My husband has a special ability, a gift that was passed down from his father, I think.
We call it, "The Kellum Parking Gene."
Without fail, no matter how busy or full a parking lot might be, Brett will undoubtedly find a space right by the front door. We might be headed to Target on the Saturday afternoon before school starts and on the second pass through the parking aisles, he will come up on a spot that just opened up. For him. We might be needing to make a quick stop at Wal-Mart and while other cars are circling and circumnavigating the parking lot, Brett zips into the spot at the front that just became available. For him.
This happens with such regularity that my mom and sister have been known to comment on his parking panache. Countless times as we ladies have been out shopping together, we have mentioned how much closer we would have parked if Brett were along. He's just that dependable.
Several weeks ago, the two big girls and I were headed to Kohl's for some shopping. It was a Sunday afternoon and the store was busy. Even as we pulled into the parking lot, we could see that half of town had showed up to take advantage of the 20% off sale. I started my typical parking lot meandering, driving up and down the aisles looking for an available space. A few times the girls hollered out that we had just missed someone pulling out of a space or they groaned as we arrived too late to a recently available and then unavailable spot. Eventually, I resigned myself to parking in the boonies and headed to the far end of the lot. As we pulled into the parking space, Ashley quipped from the back, "Too bad we don't have Dad's parking spirit in the car with us. Now we have to walk."
I chuckled, but at the same time I was struck by the spiritual lesson "parked" in the midst of that comment. In reality, Brett does not have the spiritual gift of parking. He just has terrific timing and a whole lotta luck.
But as Christians, we do have the joy and privilege of having God's Holy Spirit with us every minute of every day. One of my favorite names in the Bible for Jesus is Emmanuel, "God with us." We can settle into His presence and enjoy His comfort, guidance and counsel on a moment by moment basis no matter where we are or what we are doing.
He promises to be with us ... whether we're working or playing. Or searching for a parking space.
Happy birthday to Brett ... I love you. And not just for your parking gene!
Showing posts with label Birthdays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birthdays. Show all posts
Monday, September 24, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
small things {laughter}
small things #5 ... laughter
This past weekend was a full one. A doozy. A jam-packed, three-day holiday.
Wow.
Let me 'esplain. No. There is too much. Let me sum up.
We boiled.
We dyed.
We cleaned.
We cooked.
We streamered.
We Princess Bride-ed.
We partied.
We partied.
We ate.
We snitched.
We gifted.
We unwrapped.
We caked.
We caked.
We de-ballooned.
We slept.
We hid.
We hunted.
We posed.
We smiled.
We posed.
We smiled.
We worshipped.
We reheated.
We munched.
We napped.
We feasted.
We napped.
We feasted.
We sat.
We watched.
We wii-ed.
We hugged.
We smooched.
We laughed.
And laughed.
And laughed.
Laughter ... the soundtrack of our weekend with family and friends.
Friday, April 6, 2012
small things {birthday boys}
small things #4 ... birthday boys
Today my Aaron-Boy turns 10. Inconceivable!
Fittingly so, we are celebrating this momentous occasion Princess Bride-style. Family and friends will be scaling the Cliffs of Insanity and partaking in a Battle of Wits to the Full (enough hamburgers and brauts to feed the entire Brute Squad). We hope to avoid the Fire Swamp and the Pit of Despair. And no six-fingered fiends are invited.
What fun to celebrate my own little sword-fighting,
cliff-climbing,
horse-riding
pirate!
Always be my best little buddy, okay?
And your line, Aaron, is "As you wish."
Birthday boys ... little fellows who grow too fast. Blink.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Five Plus One - Spring Break
Today is special for a lot of reasons ...
... Ashley has been six years old for 24 hours. Six. Years. Old.
... Gramps and Grammy arrive this afternoon for tomorrow's birthday party. Hope they're well rested.
... The house is undergoing a bit of a sprucing-up. Or at least it will smell that way.
... Aaron is doing an art project that requires him to sit silently and without moving for 20 minutes (ought to be interesting).
... Norah is on the cusp of a gymnastics break ... or starvation, depending on who you talk to.
