My favorite month is coming!

October is in three days. Did you hear me? THREE days. I still remember kindergarten; it lasted forever. And now, I cannot seem to grasp how quickly the days, weeks, months come and go.

My bubba boy isn't feeling too swell today and so we have had a few extra tears shed. He gets croup this time every year, it is related to the weather, but is still no fun. My gal had a fantastic second birthday party. She keeps telling me "my. birthday. party. fuuuun!" She leaves a little pause in between each word. Cutie.

Our small group began the Crown Financial study last week and so this was our first week of homework. I love reading things related to money and learning better ways to trust the Lord with and handle finances, but I have had such a hard time fitting all of this fun in over the last week. It's just been so busy. Has anyone done the Crown study? What are your thoughts on it?

Other big news, Brad painted the outside of our house this weekend. He spent ALL day Friday scraping and painting the house. It looks much, much better. He also finished our back splash and installed two outlets in a built-in in the living room (with the help of a talented friend). My man has worked hard!

Our weekend in a nut shell... thank you very much!

~Happy Birthday, Kayt~

I feel like it was yesterday that I wrote a post very similar to this for my big boy and now it's my baby girl who is TWO. The term time flies was definitely first said by a mother. And quite possibly the mother of two active, vibrant children.

Twenty-four things that I love about my 24 month old...

24. Your are the little girl that I dreamed about when I was young. God put a picture of you in my heart and you are my promise come to life. When I look at your brown hair and your big blue eyes, I see the reality of God's best.

23. You talk so much and so well. Your words amaze me and make me laugh.

22. You are happy and care free, but you do not let anyone let anyone 'push you around.' You are also strong and determined.

21. Your sweet chubby hands attract my lips like a magnet.

20. You love all things girl. Baby dolls, purses, jewelry, and shoes. You define femininity.

19. You ADORE your Bubba. I love when you take his face between those chubby hands and pull him down to your level and kiss him right on the mouth. And he loves it too!

18. You are all things girl, but you play rough and always have your hair in your face. You aren't afraid to get dirty, keep up with the big kids and 'let your hair down.'

17. That hair. Oh, that hair. The wispy, tangled, ratty mess that we lovingly call your hair.

16. You are daddy's girl. The way you look at your daddy and he looks at you melts my heart and makes me swell with pride. I look forward to seeing the glances you two exchange for many, many years and watching those two sets of eyes meet during all of life's big and small moments.

15. You love to read, but have little patience for the words. You make up silly noises to go with each page.

14. You are curious beyond your age.

13. You think you are ten years old and tell everyone who asks that you are turning six. When we correct you and say you will be two, you reply "no, I'm six." And I almost believe you.

12. You are such a great sleeper.

11. You love hot dogs. I'm not sure how you tolerate them, but it makes me love you more.

10. Each morning when I ask you what you want for breakfast, you answer "coke" and giggle for minutes and then I burry my face in your belly just to hear you laugh some more.

9. When I get dressed, you tell me that I look cute. My self-esteem rises each day. ;)

8. You call yourself a "princess," and princess you are!

7. You have a joyful spirit and pure nature. You adapt with ease and are always eager to partake in an adventure.

6. Anytime I pick you up from a corporate setting (MDO, church, etc.) you say "I had fun!" I think it will be your motto for life.

5. You love to color and draw. And do it quite well, if I must say so myself.

4. You have a major sweet tooth.

3. There is nothing that your blanket, meme, cannot fix.

2. You love to sit next to me and put on make-up. You do just as I do and feel so proud when you look into the mirror and see what you've done.

1. You are confident, radiant, fearless, compassionate, full of smiles, genuine, energetic and loving... everything that I could have asked for in a daughter. You inspire me to be a better woman and a more gracious person. You have stirred my heart to serve the Lord and love him wholeheartedly. You have shown me promises fulfilled and made me trust his tender voice. You are my pure-hearted, girl of power: thus you are, Kayt Emerson.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl. I love you!

Hair Decor

Some things bring a joy that only the mother of a GIRL can understand. Like all 59 new bows for my two girls. Yes, fif-ty-ni-ne. I feel like we own our very own boutique.

