Sigh...

I love them so much.And... what a view. ;)

Family Photos 2010

Typical. I love it!

My Sweet Boy!Miss Caroline and her HoneyPretty good, though the kids are looking off somehwereMy personal favorite

Way behind blogger

I completely zoomed over some important days and fun events. Whoops.

Let's play catch-up, shall we?

Jack, at the four-year-old classes' Pow Wow. His Native American name is Brown Buffalo. Isn't he adorable?!Jack and his teacher, Mrs. Harper. I love how he's so nonchalantly resting his arm on her leg. He LOVES her! The kids decided to "clean" the sink for me one morning. They really, really enjoy this. If you can't tell, Caroline is wearing a cape. She was pausing for a photo before zooming off. Super Caroline, too the rescue!Emmy had her White Coat Ceremony at UNTSHC. She's working on her DPT (that's Physical Therapy, folks). This was a special day that we didn't catch many photos of. I love how I brought bags of coloring books and crayons and both kids ended up playing on the iPhones. Typical.

Jack's good buddy, Drew, turned four and had a train-themed birthday party. So fun! There was even a ride on train that took the kids around the neighborhood. Jack had so much fun at the party, in fact, that we had to drag him kicking and screaming to the car when the night was over. Not my most favorite parenting moment. Whew.

Just look at those baby blues. Love this guy!Drew, Jack, and Hayden. Sweet friends.Caroline opted out of the hat. She couldn't wear the hat and bow at the same time. Fashion over function for my girl. Takes after her mama.Thanksgiving was at Jason's parents. We had a blast just eating and enjoying one another's company all day long!

Jackie with his plate. He probably ate his weight in macaroni and cheese in on Thanksgiving and in the days that followed.Caroline, digging in. She's not shy when it comes to food. I think she just about cleared her plate and then some. I'm not sure where she puts it all since she's not bigger than a minute.Time for CHOCOLATE PIE! Yum!Me and my Mama, working hard in the kitchen. Mmm hmm.Love you Mom!

The kids were a little confused about what we were celebrating. Gigi's house was all decked out for Christmas. Jack even asked if we could open presents!

Emmy's helping Jack get all bundled up to go see the Christmas lights outside at Gigi's.I LOVE this picture of Sweet Caroline! Cutest. Girl. Ever.

I know it's blurry but I like it. It was C-c-c-cold!

The Thompson's came over the day after Thanksgiving and we put them to work in the yard. Well, Carey raked up a massive pile of leaves for a photo op.

It's just a shirt

So, last night I was folding laundry and got teary-eyed over a shirt. Jack's favorite shirt. He insisted on wearing it one day last week though it was way too cold and the shirt's too small. In fact, it was probably the last time he'd get to wear it. This shirt's seen many, MANY trips to the museum, park, zoo, school, and birthday parties. Lots of mud pies and bike rides, picnics and playdates. For months if the shirt was clean, Jack picked it out. I got to a point where I had to hide it from time to time so folks at school wouldn't think that Jack only had the one shirt.

Drove me crazy.

And now, I'm sad to see it go.

My boy is growing up. Really, really growing up.

And now I'm crying.

I just can't believe that only five short years ago he was nestled in my tummy. We didn't even know he was a "he" just yet. We were marveling in the moment. At the same time we were wishing time away.

Hurry up and get through the pregnancy. Then hurry up and sleep through the night (that took a LONG time). Then hurry up and start school. Then hurry up and get potty trained (that could've come a bit sooner). Then hurry up and... and... and...

Can we STOP now?!

Right now my little man's at school, enjoying his last day before Thanksgiving break. Will we wish the next month away in anticipation of Christmas? And then count the days till his birthday? And then summer?

Yes. Because that's just what we do.

I just want to slow it down. While folding that shirt last night it dawned on me that he'd be in kindergarten next year. KINDERGARTEN! He'll be away from me five days a week.

Oh, this is physically painful for me to imagine!

I just can't fathom a day when he's in middle school and is embarrassed to be seen with me. I'm sure that won't happen because I'm unbelievably cool, but still. He's going to be a grown up man and he's going to leave. Ouch.

Am I sad. Yep. Am I excited. Absolutely. I know the Lord has a plan for my little boy and I can't wait to see what his future holds.

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Silly and sweet

-- Posted from my iPhone

Sew sew cute!

Mama has a new craft obsession! Caroline is loving the new clothes!

-- Posted from my iPhone

Treat Time

Jackie loves helping in the kitchen. He's so happy making Rice Krispie treats. He was even more happy eating them!

-- Posted from my iPhone

Where in the world?

You may be asking yourself, "Where in the world is that Kippy? We need some new posts?!"

Okay, probably not. Since there are all of about 5 of y'all that read this blog... Hi Mom! *wave*

Our computer crashed thanks to a nasty virus. We took it to our resident computer geek from our church small group. (I'm pretty sure he won't mind that I called him a geek. He's awesome.) He took a look and found a VERY full and VERY contaminated computer. I'm not sure what he did, as computers are still an enigma to me (exaggerating, mostly), but it's fixed!

We're back in business blogosphere!

