Disney Vacation Highlights

We're back and we had a fabulous time. It would take pages to write everything about our trip, so I'll hit a few highlights:

• The DVD player in our car was a godsend! We made it all the way to Gainesville in one day and probably could have made the entire trip straight through.



• My friend, Conny, who works at Disney truly rocks! Not only did she get us free entry to the parks each day, but she also set up VIP parade viewing for us. That meant we saved about an hour staking out a spot, and we had a perfect view of the castle in the background as the parade approached us--priceless!



• The Storybook Princess Dining in the Norway Pavillion at Epcot had surprisingly good food. And we got to see five princesses in the span of about 20 minutes!



• Reagan got to ride Cinderella's favorite horse on the carousel (it's the only horse with a gold ribbon on its tail).


• We LOVE the ice cream bars shaped like Mickey's head--yummo!


• We all agreed that Chef Mickey's is by far the best character meal, in terms of food, character interaction, and value.


• I met up with Nori, a friend I used to work with at Word, for tea at the Grand Floridian. It was a relaxing, quaint ritual!


• We give the new Finding Nemo, The Musical show a hearty thumbs up! We had incredible seats, and Nemo's puppeteer even smiled and interracted with Presley.


• Scott and I got to be in the show at the Studios' Backlot Tour. We were the ship captain and deck hand, and we got pummelled with water. Fortunately, we were wearing rain gear.


• Our favorite parks are in this order: Magic Kingdom, Disney Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and then Animal Kingdom (there's just not enough to do at AK yet, and it was very crowded).

I'm sure I'll elaborate on some of this later, but I just wanted to get some quick thoughts down. Needless to say, we enjoyed it immensely.

Disney Bound

It's 7:00 AM, and we're about to load the kids in the car. This might be our earliest vacation departure yet. Woohoo!

Country Music Marathon

Today Scott ran his first half marathon. His goal was to finish in 2 1/2 hours, and he exceeded that goal by finishing in 2:15:53. Hooray for Daddy!

Reagan and Presley held signs that said, "Run, Daddy, Run!" and "Go, Daddy!" But, alas, we didn't get to cheer Daddy on at the finish line--because we couldn't find him. When we finally found a spot where we could see the runners coming in, we waited. Scott had called us to tell us about when to expect him. When that time had come and gone, we called him. He had been finished for 15 minutes--we just missed him! When we finally met up with him, we held our signs and cheered for him, even though he wasn't running anymore.

While Daddy's getting some much-needed rest, Mama will be packing the car for our vacation! Mickey Mouse, here we come!!!

Kindergarten Bound

We just registered Reagan for Kindergarten. It was a bit traumatic for Mama, but I kept my wits about me. We took a little tour of the school, and even met Mrs. Locke, the teacher we're hoping Reagan gets next year. Overall, I feel better about the whole situation, just having visited the school. Everyone who worked there seemed very friendly and helpful, and Reagan is now excited to start her new school.

Knock-Knock

Presley has started telling knock-knock jokes. They usually go something like this:

Presley: Knock-knock.

Me: Who's there?

Presley: Nana. (Gran, Daddy, Ashley, Reagan, etc.)

Me: Nana who?

Presley: Nanasiowiejkl (undecipherable), followed by howling laughter

She's actually got the orange/banana one down (answering banana twice and then going to orange the third time), except for the final line: "Orange you glad I didn't say banana?" Pretty good for not quite two years old. Actually, come to think of it, Reagan still can't tell a sensical knock-knock joke and she's almost five!

And Then There Were None

Our sole goldfish, Rajah, perished today. I'm pretty sure it's all my fault for not cleaning the tank soon enough. But I do hear mixed opinions on tank cleaning; some experts say it's best to only do partial water changes, since the fish sort of make the environment their own. I also think the fish flakes I've most recently used have been leaving behind some residue.

Does it sound like I'm making excuses? I probably am. I hate the thought that I might have contributed to the death of one of God's little creatures.

Guess we'll try to start over with some new little guys when we get home from vacation.

Earth Day: Celebrate the Creator, NOT the Creation

This is my Father's world,and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world.I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world,the birds their carols raise.
The morning light, the lily white, declare their maker's praise.
This is my Father's world. He shines in all that's fair.
In the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world. Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King! Let the heavens ring! God reigns--let the earth be glad!

Ballet Story Time

Our little ballerinas went to a special story time at the library on Saturday. One of the dancers from the Nashville Ballet read to the children, danced for them, and even taught the tiny dancers a few moves.

Ballet Story Time

On Saturday, we went to a special ballet story time at the library. One of Nashville Ballet's dancers came and read to the kids, danced for them, then taught the little dancers a few moves from Swan Lake. We let our little ballerinas wear their dance attire. Reagan was, of course, in her element, loving every minute of it!

Hannah Montana Sighting

Today we went to the mall (Cool Springs, in case you're interested) to a Build-a-Bear birthday party for Reagan's "boyfriend" Curry. On our way into the mall--as I was looking down and talking to Reagan--we passed two rather unassuming teenage girls on their way out. Scott, who was pushing Presley in the stroller, turned around and whispered something to me. We finally got far enough away that he said, "That was Miley Cyrus." What! Hannah Montana was that close to our four-year-old admirer, and he didn't even get Reagan's attention so she could see her! It figures that the one person in our family who could care less about seeing her is the one who spotted her. (Even Presley kinda knows who she is and likes her.)

And, just in case you're questioning Scott's ability to recognize the Disney Channel star, we overheard a couple of tween girls talking about seeing her also.

Addendum: Here's further proof it was her--an online story about it. It's sad when a trip to the mall makes the news.

