See Ya Monkey

I am so relieved.

I feel as though a weight has been lifted off my back.

I've slept better and felt as though my life has a bit more order.

I have more energy.

All this, simply because we cleaned the garage out.

I had a few unfinished tasks on my summer to-do list and this, garage tackling, was the largest of all. 

A recent conversation with a friend reminded me how my womanly mind works. I cannot compartmentalize. The messy garage was like a monkey on my back. No matter what I accomplished in a day, the monkey still hung on. He joined me as I slept, he went to church with me, he lingered during meal time and he wrestled me as I tried to relax and enjoy time with my family. Regardless of what I enjoyed, I opened the garage door only to be faced with the realization that my monkey had not escaped me.

I can not compartmentalize my life.  Every area, from cleanliness to spirituality, affects the other. I cannot put a blanket over a problem area in my life without it oozing out, ever so slowly, to reappear. 

It took us an entire afternoon, but I can truthfully say that I enjoyed each moment of the organization. With every ounce of progress I felt the monkey shrink, and shrink and shrink.(that is a weird mental image, a shrinking monkey) But alas, he has fled my back.

What is your monkey?  Do you have one task that you continue to carry on your already-full back? 

Trust me, the efforts in tackling the growing monkey are well worth your efforts!

Baby Blythe

Throughout the day Thursday I was on the phone periodically with my friend, Ashley, who was expecting her baby anytime. After talking to her that night, I went over to her house sometime around 11:30pm to stay with her sleeping boys so that her husband could take her to the hospital. 

At 12:42, she gave birth to her 6lb 12oz sweet baby girl. Talk about a speedy delivery, they barely made it to the hospital on time.

Blythe Abany Sparkman was born on September 26th, Ashley's birthday. Wouldn't it be fun to share a birthday with your daughter?

Congratulations Friends!

365 Days of Love

Five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes. 

How do you measure, measure a year?

In hopes and dreams and wishes unseen

In hiccups and baths and belly laughs

In nighttime feedings and daytime dreaming

In kisses and cuddles and slobbery neck nuzzles

From rolling to sitting to crawling to cruising

From milk to mash to food of your choosing

A baby, a girl, an infant to more

You are changing and growing and constantly showing

Why God picked you for me it's easy to see.

Your perfect and precious and flawless beyond measure

My angel baby, my Kater-bug, my daughter, my treasure.

From day one until forever one thing will be true

I will cherish you daily because I LOVE YOU!

It's all about love. Seasons of love.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYT EMERSON

We love our Kayter-boo!

Daddy, Mommy and Noah

Handwriting

When I taught 3rd grade, I was a rarity among the teachers because I loved teaching handwriting. The efforts of those sweet souls to keep their pencil at the proper angle and allow the letters to connect with fluidity brought me a sense of satisfaction. I always loved watching the boy who cared more about coming up with football plays than doing his math homework concentrate so intently on each letter, each stroke.

I have always had a thing for handwriting. I can identify more people's handwriting than I can count. In college, on the occasions when I longed to be at home in the presence of my family, I would pull out a letter that I kept hidden in my study Bible from my mom (I still have that letter there).  I found more comfort in the familiarity of her eloquent handwriting than I did in the reaffirming words she had written. One glance at my mom's handwriting, and I can almost see her beautiful hands with the soft skin that used to hold my hand during church. 

My favorite recipes are those composed on notebook paper or index cards from my Nanna or Maw or MeMe.  Something about seeing the recipes written out in the familiar script makes me feel as though I can taste the meringue on the coconut cream pie. 

Nothing blesses my heart more than to wake up to a hand written note left on my bedside by my husband. I imagine him holding the pen, thinking of me as he jotted his thoughts. 

I know my friends handwriting by heart. 

I don't have great handwriting, but I could make a list of the people whose handwriting I love. But the truth is, I love it all.  From the messy scribble to the cursive to the people who write in all caps, handwriting is a part of the person. It defines them just as their eye or hair color. It shows their individuality and form. 

This love led me to share my favorite thing from Kayt's party. Each person wrote out a personal note to Kayt Emerson at age 1 telling her what she is to them.  I did this not only so my daughter could look back on her first birthday party and see how loved she was or who all attended, but also so that she could see the handwriting of the people who will make her into the woman she will become.  

The reality is, when Kayt is 20 her great, great grandparents won't be a part of her daily life. Those people were a part of my life and have blessed me time and again with their love and support and therefore have an affect on her life. 

I want her to see the writings of each person that loves her so deeply. I hope she appreciates the beauty these people add to her life and understands the joy she has brought to theirs. 

Kayt is so many things to so many people, but the overall theme is that she is loved and a precious gift to us all!

I didn't promise this would be pretty...

*Thank you for ALL of the advice and recommendations. I have tried quite a few that were listed with minor results, but I have not tried the Mylanta/Benadryl mixture. Our pediatrician prescribed that for Noah when he had blisters down the back of his throat with Hand, Foot & Mouth. I am going to try it. If you also get pretty sores like this one, be sure to check out the great suggestions!*

See this sore....

Don't be frightened, it's just me late at night.

I have 3 of them.

Does anyone else ever get these? They are called apthous sores and they are really painful. I feel as though I've tried every antidote under the sun, but I know that is not true. If you have any advice to offer, I'm all mouth ears.

A "fly" Party!

The insects are out and on their way

to wish our Kayter-Bug a Happy Birthday.

Please join us as we celebrate the fun, 

because our little ladybug is turning ONE!

