A Night for Bad Pictures....

Last week was the Christmas program at Roan's preschool. It was a great program, as always, but we lost our mojo when it came to taking pictures.

I hate that this one is blurry, because it would have been a really nice picture despite Roan's pout.

Libby decided that she was the photographer this night. She took this one, and it's the best of them all! Btw, this is Nana and Papa, waiting for the program to begin.

Libby took this one also. She tricked me into thinking she was taking a picture of me, when really, she was interested in the twin babies behind me!

I really need a new camera, Santa!!

Little Things Can Mean A Lot...

My friend, Shannon, came for a visit a couple of weeks ago. After we all went to church on Sunday, the kids got some paper and tried to make paper airplanes. Well, as luck would have it, Shannon is a master paper airplane maker. He sat down with Libby and showed her how...

As you can see, she was completely entranced. Just 15 minutes of something so small...melted my heart.

Toilet diving...OR...How much do I love this boy?

When I became a mom, no one told me that I would be expected to do some crazy, weird stuff. I knew I'd wipe their faces with my spit, like all moms do, but on Saturday, I reached a new high (or low?) in motherhood. Here's the story:

Part One: In a prior post, I mentioned going to Blue Koi with friends this past Saturday. Well, the night before, Roan had a bout of stomach flu. But, when it comes to socializing, Roan's not about to let a little vomiting and diarrhea get him down. He said he felt well enough to go to lunch...

Part Two: Roan's new obsession is a set of keys. Just old house and car keys that I found in a drawer and gave to him... well, he can entertain himself with these for hours. The keys go everywhere with us, and God forbid they get lost. This obsession will last a few weeks, then he'll move his focus elsewhere.

Part Three: We made it through lunch and were visiting when Roan announced (for the whole restaurant to hear) that he needed to go to the bathroom. So Sclie joined us in the bathroom, because women have to go potty together, right? We let Roan go first while we visited. He had the yucky poops (sorry if that's TMI, but it's pertinent to the story). While he's doing his business, he's playing with his key ring. Soon, I hear a suspicious noise, then immediately Roan starts wailing "I dropped my keys!!!!" I look at Sclie and say that I hope he hasn't dropped his keys where I think he's dropped his keys....and went in with him. Sure enough, his key ring was in the toilet! I immediately think "Oh gee, now what???" It's not like I can flush them -- not good for the pipes and not good for the rest of my day, given how Roan would react to losing the darn keys. So here's what I did for this sweet boy...

Part Four: I go back out to our table and get a set of chopsticks and a fork. Of course, I can't do this nonchalantly.... "Why are you taking a fork into the bathroom, Sonia?" Oh boy, what do I say? So I tell them.... I have to fish Roan's keys out of the toilet, and I really don't want to put my hand in the water. And off I go, fork and chopsticks in hand, praying one will work.

Part Five: Back in the bathroom stall, I get Ro up and dressed, all the while hearing "What are you gonna do, mom? Why do you have a fork in your hand, mom? How are you gonna get my keys? Please don't flush my keys! I LOOOOVVE my keys!" Nothing like a little pressure on my first attempt at toilet diving. So I use the fork and fish for these darned keys. Please keep in mind that the water is not clear. Wow. Not the easiest thing I've ever done.

In a minute or two... SUCCESS!!! After a little soap and water, then bleach at home later, the keys were safely returned to their owner, my sweet little man. How much do I love this boy? Enough to pluck his keys from dirty toilet water, for sure. He says he loves me to Aunt TeeTee's and back, to the moon and back, to Heaven and back... I love him at least that much and more. He and his sissy are the loves of my life, and I will do anything for them!

Murray memories

On Saturday, Shannon, Roan and I met my dearest friends for lunch at Blue Koi. Danny & Sclie Murray have been my very close friends almost since the day I started at Cleveland; they both recently graduated, and are getting ready to move to Tullahoma TN to start a practice. We met for lunch to visit before they move... it was Danny & Sclie, our friends Cynthia Duffey, Don Gibson...and us.

Sclie, Danny, Cynthia and I.

Sclie, Danny, Roan & Dexter. Roan almost looks like he could be their son, huh?

Don, Roan and Dexter. As you might tell, we don't go far without Dexter. Btw, Don will always be known for being Libby's "first love". He bought her some lipgloss, played air hockey with her and she was hooked!

One of my favorite pictures of Shannon...we were on our way to Blue Koi.

Life at school without Danny and Sclie has been sad and lonely... I miss them so much, and they're only 1.5 hours away. The thought of them moving to Tennessee makes my heart heavy. So, some thoughts and memories about my dear friends:

1. I started chiropractic college in 2006; of course, I knew no one. I will always remember meeting Sclie in the cafeteria early on. It was like we had known each other forever.