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b131952_Miley_Mad_About_the_.html?sid=rss_topstories&utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=rss_topstories

Tossing Her Cookies

What's going on with the Gibbs girls? Reagan started getting sick with a fever and sore throat on Wed. evening. So, we sent Presley to Nana & Gran's house on Thursday to protect her from the germs. But when Daddy went to pick her up, she threw up all over herself and him--so much that she had to be put in the tub and they BOTH had to change clothes. (Daddy even had to borrow some of Gran's boxer shorts!) Within minutes, she seemed fine and seems to be okay today as well. We hope it was just a fluke, not a bug.

At least they're getting it out of their systems before the big Disney trip!

The Quiet Mouse is Sick

I've become accustomed to Reagan's moods, and I can sense when something isn't quite right. Yesterday morning, she complained about her throat hurting, so I took her temperature and it was normal. After breakfast, she seemed fine and wanted to go to preschool so I let her. (If I kept her home every time she had an ache or pain, she would NEVER go.) When I picked her up in the afternoon, she was playing and was pretty energetic, but she mentioned that her throat hurt again. I made her some hot cocoa, which seemed to help. She wanted to go ahead with our plans to go to an afternoon story time at the library and then on to church. I was skeptical that this was the best approach, but I didn't want to deny her fun or have her get behind schedule on her Scripture memorization at Cubbies.

I had to be at church early, so we went through a drive-through and got her some chicken nuggets and french fries--not exactly the dinner of champions, but one that she usually eats pretty well. (On the way to church, she also complained about being cold--and I was roasting!) I sat her at the conference table in the church office to eat while I had my meeting (Tracy, one of the other praise team members, kept her company). When it was time for her to go to Cubbies, she had only eaten a few french fries...that's when I really had the feeling she was coming down with something.

When I picked her up after Cubbies, her leader said she didn't eat the snack she was offerred (ice cream!) and she had been pretty quiet that evening, keeping to herself. She didn't even speak to me. I had to go back into rehearsal, and she wouldn't speak to any of the praise team. My little social butterfly was being totally silent! She didn't feel warm to me, but I was quite sure she was sick.

At home, she had a fever (around 100 or so). Today she is home watching "a million of movies," as she likes to do when she's sick. She's still complaining about a sore throat and has a slight fever, but she seems to have rallied a bit. Hopefully it's just a virus and will pass soon. If not, we'll be visiting Dr. Lee in the next couple of days.

Packing: One Person's Hassle is Another's Bliss

I am probably the most organized person I know. I never lose things, because everything has a specific place in my home, to which the item is always returned. Or so it was. Since having kids, my organization skills have been pushed to the limit. I no longer know where everything is--because somebody keeps moving it!

But I digress... The point of my post is that I'm beginning to pack for the big vacation. (Did I mention that we're going to Disney?) For some, this arduous chore might seem overwhelming or even, dare I say, boring. But for the organizationally-inclined mind, packing is a sweet exercise in transferring the pages of plans one has made on paper into a real-world scenario. I get to see all the handy tips I've accumulated over the last weeks (okay, months really) put into action.

Since we're still two weeks from departure, everything is in a "staging area" in our bedroom. I have my "Ultimate Packing List" next to the suitcases and plastic tub, ready to check off items as they are placed in the luggage. The kids' clothes are packed in individual ziplock bags for each day--complete with matching socks, underwear, and hairbows--inside their monogrammed duffel bags.

Much of the packing will have to wait until the last minute (after laundry is done and cosmetics and hair products are applied). But everything that isn't an essential part of our day-to-day lives is in the stack, ready to go. (Except, of course, for things that Scott is in charge of, since he doesn't share my affinity for planning ahead.)

It will be so rewarding to see my careful planning pay off. Having a gift for spacial relations, there's nothing quite like seeing that last bag fit snugly into the space you've designated for it, knowing your possessions will be secure for the ten-hour drive over mountain and through valley.

Go ahead, call me a geek. I know I am...and I just don't care.

End of an Experiment

Ok, so this is officially the last entry of my "an entry every day" week. It was surprisingly easy, even if my entries weren't especially exciting. (They would have been more interesting if I could figure out how to upload new pictures from my camera without a card reader. Hopefully by next week I'll have my new desktop computer that my dad has built--hooray for dad!) And, all in all, it was a good experience for me to force myself to carve out a few minutes every day to write.

I spent part of my day Saturday at an Artsy Mama writing workshop. While the title sounded right up my alley, it was a huge waste of time. There were only six people present, and three of those were the organizers (who, I might add, were actually late to the event). The girl who led the workshop was a grad student who wasn't even married yet and certainly not a Mama. The other two women who were in charge of setting things up were liberal wanna-be hippies. (Why do people think being a liberal makes you artsy? It's not the same thing at all.) Needless to say, I stayed as long as I could tolerate it and made a lame excuse and got out of there, not feeling at all as if I had gained any insight or done anything that might make my writing better in any way. That's about 2 1/2 hours of my life that I'm never getting back! Time that could have been spent napping, but more likely would have been spent chasing after the children (which I still would have preferred to the workshop).

But, on a brighter note, in just two weeks we will be loading up the car from our south GA hotel and preparing to cross into Florida, the land of sunshine and orange juice. By afternoon, we should be arriving in Mickey Mouse territory! Ah...vacation!

R.I.P., Jafar

Over the last few weeks and even months, we've been noticing how huge our goldfish have been getting. The current two, Jafar and Rajah, were replacement fish for the originals, Aladdin and Jasmine. While Al and Jas died off pretty quickly, we've had Jafar and Rajah since August or September (that's a pretty long time for goldfish). But lately, these two had been looking lethargic. My theory is that they had grown so much that there wasn't enough room for them to move and play in the tank. We were actually contemplating setting them free somewhere--in a pond or perhaps an area where tourists might gather and feed them (Opryland Hotel came to mind).

