New Connorisms

The title of the Santa hat photo and of the page I will scrap for it will be, "Dear Santa, Define Naughty". Doesn't that sound like a fitting title for this photo? By the way, this photo was taken with my new lens that I bought with my Piggy Tales winnings. I love how the background is blurred. I mean, you know there's Christmas tree back there, but it's not dominating the photo.

Well, where do I start? Connor had a Holiday program with his school last month. Much to our surprise, he gave an impromptu performance at the program singing, "Santa Claus is Coming To Town". Yup, he is his mother's son for sure. I think it helps him seeing me get up in front of people not to be bashful. Anyway, it was totally unplanned. He wanted to sing, so the director let him get up there and take over the mic. This little three-year-old got up in front of about 250 people and sang his song without a hitch. Eric and I looked at each other in disbelief and asked, "Is this OUR son?" It's so unbelievable, but I have the pictures to prove it.
On another "performing" note. I got up to sign language a song in church last month for Christmas. As he's done in the past, Connor went up on stage with me. He likes to hang out with me while I do my thing. Well, this time, it did not go as well. While up there signing away, Connor proceeds to try hiding under my dress. He even lifted my dress way over his head exposing things that should not be seen in church, all the while, cackling like a little heathen. Eric and Roger are sitting there frozen in shock. Finally, my Pastor came to my rescue and escorted the errant toddler off the stage. Yup, everyone had a good laugh at my expense.
Let's see. There's more. Never shower with a toddler without expecting some brutally honest comments. Such as, "Mom, why is your belly so big?" (Should I laugh or cry?) He caught Eric getting out of the shower the other day and goes, "Eeeww! Gross! I didn't want to see that!"
The other day Eric and I were arguing. Eric picks the fights and it makes me so mad that Connor always sides with him. So in the middle of our argument, Connor is telling me to be quiet, I turn to him and said, "Connor, you don't understand. Daddy is picking a fight with ME". He says, "Yes I do understand!" He turns to Eric and says, "Daddy, you need a new attitude!". LOL!
The other day, I picked him up from my mother-in-law's. I asked him, "Connor, did you eat anything?" Yes. "What'd you eat?" He replies, "A cockroach". LOL! I nearly fell over. Then the next day, out of the blue he goes, "Roaches are good." I said, "Eeww, no they're not". He goes, "Yes they are. They're good if you cook 'em". Where does he get this stuff about roaches?

He's getting really ornery lately. It's so darned cute, though, I hate to spank him. But if I don't correct him, he'll turn into Ryan. Ha ha!

PRAISE GOD! Ben is back home and so is Shawn!!

God does still answer prayers and sends out MIRACLES!!

UPDATE:Ben Ownby, the 13-year-old Franklin County boy missing since Monday, has been found alive in Kirkwood -- as well as Shawn Hornbeck, a boy from Washington County who has been missing since 2002.Franklin County Sheriff Gary Toelke said officers located both boys today in an apartment in Kirkwood. He said the case broke when two Kirkwood police officers went to serve a warrant last night and noticed the white pickup truck that had been the object of an intense search in the Ownby case. Officers went to the apartment today and found both boys inside.Hornbeck identified himself as the boy who has been missing since October 2002. Both boys appeared to be in good health, Toelke said.One person has been charged in the case, identified as Michael Devlin, 41,Toelke said. He was being held in lieu of $1 million bond and being questioned as the news of the boys' recovery was announced. Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Parks told reporters that Devlin had confessed in the case.

Let you light shine in this New Year.

What Difference can One Mom Make?
Elisabeth Corcoran
"I look at the enormity of the problem and I can’t help but think, ‘what can one person do?’" It’s occurred to me that I used to think that way but that I don’t anymore.
One person can do much.
One person can pray with all she’s got, begging God to intervene in any situation, to pour out his power, to give her wisdom to know what she can and should do.
One person can give of her time in a way that will be a sacrifice to her and of great benefit to others.
One person can give money…even a little bit of money…and that can be added to what others have given and then multiplied when God steps in.
One person can call attention to an issue that is usually talked about in hushed tones…making people aware of something they may have had no idea about.
One person can enter into the darkness, carrying her little bit of light, and shed great illumination where only dim shadows used to dwell.
One person can touch another person’s life in small ways – with a kind word, a gentle touch, a moment of time to listen and hold and cry with.
One person can take her gifts and pour them out into someone else’s life, knowing that freely has she received and freely should she give.
One person can take her hurt and ask Christ to turn it into a blessing as she connects with the pain of another hurting heart.
One person can move into another person’s life in large ways – with a shout against injustice, a rallying of a group to do something of meaning, a hand reaching out to draw someone out of their circumstances permanently.
Moms, we’re told time and again that we as women have the ability to set the tone of our home. That our daughters will learn how to be women and mothers by watching and modeling after us, and that our sons will grow up to look for wives that mirror their mothers.
We have been given not just the ability, but the responsibility, to do great good.
One life at a time. In our home. And in our world.
This year…2007…can be the year that we allow our one life to do a world of good for someone else’s life.
What can one person do in comparison to the vastness of our world’s problems?
Each one of us can do much. We each have so much to give. And we are called to do just that.
Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for those in their distress. -James 1:27-My challenge to myself and to each one of you is this: go be a light in the dark in this New Year, ladies.

Please Pray for William "Ben" Ownby

We are all sickened by the most recent abduction of a young boy from Beaufort, MO just a little ways from here. He was last seen getting off the school bus and forced into a white Nissan truck with a camper on top. PLEASE, pray for God's divine intervention in bringing the boy home safely. Please remember his parents and family. I can't even imagine what they are going through at this time. This is a parent's worst nightmare. It just makes me want to hold my children a little tighter, and not let them out of my sight. I'm terrified of the world that we live in. How can anyone harm an innocent child? Please pray.

OMGoodness! I can't believe I won FIRST place!!

I entered this layout in a contest and won! I had my two winners picked, and believe me, I was NOT one of them! There were 80 entries to this contest so I thought there was NO WAY I would win. I'm still in shock. I'm so glad that Jamie Cottrell captured this special moment between me and my son. It really is an awesome photo and am sure this photo is what pushed me to the top.








The Christmas layout of Connor and Santa won third place in a different contest.
Ok. I'm done bragging. Ha ha!
Thanks, friends and family for letting me share my excitement!!