A Thousand Gifts

Some ladies in my book club told me about a book by Ann Voskamp called A Thousand Gifts. In this book she encourages people to think of a thousand things they're grateful for. These ladies count these things down on their blogs. I'm going to start. Sorry to my father-in-law who is probably rolling his eyes.

1000. Zumba
999. jellybeans
998. bear hugs from two-year-olds
997. a pat on the leg after an embarrassing confession
996. a patient husband when I can't stand my teenager
995. people that make me belly laugh
994. solid friendships forming
993. Cheerful "Mommy" being yelled when I walk into a room
992. calls from loved ones warning of tornado warnings
991. love

By the way...these are not in any order of importance or priority...Papa.

Ramblings

It was a good day for an anniversary. Had a nice playdate with some of Rory and Logan's friends today. It was a big gathering with a good age mix. I had to leave earlier than the kids would've liked, but Marley didn't seem to be feeling well that morning, so I didn't want to push her too much by keeping her up from her nap late. As it was, she didn't get down until 130p.

I'm glad I left when I did because at dinnertime, her temp went up to 101. I'm not sure what's wrong, but we'll keep an eye. Hopefully it's something quick and painless that no one else gets. Cross your fingers!

Kevin and I enjoyed a nice dinner that was hot and quiet. :) We were going to go to Harris Teeter for some deals, but my mood was spoiled by a financial slip up on my part. I was soured, storms were moving in, Marley was running a fever, so we just came home. Sorry Kevin! I'm better now, but still stewing a little at my mistake in finances. I hate it when that happens!

We ended the night getting everyone in bed and reading magazines together on the couch. There was no TV on, and it was just nice...relaxing. Getting ready to go to bed now. I said I wanted to be in bed early because we were up late last night (addicted to a TV show!), but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

For "listening" to my rambling, here's a treat.

Happy Anniversary, Kevin!

It's been NINE years.

Kevin and I were engaged after dating for one month. We heard a lot of people mumbling that maybe we were moving too fast, and we should wait. So we moved in together and waited NINE months before getting married.

When I was growing up, I always used to ask people how they knew they were supposed to be with someone. Their response was always, "You just know." I thought that was the biggest cop out ever. I wanted them to tell me the real answer.

Then I SAW Kevin. That's right...I hadn't even met him yet. I saw him and knew that he was the one. And then I prayed heavily that he was NOT a mover. :) Not that I have anything against movers, but he was dressed in a ball cap and jean shorts carrying boxes. Our story is so amazing. I'm sure lots of people have amazing stories...but I like ours.

We've been through a lot in NINE years. I'm ready for some more NINE year runs. I think with what we've been through and come through in these years...there's no stopping us now.

Happy Anniversary, Kevin! I love you, miss you, want you, and need you

PS- For all you who don't know...that's how we end all our emails and texts to each other...that or lmwn. Just a little quirk that I like.
I used this same picture last anniversary. What can I say? It's my favorite picture of us. It was before we knew what was coming. HA!

A Budding Musician

My little Marley is giving me a run for my money She's so spunky. I don't know if I'm going to be able to handle it. I am really not looking forward to teenage years with her, and I thought Rory was going to be the one to give me a run for my money. Kaelyn was laid back growing up, and she's still giving me a time of it too. I told Kevin that Marley is really stubborn. He seems to think she gets this from me. Has anyone ever tried to tell Kevin he's wrong about something? Then you know where she gets it from. I asked Kevin for an example of me being stubborn, and he says that I decide to do this and that and that's how it is. I told him it sounds like I'm decisive, not stubborn. :)

Anyway, here is Miss Mar discovering her inner musician. Maybe she'll take after Kaelyn and Rory whom seem to have a knack for music.
Is it just me or does this look nothing like her?






One more video. This shows the chops...Also, the kids know the next verse in it's edited form. :)



Maybe I could make a band?

I'm Back and Tired!

I was going to do an elaborate "I'm Back" blog, but I'm tired. So I just wish you all a Happy Easter from our family to yours!

My Birthday...Kinda

All I can say is that I got a spiffy NEW RED camera for my birthday. Unfortunately, my birthday falls right before National Unplugged Week...or TV Free Week. My family and I are participating in this, so I shouldn't even be blogging this! I just wanted to let you all know that I'll be back next Monday morning with all new great pictures and blogs. Other than that, my birthday was great! Got some great things, and gift cards, and stuff that's going to "wash that gray right out of my hair." :) Take care!

Happy Birthday Maria!!!!!

In keeping with the new tradition, here is a birthday wish to my sister, Maria. Her birthday is today, April 12th. We were born 3 years and 4 days apart. We celebrated our birthdays together for many, many years growing up. Here are my wishes for her.

I wish Maria gratitude for all she does for the boys and 1 girl in her life. Her thankless hours upon hours of taking care of everyone. I want her to know that I think she does an awesome job!

I wish her peace like my other sister. Peace in her life to rest and slow down and enjoy when needed.

I wish her confidence. She double and triple thinks things (we have that in common). I wish she knew that she is a wonderful mother.

I wish her trust in herself. Same as the confidence one.

I wish her happiness. Everyone deserves this, but I have a special wish for my sisters and this. It comes from knowing them so well.