This morning, when I went to feed them, I noticed that one was on his side--but his mouth was still moving and his gills were still flapping. Not sure how to resuscitate him, I tried feeding them and also adding some filtered water to the tank (thought perhaps the level was too low for the filter to properly aerate the water). But before I left for church, the sick one had floated down below the filter, and eventually his little gills gave up.

Because the two had grown so much, I couldn't tell if it was Jafar or Rajah who had perished. They look pretty much just alike now (one had more black on him than the other when they were small, but growing to six times their original size changed things). When I told Reagan that one of her fish had died, she asked which one. I said I wasn't sure, and she said, "I think it was Jafar" without even looking. So, we're going with that.

Rest in peace, Jafar. You were a good little fish...and then you were big. Our little tank just couldn't support you. We'll try not to feed those who come behind you as much or as often.

Run, Daddy, Run!

Two weeks from today, Scott will be running the Music City 1/2 Marathon. This morning, he is out for a ten-mile run, which he has done a few other times. But he's saving the full thirteen miles for the big day. His goal is to finish in less than 2 1/2 hours. (My goal would be simply o finish.) We'll be there to cheer him on at the finish line.

Then, the following day, we leave for Disney World. Fortunately, we won't actually be in the parks walking until Tuesday. We're driving, and we'll break the drive into two days, arriving on Monday in time to check into our resort, have a relaxed dinner, and get plenty of rest before tackling the World.

Anyone who knows me at all won't be surprised to hear that I have a three-page itinerary and another five pages of notes for our trip. I have maps personalized for our family, which I ordered from Disney months ago. Our driving route has been entered on Streets & Trips, and just about every detail has been addressed. I plan not because I want every minute to be structured, but because I want to be as efficient as possible so as to leave room for unexpected happy diversions or little mishaps.

I've already started packing. Crazy, I know. But we can hardly wait! I think I'm as excited as the girls--maybe even more, because I know what fun they're in for!

The Numbers of Hope

Last night we were privileged to attend a gathering for Thomas Nelson, the Christian publisher where Scott works and also my primary client as a freelance writer/editor. The event at the beautiful symphony center in Nashville was produced by Chris Tomlin (of "How Great Is Our God" fame) and it centered around Max Lucado's latest book, 3:16. I can't imagine anyone who might read my blog wouldn't know what this is, but just in case, let me explain. John 3:16 is probably the most famous verse in the Bible: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

I was excited to attend not just because I like Max, but because there were four stellar musical guests included: Sandi Patty, Jaci Velasquez, Travis Cottrell, and Heather Headley. The first two are established recording artists in the Christian music world, and they're both great singers. But I was most excited about the other two.

Heather Headley is a Tony-winning actress/singer who is probably most famous for her role as Nala in The Lion King on Broadway. She was nothing short of incredible.

My favorite, Travis Cotrell, is an artist/songwriter/arranger. Our church praise team has frequently sung his arrangments for Christmas, Easter, and just normal Sunday mornings. Years ago, when I attended Two Rivers Baptist Church briefly, Travis was one of the worship leaders. I think maybe I kept going to that church long after I realized it wasn't for me, mostly just to hear him sing.

Two things most impressed me last night. First, as we were all singing along with Travis to two of my favorite worship songs ("Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone" and "In Christ Alone"--the Stuart Townend version, not the one made famous by Michael English), I realized how much I was enjoying this corporate worship experience. I knew all the songs, the musicians and vocalists were incredible, and it just felt good and right. I was struck by the image that this must be just a tiny glimpse of what heaven will be like. I've always struggled with thoughts such as, "What are we going to do for eternity?" Now I know that's not a very spiritual way of thinking, but I'm someone who doesn't handle boredom well. But I think maybe I'm just starting to get it. Now I understand when a pastor or worship leader tells me we're here on this earth to learn to praise and worship Him.

The second thing I'm taking away from last night are some comforting words from Max. He was, surprisingly, talking about Hell: "Hell is not a place for those who seek God and struggle; it's a place for those who deny Him and succeed." Why do I find this so comforting? Because I struggle with something I call "eternal insecurity." Do I intellectually know that I've given my life to the Lord and made a decision to follow Him, and that this ensures my eternal home in heaven? Absolutely. But this doesn't keep me from playing the "what if" game: What if I doubt? What if I question? What if I have unconfessed, burried sin in my life? But it's assuring to know that the struggle doesn't change my position with the Father and my place in His home.

Good stuff. http://maxlucado.com/316/

My Top 10 Disney Tips

OK, so I have Disney on the brain these days. I've mentioned before that I could probably be a Disney travel agent at this point, since I've visited just about every official and unofficial Disney vacation planning site. Here are my top 10 favorite trips for having an inexpensive, fun Disney vacation experience:

