They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

This morning I was Exhausted with a capital e when Joy decided she was up for the day. So I dragged my butt out of bed and put a show on TV for her (yes, I do that in the morning when I'm still waking up, and I'm not ashamed to admit it). Then I fell asleep on the couch. I don't think I was asleep long, because Joy doesn't let that happen. Besides, my nose was all stuffed up and I think I may have snored a bit and woke myself up as a result. Anyway, Joy came over to me, all smiles, and wanted to cuddle. I lifted her up on the couch with me, pulling the blanket over her as she tried to take over the small square pillow my head was on. She was copying me in every way she could... and then she started fake snoring. What a little stinker! I couldn't help but laugh.

Public Service Announcement- Fires

I am a registered volunteer with the American Red Cross. I signed up back in 2009 when they were concerned about flooding in the area and thought they would have to open up multiple shelters because of it. In fact, we were told it wasn't a matter of whether or not flooding would occur, but when. At our house, we readied a room for visitors. We figured that if someone was displaced and came to us through our church, we would be ready for them. We even went so far as to buy a memory foam futon so they could have a comfy bed. The flooding never came.

I didn't receive any emails requesting volunteers for shelters until I was pregnant and unable to help. After giving birth, I was of course busy with my newborn daughter. She's now a toddler, and I figure that if I need to every once in a while, I can volunteer as long as my husband is available to watch her for at least the majority of the time I will be volunteering.

This month, I have volunteered at 2 different shelters about 2 weeks apart. Both shelters were opened because of apartment fires. And while I was working at the shelter last night, we heard of another apartment fire that might create a need for the shelter to stay open and expand to accommodate more people.

At this time of year, there are many fire resulting from decorations and the like. Please be safe!

My little goofball

She has some adorable hats, but she doesn't really like to wear them. She does like to wear Mom or Dad's baseball cap. She's also been known to walk around in a beanie (sometimes worn correctly, and sometimes completely covering her eyes). When she got her little Halloween basket, she started alternating between putting toys in it and wearing it as a sort of helmet. And then sometimes, there's this:

Christmas season is here!!!

I have found as I get older that I am looking forward to Christmas more. I am sure I looked forward to it as a kid, but I know there were years when I didn't care about it much. As a single adult, I sometimes participated in Christmas Angel events to try to get into the spirit, but I didn't care much about decorating or baking or things like that. I know I wasn't into any of those aspects of Christmas as a kid. I remember not really caring much about Christmas movies and music, and now I enjoy those, even the cheesy Christmas movies. And now I look forward to decorating the house inside and out, baking and giving out cookies, and even wrapping gifts.

Having a child has even made it all more exciting for me. I can understand how kids see commercials and decide they want about 1000 different things for Christmas based on the ads. I do the same thing with items that are on sale when it comes to shopping for her! I haven't gotten her many toys, but I got her books and sing-along videos and winter clothes and have been tempted to buy so much more for her. I mean, have you seen toddler boots? They are crazy cute!!! I pretty much had her Christmas shopping done months ago, but I keep finding things for her and getting them. Now I just need to decide what I will hang on to for her birthday AND STOP BUYING THINGS FOR HER!

How do you feel about the holiday season? Love it, loathe it, or somewhere in between? What are some of your favorite things about it? Least favorite things about it?