I wish her a geographical move. :) This one is a bit selfish because I always thought we would buy homes next door to one another and raise our kids together. If she could move at least to the same country or vice versa, that would be nice.

I wish her faith. I think my sister hears the call to her faith, but just can't get there in this phase in her life. I hope it happens soon and believe with all my heart that it will. Until then and even after, she's always in my prayers.

Happy Birthday, Maria. Those things that you hear about younger siblings looking up to older ones and wanting nothing more than to be like them...well, that's always been how I felt. I love you!

Kaelyn

Here are some happenings in Kaelyn's life this past week.

On Friday she finally got her learner's permit. This was the third time we tried to get it. First, I forgot me and Kevin's marriage certificate, so they told her to come back with Kevin because there's proof he's her dad and not that I'm her mom. Weird. Second time her name on her social still had my maiden name, so Kevin took her to the SS office to get it changed. This third time everything was fine. Besides the fact that she almost didn't pass the vision test (she had put new contacts in and "her eyes weren't adjusted to them yet"), she passed the computer test.

On Saturday she went to Jared's house. She's been looking for a prom dress and I joked that there was no invite yet. Jared took her out on his front porch in the pitch black on Saturday night. He covered her eyes, flicked a switch, and there on his front lawn was PROM written in red Christmas lights. Say it with me, "AAAwwwwwww!" She said yes and Kaelyn tried to get pictures of it.

On Sunday we had a bit of a problem with the van, so we missed Church. We came home and tried to fix the van and watched "Tangled." It was pretty good for what I saw of it. I only missed a couple of parts. I hadn't gotten much sleep last night, so at nap time, I put Logan on the Wii and Kevin took Kaelyn and Rory out driving. Yes, you read that right, driving. Kaelyn is learning on the stick shift first at my insistence. I think everyone should start on manuals but that's just me. I tried to nap a little while they were gone, but that didn't happen. I was changing Marley when I looked out front and pulling up was Kaelyn in the Mazda....driving. I can't describe to you what I felt. It was fear, awe, pride, fear, love, fear...you get the point.

Kevin says she's doing pretty well for just learning. He let her drive home from Safeway. I let her take me over to Walmart tonight because I needed a nightlight bulb. It was an experience, but she's getting there. She says she likes driving with Kevin more. That's fine with me! I think I like it better too. :) I can't believe it. Tomorrow we get to add her to the car insurance. That should be fun. (sarcasm) I just can't believe it's been sixteen years already.

Two In A Row!

Well, this is truly hard to believe...two blogs in a row. Shocking!

So the latest thing that I'm in to is couponing. Thanks to Crazy Cousin Cartwheel Karla! I'm learning slowly, but it's a little addicting seeing what deals I can get. It's work too, but there's a great website called Southern Savers that pretty much spells everything out for you. Some great deals I got today were...

Pampers pack of 27 priced at $9.99 after coupons $4.99
Best Life Butter on sale for $1.00 with a .50 coupon so .50 butter
A four pack of bic razors on sale for $3.99 with a $2.00 coupon for total $1.99 razors

The deals could have been better but I wasn't on the ball. When Southern Savers tells you to go get this stuff, you go get it because the prices apparently change daily. Looking forward to see what I can get next.

By the way...if you're missing pictures on this blog, my birthday is soon. Hopefully I'll be posting some after that. :)

Surprise!

I know. It's hard to believe. I'm blogging. Sorry I've been absent, but it's been a busy time. Here are some happenings.

Kaelyn is in full swing of prom dress shopping. We've started the process, since the one she wants has to be ordered and shipped. The prom is in May, but if the dress doesn't fit, it'll be shipping back and forth and exchanging and so on and so forth. She's going with green, since her eyes pop whenever she wears that color.

Rory is preparing for her First Communion also in May. We found her dress and need the shoes and veil...and it looks like panty hose since hers ripped at Church this morning. We're planning her Communion and birthday on the same day, so everyone just has one trip here. I don't know if that will work though, since another girl has her birthday that same week, and I haven't asked if they want they weekend yet. It's the polite thing to do.

Logan is not sick anymore, so that's a good report. It was pretty bad there for a while, and I'm just glad we're done with it. He's really learning his letters and numbers and seems to be practicing them a lot without being lead there...if you know what I mean. He read the word "cat" the other day all on his own, and while that might not mean anything to some of you, he's four and Rory is just now getting the swing of reading. I fully believe older siblings teach you a lot more than you learn on your own. I think Kaelyn was maybe a bit too old for Rory to learn from at that point, but then we have Marley.

Marley counted from 1-13 yesterday all on her own. When she got to 13, she kept saying it over and over again until she got to twenty and then she said, "twenty." It's crazy what they pick up. She doesn't have Spanish numbers down yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

Kevin's getting over his sinus infection with meds. That's good. I've decided to get the surgery you should all know about. I'm going to call and schedule it tomorrow. I'm hoping to hit a lull between parties. I should've done it last week when I was wrapping up all the other parties, but I didn't think about it.

That's it. All updated. As you can see, I don't have a camera yet, but I hear Kevin got some good video today. I'll see if he can send it to me. Take care!