2. Sclie and I have had very similar experiences that have bonded us together. She understands me in ways no one else ever will.

3. Sitting around Cynthia's fireplace, having a girls' night = Happiness.

4. Homemade spring rolls at Sclie's house

5. Much appreciated hand-me downs.

6. Sclie is fondly known as the queen of my pelvis (chiropractically-speaking!)

7. Danny and the most earth-moving cervical adjustment I have ever had!

8. The Murrays took me to Chipotle for the first time. For that I will be forever grateful!

9. The pugs + my son = Love. Thanks for letting us pug-sit!

10. Roan: "Sweet Pea is so cute...she's like a little meatloaf!" The funniest quote, ever!

11. Cynthia, Danny, Sclie and I at IHOP after last year's Cleveland Formal.

12. Sclie's iced tea. Yum-O!

13. Listening to Danny's speech at Sclie's surprise birthday party last year. Sclie, you're a lucky woman!

14. Crying on each others' shoulders... and thankful for it.

15. Treasured, appreciated, loving, priceless friendship...unaffected by distance.

The O'Donnells love you and will miss you, Drs Murray! Not goodbye...SEE YOU SOON!

Gojo's Yellow Sauce + Shannon = Bliss!

I love Gojo's. In fact, my friend Suzie and I go to Gojo's as often as possible...and we speak regularly about how much we love the shrimp appetizer with the yellow sauce. Fantasize might be a better word! Yes, I LOVE the yellow sauce...and the green sauce, too. Is that wrong?

Friday, Shannon came to KC for the weekend, and we went to Gojo's for dinner. He had never been there before, so I got to expose him to the bliss that is the yellow sauce...captured digitally below.

He looks pretty happy that he took my advice on the sauce...

I will admit, I have a very specific method for eating the shrimp appetizer... I must have the perfect ratio of shrimp, rice and sauce...this method takes two bowls, as you can see above. I think Shannon thought I was/am a maniac.

I got Teriyaki chicken and steak...it's the plate of loveliness on the left. My rice bowl is brimming with a fresh sauce supply. It was SO SO SO good.

Post dinner, happy-bellies picture.

The funniest part of the evening...we sat with a two nice couples; when dinner was over, we started chatting. One man said to us "You guys are dating, right?" Shannon immediately said in a deadpan tone "No ... [insert long pause]... we're brother and sister." The poor guy's eyes almost popped out of his head! It was a hilarious moment! What a terrific night!

My sweet Libby

How I love this girl!! What's there not to love?


Some things I don't want to forget about her:
1. The minute she was born, she stared through me like she had known me forever...then she clasped her hands together and smiled...

2. She loved to lay in her bed and watch her mobile. She would kick her legs and laugh out loud. I always made sure we had extra batteries for the mobile, or it would be ugly!

3. She had the most beautiful hair, even as an infant. People would ask me if I used a blow dryer and curling iron on her hair. (on a baby? yes, LOTS of people said that!)

4. She could sign full sentences when she was 9 months old.

5. She was late to talk, but when she spoke, it was in full sentences.

6. When she was very small, she loved to collect "nuts with hats"...acorns.

7. Even as a baby, she loved to clean. She would scrub the bathtub for fun. We called her "Little Clara" after my grandmother who LOVED to clean.

8. She met her best friend, Clara Knollmeyer, at swim lessons when they were 9 months old.

9. She used to call her papa Witt "Witty", but it came out as "Wooty".

10. When she was 18 months old, she loved to take clothes out of the closet and shake the hanger...then die laughing.


Some things I love about her:

1. She is confident

2. She is persistent...she won't quit until she masters it.

3. She looks like me. I never looked like anyone, so I'm glad she looks like me...

4. She has such a kind heart; she worries about people who don't have enough and tries to help.

5. She always sees the best in people.

6. When faced with a hardship, her first strategy is to pray.

7. She tries her best to be patient with her brother.

8. She is scary-smart.

9. She loves to sew and cook...and can do so better than many adults!

10. She is incredibly responsible for a 6 year old.


Some things she likes right now:

1. American Girl dolls

2. Riding her bike

3. Playing with the neighbors

4. Learning to write in cursive

5. The song "Lead Me To The Cross" by Chris and Conrad

6. Her Disney Mix Stick

7. Her Nintendo DS

8. Going to Sunday School

9. Reading

10. Being a member of American Heritage Girls.

I'm so lucky to be her mom! I can't wait to see the woman she will grow up to be. I love you, Libby Lu!!