Congratulations to me!

I'm gonna be an Aunt!!!!!

Tricked you huh?!?!

My sister Mandy is pregnant! Please pray for her. Most of you probably know that she hasn't had the easiest time in the past. Please pray for the baby's safety and my sister's heart as she goes through this first trimester.

6:50 AM

Can you explain to me, a coffee shop that does not open before 7AM?? I have to be AT work at 7AM.

When this coffee shop first opened, I stoped by on my way to work because 1. I love coffee and 2. The signs were Bible verses and such, making me assume that they are Christians (of some sort).

However, they have not been open once since then on my way to work. What time do they open???? I don't know. I do know they are open on my home around 4PM. I guess this is one of the great mysteries of my life...

Seriously, there should be a law about such things...

22 Month old Today!

I can't believe she is almost 2 years old. Its seems like just yesterday we were announcing our pregnancy, and yet here we are. KayLynn is growing so fast it is hard to keep up! This morning when we got to the babysitters, KayLynn said, "We're here! Open the door!" It is so fun to see the lights go on each time she learns something new. She is putting 2 and 2 together so much now, that we often get statements like that. Everytime we leave the house KayLynn wants her shoes, socks and coat. She does not want to leave without a coat, and if I try to put sandles on without socks, she is confused and wants to know where her socks are.

Lately she has taken to praying during her meal several times. She folds her hands, bows her head, mumbles and then says, "Thank you. Amen!" Amen is one of her favortie words. Yesterday at church she said it about a hundred times - I am thankful that my church is supportive of children in worship. We had several people come up to us afterward and comment on excitement in worship, and how they enjoyed seeing her in there with us worshiping. Thank you Lord.

Anyway, thats all the updates for now, but when I get home I have lots of pictures to share...

Happy Birthday Munchkin!!!

What do you think?

I never thought I would hear myself saying the following...

Mommy is proud of you for learning the body parts, but mommy does not need you to lift up her shirt and remind her whats up there...especially not in the store.

No, KayLynn you may not brush your hair with your toothbrush...not mine either.

I'm sorry, but no mommy will not kiss your toe, when you injured it while trying to use the potty as a step stool, with the lid up.

If you want juice and daddy is standing right next to you, do not come all the way into my bedroom where I am, and ask me to get it for you. Daddy knows how to pour juice too.

Just because it is small, round and bright does not mean its candy. Mommy's earbuds are NOT candy.

Saying, "oops" does not convince anyone that it was an accident.

Though I know it is hours of fun, you may not splash in your milk.

Believe it or not, I do not do pilates because I like to be treated like a jungle gym.

Strangers do not like it when you tickle the backs of their knees. Neither does mommy.

Rocks are not for eating, and no I don't want a bite.

Do not put pencils in your nose. Or peas. Or crayons. Or your finger.

When mommy is talking to someone do not say, "Bye bye. All done, bye bye." It's bad manners!


What have you caught yourself saying?

Reassurance from the smallest places...

Lately KayLynn has been grabbing my face between her hands and saying in a hushed voice... "Shhh shhh, don't cry Mommy. It's ok. Shhh shh". No, I am not crying!! She is the little mommy in our home. Everyone is taken care of and re-assured when needed! Once when I put her to bed she started to cry. I told her that it was Pooh's bedtime, and she needed to cuddle with him. She grabbed him and said, "Go night-night Pooh. It's ok. Don't cry." And then she rolled over and went to sleep.

Happy Mothers Day

I love being a mother. There is no other vocation in the world that will so happily break your heart. Each day I my daughter teaches me how to love, how to laugh and how to live. Her eager desire to enjoy her surroundings to the fullest spur me on to do better, to be better. In mothering my daughter I get the tiniest glimpse of our Father's unconditional love for me. I am so thankful each day that the Lord saw fit to make me a mommy.


Ode to my moms... They say it takes a village to raise a child - well who knew how literal that would be? I have several mothers. I am loved, blessed and encouraged in different ways by each.


Terri - the woman who gave birth to me. Now that I too have given birth, I am more thankful for that because I know how hard it is!! My mother taught me to enjoy myself. My mom knows how to have fun, from taking us out of school on our birthdays for a day filled with play, to whipping up pancakes with my daughter sitting on the counter banging spoons together. My mother knows how to have fun. She sets up haunted houses and teaches children how to splash in mud puddles (yes it really is an art form - I can show you sometime). She has had some hard times and has still come out on the other side with a smile and a steak dinner to share. I love you Momma.


Tam - the mom who didn't have to be. Possibly the strongest person I know. She has taught me not only to know the right thing, but to do it, even when its hard. She is the best example of how to love well, even when it is not easy. She always takes on more than she should in an effort to help and to unburden others. Because of that, I feel more protective of her than my other mothers. I am so thankful that she is there for me to lean on and talk with. I love you Aunty Mommy.

