Pretend It's 11/11/2008

you know, the real first day of preschool.

Tuesday, 11/18, Momma asked the two littles to stand beside each other for the photo.

Gabe didn't want to.

Flynn insisted.

Gabe was mad.

Momma takes Gabe's photo with his backpack on.

Gabe says, "Me do this."

Momma takes Gabe's photo at his new school

Gabe says, "Me do this" & did something odd with his hands.

Momma takes Flynn's photo.

She stands beside one of the teachers who is filling out a birthday card for her.

This is Flynn's first day at her new preschool, 10/11/08.

She wore her milk allergy tee.

And if she isn't the picture of a preschooler...with her cockeyed doggy ears & her chapped lips.

Happy 5th Birthday Flynn

minutes old

November 19, 2003, the day you made me a momma

5 months old

Your first Easter, 2004

14 mos old

Daddy's birthday, your 2nd January, 2005

17 mos old

Your 2nd Easter (& a few short mos before becoming a big sis), 2005

2 years old

playing doctor

2 1/2 years

4th of July 3 1/2 years
on vacation at the beach

4 1/2 years

first time on the west coast

Dearest Flynn,

I can't believe this day has come. When you were tiny, I used to think about this day & how 'five' was so big & how far off in the distance this birthday was.

Well, it's not far off in the distance now. It's here. And I can't believe how fast it got here.

I'm probably more emotional than I should be about this particular birthday; but to me it means the end of anything-baby, it's the official end to your preschoolhood (even though you are still in preschool) as five typically means the beginning of school. (don't even get me started on that, I don't have enough tissue for that)

You could not be more of what I wanted & hoped in a daughter. Really. You are so smart. Incredibly clever. With your big dark eyes & matching lashes. You don't seem to care what anyone thinks about your ideas & the things you want. You think outside the box. The movies you ask for, the things you want to do in your spare time, they aren't typical for little 5-year old girls....and I like that.

You have faith that can move mountains. You ask questions that I would need a theology degree to answer. A couple of months ago, you asked who was bigger, 'God or Jesus?'. You regularly pray that God would heal you of your allergy, and I know that in His timing, He will honor that.

Your latest obsession is babies. If you spy one, you say, "Ohh!!!!" You love to hold them & rub their hair & help take care of them. It makes Daddy & I question our timing of having your baby brother when you were still a baby (far before this love of baby stage).

You have a deep love for your family, particularly your cousins. Your normal sibling rivalry always makes way to wanting to please Bubby. Recently when we were having lunch with friends, you gave Bubs your seat after he cried five minutes to sit where you were sitting.

You have great friends. Lots of them. And grow close to each friend you have.

When asked what your profession will be as an adult, you still consistently waiver between "a doctor" & "a firefighter". And with the strong traits you have, I believe either of those could be a reality.

This year, you traveled further than you ever had. To California! And you experienced a plane ride for the very first time. You also learned what it means to miss someone & ask about your girl cousins across the country, at least once each day.

You just changed preschools. This would be traumatic for lots of kids, but not you. You kept with your go-with-the-flow attitude. You love the new place, especially being in a class with your best friend Madelyn.

You love church. On Saturday nights, when we're laying clothes out for the next day, you & Gabe squeal, "church tomorrow! church tomorrow!" You love your teacher who always makes sure the snack is a safe (& fun!) one. You spend quite a lot of time there at church as we're one of the first ones there & one of the last ones to leave. But it seems like no prob to you & Bubs who make it pure play just going up & down the long halls.

Nine months ago, you asked me how babies are made. I was dumbfounded & completely not ready for such a question for sure. And my quick (& untelling) answers weren't enough for you, you kept wanting the truth & more of it.

One thing I can really appreciate at this point in our lives is what a 'good' girl you are. I ask it & you do it. You rarely ask twice. Being around so many other kiddos, I see what a comodity your obedience is. Thank you!

You are loved everywhere you go. And especially here at home.

When you came into this world, I thought my heart would burst with love. And nothing has changed...

except,

there's even more of it now.

Flynn, I pray blessings on your sixth year of life (fifth birthday starting your sixth year). I pray that your attitude would continue to be positive. That your love for others would be abundant. I pray that you know no sadness this year but if you do, it leaves you a better person. I pray that what you know about God would grow in enormous amounts & that your relationship with Christ would be stronger & stronger. And that you will keep telling other people about Him. I pray that because He's promised us such, that this will be the year that you don't know the fear of dying or becoming sick from what you're given to eat. That this will be the year that your little body is strong & healthy & whole.

