Flying High

I just have a little story to tell you about this photo here.

It was Little Bear's first flight and he had done great the whole way.

He had just enjoyed a late dinner here and there are some remnants on his face to prove it.

The plane was descending into Los Angeles, they had dimmed the cabin lights and I suddenly realized that I had not taken a photo of his first time on a plane. So I reached under the seat and took out my camera.

I leaned back and pushed the button.

Flash, flash, strobe, strobe, flash, flash!!!

Finally, the camera took this super cute picture of Little Bear.

Then a male flight attendant came running back to our 38th aisle.

He stopped at my seat and yelled-

Ma'am! PUT THAT AWAY!

I THOUGHT THERE WAS A FIRE BACK HERE.

I am so sorry- I didn't know I couldn't take pictures!

Ooops.

Well, I was quite surprised. I mean, they never said anything about no flash photography being allowed.

I thought about asking him if I could take a picture of him for my blog on my way out, but I didn't really want to get arrested. They are a little touchy on the airlines these days- understandably.

Instead, as we exited last with our crew in tow, I apologized for scaring him and told him I had no idea that photography wasn't allowed.

He said- It is an electronic device!

OH!

The pilot looked at me and said- it is okay ma am.

I'm still glad I got that picture though.

REST

We made it to grandma's house.

Toots insisted on wearing his tie on the plane and conked out in the car once we got to LA.

My Wordless Saturday

Finished!

I am finished shopping and wrapping and it is all in a suitcase ready to take to California tomorrow on the plane or under my tree. Whew!!

But, this did not come easy.

In fact, I practically whined at Hottie Husband the whole way through it. You see, I am used to having a great support system around me and although HH helped by taking kids to school and picking up sometimes and having Little Bear here and there, it was still much harder than I am used to.

Last night our conversation went something like this-

HH- Noticing my body language and facial expression- What is the matter?

me- I just have so much to do this week and I need help and it is hard to take the baby everywhere.

But, I thought I have been helping you this week.

You have, BUT (prepare for my rant here) I had to get everything ready a week early and have all the presents bought and wrapped for your family and mine because the parties are right when we get there and we come back here Christmas Eve so I have to have the food for Christmas bought and the kids and your presents all wrapped and all the Santa and stocking stuff ready and I know you have been helpful. But , you are always helpful - thank you- but I need you to be my helpful husband and my mom and Grandma Betty and my sister and my friends that all are not here because I am used to having a huge support system and I don't know anyone here!!!!! I need you to be YOU, MY MOM and GRANDMA BETTY all at the same time!!!!

HH- Nods. Not a man of many words is he.

I am not sure if he now thinks I have totally lost it or if he gets it. I sort of feel a little crazy now that I have said it all out loud and then I start thinking- Has it really been that bad? Am I being dramatic? Maybe I am going to start my period. The baby really has not been that hard and I really am almost done.

Nothing like a very calm and reasonable person to make you feel really nuts!

In any case, it worked. For that sweet man of mine was just as helpful as can be today and now I can say-

I am finished!

Anybody else out there act a little nuts sometimes?????

Little Bear is 8 Months

I just can't believe my baby is 8 months old.

I have this feeling- actually I know- that very soon he won't be so "baby" anymore.

One will be here before I know it.

Here is my Little Christmas Bear...

smiling, even though I had him outside, sitting on a blanket in the snow.

I just had to get some 8 month pictures and could not give up the natural light.

He continues to be a great source of joy for our family.

He is sweet and loving and has endless smiles and big belly laughs.

One of my favorite things is that when I get him out of his crib,

he puts his arms around me, and rubs the back of my neck with his hand.

He is such a little lovey.

He is still cruising around, crawling speedily, and finding things on the floor.

which I am constantly trying to keep clean.

Poor guy has all four top teeth cutting through right now.

Soon his smile and face will look more mature.

So I'm gonna hold onto baby for as long as I can.

A Blanket of White

There is a blanket of white that gently settles.

It does not pound or pummel, but rather slowly falls, surrounding, kissing in almost imperceptible touch.

It takes a palette of green and brown and golds and ...

it lovingly coats.

Layering- tenderly, slowly, until it envelopes.

It paints with purity, a white sanctuary, impartial to its' canvas...

surrounds benevolently, without prejudice.

This blanket of white-

it speaks to me of love.

A love that is all those things-

gentle

at times imperceptible

tender

enveloping

pure

impartial

benevolent

without prejudice.

It speaks to me of the love of the God who made me.

I am gently surrounded, kissed almost imperceptibly with its' beauty.

I have noticed in this new snow covered land that there are places- patches of land- where the snow will stick. Sometimes, adjacent to that patch of land, there will be another where the snow melts quickly away.

This Christmas, may you be the palette that allows that pure, sweet love of God to stick.

With love-

REST