1. ALWAYS take a digital picture or photocopy of the back of your tickets as soon as you get them. (There's a code on them that allows you to replace lost or stollen tickets--but only if you know the number.)
2. Bring your own bottled water and snacks. Disney doesn't care--seriously--as long as you stop short of packing an entire cooler. This saves both money and time, as you can can snack while in line for attractions instead of waiting in a long line for a snack.
3. Make ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations) as early as possible! Many Disney restaurants accept ADRs as far out as 180 days before your visit...and you need to have them that early for the popular character meals, such as Cinderella's Royal Table.
4. Do at least one character meal. Yes, they can be pricey. But the personal attention from the characters and princesses will save you an hour or two in line for meet-n-greets later.
5. In the Magic Kingdom, go to Fantasyland first if you have little ones. Dumbo and the other slow-loading rides seem to get backed up by mid-morning.
6. Take a stroller if your child is 5 or younger. Disney is big...huge, really. That's a lot of walking for little legs. Besides, you can hang cameras, bags, etc. on the handles as you walk.
7. Know ride restrictions before you go. There's nothing worse than having to explain to your three-year-old why he can't ride Space Mountain--as he's standing there looking at it.
8. Shop around and sign up for email newsletters. Often, you can get last-minute deals in the off-season. Don't immediately go for Disney's packages. They can be hassel-free and sometimes are a great deal--but not always. Two of my favorite sites are mousesavers.com and allearsnet.com.
9. Take extra______ (fill-in-the-blank: camera batteries, film, sunscreen, medicine, etc.) You will pay an arm and a leg for anything within 10 miles of Disney property. But, oddly enough, the Hess gas station on Disney property is one of the least expensive in the area.
10. Take time to relax and enjoy. Don't schedule yourselves so tightly that you don't have time for unexpected diversions, because they are everywhere at Disney.

And Tink wants to add, "Don't forget the Pixie Dust!"

Read This

My most recent "must read" book on famiy and parenting is Robert Wolgemuth's The Most Important Place on Earth: What a Christian Home Looks Like and How to Build One. The subtitle pretty much covers it: the book offers ideas and principles for making your home a haven for your family where God is the center of everthing that happens there.

None of it is particularly earth-shattering. It's simply a collection of ideas we can all aspire to incorporate into our daily lives. But the personal stories of how these simple principles have made a difference are particularly touching. Seeing Robert's success with his family gave me faith that I could have a similar result with my own.

I had the opportunity to meet Robert several years ago when I was an executive assistant at Word Publishing. At the time, he and his business partner Mike Hyatt (now CEO of Thomas Nelson, where Scott works) were successful literary agents, representing several high-profile authors, and they visited our office quite frequently. While I didn't work closely with either man (mostly fetched coffee for their meetings), I was always greeted warmly and treated with respect. Sadly, that wasn't always the case with other high-profile literary agents.

Anyhow, I highly recommend The Most Important Place on Earth to young parents. Here's a link with more info:

http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=0785260269#

Old Pictures that Make Me Smile

My desktop computer crashed a week or so ago, so I've been working on my laptop--not my favorite for a couple of reasons. First, it has that goofy little touchpad that I accidentally hit while I'm typing, which sends my cursor to some unusual place. (Scott attached my regular mouse, but can't get my touchpad to turn off.) Second, my desktop had all these great CD drives and card readers that allow me to take the memory card right out of my camera and upload pictures. With my laptop, I think I have a chord that will attach to my camera and then to the computer to do basically the same thing...I think. But where might this chord be? That is the question of the hour.

So, I went through my old files of pics to find something to keep this entry from being so boring and black and white. This one is from last summer. We were getting ready for a day at Nashville Shores water park (we had season passes last year). The girls had their bathing suits on under their matching dresses, and they were ready to go! Ah...summer fun!

A Post Every Day

Can I do it? Can I actually post something remotely interesting in my blog every day for a week? Let's hope so. It's a worthy goal anyhow.

Today, I literally spent probably an hour searching for a cute Disney vacation countdown widget to put on my blog. And I never found a suitable one. And, seriously, do I really have an hour to burn? I'm a mom of two preschoolers; sleep would have been a better use of that time.

So, for lack of a better countdown, let me just write that...

IN JUST 3 WEEKS, WE WILL BE AT DISNEY WORLD!!! HOORAY!!!

Not as dramatic as I would have liked, but it will have to be enough. Here's a little photo to put us (mostly me) in the right frame of mind.

And Another Funny Thing...

Presley has also started saying, "Man!" (long and drawn out; more like "maaaannnn") whenever something displeases her. Here's an example: We got in the car to drive home from church yesterday, and Presley started saying, "Movie! Movie!" I replied, "No, we're not going to watch a movie in the car today." Her response: "Man!"

Going Green?

There has been a media in the last few years devoted to "Going Green." Even in the Christian media, the phrase "Creation Care" has been floating around. I've given this all some serious thought and find myself conflicted.

Even as a child, I was eager to recycle. My parents taught me to turn off the lights when I leave the room and make sure the faucet was turned off completely when I got a drink of water. (Mostly, I think, this was related to water/electric bills, not conservation.) I grew up in a rural farming community, and I believe in conservation--I really do!

But some of the things we're being asked to do in the name of environmentalism just don't make sense to me. First, let's look at those who are preaching this green light of hope. Al Gore, for example. Hmmm...he's not a scientist. His little movie was popular with Hollywood, but numerous scientists have taken issue with his "facts." And let's talk about Hollywood, the very picture of decadence. How am I supposed to take advice on being "conservative" from people whose lives are filled with oppulence and waste. Ditto on that one for Al Gore, too.

Global Warming is, at best, a theory at this point. We don't have definitive evidence. BUT, that said, I still think it's important to be savvy and conservative with our resources, especially fuel. I'm all for energy-efficient appliances (I have several) and anything that saves me money! But there are times when I just have to draw the line.

Cloth diapers, for example. When you consider the time involved (the folding, the pinning, the emptying the dirty ones into the toilet, the laundry, etc.) and the expense (good ones and covers can cost around $15 per diaper) and even the environmental impact (flushing the toilet for each dirty one, washing in hot water and detergent and/or bleaching), I just can't see cloth diapers as a viable option for me. And that's not even addressing the grossness factor!

Here's another one that concerns me. Several years ago, we were all told to get rid of our old mercury thermometers. Now, we're being told to install lightbulbs that have that same harmful substance. But, hey, they're good for the environment--so what if they're hazardous to our children. Does this make sense to anyone?

