My grandmother's social calendar is MUCH busier than mine ever has been.  She's 86 years old and still making new friends.  She loves people.  She loves being on the GO.  She loves cultivating friendships.  And she loves cards.  Since her health has wained over the last few years, it is more and more difficult for her to go when she wants and shop as much as she wants.  But, she still goes.  Because she has amazing friends.

Mama, Kristin, and I wanted to celebrate her friends and thank them for all they do for Maw Maw.  So, we hosted a Christmas party for all the "card playin' gals" as we call them.  Kristin provided the location...and lots of the food.  She is such a fabulous host and entertainer.  Mama and I flew into town Friday and celebrated my birthday, and Mama frantically tried to get herself together for this party the next day.

Finger foods

Cute strawberry Santa hat brownies

Nutter Butter snowmen

Coffee punch in vintage santa mugs

As the guests arrived, we enjoyed visiting and letting Maw Maw's friends meet Millie Janalee.  Millie Janalee loves a good party!  She was such a socialite.  I'm thinking Maw Maw will have her playing cards with the group pretty soon!  Ha!

Millie Janalee and Auntie Kristin

Mama

It was so fun listening to all the "card playin' gals" talking and joking with each other.  They all enjoyed the food and the company.  We enjoyed seeing their joy as they relished in such wonderful friendships. Mama, Kristin, and I visited with Millie Janalee in the living room to give the ladies some time for their visiting.

Kristin and I were in charge of activities.  Susu and Millie Janalee spent some snuggle time in the living room.  Millie Janalee was way past her feeding time, but she was much more interested in socializing.  She cracks me up!

Our first activity was Christmas Bingo.  Hilarious is all I will say!  We needed a monitor at each table to make sure no one was sneaking a piece over the wrong picture!  Ha! Next up...our "Christmas craft."  Maw Maw is known for making cute bottles filled with lights for a countertop decoration.  So, our Christmas craft was just that.  The ladies all fixed a beautiful Christmas lighted bottle with fun decorative touches.

The ladies were so fun stuffing those lights through the pre-cut hole.  We had some very tired fingers.  Worst case scenerio happened.  A couple of times.  The lights were inside the bottle when we plugged it in for viewing.  That's when we realized some of the strands weren't working.  Awesome.  Ha!  Thankfully, we had an extra strand...and replaced a bulb in a few places.  All was calm by the end of craft time.

We had the most fun listening to them make fun of each other's creations.  They kid with each other, laugh at each other, and enjoy each other.  Such a joy to watch these friends interact!

They fuss and giggle in the same breath.  Accuse each other of stealing ribbon and help each other.  It's just like a group of school age friends.  Just like a group of college friends.  Just like a group of cherished friends.  That's what they are...cherished friends who have no limits to what they will do for each other.

When I'm 86 years old, I pray that I'm a "card playin' gal" who enjoys social outings, pushing wheelchairs, and staying out til midnight.  I pray that I will have friendships like these.  I pray that all these friends will be half as FUN as these ladies are!

I truly believe women are made for relationships.  Now that I'm a mother to my sweet daughter, I pray for strong, Christian friendships for her.  I pray for friends that stick up for her, stand up for her, and challenge her.  I pray for friendships that know how to ENJOY life and have FUN!

I pray that as she watches me with my friends, she sees what safe friendships look like.  That she sees my loyalty, my encouragement, my kindness, my honesty, and my enjoyment.

I pray that she cultivates these friendships early in life and continues to grow as person because of them.  I pray that she not only have friends...but, I pray that she IS a friend.  I hope she learns from the older ladies in her life how to BE a good friend to others.

So far, she's learning from the best.  Maw Maw sure knows how to make friends.  She knows how to BE a friend.  And, in return, she has great friendships that last through the tough times...and laugh through the best times!