Kandy - my dad's wife. She didn't have to be kind to me, I wasn't hers after all. She didn't have to make my favorite dessert, or a birthday cake for my birthday, or help with food for my wedding and KayLynn's birthdays. But she did. That's just who she is. We can always count on her to come over for dinner - and bring it with her! She is an amazing cook, and that is definitely her love language. I love you Kandy.

Shari - got this one from my husband! Probably the most encouraging woman on the planet. It does not matter what I do, this woman is my cheering section. It is such a blessing to have such and artistic cheer leading squad to back me up. I can always count on her to be the babysitter so Max and I can have a date - or even just relax together! Love you Mimi.

I am so thankful for the Lord's wisdom in giving me so many mothers to love and from whom to learn.

Happy Mothers Day.

Our conversations these days...

Yesterday on the way home from the library:

K: Where going? Where's Daddy?
Me: Where is Daddy?
K: Daddy's at work.
Me: Nope, Daddy's at home.
K: Daddy's sleeping. With Beider (the dog)
Me: Yep, Daddy is taking a nap.
K: Going home?
Me: Yep, we are going home, who are we going to see?
K: Daddy and Beider.
Me: And?
K: Kitties. Floflo and Shhh (Silver). Momma, kitties are so cute.
Me: trying not to laugh Yep they are.

Notice: I say Yep a lot. Especially in the car because she talks soooo much.

Another conversation...

K: Where's Daddy?
Me: Daddy's at work.
K: Daddy's at work. Silly Daddy.

UPDATED THURSDAY:
Apparently everything is cute. Last night when I handed her a new pair of pjs to put on, she said, "Mommy its so cute." In fact almost everything she did is "sooo cute" with a huge smile.

So much to do, and really there is the time...

Well, I found the time to schedule KayLynn&Mommy time. Starting today I am getting up a half our earlier (after all my daughter is more important that sleep!) so that I can have my stuff (i.e. getting ready, packing lunches, picking up the house) done by the time that KayLynn awakens. This morning I sat with her while she ate breakfast of toast and soy milk and we 'talked' about the day and who she was going to see (she loves Wren!). Then we watched Elmo for about 20 minutes and got her dressed and we left. It is amazing the difference between yesterday and today. She was happy and awake for the day - she even had clothes other than her jammies on. As often as I can force myself we are going to do this - that way we get our KayLynn&Mommy time.

Saturday I am having a few women over as a celebration of Mother's Day. Before then I must: clean the bathroom and kitchen, mop the living room floors, wash the dog bed, bathe the dog and cats, iron the linens, wash the champagne flutes (for mimosas!) and weed the rose beds. Top that all off with having hours of work for my (second) job, playing with my daughter and still going to work and getting sleep; I have the feeling I am going to be a little busy. What do you have planned for the next few days/weekend??

What do you think?

What melts your heart? There are a few things that melt mine (well, probably more than a few).

• I love it when I have put KayLynn down for bed and I am walking out the door, and she says, "Mommy? I love you." Yes, I know she is stalling, and No, I don't care!
• I love watching her squish cuddle her babies in her arms and say, "Shhh, its ok baby."
• I love it when she catches me watching her from the door, and gives me a voluntary smile.
• I love that she must say goodbye to the dog and cats before we leave home every morning.
• I love her smiles. Her daddy smile, saved just for him. Her mischievous smile, that looks like she knows a secret. Her mommy smile (no not for me!) reserved just for her dolls when she is being "mommy". Her chucky smile that looks like she is going to eat you! Her cheese smile for pictures. Her sweet almost-asleep smile that shows you that sweet little personality.

I could go on and on, but I wont... What are some of the things that melt your heart right now?

Running to catch up...

Yesterday KayLynn needed a day off (and I don't hesitate to add that so did Mommy). Sunday we had the Krulishes over, which was so much fun. Max really enjoyed getting some Godly fellowship and is probably going to get involved in the youth ministry - yeah! However, KayLynn was a little exhausted. She would cry whenever we put her down, and her tummy was upset on top of it. When it all continued Monday morning, I didn't want to drop her at the babysitter's. So, we just curled up and cuddled all day. For those of you who have a (almost) two year old, you know that cuddles are usually reserved for special occasions, so I think it did my heart good to keep my baby in my arms all day. I will have to incorporate some "mommy" time in the weekends from now on!

Its funny though, whenever I get on top of one thing, it seems like others slide. I never get to be on top of it all - not even for five seconds! This is probably the Lord dealing with my character. Does anyone else feel like they are NEVER on top of everything?