"I have some VERY exciting news"....

Kaylee, A.K.A. High-Maintenance Barbie, can be a little on the dramatic side at times...shocking, I know. This can sometimes be good and sometimes not so good. Another interesting thing about Kaylee is she REALLY likes magazines and getting them in the mail. When she was younger my mom got her a subscription to Animal Baby. She enjoyed that and as she got older I renewed the Animal Baby subscription for Ainsley and graduated Kaylee up to Highlights. She loves them, and whenever anyone else gets a magazine and she doesn't it seems very unfair to her. Drama! We keep all the old issues and probably read at least one a night.

Awhile back my mom was talking to me about ideas for gifts for Kaylee's upcoming birthday. I had seen an advertisement for Nick Jr. magazine. I looked it up to make sure it wasn't unreasonably priced and then gave my mom that idea.

Fast forward to this past Tuesday night....we got home from our weekly tumbling class and dinner at Dad's and I was standing at the counter going through the mail. There was an envelope with a sticker of Sponge Bob on the outside that Kaylee noticed and asked what it was. So I told her as part of her birthday Mee-Maw got her a subscription to Nick Jr. magazine. Well, you would have thought I told her we were leaving that minute for Disney world. She was so excited and in her dramatic way said "I have always wanted a subscription to Nick Jr. magazine." She proceeded to have me read this thank you note the company had sent; which is really an advertisement to encourage you to tell others to subscribe. So I read it and told her she would be getting her first issue soon.

A little bit later I came out from putting Ainsley to bed and can hear Brad downstairs reading the same note I had read earlier. I chuckled a little and didn't think much else about it. The next day Brad and I are talking and he said I forgot to tell you what Kaylee did last night. Here's what I learned:

(Please note the photo associated with the below story is not one from the day that story events occurred. This photo was actually taken the last time that Kaylee got a new Highlight magazine and had Brad read it to her ASAP!)


Kaylee (going into the Family Room to Brad): Daddy, I have some very exciting news for you!

Brad: What's that?

Kaylee: I am the new owner of a subscription to Nick Jr. Magazine.

Brad: Really, that's great!

Kaylee: Read the letter, Daddy.

Oh, the little things that make us happy, especially when you are one for the dramatics!

Discussions

Kaylee has come up with a new game called “Discussions”. This all started one day while we were driving home from my dad’s house, after tumbling, and Kaylee asked if I could be the teacher. Giving that I used to be a teacher I wasn’t sure what she was talking about so I asked for some clarification. In short she explained I would ask questions, she would raise her hand, I would call on her and she would answer. I agreed and asked what she wanted to talk about and she said “Can we have a discussion about Ariel?”

Now whenever we are in the car she will say “Can we have a discussion?”, I’ll ask what she wants to have a discussion about, and the game begins. We usually do 1 or 2 questions about Disney movies, mainly one’s starring a princess, and each one begins with either “Can we have a discussion” or “Let’s have a discussion”.

Milton-Bradley watch out!

Does Your Life Have a Theme Song?

I don't know about any of you but I am easily able to relate to songs. I have always loved music, singing, dancing, the whole works. I enjoy a variety of music and listen to most anything. If people saw my CDs, or listened to my MP3, I'm sure they would think it was a very eclectic collection of music, or songs. Time to time a song will make a lasting impression on me and will cause me time to pause and think, and ultimately becomes a new theme song. How does the theme song play into my life? The theme song is one that is somewhere in my collection. Either I have purchased the CD, sometimes because of a different song and get an added bonus in the CD, or I download it. The song will then get played in the car, loudly, at least twice each day, depending on who is in the car with me. As the song plays I reflect on what the song is saying and how I'm connected...and of course singing. I have quite the collection because I never get rid of a theme song. They just become part of my own montage of personal theme songs.

My latest theme song is really more of a song that talks about things I feel for my girls. I have been listening to this song daily for the past month, or so. I had gotten the I Can Only Imagine CD series and it's on one of those CDs. The song is called Find Your Wings by Mark Harris. I love this song. If I ever do a photo montage for my girls (which you all know I will do at least one in their lives if not more) this will be one of the songs.

Here are my lyrics:

It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know You're walking in the truth
And If I never told you I want you to know As I watch you grow

Chorus: I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots And help you find your wings

May passion be the wind That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong Guide you on your way
May there be many moments T
hat make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories

Chorus: Repeat

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off But I'll cheer as you fly

Chorus: Repeat

Do any of you have a theme song(s)? What are they? Just curious.......

So I don't forget....

A couple of things I've had in my mind to blog on, that I can't do right now, and don't want to forget:

• "Discussions"
• Does your life have a theme song?

