Boo at the Zoo

Friday evening, I met up with my friend Abby and her kids for Boo at the Zoo. I wasn't real sure how it would go, being that Kendall isn't a big fan of people dressed in costume (she's very afraid of the Chick-Fil-A cow!) but it ended up being a fun time. It was pretty crowded, but we managed to make it through to the end and collect some candy along the way. Kendall isn't real into the whole princess thing yet, but she can recognize most of the Disney princesses. The only movie she's actually seen, though, is Cinderella, because it's the least scary of all (and the shortest...only like 70 minutes!). Kendall LOVES Cinderella, and when we got to the Disney section, she IMMEDIATELY spotted her. Throughout the whole evening, Kendall didn't want to have her picture made with any of the characters UNTIL we got to Cinderella! I was very proud of her for overcoming this little fear! You can still tell that Kendall is a little shy/unsure in the picture, but still...what a huge step for her! Cinderella even commented on what a pretty princess Kendall made! How sweet!

Christmas Fun!

We are having a wonderful December! It's that month when the calendar fills up rather quickly, but thankfully ours hasn't been too crazy this year. I'm so glad!


Kendall has been especially fun this Christmas season. I'll have to do another post sometime on all the fun things she says and does related to Christmas. She doesn't really understand all of it, but she knows the season is special. We are really having a blast with her right now.


This week Kendall was invited to a couple of parties. The first was a cookie decorating party. We had tons of fun. Kendall enjoyed all the cookie decorating and playing, while mommy enjoyed coffee and other mommy company.

For all those out there that think I am a sugar-nazi, please note Kendall's plate in the picture below. A plate with ONLY colored sugar, to which I sat and watched her spoon every single bit of it into her mouth, until the plate was entirely clean! :)

Right as we were getting ready to leave, Mr. Jeff came home for the evening. Apparently, his children love to hear him play the guitar and Kendall wanted in on the action, too. She plopped herself right beside him on the piano bench, and when Henry came along to sit beside his daddy, Kendall went to find a chair. Precious. Kendall sat and sang her little heart out. It was really one of those moments I wanted to freeze in my mind.

Today Kendall had another party.

Before I write about the party, let me just say how much I ADORE Jay, Liz, Katherine, and Maggie Roy. I mean ADORE them. I really cannot say enough wonderful things about this family...they are the kindest, most selfless people I've ever met! Katherine and Maggie absolutely love children (especially Kendall) and Kendall loves them back just as much. I'm truly thankful for this family and feel so blessed to know them!

So...back to the party...right after Thanksgiving, Katherine hands me an invitation for Kendall to attend a tea party. Of course, as the mother of a girl, I was just delighted to have a reason to dress Kendall up and take her somewhere. As I keep reading on the invite, it's not just for a tea party, but a DROP-OFF party, so the moms can go shop or do whatever!! Awesome, huh??? So today, we dressed Kendall up in her new, fancy outfit made by her Nana and let her party-hard with her buds while I had brunch with some other moms! How great!!!

This is one of Kendall's best buddies, Leah Mae. We've heard these two kind-of run the nursery! HA! :) I thought these pictures were so adorable!

Kendall with more of her nusery buds, Emma and Jane, who are sisters. Kendall falls right in between these two and has so much fun playing with them. We enjoyed many Saturdays of Upwards Soccer with these girls!!!

I'm pretty sure all the little girls had a wonderful time! They made handprint ornaments, jingle bell bracelets, got their faces painted, watched a movie, had a pupped show...all kinds of fun! In fact, when I went to pick up Kendall, she said, "I not want to leave Kafrine and Maggie's house!" I was actually quite surprised that I got Kendall in the car without a major meltdown! All she said was, "I want to go back to Kafrine and Maggie's house for a tea party!" I love it! Thanks for such a fun time, Roy and Wellum girls. We think you are the greatest!

Thanksgiving 2009

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19

"...but his mother treasured all these things in her heart." Luke 2:51b

Do you ever have moments that you just want to bottle up and keep forever? Last week was filled with those for me! I was reading in Luke the other day and the two above verses struck me...even Mary, the mother of Jesus, had precious moments with her family! I find it amazing that God made my heart (just like he made Mary's heart) similar in fashion, that we want to make sure we cling to those treasured times. I want to hold tight to everything...watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving a million times with Kendall, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, lunch at the Blackwells, our overnight date (thanks to Erica for VOLUNTEERING to have a sleepover for Sawyer and Kendall), picking out the perfect Christmas tree, decorating that PERFECT tree, being lazy, listening to Christmas music, Christmas shopping, Kendall running to tell Evan that "Snoopy and the chair were fighting,"teaching Kendall to sing Jingle Bells...all of it. What sweet, sweet memories!

I think Evan and I are a little abnormal. We thoroughly enjoy being at home together. I think it comes from the year that we only had one vehicle and Evan worked from home, and we just grew to enjoy our little family of three. We like life at a slower pace and were so thankful to have these four days to enjoy! Evan and I both were in a state of mourning on Sunday, knowing that Monday was lurking around the corner. Now...we can just look forward to Christmas, when we get to do it all over again!

