A Purple Haze

I just lived the past 24 hours in a purple haze. Two of my nieces came to stay the night with us last night. The whole family is visiting for a few days out at my parents' home, so I was able to sneak a slumber party in.

The haziness began last night. My brother's family came to Shane's parents' home where we were finishing up the Stoddard family Christmas. The two little ladies' belongings were unloaded, goodbyes were said to their parents and GIRL TIME with Auntie Melodi began. Our car was loaded with 2 pink suitcases on wheels, 2 princess sleeping bags, 2 Hello Kitties, 2 "special" blankies, 2 booster carseats one on each side of George's carseat in the middle, and eventually we squished into our Volkswagen Jetta (which I think was almost touching the ground) and headed home. George didn't know what to do with 2 little princesses in Christmas dresses on either side of him. He began to get fussy and my sweet nieces sang to him all the way home...he was entranced.

George took a quick bath, probably due to the fact that there were 4 extra eyes watching his every move, handing him toys and continuing to sing at will. The next thing I knew, Shane was putting George to bed and I had two darlings dressed in Tinkerbell pajamas holding out their toes to be painted. We went to Aunt Melodi's Salon where every other nail was painted glittery purple and my two customers sipped sparkling apple cider out of my best china.

Once the nails were dry, out came the Hello Kitties and the special blankies while they watched the beginning of The Incredibles. When their eyelids were drooping, we told Shane he was banished to the guest room and declared the purple bedroom and bathroom to be GIRLS ONLY. Once we were all 3 in bed, Uncle Shane came to tuck us in and pray with us. The squealing was quite impressive. I fell asleep to the sound of two little angels sighing, whispering and giggling. It was Heaven, especially to a mom who is more used to the smells and sounds that accompany teenage boys.

This morning as they finished The Incredibles, Uncle Shane made pancakes in the shape of stars and hearts. These were devoured and then as George went outside with Shane, I prepared the first bubble bath in the famous purple bathroom. Not one, or two, but three different bubble bath soaps were added. Candles were lit, the pink towel was ready and the redheaded princess took a 30 minute bath. I'll never forget the look on Shane's face as I carried a special chocolate and another glass of sparkling apple cider to the bather. The second bather had the exact same experience as the first, and then we all three came downstairs to face the world. (My bath will happen after this blog...finally)

I forgot to mention the gifts we gave them. We didn't have much money for Christmas gifts this year, so we decided to make something for our 3 Daniels nieces. I bought miniature canvases and easles for Shane to paint on. He painted their first name initial along with flowers and hearts. Then he wrapped them in pretty tissue paper (which was at my insistence...he didn't think they needed to be wrapped...boys!!). I think his heart liquified as both girls ooohed and aaahed over the tissue paper. "Whoever wrapped this did a beautiful job," they said. Then they sighed and grinned from ear to ear when they saw what Shane had painted for them. It was absolutely precious to watch their reaction.

Sometimes I wish I was still a little girl content to play make-believe, waiting for my prince to show up on a white horse, twirling in pretty dresses, my heart free from unwanted fingerprints that left scars. But if I just stop and take a deep breath and listen...I can still hear the music that all little princesses hear when they twirl. I can still experience the simple joy of beautiful china. I can still revel in the security of a thoughtful, kind husband (even if he came driving a purple, wood-paneled mini-van instead of riding a powerful white horse).

I could do with more purple haze in my life. I just may paint my fingernails with glittery purple tonight too.

Running Man part 2

I went for a run this morning. My sister is coming to town for New Years and I better get in shape. I asked her to help me get on an exercise program, and I just know she's going to absolutely kill me. :) (and I want her to)

I decided to run around the track so I know for *sure* that I ran a mile without stopping. I was surprised to find the running man there. I blogged about him a while back. He's the one who is probably in his 60s or 70s and runs like a machine.

I didn't notice him at first, but as I was completing lap number one I saw him ahead of me. I desperately wanted to run faster and with more precision. But alas, wheezing and struggling I neared him. Then I realized that he was facing me. At first I was alarmed, but then I saw that He was walking very quickly...backwards. He had quite a pained look on his face.

I strode by him with all the grace of an elephant on ice, hoping he didn't notice my out-of-shape-ness. A few minutes later I was passing him again. He was still walking backwards.

I finished my mile and walked a lap before jogging to Engine House #9 for lunch with Shane and George. (no I didn't have cheese OR bread with my soup, therfore I'm sure I lost weight) As I walked I watched the Running Man. He had stopped walking backwards and I saw that he had a pronounced limp. Boy what a change from the Running Man I saw a while ago! He had a hard time walking. It was obviously painful for him.

He was walking backwards because that is what he could do. He could no longer run around the track looking like the Terminator who never gets tired. I kept staring at him as he bent and picked up some debris and started cleaning a section of the track. Even though he was in pain, and probably frustrated with his lack of ability, he did these things. He did what he could do, and he did what he needed to do.

And it inspired me yet again. If I see Running Man a third time, I'm going to talk to him. He has no idea that he is an inspiration to a stay-at-home mom trying to get some things in order in her life. I'm really thankful for Running Man. If he can do it, I can do it.

All I have to do is what I CAN. And what I NEED to do. And the Lord will give me the strength I need.

Keep It Simple Stupid

I haven't been blogging like I should. I feel like time is whizzing by and I'm not accomplishing much because I'm overwhelmed. It doesn't have that much to do with Christmas actually. Some things that have been on my mind, and weighing on my shoulders are:

How do I help George with better sleeping habits? We have had a season where he isn't sleeping at night much. It has been hard. I have been completely sleep deprived most of this month. But now things are back to normal and he and I are sleeping much better. I prayed a lot, some others prayed a lot, and I think the Lord helped give some solutions.

How can I give Christmas gifts that mean something, and will bless someone, yet won't cost very much?

I need to start contributing to our household financially again, so I've decided to start teaching piano. Oh...my mind is running crazy over this. I have ideas, but I mostly need to talk to a friend and let him mentor me a bit to get me started. I need students and I need them quickly. I'm nervous, excited, wary and anxious about it. That's not a great combination of emotions. :)

George is walking now. I'm noticing that he needs extra hands-on attention time from me in the afternoons/evenings. He is becoming antsy and wants more activity...but I can't always give it to him because of weather and because I don't have a car. I can't even express how desperate I am for spring and summer so we can go outside regularly again. I'm not afraid of rain/cold/wind...but he's had a cold on top of getting molars and going out hasn't been a good idea.

I'm making Christmas gifts for my brother's girls and I'm not super creative. But I have to get it done!

One of our sons is kind of back in touch with the family and it makes old emotions feel current again.

Those are a few things on my mind, and so much more that I won't write here.

And as I was putting George to bed tonight I was consumed with trying to figure it all out. My heart was racing and I was anxious to get that little guy to sleep. I thought he was asleep and I looked down and he had his finger up his nose. He saw me look at him and he started laughing. Then he kept putting his finger up his nose, over and over again. And laughing. And talking baby jibberish. It was absolutely hilarious.

I can't think of anything quite as simple as picking your nose and laughing about it! I simply needed to laugh tonight and get a fresh perspective. George definitely helps me with that regularly.

This is kind of a weird blog. My son picks his nose, makes me laugh and now I feel like everything will be OK. haha!!!