We are the Kays!

A New Post!!!

2009-10-06T13:03:00.002-05:00

I know it is sad that all my posts seem to start with an apology for my lack of posting.....but oh well....I just can't get around to it these days! So, for those of you who still happen to stop by, here's a rundown on what's going on with the Kays!

Matthew~ He became general manager over both co-ops in St. Clair County. He is still located at Pell City, but is now over both stores. I am SO proud of him!
~ He discovered he had a ruptured disc in his back and had a great deal of pain. He tried to avoid surgery, and had an epidural on the Thurs. before Labor Day. We went with some friends to the beach that weekend ( had a blast!!) and Matthew was feeling a lot better. We got home on Monday (Labor Day) and he started having really bad pain. By Tuesday it was unbearable, but he was somehow bearing it. We were suppose to take him to the doctor Wed. morning, but he was to the point that he could not move and I knew I couldn't get him in the car. (Even if I could have I don't think he could have handled the ride there!!) So, we had to call an ambulance! It was awful and I NEVER want to see ANYONE go through that kind of pain again! Anyway, after seeing his doctor the decision was made that he needed surgery as soon as they could get him in. That ended up being the next Monday (thank goodness for percocet). Everything went well with the surgery, the disc was shattered and that is why he was have such extreme pain. He has felt so much better and hopefully will continue to feel good!!

Avery~ She is in Awana Cubbies at church. She LOVES it! We go over a couple of verses a week and then she has to recite them for her teacher. When she says them for her teacher she earns patches to put on her Cubbies vest! She usually learns 2-3 verses a week. This is my first experience with Awana. She really enjoys it. I told her that by memorizing these verses she is hiding God's Word in her heart. There are times throughout the day when she will bring up verses she has learned and she really enjoys talking about them and what they mean.
~She is 2 weeks away from being 4 years old! She acts so grown-y!! She wants a princess birthday party and after going back and forth with what kind of "princess party" (I know.....I know...) She told me "I changed my mind again....." and has finally decided on a "Disney Princess" party. At first she wanted dragons, and princesses, and princes and castles.....Now she just wants Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella, and Snow White, and Ariel.....you know. I'll be honest and tell you that I am kinda glad. It is easier on me to do a theme that you can go to the store and everything has already been made....is that bad of me??

Raegan~She is officially 2 1/2 yrs old! On the 4th she was 2 yrs 6 months old!!
~ She had her first boo boo that required stitches the weekend before Matthew had his surgery. Aunt Franci and Dooby just so happened to be going to the beach that weekend and they offered to take Avery and Raegan (at the time we didn't know when Matthew would be having surgery). Keep in mind they have never been away with anyone before. They spend the night with them all the time, but I always see them the next day. They were leaving on Thurs. morning and we decided for them to go with them Wed. evening. It was a lot for me to take in in a VERY short time! (Especially after the day we had...with the ambulance and all!) I knew that they would have more fun with them than sitting around with us. They left Thurs. morning as planned and that evening I got the call.......They were taking Raegan to the ER because she had fallen and busted her chin. I handled the situation really well as far as Raegan goes. Bless her heart, I do hate that it happened, but the poor girl is so accident prone, I knew it was only a matter of time. I did feel bad for Franci and Jerry though!! I just wish it hadn't happened when they had her. I hate that she had to go through holding Raegan down while she got the stitches (4 of them) and all!! Raegan never acted like her chin was even sore after that.

Chayse~ She is growing!! Last Wednesday she weighed 12 lbs 11 oz. She is still so small, but that is double what she was when she was born!! And if you consider that she got down to 5lbs 10 oz. , she has gained 7 pounds! She is almost 15 weeks old now. I still hold her most of the time!! Why not?? I did buy something called a Sleepy Wrap and I highly recommend it!! It is a type of baby carrier that you are actually wearing the baby! I love it and Chayse does too! I can wear her all day long and it doesn't hurt my back and I have both hands free to do other stuff! It can be used from preemies to 50lbs!!

Me~ I can tell you what I haven't been doing and that is blogging! I have been taking care of these girls! They keep me busy. I love it though! I just can't think of anything about me other than that.....

I wanted to add that I registered to win FREE groceries and you can too!! Just follow this link to register:
http://www.itpaystoeatpasta.com/ip.cfm?u=82CC4A33-27CF-4E48-9569-D7333DE10320

Maybe it won't be SO long until my next post, but I'm not making any promises!

An update before housework.....

2009-07-30T12:40:00.003-05:00

I have REALLY been doing bad at keeping this thing updated lately! I had a few minutes and thought I would try to get something on here now.....

We are doing really good around here. Avery and Raegan are still in LOVE with Chayse. (bless her heart, they DO NOT leave her alone) I took Chayse yesterday to have her weighed and she was 8 lbs. even. It is funny to me that she will be 5 weeks old tomorrow and she still hasn't reached the weight either one of them were when they were born! She is growing now though, and I can tell just by holding her (which I do ALL the time!! How can I not??)!

It is hard to believe the pain I was in just 5 weeks ago! I started hurting pretty bad at around 34 weeks and it just got worse from there! I remember wondering how in the world that pain was going to get better just by having her. I seriously thought something was wrong other than just pressure from the baby! I remember that I was in pain, and that I was in tears from the pain almost every morning! I remember not being able to walk fast (or even at a normal pace), or just stop and turn around if I decided to go in the other direction. I had to do everything so slow and so careful! I even remember right before she was born actually thinking "Am I cut out to do this another time"............BUT, I said all that (not to scare anyone away from pregnancy) to say this.....I bet she was less than a week old and I had already forgotten about the pain! I know I was hurting....I know I was....but, I catch myself saying, "It couldn't have been that bad!" or "What did it feel like again?"....It is so CRAZY to me that we can go through that and then do it again! That is God's way of us not all being only children! HA! I had such an easy recovery! I feel great and have since about a week after she was born!

Avery and Raegan have been so great with her! They really love her! Avery asked me earlier today when Chayse is going to start talking. And then she said "When she gets bigger she will have to get spankings, right?" They both want to hold her all the time and they sing to her and talk to her and tell her they love her. It really melts my heart! Right now having 3 isn't much different from having 2. I know that will all change when Chayse starts getting around! I try not to think too far into the future.....like one day we will have 3 teenage girls.....oh my!! I am just enjoying every minute!!

Well, I just got Chayse to sleep, and Avery and Raegan are playing in their room, so I am going to run and do something productive!! I don't know how long I have before they need me..........

It's A(nother) Girl!!

2009-07-06T16:08:00.004-05:00

Chayse Lindsay was born on June 26th at 5:31 a.m. She weighed 6lbs 5oz. and was 18 1/2 inches long. She is SO TINY!! I will post more later, I had a few minutes and wanted to post a picture and let everyone know she is here and we are all doing great!

Tick Tock Tick Tock.......

2009-06-23T12:00:00.002-05:00

Time is flying by! I am 38 weeks today, and I really CAN'T believe it! I am getting SO close to meeting this little baby! We have been working around the house trying to get some stuff finished before the BIG day! Matthew is in the middle of his end-of-year stuff at work. He will be done with that on the afternoon of June 30th (next Tuesday). He said anytime after that is fine to have the baby....hahaha. I am about to get the kids out for the afternoon, but I just want to give a quick update!

A full week ahead that is sure to speed up whatever time I have left!!

2009-06-19T14:51:00.002-05:00

Everything has been going good around here! I am really getting to the end of this pregnancy! I feel like I am VERY close to the end actually. I went to the doctor yesterday and had a sonogram that showed everything is going good. The baby measured 7 lbs 7oz (sonograms can be off by a pound one way or the other), but if that is an accurate measurement and I make it to my due date, I guess we are looking at another 8 pounder.....which is fine, because I can't imagine handling and changing a TINY baby. One downside to having (not huge) but bigger babies is that they don't seem to stay little long enough!!

The next week or so is so full that I know it is going to fly by!

Saturday~ The kids will be with my sister, so, Matthew and I are going to do some stuff around the house that I would like to have done before the baby gets here.

Sunday~ We are scheduled to take breakfast for our Life Group, Matthew is teaching our class, and I am teaching the girls' class.....then we will head to my daddy's house for lunch. We don't have church this Sunday night, so, I am sure we will do more stuff around the house Sunday evening.

Monday~The girls and I are going to visit my granddaddy with my mother and sister.

Tuesday~ I haven't decided yet if we are going to try to make it to the movie at the mall at 10:00 and then Terrific Kid Tuesday after, but we are planning on meeting some friends at the Stone Center on JSU's campus for the children's theater. It is at 2:00 and they are going to be performing The Tortoise and the Hare. We went last year and the kids LOVED IT!! It was Little Red Reading Hood...yes, that isn't a typo it was "Reading Hood" The story is geared toward making kids interested in reading....I am assuming this year will do that too...(this year the dates are June 23-27 @ 2....tickets are $5 for anyone who is interested....I highly recommend it)

Wednesday~ Matthew's sister-in-law and our nieces and nephews are going to be in town and we are going to go spend some time with them and Matthew's mother and grandaddy.

Thursday~ I have another doctor appt. I will be 38 wks 2 days!!!

Friday~ I don't think there is anything specific that we have planned, but I am sure I will still be "nesting" and I will probably have a million things to do around the house! I may try to get the kids to Oxford Lake to play in the water at some point.

That is about as far as the plans go! I know it may not seem like too much each day, but just trying to do one thing or go one place is pretty exhausting right now! I really want to fit all I can in for the girls because I know there will be a while that we are "stuck" at home!

It has been a while since my last post and we have added yet ANOTHER addition to our family! We got a puppy! He is a Blue Heeler and we have had him a couple weeks now. We haven't really named him yet. Avery said his name is Luke (sorry Crystal.....we got him right after Luke's birthday party) But now she is saying his name is Buddy, but when she is calling him she just says "Come here New Puppy". Raegan calls him Baby Puppy. So.......poor thing isn't going to know what his name is! The first couple days....well, really nights, with "New Puppy" was pretty rough....it was like we had brought a newborn home! Matthew had to get up with him because he was whining. He has been outside for about a week now and I like him alot more! hahaha.....

I can't really think of anything else to add right now and I need to go fold some laundry before Avery tells someone again, "We have 2 couches.....one for us to sit on and the other is for laundry." (atleast it was just my sister she said that to.....but, now I am telling all of you...oh well)

I will try to post again before the baby is born.....but judging the timing of my last couple of posts, it doesn't look promising!!

~Donna K!!

"Somebody hide the brownies", "It is almost THAT time", and a Saturday adventure at a local department store.....

2009-05-23T14:13:00.007-05:00

Lately I want brownies....lots and lots of brownies!! Usually we don't keep many sweets in the house because, well.... if you don't have them....you don't eat them, right?? I have found that to be a pretty good way to keep us from eating so much junk food by just not buying it. Makes pretty good sense, huh? Anyway, lately I find that every time we are at a grocery store somehow a box of chewy fudge brownies makes it's way into our cart and then magically a nice batch of brownies appear cooling on my stove top. When that happens I am like a crazy woman who can't get enough!! Currently we are out of brownies and I find myself looking for an excuse to go to the store (that actually means "send Matthew to the store") for something else and ask him "while he is there anyway" to pick up a box of brownies........and that is as if I didn't just finish off the last brownie right before I started typing this post!! *sigh* I can hold off.....atleast until tomorrow, right? (we'll see....)

I feel like something has happened in the last few days. It has really gotten harder for me to walk without that "pregnancy waddle"! I can't sit straight up because my belly is too big and my legs start pushing into it. I have ALOT of pelvic pressure too!! I still have six weeks left of this pregnancy and I don't think the baby would drop that early and I think only your first baby drops weeks before labor ( I know there are exceptions to that rule!). I don't know what happened, but something did!! I even had a man comment to me today that I "look miserable" .......I smiled and politely said "thanks"....ok, that word politely should probably be replaced with sarcastically, but anywho.......

My sister and I got the bright idea to go to Old Navy for the "one day $1 flip flop sale"....actually it was my idea and I asked her to go with me.....Ok, let me start from the beginning....I thought this was going to be a run-in-get-the-goods-check-out-run-out kind of operation! We did plan on getting there when they opened, but only because I thought through out the day they would run out of my size.....I HAD NO IDEA that it was a get there 2 hours before the store opens kind of sale!! (I think this is a good time to mention that the REGULAR price of the flippin' flip flops is $2.50/pair when you buy 2 or more.....) Anyway, I am SO glad she went, because we got there at about 9:15 and the line to check-out was already to the back of the store and the flip flops were nearly ALL GONE!!!! It was CRAZY!! I did manage to get my sister and myself one pair each of flip flops in our size (nevermind that I had to pick them up from a puddle of coke that someone had spilled on the floor!!!) They had a few colors left in Avery's size too. We scraped up what little merchandise we felt like we couldn't live without and headed for the check-out line that by that time was not only to the back of the store, but wrapped around to the other side! We were probably in line for a good hour and a half!! Avery and Raegan were with us during this whole ordeal and they are kinda like their mama when it comes to crowds....We aren't too fond of them. So, needless to say, they both wanted to be held the whole time (which in all honesty, I am pretty sure I would rather stand there tired from holding my kid than have to worry about them running off and getting into everything if they were down on the floor) I would have never been able to make it through if my sister hadn't been there....not to mention that we had two bathroom visits while we were in line and if she hadn't been there I probably would have lost my place. We found out when we were about 3 people from the register that it was a 5 pair per person maximum(seems kinda low to me), which we didn't have anyway, but, I was glad I didn't hold 20 pairs of flip flops in my arms for over an hour just to get up there and only be able to purchase 5. (I don't think they were holding people to that number though because there were people with ARMLOADS when we first got there....Apparently they didn't know about the 5 pair max. either) So, I guess I will be going back in a few days (when they restock) and spend FULL PRICE for me some fip flops........oh well.....

