Saturday, December 27, 2008
Girls Night Out- Concert!
December 5th Kelly and I enjoyed a very fun girls night out with our buddies Kathy and Emily. Shawn had bought us tickets a while back to go to the Cheetah Girls concert in Milwaukee. What a fun time! We ate out for dinner before the show and then headed to the big concert. It was Emily's first concert so Kelly was excited to show and explain everything to her. Kathy and I had as much fun as the girls did!! The Cheetah Girls were awesome, very talented and very entertaining. A great night!
I LOVE YOU TREE!
My little miss Kaitlyn is so very funny. Both girls were so excited to get the Christmas tree up and start putting on the ornaments over Thanksgiving weekend. They begged relentlessly until I gave in, even though I was sooo tired. After we were done with round one of decorating, Kaitlyn could not contain her excitement and ran up to the tree squealing, "I love you tree!!" It was the sweetest thing ever and she did it every day for about a week or two. We would ask her each day, Katey have you hugged your tree? She'd say oh yeah, run into the living room and hug her tree, adding a sweet little "i love you tree!". So funny.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
November memories
A Time of Loss
In addition to happy times, November held some very unexpected losses. Thanksgiving was more somber and reflective for me, trying to focus on the positive and the many blessings in my life. Three dear lives were lost to me and many other loved ones within a few weeks. First, my dear friend lost her precious baby thru miscarriage. I want to be a comfort to her as I remember how sad and disappointing this season of life can be.
Then a friend and co-teacher of 14 years passed away from cancer. She was a trusted confidant, barrel of laughs, and a woman whose opinion I trusted and valued. Her family is grieving and so is our school for her huge loss. I hate cancer, it stole our friend. But I can be thankful to know that she is with the King of Kings, still the tears come for her husband and 2 sons.
Finally most unexpectedly not 10 days later, our school lost another beloved teacher. Her death has been sudden and shocking. She was an outgoing, friendly, hilarious co-teacher. A new friend to me but someone I quickly grew fond of because she always made us smile and just feel good. Her family is grieving and so is our school for the huge hole she leaves behind. In the hearts of her students, too. And the tears come for her 2 sons, too.
So all right, God. You have my attention. I thought I learned that lesson in October with my mom's illness, you know life is short, don't take it for granted, every day is a gift. Our pastor has been teaching us the importance and priority that gratitude and thankfulness MUST have in our lives. The power that a life of thankfulness can bring I am trying to comprehend. I AM trying to be more thankful, in between tears and empty classrooms that our friends have left behind.
We have so very much to be thankful for, it is so true. Each day is a gift, each moment, each breath. Each laugh, each tear, each hug, each kiss. I want to freeze them and yet the clock ticks by. Time to turn off the computer as Kaitlyn repeats, "Mommy, see me... Mommy, look!" Here I come, Kate.
Happy Thanksgiving!
We did something different this year and traveled to Aunt Rachel's house in Springfield for baby Garrett's first Thanksgiving. The girls had A BLAST playing with their baby cousin, and talked about him for days. Plus they had more time with Grandma and Grandpa Herrin, going out to eat, swimming at the hotel, and hanging out.
Kelly's highlight was helping Grandma fix our Thanksgiving dinner. Grandma taught Kelly how to make Kel's favorite salad from Grandma, cranberry salad. Kelly loves helping out in the kitchen.
Kaitlyn's highlight was playing with baby Garrett. "He So Cute, Mommy!" was all she could say. That and "We have baby sister and baby brother, right Mommy?!" Yikes, time to pull out those dolls and pretend!
In addition to happy times, November held some very unexpected losses. Thanksgiving was more somber and reflective for me, trying to focus on the positive and the many blessings in my life. Three dear lives were lost to me and many other loved ones within a few weeks. First, my dear friend lost her precious baby thru miscarriage. I want to be a comfort to her as I remember how sad and disappointing this season of life can be.
Then a friend and co-teacher of 14 years passed away from cancer. She was a trusted confidant, barrel of laughs, and a woman whose opinion I trusted and valued. Her family is grieving and so is our school for her huge loss. I hate cancer, it stole our friend. But I can be thankful to know that she is with the King of Kings, still the tears come for her husband and 2 sons.
Finally most unexpectedly not 10 days later, our school lost another beloved teacher. Her death has been sudden and shocking. She was an outgoing, friendly, hilarious co-teacher. A new friend to me but someone I quickly grew fond of because she always made us smile and just feel good. Her family is grieving and so is our school for the huge hole she leaves behind. In the hearts of her students, too. And the tears come for her 2 sons, too.