Friendships and fun have no age limit!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Upon returning from Gatlinburg, my family had a little mini celebration in honor of my 29th year of life!  My birthday was Tuesday, December 14, and I turned 29.  You know what that means... Next year will be the big 3-0!  I'm feeling so old...yet still feeling like a high school kid finding my way at times.  Don't we all?

We had a low-key celebration since those of us who traveled all day were worn out.  Millie Janalee was the main attraction anyway.  Ha!  We ordered pizza, visited, and watched Millie Janalee perform the rest of the night.

Yummy pizza!

Lee and Kristin

Paw Paw showed Millie Janalee how to play with spoons.  Maw Maw was drumming and singing while Daddy was clanging them together.  Pretty soon, I was sure we would start our own family Vontrapp band.

She's so happy!

"Ooooo, I can see myself in this toy!"

It was a lovely day spent with family.  Oh!  I also got a few great gifts...clothes, jewelry, and money always fits!  I would say that this year has been a big one.  The biggest year yet.  I would even go as far to say that this has been my favorite year out of all 29!

Happy Birthday to ME!  Here's to many more!

26 Acts of Kindness

I'm sure you are like me.  You saw the news coverage.  You gasped as the wind was knocked out of you.  You sat dumbfounded as images of frantic parents scrolled across the screen.  You watched as the initial reports came in...children killed.  Babies.  20 six- and seven-year olds taken from this world. 6 adults.  You tried to understand, but you couldn't.  Tears filled your eyes as the gravity of it all landed on your heart.  You looked at your own children...young and old...and hugged them a little tighter.  You thanked God for his protection over your own children, and you prayed for comfort, strength, and mercy for the victims' families.  You were silent...unable to find the words to express how we feel.

As I watched the news coverage on December 14 and the following days, my mind went back to my days teaching third and fourth graders.  When I decided to teach, it was because I love children, I loved school, and I love seeing those faces light up when they finally understand it!  I loved (almost) everything about teaching!  I loved my school, and I was proud of my profession.  Your mind never goes to that place.  The place where you are faced with a situation where YOU are the protector.  The only one to help these little ones. 

I remember the day one of our three-year olds let a man in our building.  An 18 year old scared male...armed.  He raced through our hallway until our principal happened upon him and chased him out of the building.  Now, this young man was not in the building to harm us.  He was hiding from the police.  He was being chased after robbing a family of their weapons...or robbing them at gunpoint.  I can't remember the specifics.  I just remember the announcement.  The "code" announcement that tells us there is an intruder in the building.  We have had drills several times before.  To us, it was nothing more than the usual drill.  Children giggling as they huddled in the corner or in the closet.  Teachers covering their windows and locking doors in a routine manner. 

Until we saw police and deputies racing through our hallways and walking around our building with rifles and other weapons.  Texts began coming in to the teachers from loved ones and friends who saw the report on the news.  There was an armed man in or around our building.  At this point, he was hiding in one of our courtyard areas.  (These areas had doors leading to each classroom connected to that courtyard.)  It was at this point that we (the teachers) realized, WE had to calm, direct, and protect these children.  All 20 of them.  The young man was caught, and another weapon was found in the woods behind our school.  I can't remember, but I think there was someone else who was later caught.  We were on lockdown the rest of the day.  Free to continue school...just with all doors (including our classroom doors) locked.  It was a day that caught the attention of the local news, and scrolled across the bottom of large news networks.  It was a scary day.  Our principal was hailed a "hero" for chasing the man out of the building before he could even think up any kind of "hostage" idea out of fear.  Our children were all safe.  Parents raced to pick up their children, and we were left with a handful of students by the time school let out.  We were all thankful for the ending.

Nothing like Newtown, Connecticut.  I couldn't begin to imagine what those children saw, felt, or feared.  I can't imagine the fear and responsibility those teachers and administrators felt.

