Piano Playing

We bought this piano at a thrift store a couple of weeks ago for $50. It actually has a pretty good sound and the keys all work well. I like the look of it too. The only downside is fitting it in our living room. We moved some things around to make room and although it takes up some space, we are all really enjoying this new addition to our family.

Mothers and Daughters

I love my mom. Plain and simple. We talk on the phone almost every day and sometimes more than once a day. She is a great listener, she prays for me, and she encourages me in so many ways.

I miss her too. Being away from my family has been hard, especially in this season of life with small children. But, when she can visit (or vice versa) it is wonderful.

I hope to see my relationship with Nora develop into something like we have. I wasn't always loving and kind to my mom and I gave her a lot of grief as a child, but I respect her, love her, and admire her sacrifices for our family. My mom has taught me a lot about selflessness and I'll be the first to admit that I'm still very much in the process of learning that one.

Thank you Mom for teaching me how to be a mom. For loving me even when I didn't appreciate it, and for giving so much to me.

Saturday Mornings

Seth has joined the worship team at our church and has been gone the last two Saturday mornings for practice, so we've been keeping busy going to garage sales, the park, and the library. Here are a few pictures I took of the kids while waiting for Daddy to get home and eating "yogurt popsicles" (I always freeze those go-gurt things for the kids cause they last so much longer that way).

Seriously, why is it so hard to get a picture of the kids where they are actually looking at the camera?

Aidan's Birthday Party

So, we did have a party for Aidan. It was the day before Easter and the day before we drove to Memphis for my Grandpa's funeral, so to say that it was a little on the hectic side might be an understatement.

We made Aidan another guitar cake. Actually, my mom made this one. Last year's cake was awful because I was trying to make a good cake from scratch and I must have left out the baking powder because it was awfully dense and very un-cake-like. So, this one was straight from a box and fluffy and good. 

I was too busy to take many photos to document the time as you will see, but it was a busy and fun time with friends. I am just so grateful that my mom was here to help me get ready for the party and then our trip and that we had such wonderful friends come to celebrate with us.

Dear Grandpa

This is what I read at my Grandpa's funeral April 10, 2012:

Dear Grandpa,

I am sure you are having a great time in heaven right now worshiping the Lord which is the thought that brings such comfort to my heart at this time.

When I think of your life, at least the part I experienced with you, I have nothing, but the fondest memories.

I will never forget the way you decorated for Christmas, the anticipation of that season and your almost child-like joy in all of it.

I will never forget your love of music, your strong voice, and the light in your eyes when you sang.

I will never forget the trips we took together, the way you went out of your way to make us feel loved.

I may not have appreciated all the ways you loved me, or even recognized them, but I cannot express how blessed I am to have had such a wonderful grandfather.

You were a man of integrity, you loved the Lord, and made it a point to share that with us. You were joyful, showing such peace and happiness rooted in a deep trust in the Lord.

You had the best laugh, a deep chuckle, that I loved hearing.

There are so many things that I enjoyed about you and will surely miss.

But I know that your legacy is long, you lived a full and faithful life and we are blessed because of it.

I love you dearly,

Krista


My grandpa passed away April 4, 2012 (Aidan's b-day) from a brain tumor that had been affecting his life for the past 2 years. He was 78 years old. He was a true follower of the Lord. Something that shows most evidently in the fact that even when he couldn't remember who my Grandma was, he never forgot the Lord. He couldn't carry on a conversation sometimes, but he could sing a hymn in its entirety or would say, "praise the Lord", "the Lord is so good to us", or "He just gives us so many blessings." While it is sad to see him go from this life, I am so happy to think of him being in heaven with his Savior.

We traveled to Memphis as a family on Easter Sunday and drove back on the 11th. It was a blessing to be with family for a short time and to celebrate my Grandpa's life.

19 months

Nora,

You turned 19 months last week. That means you are getting closer to being 2 and that is so crazy because it seems like just yesterday you were my little baby.

One thing that has made you seem more grown-up these days is your ability to put yourself to sleep for nap and bed without rocking to sleep. We will occasionally rock you (like last night) to sleep when you are cuddly, but you are putting yourself down most of the time. And it's been a little over a month now since we stopped nursing and you don't seem to miss it anymore.

You are turning into quite the spunky little miss. I would definitely say that you have turned things up a few notches in the personality department and are starting to give us a little run for our money. You are an excellent screamer, and have started throwing fits when something doesn't go the way you want. I can usually count on a really good fit in Wal-mart every time we go. You have a strong set of lungs and you definitely are loud. Someone commented to me that I need to start you in singing lessons. On the other hand, you can be quiet and shy in some circumstances and seem very easygoing and laid back. It is hard to tell when you are going to be one or the other.

You love to be outside. Playing outdoors is such a fun activity to you and you love our neighbor's daughter "Lexi." You say her name often and want to always go over and see her. You hate coming indoors and usually pitch a fit or run away if you see us heading for the door.

You love to sing. You can sing, "Yes, Jesus Loves Me" and you chime in on "My God is So Big", and "Old Macdonald" too. You also sing "La la la la la" to "Every Move I Make."

The cutest thing you say is "Oh man!" which you most likely got from a combination of watching Dora and hearing us say it. You call Swiper "oh man" and you also yell it all the time. Usually you say, "Oh mess!" while dumping something out on the floor and then continue with, "Oh man, Oh no!" You are a character for sure.

