VICKS VAPOR RUB ON FEET TO STOP COUGHING

I recently got an e-mail explaining that if you had a persistent cough, that you could put Vicks Vapor Rub on your feet and the cough would stop. Well, Emma has a cough so I decided I would try this little beauty out. As I was putting it on her I told her that the worst that could happen was that she'd get a foot massage. She looked at me like my hair was on fire but agreed that it felt nice. She was coughing about every minute. I rubbed VVR generously on her feet and sure enough... About five minutes later, the cough was gone and she was sleeping soundly. I don't understand the science of it but hey... it's worth a try.

Blessings,
Dana

What Does the Perfect Church Look Like?

I wanted to share with you a piece of a blog post from a fellow blogger. So... introductions first... Alexis: Alexis was one of the first students to approach me when Adam and I began our ministry at the church we worked with in Florida. She approached me with such confidence and I remember immediately thinking how beautiful she was (she still is). Unfortunately, Alexis' family moved and she was unable to stay with us for her Senior year. However, in the short time that we were there together, I got to know her fairly well. After being her room mate on several different trips (mission trips, camp etc), I learned quickly that she was beautifully complex and quite more than a pretty face. After moving, she came back and visited and even stayed at our house a time or two and we've some how managed to get in and at of touch since we've been living at two opposite ends of the country. She is now no longer a beautiful teenager but a beautiful adult. Having said that, what I'm about to share with you doesn't surprise me at all but I thought it was quite beautiful and definitely worth passing on. I realize that I've used the word beautiful several times here but that's just the word that keeps coming to mind.

So here's the set up. On her blog, Alexis asked friends to ask her any question with the promising of answering. My question was something to the effect of, "In your mind, what would the perfect church look like?" This was her answer.



I read a story once about a man that was allowed to see both heaven and hell, guided by an angel. The angel took the man to hell first, where all the people were at a long table piled high with scrumptious, delicious looking food. But because all the people were chained and heavily shackled, they couldn't eat and looked absolutely miserable, skinny and starving. So then the angel took the man to heaven, where he saw the exact same thing, people at a big feast chained together. But this time all the people were laughing and smiling and full of joy, everyone looked healthy. The man told the angel he didn't understand, what made the people in heaven different so that they had such joy despite the chains and shackles? The angel told the man he needed to look closer. When the man did so, he saw that the chains allowed the people to feed the person next to them and everyone served their neighbor at the table, so everyone got to eat their fill. That's what I think of when I think of the perfect church, everyone serving one another and not consumed with themselves. Where the focus isn't on programs and "supposed to." A place that is really accepting and open...and not political. And everyone would be unafraid to bring their song, their words, their gifts to the table for worship because no one would say that they weren't allowed to use what they have as an act of glorifying God. It would be cool.

Amazing question...a little tough though!

Alexis, thanks for sharing. I agree, that would be very cool!

Blessings,
Dana

Our Bouncing Baby Girl

This gives new meaning to a bouncing baby girl. If you know me very well, you know that I love garage sales. I seriously have a problem buying stuff in stores because I always think I can find whatever item at a yard sale for like 10% of the price. Well, this was the best garage sale find ever. I had planned on getting Chloe a "Jumparoo" for her first Christmas because they are like $70 but, before she was even born, I found one at a yard sale for $12. She loves it. At the time we took this video, this had gone on for like an hour. Enjoy!!

You see sister, when I was your age, I was just like you

I can't tell you how difficult it is to replicate a picture of a four month old. I was going to see if you could guess which was which but the picture of Emma had to be scanned so I thought it was pretty obvious. Also, the original pictures were in color but I made them black and white because there was quite a bit of difference in the coloring. People are always asking me if they look alike. I figured I'd let you see for yourself. There are obvious differences to me. But, I think years down the road, I'd have a hard time telling who was who.


Picture 1 Chloe @ 4 months
Picture 2 Emma @ 4 months


I just wrote the post below yesterday so if you haven't read it, scroll down to read my list of New Years non-resolutions.

Blessings,
Dana

New Years Resolution

Ok, I never make New Years Resolutions because I believe that New Years Resolutions are doomed to fail. However, I do make some sort of plan at the beginning of the year that is intended to get me back on track after the holiday season. I guess I believe that since I'm not calling this plan resolutions, somehow the name will help me succeed. Somewhere in my heart, I hold on to the idea that I'm different than other people. Just like all the other different people in the world. Well, as I was making the plan this year (get in shape, get the house organized, you know, the typical) something occurred to me... It's plans like these that keep me from doing the things that I actually enjoy. So, here is my revised plan for 2008.