Stay tuned for actual posts.....

For the birds...

Last year Kaylee and I made pine cone bird feeders for the birds. Over the last couple weeks we have been fortunate to have some warmer weather and get outside. While taking walk-a-bouts around the yard we have found MANY pine cones. This has reminded Kaylee of our bird feeder project from last year. Our own version of the Laura Numeroff books, ...if Kaylee goes outside she'll probably want to take a walk, and while on a walk she'll probably find some pine cones, and seeing some pine cones will make her remember the bird feeders and want to make some more.

Today we went over to my mom's and before we did we gathered some pine cones to take and make more bird feeders. We got to mom's and made our bird feeders. We tied string on the pine cones, spread peanut butter on them and rolled them in birdseed, then we took them outside to hang them up.

We also found other things to play. Enjoy our photos of our outside playtime

Making the pine cone bird feeders.

Ainsley felt she should try the peanut butter before offering it to the birds.

Kaylee ready to go hang her bird feeder.
The tree where we hung ALL of the bird feeders.
Ainsley inspecting the bird feeder. It's important for the birds to have some place to freshen up after they are done eating.
Kaylee doing one of her favorite activities; looking for bugs.
No, Kaylee didn't fall she was rolling down the hill, Ainsley was running, she tried to roll but just couldn't quite go fast enough for her liking. Usually my mom is rolling with Kaylee, but this time Kaylee was doing a solo-roll.

Another of Kaylee's favorite things, splashing in puddles, especially ones with mud! Thank goodness for boots!
Time to go inside and get some lunch. The girls helping Mee-maw carry stuff back to the garage.

A New World=New Perspective

***Disclaimer***-the following blog may, or may not, appropriately reflect the title. This is really coming from many of my thoughts in the last few weeks. I couldn't really think of a title that really encompassed what I would be writing about, but went with the best I could think of.

Do you ever go to a new place, town, city, mall, restaurant, etc and look around at the people, you don't know, and wonder about their story? Everyone has a story. Everyone has had experiences that have shaped them, they all have family members and friends, who also have their own stories, you may even be somehow connected in a "Six degrees of Kevin Bacon way", and you may not. Maybe knowing their story would impact you, or help shape you, maybe it would be the other way around and you would impact them. Of course there are the times when people impact us and they don't even know it. Some of these are people we know and some are people we have never even met. These are things I think about. Our worlds are so small compared to the world as a whole, and yet in our own little worlds we become so easily overwhelmed, and at the same time find so much happiness. While the world is full of great things to discover it also contains sadness. We try to keep sadness away as much as we can it is inevitable and can impact us even in positive ways.

With technology has come even more ways to be connected with the ones we know and love, as well as open ourselves up to the whole world and tell our stories, and hear other's. We become impacted in so many more ways. Many of the blogs I read have lists of blogs they read. It's interesting to click on these blogs, of people I don't know, and learn about them, or read their stories, as well as then check out their blog lists, and so on and so forth. I have found long-lost friends on blogs of people I didn't know, and have been able to reconnect with them. I have found people that give creative ideas for parties, people that I have bought things from, people that have aided me in my blog, and people that have impacted me through their stories.

One of these stories is one about Cora. I've added their families story to my blog list. I don't know the Mcclenahans and I'm pretty sure they don't know me. They have impacted me greatly. Many of you know Cora though, as I've seen her story on your blog too. How did I find Cora? Through randomly looking at a blog, of someone I don't know, that was asking for prayers for this family. Who is Cora, for those that don't know and might be wondering. Cora is an angel. When I first met Cora she was an adorable 11 month old little girl and her family had recently found out she had cancer. Although she fought a mighty battle she lost that battle and went to be with the angels. I started following her story shortly after her battle began. She had ear infections and was having a hard time getting over them, went to the doctor to find out why, needless to say that doctor's visit was not what they were expecting.

I checked their blog daily, everyday hoping the post would be positive and to hear good news. One day I checked in on them and learned that Cora had passed away. I was heartbroken. Heartbroken for a family I had never met. I still check in on their family, as do so many others. What I have seen is 200+ comments left on their blog each time a new post is posted. They have not only impacted me but so many others. One person tells another who tells another and the list grows. Such a sad story but so inspiring.

