Weekend Review

Phew!  What a weekend we had!

Here's a recap -

Friday Night 7-9: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang practice

• I might have mentioned once or twice about what a cute show this is going to be :)  You can purchase tickets through Select-a-Seat.  Can't believe it's almost here - less than two weeks!

Saturday Morning 10-1: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang practice

Saturday Lunch 1:30-2:30: Zach's Birthday Lunch

• If you guessed Whataburger - you are....WRONG!  It was his 2nd fast food love - Jack in the Box.

Saturday Early Evening 4:15-7:30: 1st Grade Sunday School Valentine's Party

• My friend Ann had the most fabulous idea of having a 1st Grade Sunday School Valentine's Party.  Our church usually has a Sweetheart Tea but decided not to this year.  Ann is such a great party-planner and host.  I'm so blessed by her friendship and was honored that she asked me to help.  Mind you, she did the lion-share of the work!  Did I mention how amazing she is?
• I promise I took my camera with me, but did not use it very wisely.  Ann included lots of great pictures on her blog.  You can find it here.
• I love watching the kids grow up both physically and spiritually.  Ann and I have been with these kids since they were two.  My how time flies! 

Saturday Evening 8:00-8:15: Drop kids off at Yommy and Papa's for a slumber party

• Not sure who enjoys these slumber parties more - my parents or my kids! 

Saturday Even Later 8:30 - 1:15: Date night with Zach to celebrate his birthday

• We went out to eat and then to see The King's Speech.  I really liked the movie and actually remembered bits and pieces of the story line from my high school European History class.    I have to admit I was a teensy bit tired and might have taken a few short naps during the film.  If I get still and it's dark - I'm a goner.  My poor husband filled me in on the parts I missed on the way home.  I usually find Oscar-nominated films overrated - but not this one.  I highly recommend it!

Sunday Morning 9:15 - 10:50: Church + SNOW

• Zach had to work today :( I picked up the kids from Yommy and Papa's and we headed to church.  It was a very peaceful ride to church.  We were entranced by the HUGE snowflakes falling but thankfully not sticking!  God's wonders continue to amaze!

Sunday Lunch 11:00 - 1:00: Grocery store

• We skipped "big" church.  I felt our pastor needed a Sunday to preach without Kendall interrupting with her chatter and/or screaming.
• The kids and I headed to the grocery store to grab a bite for lunch and do some "light" shopping.  The majority of the time we spent waiting in line to check-out with all the other people getting ready for the Super Bowl. 
• We got some really YuMmY red-velvet cupcakes for Zach's birthday. 

Sunday Afternoon 2:00 - 4:30: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang practice

• More thanks to my mom and dad!  They watched Kendall while I took Jackson to rehearsal. 

Sunday Evening 5:00 - 9:30 Super Bowl!

• Zach got off at 5:00 - just in time for the game!  I made (I'll use that term loosely here) little smokies and queso.  It was nice to sit down and spend some time with my three favorite people.  I was rooting for the Packers and was glad they won.  The commercials and half-time show were a little underwhelming though.  Glee's recording right now, so I'm hoping it won't disappoint!

By the way, does anyone else smell leather?  That's right - Spring Training starts next week!  The Rangers have their first full practice on the 19th! 

Verse of the day - "You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you." Nehemiah 9:6

Blessings,
Kelli

Happy, Happy Birthday Baby!

31 years ago today my best friend was born.

• He loves me even when I'm not lovable.
• He makes me laugh so hard my stomach hurts.
• He is my calm when I am crazified.
• He builds me up when I tear myself down.
• He would give the shirt off his back to anyone - no questions asked.
• He looks for the "good" in everyone and always finds it.
• He listens to me even when he thinks I might not ever stop talking.
• He has an amazing way with words (and is never afraid to tell how he really feels).
• He knows his way around the kitchen sink and the dishwasher.
• He lets me record Grey's Anatomy even though he likes The Office better.
• He tells each of us how much he loves and appreciates us every single day.
• He is an amazing, hands-on dad who has a fierce yet gentle love for our babies.
• I could not have wished for a better father, husband and friend!

Happy Birthday, Zach!  I love you "too much"!

Verse of the day - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34

Blessings,
Kelli

A few things I've realized...

Well, Jackson's luck ran out.  He is still running a fever and school was just delayed, not canceled.  He spent a good fifteen minutes (I kid you not) crying this morning.  He's so sad he's having to miss.  I am too because I did not get a sub and my poor friends are having to split my students.  They're great friends - I love them more than words!  Kendall's also here with us again today because she is running a temp as well.  Zach and I thought she might have caught the flu from Bubba.  He took her to the doctor this morning, but thank goodness her flu test was negative.  Just a little fever remnant from this weekend's ear infection.

Here are some things I've realized staying home with my lovebugs the past two days (indulge me - I am our family's memory keeper.)
1. My kids get along a lot better when they're sick.  I just watched Kendall cover Jackson up with a blanket and kiss his forehead - too sweet!  Jackson has also been sharing his DSi with her which is very unusual!
2. Old Yeller is still a great movie.  We watched it yesterday and I cried like I had no idea how it would end.  Jackson liked it too and now wants to read the book - bonus!
3. Even though I am here during the day, my house is nowhere near clean.  In fact, it's messier.  Partly due to the Tornado also known as Kendall Grace.  This is why there are no pictures attached to this post.
4. I love Kendall's versions of songs.  My all-time favorite is Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.  Here are her lyrics.  Who knew we've all been singing it wrong for the past hundred years?

"Finkle, Finkle little tar,

How I wonder what you are?

Bubba, Bubba world so high,

Like a diamond in the guy.