... Lydia ... well, everyday is special with Lydia.
... The kids are home for ten days for Spring Break!
... And I'm off playing, too ... capturing a variety of amusing vignettes to share with you. Later.
... Ashley has been six years old for 24 hours. Six. Years. Old.
... Gramps and Grammy arrive this afternoon for tomorrow's birthday party. Hope they're well rested.
... The house is undergoing a bit of a sprucing-up. Or at least it will smell that way.
... Aaron is doing an art project that requires him to sit silently and without moving for 20 minutes (ought to be interesting).
... Norah is on the cusp of a gymnastics break ... or starvation, depending on who you talk to.
... Lydia ... well, everyday is special with Lydia.
... The kids are home for ten days for Spring Break!
... And I'm off playing, too ... capturing a variety of amusing vignettes to share with you. Later.
Spring Break: playing now, storytelling later!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Time-Warp Wednesday ~ Ashley
Six years ago tomorrow our family grew a bit as we welcomed our little LeLe Mae into our hearts and into our home. Aaron and Norah loved that little sweetie right off the bat! They would hold her, "read" to her and play with her by putting rainbow clown wigs on her bald little head. Such love!
In our little blue house they would peek in on her while she slept and pile on the couch with Brett or I to peek at her tiny toes. They loved being squished together.
They still do.
We have added another little monkey and moved to a bigger house, and they still love to squeeze into the same spot - smooshed and smashed. Giggling and wiggling with squeals of, "You're scrunching me!" We encourage them to spread out, but it's more fun to be a part of the dog pile.
Especially if there's an iPod involved.
In our little blue house they would peek in on her while she slept and pile on the couch with Brett or I to peek at her tiny toes. They loved being squished together.
They still do.
We have added another little monkey and moved to a bigger house, and they still love to squeeze into the same spot - smooshed and smashed. Giggling and wiggling with squeals of, "You're scrunching me!" We encourage them to spread out, but it's more fun to be a part of the dog pile.
Especially if there's an iPod involved.
Happy 6th birthday, Ashley!
I love you! You are a girly-girl through and through and you bring bright, sparkling joy to my life. I'll snuggle in the lazy-boy with you anytime, just to listen to you read. You are my super-duper cleaner-upper; my silly-giggling, goofy-face-maker princess; my sing-humming-whistling music maker and my cuddle-bug, rub-my-back-please snuggler. Smooches to you!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Food For Thought ~ Favorite Soups
Tomorrow is sweet Weeda's 3rd birthday party which means that I am up to my ear-balls :) in party preparation!
That is ...
after I get the laundry done,
present the Art Heritage project in Aaron's class,
help with the reading rotation in Ashley's kindergarten class,
shepherd the kids home from school,
herd them around as they do their chores,
settle in for a long break with the kids
and put something together for dinner.
Yeah ... just a little busy around here!
We will be celebrating our little Missy tomorrow with a fun Giraffe party with family and friends ... and plenty of food.
Here are the soups we'll be sampling tomorrow night. If you follow along, you can pretend to celebrate with us ... minus the hustle and bustle of a dozen kids sugared up and roaring up and down the stairs!
Enjoy ... I know we will! :)
That is ...
after I get the laundry done,
present the Art Heritage project in Aaron's class,
help with the reading rotation in Ashley's kindergarten class,
shepherd the kids home from school,
herd them around as they do their chores,
settle in for a long break with the kids
and put something together for dinner.
Yeah ... just a little busy around here!
We will be celebrating our little Missy tomorrow with a fun Giraffe party with family and friends ... and plenty of food.
Here are the soups we'll be sampling tomorrow night. If you follow along, you can pretend to celebrate with us ... minus the hustle and bustle of a dozen kids sugared up and roaring up and down the stairs!
Enjoy ... I know we will! :)
Monday, November 14, 2011
Time-Warp Wednesday ~ Lydia Turns 3
Well, little Weeda ... this is it. It's your last week to be two. Starting on Saturday, you will officially be three. And just when you finally figured out how to get those other three fingers to stay down so your thumb and pointer finger could show us you were two! Now you have to tuck those two digits down and let the other three free ... yep, that's three! So tricky, but you are growing into a big girl who can do those big girl things.
