My firstborn is turning 6

Canon James Alexander said tonight, "Mom, my birthday is in 4 days!" I about fell on the floor as his words hit me like a nerf dart.
My sweet baby. Before him it was just Creighton and I plus Merchant and Francis (Cats which at one point were called our babies). That is another story entirely. We had Canon when we lived in a 900 sq. ft. condo across from SMU in Dallas. He was 5 months on the dark day his Gammy died. There were over 100 people at his baptism serivce. Mr. Personality from day one.
For his 1st birthday, we ate dinner with the Cousinos at EZ's Diner on Northwest HWY (now a 7-11). At 16 months, he knew all his animal sounds. Some of his first words were kitty, puppy, Nemo, and walrus. Before his second birthday, his sister Eve Whitby was born. We moved to our house at 9114 Summer Glen. His favorite things to do were playing on his fort in the backyard and taking walks with daddy to "puppy park" a few blocks away. He watched Dora, Blues Clues and Backyardigans. He laughed at his baby sister. His 3rd birthday was at Chucky Cheeses which he still remembers (and that was the only time we have been there). He loved planets and rockets so I painted his room like outer space. It featured every planet, a rocket ship and an american astronaut planting a USA flag. Yah, that was a freakin sweet room if I do say so myself.
His baby brother was born and he and Whitby looked so grown up in the hospital as they came to see Cosmo Seth. He held the baby, the proud big brother - just kissed and stroked that baby. PRECIOUS.
His 4th birthday, we had at the house with his best friend Jacob Wizeman (plus his sister Leah) and our favorite neighbor, Drew. Quiet, low key, but a total blast for the kids.
Canon attended day care/ pre-school at Lovers lane UMC while I worked there. His best friend was a boy named Joshua, the son of the childrens choir director, Amy. Then I went on staff at SMU Wesley and he and Whit started attending the SMU pre-school. They loved it. He was potty trained there and his best buddy was a little girl named grace.
He turned 5 here in Kansas and I rounded up 8 little boys to attend his Dino-mite birthday at T-REX. We had only lived here for 5 months or so - it's amazing that we had that many friends in so little time! He had so much fun that he decreed that every birthday from now on, was to be celebrated at the T-REX.
My little guy started Kindergarten this year and I realized, "Wow, pre-school age days are over for us (he and I)." I question myself constantly about whether I spent that time wisely with him. Did I cherish him and shepherd him? Did I disciple him and love him unconditionally?
Welp. Anyhoo. The fella is about to be six. We have a bounce house rented for his birthday party - gonna set it up at the church. Invited his entire kindergarten class.
Here's to you, Canon James Alexander. You are an amazing guy.

Obsession De Jour: Hornsby's Hard Cider

Don't get me wrong - I am not much of a drinker. But when my friend invited me out to the farm for a bonfire and served me a Hornsby's, I was hooked. I called her the other day to tell her that because of her, I was either going to get fat (170 calories 16g carbs and 9g sugars) or become a heavy drinker.
This stuff is sooo yummy.
It is carbonated apple juice with a tiny kick. Mmmm. Delicious. Check it out next time you are hankering for something just a little different - yet not too artsy fartsy.

iHuman.

Our new series at Wesley. Creighton is going to be preaching for the entire semester on the life of David. I'm so excited - I think it is going to be really powerful.

My 3rd Arm

My macbook has been in the 'tech shop' for a week. Wow, I am amazed at how much a part of me this machine is. Every night this week I have gotten the kids to bed and thought, "Ok, time to sit down with my laptop and AARRGGHHH!" No laptop. I have seriously spent time this week READING....what's it called again? Literature.
It has been a good eye opener. I have realized I spend way too much time surfing/blogging/facebooking/emailing/ichatting/window shopping - etc.
I'll be honest. I am very glad to have my 3rd arm back.

Obama trailing Clinton in New Hampshire

Wow, I am rather surprised Hillary is doing so well in NH today. I was beginning to think that she was about to swirl down the toilet in the race. My dad and stepmom are taking a scouting trip to New Zealand next month. They promised us that if Hillary wins the presidency, they will be on the next plane to New Zealand - - for good. New Zealand?! Don't ask me why. I am just excited to go visit them so I can check out the shire and other parts of middle earth.
I guess Hillary is not that bad. I think she has some skeletons in her closet. But I rather like the idea of a woman being in the oval office. Our DNA has a few unavoidable traits (I know it is not universal) like nurture and provision and compassion. I think she might give a little extra attention to things like education and health care and poverty. Who knows, she might be an absolute snake. But she has conducted herself with dignity MOST of the time (even through the Monica Lewinski scandal).
I am not sure why she is hated by many. Guess I should look into it a bit more.

Obama wins Iowa

I am excited. I am. I have supported Obama verbally and electronically (although not yet financially). I have not put my money where my mouth is yet because there are a couple of things eating at me. I appreciate where he stands on poverty and environmental issues as well as education and health care. But abortion is in my opinion a direct value violation for anyone who claims to be an advocate for the powerless. There is clearly no one more powerless than an unborn child. Do I sound right wing yet?
I am certain that Obama would say that he is a strong advocate for the powerless. And I also know that he supports abortion (all types) as well as the full monty of stem cell research on perfectly healthy human embryos. You know - - the woman's "right to choose" oh, and by the way, the baby is not actually a life yet.
So I am torn.
I am painfully aware that there is not, nor will there be a perfect candidate. And don't get me started on the leftover meatloaf menu choices the Republicans have to offer....
Obama seems to at least be the strongest candidate. So for now, I'm with him.
Cheers!!

Merry Christmas!

Please reference my post from October 24th, 2007.

We finally did it! We took a deep breath and made the plunge into the world of dogownership. The children have been asking for a puppy - literally everyday for 12 years. So we finally did it.
I have done some decent research over the past few years on dog breeds. We have known we wanted something sporty (had a Jack Russell for 5 months - way too high maintanence) and something strong (had a Brittany Spaniel for 3 months - way too "tackle my kids and bite them"). So as I surveyed the puppy parks and interviewed dog-walking neighbors, I came across a breed I never suspected to fall in love with. Poodle.
To our credit, it is not the yappy, froofy poodle. This is the STANDARD Poodle. There is a vast difference.

FYI:
The FCI lists the country of origin as France; although some experts believe poodles may have originated in Russia or Iberia. However, it is commonly agreed that the French are responsible for developing the modern breed into its current three sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. Poodles have been popular all through Europe for several hundred years, and poodle-like dogs are found depicted on Roman sculptures.[1]
Poodles are retrievers; or gun dogs, and can still be seen in that role. The show clips evolved from working clips, which originally provided warmth to major joints when the dogs were immersed in cold water. The rest of the body is shaved for less drag in the water. Poodles are skilled at most other dog events including agility, obedience, tracking, and even herding. (MY SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA)

Anyhoo. We got not one, but two Standard Poodles - brothers. Their names: Apollo and Starbuck. I know, I am exposing our sci-fi geekiness.
They are fantastic.
At first, I was concerned about getting puppies, no matter how cute or well bred. Puppies are puppies. But we actually have reallly had good fortune with these puppies. They are well mannered and smart. Learning the potty thing fairly quickly.
I am certain that soon they will be winning all kinds of awards. :)