Although 2008 was fun, we're looking forward to the 2009 adventures that are waiting for us! Happy New Year, friends!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Many thanks to my Tuesday class for this great bulletin board:

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Warm Holiday Wishes from the Haney Family

Don't worry about getting the perfect gift
or if everything is decorated just so -
The real reason for the season
can only be found in your heart.
Spend time with your loved ones,
share a few hugs and much laughter -

Those are the true moments
that are remembered for years to come!
Merry Christmas, friends!

The Birthday Party for Jesus

Okay, so this incident happened before she fractured her elbow. I've had the pictures and the story but I didn't get a chance to post. I hope this brings you a warm holiday smile.

The day before we unpacked her Little People Manger Scene that we gave her last Christmas. So it was pretty much new to Julia. Now, I've always been in love with the Little People (even when Eric was a baby) so this is as much fun to me as it is to Julia. It's a great set and I love the fact that it plays "Away in Manger" when you press on the Angel that sits on top of the stable. Every house should have one for the holidays :)

Anyway, as I was curled-up on the couch checking email and finishing my morning cup o' joe the next day; I was able to listen to her play with the set. She was creating a birthday party for Jesus. "It's time for your party" "I going to make a cake" "Do you want to come to the party?" Before I knew it she had taken my decorative snowman and added him to the party. Then she turns to me and says "Have to get ready for Jesus Birthday Party, bye!"

Okay, that's sweet. At least she's listening to her teacher at school. At least she's listening to me as I read her "The Real Christmas Story". But now it gets comical.

I exited the family room and went into the kitchen to clean-up from breakfast. I overheard her in the playroom talking about the party and how she needs to make a cake. As I was cleaning the table she walked up to me and said "Mama, here's the birthday cake for Jesus! I'm ready for the party" And here is what I saw -

Happy Birthday, Luci!

Here's a birthday wish to my dear friend, Luci. We met Spring 1996 semester and have been a part of one another's lives ever since. She's one of those who I can be myself around (good, bad and very ugly) and for some strange reason she still loves me. Her life has been an amazing journey so I encourage you to read her blog. In fact, she's the reason I decided to start this crazy train! Happy birthday, dear friend!

Mama said...

...there'd be days like this:

These are the days that being a Mom really stinks. When your child is in pain and there is nothing you can do to make it stop.

Last night while I was driving to my staff Christmas dinner I got a phone call from home. When I answered all I heard was Julia's screaming on the other end. Apparently while riding her big tricycle in the kitchen she wrecked. Her inner upper lip was bloody and she was favoring her left arm. But since she could still move her arm, we thought nothing of it. She did get up several times during the night with an "ouchie arm".

This morning she was still favoring the arm and asking for a band aid. However when I approached her with a band aid, she didn't want me to touch her arm. And then there was the fact that she didn't want to do anything except cuddle on the couch. Huh? This is not my constantly curious daughter.

Thankfully I was able to get a doctor's appointment at Noon. When the nurse asked her what happened she stated "I wrecked on my motorcycle. Papa sang to me". (side note: I had no idea about the singing. When I called Steve after the appointment he confirmed that yes, he did semi-sing to her. How sweet!) After her exam it was decided that she needed x-rays. So...off to the Radiology Associates.

We sat for an hour waiting for Julia's turn. She sat on my lap the entire time, talking here and there. She asked what we were doing. I told her we were waiting to get pictures taken of her ouchie arm. "Ok, Mama. I get pictures of my arm ouchie". When it was time, she politely announced to the waiting room "I get my arm ouchie picture!". At least a bit of her spirit came through! She was a champ during the x-rays. Because of her bravery, she earned two Tinkerbell stickers, a purple star ring and a green bracelet.

It was determined that she had a bubble fracture on her humerus bone. Thank goodness it wasn't a break! Our nurse practitioner was able to get us a last minute appointment with a pediatric orthopedist. Because she is such a busy girl and we didn't want it to end-up breaking, the orthopedist decided a cast was in order.

Our nurse was fabulous and got her to laugh when he told her about his cats. He did give me some crap about wearing my Philadelphia Eagles sweatshirt (he was wearing Redskins scrubs) but that's what happens when people are jealous - right?! Anyway, he gave her a choice of green, orange, pink or purple for her cast. She firmly chose purple. At first she thought it was neat. Then it started to get hard. Then came the "Band aid off, please" request. Oh, well. The cast will be removed on January 2.

Right now the only thing we can do is cuddle (the cats have camped around her) on the couch and give her Tylenol. Whew...it's going to be a long three weeks. We keep telling her that she has a really cool band aid and that we are so proud of how good she was today. She was such a trooper.

This past spring it was two stitches at the corner of her mouth. Now it's the fracture. My nerves are just starting to calm themselves. As my friend Teri says "I just want to wrap them in Bubble Wrap". These are the times when it is so hard to be a Mom. When your heart goes on your sleeve. When you try not to cry because you want to be strong for them. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Exhaustion

Maybe it was the migraine, the lack of proper diet and sleep; but the past few days I felt like I was walking thru a thick fog. Nothing seemed to perk my interest. Even Chris Berman's "Fastest 3 Minutes" didn't make me smile. My class this morning was exceptionally good. But I still felt like I was in a fog.

Then I went to Natalie's house so she could torture me again with Bosu Ball and crunches. My physical balance is starting to get better but my emotional balance is lop-sided. In the middle of my training session, Julia did something that snapped me out of the fog. As I was finishing the session with crunches, she came over to me. She laid her head on my chest and patted me on my head. She then popped her head up, kissed me and went to the medicine ball to do her own exercises. It was literally 30 seconds. Immediately my grumps turned to a grin.

After we got home she was a sweety. We shared cookies as we watched 'Sesame Street' and 'Curious George'. She pulled her blanket across my legs. I need to capture these moments so that I can remember them when I'm done for the day - and it's only 10 am. Being a Mom is so hard but heartfelt times like the ones we had today make it all worth it. Hopefully we can have a good day "toonarlow" (Julia's word for "tomorrow").

PS - Success! Julia's been going to the potty for one whole week. Thanks, Grammy and Tinkerbell :)