Actually ... there are a lot of things your almost three-year old self can do that you didn't used to be able to do. When you were this big ...
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| Week 1 with my little Weeda |
... you couldn't really do anything, but eat, sleep and fill your diaper. But now that you are all grown up, you can do lots of great and wonderful things!
You can use your fork and spoon so well. I know you still prefer to use your fingers, but you're getting the hang of it! One of these days, we will get through an entire meal without you picking at it with your fingers.
You use the potty like a big girl and you even wash your hands. You are a really good bubble maker. And yes, your Mommy is so happy that you don't do pee-pee or poopy in your pants anymore.
You can sing songs, just like Ashley. I love to hear your sweet little voice singing "Jesus Loves Me" and "ABC". Even if you get the words are jumble-bumbled up, it's still sweet music to my ears.
You love to look at books. And I love to see you sitting by the library shelf, surrounded by piles of books, studying the pictures and turning the pages so carefully. You treat our books so gently.
You are a super-duper helper with Baby S. You are so good at fetching my burp rags and diapers.
You are also a good friend to her ... she loves when you talk to her in your squeaky, teeny-tiny voice.
You make me so proud when you fetch your coat and shoes all by yourself. I love that you can be big like that because it makes my day so much easier. And when you dress yourself crazy in the morning ... that makes me super happy! So independent! Even if you have nothing that matches and both socks are on the same foot ... you did it all yourself.
You can toodle around the culdesac on your little pink bike. Granted, it appears that you are biking in slow motion, your feet are moving so slow. But ... give you a few months and you'll be racing around the bend and chasing Ashley up the driveway!
You brush your own teeth so well. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Your little teeth are so shiny when you're done, even though I think there might be more sucking and spitting that actual brushing. Thanks for letting Mommy & Daddy help keep your smile sparkly.
You are a super-star at getting your shoes on all by yourself. Of course you had trouble getting the right tootsies into the right shoes, but you have figured it out and now you have a 87% success rate. Awesome! Of course, right now your shoes are wonky, but next time you'll get it right!
You brush your own teeth so well. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Your little teeth are so shiny when you're done, even though I think there might be more sucking and spitting that actual brushing. Thanks for letting Mommy & Daddy help keep your smile sparkly.
You are a super-star at getting your shoes on all by yourself. Of course you had trouble getting the right tootsies into the right shoes, but you have figured it out and now you have a 87% success rate. Awesome! Of course, right now your shoes are wonky, but next time you'll get it right!
You say your own little prayers at bedtime. I love to hear your sweet Amen at the end of your tender prayer ... even if I'm unsure of what you actually said. Gratefully, God knows what you say!
You laugh and smile and giggle and squeal and snicker and grin and chuckle and shriek and sparkle and shine ...
 |
| Week 156 with my not-so-little Weeda |
Happy 3rd Birthday, Sweet Lydia!
You make my heart so happy!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Cartwheeling for Jesus
Today is my biggish, little girl's eighth birthday.
There are a number of distinctive qualities about Norah that make her who she is. She is a forever student ~ the world, literally, is her classroom. Sometimes it wears me out, all her inquisitiveness and curiosity! She is an incredible helper ~ if I need something done, I go to Norah. She has even gotten her dishwasher duty down to a science. She is a funny girl ~ whether it's her quick wit or her funny faces and voices. She also has a delightful giggle for when she cracks herself up! She has a soft and tender heart ~ her tears come readily and quickly ... prompted by real life or events scripted out in books and on the screen. Sorry, Honey, you get that from your Mom!
She is a gymnast ~ a cartwheeling, back hip-circling, coupé-ing, vaulting gymnast. I am dizzy with the things she can make her body do! I love it!
We are anticipating a bit of a change in Norah's gymnastics. For a year we have known that she would most likely move up to the competitive level. They invited her last year and we wrestled with the idea for a few weeks. How would it work? Adding a night of practice, adding additional (actual) meets, adding to the commitment, adding to the skills she has mastered, adding to the busy-ness of our family, adding to the demands on her little life? In the end, we opted to keep her back ... twelve months to give us some time to prepare, to wrap our heads around potentially living at the gym, to "just keep having fun".