Oooh, I just found out..... on Old Navy's website you can get flip flops for $1.65 a pair.....hmmmm......I may go that route!!!

I'm still here.... I'm just a bad blogger.....

2009-05-14T20:31:00.002-05:00

Ok....well.....lately I have been TERRIBLE at updating this thing! There isn't really a good excuse, I just haven't gotten around to it!

Alot has happened since my last post! Avery had periorbital cellulitis in her right eye and was in the hospital for 6 days. She looked like we had punched her in the eye. It was pitiful. I had never even heard of that before....apparently it can be pretty serious! I am just glad I got her to the doctor when I did! She is back to her old self now! The day after she got out of the hospital was my 28th birthday! I had a great day and got to go enjoy a delicious meal at Olive Garden!! While we were there Raegan got us to take her to the bathroom about 8 times!! (and she really used it about 6 times...so, you have to take her word for having to go....) Don't you just LOVE potty training?? I know I do !! I feel like we spend all our time in the bathroom!! With Avery having to go atleast once wherever we are, Raegan wanting to go a million times, and me having someone using my bladder as a trampoline, we are sure to visit every bathroom we come within 100 yards of!! I can't wait to see what it is like to visit a public bathroom with 3 little ones in tow!! *YAY* ....let's see...what else has happened.....oh yeah, I can't believe I almost forgot to mention that WE GOT A MINI-VAN!!! I am SO relieved that we got that behind us! I was getting worried! We got a Chrysler Town and Country and we all LOVE it!! I can hardly get the kids out of it! Avery asks me everyday where we are going so we can ride in the "vini-van"!! I have to admit I am SO glad I don't have to deal with an all manual car anymore!! I can just push a button and things happen!! I am going to be SO spoiled...well, I already am after only a week! So, now, I guess we are really "ready" for this baby.....as much as we can be I guess....I am 32 weeks and 2 days and time is still flying with this pregnancy! I have really started having sciatic nerve pain on my right side and my left hip is sore from sleeping on 2 toddler beds that are pushed together....(I know...this is another post in itself....I am trying to get Raegan to STAY in her room at night...so, I have fallen asleep in there the last couple of nights when Matthew gets up in the morning he comes and REMOVES me from the girls' beds. It has been rough on my left hip to say the least!! I can't figure out how I can wake up in the morning hurting so bad, but that pain doesn't wake me up sometime during the night so I can go to MY bed...) Anyway, other than that I have been feeling pretty good.

Well, maybe this is enough to hold you all over until my next post....I know you were all on the edge of your seat waiting for this one! I will TRY to post again soon!

I heart Nexium!!!!.....(and FINALLY a belly pic!!.....and an update)

2009-04-21T10:21:00.004-05:00

I have had acid reflux for several years now (pregnant or not). I have taken medicine for it in the past. When I am pregnant it is worse and lately it had been to the point where I was having to sleep sitting up and it was still bad. I asked my doctor at my last visit if he could prescribe me something for it. He gave me nexium. After the first dose I am here to tell you that it was GONE!! I can actually sleep LYING down and only using one pillow!! It is WONDERFUL!!

A couple weeks ago I went out to dinner with a couple of my friends, we always make goofy pictures of ourselves, but I got Sandy to take a "belly shot" so, I could post it on here. I was exactly 6 months the day this pic was taken.
Today I am 29 weeks.....only 11 weeks to go.....77 days......oh my!! We still haven't gotten a mini van! I told Matthew that I was going to be in the hospital having the baby and he is going to be out buying a van if we don't hurry up!

I had to take Raegan to the doctor last Tuesday. She had ear infections in both ears. She was pitiful!! Avery had a cough, but it is almost gone now. I have been battling allergies myself....but, I think we are all getting better now!! We made it all through the winter without having to go to the doctor, so, I figured it had to be coming! I hope that is the only time I have to take one of them!!

No good name for this one....I am just glad I got around to blogging!!

2009-03-31T17:21:00.004-05:00

Sometimes I wonder just how old Avery is with some of the things that come out of her mouth!! I was telling her not to do something the other day (it was something that she could get hurt doing, I might add) and she ran to her room yelling, "You don't let me do ANYTHING!!"

Raegan's birthday is Saturday and she will be 2. So far she has pretty much refused to say "2" when you ask her. She is the world's best at ignoring!!! Anyway, Sunday night when we were pulling out of the parking lot leaving church, I turned around and asked her (like I do hundreds of times a day, I'm sure....probably why she ignores me....) "How old are you going to be, Raegan?" She rolled her eyes up and said..."ummmmmm.....thirty." I don't know why she would say thirty or how she even knows thirty is an age. hahaha......So, now when you ask her how old she is of course, because of the laughter it causes she says "30". We were trying to get her to say "30" to my uncle the other night and when he asked her she held her fingers up and said, "2".....She's a MESS!! She also says her name is Avery. She has not and will not say Raegan. So, apparently for now I have two Avery's.

Avery has always loved to cook. That is definitely one of her things! The other night she made her first peanut butter and jelly sandwich from start to finish!! (I know that is not "cooking" exactly, but come on now....that is pretty good!) She was so proud, you could just see her beaming. Of course Raegan made one with a little assistance.

Today I am 26 weeks. I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going. I know I say that everytime I say how far along I am, but I mean it every time!! It is FLYING!! Tomorrow is APRIL people....APRIL....how did that happen? It was just Christmas and New Years and now we are less than 2 weeks from Easter!! My goodness. The baby is growing, therefore so am I!! I have started feeling the baby when he/she hiccups which is really cute and sweet...the first hundred times. I really do enjoy feeling that though, because if I go any amount of time not feeling something I start trying to poke around to get the baby to move.

I have a question for everybody. Have you ever made Amish friendship bread (it is really more like cake...it is SO good)? It is the bread that you get a ziploc bag with the "starter kit" in it and you knead it for a few days and then you add some stuff, and then you knead it a few more days and then on day 10 you bake the bread and you end up with 3 "starter kits" to give to friends.......although, I think it is one of those things that people don't really enjoy getting, because once you get it it never really goes away...hahaha. My friend Pam has been doing it for a couple of rounds now and I finally gave in and took some. Friday is my bake day and if anyone close to me is someone who really likes to make it, or would like to give it a try, please let me know!! I will get it to you!! It isn't so much that it is a hard process making it.....it is really easy. It is the finding someone to take it that causes problems! Because then you (or I) have a hard time throwing it away and it just multiplies!! I just thought I would get the word out in "blogger world" just in case there are any takers....I think the "friendship" part comes in by who takes it!! Someone is really your friend when they take one off your hands!! hahaha.....

Oh, these kids..........

2009-03-11T12:28:00.003-05:00

~Avery wrote a song the other day.......

She said it was called....of all things....."What the heck?" I have no idea why she would write a song with that name. She got her microphone and began singing it with her "band from the church".....again....I don't know......It went something like this....."What the heck, what the heck? WHAT THE HECK????" It was a really proud moment for me. Matthew told her she needed to write that down so she wouldn't forget it. So, she did. She got a piece of paper and a pen and began writing. She told us it was going to take her 8 hours to write it all down. (A lot of writing for saying the same thing over and over again!!)

~Avery was coloring and said:

"God is in my heart keeping it beeping so I can color. God wants me to color. "

Then she paused and turned to me and said......

"........and He wants me to play with scissors."

~I came in the dining room the other day and had one of those moments when you don't even want to breathe let alone scream the scream that is building up inside! Raegan was balancing on the BACK of one of our dining room chairs. She was sitting on it and her little legs were tucked so tight to hold her up. I don't know HOW she got up there, or HOW IN THE WORLD it didn't fall over!!! She was saying (ever so calmly, I might add) "Help, help." I just floated over there and grabbed her, I was afraid any wrong move would be disastrous!!

~I walked into the kitchen yesterday and found Raegan squatting over the dog's water bowl. I knew exactly what was happening, but asked anyway. "What are you doing??" She just looked at me and said, "Peepee"................poor Pepper!!

Red Envelope Day

2009-03-10T14:14:00.003-05:00

I copied the following from my facebook page. A friend sent me an invite to this event. Please participate and send this to everyone you know!!

http://www.RedEnvelopeDay.com

50 million unborn babies were aborted in the U.S. last year!

On March 31st mail a red envelope addressed to:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message:

This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion. It is empty because the life that was taken is now unable to be a part of our world.

My prayer is one red envelope for every child that was aborted last year in the U.S. will be mailed to the President on March 31st. And that President Obama would not turn a deaf ear to this issue any longer. These children did not have a choice and this issue has been a problem for far too long. Please help in this attempt to make our voices heard as people of the United States and as followers of Jesus Christ.

The Lord’s word says in Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart..”.

God has a plan for each of his children. Let’s come together as His people and make sure His children get to carry out His plan.

2009-03-02T22:56:00.002-06:00

I did this earlier on facebook and I wanted to post it on here for people that wouldn't see it on there! (Thanks Jennifer!!!)

Interview with Avery age 3

1. What is something mommy always says to you?
"no"

2. What makes mommy happy?
"me"

3. What makes mommy sad?
"me" (haha)

4. How does your mommy make you laugh?
"like this...." (then she started laughing!! lol)

5. What was your mommy like as a child?
"me" (this is true!! I looked just like she does!)

6. How old is your mommy?
"8" (haha)

7. How tall is your mommy?
"Big"

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
"clean up" (WHAT????)

9. What does your mommy do when you're not around?
"clean up" (haha)

10. If your mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?
"I don't know" (she didn't understand this question even when I asked it differently)

11. What is your mommy really good at?
"cleaning up" ( I said "is that all??" and she said "it must be!")

12. What is your mommy not very good at?
"I don't have no ideas" (she thinks I am good at everything!!! :) )

13. What does your mommy do for a job?
"clean the baby off" (.......I have NO idea what this means......)

14.What is your mommy's favorite food?
"macaroni" (I hardly ever eat macaroni!!)

15. What makes you proud of your mommy?
"I don't know" (another question that was over her head)

16. If your mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?
"Spongebob"

17. What do you and your mommy do together?
"play"

18. How are you and your mommy the same?
"we look the same"

19. How are you and your mommy different?
"I'm little, you're big"

20. How do you know your mommy loves you?
"I just know you love me" (she just knows!!! I love that!!)

21. What does your mommy like most about your daddy?
"because you're married" (haha!)

22. Where is your mommy's favorite place to go?
"here" (home)

I thought this was SO funny and I would love to know what Raegan's answers would be if she could talk better!! hahaha.....there's just NO telling!

Finally a NEW look and a little laugh from Avery!!

2009-02-09T14:04:00.004-06:00

I think the new look is pretty good! I will probably leave this blog like this for a LONG time. I just don't like doing that!! But I am glad it is different than it was!!

Something funny that Avery said.....

I heard her telling Matthew about the boo boo on her foot:

"Daddy, the boo boo on my foot is feeling better......Feel it."

I remember that she has done that before. It is so funny to me that she really thinks we can "feel" that her boo boo is better!!

By the way.....

You can still see my pregnancy counter if you scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Since I changed the layout it won't let me put it at the top anymore.....oh well.....

A question for everyone and a poll!!

2009-02-06T12:11:00.004-06:00

Ok, so, my blog's look is getting very boring to me and I want to change the layout......but, I don't know how. I mean, I know how to change it to one of the other 15 they have to choose from on here. But, all my blogging friends have such pretty ones all the time. I want one like that!! Can some of you give me some tips. I am just not that up on these things and I don't really have time to figure it out on my own. I would really appreciate anyone's input on this!!

I also wanted to point out that I added a poll over on my sidebar for everyone to guess the gender of our new baby. I think this will be fun!! Don't forget to make a guess before you leave!!