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving, perhaps even a little more than Christmas. Maybe it's because it begins the holiday season; maybe it's because it's a little less commercialized. Maybe it's because I grew up in a small town that had a yearly festival during the Thanksgiving week. Or maybe it's just because it gives me a chance to actually reflect on all of life's blessings.

Many of my friends on Facebook did the "30 day challenge" through the month of November. Their daily status for each day in November was something for which they are thankful. I didn't jump on that train, but thought I'd try to list 30 here. So here goes...in no order. Well, except the first three.



1. My relationship with Christ. It's really the only thing that completely satisfies.

2. My precious husband. He is such a blessing to me. He's smart, he works hard, and he points our family to Christ.

3. Kendall Grace. Who knew such a little thing could bring a home so much laughter and joy?

4. Coffee in the mornings.

5. My dad. He taught me many things, but work ethic, honesty, and the act of giving is what stands out in my mind.

6. My mother's life. What a legacy she left! I'm thankful for the memories I have of her.

7. I'm thankful that all the girls in my wedding are still my besties.

8. Evan's sermon is turned in tomorrow. I'm thankful that he will have a little bit more free time in the evenings.

9. I'm thankful all my grandparents are still alive. I have a special bond with each of them and am so glad their lives made such an impression on mine.

10. I'm thankful for all the prayers Evan's parents prayed during his rebellious years.

11. The provision of God. He continually meets our needs above and beyond. Oh, the stories I could tell...

12. Music.

13. Technology. I'm thankful for email, Skype, Facebook and all the other means of communication that keeps me close to all these precious people in my life.

14. I'm thankful that Sara Ford saw potential in me and hired me three days into the 2002-2003 school year, even though I wasn't planning on being a classroom teacher. I'm thankful that Ms. Ford pushed me to excellence, even when it was hard. I'm thankful to have worked with teachers who were like family. Oh, I miss those people!

15. My two aunts. Aunt Judy hung up her hat as "aunt" and became "mom" to Kara and me. Aunt Judy didn't ask to do it, but has done it with such grace. I'm not just thankful for her, but for her husband and children who share her so well. My Aunt Marva is the same...she always has time for me, even though she has her own grown children and grandchildren. She is there for my dad too, and tirelessly helps with my grandparents. What awesome women! I don't even have enough words...

16. The Bible.

17. My circle of moms. I'm thankful especially for the ones with multiple kids who call me out when I am very "first time mommy-ish" to Kendall. I'm thankful for their wisdom and help.

18. Our home. I never dreamed we would have a house while in school! Not to mention a FREE swing set in the back yard. (We still can't get over that one!)

19. All those who have done kind things for our family since my mom's death. gifts for Kendall, sweet notes and phone calls to my sister and me, meals for my dad so he won't be lonely...it doesn't replace her, but it makes her loss not sting so badly.

20. I'm thankful that I've been able to work only part time this year.

21. Good couple friends. We are so blessed.

22. Kendall's preschool. What a great place with wonderful people. I'm thankful Kendall has a safe, fun place to go on the weeks that I work.

23. Clothes and shoes. I may not have all the "in" things for the season, but I have more than I need. So does Evan, so does Kendall.

24. Free photography. In two years, we've never paid for professional photography because we have such sweet friends. I'm thankful for all the amazing pictures I have of my family and the gifted people who took the pictures.

25. God's grace. Oh, how I need it daily.

26. Laughter.

27. To be under-budget on groceries for the month. This hasn't happened in a long, long time!!

28. All the churches I've been a part of since leaving home...Highland Drive in Jonesboro, FBC Farmington, and now Ninth and 0. Each place has left huge marks in my spiritual journey.

29. God's infinite wisdom. He always knows better than I do, even when it's difficult for me to see. I'm so thankful.

30. I'm thankful for people who babysit Kendall, especially those who volunteer to keep her over night. It's hard for ANY couple to make time for each other, but even more difficult when you are 8-10 hours from family. What a way to serve!

I could go on because I have so much to be thankful! Sunday night I was reminded of I Thessalonians 5:16-18 that says, "Be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Thanksgiving isn't just a day to celebrate, it's how we should live each day! What are you thankful for today?

Pizza with the Petersens and a Christmas Tree

Yesterday I called my sweet friend Erica to see what she was up to and when we could get our girls together to play. We went back and forth on times for today, but finally decided she and Saywer would come over after nap, then just stay for dinner, with the daddies joining us after work. I was actually supposed to take food to my friend Rachel who recently had her second baby, but her family has been passing around a stomach virus and she didn't feel up to eating too much. Somehow Friday night has become homemade pizza night at our house, so Preston, Erica, and Sawyer joined in on the fun!



Sawyer and Kendall are WILD together!! I mean, absolutely WILD!!! It's really so much fun. Erica and Sawyer came over and we played outside for a while, then Kendall and Sawyer colored while Erica and I got the pizzas ready. (Kendall had been asking me all day if she and Sawyer could color together today.) At one point in the night, the girls kept taking their shirts off and we finally just gave up on making them stay dressed. I had to get my camera out because Sawyer was cracking us up with her leggings, one rain boot, and no shirt. Evan and Preston said she looked like a wrestler!!! Then, there was Kendall, putting on Sawyer's coat.

