Happy Veteran's Day!

We would like to wish a Happy Veteran's Day to friends and family who have served our nation. Colin's Great Grandpas Walker, Biggs and Sturm all served in WWII and his uncle Clint was in the Airforce, as well.

Thanks for helping protect and defend our freedom!

PJs are Over-Rated

Funny story from the Sturm house this morning -- I usually let our lil guy stay in his crib first thing in the morning for a while and just jabber away. We all like to lay in bed a bit, right? This morning after he had a short conversation with the toy on his crib, he must have either been hot or bored. When I walked in his room he had thrown his blakets out of his crib and he was holding his zip up PJs.

Yep, that's right, he was holding them in his hand. He was laughing and dancing away like such a happy little boy, practically naked as a jay bird. I guess we now know he can undress himself completely, including undoing the little footies of the pajamas. Guess we'll give those cute lil zip up PJs a break for a while.

And yes, thank goodness the diaper was still on! Those overnight Huggies have super power velcro. And now I know why!

Mommy Firsts

Parenting, as I have discovered is full of "firsts" for you as a parent; some great, and some not so great. Our family had a few this past week:

1. We got reservations for a nice dinner and proceeded to have a fussing child signing "All done" right before the waiter arrived. That is, just 15 seconds after sitting down. Hmmm, bad idea! Our understanding waiter was probably joyful when I told him we just weren't going to make it that night and we left before even ordering.
2. I got a wild idea and put Colin in the Suburban-sized grocery cart at Albertson's (the one with the little tykes style car attached to the front of the grocery cart.) The first 15 minutes he yelled throughout the store with pure glee (while honking the car's horn at passers-by who thought I was nuts; they may have been right!), and the last 15 minutes he threw a fit because he was all done (see a theme here?) We needed groceries, however, so I practically ran down everything in sight in the store driving that thing to complete my list. And yes, I did have a list.
3. When I took him out of the car cart he screamed and lay prostrate on the ground (but I thought you were all done?) Charming, absolutely charming. A moment that makes every mom proud. I managed to coax him into the Rite Aid next door so I could pick up some photos. He was so deliriously spent that I stuck the closest toy I saw in his hand...and then bought it! Fortunately it was a 4 inch long car toy that is a mini Audi TT and has doors that open and close. Kind of a cool toy for a split second decision. My first impulse buy to tame an unhappy child. Charming, just charming (?!*!)
4. We had out first outing to the big local zoo -- pretty cool! He's definitely not ready yet for the exhibits with the harder to see or low activity animals (like the reptiles.)
5. We checked out the indoor Toddler Play Time at 2 local community centers. What a great way to burn off some toddler energy! The community centers set aside the gym area, filled with toys, trikes, balls, etc., and the toddlers get to run wild and terrorize the gym rather than your living room. fabulous play date set-up!

Whole

A few months ago a good friend of mine asked me to begin praying for a college friend and her family. Their 2 1/2 year old son, Judson, has been battling a rare, genetic, incurable disease since May called Krabbe disease. This lively and talkative littleboy became mute, blind, and compeltely paralyzed in these past 6 months.

The faith journey of Jud's parents has really pushed me to examine my own faith. As I am going through a Bible study called, "Believing God," I have really examined my heart and have prayed to God, as the father does in Mark 9. Jesus explains that everything is possible for him who believes. The father exclaims in 9:24 "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

Jesus, I do believe; please help me overcome my unbelief.

This morning Judson saw Jesus face to face and was healed. His body is whole once again. Thank you, Lord, for growing the faith of so many, including me, through the life of this precious little boy and the testimony of his parents.

Quack, Quack,Quack!

Guess who didn't make it home for dinner last night? And no, I'm not talking about Matt.

Just The Way The Cookie Crumbles

Growing up my brother would use the phrase, "That's just the way the cookie crumbles" -- sometimes you get a really big piece with lots of yummy, ooey gooey chips, and other times you get a handful of crumbs. This past week we got a hand full of crumbs.

We had plans to go out of town that just seemed to spiral out of our control just a few days before leaving for the ten day trip. "Rats," I thought. "This isn't really happening, is it?"

Oh yes, it was.

This kind of disappointment fits into the kind I recall from childhood. Like the time I went to sign up for a musical instrument in 5th grade band, and all that was left when I got there was the tuba. The tuba? What's a girlie girl, dress loving girl to do with a tuba? OK, so I played it and played it well, but I am convinced now it was purely to have fodder for the stupid team building game called "Two truths and a lie."

1. I played the tuba
2. I grew up in a small town
3. I like dark chocolate

Stumper, eh? People always fell for the tuba as the "lie."

Anyhooo.....So my dear husband attempted to make the best of our flubbed up trip plans, the cat sang a great big "Amen" because his humans weren't leaving town, and we decided to have day trips here in our own city -- the zoo, aquarium, children's museum, parks, restaurants, etc. I was even given a surprise trip to the local spa.

Tonight was suppose to be an early Thanksgiving dinner with my family in Panhandle. I thought of you all tonight -- I am so bummed I wasn't able to be there. And Colin is so much fun right now that I am sad for every minute of him that you miss. We are truly thankful for you and can't wait to see you soon!

Disappointment. It's just the way the cookie crumbles.

Zoo

We took our lil' giraffe to the zoo on Friday and he really enjoyed seeing the bigger animals like the jaguar (who kept pacing and staring at Colin as if to say -- "Hmmmm, he would make a tasty snack!"), elephants, and the giraffes. The hippos gave a big show, as well. It was a brisk, cool morning, so the orangutans and other tree dwellers were no where to be seen, so better luck next time.

The Zoomazium indoor play and exploration area provided a nice retreat from the cool weather -- and Colin really enjoyed the indoor rock structures and lower "cave" areas. The other indoor exhibits were a hit, as well, if you like seeing porcupines and bats while you zoom along at about 5 mph! No patient lingering and observation for this guy! The cock roach display grossed me out, but I was very fascinated by the cute little tamarins (smaller than I would have expected.)