I can't come up with a name for this post....If I was Raegan I would probably name it "Boy"

2009-02-05T17:16:00.007-06:00

We just got back from a night at the Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham. The co-op had it's annual meeting there, so the girls and I got to tag along. So, we got a yummy steak dinner and a night at the hotel. Avery and Raegan really had fun. Avery was so excited that the mall was at the hotel. They enjoyed riding the glass elevator that takes you from the 1st to the 2nd floor of the Galleria(I think we did that about 10 times). We went to Build-A-Bear and they LOVED it. Last time we went Avery didn't really get into it and Raegan was too little to care. Avery got a pink bear that she had been talking about ever since I told her we were going (she would say..."do you think they have a pink bear??") and Raegan got a panda (she seems to be drawn to black and white things). Of course Raegan named hers Boy....that is what she names EVERYTHING! Avery named her bear the names we have picked out for the baby(to be announced on here at a later date... :) ) ...the boy name and the girl name...together....so, it is like a first name and a middle name for her bear. She is SO funny. They also rode the carousel and LOVED it too. Avery had to ride on a white horse, so, luckily since Raegan is still too young to care about which one, we just put her on whatever was next to Avery. I hope she stays so laid back! She just doesn't care! They are SO different! After we left there we had a few errands to run on the way home. It took about 2 hours and they both slept the whole way! They were both out as soon as we got them buckled in and they were out until we pulled in our driveway. Well, except for the 10 seconds Avery "woke" up to tell me that Raegan had a wet diaper. Bless her heart...she must dream about stuff like that. She worries about everything. That reminds me, when we left the hotel she kept asking if we got everything...she was naming stuff to make sure we hadn't forgot anything. One of the things she asked about was her "home slippers"...that cracks me up, that is what she calls her slippers, or her house shoes!! I love it.

Well, I feel as if I am rambling....so, I guess I will go for now.....oh, but before I do I wanted to mention a blogger friend that is in China right now on a journey of a lifetime!! Her and her husband are adopting a little girl there. They have a travel blog and it is SO exciting to keep up with. Check it out here. Please keep them in your prayers. The little girl is 3 years old and we really need to ask God to prepare her heart for the transition that is about to take place! They have been loving her for so long, but at the same time she doesn't really "know" that yet....just pray for a smooth transition!! Feb. 11th is the day they will get to hold her in their arms for the first time. It has been a long time coming and they have an amazing story!! Anyway, I know they would appreciate your prayers!!

I hope everyone has a SUPER day!
~Donna K!

I wonder if any of you miss me when I am gone......

2009-01-28T16:55:00.003-06:00

I think I have a few people that keep up with this blog (at least I like to think I do) and I didn't want the WHOLE month of January to get by and not have a single post on here....so, I thought I better get busy!

We have been doing good around here. I am starting to grow in the mid-section!! It is exciting to finally start having moments that I actually look pregnant. Sometimes throughout the day it actually slips my mind that I am pregnant! I have a feeling it won't be long my stomach will remind me constantly! I woke up during the night last night and couldn't get comfortable again (it was one of the parts of pregnancy that I have known before, but apparently had put out of my mind until that moment). Raegan wants to lay on me and the pressure of her on my stomach, and the baby on my other organs is starting to make cuddling with her a challenge!

My next dr. appt. is on Feb. 17th. I will be 20 weeks and that is the day they are going to do the BIG sonogram!! I am starting to think I will be okay with not finding out what we are having. By now with the other pregnancies I was DYING to find out! This time I am kinda looking forward to the excitement of finding out in the delivery room. I have started feeling more movement from the little one and that is making this whole thing seem real! It is funny to me because it seems like by the third time I would be okay with the fact that there is actually a person in there. But it seems like it has gotten more weird each time. (I hope that doesn't sound mean!) I mean, don't get me wrong, I love being pregnant and feeling my baby move around in there and all, but sometimes I get caught off guard and realize just what is going on in my body and to be honest it kind of freaks me out a little!! I don't see how someone can see just what a miracle the whole process of a human being forming the way it does and they can still say they don't believe in God!! How could something like that just happen?

On another note, the last day of deer season is Saturday and I am pretty happy about that. Matthew is thinking he will be done around the middle of February!! The season has seemed to go pretty fast, but we will all be glad for it to be over!!

Well, I just wanted everyone to know that we are doing good and I haven't totally fell off the face of the blogging earth.....until next time.....

DonnaK!

Last post of 2008......

2008-12-31T12:05:00.003-06:00

I know it has been a couple of weeks since I have posted on here! I have wanted to get something on here, but there is always something that keeps me from it. I haven't been feeling too good (I have good days and bad days....I am hoping I will be done with this part soon!!) Anyway, some things that have been going on lately:

We had a GREAT Christmas! We got to go visit a lot of family and the kids got TOO much stuff! Avery was SO excited to open gifts! Raegan couldn't care less!! I think Avery opened most of Raegan's for her! Christmas morning Avery was so excited that Santa had ACTUALLY BEEN IN OUR HOUSE! It was so funny! She kept asking if her had put the big kitchen together and that that was so nice of him. (she thinks about stuff too much!) They got the "big, big kitchen" that Avery was wanting and they haven't stopped cooking since! (pictures to come soon...er.....sometime...) My sister got them both a microphone on a microphone stand that has different buttons that you can push for applause and Avery sang "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" a MILLION times, it was HILARIOUS! We would try to get her started on another song, but she would always go back to that one.

I am pretty much 1/3 of the way through this pregnancy!! I can't believe that! I am still getting sick, but it isn't all day and it isn't everyday....so, that is a BIG improvement! I think I have decided to NOT find out if we are having a boy or a girl! Everybody says I can't do it....and maybe they are right, but I think it would be neat to not know......I don't know...we'll see. Matthew has been so good to me....he went the other night at 11 o'clock to get me some cheese sticks at the grocery store!!! I wanted them SO bad! After he got done with deer that night he went and got them! Speaking of deer, I think we have gotten in around 90! Last year we did just over 100 and there are still 4 1/2 weeks left of the season! We didn't advertise any this year....we just told everybody and told them to tell everybody!

Well, I know I didn't cover everything, but atleast I got some stuff in here! I hope everyone had a GREAT Christmas and I wish everyone a BLESSED New Year! BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!!

Santa Claus!!

2008-12-13T23:49:00.003-06:00

I have been meaning to post this on here, but keep forgetting! It is late, but I wanted to get this on here before I forget again!

Santa Claus will be at my mother's house for one more weekend! Friday and Saturday night (19th and 20th) from 6-8 he will be out there to hand out goodies and get a picture with the kiddos! Everyone is invited! My mother and step-dad have a great time doing this and they LOVE to see A LOT of kids come!! So, tell everyone you know that has kids.....or if you just like to see 10 MILLION lights in one yard!! haha...maybe soon I will be able to post some pictures! There house is on Old Gadsden Hwy. in Saks....when you are on that road you CAN'T miss it!

PREGNANCY UPDATE: I am doing pretty good....still dealing with morning sickness....but, hopefully that will subside soon!! I am 10 wks and 4 days!! I am already over a quarter of the way there! Woo Hoo!

Well, I am headed to bed!

The Bridge

2008-12-12T14:36:00.003-06:00

We went to Mt. Zion Baptist Church's annual "Country Christmas" last night and we had a great time! The kids loved it! They showed a video that I had never seen before, but it was a very powerful illustration of God's love for us. (grab a tissue...or 10!!)

Praise God!!

2008-11-26T19:03:00.003-06:00

I had decided a few days ago that no matter what happened today at the doctor. I was going to title this post "PRAISE GOD!" Whether I had a healthy baby thriving inside me or my little bean had not survived (or any case in between), I was going to praise God!! I knew that if my baby was not alive inside me he or she was in the presence of Jesus....what an incredible thought!! And no matter what is going on in there, God always deserves my praise!!

When I went to the doctor today I was pretty nervous! I didn't even want to look at the screen when the sonogram started!! Somehow I managed. I could tell that things were progressing because last time we couldn't see the baby yet at all. I saw my little butter bean first and then I saw the heartbeat!!! I was SO relieved! The blood clot remains an issue, but hasn't grown any since my last visit. It measured a tiny bit bigger, but that could be from other things like difference of measurements, or if it moved or shifted in any way. The doctor didn't seem worried about it at all. We will just have to keep praying about it!!

When I went on the 7th I was measuring 4 wks and 4 days (6 days off of the original due date). Today I was measuring 7 wks and 6 days, which is more lined up with the original due date (only off by 2 days)....So, I got to keep my original due date of July 7th! This is a big deal in "pregnancy world"!! Six days difference is an eternity if you are going backward!!! I would welcome moving up six days in a heart beat, but please don't move me back even one day!!! haha.....

So, today I am 8 wks and 1 day pregnant! I feel like I can finally relax in this pregnancy! I still know that I am not immune to miscarriages and things may still happen! I also know that God IS in control and He will see me through! Thank you to everyone for praying! Please continue to pray for God's will to be done in my growing baby's life!

I'm hanging in there!

2008-11-24T12:41:00.005-06:00

I have a couple of reasons for the name I chose for this post!

I am hanging in there.......I am trying to be patient and CALM in waiting for my next appt. It is Wednesday morning at 10. I finally feel like that day will get here. I was beginning to think it wouldn't. I am really nervous about the sonogram and I am trying hard to just relax about it. I know I was nervous before the first sonograms with both of the girls.....but, this time is different. After all the things that went on a couple of weeks ago, I guess I find it almost hard to believe that everything is okay in there! I want to believe it though!! I know that God is in control of this whole situation and I am really trying to get ME out of His way! Please continue praying for me that I will just CALM down!

I am hanging in there.........I am trying to make it through each day while feeling like I have been run over by a truck...a BIG one at that!! I feel so bad for Matthew! Bless his heart he is practically doing everything. There are times I can't even step foot in the kitchen. I feel so sick! I can't think of anything that sounds good to eat.....but, I am hungry all the time! That is such a hard feeling to explain to someone who has never experienced it. Sometimes Matthew just kinda looks at me like I may just be crazy. Maybe I am. Either way, I still can't eat anything!

Enough of the worry and complaining!!!!

Avery is very excited about the fact that I have a baby in my tummy!! She is actually pretty obsessed with it! She talks to the baby! She hugs my stomach all the time! She asks me if the baby is crying. She told me the other day that "the babies" (she just now started saying that there is just 1) have a night light in there so they can see. Everyday she asks me if it is the day that my stomach is going to get big. If she is laying beside me she is constantly asking if she is hurting the baby. When I am holding Raegan, she is asking if Raegan is hurting the baby. Some of the things she says crack me up!! I can't imagine what she is going to be like when you can see and feel the baby moving in there.

Raegan does a lot of hugging my stomach too. I think she is really just copying her sister, but I still think it is really sweet. She doesn't want me to put blankets over my stomach or roll over too far on my side when I am laying down. She starts saying, "Baby, baby, baby, baby......." in a voice that isn't too happy.

I have been wanting to and thinking about posting on here for a while now! I just haven't really been on the computer that much. I am sorry for not getting around to it sooner! Thanks again to everyone who is praying for us! I won't wait that long for the next update! There will definitely be one after Wednesday's appt.!!

This is what has been happening in the last several days of my life...........

2008-11-08T10:04:00.004-06:00

Well.......the past week has been CRAZY to say the least! Monday I had to go to the doctor b/c I was having pretty bad back pain along with some other symptoms that aren't particularly good during pregnancy. Anyway, when they did the sonogram they didn't find a baby......that would have been fine considering I was only 4 wks and 6 days, but they did find a "sac" that was measuring 8 wks and 5 days. (at that time you should see an amniotic sac, a baby, and even a heartbeat...I know that there are exceptions, but normally by that time you would see something in the amniotic sac) This was really confusing me, because I knew I wasn't that far along. (I had been to the doctor for my regular check-up on Sept. 30th and they did a pregnancy test and it was negative.) So, the doctor told me that he was diagnosing this pregnancy as "abnormal" and that it may not make it. I was preparing myself for the worst. I had decided that I just wanted it over with. (He did tell me that best case there was a baby and things would be ok.....I was cautiously holding on to that hope, but in the back of my mind I couldn't help but feel that this was over). He sent me over for blood work to check the level of hcg, the pregnancy hormone that in normal pregnancies doubles about every 48 hrs. (in early pregnancy). I was to come back Wed. for more blood work. Monday night I went home and warded off any pregnancy symptoms!! I didn't want to think about the fact that I was still pregnant and I certainly didn't need anything reminding me that I was! I was just waiting.....I didn't know what symptom of a miscarriage would start first........so, I just waited. I was praying that I could make it through to Wed. when I would have the second set of labs. I thought if we could get the results and see that there was no hope they could go ahead and do the d&c ( procedure that removes the products of conception....sometimes, not all, after a miscarriage a d&c is performed to make sure an infection doesn't develop, sorry, I am trying to not be too graphic and still explain) so I could get all of this behind me!!

