I got a little video crazy--#1 of many

Our first real Halloween

Well, Halloween '08 was a hit. Lanie Mae had the best time. We made it to 5 or 6 houses and then, all Lanie Mae wanted to do was go home and eat candy. She did very well in the short trick or treating period. She said "trick or treat" and "thank you" just like a big girl.
The first "candy" she chose to eat out of her pumpkin was a popcorn ball of all things. Boy, was she disappointed. She quickly moved on to a lollipop, then a butterfinger, then another lollipop. (she only licked the lollipops a couple of times ;)

We are now fighting over meal vs. candy with every meal! We may just have a candy bandit stop by if it continues. Lastly, we can thank Halloween for Lanie Mae's newest word..."cary". In adult words, SCARY. A few of our trick or treaters were way different than Tinkerbell. She is still pointing at the door saying "that boy was cary". Bless her little heart. Maybe she won't start having monsters under her bed or anything.

This was Costume #1 (for school)We practiced at our house before we ventured out.Off we go...Right after one more picture.Thank goodness for the wagon. Too bad, for Neil, we live at the bottom of Mt. Rushmore.

I am posting more pictures on our family site http://www.themortonfamily.shutterfly.com/

Everybody loves a Scarecrow

Lanie Mae and her new best friend...

I was attempting to take a few pictures on our porch with a pretty fall background.......but, Lanie Mae has developed a special relationship with the scarecrow. She hugs her and tells her "I love you Cwarecrow" (this is how she pronounces it--so cute) So, when I wanted the scarecrow to be in the background, Lanie Mae protested, and insisted that she hold her hand, hug her, or put her arm around her. Here are a few of the pics.

Big girl

Here are a few of Lanie Mae's School pictures. I was very pleased that her school pictures were something other than sitting in a chair with your head cocked sideways...i was wondering how a 2 year old would do that anyway.

Daddy's girl

It's been a while, huh? I have been up to my usual over-commitment self. Neil went to Colorado for 8 days a couple of weeks ago. And, I must say, I felt a great deal of appreciation for him while he was gone. It's true, distance does make the heart grow fonder. He does so much to help me with Lanie Mae and his trip confirmed that. I was worn out by the time he got home. The happiness I felt when I see him was so great...but, even greater was watching the sweet reunion of Daddy and his baby girl. Lanie Mae was so happy to have her Daddy home. I have posted a few pictures from Neil's trip. Forgive the nature pics. I know they are boring, but, they are just so beautiful.

These two are my favorite! I was just going through his pictures, and I saw these. I knew he missed us, but, this made my heart melt. (to know that he was always thinking about us)

Lanie Mae's smile speaks for itself.

I will add a few more pictures on the next post. There are some really great ones. Also, I need to put Lanie Mae's school pictures on here....next time.

Lanie Mae's 2nd birthday

This past Friday was Lanie Mae's 2nd birthday. It sounds so cliche', but, I really cannot believe it has been 2 years since she was born. Friday was a pretty typical day. Although, I was so busy getting things ready for her party on Saturday. You see, I decided that it would be too expensive to buy a $50 cake and I thought I would just make one. Well, $40 and countless hours later, the cake was made (thanks to help from my mother-in-law). Lesson #1...JUST BUY THE CAKE! Although, it did turn out very cute. The party was great! Family and a few family friends came over to celebrate. Lanie Mae was SO EXCITED. She squealed and laughed all day long. I, on the other hand, cried before the party. I was so crazy busy and exhausted and when I was heading upstairs to take a shower at 9:40 for the 10:00 party, I just had to have a little break-down. But, at 9:59 when I was heading back downstairs w/ clothes on, hair dry (sort-of) and make-up on, all was good. We had a great time!

After the party, my family hung around a little bit since they came from out of town. My sister and brother-in-law spent the night. So, we thought it would be a great idea to go out to eat at STIXX and have the staff sing to Lanie Mae. BIG MISTAKE. Lesson #2...never take a 2 year old to a japanese restaraunt. The first time Lanie Mae saw the flame (at the table next to us-mind you), she FREAKED OUT. Neil and I had to take turns taking her outside until the guy got done cooking. Comical now, last night, not so much! While I was standing outside, a lady saw me holding Lanie Mae (who was saying, "I want to go home"). She looked at me and said, "How old is she, about 2?" I told her yes. She giggled and said, "I had to take my 2 year old out of here about 4 years ago." Lesson learned and reinforced!

The weekend, overall, was great. The only thing is, now, Lanie Mae and I both miss my family. It could be worse, they are only 1hr 45min away. I hope everyone has a great week!

the cake...

Lanie Mae blowing out candles...(a little 2 year old spit never hurt anyone, right?)

We fingerpainted with all the kids (ladybugs and turtles) and one ROLL TIDE

Turning over a new leaf

This posting is a little heavy, so here is one of my favorite oldy but goody pictures of Lanie Mae

Sunday, our pastor (Pastor Paul Lawler) preached an awesome sermon. Maybe it was so awesome, because it was something that I really needed to hear. He talked alot about marriage and the normalcy of family. He quoted the divorce rate at 50 % which most of you probaby already know. However, the next thing he quoted was the divorce rate of couples who daily spend time together in prayer...only 3 %. That was an amazing thing to hear. I don't know why I as so shocked. My precious grandparents who were married 61 years before my Paw Paw died, prayed every single night together. When we would spend the night with them, my Maw Maw and Paw Paw would come into the room where we slept and pray with us. Just after that, they would go into their lamp light filled room and I could see them both on their knees, holding hands, saying their prayers. I could hear them one by one pray for everyone in our family. I particularly remember them saying "please watch over little Karla and little Kelli".

As we left church Sunday morning, I said to Neil, "you know, it's true...we need to pray together." See, up until that moment, we had only prayed together at meal times (and that has only been in the last 2 years). We, on very rare occasion, have prayed together about a special circumstance. NEVER, have we just prayed together b/c that's what couples do. Starting Sunday night, Neil and I started praying together at bedtime. This is NOT natural for us. But, I know that eventually it will be. I would love for little Lanie Mae to have memories of her parents holding hands and praying together. I would love to be in the 97 % not the 50 %. I would love to make this natural so that when we need prayer the most, we are prepared to do it together.

I don't know why I felt so compelled to share this, but, ever since Sunday, I have just felt different. I feel gentler and more peaceful. I am sure that I will have terrible bad attitude days where I am a jerk to Neil. But, if I can keep those to a minimum, we have made progress.

if you want to check out Paul's sermon...www.christchurchunitedmethodist.org