Aren't they great?

I bought the ribbon and materials and a friend of mine made them for me. I cannot wait to put matching bows in the hair of my little princesses.

If you live in the area and would like the information for my friend, Ashley Gladman, just let me know. She is so talented, even beyond hair bows.

They are so cute that I am considering wearing them in my hair. If I don't pull it all out, that is.

Before I pull my hair out...

Any suggestions for good parenting books?

Beyond scripture, I mean.

Silly Little Me

Today I thought of something that has had me laughing all day...

When I was young, I was insistent that any man that wanted to marry me must be tested for the HIV virus. It was going to be mandatory to become my husband.  And I was NOT going to budge on this for anyone no matter how handsome or charming he was. 

It isn't a laughing matter, but the fact that I was determined that this was of upmost importance to me makes me laugh.  

I thought about that today and I believe this is the first time it has crossed my mind since I was in elementary school.  

But not to be worried, I had resolved that even if he did test positive I would still marry him because love is bigger than illness.  We just wouldn't have sex. 

Silly little me. 

There is just something about it.

Technology makes me smile and tortures my schedule, all at the same time.  I feel this unimposed since of obligation to "be in touch" with the world around me through tools such as blogging, Twitter and Facebook.  It's weird how that has happened. 

But, when I step away, I miss the joy and sense of belonging that it brings to me. And I find myself returning like the prodigal.  

A friend asked me yesterday if I had blogged at all.  She said she had stopped checking since I have been so unfaithful this summer. I don't think that she is the only one. But I am determined to be dedicated to this silly page again.  I do not want to miss out on the things in our life and the arrival of our little girl.  

We are 27 weeks into this pregnancy.  At the longest, we will have a new family member in thirteen weeks.  I find myself tossed between a number of emotions.  I, of course, am filled with excitement to lay my eyes on that sweet face.  Yet, I feel very unprepared.  We have no name. A white bedroom with crib pieces laid against one wall.  No bedding.  I am, what some may call, a procrastinator.  I am a bit nervous about having a child at the onset of winter.  I need to get out.  I need to be active.  And I find myself wondering what a cold winter indoors will do to my sanity.  Though I'm sure that all of these tiny issues will be solved by the time she arrives and my hesitations will be drowned by love, this is what I feel currently.  

Plus, three children three and under. That. Is. Enough. To. Make. Anyone. Overwhelmed.

I think I'll stop blogging and search for bedding. Right now. 

Isn't this

just the cutest backpack? 

My aunt bought it for me; she is so thoughtful. 

It made me thankful that I am not gearing up to kick off another school year or packing my bags to be teaching in a classroom, but it will be so fun to carry when I travel. 

Heck, with the backaches that I have been having, I may start carrying it instead of a purse.  Bad idea? It's like the bigger, cuter version of a fanny pack... right?

Getting back in the swing of things

Since stepping away from my blog, I've found it harder than I thought to return. I feel quite confident that it is due to my pregnant brain. The simple things become hard. And such is writing and blogging.  

This is such a sweet time for our family and I want to document it, but it's hard to determine between the important and irrelevant.  

So here are a few random tidbits. And I do mean random...

I spent last weekend in San Marcus at a wedding for my friend, Brooke. Brooke is such a sweet presence in my life and since I don't see her as much as I would like, it was so good to be around her.  I had a fun girls weekend and was able to catch up with many friends that I haven't seen in several years.  

     

The belly was a big hit this weekend. :)

I am making dinner for my dad tomorrow for his birthday. I'm going to cook a brisket. Can you believe that I have never made brisket before? I always opt for roast and leave the brisket making to the more experienced cooks.  I am not the best at trying new things. I prefer to stick to the known.  It's a downfall.  

I got a great pair of maternity Long and Lean jeans on sale at gap.com if anyone is looking for some. 

Yesterday I wore tennis shoes to the grocery store. I forget what an adjustment it is to return to closed toed shoes. Anyone else have this problem? 

For some bizarre reason, Noah thinks popsicles are an appropriate breakfast item.???? 

We were planning to paint the outside of our house this weekend. The forecast: rain. sigh.