I went in Wed. just trying to get through it. I knew I had to wait for the results, but I just wanted to get there as early as possible and get the results back as soon as possible, that way I could see when I needed to be there for the d&c. I got a call Wed. afternoon that I never would have expected in a million years! I heard the words..."according to the blood work, the baby is FINE"......I couldn't even wrap my mind around those words because for the last 2 days I had thought this pregnancy was almost over. They wanted me to come in Friday for another sonogram. I didn't really know where to let my mind go! After all, I had seen the sonogram and I knew it didn't look like what you see on a normal sonogram, I heard the doctors voice just 2 days before and what he was saying. I couldn't imagine that everything was fine........The doctor told me on the phone that he didn't think what we saw on the sonogram was the amniotic sac and by my blood work I was not as far along as 8 wks and 5 days. This made me feel better, he said by Friday we may be able to see more.

Yesterday I had to be there at 8 am. When the sonogram started I saw that little black spot on the screen......the one you are suppose to see!! It was measuring a mere 4 wks and 4 days (about 6 days earlier than we thought). Sonograms can be off a few days and I could just not be as far along as I thought. (That would explain the VERY light positive results I got on the pregnancy tests) We didn't see anything in the sac, but that is normal for that early. My doctor said he is VERY reassured with that and he said we didn't need to do anymore blood work because he felt everything is fine. I go back on Nov. 26th for my regular "first" prenatal visit and another sonogram. By then we should be able to see even more!!

As for what they found on the first sonogram......it was a blood clot. (That may sound bad, but I had one with both of my other pregnancies!!) It could reabsorb (that is what happened when I was pregnant with Avery) or I could experience some bleeding during the pregnancy (that is what happened when I was pregnant with Raegan). That is what the doctor thinks is causing the back pain. I know that , as with any pregnancy, something could still happen!! I am trusting God that whatever happens He will get us through it! Please keep us in your prayers! After all this I'm emotionally drained! I think I have felt every emotion there is in such a short time! I am naturally a worrier, (it is something I am constantly battling with) please pray that I will give this pregnancy TOTALLY to God and have peace with whatever comes!

This has been a rough start!! I am gradually getting back to the excitement of being pregnant.....just cautiously! I want to thank all of you who knew about this and prayed for us!! Some of you truly went ABOVE and BEYOND!! That really means so much! God is good ALL the time and I just can't thank Him enough for all of the people I have in my life that care about me and my family!

Bring on the mini-van!!!

2008-10-31T12:12:00.002-05:00

Well, I am 4 weeks and 3 days pregnant with #3.......

I am really excited, but I think I am in a state of shock. It hasn't really hit me yet exactly what is going on here. Surely it will hit me before July. That is when the "due date" is. July 7th.....of course when I have my first sonogram that date may be adjusted a couple of days one way or the other.

I took a test that had 2 lines (1 line=negative and 2 lines=positive). The second line was VERY faint. Everyone I talked to said that a line is a line is a line.....it doesn't matter how light it is. With the tests I took with Avery and Raegan there was NO question that they were positive. I took a few more tests that all had the very faint line. I called my doctor and they let me come in to do a test in the office and they ended up doing 2 that were both positive.....but faint. In all I have had about 8 positive tests.......after that I guess I realized that I may really be pregnant.

Avery is really excited, but says that she wants a girl. She said that she likes boys, but she doesn't want to have to take care of one. She also says that there are 2 babies in there. She has named them Austin and Scoop. (Austin is her favorite name these days......she names all her baby dolls Austin and the little puppy dogs that you have to name on her computer game are Austins too!)

Raegan will nod her head when we ask her if she wants a baby .....but she has no clue what that really means....bless her heart! And she will nod her head if you ask her if she wants a poke in the eye, so you can't really go by that anyway.

Just please keep us in your prayers!! The first part is the worst for me (or has been for the first 2) with the morning sickness and then just not knowing what is going on in there.....before you can feel them moving, it's like "are you okay in there???" I am just giving this baby to God and I know that He will take care of us however He sees fit!!

I know every pregnancy is different, but I was sick with both of the girls. (It was over at 12 weeks with Avery and lasted a few weeks longer with Raegan....I hope that isn't a pattern!!!) Now I have them to take care of and we have the deer business that I have to help Matthew with!! That will be fun during morning sickness......wrapping raw deer meat......yay!

I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween!!
~Donna K

PawPaw and Nanny.....again....

2008-10-31T12:05:00.002-05:00

Here are a couple more pictures of PawPaw and Nanny.......

I've been tagged......

2008-10-29T21:39:00.003-05:00

(I never could get the rules clear enough to read)

I've been tagged by Lisa!

7 Random things about me.....

let's see.....

1.) I LOVE to talk!! (This is NO secret! hahaha)

2.) I can't play any type of musical instrument and I have no idea how to read music (I really wish I did though!!)......and yet I own a piano and a guitar.....

3.) I like to make balloon animals and have been a clown several times for different events.....since the kids came along I haven't gotten to do it much.

4.) I have a freakish memory of dates. I can usually remember anyone's birthday or anniversary that I have ever met.....but, I can't remember where I put my keys or cell phone.....

5.) I love the smell of the latex gloves we use in our meat business.....that is random!!

6.) I love garlic and onions. (so does Matthew so, we're good....)

7.) I have been pregnant and/or breastfeeding since January of 2005!! (and yes, I am pregnant now!!)

I put way too much thought into coming up with random things about myself!! It has taken me about 12 hrs to complete this post.....no, I haven't been sitting in front of the computer for 12 hours..... I have just taken that long thinking about what I am going to say!!

Now I am suppose to tag some people to do the same.......
I pick Crystal, Erica, Anna, and Angela!!

Operator Error...

2008-10-21T17:02:00.002-05:00

For some reason the post "Happy Birthday Avery" didn't show up yesterday.....I re-posted it today. Be sure to go back a couple of posts and read it!!

PawPaw and Nanny!!

2008-10-21T00:20:00.003-05:00

Here is a picture of us all dressed up for Halloween. Avery wanted to be my grandmother, so we went with it. Avery was "Nanny" and Raegan was "PawPaw". I was their caregiver from "Shady Acres Nursing Home and Rehab Center" (I had all that on my badge) Tonight we went to the Hallelujah Harvest at Hill Crest and that is where this picture was made. I didn't expect their costumes to be as big a hit as they were!! It was CRAZY!! People we didn't even know were asking if they could take pictures of them. I think one thing that made it SO funny is the way Avery really was using her walker and Raegan was really using her cane!! They did really good playing the parts!! I can't wait until we get to dress up again!!

You can double click on the picture to see it big. Be sure to look at how Avery has one stocking pushed down and one up. Raegan has white eyebrows and a handlebar mustache. Her hair was VERY hard to get white, but I did manage to give her a comb-over!! Also, Avery applied her own RED lipstick to get the full effect!

Happy Birthday Avery!!

2008-10-20T10:20:00.005-05:00

Today is Avery's 3rd birthday!! I can't believe it! Time has gone by so fast and she is such a big girl now! She really enjoyed her party Saturday. Hopefully I will be able to post pictures soon.

Three years ago today (at this time of the morning) I was about to be heading to the doctor where I would find out that it was THE DAY!!! I had been to the hospital the night before because I had started having contractions that were pretty close together, but had been sent home after they checked me and I wasn't dilated at all. I remember it was about midnight but we stopped at Subway because I was SO hungry!! I slept pretty good that night other than some discomfort from the contractions. The next day my doctor called me (he found out that I had been to L&D the night before). He wanted me to come in so he could check me. I got there around 11 and I was very surprised when he told me I was dilated to a 3!! (Up until that point I was wondering if I was ever going to dilate) He sent me over to the hospital and by the time I got changed and hooked up to all the various monitors it was about 12. I don't know how long it was before they gave me Statol (a medicine to help with the pain), but I do remember that the only thing it did was make me laugh.....and I don't just mean giggle....I was laughing so hard I couldn't even talk....and that, of course, made everyone in the room laugh. I could not stop laughing at all!! It didn't help at all with the pain though, but I was too busy laughing to worry about it. After the laughter subsided, they checked me and I was around a 5 or 6.....I decided to go ahead and get the epidural. I was afraid it would slow down the process, ( I had heard that it could) but, I was also afraid that if I didn't go ahead and get it I would end up in one of those situations where I was ready for it and then I would be told.....nope, it's too late. I felt so much better after the epidural! I think it was around 7:30 when I was ready to start pushing. It seemed like 3 days that I pushed and nothing was really happening. It was about 1 hr and 1/2 to 2 hours. For some reason I had developed a fever (we never did figure out why). Everything seemed to be becoming an emergency-like situation. My doctor mentioned going to the c-section room and then if things didn't happen soon, he would do a c-section. I remember by that point I was like, "That's fine! Just get her out!!" I wanted her to be okay!! When we got moved into the other room I was feeling like I needed to push and they were saying "go ahead".....so, I had pushed a couple of times before they realized that she was coming!! When she was born I remember the doctor laying her on me and I touched her and thought....."Oh my goodness, this is really happening!!" I remember how strange it was to hear her cry.....not weird strange....just unreal. Since she had a few issues they took her away immediately to make sure she was ok. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck, so she was not the right color. Because of the stress, she had pooped before she was born so, they had to make sure she hadn't breathed any of that meconium in. They thought her hip was out of place, and because I had a fever she did too. Anyway, I remember all of those things were really making me nervous!! I remember asking one of the nurses that was in there how much she weighed and she had to call the nursery to find out. She weighed 8lbs. 11oz. and she was 20 inches long.

They finally brought her to me about 4 hours after she was born. I can remember how crazy it was that the nurse was just handing her to me.....what was I going to do with this helpless newborn?? It is funny how to this day, I am really nervous to hold someone else's newborn baby (I still feel like I might need to sit down and someone hand them to me!! ha ha), but for some reason I didn't feel that way with my own. All of the things that were going on when she was born turned out to be nothing really! She did have an iv for a couple of days and we stayed an extra day in the hospital, but that was no big deal!

We came home and she has been calling the shots ever since!! (well, at least until Raegan got old enough to share in that responsibility!!) Avery has always been very independent when it comes to just about anything. She is so funny and I can already see that she is going to have a great sense of humor! She does still have moments when she thinks the world revolves around her and she can get really upset when things don't go her way. She is VERY strong willed. (I don't know where she got that from....) Since it is my baby girl's birthday I want to share some things about her:

She LOVES....absolutely LOVES to cook.....really cook or just pretend
it doesn't matter which.

She really likes to sing and make up her own songs.

Books are a MUST for her...she will spend hours flipping through the
pages of a book! It doesn't matter if there are pictures in it or not!

She loves magazines the same way, but has to pull all of those cards
out (you know, the ones you send in for another subscription)

She calls me Mommy, Momma, and Mom.

She loves her daddy!

She likes dogs and cats and really any other kind of animal.....but she
gets nervous if you get her too close to one that is big.

It takes her a while to warm up to people that she doesn't know, but
once she is warmed up she will talk their ears off!!

She has always played with her hair when she is sleepy.

She loves to dig in the dirt, but she loves to get cleaned up afterward!

She hates to get food on her clothes. She had to change immediately
if this ever happens.

She loves to talk on the phone as long as it is on her toy phone...every
now and then she will really talk to someone on the real phone.

She tells me she loves me and hugs me more times than I can count
each day.

She is a GREAT big sister and has been since the day Raegan was
born.

She loves babies and says she wants another baby sister.

She shows me the world through her eyes.

She teaches me something new every day.

......I am so thankful that God chose me to be her mommy!!

A small misunderstanding.....

2008-10-17T11:32:00.003-05:00

Matthew called me this morning and said that a man came in the co-op and told him that a guy had stolen a tank from Fort McClellan and was being chased by the police down the highway. He said I may want to watch the local news to see what was going on.

My mind immediately went to a video that I have seen more than once of a tank that was stolen and driven (out of control) down a busy highway destroying anything and everything in it's path.

I was thinking, "Oh my, this could be really bad!!" I couldn't find anything on the tv or the internet about it so, I called the co-op in Jacksonville (it is located on the highway that the "chase" was on). I asked if they had heard anything about it. The guy there said, "is that what that was?" He said that about 30 min. before that a tank with about 3 sheriff's deputy cars behind it (sirens on) came by the store. He said that he didn't know how fast a tank would go, but that it was moving on.

Well, I felt I had confirmed that yes, this story must be true!! I still couldn't believe there was no news coverage of such an important event!! Where was this lunatic going?? What had he already demolished in his path?? Why did noone care to inform the public of such a happening as this?? (In the meantime I called my friend, Pam, to make sure she wasn't going to be traveling that way anytime soon).

I kept scanning the news channels for any information.....but nothing. A little while later my sister called me with what turned out to be the last update of the pursuit........the tank was heading to JSU......by police escort.....it was heading there to......be displayed during the homecoming festivities at the college......

.......well, atleast noone was hurt, right? Talk about a misunderstanding!

I guess the guy that told Matthew about it had seen the tank with the police escort, or heard someone that had seen it and everything else was an assumption. We all know what happens when you assume things, don't we? Well, I got a good laugh at the end of it all!!

Just a typical visit to a public restroom....

2008-10-16T14:12:00.002-05:00

A friend sent me this in an e-mail.......it made me laugh!!

When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place. Once it's your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied..

Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall.

