I Am Thankful

Maybe even more than last year. Definitely more than 10 years ago.

So very thankful.

Thankful for...

Flynn stopping me as I walked out of her dark bedroom last night, to say I love you just once more.
Gabe running into Daddy's arms yesterday & laughing until he was out of breath.
Feeling the warmth of Jeff's arms around me & knowing that I am blessed.

It's Like I Birthed a Child

For reals. I've been up late the last few nights. Have gotten mad. Have gotten glad. Have gotten rad. (okay, maybe not rad, but it rhymed & I didn't want to use sad)

Because I created a little website. Readers, meet my new site. My new site, meet readers.

It will be a combination of the easy/cheesy things I do to save a dime. Good deals I see. Great finds I share from a garage sale or flea market. Hand-me-downs I'm excited to show. Crazy stuff I make or create. Free samples. Awesome coupons. And fun things to do with your family, that won't break the bank.

Go check it out....I hope you like.

The Birthday Song

Don't let them fool you,

they might try to act embarassed,

or like they'd rather not have the entire staff of Bob Evans

come to the table & sing to them...

but the truth of the matter is,

that they LIKE having the birthday song sang to them.

Information about Flynn's awesome outfit: IT WAS HER DAY! I LET HER PICK OUT HER OWN OUTFIT! And boy, did she ever clash. What she chose was her hand-me-down & very worn-out pink sweatshirt (complete with satin bow) teamed up WITH her orange & glittery silverish leggings, a hand-me-down from Madelyn.

I mean, if you can't pick out your own outfit for your 5th birthday, when can you pick out your own outfit?!?!

Birthdayness

After an exciting Bob Evans dinner (sarcasm), we came home, put on PJ's & birthday crowns (well, just one). It was time to sit in the birthday chair & open more gifts!

What's this? Lots of books? And an off-brand Polly Pockets set from Bubby?
A close up of the 5-year old.

The scooter was a big hit. And she was off! And thank goodness for a good open basement to practice the new 'scootin' skills.

And then some downtime with the new books.

The next day, Flynn asked, "When are we going to have my next party?"

Um, yah.

Hmmph! And They Say Teaching Has No Perks!

Actually, that's us that says it. All the time, we complain -- we get no swag, no paid business trips for the whole fam. No business trying to impress us, by paying for dinner & golf. No Christmas bonus. Not even a paid Christmas party (yes, 'til true, in the past if we wanted to attend, we must pay a hefty fee + bring a dish).

But there are perks. Other than the I Believe the Children Are Our Future changing lives, shaping futures, making learning fun....there's other 'stuff'.

Like really cool middle schoolers. Yep, I put cool & middle schooler in the same sentence. I used to DESPISE this age group. They were geeky. They were ackward. I didn't even know how to talk to them. My standard line, when asked what my certification was in, was, "Elementary. Yep, can't stand the kids older than that. Once they get boobs, b.o., & a bad attitude, I can't be around them."

But that's totally changing. Well, for one thing, those little 2nd & 3rd grade sweeties I taught 6 years ago? Guess what, they're still sweeties, but now they're middle schoolers. And those sweet darlings at church who ooh & aww at our kids. Yep. Middle school. And 1/2 my wonderful nieces? Middle School.

And hot hubs teaches my new tolerable age group. And comes home with stories of their hilariousness. And how much he likes them. And how glad he is to have added that certification.

And you'll never guess what those little darlings did...

A handful of them, in one of his classes, pooled the money together, and bought FLYNN a birthday present.
And boy did they ever get it right! They must've known that Snowball's days are numbered. As they gave her a BRAND NEW WEBKINZ!

PERRY the PLATYPUS!

And that's way better than an engraved mug anyday!

Cornucopia

When I picked Gabe up yesterday from his classroom, I noticed some artwork peeking out of his backpack.
"What's this?!" and I bragged on the masterpiece.

"CORNUCOPIA" he said.
He said.

Um, he can't even say cup. But he said
cornucopia.

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: