OCD

My friend Ronda and I considered starting an organizing business a couple of years ago. Her husband Dave suggested we call it "OCD: Organization, Color & Design. I like that idea...very creative. And, who knows, some day we may actually do it! Until then, here is the organization, color and design of Elisha's room.

Have I mentioned my passion for Rubbermaid? At least part of my Christmas money always seems to help supply our family with a plethora of containers for storing toys, camping equipment, shoes, etc... This year, I focused on the kids' toys. I think we are almost set! Now if I could just find time to label everything with my label maker...



This is a view of Elisha's room from his doorway.



This view is from his bed.



This is a view from "the pile." (See below.)



The pile: This is the *only* disorganized part of our house (except the attic and garage, which are not actually disorganized but mostly filled with old boxes that need to be trashed.) Some people prefer to hide their clutter in a closet or drawer. I, on the other hand, want my drawers and closets to be "perfect" so I use a corner or my son's room. Weird, huh? These boxes contain papers and files from when we worked at CWC. There are things I/we want to save, so we need a block of time to sort and pitch stuff. (Yes, we've been out of paid church ministry for almost 2 years now. Sad that these are still here.)



So, that's it: Elisha's new room. Sorry we don't have any birthday pictures to post. The batteries on our camera went out (of course), so we have mostly video that needs to be downloaded into you-tube or something.

Trains and Change

Semi-useless trivia: Although the words of my title do not rhyme exactly, they are called "slant rhyme," a fact which my English Literature major brother would be so proud that I shared (I think). :)

We are still having fun with the Mac; but I didn't like opening our blog and seeing photos of a computer, no matter how small and cute it is.

Jim and I traded rooms with Elisha last week. We had a huge room with space we didn't need (all we need is room for a bed). His room - or at least floor space - was getting smaller and smaller, thanks to his growing collection of trains, train track, and other train paraphanelia. I intend to eventually post pictures of the freshly organized closets and Rubbermaid storage containers; but until then, here is a glimpse of one of Jim and Elisha's recent train creations.




Change is in the air for our "baby" girl...we looked in the living room a couple of nights ago to see Madelyn STANDING UP in her walker! I stayed nearby while Jim grabbed a camera to capture the moment. I guess this means no more corralling her that way. We still have her Pack and Play; but if she learns how to crawl out of that, we're in trouble because I'm sure her crib will be next.

Our Mac Mini

About 8 months ago our computer died, and we needed a new one. We ended up finding a great deal on a nice HP and were very happy with our purchase....until recently. Jim has a good friend who has a MAC who has brainwashed (just kidding, Nate) him with the amazing abilities the MAC has. We ordered cool family calendars on their MAC. We have seen how easy it is to chat online on their MAC. And we have heard stories of how worry-free owning a MAC is. (We also watched all of the MAC commercials on the web - hilarious!)

So, we got a MAC. This week. We sold our HP (which is why I have not been blogging as much as usual), and Jim used his Christmas money to buy a MAC. Here is what I find amazing so far: its size. Just look at how tiny it is...especially compared to our old computer. Pretty amazing, if you ask me.

I'm sure I will find more things that I love about our MAC on which to report, but let me pledge that no matter how fantastic I think our MAC is, I will not brag and put down PC owners (like some may do). I mean, it's not like I CREATED the MAC or have any rights to their capablities. I'm just a happy owner of one...for now.

Our *old* HP




Our brand new MAC

Help the Hummels

Find out how you can be part of our effort to help the Hummels! Go to Keetha's blog for details of how you can be involved!

Guess What - Part 3

For the past year or so, I have been growing my hair out for Locks of Love, and organization that takes hair donation to make wigs for people (children, I think) who have lost their hair due to cancer or other diseases. To qualify, you must have 10 inches of hair to cut and donate. For the past few months, I have been pulling back my hair (sometimes straightening it with a blow dryer even) and having Jim measure it to see how much longer I had to go.

I recently discovered that Pantene accepts donations of hair that are 8 inches or more. This was great news to me because I had 8 inches! (9 to be more exact). So yesterday I called my hair dresser, Kathleen and told her I was ready. Fortunately she had an appointment today at 4! I was a bit nervous, but I love it! I think if I had waited much longer, they would have had to throw it out instead of using it for a wig (which hopefully they can). And just think how much I will save on hair products.

Guess What - Part 2

Before

During

After

Guess What - Part 1

Anyone know what this means...?

Maddie on the Move

Anyone who has tried to photograph a young child will appreciate this photo sequence. Every decent photo that ends up on our blog represents several others that were taken and discarded. Now that Madelyn can crawl, we find it even more of a challenge to get a good shot...and that Santa dress was so cute!

Not quite what I was hoping for

Where's Maddie?

There she goes again

Let's check out this tree

Anon tries to help

Made you blink

I think I'll come see you, mom

Can you reach with the other arm, Madelyn?

Getting closer...

Finally, a decent shot!

Anyone who has tried to photograph a young child will appreciate this photo sequence. Every decent photo that ends up on our blog represents several others that were taken and discarded. Now that Madelyn can crawl, we find it even more of a challenge to get a good shot...and that Santa dress was so cute!

Merry Christmas!

Just a few photos of our Christmas morning...

Our tradition is to give the kids three presents each to symbolize the three gifts Jesus received from the magi. With the plethora of gifts from grandparents, uncles, aunts and friends, they don't feel like they're missing anything, I guarantee.

Madelyn received a set of hat a mittens, a Boz DVD,
and a set of Tupperware sippy cups with lids.

Elisha opened a set of hat and mittens,
a Larry-Boy Car, and a telescope.

Madelyn Standin'

Madelyn has been trying to pull up for awhile now. She might have succeeded more often if her overprotective mother would let her try more without worrying about her falling down or losing her balance and hitting her chin or head. I tried to capture a photo yesterday but ended up with a bunch of her holding on to furniture but never standing. This morning provided a new opportunity and I did it. What a big (little) girl! :)

Our Dictatorship: When The Majority Doesn't Rule

I feel like a goof...asking you all for your vote and not going with the majority; but I just couldn't do it. The outside photo had the perfect background and all, but it wasn't the best picture of our family (of any of us, actually). I like this one, and it looks even better after a couple of adjustments in PhotoShop (less contrast to tone down the glare on our faces and cropping out our feet). So, you can either print out our family card like Kelley suggested (hilarious) or wait to see if you get one in the mail. Don't hold your breath because they might not get mailed out for a week or so. :)

The Mustang

Jim's brother came to visit two weekends ago
and drove his cool new Mustang up from Texas.
Thank goodness Elisha can only pose in the front seat!

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)

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!)

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.”

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.

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.