William-ism

Part one of a possible ongoing series...

Here's something I wasn't prepared to hear from the back seat during a particularly cheerful evening outing recently. "Hey Mommy, who brought us Alex?" Uh...God? Come on people, I had a hard time keeping up the Santa thing at Christmas. I certainly wasn't going to say a stork. God. That's honest. That's what I'll be going with if that question comes up again.

I Heart Walmart

Here's something the folks down in Bentonville might like to know...Since I arrived in the Hoosier state five days ago, a representative from the Kiefer/Reuhs household has made an appearance at the Walmart at 71st and Keystone every single day. Here's the breakdown:

Friday- Mom headed over for ingredients to make cookies and crafts with the grandkids.

Saturday-Mom, Emily, William and Alex shopped for groceries for Aunt Sue's Christmas party.

Sunday- Emily and Eileen swung by to pick up the joint Christmas gift for Mom and Dad and to pick up Emily's Christmas cards, which still haven't been mailed.

Monday- Mom and Emily returned late night to pick up wrapping paper and to ruminate on several potential Santa gifts, a process which involved quite a bit of questioning, calling Nick, over analyzing and eventually leaving the store (time: Midnight) empty-handed.

Tuesday Afternoon-Mom and Emily were baaaaaaaaaack! Hey, everyone! This time we needed groceries for Christmas Eve dinner and diapers.

Tuesday Evening-Can't say for sure because I opted out of this evenings' shopping excursion, but I have an inkling she's back over there picking up last minute stocking stuffers.

Now, the reason I'm reflecting on I Heart Walmart is because in so many ways, including in our shopping habits, my mom and I are kindred spirits. I love it. Others would have thrown their arms up in utter frustration at the continued inefficiency with which we operate, but we just laugh because we know something they don't...There's a drive-thru Starbucks just across the street from our favorite discount retailer.

Missing!

Like the many pranksters who have come before him, William has stolen the baby Jesus from our Nativity scene.  Or, at least temporarily removed (hidden) Him.  I first noticed the missing Christ Child late this evening as I was tidying up our dining room in preparation for our trip tomorrow. I've looked everywhere, but I still can't find Him.  Now, William hasn't been a chance to tell his side of the story since he's sleeping, but I'm left to wonder...Did he take baby Jesus downstairs to watch Cars as he previously suggested? 

Making Mama Happy

Aren't these flowers beautiful?  I finally took a picture of them last week for fear I would forget how lovely they were come fall and winter.  I planted these Impatiens all the way back in early April, and here we are in late August and they are still going strong. Usually, I don't have much of a green thumb, but somehow these have survived the sweltering heat of summer to thrive.  I am certainly thankful that they have.  For some days when I am need of pick-me-up, I look outside my kitchen window and say, "Ahhh, those are so pretty!"    

Thoughts of Fall

I admit it....I've been thinking wistfully of fall lately. Maybe it's the ads for school supplies that I've seen pop up in the Sunday coupons (fond memories there for sure), or the pumpkin loaf at Starbucks that suddenly seemed to hit the spot a couple days ago.  It could be that a couple of trees in my neighborhood already seem to be losing some of their green in favor of a more yellowish hue.  Regardless of the reason, today I am day dreaming of fall and all the wonderful things it brings just as I do every late summer afternoon.  Yes, I am looking forward to the birth of my second son, William's second birthday, tailgating at an IU-UVA football game, a Sunday drive along the Blue Ridge Mountains to view the fall foliage, and a trip to the pumpkin patch and the charming town of Middleburg. I won't mind, either, being able to say adios to maternity wear in favor of a decent fitting pair of jeans, cute flats and a sweater.  While I still have about six weeks until all the fall fun begins, I think a trip to Michael's to preview their fall crafts and behold the sight of all those gourds and berries or to the Yankee candle store for one of their new scents like Vanilla Pumpkin may be just what the doctor ordered.

More Thoughts....

So, I don't want anyone out there to think I'm like going exclusively for a "Deep Thoughts with Jack Handy" (SNL anyone?) kind of feel for the blog since my only two posts over the last four months were both a little heavy and reflective in nature.  Tonight I'm thinking about this...It's the eve of Nick and William's departure to Chicago for a boys weekend for them, relaxation weekend for me.  So, do I have my prenatal massage scheduled?  No.  Mani and pedi, you say? Nope I forgot to get to that.  Oh, I am looking forward to lounging at the pool, enjoying a chick flick with friends and catching a baseball game with my dear uncle, but you better believe I have some serious deep cleaning on the agenda as well.  Some items are holdovers from the to-do list I created in my manic state before I left for the lake, which included such far reaching tasks as sweeping out the garage (got that one done before I left) to completing Nick's belated Father's Day gift (yes to that one, too) to spot treating the carpet (had to compromise with a thorough vacuuming).   So, while I am sure I will enjoy really sleeping in this weekend for the first time in maybe a year, I will be hard at work after a bowl of Cheerios removing fingerprints from my walls, applying stain remover to my couch and possibly touching up my entry hall with a fresh coat of paint.   I'll have to head over to Home Depot for some of that all natural, no fumes "green" paint.  I am almost 33 weeks pregnant after all. 

An Ode to Family

As we rounded the bend of East Sunrise Drive for our drive back to Indy, a route I've taken probably hundreds of times over the years, my dad turned to me and said, "Well, Em, we're sure glad you came.  Wish that weather could have been better."  My reply was something along the lines of what a great time I had in spite of the overcast skies and 60ish temperatures.  Upon reflecting on this exchange a little later, I realized my response may have lacked some heart; it probably sounded less than convincing as I distractedly looked out the window trying to hold back my emotions as I've learned to do since I moved to DC, 500 miles away from my immediate family.  Plus, it was no secret that it was challenge all week keeping the kids occupied and semi-well behaved as the weatherman continued to deliver grim news.  By the end of our stay, everyone, including me, was feeling a little exhausted.  

For the record, though, I treasured the time at the lake a few weeks ago with my family. While we may not have basked in the warm sunshine or cruised over to the Frog for a waterside lunch as usual, we were witness to some moments, rather sublime and simple, that really attest to love and devotion amongst family members, the reason it's important to take a time out from daily life and spend a vacation together.  Moments like when William danced in delight as his Uncle Will played the guitar or when he shrieked in laughter as he wrestled his much older cousins in a living room battle.  Oh yeah, and it didn't escape me, when clean laundry mysteriously appeared in my room three or four times care of my sister, Eileen, or when my brother, Chris, suddenly dashed into the bathroom to assist me in calming down my screaming son for a bath following an especially messy run-in with birthday cake.   Are these memories ones from elaborate outings and carefully planned events?  Nope.  This trip was all about moments like sitting back with a freshly brewed cup of (decaf) coffee, enjoying walks with the gals, napping on the couch a few afternoons, and staying up late to watch movies with mom. 

So, as I put together a photo album for William so he can remember the fun he had at Lake Wawasee in the summer of 2009 and to possibly provide an answer to his non-stop queries of everyone's location and whereabouts these days, I close my eyes, say a little prayer of thanksgiving and realize that after seven years of living away from my midwest-based family, a vacation together is always a welcome reminder of how much I love 'em all and how hard it still is to say goodbye at the lake on Sunday afternoons.