Reindeer Like Enchiladas, Too!!

Little Miss Smarty Pants

So I'm a biased mom. But I was pretty amazed when I realized that my sweet little girl (no longer a baby... sniff sniff) knows three of her shapes. Ben and I tell her the different shapes at times, but we haven't spent excessive time trying to get her to learn them.

Imagine my surprise when I found a new toy in her closet that I forgot we had. She'd never even seen this toy before, and the first time I pulled it out she was choosing the correct shapes when I asked.

Confessions of a High School Musical Junky

I admit it. For a couple hours on Sunday I found myself actually imagining myself back in high school. Thankfully I wasn't returning to my alma mater Northwest here in Wichita, but to East High, in New Mexico. I could feel myself becoming friends with Gabriella and Troy... after all - they're nice to everyone, so my "nerdiness" wouldn't have mattered too much, right?!

When the show was over and I realized that I really was a crazy 29-year-old attempting to find momentary acceptance and joy through fictional characters (who probably are at least ten years my juniors), there was only one thing I could do. Watch the second movie. Don't worry, I did wait until my daughter went to bed - she wasn't getting the cold shoulder for Zac Efron!

Unfulfillment crept in as the second flick ended. Where does this leave things? What will happen now that our perfect summer... err... your perfect summer at the country club is ending, and you have to return to school?

It's a good thing my husband's on top of things. This Friday night, he's taking me out for the most romantic movie you could name. High School Musical 3: Senior Year!

**Thanks, Brianne, for sharing these fun, cheesy, clean movies with us!

28 Weeks Down... 12 To Go

3 months to go... and we still haven't begun getting ready for this baby. With the holidays and a trip to Utah in a month, the date will draw quickly near. We better get movin' on that nursery!

I have no strong feelings as to whether it's a boy or a girl. So, I would love your help. I've set up a poll at the side of the blog for you to state your opinion... chico or chica?

To argue in favor of a girl - this pregnancy has in most respects been very similar to my last one. I've felt mostly the same (a little more sick, but not much), and I've only been a little more tired (but I'm chasing around a 1.5 year old). Also, the ol' Chinese calendar trick emphatically states it's a girl.

On the other hand, you might say boy because this baby's heartbeat is slow (last time in the 130s) and I'm carrying lower than last time (but hey, I'm a little more stretched out this time). Plus, this baby is much more active than Sophie was in my tummy.

So, get to voting - let me hear what you think! Maybe we'll even paint the nursery accordingly! (Okay, probably not.)

Daddy's Home

Every night the same - what a homecoming!

I'd Say She's Preparing Quite Nicely...

Our Little Wookie

You've all heard of Chewbacca (for those of you who aren't Star Wars nerds like my hubby, Chewbacca's "people" are the Wookies). Do your best to recall what he sounds like.

May I introduce Sophie the Wookie. Oh, her Daddy is so proud.

Humble Pie

**CAUTION: You are about to get a small amount of insight into a daily struggle for me. If reading about other people's mental issues makes you squeamish, turn back now.

Last week I sat in my Tuesday morning women's Bible study at church and listened to a friend talk about weakness. She delivered a heartfelt discussion of how we need to be thanking God for our weaknesses, because through them we grow and learn how to rely on God's power. I returned home that day excited about the thoughts she shared and spent the remainder of the week thanking God for my own shortcomings and the lessons learned as a result.

Fast forward to yesterday afternoon. I was with a patient, and I told them something that was incorrect. Although the patient's family questioned me, it wasn't until I left the patient that I realized my mistake. Thankfully it wasn't one that could cause harm or any setbacks in therapy; it actually was an insignificant mistake. However, since the family questioned me about it, it is obvious to me that God is demanding me to apologize to them and admit my error. For my big-ol'-ugly pride, this will not be an easy accomplishment.

You see, Satan gets into my head and tells me that I'm better than other people because I have a Master's Degree. He tells me that I worked hard to get where I am and people should listen to me. And then God is so good, so merciful, so beautiful to remind me that I am nothing without Him. He gently whispers in my ear that my education was a simple gift, and nothing more; a tool from the Lord so that I can help His loved ones. He allows me a glimpse of what could be if I choose to misuse the love and grace He has freely given to me.

So for my generous helping of humble pie, I am thankful. Please, Lord, remind me that each person I meet is just as precious to you as the next. Give me your eyes to see those around me. Remind me that only through you am I strong.

"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor 12:10

On Momma's Day Out, All Fashion Rules Are Obviously Null and Void

And yes, he unfortunately took her out in public like this.

Picture Pages

I tried to tell you how much she loves books...

Happy girl:

Just chillin' - probably one of our last days to enjoy the zoo:

Sophie loves her hat from Great-Aunt Brenda:

This huge T-shirt is so comfy for play/nap time. She looks so old in it, too!