I'm refraining from numbering because numbers often indicate importance and these are being put down simply in the order that they pop into my head.

*PLAY

* Make a new friend. You know one of those friends that comes into your life and you know that your life is better because of them. One of those friends that understands you without you having to explain yourself. And, it's not even that they love you even though they disagree with you sometimes but that disagreeing with you isn't something that they think to do. They just let you be just the way you are because that is you and they love you. I have a couple of friends like this but they are few and far between and everyone could always use another.

*Be the same kind of friend I've described above.

*Spend time with this friend above (even if it is in an unorganized house) because spending time with people like I've describe undoubtedly makes a person better.

* Give more kissles. A t our house, kissles are a mix between a kiss and a tickle. When they are given, the recipient squeals with delight and says, "quit kissling me, quit kissling me". Kissles are a favorite at our house for Emma and Chloe shows signs of loving them too.

* take more naps with Chloe on my chest and Emma cuddled beside me.

*have conversations with God like He's sitting in the chair across from me.

* kiss Adam often and sit close.

* laugh until I cry

* praise a lot and criticize little

* take walks not because I'm getting in shape but because I love the sunshine.

* take time to let Emma (and soon Chloe) help me while I cook and clean. Because doing it perfectly isn't as important as doing it together.

So those are the ones that come to mind right now and I think I'll add to the list as I embrace the things that are important as I embrace an imperfect me. I must go now, I see a child that needs some kissling!

Love from above,
Dana

4 months!

Christmas Pictures Posted Below

At her four months appointment, which was a couple of weeks early, Chloe weighed 13 lbs. 12 oz. I'll have to look back at her length and edit it later but she was in the 50th percentile on weight and 90th on height.

I posted this picture below for a couple of reasons. 1) It was taken on Dec. 30th, the day that Chloe turned 4 months old and 2) To show my friend Hannah that she's not the only one with a baby that's going bald. Every time I pick her up from her bed or the swing or her changing pad or wherever, there are little hairs all over it. But don't worry Hannah, it won't be long at all before you're wrestling her with a bottle of detangler.




This is a picture of Chloe (sort of) sitting up on her own. She can sit up for a few seconds. She has good balance but her lower back muscles still need a little more strength. She just bends straight over. By the time I got back to take the picture , she was already bending.

Sweet Sisters

The holiday traveling messed up our routine and Chloe started waking up in the middle of the night again so I started giving her cereal before bed. I didn't start Emma on cereal until almost 6 months but she was sleeping through the night. I was surprised at how she did with it. She still pushes it out a little but all and all, she's doing well with the spoon. This morning, Chloe made it until 5:30. We'll probably leave the cereal to just at night for now.

Christmas 2007!

We left for Alabama on Christmas Eve. We were able to get pretty cheap tickets through Skybus so we flew to Chattanooga and dad came and picked us up there. We had a two hour drive on both ends but it still beat the 12 hours of driving we normally do. We opened presents from each other before we left. Keith and Lynn had bought a travel trailer so they camped out at a state park with Uncle Randy and Aunt Alice and came back and forth to my mom and dad's and we were able to stay in one place which was nice. Emma spent one night with them at the campground and did lots of fun stuff like go to a petting zoo. It was a short trip but like always, we squeezed a ton of stuff in including a brief trip to Montgomery to see our friends Tony and Susan and their new babies. I wasn't able to see any of my friends from high school or mine or Adam's grandmothers so the girls and I will be taking a trip back in Feb. I'm thinking it might time out where my friend Kristen has her baby while I'm there.

