Merry Christmas!

I've been busy and have lots of events to cover. But for today:

Merry Christmas!

Disney Live!

For the kids' birthdays David and I took them to see Disney Live! When I bought the tickets back in May/June, I thought I was buying tickets for Playhouse Disney Live. Those with toddlers will know the subtle difference there. I was expecting Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Handy Manny and all the characters from My Friends Tigger and Pooh. So I talked them up. Oops. I should have looked a little harder at my tickets.

But the mild confusion about where Annie, Leo, Quincy and June were was quickly forgotten in the awe of Cinderella, Woody and Buzz, and Tigger. The kids just loved it! We were front row center and the only way it possibly have gotten better is if we would have actually let them both get up on stage like they wanted.












Here is a bit of video. The microphone on the camera is dying, but if you have the volume turned all the way up, you might be able to hear Tigger singing a song about bouncing. And perhaps I should mention that David didn't realize that the video image on the camera doesn't turn like still images do. So into the video he flips the camera to get a better angle on Liam. I suggest just tilting your head as I didn't bother to take the time to edit the video.

I Two!

Grace,

Today you turn 2! Last night when we practiced your new number, I would say, "Grace if someone asks you how old are you, you say I'm two." And you would promptly say, "I three!" Which all comes from you big brother who when someone says, "Me too." Always replies with, "Me three!" Toddler logic is such a funny thing. But today you seemed to get the message and when I asked how old you are you said, "Twwooo."

It's hard to realize how far you've come in just two short years. But I shouldn't be surprised. You started out in a hurry. On the 12th two years ago, Tutu and Papaw had come to town. I was going to be induced in the morning and they wanted to be there for the big event. We had dinner at Olive Garden and I started noticing contractions. By 9 pm, they hurt pretty good and I had known then what I know now I would have gone to the hospital. But the contracts weren't close enough to really consider it. By 11 pm, we were calling Pa and Granna to tell them that we were headed out and would they come watch Liam. He was sleeping at Papa and Mimi's where we were living at the time. And we drove off down the dirt road and up the bumpy highway to the hospital where when we arrived I was having contractions a minute apart. And you came about 45 minutes later. Just late enough to have a December 13st birthday. I'll have to ask Daddy but I think you were the first baby born in San Angelo that day.

In the last year you've discovered a lot of new things. Since you were well practiced with walking, you got to fully enjoy the outdoors. You would spend all of your time outside if we let you. And are not at all ashamed to have a right little fit when it is time to go in, especially if you aren't finished playing yet. There are even times when the offer of a treat wont convince you to give up your beloved outdoors for the stuffy confining inside.

We lived in a hotel for a month. You wont remember the bright red couch, the lone king sized bed, or having to sleep in your pack-n-play every night. Your love of TV shows, I believe, is all owed to that month. Louisiana is a rather wet place to live and apparently it rains a lot in the month of April. While we made great friends with the maids and had multiple trips up and down the hall everyday, TV is what kept us all sane. I never thought I'd be that mother, but sometimes you just have to use the tools you have.


Liam loves you so much. He thinks you are about the best thing in the whole world. And would dote on you all day long if you'd let him. And you are a trooper really about putting up with all his attentions, but eventually it becomes just more than you want. And you'll strong arm his hugs and turn your face away when he comes for yet another kiss. I'm telling you now, you should let him love on you now. There is going to come a time when he is distracted with his cool school friends and his sweet new girlfriend and you wont get all that attention. Something tells me that when it is gone you are going to notice.

One of my favorite developments this year has been how long your hair is getting. Daddy still wont let me cut your hair. He's given in to letting me trim your bangs. And even then I don't think he gave so much as I just did it. That is, of course, only allowed for Mommy. You should always ask permission before doing something you think your dad or I might disapprove of. But back to your hair, it's so pretty and blond. Something that's fun to see around here. Your dad and I both had blond hair as little kids. And your Uncle Reese still has his blond hair. It's the perfect compliment to your hazel brown eyes. And now that I can put it up it's so cute. I have to say pigtails is my favorite.



Happy Birthday Grace! You've had a wonderful year. I've loved every moment of watching you grow and become such a smart little girl. Every song you sing and every dance you dance is the best one I've ever seen and your dad thinks you hung the moon. (The moon that you are always so insistent the two of you find every time you are outdoors together at night.) And while, I'm certain you wont continue to hop everywhere you go next year, I will always remember how it's your favorite way to travel now. And I don't worry about you stepping on a crack because you are always so careful to jump over them for me. You are such a thoughtful little girl.






Love,
Mommy

Raider! Power!

Thursday we added another member to the Reed family. Those of you that keep up with us via Facebook know a little about the excitement regarding Raider. We had been talking about getting a dog for months and months. And it never seemed the right time. But more importantly we weren't aware of the right dog. I wanted a bigger dog, with a bigger bark, should someone think they want to come into my house uninvited. At the same time, we didn't particularly want a big dog. We knew we wanted smart. And we have an entire acre of land, so we were open to a dog that needed some space to run. That's what led us to a Border Collie. After that decision was made, we still had to find one. And, as luck would have it, there is a very popular breeder just around the corner from us. (And by just around the corner, I mean about an hour away.) She has one puppy unspoken for and she could come home with us on Thursday. And just so you all know we didn't just jump into it right away. We met with her on Monday before and met the dog and saw her kennels and spent the night thinking and praying about it. And even a while more Tuesday morning before David called the breeder and said we'd take her.