Norah in her sweet and not-seven-year-old maturity accepted our decision, but she has been biding her time until January. Her passion has not wavered. Her focus has not faltered. Her excitement about gymnastics has not lessened. Her technique has not grown sloppy. She loves it!
Over the course of the summer, I continued to wrestle a bit with the amount of time, energy and money that we were intending to put into Norah's gymnastics. At least, that is, until God shared a little bit of His heart.
He has gifted Norah in a lot of ways. She is a student who will be discovering on a daily basis the wonders of the world ... and the Creator who set it in motion. She is a servant to her family and her classroom and her teammates ... Jesus has put His servant's heart in her heart. She is a goofball because a lot of life is funny ... and when life isn't funny, her joy isn't squelched because her heart is in the right place. She is a softy, just like Jesus wants her ... hard hearts don't experience the intimacy with God like a child-like heart does.
And she is a gymnast because God made her that way ... and it brings Him joy to see her cartwheeling, back hip-circling, coupé-ing and vaulting! He loves it!
There is a line from "Chariots of Fire" in which the runner, Eric Liddell describes his own passion in this way: "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure." That gives me goosebumps every time! Feeling God's pleasure because he was doing what God designed him to do. To run! And in Norah's case ... to cartwheel, back hip-circle, coupé and vault!
When God laid this on my heart, my entire perspective changed! I would never want to come between the gifts that Norah has and God's purposes ... and His delight. In a curious way, when Norah sets her heart on tumbling or bars or the balance beam, she is worshipping God - because when she uses her gifts, it makes God's heart happy.
I don't know what else God has in store for my girl, but in the meantime she'll be practicing her back hand spring ... and making God smile.
Happy birthday, Nuna-girl!
There are a number of distinctive qualities about Norah that make her who she is. She is a forever student ~ the world, literally, is her classroom. Sometimes it wears me out, all her inquisitiveness and curiosity! She is an incredible helper ~ if I need something done, I go to Norah. She has even gotten her dishwasher duty down to a science. She is a funny girl ~ whether it's her quick wit or her funny faces and voices. She also has a delightful giggle for when she cracks herself up! She has a soft and tender heart ~ her tears come readily and quickly ... prompted by real life or events scripted out in books and on the screen. Sorry, Honey, you get that from your Mom!
She is a gymnast ~ a cartwheeling, back hip-circling, coupé-ing, vaulting gymnast. I am dizzy with the things she can make her body do! I love it!
We are anticipating a bit of a change in Norah's gymnastics. For a year we have known that she would most likely move up to the competitive level. They invited her last year and we wrestled with the idea for a few weeks. How would it work? Adding a night of practice, adding additional (actual) meets, adding to the commitment, adding to the skills she has mastered, adding to the busy-ness of our family, adding to the demands on her little life? In the end, we opted to keep her back ... twelve months to give us some time to prepare, to wrap our heads around potentially living at the gym, to "just keep having fun".
Norah in her sweet and not-seven-year-old maturity accepted our decision, but she has been biding her time until January. Her passion has not wavered. Her focus has not faltered. Her excitement about gymnastics has not lessened. Her technique has not grown sloppy. She loves it!
Over the course of the summer, I continued to wrestle a bit with the amount of time, energy and money that we were intending to put into Norah's gymnastics. At least, that is, until God shared a little bit of His heart.
He has gifted Norah in a lot of ways. She is a student who will be discovering on a daily basis the wonders of the world ... and the Creator who set it in motion. She is a servant to her family and her classroom and her teammates ... Jesus has put His servant's heart in her heart. She is a goofball because a lot of life is funny ... and when life isn't funny, her joy isn't squelched because her heart is in the right place. She is a softy, just like Jesus wants her ... hard hearts don't experience the intimacy with God like a child-like heart does.
And she is a gymnast because God made her that way ... and it brings Him joy to see her cartwheeling, back hip-circling, coupé-ing and vaulting! He loves it!