Chloe's first Christmas.... I have to say that since I've had Chloe, there has been one thing after another and my hope is now that the holidays are over, I can slow down and soak her up before she grows up on me. Since I'm a second child, I do a lot of thinking about keeping things even between the girls. I was little worried about Chloe following Emma since Emma was the first grandkid on Adam's side and the first granddaughter on my side. And also, Emma has such a fun loving personality that just seems to draw people to her. I will admit, they are definitely different. But I think Chloe stole everyone's heart. I know that you aren't supposed to brag on your own kids but this is my blog and I assume that one day, my kids will read this and I want them to know how special I think they are. Anyway, not to take anything away from Emma because she is absolutely wonderful in her own ways but, Chloe is the sweetest baby. She is so happy and easy going. She smiles all the time. When I was pregnant with her, I remember thinking that I hoped she was just like Emma because I couldn't imagine anyone being able to measure up to her. Now, I am so glad that God made them so unique. It's amazing how when you have that second child, your heart just automatically makes room for another one. And Emma has just been so sweet and loving to her. The way they love each other is beautiful. I've said it many times before but, I feel like when I became a mother, I became what God has always intended me to be. Who could ask for anything more?

I know that a few of you can't view the slide shows but if I post all of these pictures one by one, you will be scrolling forever. If you can't view the slide show and want to see some pictures from Christmas, let me know. I have tons of things on my mind that I've been wanting to post so hopefully I will be able to get things caught up around the house so I will have a little bit of time to do this while everyone else is sleeping.

I hope 2008 brings you as many blessings as 2007 did us!

Blessings,
Dana

More pictures

Here are a few more of the pictures we had made from Sears. I have one more that I will post along with one of Emma from her first Christmas but since that will have to be scanned, it will have to wait. I know I have a ton of catching up to do but I'm just going to do it a little at a time because I just don't have several hours to sit here to do them all at once. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Our visit to see our family went by way to quickly but we had a great time.

Christmas Picture At last

I broke down and took them to Sears. I was pretty pleased. I'll put the other ones up when I get a chance. About the outfits. It looks familiar? Yes, Emma is wearing the one she wore last year. Yes, I am cheap. Last year I ordered it big so she could wear it two years in a roll. When I found out I was pregnant with a girl, I e-mailed the lady that made it and asked her if she could make me one in 3-6 months with a "C" on it. She had record of exactly what she made me and matched them up perfectly. If you are looking for a special outfit, I highly recommend her. She does little jon jons for boys too. There is a link to her site at the bottom of my page (Lillifee Boutique). She does an awesome job!

Be back soon with more pictures.

Love from above,
Dana

I'm Dreaming of a Warm Christmas

This is the view out my back door this morning. The big fir tree is in our next door neighbors yard. I thought it looked like Christmas. School is closed today and that is fine with me seeing as it's 9 degrees outside.

I will get a Christmas picture of the girls if I'm ever able to get them both well at the same time. We've been fighting what is most popularly known as "the crud" for about a month now. Both of my girls have had this yucky stuff coming out of their eyes, it would go away for a while and then they'd seem to have a relapse. Well, Emma was put on antibiotics a couple of weeks ago. I thought Chloe was going to kick it but we woke up yesterday morning with her eyes matted together. So, now Chloe gets here turn... I was trying to avoid putting her on antibiotics but, here we go.. My mom and dad are flying in this weekend so I'm hoping she gets to feeling better soon. Btw, prayers for things to warm up and the snow to melt off would be great since we will be making a trip to Columbus to get them and that's a good two and a half hours away.

I already knew it but it is definitely official that Emma is the best big sister ever. Chloe spits up quite a bit anyway but since she's got all of this mucus stuff, it's been particularly bad lately. Well, this morning, she spit up on Emma. Emma's face to be exact. Emma said, "yuck" and froze until I could wipe her up then she looked at Chloe and said, "poor baby". Now, here's where my sickness comes in... What was I doing? Well, I did clean them up but the whole time, I was laughing my head off. I guess that since I get spit up on so regularly, I think it's hilarious when it happens to someone else. I remember laughing at the one particular time when Emma was a baby when Adam had the bright idea to lift her right over his face right after she had eaten. But it doesn't stop at that.. I laugh when he hurts himself too. I know.. it's horrible but I can't help it. I'm also remembering the time that Adam ran full speed into our sliding glass door. I'm laughing now just thinking about it. But that day, I was rolling on the floor. Adam's mom was here and she at least checked to make sure he was ok before she started laughing. I know, I'm cruel and heartless. But seriously, I didn't have to check to know he's hard headed. Anyway, sorry about the randomness. No sleep, sick baby.


Love from Above,
Dana

PS: Note to Adam... I will continue to post embarrassing stories about you until you decide to comment :). I love you