You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't matter, the wait has been so long you are about to wet your pants! The dispenser for the modern 'seat covers' (invented by someone's Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty. You would hang your purse on the door hook, if there was one, but there isn't - so you carefully, but quickly drape it around your neck, (Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume 'The Stance.'

In this position, your aging, toneless thigh muscles begin to shake. You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold 'The Stance.'

To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can hear your mother's voice saying, 'Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat, you would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!' Your thighs shake more.

You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday - the one that's still in your purse. (Oh yeah, the purse around your neck, that now, you have to hold up trying not to strangle yourself at the same time). That would have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It's still smaller than your thumbnail.

Someone pushes your door open because the latch doesn't work. The door hits your purse, which is hanging around your neck in front of your chest, and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet. 'Occupied!' you scream, as you reach for the door, dropping your precious, tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your footing altogether, and slide down directly onto the TOILET SEAT.

It is wet, of course. You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper - not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try. You know that your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew, because, you're certain her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because, frankly, dear, 'You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get.'

By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a fire hose against the inside of the bowl that sprays a fine mist of water that covers your butt and runs down your legs and into your shoes. The flush somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the empty toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in too.

At this point, you give up. You're soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat. You're exhausted. You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket and then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks.

You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women still waiting.

You are no longer able to smile politely to them. A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe. (Where was that when you NEEDED it??) You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it in the woman's hand and tell her warmly, 'Here, you just might need this.'

As you exit, you spot your hubby, who has long since entered, used, and left the men's restroom. Annoyed, he asks, 'What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?'

This is dedicated to women everywhere who deal with a public restrooms (rest??? you've GOT to be kidding!!). It finally explains to the men what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly asked questions about why women go to the restroom in pairs. It's so the other gal can hold the door, hang on to your purse and hand you Kleenex under the door!

This HAD to be written by a woman! No one else could describe it so accurately!

This is pretty random......

2008-10-15T21:36:00.004-05:00

Deer season started today. It is bow season, and last year we weren't open until gun season, so obviously that means we didn't do any deer during bow season.....Well, we got our first deer in today!!! I am excited about getting started again, but I know there is a lot of work ahead of us!!! I just have to keep in mind that it is only for 3 1/2 months!!

Last Saturday we gave Avery her birthday present from us.....(her birthday is the 20th, but I couldn't wait that long! Besides, she doesn't know the difference yet!) We gave her a Leap Frog, Click Start, My First Computer.....SHE LOVES IT!!! It is so funny to watch her use the mouse and play the games! She has always been interested in the computer, and now she has her very own! She acts like she is doing some really important stuff on it....I love that!

Avery has FINALLY learned to steer her john deere gator that she got last Christmas. This has been something that we have continuously worked on, but she finally got it. Before she would just stop right before she would hit something for us to come help her. The whole time we would be telling her to turn the steering wheel but she just would not!! I don't know why she wouldn't, and then finally a couple of weeks ago she just started using it. Now she will take stuff down to the barn for us (she really enjoys that because she is helping), or she will just follow us around everywhere. Raegan is always by her side (with her seat belt ON). They try to get Pepper (our poodle) to ride in the back, but so far that hasn't happened. As soon as Avery starts going Pepper jumps out (I don't know if I blame her).

That reminds me.......I better go give Pepper a bath!! She sure needs one!!! Sorry for the randomness of this post! I am just rambling!!

Life is worth the living just BECAUSE HE LIVES!!

2008-10-11T12:06:00.007-05:00

Because He Lives

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus

He came to love, heal, and forgive.

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives, All fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the pride and joy he gives.

But greater still the calm assurance,

This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives, All fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

And then one day I'll cross the river,

I'll fight life's final war with pain.

And then as death gives way to victory,

I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives, All fear is gone!

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living just because He lives!

Words: Bill & Gloria Gaither

It is easy to get caught up in everything that is going on around us and let worry creep in. But I know that God holds the future and no matter what happens in this life, when it is all said and done, His promises will remain! He never promised things would be easy and we would go through this life without trials, but He did promise that He would take care of His children! I don't know what this life will bring, but I know that "life is worth the living just because He lives"!!

I really like the story about how this song came to be and I wanted to share it!

I have included 2 videos with this post, the first one is Gloria Gaither explaining the events that inspired the words to this song, and then the Gaither Trio performing the song in 1972. The second video is "Because He Lives" being sung at the Gaither Homecoming in Israel.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Some pictures with friends....

2008-10-09T12:25:00.005-05:00

Avery is with our neighbors, Nanny and Pop, today. It is just me and Raegan here. Raegan doesn't know what to do when she has all my attention. She likes for me to hold her more than she usually does (which is a good bit anyway!) I don't mind it too much though! She is growing up so fast, I know the day is coming when she won't want me to hold her.....:(

I wanted to share some pictures that my friend Janna sent me of the girls from the last time we got together. She has 2 girls, Jessica and Allie....Avery and Raegan really enjoy playing with them!!

Everyone getting ready to go down the slide!!

Allie and Raegan climbing up !!

Raegan and Allie swinging together!!

Avery and Jess cooking.....that is Avery's thing!! She is ALWAYS cooking!!

Everyone jumping in the "jumpy thing" as Avery calls it!

This is what you get when you tell Raegan to say "cheese"

Jess and Avery swinging together and cheesing!!

Are they checking their myspace??

"It's okay weetheart...it's okay"

2008-10-07T19:12:00.004-05:00

Raegan had her 18 month check-up yesterday and she does NOT like the doctor's office. As soon as a nurse started talking to her she tensed up and laid her head on my shoulder. When the doctor came in she started crying as soon as he took his stethoscope from around his neck to use it. It was SO sweet though because Avery put her arm around her and was telling her "it's okay weetheart...it's okay" (she has been calling her "weetheart" for a little while now). Raegan had to get a couple of shots and that really upset her. Avery kept asking me "what did that ady do to my sister?" They were both okay after the suckers and stickers were passed out though! Avery has to go at the end of the month, but I don't think she has to get any shots.

I had to go to the doctor today for a follow-up visit. A few months ago my heart started fluttering really bad. I stopped drinking drinks with caffeine and I haven't had any problems since. The tests they did came back normal. So, today I was only in the doctor's office for about 10 minutes. It was the quickest doctor appointment I have ever had!! I have to go back in June for another echo cardiogram just to make sure nothing has changed but, that's not too bad.

well, I guess that's about all for now....
Donna K

I wish I could describe Him to you....

2008-10-07T11:25:00.003-05:00

I had never seen this version of this until I found it on youtube. It is good....It is really good!! It is good though, because HE is good!!

WOW....Is it really October already?????

2008-10-02T21:09:00.007-05:00

Well, it is OCTOBER.....I can't believe it! I have really been looking forward to fall this year, I'm not really sure why....I'm sure it won't take long for me to get tired of cold weather and being cooped up in the house all the time, but for now...I am happy that it is fall! I have been wanting some chili and grilled cheese sandwiches lately! Yum! So, that is what we had today!!

We have a lot going on! Deer season starts on Oct. 15th. It is just bow season, but we will hopefully start getting some deer in! So, anyone who reads this and didn't know, we have a deer processing business!! Tell everyone that you know that hunts to bring their deer to us! Last year was our first year and we got started late getting everything going. This year we have been able to do improvements and get things done that we didn't get around to before. We are going to have a playroom this season and that will HELP SO MUCH!! I will be able to help more and the kids will have a good place to play!

Today Matthew was off and we were doing some work around the house. We are trying to get our house ready for winter. One of the things we are going to do is recycle our dryer air. Our laundry room is basically a back porch. It has windows all the way around it that are screened, then there are roll out windows that don't really keep out the "weather" (by "weather" I basically mean wind and hot/cold air). Anyway, today Matthew insulated it and we are going to fix the dryer where instead of the hot air blowing out, it will be blowing back in the house. There are different ways to do this. We are going to use the hose that normally blows the air out and run it up behind the dryer where it is easy to reach, and then we are going to attach a vacuum bag to it. We will just have to check the bag regularly for lent. It just seems like such a waste to blow all that warm air outside!!

We are getting ready for Avery's birthday!!! She will be 3 years old in 18 days!!! I can't believe that!! She is having a "Bob the Builder" party per her request!!
Well....Bob the Builder and Scoop!! Scoop is her favorite character on the show. Along with getting ready for her birthday we are trying to get their costumes together for Halloween. When I ask Avery what what she wants to be, she says, "Polly Nanny"....That is what she calls my grandmother, so.....I have decided to go with that!! I figure since Avery is going to be an old woman, and Raegan is still too young to care, it is only right to make Raegan an old man!!! I think it will turn out cute! I just have a lot to do to get all that together!

Well, I am about to go to bed!! I have been so sleepy lately! I don't know what is wrong with me!! By the way, today is Matthew's brother's birthday! Please keep him and his family in your prayers. They have recently moved to Germany! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!! WE LOVE YOU!!

~Donna K!!

In Christ Alone!!

2008-09-26T17:51:00.001-05:00

This song is absolutely one of my favorites!! It is so powerful!! Please, if you have never heard it listen to the whole song!! Take a few minutes to praise God!!

"Twu-yee Amazing!"

2008-09-26T17:36:00.005-05:00

A few things I wanted to share......

When I kissed Avery goodnight a couple of nights ago she wiped her mouth...then she said, "I'm not wiping it all off, just a little bit."

The other day, Avery was using the potty and Raegan had gone in the bathroom with her. I heard Raegan calling me in her usual I've-done-something-I-shouldn't-have-please-come-help voice. When I got in the bathroom Avery was sitting on the potty and Raegan was standing on the tank behind the potty!! According to Avery she climbed up there while Avery was on the potty. (She climbs on EVERYTHING, but that was definitely a first!!)

When I got Avery out of the bathtub the other day, I wrapped her in her towel and then she just stood in front of the mirror looking at herself. I heard her say "Twu-yee Amazing"....(she has called things amazing before, but never truly amazing.) I said, "What is?".....and then she said, "ME"

They are BOTH TWU-YEE AMAZING!!!!

5 years.....

2008-09-20T11:17:00.004-05:00

On September 20, 2003 at 2:22 in the afternoon I was on my way down the aisle...I was going to vow my love to one man...I was getting married....I had no idea what I was getting myself into....

Let me start from the beginning....

Six years, 8 months, and 17 days ago a new guy started working at the Jacksonville Co-op. I should mention here that the only place in Alabama that he didn't want to be was Jacksonville! At the time I thought his name was Matthew Krenshaw. (His nickname is Crenshaw and that is what I would hear people call him...when he would say "I'm Matthew Kay"....well, I just thought he was saying Matthew K.....hahaha...that still makes us laugh!!) So, "Matthew Krenshaw" was just a co-worker for around 5 months before we started dating. We had been dating for 11 months when he proposed to me on my 22nd birthday! (If you know me, you know that my favorite number is 2....yes, I do have a favorite number....it's normal...kinda) I had told him I wanted a new Bible for my birthday, so when he gave me my gift to open (which he had wrapped in green wrapping paper...my favorite color) I could tell it was a book. When I started opening it, I could tell it was a Bible, and then I noticed it was his Bible. He started to tell me that he was giving me his Bible because he didn't get to buy me one, or he couldn't afford to or something. Then he told me to open it....

Ok, right here I need to tell you a story about a piece of cotton that I saw everyday on my way to and from work that was hanging from a tree limb for several months after the cotton had been picked from the field. It had gotten hung on the limb as the farmer was driving down the road. Through any weather I would see it still hanging on. I would point it out when Matthew and I would ride by it together. I would say "there's that cotton, still hanging on"...."it has been pouring rain and it is STILL there". It may sound silly, but I was amazed at what this little piece of cotton could endure just hanging there above the road on that tiny limb.

Back to me opening my birthday gift....

He told me to open the Bible and in the middle there was a note from him and it said:

"Donna,

I'm not really giving you this Bible. What I am giving you is a symbol of my love for you. I place it in the center of God's Word as I pray that is where our relationship will always be. I hope our love will be as enduring as the material it's symbol is surrounded by.

I Love You,
Matthew"

Under that piece of paper was that piece of cotton and in it was the ring!! (I was blown away by the thought that he had put into that and how well it all fit together!!) By that point I could not contain myself and I was shaking like a leaf! He had knelt down by me when he gave me the gift to open...so, he would be kneeling when he put the ring on my finger and asked me to marry him. I can't even really remember if I ever actually said yes. I do remember telling him I was burning up!! Haha!! I wasn't even able to eat the wonderful dinner that he had cooked for me!! I was so excited!

I think we had made the decision before that day was over that we wanted to have our wedding that September. So, we were only engaged about 5 months. Everything fell into place though and that day came around fast! It was beautiful! I know that because I have seen the pictures and watched the video....even the next day I couldn't really remember anything about the wedding. I guess I was so nervous, it was like I was dreaming the whole time. Either way, it really happened!!