For now, I'll continue to recycle and turn off the water as I brush my teeth. I'll bundle my errands to save gas, and I'll buy energy-efficient appliances. I'll even use vinegar and water for most of my cleaning, instead of harsh chemicals. But until somebody can prove to me that humans are causing global warming, I'm going to be cautious about hopping on the green bandwagon.

The Funny Things She Says

Presley is talking more and more every day. She seems to learn new words constantly. Here are a few of her favorite phrases, along with their meaning:

"Mere, Beagan!" (Come here, Reagan!)

"Daddy home!" (Daddy is home! Hooray! I'm sick of Mama!)

"Pee pee potty." (I want to sit on the potty, but there's no way I'm gonna do anything on it.)

"Boo boo." (Did I show you my boo boo? Are you sure? Do you wanna see it again?)

"Ew ee, ah ah, tang, be bay" (The Witch Doctor song)

The State of the Union

This past Sunday, David Fowler, a former TN state senator and now the president of the Family Action Council of TN, was our guest speaker at church. Much of what is below is my paraphrse of his sermon--with a few of my own thoughts added in. He shared several Scriptures that struck me as poignant for the current atmosphere in the US. The first is Isaiah 59:14. I've used the NCV:

"So we have driven away justice, and we have kept away from what is right. Truth is not spoken in the streets; what is honest is not allowed to enter the city."

Wow. It brings to mind court cases where there are more rights for the accused than for the victims. It speaks to me about our societal fear of infringing on anyone's "rights," as we define them. But mostly, I'm struck by the thought that we simply have "kept away from what is right."

Let's be honest, when we preach tolerance--the "live and let live" variety--we're going against what we know is right. When we say that women should be able to choose their own reproductive options, we're ignoring the truth that it's wrong to kill. When we support legislation that allows men to marry men and women to marry women, we're going against the laws of God and nature. (And, by the way, I have yet to see a definitive study that proves to me that homosexuality is purely biological.) When we teach our children that their very lives are a cosmic accident, we're denying the Truth of the living God. (Again, science seems to be lagging here--clinging to Darwin's arguments that would never pass the standards of any modern study. Read any of Lee Stroebel's "Case" books if you don't believe me.)

Even as I type this, I know I will offend some friends (yes, friends). But I feel convicted that it's time to boldly speak Truth into a society that so badly needs it. I'm praying Proverbs 2 for myself and my country (v. 3-5):

"Cry out for wisdom, and beg for understanding. Search for it like silver, and hunt for it like hidden treaure. Then you will understand respect for the Lord, and you will find that you know God."

Finally, let me say that everyone wants to believe in something. When we stop believing the truths of God, and rely on ourselves, we get a cheap immitation of what God intended for us:

"My people have done two evils: They have turned away from me, the spring of living water. And they have dug their own wells, which are broken wells that cannot hold water" (Jeremiah 2:13, emphasis added) .

Reagan's Peter Pan Complex

Both my kids are huge fans of the classic animated movie Peter Pan. Reagan has also recently become a devotee to the live-action version, Hook, that features Robin Williams as a grown-up Peter Pan and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell. She's watched it a half a dozen times on On Demand (free, thank goodness). She prays every night (despite Scott and I explaining daily that God's not really a cosmic fairy godmother who grants wishes) that her happy dreams about Peter Pan and Neverland will come true! She keeps asking when Peter Pan will come to her window.

But now we have another problem. You see, I made the mistake of listening to Steven Curtis Chapman's new single, "Cinderella," while Reagan was sitting on my lap. Have you heard this song? (It should be playing now, if you turn up your volume...but I'm never quite sure if the technology is working properly.) I dare you, if you're the parent of a little girl, to listen to it and not weep or at least tear up. Through my tears, I had to explain to a confused four-year-old why a song about a princess had made me so sad. My basic answer was that it made me a little sad to think about her growing up and getting married and not being my little girl anymore. Wrong answer!

Now Reagan says she never wants to grow up. She wants to stay little forever. She wants to be like Peter Pan in Neverland with the Lost Boys. She actually sounded quite serious and a bit concerned that her dream might not come true.

I know this little phase will pass, but now I'm worried that I have stunted her emotional growth simply because I was having a "Mommy Moment." Just so you can relate, here are a few of the song's lyrics:

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms

Because I know something the Prince never knew

Oh I will dance with Cinderella

I don't want to miss even one song

'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone

No, I didn't plan this entry based around this photo, but it is kinda appropriate, don't you think? This, by the way, is Reagan's other boyfriend, Tyler, dressed as Peter Pan.

Reagan & Curry...Together Again

Here's a cute pic of Reagan and her beloved Curry all dressed up in their Sunday best for Easter. Aren't they precious together?


The first photos I have of the two of them together were at Easter, just before they both turned two. Now they're almost five, so this is kinda like their third anniversary.

What Happened...

...to my sweet, dear daughter? She has been replaced with a screaming, whining, moody monster. Presley had a little bug last week, ran a fever for a few days but nothing major. I'm hoping that her recent mood swings are a signal that she's still recovering. Otherwise, it means that we're entering the "terrible twos" prematurely.

I do recall that somewhere around this age, Reagan began hurling herself onto the floor in dramatic crying fits when she didn't get her way. Why is this the one area where my children had to be advanced?

Things I Know about Fashion

...gleaned from various sources, including Project Runway, the Style Network, fashion magazines, and experience.