Finkle, Finkle little tar,

How I wonder what you are?"

I also love her mash-ups.  Twinkle and Baa, Baa Black Sheep go nicely together.  So do the Barney song and Jesus Loves Me in case you were wondering.

5. Jackson likes to snuggle when he's sick.  Mind you, he doesn't realize he's not the size the lap dog and it's not exactly comfortable.  But it's still nice to have him sit on my lap and snuggle.

6. Kendall doesn't like to snuggle when she's sick.  She would just rather run around half-naked covering up her baby dolls and emptying her toy box.
7. I'm so thankful that we are not experiencing rolling black-outs like our friends and family down south.  Technology and reading are the only things keeping us from going stir-crazy!

I hope everyone is well at your house.  I also hope you are staying warm.  I have been praying for the homeless during this winter blast.  We have a warm home, coats, gloves, scarves, etc. to keep us warm - others are not as fortunate.

Verse of the day - "But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble." Psalm 59:16

Blessings,

Kelli

100th Day, Snow Day, Sick Day

Yesterday we celebrated the 100th Day of School!  We asked our students to bring 100 items to school.  We give them guidelines, of course - easily carried by the students, 100 of the same thing (not 10 pennies, 10 crayons, 10 buttons, etc) and so on. 

Apparently, my son went above and beyond.  Because instead of just bringing this little project...

I read him some ideas I found online about what he could bring - he couldn't decide between cereal and stickers, so he went with both.

He also brought a fever over 100 - 102.3!  I checked on him when I picked my kids up from lunch and he felt super warm.  I told him I would take him to the nurse so she could check him out.  He pleaded with me, "NO, Mom, PLEASE!  Don't take me to the nurse, I want to stay - it's 100's day.  I only have a fever, I don't feel bad!  PUHLEEEEEASE!!!!"  He didn't win this argument.  Zach came to pick him up and took him to doctor.  Both his flu and strep tests came back positive, YUCK!!!  The doctor told him he couldn't go back to school until Wednesday or he's not running a fever.  So, my precious little school-lover prayed for a snow day so his perfect attendance record would stay intact.  Looks like he prayed hard enough - school was canceled today!  So far, his fever has stayed away as well.  Besides being more lethargic and whiny than usual, he seems to be feeling okay.

Kendall went to the doctor on Saturday and has an ear infection.  So both my kids are really bummed that it has finally snowed, but neither of them can play in it.  They don't believe me that it is too cold anyway (wind chill around negative 20, no thank you!).  I don't feel that great either and I think a day at home in our pajamas with books and movies will do our bodies and souls some good!  Poor Zach - he's at work. 

Verse of the day - "Do everything without grumbling or arguing" Philippians 2:14

Blessings,

Kelli

What's your word?

Have you picked your word for this year?  I'm sure, like me, you've heard about this on the radio or from your friends.

You pick just one word to describe how you'll live this year.  My friend Ann's word is "hope" which I love and almost stole.  The guy on the radio chose "deeper" which I also like.  I've finally decided on "closer". 

In 2011, I want to be closer to God
                                  closer to Zach
                                  closer to the Bible
                                  closer to Jackson
                                  closer to my church
                                  closer to Kendall
                                  closer to service
                                  closer to my friends
                                  closer to charity
                                  closer to my kids at school...
I want to be closer to the person that God made me to be.

I was going back and forth between two words (maybe one day I'll share the other word with you).  I couldn't decide and the "deadline" was fast approaching.  My decision was made for me in the drive-thru line.  I was trying to rush home to get Jackson fed before play rehearsal.  My only choice was driving through somewhere QuIcKlY.  The girl at the window told me it would be just a minute before my order was ready.  So I turned up the "positive, encouraging" radio station I was listening to and tried not to panic that we were, like always, going to be late.  A teenager was giving his testimony and said "Jesus is your best friend.  He'll always be there for you.  You never have to worry about feeling alone.  He's sitting right next to you."  At that moment, I moved my purse out of the passenger seat so I would have room to set our order down.  I turned back toward the window and the girl was looking at me like I was crazy.  I realized that she had heard the man say "He's sitting right next you" and thought I was clearing a seat for Jesus.

As funny as it was for both the drive-thru girl and me, I thought to myself, "I should always remember that Jesus is sitting right next to me."  So I chose closer.  I want to be closer to Jesus.  Hopefully, I'll remember to move my purse - it is quite large.

So, what's your word?

Verse of the day - "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." Psalms 145:18

Blessings,
Kelli

Shameless Plug

The top seven reasons you should see "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" if you live in our area...
7. It's written by the same guy who wrote the original James Bond movies.  The script is very clever!
6. The dance numbers are full of energy and AmAzInG!
5. The songs will put you in a great mood!
4. I'm not giving anything away to say that the spies and the Baroness are very FUNNY!
3. It's super cute and wholesome - a great show for the whole family!
2. A car will "fly" on stage!
1. Jackson has a part as one of the children!

And on a completely unrelated note...If you have not heard the song "Come Home" by Luminate yet - do it NOW!!!  It's my new favorite!

Verse of the day - "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

Blessings,
Kelli

And now for your halftime entertainment...

Yes, I'm aware that she's too cute for own good.

 

I am also aware that she dresses way cuter than any two year old should!



However, I was not aware that when given a balloon by her Yommy during halftime at Bubba's game that she would stick it up her shirt!



Apparently she has a hidden love for Dolly Parton!



And now she's dancing because all the fans are laughing at this most inappropriate scene.

Oh, baby girl - you are truly one in a million!

Verse of the day - "You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound." Psalm 4:7

Blessings,
Kelli