Giving Thanks

Before you read: the font colors hate me on this page, I did not make it this tacky

I AM THANKFUL FOR MY CHARLIE'S SNEAKY SMILE

After much thought this week about all the typical "I am thankful for's" I couldn't help but notice all of the things I love in my life that are very atypical. I am for sure thankful for my salvation, my family, my home and my health, but here is an informal, kind of silly, but very heartfelt list I've compiled. No order and certainly not every blessing:

1. Charlie's hums as he wakes up in the morning.
2. Jamie's call when he hears about an accident and knows I am driving.
3. The comfort of church.
4. My Daddy's mustache when he kisses me.
5. McDonald Thursdays in my car while Charlie sleeps and Casey is at dance class.
6. Marissa and Meghan finding just the right time to call me a "Poopface"
7. My mom's light hearted laugh when I am telling her about my breakdown.
8. Towers of blocks I find long after Charlie goes to bed.
9. Huey Lewis
10. Visits to my Mid-Wife
11. Myra's telephone calls
12. Cheynie's smile
13. My kitchen radio
14. My sisters and brothers-in-law who feel like my own.
15. Tiffany's ability to make any situation feel do-able.
16. Dakota ALWAYS coming to my aid when I call
17. Finding just the right verse in comfort in the Bible when I need it most.
18. Wild baby movements in my belly when the house is dark and quiet.
19. Mr. Norris who bags my groceries and always makes me feel like it was a pleasure to catch the items Charlie threw at him.
20. Nana's sweets
21. Casey's forehead kisses
22. Movie night at home
23. Friends who listen to me lose it and then smile and say, "You crack me up!"
24. George Strait and his ability to take me back 10 years with a few notes.
25. chocolate milk

Perhaps more to come.......

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Atch Dis!

Placing all modesty aside, Jamie and I are pretty funny people. No, not everyone laughs with us, but we've always done quite a bit of laughing with one another. It was not until just the other day that I realized two laughers will obviously produce one funny fella. I guess many of the situations that have cracked us up are one of those "you had to be there" times, but as I was writing in Charlie's journal last night I was laughing so hard I cried at the things I was writing that he's been doing.


Charlieism 1: "Atch Dis!" In true little boy style Charlie has realized that anything he can do to draw attention to his wildness always leads to laughs. Now while he is running wild like a banchie, he will suddenly stop dead in his tracks and say, "Atch Dis!" (Watch this) which is usually followed by a loud and somewhat dangerous trick.Here is a moment catch on tape as he jumped off the bed onto pillows on the floor. Due to the velocity of the jump, the picture quality is a bit poor.

Charlieism 2: "Mama, me" This is only used that times when he deams it appropriate. For example, I am putting on mascara and he wants to try it. Sometimes it is when Jamie is putting on deodorant and he wants to rub it all over his belly. Othertimes it is when I am clipping my nails, and he wants to "clip" them by inflicting pain like no other on my toes with the clippers. Mostly though, it is a precious moment, when we are in church and he jerks the hymn book from my hand so that he can belt out the word "DEJUS" (Jesus) in the highest soprano tone in the church.

Charlieism 3: "Peeeze, Mama, peeeeeze!" This only comes out when something has been spotted that will lead to chaos. Always in the line at Food Lion when he spots the Hershey Bars, thank you Daddy. Usually at night when he wants a pop-sickle or he just wants out of bed. I have to honestly say, I have never stuck it out to see what happens next. I mean he's saying "Please" for goodness sakes!

Charlieism 4: "Woah woah woah" This is a sound that can't be spelled. Apparently at some point I have used a hair clip to pretend to be a monster with teeth or something, so now anything that is clip-like, or can be squeezed open and closed is a "woah woah woah." He tends to like my hair straigtener, but the best one was on a recent trip to the ER (nothing major, just a freak out by two over protective parents) the nurse clipped the thing on his little finger to check something, I was about to cry thinking about actually sitting in the ER with him, and then he looked up at Jamie and said, "woah woah woah"

Charlieism 5: "Doe!!!!" Many exclamation marks because this one is serious. The "Doe" only comes out when he is A: doing something dangerous he doesn't want me to see B: Wants a toy all to himself C: Wants me to leave him alone to watch TV with Daddy D: When he wants to be leave him in his bed at night so he can pretend to be going to sleep, but really sneaks in to catch a little ESPN on TV

I can't even begin to tell you how much he makes us laugh. He's growing everyday, but I never imagined how quickly he would develop. I know there are so many more I have forgotten, but these were fresh on my mind today. One day when he is in the major leagues, I will remind him that I am still his Mama by retelling these to him.

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The horse that built me

Today as I was taking my daily "drive dear Charlie to sleep" drive, I was driving down the same road I have lived on for about 20 of my 20-some years. Suddenly, in the silence of my car I was flooded with memories. A simple glance at the cow pasture bordering the road had triggered memories that I had thought I had lost. No matter how happy or comfortable my life as an adult is, I still have these ideas in my mind of the "good old days." Though my childhood was filled with events that I'd like to forget, none of them out weigh the happiness I lived through. As I pulled to the side of the road the tears started falling. (yes, pregnancy emotions, I know) I suddenly saw myself atop my priceless chestnut gelding, Star. I pictured it like yesterday. My Mom, Dad, and sister all in a heated race through this pasture. I was stunned that I had lost that memory. I remembered so much so clearly. I remembered the bitter chill in my hands as I gripped the reins, and the utter fear when I realized that for the first time, I had let him break into a full run. So many people have a house that is a cherished part of their lives, some people a town, some people traditions, but for me, the childhood memories that built me into who I am seemed to take place on the back of a horse. I learned the meaning of "not sweating the small stuff." We never, ever talked about anything in our lives while we rode. We just rode. Together. I watched my Mom and Dad go from a Kindergarten teacher and a Service Manager to two of my very best friends in the single swing of a saddle. I know times are so different, but I remember being so young that I had to mount from a stool, but still aching for the feeling of the ride. Even if it were our trusty family pony, Tiny. It seemed like no matter what our family was facing, no matter who was troubled, nothing mattered while we were all riding. A wise, young man once stated long before his presidency, "I've often said there's nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse." I have to add, a woman too. I lost my Star while I was in high school. I rode many times after that, but I never felt the trust I had before. In the years since then, there have been things happen that I know I could have used a nice run through the pasture. I hope one day to find this again. I hope one day, maybe not on a horse, but to build these priceless memories in my children. As I watched Charlie sleep in the back seat, I just hope one day they can think back on a time when nothing else mattered but their family. I hope I am able to give them, even if just a little, what I had.

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