Moon Feathers, Three Feathers, Tabeechi, Tabeechet,...

These are just a few of the new names I've heard echoing through the house of late. The boys got some costumes for Christmas and have enjoyed them thoroughly (for one day, at least). I'm left with the dilemma of ethnic "p.c." lingo. Native Americans? Indians? Victims-of-land-thievery? I mean, they don't really care so much what they are. What they enjoy is that they have an outfit to go with their tomahawk and bow and arrow set.
Here's my little Squanto and Tonto after they shot a buffalo (a.k.a. the television set...and yes, it will be obsolete in 2009....and yes, it weighs 1,000 pounds...and yes, i'm done deviating from the point.)


Don't shoot! I'll give you all my wampam. It's in my teepee...promise,
man!

They say they're in the Blue Lizard tribe.
Two members and counting....

random pictures from our Christmas...

Our Super Awesome Tree that we fetched with our buddies,
the Misners. And, yes, we had a white Christmas. It was gorgeous.
Big snowflakes came down softly all day and into the night.

Christmas Eve Service at Church!
Avery sang out while Miles fiddled with his tie and yawned a lot.

Okay. The picture of Brent and I is notable only because
we're actually in the same frame. Amazing. And this one
on the right is Nana (my mom) with our kiddos.

Miles got a leather to add some "edge" to the pallette.

Pop Pop (my dad) is seen here entertaining Jillian.

Kate

Hey friends,
Please check out this blog ( www.katesnodgrass.blogspot.com ) and consider praying for Kate. She's a young mom of three boys. We used to go to the same church. Just as we were getting to know eachother, we moved. A year later, she was diagnosed with brain cancer. She underwent surgery today for the second time. Please pray for her, her husband and their boys.
Thanks!

little girl

It's been awhile since I've dedicated a post to my little girl. It's no secret in my home that she lights up my life. She's usually smiling. And if she fusses, all she usually needs is a reassuring smile. And her smiles melt my heart.

There are almost five years between Miles and Jillian. I almost can't believe that we went so long without having a little baby in the home. But, most of you know that it wasn't our plan, rather it was planned by God. By the time Jillian came along, we were done with diapers, those ridiculous baby accessories (swings, random baby seats, exersaucers, etc.), naps, worries about choking hazards, worries about SIDS, worries about unwashed hands touching our little one or someone breathing germs on our healthy infant, and so much more. We were even done with training wheels! Two boys on two wheelers makes one feel like they've reached a certain point in life. I'm struggling to put into words this feeling. All I can come up with is that as I remember the neighborhood where I grew up. And I think of those ancient people that were my friends' parents, I realize that's me...that's us...we're those parent's that are going to be some vague memory to other children on the block... strange.

well...that was a major detour...but i'll leave it...

so, without further adieu, here's "little girl"

Schnazzy Scheetz Guys

I just had the most fun shopping for my boys!!! Yes, BOYS are fun to shop for! Avery sang in the Christmas concert for his school on Thursday and so I actually bought a dress shirt and dress pants and tie and even A BELT! I'm so casual, that I've never before bought my son a belt...and he's seven! What was so fun was Avery's excitement when he came home to his get-up. I don't know if this will be cool or tacky (story of my life), but in lieu of cheesy (and uncomfortable) dress shoes, my boy donned some slick black Puma's. sweet. I did most of the shopping while Avery was at school. With Miles by my side, I could sense the longing in his heart--or was it my own--for some of his own duds. So, Miles got a dress shirt and (clip-on!) tie as well. He calls it his suit. So cute.

when it's 50+ degrees in minnie

no...it's not 50+ degrees here...it's really, really snowy.

but. we had a 50+ degree weekend a few weeks ago. and do you know what we did? we enjoyed it. we thought, "this is nice." if we were natives, we would have gotten out the Christmas lights and decorated the house. but, we're still mentally on a weather schedule with the St. Louisans. we didn't realize that when it's 50+ degrees in November "up nort", you get out a ladder and hang lights. by the way, i believe i saw some people in my neighborhood keep there lights lit well into may. ridiculous. you never witnessed such free-spirited behavior in the burbs. good thing i love it here regardless of year-round Christmas lights and political yard signs that should have been taken down 10 years ago.