Symphony Tickets!!

I have 6 tickets available for the Charlotte Symphony! It's the Magic of Christmas performance on Saturday, December 6 at 2:30pm. I have 3 pairs of tickets all on the Orchestra level, mid-level rows. I ended being given 10 of them and am not going to use them all. They sell for $50 online, but you can have them for $25 each. Let em know if you want them!

Potty Training advice

So I guess we're at the beginning of the process with the potty around here. I realize Karis is barely 18 months and I am not in a rush. However, she is showing some signs of readiness. She's talking about the potty a lot, tells us about pee-pee and poo-poo, though I don't think it always coincides with the act of doing it. We borrowed my mom's little potty and Karis asks to sit on it a lot - a few times every day. Last week she pooped on the potty twice and today jumped up from the potty and peed on the floor. So, with the list of her symptoms :), what would any of you suggest? books, materials, when to start training panties (she has been doing pull-ups during the day), should I just let her go gradually b/c she's young or be more intentional now that she's showing signs? I don't want to start too early when she's not really ready, just to go backwards. I would love to hear some tips and stories from my experienced mom friends!

How do you respond...

when someone makes a racist comment? I'm not talking about on TV or overheard in the grocery store. I mean in a direct conversation with you and they say it like of course you would agree. I had that happen yesterday. I have noticed that since I married Dee, no one really says anything about blacks anymore. But that doesn't stop them from making really derogatory comments about Hispanics. I feel just as offended when I hear it. I don't have a relationship with anyone right now that is Hispanic, but I feel more sensitive to minorities in general since marrying Dee. It seems (in my unresearched opinion) that a lot of Southerners are conscious of racism against blacks and are more careful about their words. However, there is much freedom in comments against "Mexicans". Because that is the term used for ALL people of Hispanic origin. Dee has even told me that on the west coast, "Hispanic" is not really an accepted term, but you should say "Latino" instead. I have had several instances where people I know make very negative comments about them, saying that they are uneducated, dirty, don't take care of their children, and are here to "take over". AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!! I want to confront it when I hear it, but I really don't know how to do it with a balance of firm clarity and gentleness. Do you ever deal with this?

Ever Been There?

Have you ever been in that place where you're the new one in the group? You feel awkward, don't really know what to say. You want someone to talk to you, but don't know what to talk about. Ok, ok, I'm talking about myself. Dee & I went to a community group for the first time at the church we've been attending for the last couple months. It really was good and we enjoyed it. They passed out paper and pens and asked everyone to write down a question or topic to discuss. It could be about anything. I could NOT think of anything to write. So I didn't. I know that sounds lame, but I couldn't get away from the thoughts in my head. What's this group like? How do they interact? Are there Christians or non-Christians? In that setting, I tend to get really quiet.

I hate that awkward feeling. But it's required to get to know new people, right?

Motherhood is a Distraction

Is this just a new mom thing or will it stay with me? Motherhood can be such a distraction to me. I know that sounds terrible like I don't want to be a mom or I'm not enjoying it. That's not the case at all. I LOVE being a mom and I really enjoy being with, teaching, playing with, and training Karis and I really look forward to more children being in the mix with us. But...I feel consumed with it at times. I don't feel nervous/anxious as when Karis was an infant, but much of my mental and emotional energy is wrapped up in being a mom.

It is a distraction from my relationship with the Lord. At the onset of my day, I am thinking about things to prepare and the reality of the hour in the context of our schedule. At the end of the day, I'm tired and trying to process what needs to be done for the next day. I have a really hard time at church lately. It takes me a while for my mind to slow down and stop working from what's happened that morning, how Karis is doing in the nursery (which is not too good lately) and keeping an eye on the screen to see if Karis' number comes up for me to come get her. When I do sit to read or think to pray, it's hard for my mind to settle.

Will it get better? Or is it just a discipline issue? I am so out of the habit of being with the Lord, I just feel rusty.

Earn a Free Eee PC Laptop Through May 15!

Earn a free Eee PC form D&S Products! Seriously, this is a promotion we are doing with our own business, no scams here! Click this link to find out out how.

Good Stewardship

Here's another advertisement for something I think is a really good opportunity. To the right is the button for Revolution Money Exchange, which works just like Pay Pal, except that it is absolutely free to not only send money, but receive it as well. We are investigating trying it out on our business website. Signing up is better than free, you actually get $25! Check it out.

Four Generations

I love this precious picture.
My 93 year old grandmother, Jane Davis, my Mom, and of course, me & Karis
I love to see Karis build relationships with my grandmother and my mom and I love to watch them loving and enjoying her. Karis doesn't yet realize how blessed she is to have 2 wonderful Grammies and 2 wonderful Great-Grandmothers (and one great Pops!)
I treasure these years we all have together.

