A Leg Up

The other night, while Sara and I waited for her parents to arrive, we got an unexpected surprise. As we sat on the couch watching our dog Jack be frightened to death by a purple exercise ball, Ella decided to be active. She squirmed, kicked, and shifted almost as if she was playing jump rope with her umbilical cord. Sara's belly looked like she had been possessed by some stomach alien that desperately sought to get out.

The unexpected surprise came when we actually felt out an appendage. We could actually feel one of Ella's limbs. Sara thinks it was an arm, I believe it to have been a leg, neither of us are certain one way or the other. But we are certain it wasn't a butt, back, or head. Talk about a fun experience... I think I goosed Ella's knee. She must take after my Granddaddy. He's real sensitive on his knees. I say that because as soon as I pinched what I believe to be a leg, she immediately drew it back. As quickly as we discovered the limb, it disappeared. Ella thought she had gotten a leg up on us... okay, so she did. Nonetheless, we are thankful to have had a that brief moment to feel our precious little girl's leg (or arm) even if we did goose her.

I realize this probably seems insignificant to most people, but to Sara and I it was a moment to cherish. A simple moment of joy. A simple moment of love. A simple moment where we connected with our developing baby, our little girl. In our world, that's huge. In our world, that moment had meaning because we got to share it together. Our simple experience may not give us a leg up in parenting but at least it gives us a leg up in memories we will never forget. Thanks Ella for getting a leg up and letting us connect with you and each other.

How The Christmas Cheaters Stole Christmas Eve Gift

One of my favorite family Christmas traditions involves a little competition we call the "Christmas Eve gift" game. Allow me to explain to those of you who may be unfamiliar with the game just how it works. The main goal is to say to another member of the family "Christmas Eve Gift" before they say it to you. In some traditions you are actually supposed to present the winner with a small gift, but we just play for fun and bragging rights. The rules are simple: you must say it to the person either over the phone or in person. Easy enough right?

Well, a few member of my beloved family have decided to use modern technology and social media to advance their gameplay. Now some would say that I am just upset that I did not think of it first. This is totally false. Believe me friends, I have thought about it, contemplated long and hard, and considered it an unfair option. I am technology and social media geek. One would have to be a fool to believe that I had not already thought of such a surprise attach. The fact that others would even consider such a thing, reveal just how little they know about my devious and brilliant ways.

I just wanted my heart and mind to be clear on this issue of cheating the game. You Grinches have stolen the Christmas Even gift. My hope remains that after reading my blog and contemplating your actions you will reconsider your wicked ways. I hold out hope for you all, I mean, even the Grinch relented. Don't tell me that your hearts are about three sizes too small.

You can bah-humbug me all you want, but this is simply how I feel. I love how modern technology has improved and simplified our lives, but using it to steal the Christmas Eve Gift game is just unacceptable. Ah, enough has been said. I bid you ado and a Christmas Eve gift too.

If I Couldn't...

A Senseless Poem

If I couldn't drink... would I still thirst for Him?

If I couldn't eat... would I still hunger for Him?

If I couldn't hear... would I still listen to Him?

If I couldn't speak... would I still talk to Him?

If I couldn't walk... would I still run to Him?

If I couldn't see... would I still look to Him?

If I couldn't read... would I still want Him to write to me?

If I couldn't feel... would I still want to touch Him?

If I couldn't perhaps for once I would.