There is a line from "Chariots of Fire" in which the runner, Eric Liddell describes his own passion in this way: "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure." That gives me goosebumps every time! Feeling God's pleasure because he was doing what God designed him to do. To run! And in Norah's case ... to cartwheel, back hip-circle, coupé and vault!
When God laid this on my heart, my entire perspective changed! I would never want to come between the gifts that Norah has and God's purposes ... and His delight. In a curious way, when Norah sets her heart on tumbling or bars or the balance beam, she is worshipping God - because when she uses her gifts, it makes God's heart happy.
I don't know what else God has in store for my girl, but in the meantime she'll be practicing her back hand spring ... and making God smile.
Happy birthday, Nuna-girl!
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides. If anyone is gifted with crazy flexibility, super pointy toes and springy feet, they should use those gifts, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11, with a little liberty from me)
Day 1: Mom in the Midst
Day 2: My Button is Lame
Day 3: Splendidly Lavish
Day 4: Keeping My Head Above Water
Day 6: Me, Myself & I
Day 7: Food For Though ~ Bacon
Day 9: I Heart You
Day 10: Who is Me? {part 1}
Day 11: Who is Me? {part 2}
Day 12: Who is Me? {part 3}
Day 13: Handmade with Care
Day 15: A Bunch of Rocks
Day 16: Not Recycled ... Redeemed
Day 17: What Do You Do?
Day 18: Washed on the Delicate Cycle
Day 19: Know Thy Limits
Day 20: One Snapshot ~ Many Stories
Day 21: Food For Thought ~ Malt-O-Meal
Day 22: Cartwheeling for Jesus
Monday, October 3, 2011
Splendidly Lavish
There is something about a birthday landing on a Monday. (Especially a Monday in the Kellum household where it's, "go! go! go!" from sun up to sun down.) Something that makes this birthday girl grateful that her family started celebrating Saturday!
With extra time to write, uninterrupted opportunities to create and free time to rest, I loved my birthday weekend! And as if those little gifts weren't enough, I also enjoyed Brett's homemade pizza for dinner, breakfast out before church on Sunday and a delicious dessert. Imagine with me a generous bowl of coffee ice cream nestled next to a slice of from-scratch (from our garden) carrot cake topped with homemade cream cheese frosting. And not a smidgen of frosting, mind you, but a generous slathering; a thoroughly liberal blanketing; a splendidly lavish layer of creamy sweet goodness!
I remember reading somewhere years ago about a delicious correlation between a lavishly iced cake and God's lavish grace. The author wrote about how her grandmother wasn't skimpy in the way that she iced a cake. She was generous with the icing in the same that God is generous with His grace.
Abundant.
Big-hearted.
Sumptuous.
Luxurious.
Plentiful.
Unsparing.
Bountiful.
Openhanded.
Unstinting.
Extravagant.
In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, we read:
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. (Ephesians 1:7-8a)
I can say, as I lick the sugary sweetness off my fingers, that this snapshot of God's abundant grace is a delicious reminder. Delicious and sweet.
Thank You, Jesus, for Your lavish grace. And help me to love those around me with that same lavish grace ... even especially the goofy ones!
(Now ... who is going to come help us eat this cake? Because I can't be left alone with it's deliciousness ...)
__________________________
31 Days of Mom in the Midst
With extra time to write, uninterrupted opportunities to create and free time to rest, I loved my birthday weekend! And as if those little gifts weren't enough, I also enjoyed Brett's homemade pizza for dinner, breakfast out before church on Sunday and a delicious dessert. Imagine with me a generous bowl of coffee ice cream nestled next to a slice of from-scratch (from our garden) carrot cake topped with homemade cream cheese frosting. And not a smidgen of frosting, mind you, but a generous slathering; a thoroughly liberal blanketing; a splendidly lavish layer of creamy sweet goodness!
Abundant.
Big-hearted.
Sumptuous.
Luxurious.
Plentiful.
Unsparing.
Bountiful.
Openhanded.
Unstinting.
Extravagant.
In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, we read:
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. (Ephesians 1:7-8a)
I can say, as I lick the sugary sweetness off my fingers, that this snapshot of God's abundant grace is a delicious reminder. Delicious and sweet.