So all right, God. You have my attention. I thought I learned that lesson in October with my mom's illness, you know life is short, don't take it for granted, every day is a gift. Our pastor has been teaching us the importance and priority that gratitude and thankfulness MUST have in our lives. The power that a life of thankfulness can bring I am trying to comprehend. I AM trying to be more thankful, in between tears and empty classrooms that our friends have left behind.
We have so very much to be thankful for, it is so true. Each day is a gift, each moment, each breath. Each laugh, each tear, each hug, each kiss. I want to freeze them and yet the clock ticks by. Time to turn off the computer as Kaitlyn repeats, "Mommy, see me... Mommy, look!" Here I come, Kate.
Happy Thanksgiving!
We did something different this year and traveled to Aunt Rachel's house in Springfield for baby Garrett's first Thanksgiving. The girls had A BLAST playing with their baby cousin, and talked about him for days. Plus they had more time with Grandma and Grandpa Herrin, going out to eat, swimming at the hotel, and hanging out.
Kelly's highlight was helping Grandma fix our Thanksgiving dinner. Grandma taught Kelly how to make Kel's favorite salad from Grandma, cranberry salad. Kelly loves helping out in the kitchen.
Kaitlyn's highlight was playing with baby Garrett. "He So Cute, Mommy!" was all she could say. That and "We have baby sister and baby brother, right Mommy?!" Yikes, time to pull out those dolls and pretend!
Happy 6th Birthday to our cousin Sam!
Wow, when did this happen? Sam was the "baby" of our family for the longest time until Kaitlyn came along. He is one of Katey's best friends (right along with Kyle). The girls had fun at his party playing games, eating pizza and cupcakes, and running around spending their tokens.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Fall Fun
Happy Birthday Kelly!!!
Oh yikes, my little girl turned 9 years old yesterday. She had a FABULOUS birthday for many reasons.
Oh yikes, my little girl turned 9 years old yesterday. She had a FABULOUS birthday for many reasons.
- Her dear friend Sylvia spent the weekend with us
- her Grandma & Grandpa H. drove up to celebrate with her
- her Nana is well enough to be with us
- she watched her favorite movie, High School Musical 3, with 12 of her favorite friends and cousins
- last night we celebrated some more with 19 members of our family
- her long list of presents included American Girl doll clothes & matching pajamas, new barbies, littlest pet shop toys, crafts, Amer. Girl doll books & toys, her long-awaited Nintendo DS player and games, fashion designer stuff, gift cards, jewelry, cash...
- plus more blessings I know I'm forgetting because it was such a whirlwind day
- oh yeah she spent the morning in the pool at her swimming lesson which she could do for hours, just swim back and forth (i think it is her own little sanctuary in that pool just doing laps)
Kelly, I am so very blessed to be your mom. You have taught me so many lessons over the past 9 years (plus 9 months before that). I wouldn't trade one day with you for all the treasures in this world. I don't know why God chose me to be your mom but I am so very grateful He did. I love you, sweetheart! You are such a blessing to your family & friends.
Happy Halloween!
The girls were too cute on Halloween. Kelly dressed up as her favorite movie star, Gabriella from High School Musical. Kaitlyn chose to be Tinkerbell and wore the same costume that Grandma H. had made for Kelly 4 years ago. The Sunday before Halloween we hit Grammy & Poppy's house then Kyle & Sam's neighborhood, it was a very windy day. Kaitlyn nearly blew away down Kyle & Sam's street.
Our trick-or-treating was Halloween night. It was a beautiful day & evening with really warm temperatures & sunshine (at least til it got dark out :). We visited Nana & Papa's house first, then did our little street. The girls were more excited to pass out candy that night but sadly we only had maybe 10 kids visit all night.
GIRLS NIGHT OUT!!
Oct. 25th was a great night out! I had the pleasure of spending it with my dearest friends Kathy, Janet, Jody, and Jenni. We started early (because you know it does take hours to get to the theater!) with a delicious Mexican dinner and adult conversation. Then we saw lots of familiar faces at the concert, especially more dear friends Toni & Kelsi. The concert was amazing, two of my favorites of all time, Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman together. Three hours of the most amazing worship music & testimonies. I had the BEST time with you girls, thank you!!
Oct. 25th was a great night out! I had the pleasure of spending it with my dearest friends Kathy, Janet, Jody, and Jenni. We started early (because you know it does take hours to get to the theater!) with a delicious Mexican dinner and adult conversation. Then we saw lots of familiar faces at the concert, especially more dear friends Toni & Kelsi. The concert was amazing, two of my favorites of all time, Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman together. Three hours of the most amazing worship music & testimonies. I had the BEST time with you girls, thank you!!
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