MY GIRLS

I had a very special reunion a few weeks ago that I haven't shared yet. When I was on staff with Campus Outreach, I had the privilege to be in the lives of 8 very special women. They were all college-age, some taking classes part-time or full-time, all working and figuring out life for the future. Most of us lived in a house dubbed, "The Swan Dive" in Matthews. Can you imagine a 4 bedroom house with 6 girls? Yes, it was adventurous... it was intense... it was a lot of fun! I miss those days and the time I had with them. I could tell so much about each girl and their heart and their journey with the Lord and all our journey's with each other. Those years were a HUGE growing time for all of us about relationships, communication, conflict, and forgiveness. (They're laughing if they're reading this.) It was so good to get together and share about old times and catch up about new times. There are a couple marriages, a couple babies, an engagement, lots of moves and new jobs, and so much more to come. I wasn't teaching them or leading them this time at all. I just sat back and listened a lot and watched and praised the Lord for what He's done in all of us!
Here are a couple quotes from emails sent among all of us.

"I wanted to see where God has brought us from the first day we had been introduced. Do ya'll realize just how far we have come?? We still struggle daily but it seems that we all know who to hang onto."

"I was also very encouraged by all of you, by your commitment to the Lord! He is doing alot in our lives and I pray we continue to keep our hands and hearts open for Him."

I hope the Lord will allow me to continue to grow with groups of women throughout my life, but I don't know if any will ever have my heart like these women!



Jen, me, Jessica, Kali, Ali, Michelle, Christy (Shannon & Megan weren't able to come)

Yes, Karis was there and enjoyed ALL the attention from all her aunts! (she was asleep for the picture!)

Country Girl

We've been on vacation in Mississippi visiting my grandmother, and some time in Florida visiting some family there. We had a great time, and after the scare of losing our flight by Skybus, we made it in and Karis became a full-fledged country-girl.Check out for yourself:

D&S Products

Technology - Simplified for You

Yes, friends, D&S is for Dee & Stacey - ingenious, right?
So, for those who haven't heard (but probably you have heard), we started a business. Yes, we're combining Dee's techie skills & my detail/admin skills to try and further provide for our family & have fun with some cool products. I realized I haven't mentioned it here on our blog and what better place? :)
So, we're selling Linux-based laptops. Right now, it's just Asus Eee PC's - small laptops. Have you heard of them? Dee & I both have one since they are so affordable & we LOVE them. I won't give you a big sales pitch or anything...just a link to our website:
www.dandsproducts.com
We are spending a lot of time on this and it's going really good! We have several in stock & they're going fast! So, ok, I can't resist - check it out more if you care to, but they come in black & white, and they're only $379.99 without webcam!! I literally carry it in my purse! Spread the word & let us know if you want one! :)

Tis Now, but what about later?

This morning in church, we sang a great old hymn "If ever I loved thee, my Jesus tis now" I was really worshiping and experiencing the Lord, then we got to this verse...

Ill love The in life, I will love Thee in death
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath
And say, when the death dew lies cold on my brow
If ever I loved Thee my Jesus tis now

Oh, it so moved me. I am not on death's bed nor admittedly, do I think about death often at a young age and good health. But I have known those who have died in Christ. I quickly thought of our dear friend Linda Longbrook and just cried in worship to the Lord and thankfulness for her and the life she lived. She was not perfect, but she did live a God-honoring life. And she died a God-honoring death. God did lend her breath for many healthy years and He lent her breath during the years she fought cancer. And the death dew did come and it did lie on her brow and that dew did grow cold. She died a God-honoring death, a Christ-exalting death. She loved Jesus so much in her fight and though her body lost, her soul found victory that day! May I live a God-honoring life that shows "'my Jesus I love Thee". And may I die a death like Linda - that exalts Christ and shows my intense love for Jesus as I finally see Him face to face!
Amen.

Remembering Buster

BUSTER LANIER
1997-2008

It has been an intense week at the Lanier house, especially for Dee. With the incident at his school, making up work from a snow day, and much work on the new business D&S Products, it got more emotional on Thursday when our dog, Buster died. I have to admit, I'm (Stacey) not much of a pet person, but I have grown to like dogs (most of them), prefer Boxers, and love Buster. So, this is a tribute to Buster. I'll tell you his story for those who care to read on.

Dee adopted Buster from a Boxer Rescue in 1998. He was about a year old and had been severely abused and Dee really had the heart to take this needy, emotional dog and bring him back to health. For some of you who met Buster in the early years, he seemed aggressive when he would bark and bark when anyone (especially men) would enter the house. Really he was just scared. In his old age, he grew out of that, but continued to be a very protective dog for Dee.

When Dee & I were dating and talking about marriage, he knew I wasn't much on animals, especially not in the house. So, when we got married, Dee took Buster to Mississippi to stay with his grandmother. Buster was good ol' country dog with acres of land to run in and the adventures of fighting and/or killing possum, armadillo, skunk and all kinds of other animals. He once greeted our car with a deer skull in his mouth that he had found in the woods. He was so proud and I was so disgusted!

Buster played a huge part in Mississippi during Dee's grandfather's illness. He stayed right by his side when he was taking walks on their land outside. Dee's grandmother still tells us the story when Buster kept barking and barking and wouldn't let her walk the way she wanted. She finally followed him and he led her to Grandpa who had fallen and was too weak to make it back to the house. He was better than Lassie! :) She still has his picture in a frame in her house!
We decided to bring Buster back to NC when we bought our house with a fenced-in back yard and we had Noah, our other boxer then, who was just a puppy. Buster didn't like sharing Dee with me and especially not this annoying new puppy. He beat Noah up a lot and wouldn't let him in the dog house. They finally got to be good friends, but they still fought a lot.