(Now ... who is going to come help us eat this cake? Because I can't be left alone with it's deliciousness ...)
__________________________
31 Days of Mom in the Midst
Day 1: Mom in the Midst
Day 2: My Button is Lame
Day 3: Splendidly Lavish
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Time-Warp Wednesday
This past week, we celebrated my brother's 40th birthday. Wow. How did that happen? In my mind's eye we are still a bunch of goofballs. Oh, wait ... I guess that is one thing that hasn't changed!
Here are a few of my favorite pictures with my brother ... and a little something I wrote for him.
 |
| Sitting in front of our old house with some crazy pups. |
 |
| Proof that we clean up pretty well. |
 |
| We're all sporting some interesting hair. |
 |
| My Nana had this one framed on her wall. |
 |
| This one, too. |
 |
| Say, "Cheese!" ... and blink, Allie. |
 |
| Yosemite is cool ... and so are we. |
I may not be John Lithgow ... but I still have a pretty good story to tell.
Growing Up
In an old house that was crooked and sweet,
With its front door facing Charles Street,
Three kids all grew up,
With two ducks and a pup,
In just a mere thousand square feet.
Big bro, you were the first one to bloom,
With two sisters who knew how to loom.
Your own place to sleep,
Space for your things to keep,
But take a number to use the bathroom.
On nights when our bickering would quit,
We’d squeeze into one bed, quite a fit.
I’d tell stories in bed,
From my own silly head,
Then we’d sleep ... “please, scoot over a bit.”
Sprawled across the floor way back when,
We’d divvy up all of your Star Wars men.
You put up with our “brreecks!”
And our weak sound effects,
If it kept you from Barbie and Ken.
Bundled up, we headed off to the streets,
With our sled loaded up with sweet treats.
Delivering to Ms. Opal,
“Keep the sweets from that mongrel!”
You had cocoa while I froze my feets!
Years of swimming and lots of pep talks,
Ziploc bags full of cherry Knox Blox.
Trying to keep cool,
On the decks of the pool,
Gulping green H2O at the blocks.
We packed the Cutlass and made it all fit,
Now if only there was some place to sit.
Headed west to Cali,
See the beach and family,
Then Yosemite and ‘round the fire pit.
You were fashionable, or so I was told,
Tight-rolled jeans with a remarkable fold.
A mullet, an earring,
A perm - oh, so daring -
And a prom jacket, glittering gold!
You were the first of us to leave the nest,
Off to college, where you did your best.
You fell for sweet Jill,
Who said, “Yes, I will”,
Now you’re designing your own family crest.
Letting God set your pathway before you,
Unearthing all He’s planned you to do,
Leading us as we sing,
Raising children who bring,
All the glory to God that He’s due.
You were the pioneer for Allie & Shorty
First to walk and talk and be sporty.
The first one to drive,
Find a job and to thrive,
And the very first one to turn forty!
Happy Birthday, Joshua!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Code 9! He's Getting Too Old!
This past weekend we celebrated my boy, my Agent "A", my Aaron-Boy. What a fun day to hang out with friends and family, laugh a lot, eat plenty and watch Aaron soak up being the center of attention.
At the end of the day, he remarked, "That was my best birthday party ever!"
Whew! That's a relief ... but how do we go up from there?!? Gratefully, we have a whole 364 days to figure out how to top his 9th birthday ... and for this celebration to fade a bit in his memory.
Here were some of the highlights:
For your viewing pleasure ... some of my favorite snapshots from this weekend's festivities:
I do love making the kids' parties fun ...
it's our big gift to them: magical, silly, and a time to be special.
You can't buy that at a store!
______________________________________
Be sure to check out "What's for Dinner?" and "Trekking Thru the Bible" ... new additions this week!
At the end of the day, he remarked, "That was my best birthday party ever!"
Whew! That's a relief ... but how do we go up from there?!? Gratefully, we have a whole 364 days to figure out how to top his 9th birthday ... and for this celebration to fade a bit in his memory.