After we ate, the girls and the daddies had a tea party in Kendall's room while Erica looked through all five of my scrapbooks. (She asked to look at all of them, so I dug 'em out. It was fun...I haven't looked at them in forever!)

I mentioned in an earlier post that Evan spends most of the night hidden away in the basement studying. On the weeks I'm not working, I sometimes get bored. I mean, I can only do so-much TV watching and computering! I try to do other productive things, like bake, read, clean/organize, but even that gets old at times. I've been getting really excited about Christmas this year and have really had the itch to do some decorating. I haven't decorated much in the last couple of years just because of living in that small apartment the first year we were here, then traveling last year. However this year, since we are staying in Louisville, I feel the need to go all out.

I LOVE Thanksgiving, and have always been one of those people who thinks Christmas decor should wait until AFTER Thanksgiving is over, but for some reason this year I just couldn't wait! I thought putting out my mom's Snow Village would tide me over, but I was wrong...it really just made me want to put the rest of the decorations out. By Wednesday, I put out my Willow Tree Nativity and last night I put up our skinny tree. I will also justify by saying that the bulk of Evan's school work will be finished by Tuesday, so now that much of the decorating is done, my evenings next week can be spent with quality time/adult conversation. It's all about time management, right??!!? :)

I'm looking forward to getting a "real" tree for our living room. I've NEVER, EVER had one before, but figured since we have hardwoods throughout our house, this is the best time. (We'll see how our allergies hold up to it!!) I have plans for some primitive decorating on that tree and am hoping to get some of those fat LED lights. Evan even has plans for helping, so that should be fun!

I digress...

Anyway, for the last couple of years I have LOVED these fun, funky trees with all the jewel tones, but just haven't had the place/time for one. This year, I decided I would take the leaf out of our dining table and put a "fun" tree in the corner. I love it!

One of my wedding showers was a holiday themed, and I got all these fun ornaments that have been tucked away and not displayed. FINALLY, I have a place for them!!!

And somebody in my family please tell me where this soldier came from?!?! This is an ornament from my childhood (that I'm sure Kendall will have fun with!) and I'm almost positive all my cousins have one, too.

Overall, I'm pleased with the way the "fun" tree turned out. It's a little top-heavy with ornaments, but I figured that was safer with a two year old in the house!!!

Fall Fun

We didn't throw a big party for Kendall's birthday, Evan's birthday was yesterday and then Halloween falling on a Saturday seemed to be enough reasons to invite some friends over for fun!

I really love having people in our home and I'm thankful that I learned it from my mom. She was really good at opening up their home to people. She never felt the need to be elaborate--she would find a new recipe to try out or buy a new serving piece--just something to make the event special. My parents never lived in a fancy house or had fancy things, but they entertained anyway, and entertained all kinds. Oh how I cherish these lessons!

I think we ended up with about six families at our house this evening. It's always so neat to see how space and food expand! At the beginning of the week, there was a 70% chance of rain and I came really close to cancelling, since the plan was for the kids to play outside. I knew I could clean up the basement for some extra space, but what in the world could we do inside with the kids??? By yesterday morning, the rain chances decreased to about 20%, and we ended up with no rain at all! It all came last night, and the weather ended up being decent enough for the kids to enjoy being outside.

The great fall comfort foods of hot dogs and chili were served, and we ended up having enough chili leftover to send some home with one family, plus more for us to put in the freezer! I made homemade iced sugar cookies in the shape of pumpkins and leaves for dessert. I also had each family bring a bag of candy and we set up a "candy bar" for the kids to fill paper sacks.

Costumes were optional, although I think most ended up being dressed as something. We had a puppy, Yoda, Snow White, Beauty Queen, Dallas Cowboy football player, a bride, a dinosaur, and a lady bug. All the kids were super cute!

I have to be honest and say that I've really struggled with Halloween costumes for Kendall in the last two years. I don't know...I guess I'm cheap. She's not really "into" anything yet, and it's not like she's got a sibling that I can dress in coordinating costumes. I looked at a couple of costumes with wings and masks, and even showed Evan, but he didn't think it was worth it because she probably wouldn't keep them on for very long. I just can't fork over the money for a costume that she will only wear once unless it's something she could put in her dress up basket. Maybe next year I will come up with something...we'll see!

For the party, I was just going to let her wear jeans and a fall shirt, but Evan said, "She can be a Razorback cheerleader!" So we put her in her cheer-leading uniform and she was cute all the same, especially since she wore her red and black lady bug boots to match.

The kids spent most of the time outside playing. The swing set is always a hit and Preston and Erica brought their inflatable bouncer over, which was tons of fun for the kiddos.

I think Kendall's dinner consisted of a couple of bites of chili, two Capri Suns, and lots and lots of candy. She was in bed before 8:00 tonight without ever hearing a peep! Hopefully, she'll sleep right through that extra hour we gain tonight! :)

It was a fun way to spend the evening!