Snow Angel

John Thomas likes pretending to walk, crawl or fly like all his favorite animals.  He scooches like a snail, hops like a frog, or flaps his wings with gusto like a bird.  I will admit that his buffalo, elephant, and tiger impressions all look exactly the same but are all still equally adorable.

 The biggest news over the past two weeks has definitely been the weather (and if you're a teacher, the SNOW DAYS!)  We actually got enough snow at our house to get out and sled for two days!

 I normally don't take the nature pics, but I love the way our back woods look when they are blanketed with snow.

 It took John Thomas about twenty minutes of frustration with his mittens before he finally relaxed and decided that clubbing his way around was way more fun than having cold hands.  After which, I'm pretty sure he ate his weight in snow!

 Thanks to our awesome neighbors, who let us go sledding with them!  John Thomas LOVED every second of it and was not a happy boy when we had to go in and the snow started to melt.

Cabin fever breeds creativity around our house.  Coloring, drawing, reading and finding new ways to play with old toys.  He laid everyone of those Lincoln Logs himself.  He's definitely got his momma's creative juices.

Speaking of creative, our neighbors (Katie, Charlie, Brody and Dare) had us down for a cookout and they did the COOLEST THING EVER.  They turned out the lights in their house, cut a few dozen glow sticks open and slung them around their dining room.  It looked so cool and the kids thought it was neato.  And best of all, it doesn't even leave a smudge on the walls after it dries.  So cool!

Many of you saw the picture of Chester and the Cheerios this week.  Can't say enough about what a good dog he is.  Not many dogs out there that will just let a kid wallow all over them and respond with "tiger kisses" and John Thomas calls them.

Occasionally we get the chance to go to Sunday lunch at the Cole's.  Let me tell you that their basement is a toddler's dream: ball pit, kiddo kitchen, and toys galore!  And, the food would give Paula Deen a run for her money!

 He was trying to learn how to flex.  Notice the sagging britches.  Unlike some of my students, we will get this fixed before he gets to high school. :)

This week we wave goodbye to January, which is hard to believe.  No major tangents other than to say I have been listening to Podcasts from Andy Stanley, Louis Giglio and Charles Stanley whenever I'm in the shower.  It's been awesome to hear uplifting messages about relationships, forgiveness, anxiety...and most importantly, God's ceaseless unfathomable love and His desire for us all to feel like the beautiful person He created us to be.  Great way to start the day! 

Hope Floats

Happy New Year and I hope you're enjoying this fine seventy degree January weekend!  I guess if global warming is gonna happen, we might as well get out and enjoy the ride! :)  

 Every time I upload pictures of this boy, he looks less and less like a toddler!  He only has one little baby fat crease left on each leg, just above his knees--and I'm watching it disappear right before my eyes!

 In our first two weeks of 2013, we've been able to do lots of fun stuff.  Movies, basketball games, time with friends and family--all kinds of excitement!  Last Friday we made it to the Powell versus Halls rivalry basketball game.  Both the girls and the boys teams won in exciting fashion!  John Thomas loves to go, especially when he gets to hang out with his buddies!

 Clearly, like his Mommy, he knows how to get upset with a bad call.  Maybe there's some coaching in his blood too!

 John Thomas is also learning the art of spreading your veggies out to look like they've been eaten.  I think he needs to work on being a little more discreet.

 There are many things about this lil boy's personality that I love.  He is sweet and genuinely empathetic when he sees someone is sad or hurt.  He is sooo silly!  This week, he opened up a card and pretended to read it.  "Dear Mommy,  John Thomas is such a good boy because he tee tee in the potty.  The end."  Anytime, and I mean anytime, he sees a puddle he picks up the first available stick and pretends to go fishing.

 I'm still trying to figure out what this facial expression means.

I'd say we've adjusted pretty well to being back in school this week.  Except that now that he is potty training, we have to get up a little earlier to make time for our new routine.  He is NOT a morning person.  For about five minutes every morning, he is a grumpy bear--which makes me feel sorry for my mom who had the less-than-fun task of getting me up and readied for school for thirteen years.  I am officially sorry mom for being such a bear to get up.  I can't help but smile, because Lord knows I had this coming.  :)

If you have become accustomed to my end of the blog tangents, then you won't be disappointed this week.  :)  One of my favorite things about second semester is that I get to teach Film Studies.  I asked my students this week, "What makes a story great?" They offered several thoughtful answers, like timelessness, likable characters, unpredictability...etc.  But I have discovered that all the movies that I like have a common thread.  They are about perseverance and inspire hope and they are usually based on a true story.  In the words of Stephen King from Shawshank Redemption, "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things."  All the Oscar nominated films I've seen this year share this quality.  In the face of what seems like an insurmountable challenge and against all reason, hope and faith prevail.  You know,  we'd all have pretty boring stories if we never struggled.  In perseverance, there is inspiration and I am thankful for my God who knows this too.  If you're looking for a great film, I can send you in the right direction--just let me know!