Boy, was I surprised.

Let me begin by saying that most things in my life are predictable. I am not one for surprises because I feel out of control. I have to know what is going on so I can plan. plan. plan. So when I got home from work on Friday expecting an evening Christmas shopping with Keith and in turn had a partially packed suitcase waiting, I was in shock.

Friday, December 4th was the 15th anniversary of our first date. We spent our first date on the Southern Belle Riverboat celebrating Christmas with our Lowe's co-workers (we both worked there in the day). For our one year 'dating' anniversary, we revisted the Southern Belle and had a great time. Pretty much every year since then, Keith has sent me flowers or we have had a nice dinner in celebration.

This year, however, there were no flowers, no mention of a nice dinner or of the anniversary at all for that matter.

For our 15th, when I arrived home, there was a note on our bedroom door telling me to pack lightly, wear something 'decent', and be prepared to leave promptly at 6:00 p.m.

My wonderful husband had booked the premuim Southern Belle 'Special Event' package (including dinner, sparkling grape juice, special glasses, and a free photo). In addition, the suitcase was for a night at the Choo Choo.

Wow. That took some planning. Unfortunately for him, I had come home feeling stressed about some work-related stuff so he didn't get my full "I can't believe you did all of this. I'm so excited." reaction. But I was.

We had a good time on the Riverboat and met some very nice people from Huntsville celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary. The band was enjoyable, the food great and dear ol' Santa even joined the cruise for the last half.

Our room was nice with a great view of the newly renovated pool area and we woke up to snow. We then spent the morning and early afternoon Christmas shopping.

The whole thing was, by far, one of the nicest, most thoughful, loving things anyone has ever done for me. I have the best husband in the world who is my very best friend.

I love him with all my heart and hope for many, many more 1st date anniversaries.

The only problem now is. . . how do I ever top that????

So true

Nora has been sick for about a week now. During that week, no one in our house has slept well at all.

This morning, Keith woke her up for school. I went in after a few minutes to talk to her and see how she was feeling. At that point, she looked out the window and saw the beginning of the sunrise. However, to her, it was still dark. She said, "Uh-oh, mom. Its about to get dark." I said, "No, actually the sun's coming up and it will be daylight." To which she responded, "Oh, I didn't sleep very long."

The more I think about her comment, the more I realize one thing. Time goes by too quickly, especially when you need that extra sleep, those few more moments with a loved one, that one more hug before you go to work, and one more 'I love you' when you can't say it anymore. Just wanting one more time.

I wish I could say that I didn't live my life with any regrets, but even the best intentions can go unfulfilled.

I want to strive to live every moment as if it were the last and take advantage of every precious second that God gives me. He gives us so many opportunities to curl up in His love and blessings, but too often we miss the small things because or focus is on things out of our control.

So when I forget and need to slow down, I hope to always hear His message however it is delivered.

A Special Day

I am almost out of time to get this posted. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. . .

Today is a very special day for me. Thirteen years ago, at approx. 2:00 p.m. at Rock Springs Baptist Church, I married the love of my life. Although many people who attended and even the most precious Pastor of my life have passed away, everyone present will always have a special place in my heart.

For that was the day I sealed my commitment to my best friend and my rock.

Keith jokingly says that we’ve been married 13 long and glorious years – some more long than glorious, but I wouldn’t trade a minute of those long years.

Through those times we have become stronger.

Through the sorrows and ‘discussions’,

Through the laughter and the sickness –

We have stuck together.

And our faith has strengthened.

And God’s grace becomes even more evident.

And His peace and love surround us, every day.

So I want to thank you, Keith, for standing with me in every challenge.

For being my husband, a good father, and most of all, my best friend.

I’ll love you always, and through eternity.

Happy Anniversary.

Nora-isms

Nora, like most toddlers has a plethora of bath toys. We visit the land of Dora the Princess while traveling in our pirate ship or small tug boat, whatever the mood is. Some nights, she puts on a show and requests our attendance.
Nora: “Dad, come watch!”
Nora: “Ladies and junglemen.”
Keith: “What?”
Nora: “Ladies and junglemen.”
Me: “Nora, its Ladies and Gentlemen.”
Nora: “Right, mom. Ladies and junglemen.”

Then there was last night when I was drying her hair.
Me: “Nora, please be still.”
Nora: “Mom, get on the ball. That means hurry up.”

And the mockingbird syndrome that lately cracks me up. If you’re around our house for any amount of time, you’ll hear me call Nora missy. As in, “Come on, missy. Time to clean up.” Or “Alright, missy, don’t be mean”. So guess what I was called approximately 15 times yesterday. Yep. You got it, missy. Although when Nora said it, it sounded more like messy.

I can’t post the Nora-isms without mentioning this sweet moment last night. Nora had been dancing around saying, “Happy, Happy Day!” She is usually obsessed with wishing everyone a Happy Birthday even when it isn’t anyone's birthday. Anyway, last night she was eating and I heard her faintly whispering to herself. I turned to look at her and saw that she was sitting with her eyes closed and her head bowed. This is what I heard:

“Thank you Jesus for Happy, Happy Day. This is Nora Faith. Amen.”

From the mouths of babes. Truly it is a Happy, Happy Day that He has given us.

Gotta love a child’s honesty.

Today, Keith, Nora, and I were having lunch at Wendy’s. We were sitting there having a nice quiet lunch, when a middle-aged man came and sat within Nora’s line of sight.

I don’t embarrass easily, but I also don’t encourage things being said to cause anyone else embarrassment.

So, anyway, he sits down and Nora says as she points, “He’s a boy. And look, he has hair like mine.”

And he did.

I looked up at about the same time he heard her comment. So what did I do? I simply said, “Yes, he does” and tried to distract her.

I would have been fine, but Keith, who had his back to the guy, was laughing so hard he was shaking. Granted, he wasn't laughing at the guy, just the situation.

After the Nora-haired man left, I told Keith that we were definitely paying for our raising. I, for too long, have been overly vocal and I guess Nora also has that gene.

FYI – After this incident, an older lady came in with bright orange-ish red hair. And you know what? I caught myself pointing it out to Keith.

Like mother like daughter.

Snow in Varnell

So we didn’t exactly get the big snow I was hoping for, but we did have enough for Nora to try and catch some. She and Keith were outside as the snow came down. Nora loves it! She definitely takes after me in that respect. I would be ecstatic to get a few inches of the fluffy white stuff, but realize that will probably not happen any time soon.

Here’s a picture of Nora trying to catch a snowflake on her tongue. She thinks it’s the greatest thing to do except for the wet stuff getting in her eyes. The last flurries we had, I told her to close her eyes when she was catching them, thus generating the below response.

The other picture is probably her reaction when she was unsuccessful. Even frustrated, she’s just too cute.

My Little Skating Lady

We took our youth group skating yesterday. Nora was so excited she barely slept Friday night. I think she finally went to sleep around 1:00 a.m., Saturday. Then, she woke up around 8:00 a.m. and told Keith it was time to go skating. Instead of her usual argument over what to wear, she was upset because we weren't ready to change her clothes. Here's a couple of pictures of her skating adventure.

Nora and Alissa:





















Nora and Keith:









































When she got tired of skating, she headed to the arcade games. Of course, she thinks she's bigger than she is and can play the big games. This was a truck driving game.