Drama for the Mama

Let me preface this story by telling you that Sunday, in general, is the hardest day of the week for my little family. It is the only day of the week that we all have to be at the same place at the same time. It's hard to get three wee ones ready from head to toe, and I normally have nothing to wear. It is the day when it seems like our house shrinks at least in half, and anything that can go wrong does. I think that it's the day the Devil does whatever he can to try and get you to decide that you can't make it to church. I think that, while you are sleeping on Saturday night, clothes are wrinkled and keys are hidden and shoes are strategically placed to ensure maximum trippage capability. This is why I think that in order to take our stand against the devil's schemes, we need not only the belt of truth and the helmet of salvation, but also a little alarm button of some sort to help you find your keys.

The long morning and afternoon leads to an even longer Sunday night, which includes AWANAs for Tater and Tot from 6 to 8. They have a blast, learn alot, and really just run themselves ragged. So, needless to say, the kids are tired by the time we get home.

All of that (my word!) to tell you this story about Tot. Tot who, on this particular Sunday, was absolutely exhausted. Combine the exhaustion with a Benadryl buzz and a skinned knee, and you've got the perfect recipe for drama. May I present to you,

The Knee

complete with pictures

It all began with the first steps into the classroom. There was an unnoticed fall and a quiet comment about a hurt knee. There were no tears, no requests for kisses, and really, no one even paid attention. The fall was followed by two hours of play, a trip to the grocery store, and a walk into the house. That is when we saw it. And by we I mean she. And by she I mean Tot.

A spot of blood on her white tights.

A spot smaller than a penny, but with consequences as large as the sea.

The spot of blood led to the discovery of a small scratch on her left knee. A spot that was, in fact, smaller than the spot of blood on the tights. A scratch so miniscule, that you probably can't even see it in this professional photo taken by her father, The King of Shorts in Winter.

That scratch was then treated with an "icepack" that is about the same size as, well, the palm of her hand.

Little did we know that the wound would leave her unable to walk.

In case you can't tell, she's scooting. On her bottom. She scooted on her bottom from the living room to the dinner table, all the while proclaiming "I'm hurt! I can't walk! I need my icepack! I have a RED SPOT on my knee!"

It was a long, agonizing trip.

Even a steaming bowl of the best Spaghetti-O's in town couldn't stop the pain. Or the tears.

We did, however, have a medical breakthrough.

When nature calls?

All wounds are healed.

Oh, Baby!

As you may or may not know, my baby #3 is here. As a matter of fact, she's been here for almost 5 months. She is the best baby in the world, and she absolutely makes me want to have more. My husband, however, rejects that memo every time I try and send it to him.

Here's the problem. If you look closely, you will notice that the name of this blog is Tater and Tot. Now, I could call her "And". But she really doesn't look like an "And." So I've been perplexed for weeks trying to come up with a way to incorporate the new one into this little blog world of mine.

Any suggestions?

Please know up front that I may not take them.
But it'll be fun anyway.

She Speaks!

It's been a while, I know.

As much as I've wanted to write over the past few months, I've been having a real struggle with trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do with myself. I love being a wife and mother. I love being involved with my church and my family.
And I love to write.
I want to write.
Desperately.
But I'm stuck. I'm stuck and I don't know which way to go. I have been feeling over the past few months that it is my calling to write. That somehow, somewhere, through some sort of outlet I am supposed to minister through the written word. It seems as though the more I try and push those thoughts aside as wishful thinking and crazy talk, the more I feel the Lord leading me to open my ears and LISTEN ALREADY.

Then that I start with The But's.

But what if I'm hearing You wrong?
But I wouldn't know how to start.
But I don't know what to do.
But I have no idea which direction I'm supposed to take.
But what if I look silly?
But I'm just not sure.

But what if I fail?

And so when I stumbled across this while going through my blogroll today, I considered that maybe it's the answer - or at least a starting point. The She Speaks conference is hosted by the Proverbs 31 ministries and is an opportunity to join with other women and "recieve the tools and the confidence to answer God's call on your life." This is a conference for women who feel called to speak, write, lead, and influence. Hmmm. That sounds kind of familiar. When I first read about this opportunity my heart raced a little faster and my stomach got a little nervous.

Then, I started with The Maybe's.

Maybe this is the answer.
Maybe this is how I will know if I am hearing Him right.
Maybe this is how I will start.
Maybe this is where I'll learn what to do.
Maybe this will give me direction.
Maybe this will help me to not feel so insecure.
Maybe through this I'll know.

Maybe I will fail. Or maybe not.

I checked the location - only a little over 3 hours away! Very do-able!
I checked the dates - before vacation and after Bible School! Very do-able!
I checked the speakers - BooMama and BigMama and Rocks? Oh, so Very Do-Able!
I checked the price - $525.00. Um - not so do-able.

I found that Lysa TerKeurst is holding a contest for a scholarship. Winning this would probably be the only way for me to be able to go - if it's His will. The scholarship covers the entire $525.00 registration fee which includes the conference, the hotel, and meals. I'm turning this over to Him. I will continue to pray about what I'm supposed to do. If it's His will - I'll be able to go. If it's not, well, then I won't. The winner will be announced on Monday, February 4th.

So really? This decision making process isn't that hard after all!

To read more about the conference - click here.
To read more about and enter the scholarship contest - click here.
To tell me how much you want me to be able to go to this conference - click here.

Look at Me!

My best friend of 25 years posted pictures of us on her site. They are wonderful!

Check out our friendship chronicle here - and leave her a comment to let her know that you stopped by!

I Inturrupt This Regularly Scheduled Dormancy...

To let you know that She's Here!

Baby Spud #3 was born on September 4th, 2007 via scheduled C-section.
She weighed 8 pounds 1.8 ounces and was 20 inches long.
She is healthy, happy, and HERE!!

Tater and Tot are beyond excited to be big sisters! They love their new little sister with such force that I am truly blown away!

Lack of sleep and breastfeeding are certainly taking a toll, but we are blessed beyond belief.

I hope to be back here soon!!

Um, yeah, I'm weird!

Tracey from one of my new favorite reads, Notes from a Cottage Industry, tagged me for a fun meme that I thought I would do. By the way - please go check her out - she is sooo neat and has some of the cutest things and neatest ideas. I truly would like to move into her cottage. Or better yet, have her move into mine and make it cute!

So the rules are this: I need to list 7 weird things about me and then tag 7 other weird people to list 7 weird things about themselves. This is very pyramid scheme-ish. Anyway -

7 Weird Things About Me:

1. I have been completely paralyzed and on life support. No, that is not why I have written in a month.
2. I had brain surgery.
3. Those two medical events had nothing in common with one another. How exactly does that happen?
4. I have a bar soap phobia.
5. Just like the Monk commercial, I smell glasses before I pour drinks in them. Don't ask, I have no idea.
6. I don't trust people who wash their dishes with a sponge.
7. I am terrified of worms. I once held my breath until I turned blue when my mom made me hold one.

So, there you go. Weirdness in all its glory. Now, let's see if weirdness abounds on my bloglines...I tag Becky, Mrs. Chicken, Heather, Mary P., Pam, Karen, and anyone else who is reading this and wants to play!