Right before we got married Matthew got the position of manager at the Pell City Co-op. After the wedding I transferred to Pell City and he became my boss!! We bought a house and a little bit of land at the end of January of 2005 in Lincoln and I found out on Feb. 11th that I was pregnant! (He says that was convienient of me to be pregnant when we had bought a "fixer-upper" I couldn't really help him with anything!) I worked until right before Avery was born and then I stayed home with her until she was 9 months old. I went to work at Deltacom on July 27th, 2006. We had planned on me working about a year and then hopefully staying home again. Well...on August 3rd, just about a week after starting back to work I found out I was pregnant again! So, instead of working a year I worked as long as I could before Raegan was born. I have been home with the girls ever since then!!

Matthew is such a great husband and daddy!! He always takes care of us!! He works so much for our family! And I am so happy to be his wife! Some people may not know all the things he does, but he is ALWAYS working! He works more than full-time at the co-op and comes home and works more! We have a deer processing business that is about to be going again for our second season. That keeps him busy around the clock in the winter! He does chicken house inspections and he does some lawn spraying. He tends to our garden and this year we had pumpkins and gourds that he had to keep up. With all of this he will still cook dinner! He bathes the girls, brushes their teeth, reads to them, changes Raegan's diaper, plays with them, cooks with them, and so many other things that I can't even remember. He helps so much with everything! I am so thankful for him!!!

Five years ago I knew I had something good...but I had no idea. God has really blessed me and I don't EVER want to take Matthew for granted. I pray for many, many more years with him and many, many more precious memories!! Thank you Lord for this man of God... my best friend...my husband!!

~Donna K

A very powerful human video!!!!

2008-09-17T11:15:00.005-05:00

I had to do it!!

2008-09-10T12:11:00.006-05:00

1950

1952
1954
1956
1958
1960

1962
1964
1966
1968
1970

1972
1974
1976
1978
1980

1982
1984
1986
1988
1990

1992
1994
1996 (Matthew's real senior year)
1998 (I graduated in 1999)
2000

I have been seeing this everywhere so I had to do it!!

http://www.yearbookyourself.com/

Everyone needs to do this! It is HILARIOUS! (By the way....If there happens to be anyone that hasn't caught on yet, that is me and Matthew in every picture up there!!) I have been seeing these lately and I just had to do it. I hope everyone enjoys laughing at these like we have! Seriously, go do your own too!! There are some that are pretty bad, but some that could actually pass for the real thing, I thought!

Nashville, TN.....Branson, MO.....Destin, FL

2008-09-02T11:46:00.013-05:00

(Raegan did have a top on most of the time.....I know looking at these pictures, that is hard to believe!)

It has been a while since my last post and we have been busy since then!! At the beginning of August we took a trip to Nashville and stayed with Matthew's aunt and uncle for a couple of nights. We really enjoyed spending time with them and the girls had a blast! We got to go to the zoo while we were there and we all enjoyed that. We left there and went to Branson, Missouri for a couple of days. It was for work so, it was really a drive there - spend the night in a hotel - drive back kinda thing. We did go to the Bass Pro Shop to eat and walk around. We were in the car 9 hours one day and 12 hours the next!! We have been blessed with children who don't mind riding, so, that made the trip better! I am SO glad we have dvd players in the car!! (however, I think we have the dvd with the 3 most annoying Bob the Builder episodes ever!! If I doubted that before, now I am sure! That is all they wanted to watch!) We did enjoy our little getaway even if alot of it was in the car!

We had planned on leaving for Destin with my sister and bro.-in-law on Friday August 22nd. Thanks to Tropical Storm Fay our plans were changed. We had decided to go down on Sunday instead (Matthew has an annual meeting in Ft. Walton Beach and he had to be down there Sunday for that). We got a call sometime Saturday that our reservations had been cancelled and that the campsite was closed due to the weather and for us to call back Monday to see if they had reopened yet. So, because we had to be there Sunday anyway we called and made a reservation to stay at a hotel on Sunday night. We planned on leaving at 5 in the morning on Sunday and I think we had finally made it to Pell City by around 9. I can't even remember all the things that happened to set us back. I do remember that it was POURING rain that morning though. We just knew it was going to be a long drive in the rain. But surprisingly it wasn't that far into our trip when the rain stopped and it was sunny. When we got to Destin we went to the campground to see if maybe they had already reopened and they had! So, we cancelled our reservation at the hotel and went ahead and set up camp. (By the way, we stayed at Henderson Beach State Park. Matthew and I have stayed there once before and we really enjoy it.) After we got everything set up with the camper we changed and went down to the beach. With the weather situation we wanted to get down there as soon as possible since we didn't know what was in store for the rest of the week! Avery and Raegan LOVED the beach! Avery was more of a sand girl than ocean. She played in the sand the whole time. Raegan loved the water, but she just wanted us to let her go in there and that was not an option! She also loved the sand. From the time we got there until we left she had sand from head to toe! Seriously! They both did.

The first couple of nights were kinda rough in a pop-up camper! We were under a couple of tornado warnings and that sent me to the bath house with the girls a couple of times! Every gust of wind is felt in a pop-up and there were a few times that it was really windy! One of the times we had gone to the bath house it got so bad that it bent and broke our canopy thing we had set up beside the camper. It rained and rained and when you thought it couldn't rain any harder it would. But that was the last time it rained the whole time we were there! It was BEAUTIFUL the rest of the time! The first couple of days there were big waves and jelly fish EVERYWHERE. But then the jellyfish were gone and by the last day the waves were smaller than I have ever seen them. That was good because the kids were able to play more in the water then. We loaded up everyday and took everything we would need to stay at the beach all day. That included a cooler full of food and drinks, a bag (or 2) full of snacks, toys for the kids(too many to name and the kids ended up playing with empty water bottles most of the time), game set for the adults, a small pool for the kids, 4 chairs for the adults, 2 chairs for the kids, a 10 x 10 canopy, beach towels, extra beach towels, a camera, lots of sunscreen (even though we did end up getting burnt...note to reader: don't use instant dry spray sunscreen in tropical storm winds!! The results aren't pretty! Apparently the spray had all blown away before it could make it to our skin! You could tell that we were more careful applying sunscreen to the kids b/c they were covered for the most part!) , diapers and wipes for Raegan, swim diapers for Raegan.....the list goes on and on! Still everyday Matthew and Jerry would haul all that stuff down there, so, you better believe we stayed as long as we could stand it each day! The girls just took a nap on beach towels in the shade!

The original trip was for 7 nights....but it worked out well only being 5 nights! Despite the rough weather the first couple of nights we were still able to go to the beach every day we were there! I think we were all okay with going home when we did! I know I was! I don't know if there is a such thing as a "relaxing vacation" with a 2 1/2 yr old and a 17 month old. We had fun though! I was glad we went!

My only complaints were with the bad weather at first, the sunburn, and the couple of days that I woke up with my bottom lip swollen 3 times it's normal size.....what? Did I not already mention that? Well, it really did. I guess it was the sun....I really don't know....

~Donna K

DO try this at home!!!!

2008-07-23T10:35:00.003-05:00

There may be people who read this that have done this before, maybe I am just behind, but I tried it and it was the coolest thing EVER!! Seriously! You take a box of cornstarch and put it in a big bowl and slowly add water until you have the weirdest consistency ever (I am serious when I say slowly, because I had it pretty close to perfect and then added water again and it was kinda runny, it was still neat, but needed to be thicker. I found something that says use a 10:1 ratio of water and cornstarch). It is like a solid when you are picking it up and then by the time you open your hand it is a liquid. If you punch it, it is a solid, but if you put your hand in slowly, it is a liquid. I made it and we played with it for about an hour! I am easily amused and this is cheap entertainment! I want to buy about 5 boxes and make a BIG batch of it!! Anyway, I definitely recommend anyone with kids to do this (or any of you who are just a big kid yourself)!! I would say it is better to play with it outside, it gets pretty messy! Does anyone know of any other experiments like this??

Some recent pics.......

2008-07-21T16:43:00.008-05:00

Avery and her "People".... Raegan and the Potty!

2008-07-21T12:02:00.004-05:00

ok...so, throughout my days I usually have something happen that is totally blog-worthy and then for whatever reason I don't get around to getting it on here. I am going to try to do better!

I have recently discovered the photo books at CVS. Everyone that reads this may already know what I am talking about, but incase you don't.....They have these neat books that you upload pictures on their machine and pick out what you want your theme to be and then the book prints out. They have different sizes. The one I got was an 8x10. Each page(there are 10 pages) had around 4 pictures on it and you could make some of them bigger or some smaller....really it is however you want it. It was only $15!!! I really liked the way it turned out. I plan on making alot more!

In some kid news Avery has really started with the imaginary friends (sometimes relatives) these days! When we went to Raegan's dr. appt. the other day Avery found a little girl. Her name is Kitty Cat. At first when she was saying that I thought it was a cat. But she was quick to correct me and tell me that she is a girl. She has told me that Kitty Cat rides around on a cat. I have NO idea where she comes up with these things! I just LOVE it though! The other day she said Kitty Cat was outside, but she had Matthew's mother, his grandaddy, his brother and his brother's wife, and all of their kids with her. ( She also still has her 3 chickens, 3 ducks, and 3 turtles that she has had for a while now) That is 8 people (9 when she has Kitty Cat too!) that I have to feed, bathe, and care for along with Avery and Raegan!! It can be challenging! Especially when Avery and Raegan are the only ones I can see!! Avery will tell me where somebody is and ask me to pick them up, and then when I do, she will tell me, "No, she's over here." hahaha....I have to get everyone a blanket at nap time, or fix everyone a drink and a plate when we eat. (luckily all their stuff is imaginary too!! So, I don't REALLY make them a plate or anything.....that would be CRAZY!! I just pretend to do all that stuff...wait, is that crazy too?) I just never imagined that she would have so many "people" (that is what she calls them..."my people"), and that she would really have conversations with them and she would pay attention to EVERY detail! When she gets books out for everyone.....she really has a book for EACH person. She takes the time to pick out a specific book that she thinks that person would like. It is funny, because for Matthew's brother and Matthew's grandaddy she will have the biggest books she owns. I guess she thinks men like BIG books.

Raegan is starting to get the whole concept of the potty. She is not even 16 months old yet, and I am by no means making her use the potty!!! I didn't want anyone to think that! She just started hiding when she was pooping and showing signs of interest in the whole process. So, I got the little potty out to let her become familiar with it. She has used it a few times! This morning she actually peepeed and pooped in it!!! YAY!!! ok, ok.....I know that is enough talk about stuff like that!

Anyway, that has just been some things that are happening in our lives lately.....I just wanted to share! Oh yeah, and our beach trip is getting closer!!! 32 days.....that is one month from tomorrow!! I can't wait!! I hope everyone has a GREAT day!

~Donna K

Have you ever seen anything like these???

2008-07-14T08:38:00.002-05:00

Ok....so, this friend at church came in last night with a pair of these shoes on! They are the weirdest things I have ever seen! But, I am ALL about weird! They are called Vibram Five Fingers......I know....I don't know why "fingers"....but I would like to have some just for the conversations that they start....haha....I was reading on the website and they are supposed to improve balance and posture and strength. That is because you are basically walking barefoot. Everyone knows I need to improve balance! On the website I found them on the women's cost about....brace yourself.....$70.....I don't guess I will be getting any anytime soon....but I can dream can't I?

"Miracles Come From Heaven......Not The Hairdresser!"

2008-07-07T15:48:00.004-05:00

I have been meaning to get on here and post this for a few days now, but haven't found the time. Last Tuesday I had the bright idea to ride with Matthew while he got his hair cut and get mine cut A LITTLE too. My cousin usually cuts mine, but it has been a WHILE and Matthew goes less than a mile down the road and that just seems SO convenient. I did struggle with the decision of letting someone that I didn't know cut my hair. Although I would not recommend this lady to anyone now, I will not mention her name, so, in my story she will be referred to as "Helen".