Here were some of the highlights:
- The kids had to decipher a number of clues to find Perry the Platypus. He had been peeking out of the cake ... and then he disappeared! With a little deduction and sleuthing, they found him in the freezer and returned him to his place in the cake.
- Aaron chose "Flamin'" potato chips. And they were flamin'. I loved to see guests take a handful of the oh-so-not-naturally-red-colored chips, try one, choke on the pure fire headed down their throat ... and then go back for another. Hot and addicting.
- Aaron was super excited to unwrap his gifts. Somehow, he ended up with five Agent "P" shirts ... not one of them being the same. Awesome! One for every day of school.
- I loved the look on Aaron's face when he got to start de-packaging his presents. Out came the StarWars game and the Ninjago figures and the Phineas & Ferb action figures ... pure joy on his face. Now if we can find them all real homes. :)
For your viewing pleasure ... some of my favorite snapshots from this weekend's festivities:
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| Free slideshow design personalized with Smilebox |
I do love making the kids' parties fun ...
it's our big gift to them: magical, silly, and a time to be special.
You can't buy that at a store!
______________________________________
Be sure to check out "What's for Dinner?" and "Trekking Thru the Bible" ... new additions this week!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Time-Warp Wednesday
This is a particularly special Time-Warp ... as it also coincides with my baby boy's 9th birthday! Well ... not exactly a baby, but still my boy.
A few Wednesdays ago I shared one of Aaron's very first pictures in which he assured me that everything would be A-Okay. A gentle reminder to his new mommy that God was in control. That was just the beginning for this sweet encouraging boy. On a regular basis, he finds ways to boost my spirits, make me laugh, and to be a blessing to those around him. That is, of course, when he's not being a regular 9-year old stinker. :)
Aaron recently wrote an anagram poem using his name. I can't recall what he wrote for the first four letters, but I'll never forget what he wrote for the letter N ~ "Never mean". Made me tear up right there in the school corridor! Mainly because it's true! He doesn't have a mean bone in his body!
He is a tender big brother, a faithful friend and a tender-hearted son.
I pray that he will always have this gentle, yet strong, way about him and that he will continue to be a blessing to those around him.
But ... on to the Time-Warp portion of this post. Enough of that mushy mommy business! :)
Here is my sweet boy when he was just 19 months old. Such a smiley little guy!
This particular picture of my Aaron-Boy is precious to me for many reasons ... but here's three:
and again on Saturday. We are revving up for a spy-tacular birthday party with Agent P, Agent A and all the Agent Buddies. It promises to be fun! I'll post some snapshots as soon as I recover from the mission!
A few Wednesdays ago I shared one of Aaron's very first pictures in which he assured me that everything would be A-Okay. A gentle reminder to his new mommy that God was in control. That was just the beginning for this sweet encouraging boy. On a regular basis, he finds ways to boost my spirits, make me laugh, and to be a blessing to those around him. That is, of course, when he's not being a regular 9-year old stinker. :)
Aaron recently wrote an anagram poem using his name. I can't recall what he wrote for the first four letters, but I'll never forget what he wrote for the letter N ~ "Never mean". Made me tear up right there in the school corridor! Mainly because it's true! He doesn't have a mean bone in his body!
He is a tender big brother, a faithful friend and a tender-hearted son.
- I love that he uses his soft and gentle voice when he's talking to Lydia (as long as she doesn't currently have his latest Lego creation in her death grip).
- I love that he still tears up when he gets his feelings hurt or when we pray for family and friends who are hurting.
- I love that he still gives me kisses and hugs, oftentimes when I'm not expecting it. (For example, I took a trip to Denver this past weekend and when I was driving away, he ran across the cul-de-sac to get one more smooch. Mommy's heart just melts!)
I pray that he will always have this gentle, yet strong, way about him and that he will continue to be a blessing to those around him.
But ... on to the Time-Warp portion of this post. Enough of that mushy mommy business! :)
Here is my sweet boy when he was just 19 months old. Such a smiley little guy!
This particular picture of my Aaron-Boy is precious to me for many reasons ... but here's three:
- His curls. His delightful spirally curls. Wacky-doodle curls ... just like his mamma. I cried the day that we gave him his first trim. Now, I give him hair cuts on a regular basis, just trying to tame his Conan O'Brienish, crazy mane!