1. There is no such thing as a "miracle" bra.
2. Skinny jeans only look good if you actually are skinny.
3. No matter how cute it looks on the hanger, TRY IT ON before buying.
4. Some fashion trends are never coming back. Go ahead and get rid of the parachute pants.
5. Even if a trend does come back, it has usually morphed into something slightly different. So, seriously, toss out the parachute pants.
6. Even fashion models look ridiculous in most runway attire.
7. When it comes to bathing suits, you're either a bikini girl or decidedly NOT. Know who you are and be that. (If you need help deciding, you are NOT a bikini girl.)
8. Just because a haircut looks fabulous on Jennifer Anniston, doesn't mean it will on you (or the rest of the free world).
9. Once you reach a certain (ahem) age, it's no longer cool for you to shop in the Junior's section.
10. If you find something you love to wear and you feel good in it. . .
still ask a friend's opinion. It's possible you have really bad taste.
(Sorry, but the truth hurts.)

He Has Risen, Indeed!

Easter Pics

We took Reagan and Presley to have Easter photos taken today. Here's Reagan at 4 1/2:

And here she is with Presley (21 months):

Happy Easter!

Easter Pics

We took Reagan and Presley for photos today. Here's Presley at 21 months:

And here she is with her sister. Happy Easter!

Easter Pics

We were supposed to get Easter pictures taken last weekend, but since Reagan had an allergic reaction and a swollen face (read about it at http://www.reagangibbs.blogspot.com/), we decided to wait until today. Here is a sampling:

Happy Easter!

Hold the Pistachios, Please!

This weekend we learned (the hard way) that Reagan is allergic to pistachios. She had one--just one!--and it led to the picture below. She complained as she was eating it that it was stuck in her throat and that her throat felt "tingly," but I thought perhaps she hadn't chewed it well. After a glass of water and a piece of bread to help wash it down, Reagan seemed much better. (Nobody in our family has food allergies, so I never even considered it could be that.)

But about a half an hour later, her eye had swollen up. I gave her Benadryl and called the doctor to leave a message, not overly concerned. Within minutes, her other eye had swollen. (It actually got a little worse than the picture below before it got better.) When the nurse called me back, she asked questions and gave me some instructions, and she seemed reassuring that it wasn't necessary to go to the ER. Reagan wasn't in respiratory distress, although she had been coughing quite a bit. (She had coughed and gagged right after she ate the pistachio, but I didn't think to equate this with repiratory distress.)

We sent Daddy out for more Benadryl at bedtime, since we realized the first dose we had given her was from an expired bottle. But even after a second dose, Reagan was still quite swollen. After keeping a careful watch on her in the night, she was still rather puffy the following morning, so we called the triage nurse who recommended we see our pediatrician.

So...a visit to the Saturday clinic. (Why do we always have medical issues on the weekends?) We saw Dr. White who heard my explanation and saw the picture below and agreed with our assessment of a food allergy. He gave us the number of a pediatric allergy specialist, to have Reagan tested for other allergies. He also prescribed an Epi-pen.

Now, wherever she goes, Reagan has to have the Epi-pen handy. That means we'll need to have one available at preschool with her, one always in my purse, and one at home. The Epi-pen can't be stored at extreme temperatures (either too hot or too cold), so we can't leave one in the car.

We're praying that when we have her tested, her only allergies will be to easy-to-avoid foods. Pistachios are in the same family as the cashew and mango, which shouldn't be too difficult to avoid. (She has had a few other mild allergic reactions, but we were never able to pin down the cause.) Thank the Lord, she doesn't seem to be allergic to peanuts, as she eats peanut butter nearly every day of her life!

We're just very thankful that this wasn't more serious and that we now have the assurance of the Epi-pen if she has a reaction again.

Poor, pitiful thing! Doesn't this picture just break your heart? But Reagan was, as always, a trooper about her ordeal. She's a pretty good patient most of the time.

Locks of Love

Friday evening we said good-bye to Reagan's sweet curls, as she had ten inches trimmed from her hair to give to Locks of Love, an organization that makes wigs for children who suffer hair loss due to illness. Before snipping, we straightened the curls to ensure that we didn't cut any more hair than needed. Miss Jan, who attends our church, cut a very wiggly Reagan's hair and then gave her a lollipop afterward.





Reagan first got the idea to donate her hair when her older cousin, Melanie, was thinking about it. Melanie ultimately decided to keep her long locks, but Reagan was undeterred. She had been asking to do it for several months (before Thanksgiving, if I recall), so this was no rash decision. It hurt Mama's feelings a little to see that beautiful hair go, but Reagan wasn't sad at all. Reagan loves her new haircut and thinks she looks like Snow White.

"The Story" of My Tiny Dancer

Have you ever had the feeling that you were witnessing something rather extraordinary? It happened to me tonight, and I'm not sure I can even fully explain it. . . but here goes.

Every once in a while, after dinner, the whole family ends up in our bedroom listening to music on my iPod (through my iHome dock) and dancing. Tonight was one of those nights. After a while, Daddy and Presley retired to the bonus room while Reagan and I stayed behind. A song came on that I don't even remember downloading (it must have been free): Brandi Carlisle's "The Story." The song is a balad, but it alternates between a mellow feel and a driving rock beat. Here's a sample of the lyrics:

All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true, I was made for you

Reagan began doing what can only be described as an interpretive dance to the song. Her movements during the mellow parts were slow and fluid, and her facial expressions were amazing--as if she were feeling every note, every word of the song. And when the driving beat started up, her movements were almost explosive. At four years old, she displayed as much angst as a twenty-something philosophy student.

Now, I'm not saying that this was a beautiful, elaborate dance. No, her movements were those of a kid with a few dance lessons under her belt. But her expression was beyond description. She was absolutely fearless in emoting!

My words, I know, are insufficient to give the full picture. I guess you had to be there. I'm so glad I was.

Pee Pee in the Potty!