You still love to eat all sorts of things and are pretty easy to please in that department except when you want candy or cake and can't have any. Then you are just mad. :)

I have been writing down some of the words you can say and I think you are close to about 150.

Here's some of the list:

vitamin, oatmeal, oh man, mess, go, do, that, this, in, out, on, up, down, hold me, help me, please, thank you, dog, book, read, flower, doll, baby, cup, drink, pizza, cracker, fruit snack, candy, eat, water, juice, milk, more, berries, grapes, banana, goldfish, spoon, rock (rocking chair), night night, bye, hi, blankie, bed, chair, Aidan, purse, bag, bucket, hand, sand, movie, Dora, smoothie, potty, pee pee, shoes, toes, eyes, ears, nose, teeth, hair, bow, ouch, run, walk, me, no, yes jesus loves me, duck, mouse, horse, baa, fish, bee, bug, kitty, pig, two, three, five, six, van, car, phone, keys, done, egg, cheese, Mimi, Papa, Steph, Papi, Mita, Daddy, Mama, Lexi, bike, hat, necklace, glasses, umbrella, mine, jump, rain, balloon, swing, happy plane, pretty, basket, step, bubbles, sit, boots, books, house, tree, wagon, stroller, money, Nora, cookie, ball, diaper, wipe, sticker, bear, draw, monkey, clothes, outside, sauce-apple sauce, play, hot, cold, shirt, bath, belly, piece, bite, push, pull, stuck, ice

You are quite the communicator and we love it!

You have brought such joy and happiness into our lives. I can't wait to watch you grow even more.

Love you,

Mama

The Easter where we dyed eggs on Good Friday and didn't go to church

This Easter was a little different. I think it is the only one I have missed church.

And it was also the first year that I actually was brave enough to attempt egg dying with the kids. My mother was here to assist. Well, she practically did it all, I just boiled the eggs and took pictures. And...they loved it.

So, back to the whole missing church thing.

We had to travel to Memphis on Easter Sunday because my Grandpa's visitation was Monday at 5pm and we didn't think we'd make it in time.

I was sad. And I'll admit some of my disappointment in missing church was not getting to dress my kids up in their Easter clothes. I know...very superficial and silly of me.

I love Easter. I love celebrating Christ being risen from the grave. I love the meaning, the significance, the power of the whole thing.

I realize that I can celebrate all those things every day...and that I should, but there's just something about that DAY, the day we designate for remembering that event in detail.

So, this year I sat in our van for 10 hours on Easter Sunday. And I didn't do a whole lot of reflecting on the Lord, but rather distributing snacks, changing diapers in the back seat, and trying to help keep the peace.

It was different. It doesn't mean I am less godly for it, but it still won't go down in history as my favorite Easter.

4.4.12: Celebrating 4 years of motherhood!

Aidan's birthday was on a Wednesday this year which is one of his "school days", so we made cupcakes with green icing (to go with the color of the week). They turned out wonderfully and were so yummy. And yes, I snuck some zucchini in there with all the chocolate goodness.

It was an odd day because I received the news of my Grandpa's passing as we were packing up to go to school. So, I was in a weird mood, feeling sadness, relief, stress from being late to school, and joy over the birthday celebration. 

Nora loved that she got to sit with the "big" kids and have a cupcake too. It was super sweet and she got chocolate all over her face and dress.

After a busy morning at school, we came home, ate our lunch and took a nap up until it was time to pick up my mom (Mimi) from the airport. The kids were absolutely elated to see her.

After dinner, we gave Aidan his big birthday present from my parent's: a big boy bike! We found a steal on Craigslist yet again. He was thrilled and is now into going super fast up and down the street (hence the helmet).

First Pigtails!

To Aidan: A birthday letter

Dear Aidan,

You turned 4 two days ago and I missed writing your letter on time. My grandpa passed away the morning of your birthday and it was an odd day of celebrating both your life and the new life my grandpa is now experiencing in heaven.

You are a remarkably energetic, fun loving, all over the place, free spirit. You have grown up so much in the last year. You see the world through a lens of possibility and excitement and yearn to gain knowledge about everything around you. You are full of questions, full of laughter, and full of fun.

Aidan, you are a non stop machine of strong willed determination. You know the way you want things and you will fight for them to stay that way. You cling to routine and hold onto preconceived ideas with such ferocity that you are not easily convinced to let go of your silly notions.

You eat the same things almost every day. You are not one to try new foods, but not one bit afraid of new people, places, or experiences. You are a social butterfly, always ready to jump into a group of people and play with no hesitation. You love school and ask to go every single day.

You want to be constantly on the go and I am starting to doubt that will ever change. Your need for constant change of environment is so strong that we are often taking trips to the park and library so that you can let loose your energy.

You are still a lover of music and I can see your love for drumming developing even more. You love to watch music videos, listen to music in the car, and play your instruments. You definitely listen closely to music and you seem to have a good sense of rhythm too. I will not be at all surprised to see you one day fulfilling your dream to play in church.

I can't believe how much my life has changed in these last 4 years. I am so glad that you made me a mom and am very blessed to have you for my son. I love you for all the things you are are and for what you are yet to be. I am proud of you and love seeing you develop and grow more into a big boy. You are very special, unique, and talented and I believe that God has big plans for you. You have already impacted my life more than you know and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you.

You bring so much joy to my life and I am so thankful that I get to be a part of yours.

Love you forever and always,

Mommy

The boy who wants to be a musician.

Love this kid!