I pray that your bright eyes don't lose their twinkle & your pouty lips keep kissing the people you love.

And like I pray every other year, that you don't lose the huge zeal that you have for everything you do. That mundane will never set in & that each thing you do doesn't seem done until you've given it your all.

More importantly that you will know that everything you do makes me & daddy proud. And that you are so special, no matter what.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl....

More love than you will understand for a long long time,

Momma

Remember Halloween?

Pre-trick or treat activites included

making 'pooky 'piders - woooooooo

a quick photo on the porch

a spin around grammy's garage on your fav trike
Then they were off!

treats for tricks looking cute

Flynn's joke,

"what's a ghost's favorite treat?

I-Scream - AHH!"

(ice cream)

and, the loot

Thank God for Sisters With Vacant Houses...

It almost makes me forget that you went off & left us.
Almost.

The advantage is that when your girl wants a 'camp out' party, and you wake up & it's snowing & freezing (literally) outside, you can move the party indoors - even though you let her invite 10 friends & their families.

Flynn had such a great time & was truly honored to have her buddies celebrating with her.

When she walked into Gi's house & saw the long table, she squealed.

Then she saw the livingroom decorated & saw, "Ohhh, I love it."

She started raising each gift. We laughed & said, "why is she doing that??"

Indoor movie (vs the outdoor one we had planned)

Did I ever mention that Jeff's favorite actor is John Cusack?
And that Flynn is a daddy-pleaser??

I think it's no coincidence.

I Don't Recommend

Going to the Dollar Tree,
when it's downpouring,
in Adidas flip flops,
with socks,
during naptime.

Did I just write a haiku?

My Baby Girl

Don't remind me that in 5 short days, the first baby I grew will be FIVE YEARS OLD.

She is more delightful that I could've ever imagined, and with cuteness to match.

I try to hit the pause button everyday.

MIA

Why?

• House went on the market this week, I think officially it was Tuesday.
• I'm babysitting the CUTEST baby girl in the world this week. She's so much fun, but the thrill & excitement has added to our week.
• Did I mention keeping the house clean, while three little sweeties play & make messes?
• Flynn's birthday is coming up....and we're going to celebrate this weekend.
• In addition to the regular stuff I have going on each week (work, being a momma, being a wife, being a friend, loving my church), Flynn switched preschools (another post about that at another time) & Gabe started preschool!
• I think I can say this, as I don't think he reads the blog, but we're planning a surprise party for my FIL's 60th bday.
• Did I mention keeping the house clean?
• Some finalities in switching over winter clothes.
• Home repairs.
• Making a cake (under the supervision of baker-to-the-stars, Renee Casey...let me know if you're in the STL area & I can hook you up) for the camper bday girl.
• operation Christmas child, shoebox stuff

Forgive me if it's another few days until I'm no longer missing in action....just action.

Her Fasting Was Not in Vain

Hey MeMe..Today I took my Bible outside and prayed hard. God brought me to alot of scriptures & the one that spoke to my heart the most was Psalms 103:3. It's a very powerful verse. Meme, God really spoke to me today, He told me that he was going to heal Flynn. Every scripture that God gave me talked about healing & that He never rejects us or ignores us. One said that His hand is always stretched out whenever your in trouble or you need Him. Mattie told me that we know He will do it, but it may take a while... maybe a year. Maybe right now. We need to keep believing.KK

Bubs the Preschooler

Dear Bubby,

I have no photos of you starting your very first day of preschool today. This time it's not because you're the second kiddo & sometimes the second, third, etc., kiddo has way less photos than the first. This time it's because you weren't supposed to start today.

You see, it was supposed to only be Flynn's first day. And you were supposed to start next week. But when we went to your room-to-be to meet your teacher-to-be and check out the things that you'll be playing with & learning, well, you ran right in. You sat right down. You listened to the story being read & said, "Me have that at MY house!" And then, you yelled to me (standing in the doorway, watching your every move), "BYE Mom!"

And I look shockingly at the teacher & she laughed & said, "I think he wants to stay! He can if you want."

