Spelling Tuesday

Here's the rundown of our holiday celebrations: Dec 23rd- Candlelight service at church and family picture fiascoe. Dec 24th- Lenz family PJ night- we lounged, we pigged out, we Charlie Browned it up. Dec 25th- Loralie awoke to a tree full of awesomeness. Her little face was priceless when she saw her Elmo. She was more than excited. She also got a ride on car, a cookies and milk game, a baby stroller, a ball, some paints (yes paints, what the heck was I thinking), and a wagon with blocks. That night the Brummetts came over for a delicious dinner. Dad made prime rib, and I made the rest- roasted asparagus, scalloped potatoes, spiced peaches, garlic cheese buscuits, and salad. Yes, I know. I rock. And my snowman tablescape was super cute. Later, we did some amazing Christmas kareoke, because I couldn't talk anyone into caroling... Oh, also, we got about two feet of snow, so Caleb took Loralie out in it for about five minutes, which she thouroughly UN-enjoyed. Dec 26th-...

Okay, I admit it. I am the type of person who kind of builds things up in my head (Clark Griswald style) and then gets frustrated when they don't turn out like the norman Rockwell painting I was envisioning. Perfect example, last night was our churches candlelight service. I had been scouring the stores for months to find Loralie the perfect christmas outfit to wear, and I had it in my head that our family, scrubbed and spiffed, would get our picture taken in front of the huge Christmas tree at church. Well, to start with, 20 minutes before we were supposed to be leaving for church, I put Loralie's little skirt on her, and it fell to the floor! Her butt is so tiny, it could not support the skirt! I had to do some tailoring magic and take about three inches off of the waistband! One of the selling features of this little christmas outfit is that it came with a matching headband. Well, Loralie's crazy hair wouldn't stay out of her eyes with a mere headband, so i ha...

In the last two weeks the following items have broken in our home: dishwasher, hot water heater, ice maker, printer, and downstairs toilet!!!! AHHH! Fortunately none of the repairs were major at this point, but poor Caleb has been quite the busy boy trying to keep up with the long "to-do" list! I am so blessed to have a husband who knows how to fix stuff!

Here is Loralie with our favorite Santa, Pastor Donny at our church. She was really freaked out by the whole thing, and starting screaming when we handed her over to him. Oh, well. Aren't baby's supposed to be screaming in their first picture with Santa?

One of the things that I find so amazing about being Loralie's mom, is the way that she learns things so abruptly. It has been like this for all of her major milestones- one day she can't roll over, the next she is a rolling maching. One day I sit her up, and she just never falls over, she is able to sit up all by herself from then on. Recently, it has been walking. I was sort of expecting her to take a few steps one day, and fall over, take a few steps the next day, fall over. You get the idea. That is not how it has gone down at all! She just decided one day that she could walk, and she has been walking ever since. It was just so abrupt! She is running all over the place now. I love it when she runs over to me and lands in a big hug. Those are the best. And on a slightly related note, she is learning new words like crazy (probably because both of her parents are LOUD.) Here is the list of words she can say at almost 14 months: mama, dada, dog, up, more, done, on,...

Last night I was working an event, when I took a much needed pee break. After completing my business and standing to exit the stall I hear a "plop" and realize with horror, that my I-phone (which was in my back pocket) has taken a dip in the porcelin swimming pool! "NOOOOOOO!" I yell, and plunge my hand into the fresh urine to retrieve the phone, which is practically an appendige to my body. I hastily dry the phone (and wash my hands :) and then attempt to turn the phone back on. NO luck. I completely shut the thing down and put it in a bowl or rice, as I had heard that that can help suck up the moisture. It sat in that all night, but when I tried it this morning, it still didn't work. Anyways, Caleb bought me a new one, and we are still hoping that the old one will dry out and Caleb will have bought himself a new i-phone (he has always had phone envy). I will keep you posted on if the rice thing works or not!