Tuesday, November 28, 2006

All Dressed Up

Just to give credit (and advertising) where credit is due, our friend and photographer Christy Miller captured these photos of the kids - an amazing feat considering it was after a morning at church and before lunch. The photography is great, but it's sad that this was the best we could get Elisha to smile and pose. Of course, this was also after a couple dozen family shots, so maybe I shouldn't complain. I'm still thinking of appropriate captions for some...



"Classic" Madelyn



"Classic" Elisha

Just to give credit (and advertising) where credit is due, our friend and photographer Christy Miller captured these photos of the kids - an amazing feat considering it was after a morning at church and before lunch. The photography is great, but it's sad that this was the best we could get Elisha to smile and pose. Of course, this was also after a couple dozen family shots, so maybe I shouldn't complain. I'm still thinking of appropriate captions...

Cast Your Vote (Please)

Which photo should be reprinted as the official
"Womack Family Christmas Card 2006"?
(notice Madelyn is not smiling in any of them...)

A: Outside with Evergreen

B: Inside with flash (I guess that's why it's brighter)

C: Inside with natural light (again, my guess)

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Little Houdini

We arrived home one evening and noticed Madelyn looked a bit "different" in her car seat. Upon further inspection, we discovered she had somehow managed to pull her arm out of her sleeve (especially amazing to us since our three year old often "can't" get his arms out of his sleeves), but even more incredible considering she was strapped in her car seat. I guess a parent should never underestimate the hidden talents of their children...




And then there is the ever-popular "toe in the mouth" move - quite impressive! (Just try to do it yourself!)

Monday, November 13, 2006

The Month Before Christmas

In anticipation of the fast approaching holiday season...
“The Month Before Christmas”
by Jaena Womack

‘Twas the month before Christmas and all through the town,
Every person was busy – no joy to be found.

With their calendars full and great plans made with care,
They knew that the holidays soon would be there.

I’m all ready to go, with my red Santa’s cap
Though I’d rather hole up for a long winter’s nap!

The family is coming for turkey and pie;
There is work to be done; there are groceries to buy:

Cranberries, plum pudding, mincemeat and hams,
Flour, sugar, eggnog, marshmallows, and yams,

Cashews and pretzels and chocolate for dipping,
And full-caffeine hazelnut coffee for sipping,

I can’t forget ice cream -- six quarts, Neopolitan --
Good grief! I may need a sleigh just to haul it in!

Yes, it’s happened again: preparations gone wild,
And I’m half-Martha Stewart half-Julia Child.

Yet there’s still more to do! Let me show you my list –
I have shopping and wrapping and my kids insist

That we spend one whole day finding just the right tree,
Then we finally select one at least nine foot three

Which we drag to our house through the ice and the sleet…
(Never mind that our ceiling is only eight feet.)

Now it’s off to the mall for a fourteen-hour sale
With holiday coupons received in the mail.

With such bargains around…well, it isn’t too hard
To max out my VISA and Discover card.

So I head for our home with my presents in tow
And if this year is much like the past years, I know

As I pull in the driveway and walk through the door,
I’ll be greeted by sounds of my husband’s loud snore.

My children have fallen asleep on their beds
With clothes still on bodies and hats still on heads.

I grab the remote and turn off the TV,
Collapse on the couch, almost too tired to see…

I’ve run myself ragged with plans so sublime
Now I ask, “What’s the point? Is it all worth my time?”

In the silence I treasure a brief interlude;
My thoughts become clear, and I humbly conclude

That it’s not in the presents wrapped under the tree,
It’s not in the friends or the family you see,

Of course it’s not Rudolph or old Santa Claus,
Or donating money to some worthy cause.

No, it all traces back to the night long ago…
To the mother and child and the story we know

But we often forget as we bustle around,
The true meaning of Christmas can only be found

In the birth of a baby – the long-promised king
Who caused shepherds to wonder and angels to sing.

That’s why we celebrate, though some don’t know,
Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, and so…

What I whisper aloud as I turn out the light
Is not, “Merry Christmas, to all a good night.”

Rather “Glory to God in the highest” and then
“Peace on the earth and good will to all men.”

Friday, November 10, 2006

Animal School

I rarely forward email messages because they are usually urband legend stories or sappy anecdotes. My aunt sent me the link to this video a couple of days ago, and Jim and I watched it. All I could say was "Wow." Just click on the purple box; it takes about 5 minutes to watch. Let me know what you think.

Friday, November 03, 2006

My Favorite Frog

Interestingly enough, Elisha had planned to be a bee (a bumblebee to be precise) all week. It wasn't until it came time to put on his costume that he changed his mind and decided to be a frog. Fortunately, we had two 3T costumes that we were recycling for the third year in a row. (We got them on sale at Old Navy right before Halloween the year Elisha was born. Their original price was around $20 each, and I think we got them for $7 a piece!) We spent the majority of our time at IWU's Harvest Party, followed by short visits to a few family members. (Sorry we missed you, Uncle Terry and Aunt Betty. We wanted to come over, but couldn't make it.)
Elisha the frog (or frog prince, perhaps...see story below).

A silly Elisha with my cousin and her husband.
(I should probably ask before I post their names on the internet.)


Elisha bugging his cousin Anna (at least they are both smiling).


A final story: Emily Lamb dressed up as Cinderella and told her mom, Julie, that Elisha would be her prince. Ironically he was...her frog prince! If we only had a crown.