Never Mess With Momma Bear

I have always heard variations of the saying "Never mess with a momma bear when she is with her cub". I grew up seeing daily examples of this from my mother, and the minute I found out I was pregnant I knew that it was true - I would protect my child from harm no matter what it took. There have been several times I have brought my claws out over the last seven years, but Thanksgiving weekend my mom once again showed me how it is done... and I owe her more thanks than I could ever express.

My sister has a small step up from her sidewalk to the driveway. We were packing up the cars, getting ready to leave for home the next morning. Dad and I were each at our trunks when Mom and Addie came outside. Addie was right in front of Mom as she tripped up the step. Mom propelled herself forward and slammed her body into the front end of my car - all to avoid landing on Addie, and almost certainly landing her in the emergency room. Her arm hit so hard it chipped paint and dented my front side panel so much I couldn't open my door. She could have dislocated her shoulder, broke her collarbone, broke her arm (which thankfully, none of these things happened); but she didn't think twice about it. The only thing she had on her mind was protecting Addie.

Addie spent the rest of the evening going between clinging to my Mom, making sure she was OK, and telling me "I wish I could go back in time and remind Mama about that step!"

I am so happy that Addie has so many people in her life - loving her, protecting her. I know we can't wrap our children up in a bubble and prevent all the world's hurts, but thank you Mom, thank you for expanding the bubble you created around us to my daughter!!

They Grow Up Much Too Fast

Every day I find myself thinking that my baby is growing up much too fast. In everything that Addie does, she continues to show her growing maturity in little (and sometimes large) ways. Her teachers at the before/after school program say that she is always helping the younger children out with homework, arts and crafts, etc. She is always very contentious about following the rules that are set for her – even when she really wants to “buck the system” (like when it comes to getting her homework done). She spends time picking out the right outfit for school each day, contemplating the weather, and what special class she may have, as to not be caught wearing the wrong thing. She’s also got the moral compass going 100% of the time…. A recent quote from my little lady about HSM3 was: “It was a great movie, but there was an inappropriate part for kids my age. Sharpay had a very inappropriate outfit on during one of the numbers.” The outfit in question was a sparkly leotard for a Chorus Line type dance number, but isn’t it nice to know that she’s always on the lookout for things she shouldn’t be exposed to?!

When all is said and done, I miss the fact that there are many days Addie doesn’t want me to kiss her when I drop her off in the morning. And she gets aggravated if I offer to cut her pancakes into bite-size pieces. But then again, I go into her room at night to give her one last kiss, and I see…..

….her sleeping with her legs tucked under her, butt up in the air, blankets kicked off, just like she did when she was a baby. And maybe, just maybe she’s gonna still be my little baby for a few days more!

Bonfire At The Farm

Last night was the Third Annual Fall Bonfire at Laynie and Scott's farm. Addie spent the evening taking hayrides, playing "Ghosts In The Graveyard", riding the Quad, and pigging out on Chili and chips. Her friends, Anna and Abby, helped her run rings around Aunt Lauren and soon-to-be Uncle Gabe.

The farm has the largest tabacco barn in Clermont County, along with several other out buildings and a 200+ year old house. Addie is hanging out in the barn in this picture... all this barn needs is a little bit of straw!

Here's Addie tearing up the trails with Anna and Abby - oh, their Dad Joby too...

Future Professional Soccer Player?

Addie is playing soccer for the 6th season. She is on a team of 6 and 7 year-olds - many who she has played with since she started at 4. This is the first season since she began that I am not coaching - and I am really enjoying being a soccer mom! In the past I have had to depend on others to take pictures, and have only a few from each season. I have upwards of 100 from this season already! The team is 3 wins, 2 losses, 1 tie so far. Addie plays goalie and wing most games, although she thinks she wants to be a fullback (not as much running and not the pressure of being a goalie, I think!)

Addie is, in my humble opinion, a pretty smart soccer player - she and a couple of her teammates have learned to think out plays, they talk to each other during the game, and have seen several goals this season as a result of assists. They make me so proud!

Below are several pictures I took yesterday....

goal kick -

Yellow Goalie ready?

Off to a concert

Addie wanted to share with everyone that she and I are heading to the Carrie Underwood concert at the Kentucky Bank Arena at NKU. It is the first major event at the new arena. Thanks to this blog entry, we're running late now.... Hope "Jesus takes the wheel" and gets us there on time!!

And so it begins....

To kick off my blog, I was looking thru pictures I have taken of Addie recently, but happened to glance over to the couch and couldn't resist snapping a few shots...

Addie and I are dog sitting for Aunt Laynie while she, Scott, and my parents are in Europe. We are exhausted trying to keep up with the four puppies, as you can see they are constantly in motion!



Not to leave the fourth one out....