Certifiable Sunday

Sunday was all around crazy. Seriously, I'm surprised Jason and I, along with the kids, made it through that day alive. Jack put on his rotten attitude as soon as he got up that morning. Lots of yelling and ugly noises meant quite a few time-outs before church. After church, the attitude continued and the volatile atmosphere in the house was exacerbated by the facts that my back was killing me (grrr) and Caroline was not at all in a mood to take a nap. Top that off with the insurance company deciding to deduct an extra chunk of money from our account for a premium (which was unexpected and NOT at all planned for - double grr) and we were all on edge.

I had to get out.

So, I turned on the TV in the bedroom so Jack and Caroline could watch a movie and Jason could decompress with a little football in the living room. I had to head to the store since we needed, you know, food. And I needed, you know, peace. That's not how it turned out. I was nearly to the store and Jason calls me.

"Caroline's dislocated her elbow again. How do I fix it?"

Fantastic. I tell him what to do while I hear Caroline and her blood-curdling scream and Jack crying in the background. NOT peaceful. At. All.

Aparrently, Jack was trying to help his sister back up on the bed and pulled her arm a little to hard. He felt awful. Poor guy.

Well, I headed back home to make sure all was okay. It was, of course. Jason fixed the elbow like SuperDad and I swooped in with hugs and kisses and cuddles and everything was all right. And then Caroline came with me to the store. So much for alone time.

Really, that was the bulk of the craziness of that day. The afternoon was much better and we all slept well that night. The end.

Finally. Peace.

Wanna bite?

Sharing their gelato after a delicious lunch.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Location:The Italian Market

A Boy's Life

I'm trying to figure out how not to be a photographic ignoramus. I have a fantastic camera that I take mediocre photos with, probably because I keep it on the automatic setting. Which any photographer worth their salt will tell you is just a bad idea. So, I'm learning. Which means I'm practicing. I spent much of the morning playing with the aperture and shutter speed on my camera, working with the different settings, trying to get some good shots. Here are some of the better ones.

Colors

An artist at workA hand, trying to catch a roly polysaid roly poly, not interestedAbandoned. Time for a break.Telling a story.Dirty toes!

Grateful

Well, Pioneer Woman wrote a great blog for bloggers yesterday. You know what she said?

Blog often.

Okaaaay. Fine. I needed a kick in the pants to get me back on the blogging track. I'm not saying I'll write every day but I might. I just don't want to disappoint myself it I don't.

Here goes...

Yesterday, amidst all the weather craziness, it seemed all the news stations were covering the rescue of tenants in the Willow II apartments in Arlington. Well, that just happens to be right down the road from me. Not 3 minutes away. After dropping off the kiddos at school this morning I decided to head over to that neighborhood and see the damage for myself. I was amazed. I saw huge trees knocked down, brick mailboxes toppled, front yards filled with all the earthly possessions the families in the neighborhood own - completely ruined. The neighborhood was a mess. It made me sad. But then it made me glad.

Know why?

Sure, I can say, I'm grateful that I live at the top of the hill instead of at the bottom. I could say I'm grateful that all my stuff is okay. I would definitely say I'm grateful that my family is safe and that everyone in the affected neighborhood made it out safely. And I am. I am grateful for all of those things. But, you know what else?

I'm grateful that the Lord has a plan for our lives. Even in scary, uncertain situations. He was and is with those who were so terribly affected by the storm. I'm also grateful that if I HAD lost all my stuff, if my world had been turned upside down because of that storm that I would have assurance that all would be okay. That stuff is just stuff. My treasure is in heaven.

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." Matthew 6:19-21

EDIT: Moments after I posted THIS song played on Pandora. Brought me to tears and so perfectly says what I attempted to get across in the post.

Hello Hermine

Well, Tropical Storm Hermine made her entrance yesterday afternoon and hasn't completely made her exit yet. We've gotten, oh, I don't know, one thousand inches of rain in the past 24 hours. Seriously, this morning I remember thinking to myself, so THIS is what Noah saw just before the ark floated away. The rain. It. Was. Crazy. Sheets and sheets and sheets of it. Our enormous elm tree in the back yard nearly had it's boughs touching the ground. If I would've let Jack outside in the downpour he'd have been able to grab hold of the lowest branch and swing from it with very little effort.

I probably should've let him do it.

When I woke up today and realized it was still raining, and had been all night, I decided staying home all day would be in our best interests. And I suppose, in regards to safety, it was. However, in regards to sanity... not so much. The kids are stir crazy and there's only so much coloring and watching Nick Jr. shows on Netflix a child can do before they decide that the best way to expend their excess energy is to use their mother as a jungle gym. Fun... for them.

Anyway, I decided that with all the grayness and wetness outside that I needed to do a little crafting to lift my spirits. I made some really cute throw pillows ifIdosaysomyself. After adding Caroline's new bed and bedding I really didn't want to have to replace her window treatment. I decided that pillows would be my answer... a tie-in, if you will. They turned out great and I'm sure I've just created a new craft obsession. I'm the kind of gal that gets hooked on doing one thing and it's all I can do for a matter of weeks or months until I move on to something else. Case in point... first it was tutus, then pillowcases, then applique, then hair bows, etc. But, I digress. How about some photos?

The pillows. I love them.How we keep ourselves entertained during a tropical storm.He's trying to squeeze her guts out. At least they love each other!

And if you care to see what havoc Hermine has wrecked here in the area, check THIS out.

*EDIT: A couple hours after this post there were tornadoes in DALLAS! Scary stuff. There were a couple just a hop, skip and jump from Jason's office. Praise the Lord he's okay.