Liam to this point has always told us he doesn't want a dog. We'd look at pictures on the internet and I'd say, "Isn't that puppy cute?" And he'd meh and mention wanting a cat. During Thanksgiving while we were visiting David's mom, there were two little stray puppies that'd been adopted by the neighbors. Well the neighbors had left for the holiday, leaving the puppies behind. So they came to visit with us, since the kids were out and having a wonderful time. Liam really took to these puppies. And David and I talked about perhaps them being the right dogs for our house. And Liam very firmly said we had a dog (Kira, the 10 year old toy poodle), and she was our "number 1 dog". We didn't really have a way to get the puppies home. And we didn't really have any idea about what kind of puppies they might be and how big they'd get. So in the end, it was the best choice to leave them to the neighborhood and hope the neighbors might pick up the slack a little better.

Now, all of that said, Liam took to Raider right away. Although, until we brought her home, he was mostly interested in the four boys the breeder is mother to (ages 12 to 4). He really enjoyed playing with them. But once Raider was home and it was obvious she was supposed to live with us, he has decided he life wouldn't be the same without her. He wants to do everything with her. He always knows where she is. And he makes it a point to make sure she has all her toys available to her at all times.
Grace, on the other hand, has always loved dogs. Big, small, fuzzy or sleek, she doesn't care. She loves them all. Adoption day at Petsmart, she almost tried to climb in a kennel with a pack of little mix breed puppies. David had to hold onto her to keep her from doing it. And she was more than put out at not being able to get in. When we visited the breeder, she let the some of the adult dogs out and they ran like the wind, blowing right by Grace, who giggled madly. She thought it was wonderful and didn't think twice that these dogs that out weigh her by 10 lbs could possibly squash her to pieces as they ran by. She is always trying to play with Raider's toys, and sometimes with Raider.

This picture was the first night. Grace had to sit right next to Raider until we finally put them both to bed. Raider was tuckered out from all the excitement of the new place. And she was ready for a nap. Grace was happy to show her support.

Snow Day!

Like a lot of the country we had snow on Friday. Liam was very excited when he saw out the window the first flakes fall. I couldn't help him into cold weather gear fast enough. Grace had just woken from her nap and wasn't really interested in getting bundled up, despite the promise of snow. And by the time she was following Liam outside, she wasn't really impressed by the whole affair. In fact, it was cold. And she was still recovering from just waking up from nap. Liam on the other hand thought it was as wonderful as it appeared on TV. And didn't seem the least bit disappointed that none of it really stuck. But it's early in the winter still and maybe, just maybe, it'll snow again. Although it's highly unlikely for this part of the country.

Happy Birthday Papa!

There a very few people that touch your life in a way that is beyond words. Barney Moore is not family by blood, but you would never know that if I hadn't told you. He has had a huge role in my family from it's beginning. And I love him and respect him like a Grandfather I have known my whole life. Thank you Papa for being a part of my family. And we hope you have a blessed birthday!

He married us! I think he was more nervous than me and David. But the ceremony was absolutely perfect!


They look like they are deep in conversation here.


When we moved from Hawaii to Texas, he and Mimi opened their home to us. And a few weeks later, we snuck out in the middle of the night only to return a few days later with a brand new baby. We will forever be grateful for their hospitality. And it was a blessing to get to share my family with them. I think we were all a little sad when we moved into our new house.


You might have to crank up the volume and even then it is very hard to hear the words, but you can still hear the hum. Papa always sings the Tennessee Waltz to his girls. Grace was more than happy to be included in that group.


Papa also baptized David. I told you he had a hand in just about every aspect of my family. (Sorry the picture quality is so bad. It's the only picture I have of them in the 'dunk tank'.)


I love this picture. Look how excited they both are. Liam saw Papa coming up the walk. And ran out to get him. Then ran back to tell us Papa was coming (which we could see as well as he could). And then ran back to Papa to walk with him.

Yard Work

The kids love nothing more than a ride on the lawn mower. It makes David's yard work a lot more complicated. But Liam is totally in love with the lawn mower. And will sit on it for hours if allowed. It doesn't even have to move. So when David gets ready to do any yard work, he knows to expect help.

This particular day they were working on a sink hole we have in the back yard. It's where the builders deposited all the 'stuff' after they were finished with the house. All the stuff they cleared from the property that didn't burn, chucks on concrete, and I'm sure a pile of trash too. And every time it rains it opens up again for David to fill with loads and loads of dirt.

Beauregard Fair

We had a very busy October. So I have a lot of pictures I haven't posted. These pictures are from the Fair the first weekend in October. Liam LOVES the fair. At least, he loves all the rides (but the one that makes your stomach drop, he didn't want to do that one again). We were rained out not long after we got there. So Grace and I stayed at home when the boys went back to brave the wet. But I don't think Liam noticed the rain at all.