crazy around here. Doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of the holiday season. Aren't we supposed to relax and spend our time thinking about all the things we are grateful for? Shouldn't our focus be on the REAL reason for the season? I think God would be pretty disappointed in the actual amount of time I have allowed myself to think about his precious son who was born this wonderful month so many years ago. My plan is to spend this weekend catching up on decorating, applique shirts and laundry. Then next week it's cookie making, present wrapping and Christmas movie watching. And, a committment to remind my children (and myself) on a daily basis the true meaning of Christmas.

In a effort to catch up, I wanted to post a few pictures from Ella's Indian Pow-Wow that she had Thanksgiving week. This is the third pow-wow that she has been a part of, but it never gets old. She loves making her shirt, creating a drum and performing the "skit" to the same story each year.