After we gave up Noah, Dee convinced me it was too cold and Buster was too old to be outside by himself. So Buster finally got his wish - back inside with Dee. He mostly just laid around and slept and ran away from Karis. She loved him, but I think she was overwhelming to him with all her shrieking and smacking him.

He has been sick for a while, we noticed, and we found him Thursday already gone after he obviously wasn't feeling well. Dee misses him, but he's doing ok.
Here are some pics of Buster at his finest!

Lanier Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Family search

Lanier Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

One Year Old?

That's right. I really can't believe it! We had a fun family birthday party Saturday and Karis was so precious! She had so much fun with her cousins. She got a walking toy that she loves and has really been practicing! She actually took a couple steps on her own a couple nights ago. I was at the store and I told Dee he should have pushed her down. She can't do that away from me!! I'll post some pictures later, but just wanted to give a quick update!

She is learning new things every day & it has been so fun. Her babbling seems more like words, her fine motor skills are developing, and she understands my words more and more. I remember a friend from church telling me that when her child went for her 12 month checkup, the doctor said they understand about 90% of what we say. That's a little scary and also a good reminder that little ears are always listening.

She has been using her signs for more and please so well lately and it helps us both communicate better! Typically, when she signs "more", she sort of claps instead of putting her fingers together. Last weekend, I was asking her if she wanted more as I signed it to her. She stared at my fingers for a while, then studied her own hands and slowly put her fingers together like mine and did it correctly. It was amazing to watch her have that epiphany of, "Oh, that's how you do it!!"

Today at the doctor, she was really intrigued with the stethoscope as the doctor listened to her breathing. She sat really still and watched very closely. When the doctor finished, she walked away and Karis signed "more, more". It was so funny. I guess she liked it!

I love my little girl!!

Giving Up Noah for Adoption

Most of you know we recently gave our dog Noah to our friends, Jason & Shawnda. We knew we would have to do something before we move and when they started looking for a dog, we decided it was worth it to go ahead and do it early. He really is happy there & he gets to be inside! He loves that and he loves all the kids and he loves all the attention! Buster is still with us and he got to come inside too! He has very limited roaming space, but Dee convinced me he's too old to be in the cold with his arthritis. So, we lost one and gained one...sort of!

"I'll miss you, Buster!"





The last bath...he hates it!





Karis loves to stand and look at the dogs out the window





Buster still doesn't know what he thinks about being inside with Karis. She loves him & gets so excited! But, as you can see, he usually just walks away. I think the shrieking overwhelms him. It's pretty funny watching them sometimes!

Even More Cousins!

Yes, it has been a childcare extravaganza around here! Dana and I have been taking turns keeping all the cousins lately. So they have been around each other a lot and Dana and I are seeing what it's like to have 4 kids very close in age! The kids are Kayden: 2 1/2, Isaiah: 15 mo., Karis: 11 mo., and Kayla: 5 1/2 mo.. So it is a busy day when they are all together, but it's fun! Dana and I have definitely gained a greater appreciation for my mom who does this all the time! It's so wonderful to have a mom close by that serves all of us in SO many ways. I know I won't always have that and it's one of the hardest things about moving. But the kids have a lot of fun together. Mealtimes are definitely the most challenging! And since I am starting to slowly wean Karis off her bottle, she does NOT like it when Kayla gets hers and she doesn't get one! But we're all learning to share and be patient....the moms, I mean!

Kayden's usual state all day long...no pants & eating a snack!





He does NOT like it when any of the babies cry. Here, he is telling Karis in the monitor it's going to be ok.





Kayden loves to "hold" Karis.






I had a little photo shoot with Kayla. It's so much easier when they can't move that much!





Typical moment: Kayden telling me what he wants to do next, Isaiah & Karis whining & Kayla was sleeping, I think

Karis loves to laugh!

Dee says she only laughs like this with me, but I think you just have to know her tickle spots!

More cousins

We love being Uncle Dee & Aunt Stacey to our dear friends' kids! We have had the privilege of spending a lot of time with them lately while our friends were away for the weekend. So the Lanier house expanded to 4 children for a few days & we had a blast. Karis loved it! Being the first child, I definitely think she gets bored of looking at me! I have always loved being around and taking care of lots of kids like this. In high school, there were 2 different families of 4 that I kept regularly. It has fueled my desire for a family. And I love seeing my husband with other children. He is so good with them, playing, dancing, doing hair, and keeping them in line! It was definitely a lot of work and I see our need to grow as parents, but that will come! Our friends are such an example to us in their heart for adoption and their willingness to be a part of meeting a need for an orphan even when it's hard. The Lord has used them to increase our passion for adoption and she is a great example to me in parenting. I learn a lot from her. Here are a few snapshots of our extended family!



Big brother helping read the bedtime story




BATH TIME!




Helping Aunt Stacey around the house




Uncle Dee loves some cuddle time





Sisters




Karis loved having a playmate!