An "Ar" Brown Thanksgiving!

As you probably know by now, "Ar" Brown is my son's loyal friend. So, when we visited my mom for Thanksgiving, we had to take him with us! "Ar" Brown had a good time at Nana's house. He "ate" a lot, he played hard, and he even went to eat at Cracker Barrel! Here's a picture of him "riding" a reindeer! I hope your Thanksgiving was as fun as Aaron's and "Ar" Brown's was!

Who Will Take Care of You?

In the past, I have written about my crazy friend, Robin, who has adopted 5 girls. The other day, Aaron and I were out walking. Actually, I was walking. He was riding in the stroller! He kept whining that he wanted to go home. I told him that I needed to exercise to stay healthy so I could take care of him. I asked him, "If I am not healthy, who will take care of you?" He answered very quickly "ROBIN!" I guess he figures one more kid in that house is not going to matter! :)

The Mystery of Ketchup!

Have you ever met a little kid that did not like ketchup? I rarely use it (only on my fries or onion rings, and then, just a little bit). Yet, my son absolutely loves the stuff! I can get him to eat almost anything if I put some ketchup on his plate and let him "dip". I even snuck in some green beans at dinner tonight! I wonder where this love comes from. He certainly did not learn it by example! Ahh...the mystery of ketchup!

"Pear Hair"

The great thing about having a toddler is you never know what they are going to say! Aaron and I spent Thanksgiving at my mom's house. We had a really great visit. On the last night we were there, my mom was putting Aaron to bed. She asked him to give her a hug and kiss and he said "No! Pear Hair!" We laughed and laughed over that one! What would make a kid call his Nana "Pear Hair"?

A Thankful Heart

Aaron's favorite CD is a VeggieTales CD. On an average day we probably listen to that CD at least 8 times! One of the songs is called "The Thankfulness Song". There's a line in it that states "A thankful heart is a happy heart. I'm glad for what I have. That's an easy way to start."

So, this Thanksgiving, I am going to start the easy way and be glad for what I have! I have a husband who works extremely hard so that I can stay home with Aaron. I have a precious son who makes me laugh every single day. I have a God who loves me and sent his only son to die for me! I have a loving family and great friends all over the world. I have a warm house on this cold day and more food than I can eat! I have clothes to wear, books to read and a car to drive. I have a lot!

It turns out that "Junior Asparagus" is right! Being glad for what I have was an easy way to start!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Locked Out!

Today was the probably the yuckiest day we have had this Fall. It was cold, windy and rainy! (I even think there was some ice mixed in the rain!) So, when I decided to just "run out to the car to get something" I had no idea that Aaron had other plans! I ran up the front porch steps and turned the doorknob as I slammed against the locked door. Wait a minute? The locked? door?! I had deliberately left it unlocked.
So, I started to call, "Aaron?" And I heard "Mommy? Hee hee!" So, then I yelled, "Aaron! Unlock this door!" His answer was "Mommy!" and then something I could not understand as he ran away from the door. This went on for several minutes. About the time I was turning to go next door and get our extra key, the door opened. "Hi! Mommy!" my "precious" little one said to me! The next time I have to "run out to the car" he is going in the crib!

Nothing Runs Like a Deere!

Aaron's Uncle Nathan and Aunt Leslie love to spoil him! Recently, they shipped Aaron an electrical (ride on) John Deere train. It comes with a standard "circle" track, but that was not good enough for Uncle Nathan. He ordered Aaron the extension that takes up our entire living room when it is put together. We have to move our furniture for the track to fit!

Leslie and Nathan aren't the only ones who spoil him! The child has a Jeep (I don't have a Jeep!), 2 (ride on) fire trucks, a tricycle, a wagon, and too many other toys and books to count! All of these things were gifts from family and friends. James and I rarely (very rarely) buy him anything!

I don't want you to get the wrong idea, here. I am thrilled that Aaron is so well-loved. But, I think that for Christmas everyone needs to chip in and build us an addition to the house...otherwise James and I are going to have to move out and just let Aaron have all the space! :)

Good-bye to a Friend

A friend of mine, Kay Simpson, passed away yesterday. Kay was a neat person to know. She was the music minister at our church. But, Kay was so much more than that! She had a love for people and a love for Jesus that shone in everything she did. She related to all ages from preschoolers to those who have lived a few more years. Kay will be greatly missed!

"Hey! How 'Bout if I do that to YOU?!"

James used to have a talking "Sponge Bob" toy. One night when Aaron was very little and still nursing, I got up in the night to feed him. As I stumbled through the dark living room, I stepped on Sponge Bob. He yelled at me, "Hey! How 'bout if I do that to YOU?!" I had a minor heart attack and let out a scream of fright. Sponge Bob no longer lives with us!

"Ar Brown" Eats Cornbread!

This morning I was making cornbread for lunch. As soon as I had emptied the package into the bowl, the phone rang. When I turned back around, I discovered "Ar Brown" face down in the bowl on the floor! Aaron was pushing his face into the mix and saying "Ar Brown eat cornbread! Ar Brown eat cornbread!" When I finally got control of my laughter, I asked him "Was Charlie Brown hungry?" He just grinned and said, "Yes!"

Mommy Stinky!

In a complete reversal from Sunday when Mommy was pretty, now, Mommy is stinky! I put Aaron in the car to go meet James for lunch. As I slid into the front seat and started the car, Aaron exclaimed "Peeyew! Mommy stinky!" Thanks a lot, kid!

Mommy Pretty

Sunday mornings are always hectic at our house. It seems no matter how early I get up, I am always running late for church. This morning was no exception. I was dashing about, trying to get ready and nothing seemed to go right. The milk for breakfast was sour. I couldn't find my purse. Etc.
Aaron was still sleeping, and I let him sleep until the last possible minute. As I rushed in to get him ready to go, he stood up in his bed and reached out and touched my necklace. Then, he said in his sweet little baby voice, "Mommy pretty". My heart just melted! I had to take a moment just to love on him. But only a moment because we were late for church! The rush began again as I got him dressed and we hurried out the door. That one little moment has made me smile all day though!