I didn't blog about it, mainly because I wasn't sure what to say.  I couldn't find the words.  But, now...thanks to a Facebook friend, I can ACT.  I can SHOW honor to these fallen babies and the teachers and administrators.  #26Acts was inspired to spread good in the world after such a tragedy.  People across the country are coming together to honor those 26 victims by doing random acts of kindness.  One act of kindness for each life lost.  These acts can be as simple or as involved as you like.  Millie Janalee joined me this afternoon as we began our 26 Acts of Kindness.

Quarters left at the vacuum pump in honor of Charlotte.

Unused newborn formula taken to the local crisis pregnancy center in honor of Daniel.

A Christmas "happy" to one random Target shopper in honor of Rachel.

Chik-fil-A gift card to the pharmacy drive thru worker in honor of Olivia.

Last minute gift wrapping supplies left at my neighbor's door in honor of Josephine.

If I can brave this in the freezing cold with a five month old, maybe you can too!  If all of us do just ONE random act of kindness in honor of these victims, just think of what we could do.  Encourage others to pass it on!  I've had lots of people asking where I got the cards from.  The link is here, the blog post I read to get started.  I've got several ready to go tomorrow...free RedBox rental code, baby wipes at a random changing station, $5 Walgreens gift card, and more.

Let your children lead the way, give ideas, and join you as you show kindness to others along your path.  If you are traveling to celebrate with family, show kindness along the trip!  What a wonderful way to spread good and light in a dark world!  Be creative!  And share your best ideas with me, because I'm racking my brain trying to think of some more.  Ha!

"Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only.  For ye are blessed in the doing!"

ACT now...once or 26 times!  Honor these precious lives by showing goodness.

Five Months

Hey everyone!  It's Millie Janalee again letting you all know that she is FIVE MONTHS OLD!  I can not even comprehend the fact that she is getting so old!  Tuesday was a special day for us on all fronts.  Millie Janalee turned five months old and became our daughter forever in the eyes of the law.  It was a lot to take in!  It's a good thing my family was around to help share the joy.  Otherwise, we may have been overwhelmed.

Millie Janalee is SO. MUCH. FUN. these days!  We spend so much of our time laughing or smiling as we think about things she has done each day.  It is an absolute JOY to be a part of this journey!  I know I say that all the time, but it is so true!

Let's see...we are wearing 6 months clothes now comfortably.  I was afraid all her Christmas clothes would be too big, but they are just right!  She still wears size 2 diapers, and I think we'll be there for a little while.  Our baby girl is tall.  We have to watch out when she wears pants to be sure she isn't flooding.  Ha!  Our growing girl still eats 7 ounces of formula every four hours during the day and sleeps 12 hours at night.  This has been such a blessing, I know!  We started oatmeal cereal recently, and we are taking it slow.  She doesn't seem to mind it.  Millie Janalee is her mama's girl, because she loves snuggling in bed for a while before getting up each morning.  Millie Janalee goes to bed after her last feeding around 8:00-8:30.  We've started putting her down and letting her put herself to sleep some nights.  Other nights, she may fall asleep eating.  And, yes, she still sleeps in our room.  In her bassinet.  Don't judge me.

Millie Janalee is SO fun at this age!  She is really getting her cute little personality!  She loves to smile, giggle, cackle, squeal, and laugh.  Especially at Auntie Kristin.  She is working on sitting up with a little assistance.  I carry her around on my hip these days, and I love it!  She loves to make that "cluck"ing noise with her tongue, and her most recent fetish is blowing raspberries.  That's how I woke up this morning...complete with spit landing on my face!  Ha!  She is really working on rolling over from her back to her front.  This girl loves a good party!  She is at her best around groups of people.  As long as she's not tired or hungry, she doesn't want to miss a thing!  Last week, we hosted a Christmas party, and she went two hours over her feeding time without a fuss.  We finally just fed her because she needed to eat.  She still loves playing with her little hands.  She holds them together right in front of her face and just folds her fingers together or watches them go up and down.  This week, she has really taken to sucking her thumb.  I know it may be a bad thing, but it is so stinkin' cute!  She sucks her little thumb and puts her pointer finger over her nose for a grip.  LOVE. IT!  She really enjoys holding anything - toys, hair, paper, earrings.  Anything!  When Millie Janalee gets tired, she rests her little hand on her head and sighs.  So cute!  She's still a spa baby and loves her bathtime.  She enjoys looking at people while they talk to her or sing to her.  Such an observant little thing!  She keeps a handle on those little feet constantly.  This means most of her time is spent rolled up in a little ball so she can reach them.  I know I'm leaving so much out...but we are having a blast!

