Kisses From Katie

I am so humbled my heart hurts.  Sometimes my eyes need to refocus on something other than my place in the world.  Tonight I am left wondering how else I could be, should be, want to be spending my blessings and the minutes of my life --  http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/ 

Lord, have mercy.

"Toof-less!"

While I was saying my goodbyes to friends at our Wednesday night church dinner, Caroline ran to me and threw her little chin up in the air to reveal a huge smile with a great, big gap!  Her eyes were as wide open as her mouth, and her hand was high in the air carrying her front baby tooth in a plastic bag like a new trophy.  It took me only a second and then I realized what a big moment this was.  ...The first day of kindergarten, first kiss, off to college, wedding day, loosing your first front tooth -- all biggies in my book.  When I asked her how it happened, she blurted, "Jackson knocked it out!!" which made it all the more fun.  Apparently Jackson was running toward her and landed with some body part in her face, and voila!  Of course the Tooth Fairy was prepared and left a shiny Sacajawea coin under her pillow.  We're loving the new whistle her words have taken on as well as her new look!

New Sister, First Grade, 6th Birthday, Lost Tooth...

It's Been An Exciting Month

First Firsts

Whizzzzzz--  Watch out, there life goes!  So much to catch before it wiggles away...

After a hearty breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes our little miss started her
1st grade adventure. 

Can you guess which parent dressed which kid?

It was a family affair! 

Daddy went to work late and even Grandma joined in the fun. 

Here we are making the trek to the bus stop at 7 a.m. 

(Jackson might be afraid of my postpartum early morning look.)

Big step!  No big tears for Mommy this year, just a big tug on the heart strings.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to school I go!  Delighted to be sitting next to Bella.

Super start to a fresh season!

Grammy picked Caroline up from the bus stop and said the first words out of her mouth were,

"It was awesome!"  =Whew!=

Caro's favorite part of the day was telling her teacher that she's a Christian,

and having her teacher reply, "I am too!"

Jackson's 1st day of preschool was the 13th.

He was sooooooo excited to go to school and have a big boy backpack!

Kissing Karis good-bye.

Flying Jacks to the "vinvan".

Jackson's first hook experience caught on film!

Time for me to leave.  I can do it.  I think I can, I think I can...

Jackson said he really liked school. 

He played with planes and looked for "Bailwee" from VBS most of the time. 

Ms. Allie said he was very good with playing play dough and is really creative. 

(I got a chuckle out of that.)

Ms. Allie is the big sister of one of my former second grade students.  How is cool is that?!

Happy 6th Birthday, sweet Caroline!

August 17th, 2010 was your 6th birthday!

Grandma walked you to the bus stop and tied a Cinderella balloon to our front door for you.

After I read to your class in the afternoon,

we left school a smidge early to find your old friend Avery waiting for you at home! 

Surprise!

Your Menu Requests: 

Hamburgers For Dinner

Lemon Cake With Lemon Sherbert For Dessert

Making a Wish!

You were thrilled to get your Princess Zhu Zhu Pet.

Your sudden interest in the solar system has won you a PINK telescope!

Great Grandma Barber sent you some "fun-ds"!

Grammy wrote you a letter asking for a special date to go toy shopping

 and a promise to end your time together with a sweet treat!

A day later we celebrated 1st grade style with mint brownies and grape juice boxes. 

(Chocolate and wine go together, right?  You are a little young for that so we compromised...)

Look how much you've grown and changed in a year, little miss. 

Your momma's heart just wants to bust at the thought of how precious you are!  

You amaze me. 

"I love you more!"

Laughables From Today

After singing "Old MacDonald" today, I asked Jackson what he would have on a farm...
     "Butterflies.
     pause
     "PJs"
     pause
     "Portipines, and a TRUCK!"

Laying in bed with Caroline tonight I was showing her how she would be 5 "fingers" old for only a few more hours.  Then grabbing the teachable moment I flashed my 5 fingers 7 times plus my pointer finger to show her how many 5s there are in my age, stressing how she will be 6 tomorrow and I will be 36.  (I was shocked myself at how many times my hand had to open and shut to get to 35!)  She then said...
     Caro:  "You're not young, " with a bit of an exasperated sigh and smile.
     Me:     "No, I guess... not."
     Caro:  "Wow!  That's like a 'Heads up!'"

