It Must be Campmeeting - I Hear the Thunder!

When I was a kid we would go to campmeeting every year and stay in our tents. And no campmeeting was ever complete without a good old fashioned thunder and lightening storm. Well, campmeeting started tonight here in Florida and what to do you know, we just had a good storm. It's been ages since we've had one. Of course, we weren't actually in a tent but it was enjoyable nonetheless. I put Calleigh to bed at about 7:30 and then Duncan and I both concked out on the couch. The storm woke us up which was probably a good thing because it was getting late. No doubt we will both have troubles falling asleep tonight. That's why I'm still up at 11:45!

The week is ending a lot calmer than it began. We haven't been up to much excitement lately - - unless you count Calleigh being called a boy some excitement. We were out and about yesterday afternoon and Calleigh was dressed in a pink polo shirt and some jean capris that had white flower designs on them (the capris were a gift from the Irrgangs. It comes with a nice white tank top but it was damp and overcast and I didn't feel like having her in a tank top...but I digress). Anyway, we ran into an older lady (I'll let you be the judge of what I mean by "older") who looked at Calleigh and asked what HIS name was. I said, "She's actually a girl and her name is Calleigh." And she muttered to me, "I've never seen a girl dressed like that." To which I responded, "Well, she IS in a pink shirt." I mean, how many 1-year old boys do you see in a pink shirt? Seriously. I think a pink shirt on a guy is fantastic but I highly doubt you'll see a baby boy in a pink shirt. (Yes, I know it would have been helpful had I taken a picture of her in the outfit so you could be judge of it yourself.) Not that this is the first (or last time) that she's been called a boy or that it even bothers me, I just thought it was a little more unique than the other times. It also reminds me of a time when I was a kid and we were singing at a nursing home and one of the patients called me a boy. Now, when you're like five or six years old, it's a much bigger deal and I was upset. But my mom told me, "Corey, if you're wearing a dress and they think you're a boy, than that's their problem not yours." Valid point. Still...I did have my hair cut pretty short back then and I honestly believe that a reason I've had my hair long (for the most part) since seventh grade is that I didn't like people thinking I was a boy.

Calleigh is doing so well with her standing and walking. She is standing without holding anything quite frequently now. We don't have to initiate anything. She'll just take her hands off whatever she's holding on to and stand there. In addition, she's gotten so much better at walking with us. In the past, if we took her hands and tried to get her to walk, she'd go about 2-3 steps and then just plop down. Now she'll actually walk across the room. Furthermore, Duncan even took just one hand this afternoon and she walked like that. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of it but I'm sure I will over the weekend. The pictures you see here are of her on her lion. She got on it and then once she was sitting there she realized, "What a minute. Something isn't quite right." It was like she was sitting there pondering what was wrong. Finally the light seemed to dawn on her and she thought to herself "I'm on backwards. Better turn myself around." And that's what she did.

She's definitely learning new words too even if she can't say them yet. She got a "Little People" Noah's Ark set from Ron and Elaine for her birthday and she's enjoying playing with the animals. I've been telling her all the names of the animals and her favorite seems to be the giraffe. This afternoon I asked her "Where's the giraffe?" And sure enough, she went and found it. (Of course, I go through this process several times just to make sure it isn't a fluke...like yesterday when I told her to "give Mommy a kiss" which she did but has never done again!) We're working on learning the zebra next.

This afternoon we went to Walmart to get some pictures taken. They have an introductory offer of $3.99 which includes about 7 photos (same pose) so it seemed like a good deal and there was no wait. Duncan came with us so that one of us could sit there with her and the other could make her smile. So they take the first picture which counts as your introductory offer and then you are obligated to take six more poses which we did. And Calleigh did a great job. Then afterwards, they of course try to sell you all these packages. Naturally they start with the most expensive one. For only $299.00 you can get these six poses and the kitchen sink, etc. Do I feel like a cheapskate in that I only bought a $30 package? The photo lady certainly made me think so since after all "It's your CHILD." How could I NOT buy the other poses? But I'm strong and didn't give in. We'll get the pictures in two weeks. Yes, you read that correctly. In this electronic age, you actually wait 14 days for them to print out 7 photographs. Crazy, huh? Good thing I'm not in a rush.

I have some more comments about my management company that I'm dying to share but it will have to wait until after Sabbath. Needless to say, Duncan has now gotten involved so we mean business!!

Happy Sabbath. Tomorrow we're off to campmeeting.