Presley pee-peed in the potty for the first time today. Hooray! Other than letting her sit on it a few times before her bath or to watch a DVD, this is the first time I actually gave it a real try. I gave her a full sippy cup of juice and set her potty in front of the TV for a showing of "Potty Time with Elmo." It took about an hour or so, but after consistently putting her back on the potty as she strayed, she finally did it!

Presley got to dump her pee-pee in the big potty and flush. She also got a reward of four M&Ms, then promptly asked for more (she didn't get more). We'll try to do this at least once a day for a while, and see how it goes. Not a bad start at 20 months!

Snow Bunnies

We actually got a bit of snow here in Tennessee. Every school system in the mid-state area was closed, EXCEPT for ours. But as we were about to start loading everyone up, we got a call from our preschool teacher saying that they were closing due to the slick driveway at the church (it's a huge hill). So...we bundled up to play instead.

Then we had hot cocoa to warm up afterward. (Well, Presley had cool cocoa.)

Sweet Girl

Presley can be such a sweet girl. She goes down for her nap so easily most of the time. In fact, yesterday she was acting a bit cranky, so I scooped her up and cuddled with her on the couch. In just a minute she pointed up the stairs toward the bedrooms and said, "Bed. Bed." I asked, "Do you want to go to your bed?" and she nodded vigorously. Who ever heard of a toddler putting themselves to bed?

Presley also likes to dress for Reagan's dance class. Here she is in her dance attire.

Mama Gets a New Car!

After nine years and nearly 100,000 miles, I finally purchased a new car. I have to give it to the old Honda CR-V. It was a good little car--at least until the end. Literally the day after I had made the deal on the new car, it started acting up. By the time my new car arrived at the dealer a couple of days later, it wasn't even driveable. But they agreed to stand by the deal, providing we towed our trade-in to the lot. We were just grateful we didn't have to fix it. I definitely give Nelson Mazda two thumbs up so far!

So, what did I buy? A 2008 Mazda CX-9. It's "crystal white mica" with sand leather interior. (The front seats are heated, which is lovely in the winter!) It has a third row and seats up to seven people. We got a rear DVD entertainment package, which the girls already love. We can't wait to drive it to Disney World this spring! The photo below is from a website, but it looks pretty much like mine.

Potty Talk

It's that fun time in a toddler's life--time to begin the long goodbye to diapers and say hello to our new friend, the potty chair! Presley is 19 months and has taken a slight interest in her potty. She enjoys sitting on it with a book, and sometimes watches a DVD. But at this point, we have yet to make any "magic" happen in the potty, if you know what I mean. Still, we're off to a good start and hope to have happy potty updates soon!

Dressing Up

Reagan is the queen of costumes--seriously, this girl has a ton of them and she knows how to use them! It seems now, however, that one costume at a time is not enough. Notice the unique use of accessories, as well as a combined Ariel-Snow White motif in the first photo.

Recently, Presley has joined in on the costume fun. She has to grow a bit before she'll be able to wear most of them, but she had fun playing in the Snow White ensemble.

Things I Never Expected to Become an Expert In...

1. Disney Princesses. I know their titles, real names, back stories, living relatives (mostly dads), and what color dress they usually wear.

2. Exactly how ripe a banana should be to meet the toddler's requirements.

3. Judging whether a pair of little girl jeans is cut narrowly enough for my skinny-minny daughter.

4. Taking in pants that we received as hand-me-downs from our average-sized cousins.

5. Wrapping a rubber band the size of a pencil eraser around a tiny tuft of hair at least four times.

6. Disney World. After watching Travel Channel specials and visiting "insider" websites to plan our vacation, I probably know more than most travel agents about the Mouse House.

7. Childhood illnesses. OK, I'm really not an expert in this, but I have definitely earned my stripes with our oldest. And I have learned how to anticipate when she's going to throw up.

8. Reading food labels. I now know that "brown" bread doesn't mean 100% whole wheat and orange-colored "juice" may, in fact, contain no fruit juice at all.

9. Diplomacy. I have sooooo many examples of this--from dealing with an overbearing parent to having a conference with your preschooler's teacher--but I choose to be diplomatic and not name names.

10. Brittney Spears. Who isn't, right? Seriously...can we stop with the media coverage already?

Reagan Has a Twinn

No, that's not a misspelling. Reagan received a My Twinn doll from Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas. While the doll isn't quite as fair in complexion as we thought she would be, she has the same long, curly hair and hazel eyes as Reagan. Each My Twinn doll is custom made with a hand-painted face. You can even request freckles or birth marks, if your child has them.

Reagan's big gift from Santa was a Disney Princess bike. She also received a Baby Alive, but Santa forgot the extra diapers! Reagan had to buy some at Target with her own money, so she got a tiny taste of what it's like to be the mommy.

This New Year's Eve, Reagan would like to wish "that everyone could have all the things that God made us." Happy 2008!

Presley's New Kitchen

Presley received a beautiful pastel kitchen from Santa! She's now ready to whip up lovely meals of plastic fried chicken and green beans (or just about any other type of plastic food you can imagine) , so come on over for dinner sometime. Some of her other favorite gifts include a Hokey Pokey Elmo, a Sit-n-Spin, and some duplo blocks.

The little pumpkin is actually fighting an ear infection now, but you would never know it. She's such a sweet little patient that we rarely even know she's sick until she throws up or runs a fever (both of which she did today).

Happy New Year to all!

A Day at the Opryland Hotel

Here is a photographic essay of our recent visit to the Opryland Hotel. Our mission: to capture the perfect Christmas card photo. As you can see, we didn't exactly accomplish our goal. (You can click on each picture for an enlargement.) In the first picture, you can see that we're not off to a bad start, but the scale is off, and neither girl is wearing a "winning" smile.




Next is an example of Presley's frequent inability to focus on the camera.

