Just me and my John

Lee took Reese to the hunting camp with him this weekend. So, today was just me and my John. I realize now how much I took for granted all the one-on-one time I got with Reese at this age---and, though, I still love spending time with both of them together---it is a special treat to have time with either one of them individually.



John and I woke up and played around the house. If you saw the last entry on the blog, you know that Reese has started wearing sunglasses some mornings when the kitchen light is "too bright" for her. So, John decided to re-enact his sister's drama.





Then, after a run to Target, a nap and lunch, we headed for a late afternoon stroll thru the botanical gardens. The last time John and I went, he was about 10 months old. I enjoyed taking his picture in some of the same places and seeing the change.



For instance, here is a pic of John from last time on a certain sidewalk in the gardens...





and, here is this time on that same sidewalk...






Wow---5 months can make such a big difference!


However, the pics didn't come much easier.



Last time, most of my pics ended up being of the top of his head (since he was just crawling at that point). This time, they mostly looked like this...





But, I did get a few cute ones....

John, I loved our day together!! You truly have captured my heart!!

Of course, I couldn't end without a shout-out to my girl. Love you too, Reese!

The Post of Randomness

ok--its been awhile since I've posted about the kids. I was feeling ok about that---b/c my friend Jennifer Love had also been a blog-slacker-----but the past few weeks, girlfriend has let me down and totally been posting away.

So, here we go, a blog update of sorts...

First, a few pics from Christmas...

Here is a pic of some of the Bratschi family around the table before Christmas Eve dinner. A couple of things I love about this pic (you may have to click on the picture to enlarge to see what I'm talking about):
1--LOVE the look MG is giving her husband. Its like "what in the WORLD are you talking about?" Practice that look MG....it will serve you well in your marriage.
2--Yes, that is John playing with a knife----and, yes, that is his loving grandfather watching him. Nevermind, that daddy would have NEVER let me do that. (We won't talk about the fact that his mother obviously did/should have seen this to since I took a picture of it.)


Mama and I both decided not to put breakable ornaments on our trees this year due to the tornado, which is John. I thought Mama's tree was really well done with the Christmas cards of years past as her "ornaments".


MG let Reese try on her wedding ring. I'm glad Lee didn't see it b/c it might have freaked him out to think of things to come! : )


MG and Brennan gave Reese a music/jewelry box for Christmas. To say that she LOVED it would be an understatement. I loved that she got one....just one of those little girl "rite of passage" things.


MG and Brennan on Christmas morning. I thought this was a cute pic.


Random pics and commentary:

Reese got a scooter for Christmas. Lee didn't get a chance to put it together before he left to go hunting on 12/26 and I tried for about 2.5 seconds...but with all the tools it said it required and all...I told Reese that we'd have to wait for Daddy. So, she decided to go ahead and get on the gear so that she'd be ready when Daddy got back....3 days later...to ride.

Lately, Reese has stepped up her diva-ness. She now thinks on many mornings that it is too bright in the kitchen to properly eat breakfast. So, this is her new am look at the kitchen table.

Third, we went to Fayette this past weekend. Here's 1 cute pic of John. And, 1 pic of Reese trying desperately to let me get a pic of both of them----but John just not feeling it.

Finally, I'll end with a conversation I had with Reese last week. A little background, we have REALLY been working hard on our "maam's" and "sirs" in our house lately.

Kelly: [asked Reese a question that I can't remember now]

Reese: Yes ma'am.

3 seconds later....

Reese: Mommy, I said "ma'am"

Kelly: I know, sweetie, and I'm very proud.

Reese: Aren't you glad I didn't call you poot-head?

Glad to know what you really think of me, Reese....feelin' the love!

Prayer for our President

I rushed to work this morning to join the live webcast of Max Lucado leading a time of prayer for President-Elect Obama on this, his inauguration day. I have felt so moved these last few weeks to pray for him.....I'm not sure if it is because his views are so different than mine and the anticipation of his presidency makes me so nervous....or, the state of our country and world makes me so nervous....or simply the moving of the Holy Spirit to pray.....or a combination of those. But, nevertheless, I have been praying for him. He may not be the President I would have chosen....but God commands me to submit to his leadership anyway. And, God tells me, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face... then I will heal their land." Oh, Father, how I pray that you would!

So, to share with all 5 people who probaby read this blog the prayer that Max led us in---and that I will be continuing to pray for Obama, Biden and their team...

1. Protection....."keep them safe from the evil one" John 17:15

2. Wisdom...."But if any of you need wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to all people, so he will give you wisdom." James 1:5

3. Reverence...."Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord; those who obey his orders have good understanding. He should be praised forever." Psalms 111:10

4. Strength/Stamina/Capability..."I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing you need so you can do what he wants." Hebrews 13:20

"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity." 1 Timothy 2:1-2

One final praise, over 200,000 people signed up on Max Lucado's website prior to today to commit to pray for Obama today. I love feeling the power of the universal church coming together to the throne of God!!!!

I hope the above doesn't come across "preachy"....I just wanted to share some of what God has been laying on my heart.

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday!

Kelly

Who went to Cameron Indoor? Oh yea, that would be ME!!!

My wonderful, sweet, dear, giving husband got my sister and me tickets to a home Duke game. MG and I are big Duke basketball fans and going to a game at Cameron Indoor was definately on our "bucket list". I can't tell you how pumped I was about going----and, I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would. Just such a fun experience. Not the least of which was spending the day with Lee and my sister.

Below is some of the video I took. Pardon the quality of it--I am still learning. I'm sure MG and I are the only ones who will watch it, anyway.

I'll post pictures as soon as someone (not mentioning names--but her name rhymes to Kary Krase) sends them to me. : )

Thanks again, Lee!!