Luke's taking a nap which provides a window of opportunity for an update.

My parents and brothers took a vacation to Branson over the weekend so my sister, McKenzie, hung out at our place a couple days. Yesterday, Kenz and I (along with Luke in a stroller) went on a three mile walk at Missouri Western on the trails. I seldom make resolutions at New Years, but this year I made one to walk or run my first ever 5k by September. I found out recently about one in Parkville in early September, so I'm trying to work up the stamina now to be ready then. Nick and I have walked close to two miles a couple times earlier this week so three wasn't too bad. Now to see if I can jog that. Ha... that will be a completely different story. ;)

When my family got back in town, we were adorned with presents. Michael got us a pizza stone from one of the outlets they went to, which is way cool. I love to make homemade pizza so I told him a pizza party was in order before he leaves for college next week. He also got us a jumbo plastic popcorn container, Nick a whoopie cushion (classy, I know... my husband's a big kid, so it thrilled him), and Luke a Silver Dollar City shirt. My mom hit a Carter's store down there and cleared out a good half of the store with some great things for Luke. ;) We received lots of 0-3 mth outfits for him as presents when he was born (so much so that I feel need to dress him twice a day just so things get worn before they're outgrown). However, he's been a little lacking in the fall & winter clothing department (I think he may have one or two things to wear once it gets cooler). So, Grandma Morehead got him covered for the chillier season with some great nighties and one-piece long sleeved jumpers.

Also, kind of fun to find out... my mom was excited to show us this new CD she got of an artist named Francesca Battistelli. She's been telling me how much she loved this song of hers on the radio for a while now, but she didn't tell me who sung it. So, when she showed me the CD, I got really excited because I recognized the name and face. I competed with Francesca at the GMA Seminar in the Rockies back in either 2004 in the young adults category. At the time she was going to college and living with her parents back in Florida. She had just picked up the guitar and started song writing before competing and she had a huge gift. I had a hunch she'd make it in the market one day and it's so cool to see she's now an up and coming face in the CCM world!

This morning, Luke and I were in for a treat. My friend, Hollie, from church called the other day to let us know about a local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) activity. They typically run their program during the school year, so today they had opening activities. There were tons of kids there- maybe 30 or 40?- and lots of activities (blowup fun houses for the kids to jump in, coloring stations, an outdoor play set, snow cones & popcorn, etc.). I stood by and observed while holding Luke and got the opportunity to meet some other moms. I'm really looking forward to joining the group... it will be so nice to fellowship with other mommies.

Well, who knows how long the silence will last but if Luke's still going to be in slumberland for a while, I better get some chores done.