How could this be inspiring you might ask? Every time I would read their blog I would ask myself what I would do if I were in this situation, could I handle this? Honestly I don't know; you never truly know what you would do until your in the situation. This family inspires me and amazes me with their strength and faith. Although they told you they were hurting, grieving and questioning, in their hearts they knew that God had a plan and still believed God is good. To me that is inspiring, to see all of God's work he has done through this family is inspiring. It's hopeful. What has transpired through this tragedy is amazing. People, some that know them some that don't, have come together to do amazing things. They are building a playground in Cora's name, and most importantly sharing a wonderful story. If you ever follow my lists on my blog you can know this family too. I've even posted comments on their blog. When someone impacts you, whether you know them or not, if you have the opportunity you should tell them. I hope if you haven't yet you will take the time to meet The Macs. You'll be inspired too.

In a time where technology is always at your finger tips, and negativity is spread so fast and furious, that we can use this tool to spread the positives. These are stories that most likely won't make the 6:00 news, E News, or even Best Week Ever because they lack the sensationalism that draws in viewers and/or readers. You won't find these on the cover of the magazines you might peruse in line at the grocery store. The Lord works in mysterious ways. I challenge you to make new blog friends. Search out those stories of others and take a step outside your bubble to expand your world, not only to give but also to receive.

Random Conversations

While many conversations with Kaylee can be interesting I thought I would highlight a few that have happened in the last week.

Saturday I went to a bridal shower for my cousin Erica. Brad had previously arranged for the girls to go to his parents on Saturday so we could have a "date night". It worked out because the shower would have overlapped into the girls naps, so I was able to go alone while Brad took the girls to his parents. On Sunday Kaylee and I were talking and here is how the conversation went:

Kaylee: Mom, why didn't you go with us to Grandma's yesterday?

Me: Because I had to go to a bridal shower.

Kaylee: What did you do there?

Me: We ate lunch, watched Erica open gifts and had some cake.

Kaylee: Did they dance?

Me: No, they do that at the wedding, not the shower.

Kaylee: Why?

Me: The shower is just for girls to go to. They have it for the bride before the wedding. Erica's wedding will be in a couple of months. This was just a party to "shower" her with well-wishes.

Kaylee: Oh. Mom, what is Erica's prince's name?

Me: Prince, as in who she is going to marry?

Kaylee: Yes, everyone marries a prince.


Conversation #2: This occurred Sunday night as Kaylee didn't want to be in her room, by herself, to go to bed. This has been an issue lately, as all of sudden she seems to get scared. She has a very active imagination so this does not help our cause.

Kaylee: I don't want to be in my room.

Me: Why?

Kaylee: I don't want to be alone.

Me: Why?

Kaylee: I'm scared.

Me: What are you scared of?

Kaylee: I don't know, I just don't want to be by myself.

Me: Everyone sleeps in their own room. Ainsley is in her room, Mommy and Daddy sleep in their room and you need to sleep in your room.

Kaylee: But I have two pillows in my bed and no one to sleep on the other pillow.


Conversation #3: This happened last night. Another quirk of Kaylee's involves pooping. She is weird about it and when her routine is thrown off, or she gets sick as she was a couple weeks ago, she will become irregular and then start to constipate herself. So we then have to get her through that and back to being regular. Last night I could tell she needed to go, she was being obstinate about it because since she hasn't been going everyday it becomes painful. I was trying to encourage her to go to the bathroom:

Me: Kaylee, do you need to go potty?

Kaylee: No

Me: I think you do....does your tummy hurt?

Kaylee: Yes, but I can't.

Me: Why? If you go your tummy will feel better.

Kaylee: But I can't.

Me: Why?

Kaylee: Because....the poop mom is telling the poop kids to come out, but they won't because they are watching the poop TV.

Me: Maybe the poop mom should turn the poop TV off then.

Kaylee: (sigh) yeah...

We have so many of these delightful conversations I could probably write a book. I'm sure when she's older she will really appreciate this blog and how I have recounted many of these. Especially the one about poop. She's also into using "verbs" and "adverbs" lately and will let me know when she has used one, because I apparently don't know what verbs and adverbs are.

For example:

Kaylee: This orange is too orangey

Me: Don't eat it

Kaylee: Mom, I was just using an adverb.

OR

Kaylee: (says something that I think is about a bird squawking)

Me: I don't hear any birds squawking

Kaylee: No, Ainsley is flapping

Me: (still not hearing it correctly), Ainsley is what?

Kaylee: Ainsley is flapping, I'm using a verb....you know flapping, like this (and proceeds to show me).

There are also times now when we are in the car and I'm driving and the girls are in the back talking. Most times as soon as Kaylee says, or asks, something Ainsley feels she needs to participate as well. This is both of them talking at the same time and makes it a lot harder for me to hear. Some times when I ask Kaylee to repeat herself she says "Mom, I was talking to my sister." So it has begun!