I didn't know what to do, so I looked at her & said, "Are you SURE?" (& what I was really doing was asking MYSELF if I was sure). And she assured me that it was no problem.
Then I looked at you, taking it all in. Looking so big in your fresh haircut. And so, I filled out the necessary paperwork, promised the director another check, kissed you & told you to be a good listener, and headed out the door.

WOW, it is SUPER quiet without the two of you. It's only been an hour but I already miss you.

I love you Bubby. But please slow down on the growing up thing. Okay?

Love,
Momma

House Hunters part deux

I accidentally left some off...

From the eating area:
From the bar:

From the "Upper 90":

From the "Lower 90":

Thoughts from the Backseat

Today, after a VERY long day, we were on our way home when my girl chirps from the backseat,

"Hey, you know Grammy has a trash can in her car."

"Wow, that's a really great idea."

"Yah, it hangs from the back of the seat."

House Hunters

Oh what a pain. What a pain. What a pain.
BUT, it did force me to take photos (for the listing) & I've always wanted to document how my kiddos' first house looked.
So, here ya go....

From the kitchen:

From the livingroom:
From the desk in the basement (playroom):

From Bubby's bed:

When you walk in Sissy's room:

A Giveaway with Sole

One of my friends named Kim (there's more than one!) has started a new 'project' called STL Moms. You'll see her button on my sidebar as soon as I get my act together.
Anyway, go see her website & enter a cool contest for some kickin' kickers.

Blogger is being a butthead & won't let me hyperlink, so here's where you need to go:
http://www.stlmommy.com/2008/11/see-kai-run-giveaway.html

Good luck!

She's Not My Buddy

She told me so.

She said something cute & clever & I laughed hysterically & said,
"Ah Sis, you are so funny. Are you my buddy?"

"No Mom. I'm not your buddy.
I am your girl."

Last Night We Ate the Elephant's Hind-Quarters

...and it ended up being more than one bite.





Actually, it was enough to make me not want to eat, literally.


I do not like buying a car. ESPECIALLY, from a dealership. And am not a fan of haggling & doing the dance with the sales guy,


"Can you do better?"
"Let me go ask."
"That's all you're giving us on our trade-in?"
"Well, I can go up this much, but I can't go any more."



He brought up the check engine light (yah, about that...). And I brought up the weird smell in the car we were buying.


He brought up the economy. Jeff brought up the year of the car we were buying.

We just kept thinking about our frequent trips to the mechanic the last few months. Heck, I think that Jeff single-handedly financed the mechanic's daughter's braces. And, it was a bit too much when we drove up at the shop the other night, & there was a monument built in front of the garage, it was a black jetta. Engraved underneath was the word, "sucka".

Just kidding.

But not joking about the frequent trips & often breakdowns.

Back to our tango with Keith (aka Kenny Rogers) the bearded salesguy.

3 hours later, my blood pressure was setting a world record, my cheeks were rosy like Santa's, & I was begging for a diet dr pepper.





So, at bedtime, up we drove in the 'new' ride. I told Jeff that his grandma would be proud of his new car.

"Eat the Elephant One Bite at a Time"

That was Jeff's advice each time I'd have a mini-anxiety attack this week. As today the house goes on the market & I can't even begin to describe the insurmountable heap of 'stuff' we removed from various rooms & pushed into the garage (hoping it will grow legs & walk away?) for later storage.
My problem is that when I do something, I can't just do it the way Jeff would... he would just do it. I have to do it perfectly. Go through each thing, be sure we want to keep it (why store something you really don't want?!), and put it in a box that makes sense. So when it comes out of storage (hopefully in a really short amount of time when we're in a new home!) it will be with its brothers & sisters that it would hang with anyway.
Today my task is to take photos of each room for our listing. Do you think photoshop could edit out a mountain of clothes, a few boxes, a million train tracks & train pieces, & a cornucopia of 'items' that just don't have a place??

PS We're not moving far; just about 20 minutes up the highway, closer to 'everything'. When we moved out this far, we didn't realize that we'd never establish a community out here. We never changed doctors, work, school, church..... and it will just make more sense, all the way around, to be close to our 'life'.

On Behalf of her Cousin

I am taking a break away from home-listing preparation (moving & boxing stuff up) to brag on my youngest niece...

...who is fasting from dairy, on behalf of Flynn. As she deprives herself from an ingredient, found in most foods, she thinks of Flynn & her struggles, & prays for Flynn.