Helen has cut Avery and Raegan's hair once, so, I thought "no big deal, right?" .........WRONG!!!! First of all, when I sat in the chair I told her that I needed to get it cut, but that I didn't want much cut off. She turned me AWAY from the mirror and began to snip. This didn't really bother me, because I thought we had already established the fact that she was basically "trimming" my hair. I didn't think I needed to supervise.........WRONG AGAIN!! It is important that I mention that my hair is VERY thick and every time I get it cut my cousin thins it too. Well, Helen mentioned thinning it and I agreed. Maybe that is where the trouble began! We were all engaged in conversation and after a few minutes she turned me around only for me to see what NOONE wants to see when they are in THAT CHAIR!!! Believe me.....imagine the worst haircut ever and then imagine that your husband gave you that bad haircut, only with a weed eater! Seriously.....it was that bad. It was also kind of mullet-like!!! Can you imagine??? We didn't get to leave right then, because Matthew still had to get his hair cut. I can't remember exactly when I looked up at the wall to see a sign that said "Miracles come from Heaven....not the Hairdresser"...how appropriate....I took Raegan to the car and waited on Matthew to come out.I could see him laughing. I asked him how he let that happen, after all, he could see what was happening. His excuse was he didn't know what the end result was going to be. I HAD BANGS PEOPLE.......I went in with hair that was a little longer than shoulder length (all of it) , and he didn't think anything of it??? Helen did mention sometime during the scalping that she was giving me the "Egyptian haircut". I will take this time to add that I DO NOT RECOMMEND THE EGYPTIAN HAIRCUT TO ANYONE!! (unless you like mullets or haircuts from weed eaters) When Matthew got in the car I was on the verge of tears and he was laughing......he said he wasn't laughing at my hair (lie), but just that I was making him laugh by how I was describing it. He then mention that the haircut was $8....lol....We rushed home and I washed it to see if maybe it would be any better when I fixed it. It wasn't AS bad, but I still had to go get it cut again Tuesday night. I had to go to the mall and for the second time that day let a COMPLETE stranger cut my hair. She did a MUCH better job and my new haircut is actually growing on me. Matthew says that he really likes it and that the bad haircut was just a blessing in disguise. (I have been wanting to get my hair cut pretty short for a while, I just haven't had the nerve to just do it. ) Everyone I have seen says they like it.....but, most of them know the story and maybe they are just trying to make me feel better, who knows.....The whole thing is funny now, but on that day it was a NIGHTMARE!! Well, I need to go fix dinner.....
~Donna K

My children are streakers.........

2008-06-24T17:42:00.004-05:00

I am having trouble keeping clothes and a diaper on Raegan.....and keeping her from pooping on things!! So far she has pooped in one of their little pots from their kitchen set AND in the entertainment center. I take her to the potty and show her that is where IT is SUPPOSED to go, but she hasn't done it there yet!! She will sit there a minute though. I just have to keep at it, I guess. It does get kind of embarrassing when she won't keep her shirt on in public though (that has happened a few times!! Of course, when Avery sees Raegan's shirt off she has to follow.....I don't know what the deal is with them!!

I am about to go pick Avery up from Pop and Nanny's house (that is one set of her "grandparents". They keep her every Tuesday). It has been about 3 weeks since she stayed the day with them and she was READY this morning!! That is really the only time she is away from me. It was obvious that it had been a while too. She was getting tired of me! I'm sure today did her some good!! I'm sure they loved it too!

I have a prayer request for my cousin Michael Payne. I think he is a year older than me and he has been having some heart problems. A few days ago he went to the Mayo clinic (I think he is in Boston, I'm not sure). Today he found out that he is having open heart surgery tomorrow. Please keep him in your prayers that God will work through the doctors and that it will be a success. Please keep his family in your prayers also. (His wife, Meredith and their maybe 6 month old son, Ellis) I can't imagine how is parents are right now either...I'm sure I would be a nervous wreck. I just pray that they give the whole circumstance to the Lord and that whatever comes of this He will get all the glory!

Until next time.......

~Donna K

"Wires are Dange-us!!"

2008-06-16T09:36:00.003-05:00

Avery spent the night at my sister's house Saturday night and last night when we were on our way home we saw smoke coming from behind some trees. She said "Those people better be chare-sul. We better get away som that wire. Wires are dange-us." I agreed and I thought she was changing the subject because then she said, " Aunt Wassy panked me." I said, "Well, what did you do to get spanked?" She said, "My just went outside and made a itty bitty tidy wire." (like the fire being "tiny" made it so much safer!) I said "You did?" She said, "Yeah, and I was worried about it, and I got ant bites, and Aunt Wassy panked me." (that statement cracked me up, the way she said that.....it was like she was telling me that she was really paying attention to her fire, and she even got ant bites and she STILL got a spanking!!) I was telling her that fires are dangerous and that she shouldn't be anywhere near a fire. But out of curiosity I asked her how she made the fire. She told me she used "nakes and tees" (snakes and trees) For some reason she calls sticks of wood snakes.....I have no idea why, but she has always called them that. I asked her a little later, "Now tell me again about that fire you made" She said, "I don't want to talk about that. " Later when I was trying to get her to tell Matthew about it, she told us she was just being silly in the car. I guess she was tired of talking about it and was letting me know that it wasn't true. She cracks me up with some of the things she comes up with now. She really has quite an imagination! She really thinks she is all grown up too!

I had to take Raegan to the doctor again for more mosquito bites. She is just too darn sweet for her own good!! Poor little thing. This time she got bitten inside the house I guess. The places are getting better now. I am just having to keep repellent on her all the time. I am using that Avon Skin So Soft bug repellent. It is supposed to be milder and you can apply it up to 9 times a day. So far, it is doing pretty good. I just hope it keeps working!

Please keep the Reaves family in your prayers.....I mentioned them in a previous post. Jessica went home to be with the Lord on Friday. Her funeral is today at 2. I just pray that God will wrap them up in His arms and carry them through this time!!

I need to go do some cleaning!! I hope everyone has a GREAT day!!
~Donna K

Is 2 years too young for chores????

2008-06-05T15:02:00.004-05:00

My little helper has taken it upon herself to potty train her sister. I heard a familiar sound earlier today and asked Avery what it was. She said , "Radey is peepeeing." Raegan has a habit of taking her diaper off, so, I figured when I got to her and she was bare bottomed that she had done it herself. I said, "Raegan, why will you not leave your diaper on?" Avery said, "No, I took her diaper off." When I asked her why she said , "so she can peepee in the potty." I looked and the lid to Raegan's little potty was open. I asked Avery, "Well, did she peepee in the potty?" She said, "No, her just peepeed in the floor." It would be nice if Avery really could just handle all that potty training Raegan for me!! Which brings up my next subject. Is Avery too young to have chores? hahaha......I mean the girl helps me do EVERYTHING! She puts the silverware up when I am unloading the dishwasher. (she is so careful and she makes sure everything is in its place! note: she doesn't handle the sharp knives...if anyone was wondering) She helps me with laundry...including loading/unloading the washer, loading/unloading the dryer, folding things (which she does really well), hanging things on hangers, and putting things away! She feeds her fish and her cats. I just hope she stays driven to do those things! I hope her little sister picks up on her good habits!
Raegan has learned how to open the baby gates now! So, I have to get them VERY tight so she can't take them down! Avery had started doing that, but I finally got her to only take them down if I tell her she can. She has done good with that. Like I said before, Raegan has started taking her diaper off all the time, and it is so funny because she tries to put it back on. She practically stands on her head to get it lined up and then sits down on it. When she can't get it how she wants it she gets mad and starts over. She sits there forever doing that. It is VERY entertaining. Until next time.....

Donna K

****I also want to add a prayer request for a girl's family that goes to church with us. Her name is Jessica Reaves and she had an infection that put her in the hospital last week. The infection spread and she was unresponsive. They did surgery but found no brain activity after that. The decision was made to turn off the machine on Monday and as of today she hasn't passed away. She started breathing on her on and they said that could slow down her passing. Please pray for her family to have the peace of God to make it through this terrible time. Jessica turned 29 at the beginning of May and has been in a wheelchair from my understanding her whole life due to a problem at birth. I just know that soon she will be running and dancing in Heaven in the presence of Jesus (if she isn't already). Please just remember her family in your prayers. Her sister had a baby on May 25th just a few days before she went into the hospital. I can't imagine the roller coaster of emotions they must be feeling. ****

Back by Popular Demand!! (haha)

2008-06-03T18:41:00.005-05:00

Ok, so, it's only been a month (exactly) since my last post....that's not too bad, right? Seriously, for those of you out there who read this (you two know who you are...lol) , I apologize for my poor blogging, or my lack of blogging! I have thought about blogging alot...I really have! I just don't ever take the time to sit down and type. I am going to try to do better though!!

Things around here have been pretty crazy lately. Raegan has been sick (both ears were infected, she had bronchitis, a stomach virus, and she's teething). To top all that off we have recently discovered that she is allergic to mosquitoes!! Her little legs look awful and I feel like people think I don't even do anything about it because of how bad they look! But she got eaten up even with repellent on. She had to be put on antibiotics because they were starting to get infected. (Even though I was trying to prevent that!) Avery and Raegan are ALWAYS together and Avery has NO bites on her. Apparently she is going to have to spend the majority of her outside time in long pants.....Bless her heart, it is already SO hot out!! By the way, if anyone has ANY suggestions for good repellent or what to do after a bite, please feel free to let me know. I just hope it is something that she will outgrow!!

Well, I guess I am finished for now....Raegan is wanting me to play with her! It want be so long until next time!!

~Donna K

"Why do you have eyeballs?"

2008-05-03T14:26:00.005-05:00

Hey Everyone! I know it has been a few days since my last post....I had a great birthday! We went to eat at Olive Garden.....yummmmmmmy!!!! And of course, they sang to me!! I didn't really get to enjoy the singing part as much as I would have liked to because literally seconds before they walked up Raegan began to fill her diaper!! So, all I was thinking the whole time was, "They are gonna smell this ANY second." hahaha. Anyway, the food was delicious as always, and my sister and bro.-in-law got to join us, so we had fun! We finished up the night with a trip to Target (Avery LOVES Target and she suggested we go there) and then headed home.

On Tuesday, my mother and my step dad left on their trip to Israel. It was my mother's first time flying and it was an 11 1/2 hour flight! They have called home a few times and said they are really having a good time and that it is really an unbelievable experience! I can't wait to see their pictures and hear all the stories. Please keep them in your prayers for a safe trip and safe flight back home....they will be returning on May 8th.

Avery is officially in the "Why?" stage!! She asks "why?" about everything. She asked me the other day "Mommy, why do you have eyeballs?" Then when I answered her, "So, I can see." She said "Why?"....Every answer only gets another "why?" I just keep reminding myself that with every question she is learning! Right now it is still cute though, so, I don't mind it. Along with all the why questions she asks a million other questions like "who is that?", "where are they going?", "what are they doing?", "what are you doing?".....she just asks questions about everything, I knew this was coming, but I didn't know it would happen now and all at once. She just started about a week ago, and it is unreal at all the questions that she comes up with!

Avery has also started having imaginary pets! She keeps 2 ducks, 3 chickens, and 3 turtles under the sink in our bathroom. She always checks on them and feeds them and tells them to be nice to each other. Well, the other day she started getting them out. (keep in mind they are imaginary!!) At one point she ran over to kiss one because I had stepped on it. I told her to tell me next time when I got close to them so I wouldn't step on any. She wanted to take them to church Wednesday night, so, she took one duck and one turtle. She had them in one pocket of her shorts and their "wood" (food) in another pocket. (a quick story in this story.....she calls all animal food "dog wood". I asked her if the turtles were eating turtle food, because she had been calling it dog food. She said yes....later when someone asked what she was feeding them she said "turtle dog wood" hahaha) Anyway, she took them in the nursery at church and she showed a few people and fed them while we were there. It is so sweet the way she holds them up like she really does see them.......Is there a such thing as "too much of an imagination??" Surely not!!!!!

I know it seems like I talk all the time about Avery and not as much about Raegan....I promise she is not starved for attention!! I guess Avery is just at an age where she is doing so much, there is just alot to tell. Raegan is going to be a mess when she is a little older! I am sure this blog will be filled with her stories! She gets into everything! She can climb up on anything....if she can get her toe hooked on it, shortly after that she will be standing on it. Since she is so good at climbing I can't keep her contained in anything anymore. She has successfully climbed out of (at one time or another) her highchair, her walker, even her pack-n-play!!! Avery never has been a climber, so, this is all new to me! Anyway, I just wanted to make sure everyone wasn't feeling sorry for Raegan and her lack of "blog stardom"......well, I am off to do some housework....until next time.....

~Donna K

My Birthday!!

2008-04-28T09:01:00.002-05:00

Well, 27 years and 1 hr ago I was born!! I weighed in at 6 lbs 11 oz. and I was 19 inches long. I don't really remember that day....but I'm sure it was a good one! When my birthday comes it is always a reminder to me that summer is on the way!! I love summer time....alright, well, we have a Code Brown situation with Raegan's diaper, if you know what I mean...so, I better run for now!

~Donna K

You know, that mullet wearing exercise guy that always wears spandex and is a little too happy to just be exercising.....

2008-04-26T22:01:00.003-05:00

It is 2 days until my birthday!! Woo Hoo!! I have no idea what we are going to do....probably just stay home! Tomorrow after church we are going out to eat and I get to choose the restaurant....I haven't decided yet where to go....hmmmm. But, I am excited! Anyway, my birthday present from Matthew came in Friday. UPS brought a package, but Matthew told me it was something to do with a well pump, so, I didn't think anything of it. Later he called me to see if I would open the box and see if the part was broken....I was thinking "I'm not going to know if this thing is broken!!" When I opened the box I saw a picture of Tony Little (you know that mullet wearing exercise guy that always wears spandex and is a little too happy to just be exercising....) Well, I have been wanting a "Tony Little Rock-n-Roll Stepper"!! I have NO regular exercise routine, and NO time for anything major, and really NO space for any big equipment....so, I figured this thing would be perfect. And so far, I LOVE IT. I am not kidding you, after the 5 minute beginner workout I had broken a sweat and I didn't know if I was going to make it through!! I guess mentioning it on here is a way to keep me motivated to keep it up! Y'all need to ask me about periodically to make sure I am sticking with it. I am bad about not finishing things I start even if I REALLY want to do it. That is something I am working on. I keep saying that someday I will have more time. I haven't seen that day come yet. So, I guess I am just going to have to make time now!! I need to make time for this daily workout!! Maybe it will give me more energy! Lately I have NONE!!