We celebrated Kayt's 1st birthday this weekend and had the most wonderful party! We had a small family and close friends party. Family alone accounted for 30 people, so I use the term small very loosely.  The weather was perfect, so we were able to eat our burgers, open presents and have cake and ice cream outside.  The party was relaxed, entertaining and all I had hoped it would be for my Kayt.

Since her actual birthday is not until Thursday, I feel the need to inform you that you may get an ear-full, or rather an eye-full, of my little princess this week. 

Brace yourself...

Please don't ask why there is a  bumble bee balloon instead of a ladybug...what an ordeal.

Ladybug cupcakes. 

She loves her precious new table set and has already had the best time climbing on and off of her little stool.

The ladybug of honor and her great-aunt Ramonda.  Being the only girl on my side of the family in the last 25 years, you would be accurate in saying she is a bit spoiled. 

It's great!

She was mildly interested in opening presents. 

But very interested in her cupcake.

The foursome. 

With her love for her new shopping cart, I feel confident that I can have her fully trained to do the grocery shopping by the time she is 7.

A Punch in the Face

Last night I helped host a baby shower for my sweet friend. Ashley is expecting her third child and first little girl in less than 2 weeks. Her first two boys are 15 months apart and this baby will be less than 17 months younger than the second.  Is she brave or what? She will have three babies in just over 2 and a half years. She is such a great mother, full of energy and patience. 

I made a punch that I simply love. It is a recipe from my mother-in-laws and always turns out beautifully.

Southern Breeze

Mix together:

1 can of lemonade concentrate (thawed)

1 packed of Blue Raspberry Kool-Aid

1 cup of sugar

7 cups of water

Pour the liquid into ice  cube containers and freeze.

Mix equal parts Ginger Ale and Pineapple Juice 

Pour over the frozen ice cubes.

We used glass flutes and placed several ice cubes in each flute. I mixed the juices in a pitcher and poured it over the ice cubes. 

Following the actual recipe produces blue cubes (great for a boy's shower). Since the shower we hosted was for a baby girl, I supplemented the Blue Raspberry Kool-Aid for Pink Lemonade Kool-Aid and made pink ice cubes. Viola! A simple, eloquent punch. 

I would not recommend pouring all of this into a punch bowl because the cubes would melt too quickly; just my opinion.

Annoyed

Please don't mind the end of my previous post. I began typing, uploaded pictures, left for hours, came back to finish the post and forgot that my original opener was at the bottom.

Now...Blogger won't let me edit it. Why? I have no flippin' idea. When I try to open it to edit, it isn't even the same post. What?

I've been messing with it, but it is wasting my very valuable time. Although it makes me look like an idiot, just ignore it if possible. Maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow.

G'night.

The Secret is Out...

Thanks so much to those of you who left input on my transparency post. I loved the wisdom and perspective each person brought.  I will take the time to address your words and my thoughts on transparency in a later post.

To say that most every week of our life is busy would be accurate.  We are a busy family. My husband and I both commit to a lot and try to maintain a full plate of family, alone time, ministry, friendships and other activities. 

To say this week is busy would be an understatement! I've known for weeks that this particular week was going to be one filled to the brim. Now that sweet Noah has come down with a nasty virus, you could say this week is overflowing. 

If there is ever a good time to be sick, I don't know about it. 

If there is ever a bad time to be sick, it is now! I'm kidding. Poor baby.

Last weekend Brad and I were able to squeeze in a bit of that 'alone time' thing I mentioned. We left for Dallas on Thursday to attend a surprise engagement party for my brother in law (and soon-to-be sister in law). We originally planned to take the tots, but when my mom practically begged to keep them, we obliged. Since we lived in the Dallas for a few years, we love going back. It gives us an excuse to see friends and visit our favorite eating joints.

Other than the excitement from almost being swept away in the flood as we drove, we were also excited to be able to stop in and visit with friends. I hardly ever get to see my precious friend, Magen. She has a sweet, sweet 18 month old and recently brought Miss Anna Grace into the world. I was so thankful for the detour that took us right by their lovely home. 

Congratulations Clay and Lindsey! We are eagerly waiting to hear the details you have come up with (i.e. a date). No pressure.
                    

Sorry ladies. They are BOTH taken!

We were blessed to stay with our good friends, Matt and Christy in their BEAUTIFUL new home in Southlake. They informed us that we would have our own bedroom and bathroom, but they failed to mention that it was a suite. It was segregated from the rest of the house and had the most comfortable bed I have ever slept on.  I hope we didn't wear out our welcome because I would love to rent the McNew Castle Suite again! 

Matt played football for Notre Dame and insisted I try on his jersey and helmet. I am convinced that this is a dress, not a jersey.  This is my 'fighting Irish' stance, what do you think? Intimidating?

                    

We spent some time with two of our favorite people, Ryan and Heather. We laughed so much that my stomach hurt.

We slept a little, ate like royalty, enjoyed friends, loved our time alone and could not have chosen a better reason to travel there, yet we couldn't wait to get back home to our babies and our lovely little life. 

Thank you so much to all who commented on my previous post on transparency. I loved the wisdom and perspective each person brought. I will continue my thoughts on transparency in a later post.

If I were to give out awards to each week of my year, this week hands-down would get the award for busiest week of the entire year!

I can hardly keep up with what I have to do for the day for fear of falling behind on what needs to be done for tomorrow. 

Thankfully, last weekend Brad and I were able to slip out of town alone. It made this busy week all the more