Woohoo! She finally smiled! Too bad Reagan didn't.

Presley is so over her bow!
Meltdown in progress.

Two hours and 34 digital photos later, we had nothing to show for our hard work. So we bought the low-quality, high-priced photos provided by Santa's helpers. Then we had to scan them in to our computer, which further diminished the quality. The end result is below. Next year, we start this process in October!

What a Big Girl!

Presley had her 18-month well visit with Dr. Lee this morning. She is growing well, although she's a bit on the thin side. Her weight was just under 23 pounds (in the 30th percentile for kids her age), and her height was 33 inches (around the 85th percentile). She seems to be following the same pattern as her big sister. Presley had to get her finger pricked and two shots, and she didn't even flinch for any of it!

Mommy Time Out

Yesterday the children were conspiring against me. First, Reagan wouldn't go to preschool. She had been sick for several days, but on Monday she felt well enough to go to dance and played dress up for much of the afternoon, so I knew she was pretty much back to normal. On Tuesday morning I repeatedly asked her if she felt well enough to go to school. Although she was rather whiny, she said she wanted to go. So, I did the morning rush thing: Mama showered, dressed, coiffed, and makeup applied? Check. Baby dressed? Check. Big girl dressed? Check. Hair combed? Check. Breakfast served to both? Check. Lunch, snack, and backpack ready? Check.

Yes, we got everyone loaded up, driven across the street to the big church, unloaded, and even signed in. But when the classroom door opened, Reagan wouldn't go in. "I want you, Mama." OK, so she's being clingy. No problem. "Reagan, you already made your choice to come to preschool. All your friends will be here. You'll be fine when you start playing." "But I want you, Mama." "You have a choice: If you're well, you need to stay at preschool. But if you're still sick, we can go to the doctor." "But I want you, Mama."

After ten or fifteen minutes of threats and trying to pry her off me (her teacher ever tried to bribe her with "special" toys), we finally left...and, boy, was I mad! After the lecture I gave her on the way home, she was wailing and was sent to bed until she received further notice. Finally I calmed down and apologized for yelling but delivered her punishment: there would be no kid TV all day, no seeing Santa the following day as planned, and whatever else I decided to tack on as deemed necessary. She took it all pretty well and stayed in bed for a nap.

Shortly after, Presley was rubbing the eyes and asking for her pacifier. So I cuddled her for a few minutes until she fell asleep, then transferred her to her crib. After about ten seconds I heard the wailing. Given my morning, I let her wail for a while. I went in a couple of times to give her back her paci and even turn on music, but she still cried. After about 30 minutes, I gave up and got her up. We all ate lunch and went to Walmart.

On the way home from Walmart, Presley fell asleep. (We live less than a mile from the store!) I carried her to her crib where she, once again, woke up and wailed. I let her cry for a few minutes then she seemed to settle down. But it was short-lived: she only slept about 30 minutes. Ugh!

After a long afternoon of playing referee, I prepared dinner and waited for Scott to get home--5:45 couldn't get here soon enough! He called, stuck in traffic (really that was just the icing on the cake that was my day!), so we went ahead and ate. By six he was home, I was finished eating, and I excused myself.

I took a new novel, a beverage, and myself to my room for an hour. I put on my PJs and read in relative silence. It wasn't long, but it was enough to restore my sanity before the bedtime rush. I love my children, I really do. But sometimes Mom just needs a time out.

Another Bug Comes and Goes

Reagan spent five days on the couch, not eating and running a temp between 100 and 102 degrees or higher. It started when her preschool called me on Wednesday to pick her up. She was saying she was "sad," but they didn't seem to think she was sick. Knowing she is not often sad without a reason, I was suspicious. When I got there, she was holding her nap blanket and crying. Back at home, her temp was over 100, and she basically slept the rest of the afternoon. Thursday, she refused to eat anything (although she drank water and juice, knowing she would have to go to the ER if she got dehydrated) and only got up once to go to the bathroom. On day three, we went to the pediatrician who diagnosed her with a bacterial infection as well as a virus. When we got home, she started vomiting (thank goodness for Zofran!). It wasn't until Sunday after church (Mom went, everyone else stayed home) that she actually started getting up and interacting with the family. She even ate a bit and started to smile.

Yesterday (Monday), she seemed nearly back to normal, although she's still hesitant about eating. She still has a week of antibiotics to take, which is no fun for her or Mom (we had to bribe her with an iPod--Scott's old one that she was going to get anyhow--to get her to take it). And she lost more weight in the process (down to 34 1/2 pounds!), which she certainly couldn't afford. But nonetheless, we're grateful to have our giggly, energetic little girl back!

Nearing the Year and a Half Mark

As Presley is about to turn one and a half, here are a few of her favorite things:

Favorite foods: cucmbers, mac-n-cheese, cookies

Favorite words: NO!, baby, More! (as in, "Give me more!")

Favorite activity: hearing music, dancing, clapping

Favorite huggable toy: plush Elmo

Favorite toys to play with: blocks, learning table, anything of Reagan's

Cookin' Up Christmas

Reagan sang a trio in her Christmas program at church yesterday. The theme was "Cookin' Up Christmas," and her song was "Give a Gift This Christmas." She was quite an emotive vocalist, as you can see by the photo. When the music started, she grabbed her microphone and didn't let go. She OWNED it, baby! We were all quite amused and see a definite future for her as a diva.

Cookin' Up Christmas

Reagan sang a trio in her Christmas program at church yesterday. The theme was "Cookin' Up Christmas," and her song was "Give a Gift This Christmas." She was quite an emotive vocalist, as you can see by the photo. When the music started, she grabbed her microphone and didn't let go. She OWNED it, baby! We were all quite amused and see a definite future for her as a diva.