Today we went to Collinsville to trade day. By "we" I mean Avery, Raegan, my bro.-in-law, my sister, and me. We spent the night with my sister last night because Matthew went camping with some friends. We woke up at 6 to get ready. I am glad we decided to go at 7 because we left around 8. When we got there all Avery was talking about was wanting to see some puppies!! As soon as we would see one litter, she was looking for some more! We walked around practically the whole place just looking at the puppies (and some other animals). Then what trip to any flea market would be complete without some food??? We ate some corn dogs, Avery and Raegan (mostly Raegan) slurped down a snow cone and then of course we all split some funnel cake!! yummy!! Avery REALLY enjoyed that and "Aunt Dooby" (that's my bro.-in-law to Avery...haha) showed her how to get EVERY last drop...morsel...errr...splatter, anyway, he showed her how to get every last bit of sugar off the plate! After we ate we walked around a little more and my sister and I browsed through the fruit. "Aunt Dooby" and Avery found some little Dora dolls. 2 of them set him back $1.50 and you would have thought he bought those girls each a pony! We left shortly after that with two sleepy girls that fell asleep not long into our ride home. We really had a fun time! I really enjoy doing stuff like that! I hope to get back there soon! I hope everybody has a GREAT Sunday! Be careful out there it is race weekend! I will be so glad when it is over!! Oh, don't even get me started.....

~Donna K

Beans and greens, baby gates, and the color purple!!

2008-04-21T12:16:00.005-05:00

It has been a couple of days since my last post, so I have a few things to blog about!! First of all last night at church I was asked if Matthew and I eat beans and greens every night for dinner or you know, a big homemade meal with fresh veggies and homemade cornbread every night. I hated to unveil the truth.....but, we do not.....the truth is that when Matthew and I got married I didn't really know how to cook much at all. He did!! He started teaching me and I am still learning! I would like to get to the point where every night we have a home made meal that consisted of meat and vegetables that we grew ourselves, but that day hasn't arrived yet. It is a goal of ours, and we are working toward it!!

My second story has to do with our baby gates at home......you know, the ones that they make to keep babies and young children out of places they don't need to be....yeah, those are the ones...I always keep one in the doorway to the kitchen and one in the doorway of our bedroom. I also keep the door to the bathroom closed. This only leaves the living room, dining room, hallway, and their bedroom for Avery and Raegan to have full access to. Well, this morning I heard something rattling and I looked in the hallway and Avery had taken down the gate in our bedroom doorway. I put it back and told her to leave it alone. ( I figured I didn't have it wedged tight enough and that she might have just pulled on it to get it out) A few minutes later I went into our bedroom and both girls followed me (they always do that and then stand there and wait on me to come out). This time Avery just reached right over and pulled the thing that releases the gate and moved it and proceeded to tell me, "This gate was in Radey's way", and then they walked right in. I told her those are supposed to be in their way. I don't know what I am going to do now....I guess I will have to buy the really tall gates.

My final story for now is about Avery and her love of the color purple.....right before Easter, Matthew brought home some baby ducks and chickens that they sell at the co-op. They were dyed all different colors for Easter and Avery LOVED them! She loves anything that is purple and she quickly showed favor to the little purple chicken. She started telling me that the purple one was her "best wind" (translated to "best friend" for those not fluent in Avery-ese). I thought that was sooo precious, because that was the first time she had ever called anything her best friend. Anyway, since then she has called other purple things her "best wind", like a little purple fuzzy ball that we were using to do a craft.... so, I started thinking that maybe she doesn't know how to say "that is my favorite color", so, she just says things are her best friend. I think it is really sweet though, and this morning my mother told me that Crayola is renaming some of the colors in the box of 64 crayons and that the orchid one (or one of the purple ones) is now called "best friends"!! I thought that was really neat! I will have to be sure to get a box for Avery!! I wonder which one will be her favorite....or her "best wind"?? haha!!

I hope everyone has a great day!!
~Donna K

2008-04-19T00:17:00.004-05:00

My birthday is coming up and that is always exciting for me! I usually
count down the days, but last year I was preoccupied around this time of the
year ( I can't imagine why....oh, maybe it was that kid that I had at the
beginning of April...lol). Anyway, I have had more time to think about it this
year! I am one of those people who actually looks forward to a birthday and I
actually like to go to a restaurant and have them sing to me.....I know, I
know....it's weird, but I do like it!! This year I will be 27 and that just
seems so weird. I still feel like I should be 12. 27 seems so much older
than 26 for some reason to me, I don't know what it is. I can't believe how fast time
flies either, and every year I can't imagine it going any faster and yet it always does.
I just try to slow down and take everything in! It is like that song that Trace
Adkins sings, "You're Gonna Miss This". If anyone hasn't heard it , here are the
lyrics......

"She was starin out the window of their SUV Complainin
sayin I can't wait to turn 18 She said I'll make my own money And I'll
make my own rules Momma put the car
in park out there in front of the
school And
she kissed her head, and said 'I was just like you' You're
gonna' miss this You're gonna' want this back You're
gonna' wish these
days Hadn't gone by so
fast These are some good times So take
a good
look around You may not know
it now But you're gonna' miss this Before she
knows it she's a brand new
bride In her one bedroom apartment And
her
daddy stops by He tells her it's
a nice place She says, 'It'll do for now'
Starts
talkin' about babies, and buyin a house Daddy shakes his
head And
says baby just slow down Cuz' you're
gonna' miss this You're gonna' want
this back You're
gonna' wish these days Hadn't gone by so
fast These are
some good times So take a good look around You may not
know it now But
you're gonna' miss this Five years later there's a
plumber Workin' on the
water heater Dog's barkin', phone's ringin' One
kid's cryin' one kid's
screamin' And she keeps apologizin' He says
they don't bother me I've got
two babies of my own One's thirty- six,one's twenty- three Huh, it's hard to
believe But you're gonna' miss this You're
gonna' want this back You're
gonna' wish these days Hadn't gone by so fast These are some good times So take
a good look around You may not know it
now But you're
gonna' miss this
You're gonna' miss this Yeaahhhh... you're gonna' miss
this..."

I hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoys the nice weather! I am going to bed!! Good Night!!
~Donna K

30 months....

2008-04-17T12:35:00.002-05:00

Exactly 30 Months ago today I was 3 days away from becoming a mother. I had no idea what I was in for! I tried so hard to prepare myself....but, you just can't be prepared for something like that! I mean I knew that a baby takes up all of your time, but then when I had a baby, I realized exactly what ALL of your time is. ALL of it...when you are awake and the baby is asleep...when you are both awake... the rare occasion that you might doze off and then the baby wakes up! It didn't take long to realize that no matter what I was doing, or where I was, I was thinking about my baby! Does she need anything? Is she hungry? Am I not feeding her enough? Am I feeding her too much? Is she hot? Is she cold? Is her diaper dirty? Is she sick? Is she happy? Do I talk to her enough? Do I kiss her enough? And I am sure there are many other thoughts that went through my head! Then, just when I would get all those things checked, it was time to go through the list again! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE being a mom, and this is not me complaining!! I am just saying it is definitely a full-time job!! 30 months ago, even though I was so close to living it, I was still oblivious to what was about to happen! After Avery was born, it was only about 18 months before I got to start the whole experience again! I can remember being worried about having two babies. I knew how much I loved Avery and I just didn't know how I was going to be able to love another baby just as much. When Raegan was born, it started all over, she was a totally different baby that I loved just the same! Just 30 months ago I would have never imagined that when Avery was 30 months old I would have another one (another one that was already a year old at that). I love to watch them play together! I love the way Avery thinks she can take care of Raegan and the way Raegan lets her. I swear Raegan thinks Avery is an adult! I don't want to rush time, but I can't wait to hear their conversations when Raegan starts really talking! I know things will only get even more interesting around this house then! It is hard to believe that just 30 months ago I had never laid eyes on my 2 little girls and today I can't even remember what I did without them. I am positive that is was alot less exciting!! They both have my heart and everyday give me reasons to love them even more!! Thank you Lord for our precious girls!!! Help us to guide them to You!

30 months seems like alot when I feel like I just brought that little girl home!! But in 3 days Avery will be 30 months old!! That is 2 1/2 years!! (I am not saying that because I think my dear blog readers can't figure that out on their own......I am simply saying it to myself, because I can't believe it!! ) My life has sure changed in that time! It makes me wonder what the next 30 months will bring.................

~Donna K

2008-04-16T13:02:00.003-05:00

Ok, I am SO excited!! I just made our reservations at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin, FL. We aren't going until August but, I wanted to make sure we had a campsite! That is the week of Matthew's annual manager's meeting so, we had to have the reservations for that week! (They have their meeting at the beach every year) We will be spending 7 ....count 'em...7 nights at the BEACH!! It will be 4 years in August since I have even been to the beach and that means that Avery and Raegan have NEVER been. I am sooo excited! I have been talking about it and Avery has it in her mind that we are going really soon. I try to explain to her that we still have a while, but she just doesn't get the whole concept of time yet. The other day I told her we needed to go to Wal-Mart and she said, "Ok, but we just need to go to the beach wight wirst" ("wight wirst" translates to "right first" in Avery-ese........that is something she says all the time...I don' t really know where she got it, but I love it!)

2008-04-16T10:52:00.002-05:00

Today, is day two of the blog....I'm still with it. haha....I hope everyone is having a good week. We are, but I could handle the weather to be a few degrees warmer. My plan for this summer is to have these girls outside as much as possible! I feel like we have been cooped up in this house too long!! We are building up a our collection of outside toys!! We have our garden started and I think the cold weather may have gotten some of our corn! Avery LOVES to help in the garden and we have gotten her some of her own garden tools. Matthew is so happy that she enjoys doing stuff like that. We just hope she stays that way and that Raegan follows in her footsteps. The other day Avery and I had a conversation that went something like this:
Avery: "Momma, my ike aminals"
me: "you do?"
Avery: "yeyah" (this is pronounced "yeah" just with a VERY southern drawl)
me: " Do you like cows?"
Avery: "no"
me: "Do you like horses?"
Avery: "no"
me:"Do you like cats?"
Avery: "no"
(I went on to ask about more animals and her answer remained no)
me: "well what animals do you like?"
Avery: "just my ducks"
me: " Do you like Pepper?" (Pepper is our dog)
Avery: "yeyah"
me: "well, Pepper is an animal."
Avery: "No, Mommy, Pepper is a poodle."
me: "Yes, she is, and poodles are dogs, and dogs are animals."
Avery: "oh, ok"
me: "So, you like animals?"
Avery: "Yeyah, my ike aminals!" (as long as they are ducks and poodles apparently)

She is such a funny girl! I love the conversations we have now! Well, I am off to make lunch....

~Donna K

well, that's kinda nice...

2008-04-15T17:04:00.002-05:00

I actually like the way this turned out. I'm not done, but I think it can stay like this for a while! Hopefully soon I can get some updated pics on here, and figure out the whole background music stuff. But for now, I will just have to rely on my charm and undeniable wit to keep people coming back for more......although, I think it actually requires someone to visit the first time, for them to "come back for more"....but let's not dwell on that...."If you blog it, they will come" haha....I love this! Alright, I'm out.....

~Donna K

Ok....so, here goes....

2008-04-15T15:54:00.002-05:00

I absolutely LOVE reading blogs, so I am going to attempt to do one of my own (Is that what you say? do one? oh well, focus.....). First of all if anyone stumbles upon this that doesn't know me, I type the same way I talk, and well....there is no pattern. Anything that ends up posted on this screen will probably be one long run-on sentence after another. I can't help it....it's what I do....it's who I am. I am the queen of exclamation points and dot, dot, dots (...), and I love to quote people verbatim, and the word verbatim will probably not appear in another blog I write, or compose, or do (or whatever). I am a pretty simple girl, and I have a wonderful life. I stay home with my two daughters....Avery, who is 2 going on 25, and Raegan who is now 1. They keep me busy and I wouldn't have it any other way! My husband , Matthew, runs a farm supply store. He stays busy alot of the time. He insists that he doesn't work all the time just to be away from us (by the way, that was a joke, and it won't be the last). He is not one to sit still and I wouldn't know what to do if he didn't have a half dozen projects going at once. He is a great husband and daddy. We are very blessed!! ....Well, I hear Raegan waking up from her nap, so, I need to go do some motherly duties.....oh yeah, bear with me , my page may be boring for a while. I have to figure out all this stuff. I can't wait til next time....hehe!

~Donna K