It is true what they say.  Every stage is precious.  And every stage is fun in its own way.  Yes, I miss that 6 pound 13 ounce itty bitty baby.  But, OH, how I love this 15 pound baby doll!  I cannot imagine how much better things can get, but I look forward to the changes...in their own time.  I'm not rushing a thing!

We love you, Millie Janalee!  More than you will ever know!  Happy Five Months, sweet girl!

Ending our Mountain Christmas Vacay

The last couple days of our mountain vacation were very low key.  It was just my family of three and my mom, so we did some relaxing...some playing...and some shopping.  Wednesday morning, I decided I was ready to see what Millie Janalee did with oatmeal cereal and a spoon.  It took some prep...you know, getting all the cameras and video cameras and cell phones ready for the big event.  Ha!

She was very interested in this bright colored object heading towards her mouth.  Since she's started sticking EVERYTHING in her mouth, she didn't mind it at all.  What she wasn't prepared for was that white stuff that stayed in her mouth.  It was so funny!

We only got to maybe the third spoonful when Millie Janalee decided this was not fast enough, and it was time for a bottle!  Oh well.  It was fun for a minute or two.  Now, I know to feed her a bottle first.  I'm learning as I go...

We decided to spend a little time driving up into the mountains on this very chilly day.  We eased into it by laying around until after noon.  Then, we loaded up and headed toward the mountains hoping to get a glimpse of snow.  Remember it had snowed the day before.  We did see the trees dusted with snow once we got high enough, but there was no snow on the ground.  No icy streams.  It was beautiful nonetheless!

After our little scenic drive up the mountain, we headed in the direction of the outlet mall to finish up some Christmas shopping.  Russ and I also bought one thing for ourselves each.  Merry Christmas to us!  We had a delicious supper at the Old Mill restaurant in Pigeon Forge before heading back to the cabin for a relaxing evening watching Christmas movies in our pajamas.

Thursday, we spent the day in downtown Gatlinburg strolling.  It was a beautiful day!  We started with lunch at Bubba Gump's and strolled along stopping as we liked.  Russ had been wanting to visit the big outdoor store at the end of the downtown area, so we strolled our way over.  One thing I learned: this store is terribly unequipped for handicap access...or stroller access!

Inside, there was a beautifully decorated sleigh next to a large, cozy fire.  The enormous Christmas tree was perfectly decorated for the atmosphere.  While the rest of us enjoyed shopping and picking up a few Christmas gifts, Millie Janalee enjoyed her sleigh ride photo shoot.  The girl loves the camera!  Haha!

Friday morning, we woke up for an early departure.  Millie Janalee is not the best traveler after sunset, so our goal was to get home before dark.  We made one stop in Knoxville at the Melaleuca store.  Melaleuca is a wellness company we have been shopping with for 10 years.  My mother is an Senior Director 9 with the company, and Russ and I just enjoy being customers.  We love knowing that our home is free of toxic chemicals from our laundry detergent and bathroom cleaner...to our toothpaste and deoderant!  It was a fun little stop along the way!

By the time we reached our final destination, we were all exhausted!  Millie Janalee is always happy, happy when she gets out of her carseat.  The rest of the family enjoyed her happiness while Russ and I rested and watched.  It was a wonderful vacation...with lots of memories made!  Thank you, Mama, for planning such a relaxing getaway!