Pretty selfless for a 12-year old, don't you think?

Why fast? I will include an article by Dr. Bill Bright (Campus Crusades for Christ International):

Why You Should Fast
By Dr. Bill Bright

If you do not already know of the power and importance of fasting, here are some very important facts:

• Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras. For example, Moses fasted at least two recorded forty-day periods. Jesus fasted 40 days and reminded His followers to fast, "when you fast," not if you fast.
  
• Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the "first love" for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.
  
• Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). King David said, "I humble myself through fasting."
  
• Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.
  
• The Holy Spirit will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you!
  
• Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience.
  
• Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life-and make you a channel of revival to others.
  
• Fasting and prayer are the only disciplines that fulfill the requirements of II Chronicles 7:14:
  "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
  
• If you fast, you will find yourself being humbled as I did. You will discover more time to pray and seek God's face. And as He leads you to recognize and repent of unconfessed sin, you will experience special blessings from God.

Not everyone should fast from food. Some can not go without it for various reasons. If you'd like to fast about an important issue & are one of those people, choose something to give up. Now, if you hate liver & onions, don't choose that as the item you are giving up. Give up soda, or coffee, or something that you heavily depend upon. So that you are reminded several times a day of that which you are fasting for.

And expect to see results!

Tagged ...updated

Tagged by my blogpal Beloved Mama!

Well, since I have vowed to myself to not to read or watch anything else about the election, here goes a little game of randomness...

The Rules:

1) Link to the person who tagged you.

2) Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-6).

3) Write 6 random things about yourself (see below).

4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.

5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.

6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

1) In 5th grade, I owned a pair of YELLOW parachute pants
2) I rode a dirt bike until I was probably 14
3) I try to act tough but am quite the sensitive person with my heart always on my sleeve
4) I think I'd be really good at kick-boxing
5) I have a SEVERE fear of heights, yet managed to reverse-bungee, parasail, & fly over the Swiss Alps.
6) I was usually the class clown going through school

wow, I am so discombobulated tonight, I published that, then later realized I never finished.

And I am breaking the rules & inviting anyone to be tagged...
go ahead, it'll take your mind somewhere other than politics...

History

Obama wins US election, to become first black president
AFP – Americans elected Democrat Barack Obama as their first black president Tuesday, handing him an historic …
WASHINGTON, (AFP) – Americans elected Democrat Barack Obama as their first black president, handing him an historic victory over Republican John McCain, television networks projected.

If I Could've Fit the Beach at Carmel

in my suitcase, I would've brought it back to Missouri.

Because, Carmel, I [heart] You.

More On The Boardwalk

This is the "front" of the Santa Cruz boardwalk
Flynn, Mattie, & Vanessa (see the amusement stuff behind them)

She did end up getting pretty soaked & riding around on the boardwalk in her skimpies

(with an American Flag beach towel wrapped around her legs)

Maybe one of these days, I'll take a good picture

Her highlight of the Santa Cruz boardwalk,

COTTON CANDY.

PS See the stroller she's sitting in?

That's the Zustiak's stroller (one of our friend-neighbors).

They were good enough to loan to us, as our last umbrella stroller

bit the dust a couple of months ago.

It was perfect for our trip, especially the airport, as we had good walks between gates (layovers) & 2 of the 4, she was asleep.

I'd push her to the gate in the stroller, she'd hop out (or be carried out),

then, the gate attendant would check the stroller in,

and it would be waiting for me (among a few wheelchairs & other strollers)

when I stepped off the plane in the new destination.

Only when we got off the plane (her asleep) in good ol' st louie,

the beauty wasn't there.

Nada.

Nothing.

So, I waited & people looked & I waited.

And was instructed to go to baggage claim.

Not there.

So I was instructed to go to baggage claim office.

And file a claim.

What's worse than losing luggage?
Losing someone else's stroller.

So, that night, I didn't go to sleep.

Instead, I had an anxiety attack about losing the Zustiak's stroller.

And the next night too.

Then, Thursday, someone called & asked for me to describe the stroller again.

It was still in Denver (our last layover).

I had a bad feeling about that last gate attendant.

A little too chatty with the passengers.

So the stroller was on our front porch that afternoon.

And on the Zustiak's front porch an hour later.

I guess that's not too bad,

I've flown about 200 times in my life,

and that was the first time anything's been lost.