"IT"

Karis is two weeks old today!  I am still amazed at how elusive time is.  I wish I could just grab it by the collar and hang it on a hook for a bit.  I have treasured these 14 days the best a woman on prescription narcotics can.  With perfect timing my head is slowly coming out of the clouds as my body is trying to get a grip postpartum. It has been really, really easy for the most part.  A few nights in the hospital accompanied by lots of loving visitors and doting nurses, then onto a week at home with my very attentive and loyal Dunk'n Donuts patron of a husband, not to mention all of the TLC from my nearest and dearest friends and family.  A big thanks to the hubs who has helped keep the house maintained and kids entertained too.  I have been showered and powdered for company, and even made a large grocery run with all 3 kiddos (and my dear mom).  But, it happened today. 

"It" would be that brick wall that made its appearance.  I ran smack into it while being whooped by the up hill battle of getting everyone dressed, fed, and just doing the usual morning chores while the minutes ticked closer to noon than I liked.  When at that time what to my watering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and -- oops, that tricky pain medicine!  ...When a really good friend (who looked so calm and together) brought us a delicious chicken pot pie with all the fixings. 

I had to laugh as I was caught partially dressed, baby in arms, kids looking halfway homeless, and laundry piled high after only a day!!  It was my disloyal mind's fault too!  My own mind betrayed me these past two nights powering up auto pilot and flying into the land of list making and conversations (that should actually be held with another person) until the wee hours of the morning.  Making it worse was wondering how my beloved husband on one side and my precious newborn on the other could sleep so well while me, the Queen Bee, struggled to catch a wink.  Thus, I hit that brick wall pretty hard.

If only I had remembered at that crucial moment that God has encouragement lined up and ready to march into the trenches with me.  Hence, my really put together, sweet smelling, even kinder friend who providentially brought the pot pie by at just the moment I needed a happy diversion.  She was so gracious and reminded me that, "This is life." 

Ah yes, this is life and I am happy to be caught in the middle: in the middle of my beloved husband and precious 2 week old baby girl, in the middle of two bigger kiddos wanting their mommy, in the middle of being loved on by my loved ones, in the middle of blessings and purpose and laundry piles.  I believe I can see that brick wall crumbling and a few zzz's awaiting me.  Whoohoo!!

Ten Things About Karis

I just heard Karis giggle for the 1st time! She was sleeping in my arms and woke herself up. Be still my heart!

Number One: Shake A Leg
Throughout the last couple months of my pregnancy I would feel this spastic vibration for a couple of seconds every now and then. I wasn't sure what it was, but now I know for certain. Her little leg likes to give a shout out to the world without notice. It's pretty cute. Let's just say she has a head start on the Hokey Pokey.

Number Two: Barn Yard Phonics
I think her favorite letters are "N" and "Short E" -- She likes to remind us of their sounds whenever she feels the need for a little attention. That and since day one she has had this cough that sounds like a duck's quack, unusually loud!

Number Three: Sweet Cheeks
Karis has the most adorable, teeny, tiny bumm! Must be a gene from generations ago.

Number Four: Ice Cream Diet Only, Please
She is not a garlic fan at this point, but there is always hope! Until that day I guess I'll just have to tough it out with my Breyers. Poor, poor me.

Number Five: Favorite Place
She loves the outdoors! Nature is baby Valium in my book.

Number Six: The Eyes Say It All
Karis goes out of her way to let me know that she loves to be held by me. I feel like a million bucks when I pick her up and she calms down instantly, focusing on my face like I am her hero! Then humbles me the next second as her gaze wanders to my bangs and her little brow furrows as if to say, "Mommy, second day hair just doesn't work for you."

Number Seven: Speaking of Hair
She thinks so highly of her daddy that she dons his hairdo!

Number Eight: Ear Prints
The tops her delicate ears have these little dents like someones fingertip rested there for awhile. Too darling for words!

Number Nine: Darling Digits
Piano playing fingers and tree climbing toes! There's nothing more precious than your baby grasping your fingers and her toes curling at your tickle, wondering where in the world they will go.

Number Ten: Sweet Dreams
She must have the best dreams! Little coos and ahs along with crooked grins and wide smiles. Oh, to sleep like a baby!