- His little cheeks. He was the rolliest-polliest little boy. I loved to nibble on all his chubby little parts. Now, he comes up to my chin and there isn't an ounce of fat on that boy. He's a lean and lanky fellow and he's destined to pass up his mom soon.
- His smile. He was always quick to smile and giggle ... and I'm so grateful that hasn't changed!
and again on Saturday. We are revving up for a spy-tacular birthday party with Agent P, Agent A and all the Agent Buddies. It promises to be fun! I'll post some snapshots as soon as I recover from the mission!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Our Little Butterfly
Today is officially our little Ashley's birthday. And while it would appear (mainly to our intense family fatigue) that we have been celebrating for about a week ... I can say without a shadow of a doubt that she is worth it!
Somehow, my little Itty-Bitty (as we called her in-womb) is turning five ... how can she be so big?! She is such a delight and it is a joy to watch her soak up all the birthday-love. I know that since she is the baby-middle child, she gets the short end of the stick sometimes, so it's wonderful to have a loooong stretch of time to make sure that she feels loved, special and celebrated!
Today we had a little play-date with her girl-friends. Three little girls (plus a tag-a-long baby sissy) played house, had a tea party and played house some more. Such sweet little friends!
Later tonight we will be having our traditional "pick where you want to eat" dinner out. As of the last discussion, she wanted to go to McDonald's :( but only because she wants to be able to play in the PlayPlace. She had also mentioned Chik-fil-A, but upon realizing that her two bigger siblings wouldn't be small enough to play with her ... she re-adjusted her plans. Proof that she is a sweet, sweet girl! Brett and I, however, don't want to go to MickyD's ... and so we are trying to re-negotiate the dinner plans ... and maybe just do ice cream there. Here's hoping (with my fingers and toes crossed) that we can offer her an even better plan that she will be amendable to!
But the true celebrating took place this weekend. We played. We ate. We opened gifts. We got tattoos. It was the usual Kellum birthday fandango! Here are some little snapshots into the weekend ...
Are you worn out? We were! What a blessing to "go all out" for our little Butterfly! She smiled, hugged, giggled and squealed her way through the evening and on into the next morning.
Now that she is officially five, Ashley has a couple of things she's excited about: going to school, being with the big kids for VBS, not needing to suck her thumb (my toes and fingers are crossed again), learning to whistle, and giving away some of her "littler girl toys". All good things!
I love you Ashley Mae ... and I am excited to see all the ways that God blesses you and grows you in the year to come. You are truly my little caterpillar, turned butterfly ... getting ready to fly!
Somehow, my little Itty-Bitty (as we called her in-womb) is turning five ... how can she be so big?! She is such a delight and it is a joy to watch her soak up all the birthday-love. I know that since she is the baby-middle child, she gets the short end of the stick sometimes, so it's wonderful to have a loooong stretch of time to make sure that she feels loved, special and celebrated!
Today we had a little play-date with her girl-friends. Three little girls (plus a tag-a-long baby sissy) played house, had a tea party and played house some more. Such sweet little friends!
Later tonight we will be having our traditional "pick where you want to eat" dinner out. As of the last discussion, she wanted to go to McDonald's :( but only because she wants to be able to play in the PlayPlace. She had also mentioned Chik-fil-A, but upon realizing that her two bigger siblings wouldn't be small enough to play with her ... she re-adjusted her plans. Proof that she is a sweet, sweet girl! Brett and I, however, don't want to go to MickyD's ... and so we are trying to re-negotiate the dinner plans ... and maybe just do ice cream there. Here's hoping (with my fingers and toes crossed) that we can offer her an even better plan that she will be amendable to!
But the true celebrating took place this weekend. We played. We ate. We opened gifts. We got tattoos. It was the usual Kellum birthday fandango! Here are some little snapshots into the weekend ...
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| This slideshow generated with Smilebox |
Are you worn out? We were! What a blessing to "go all out" for our little Butterfly! She smiled, hugged, giggled and squealed her way through the evening and on into the next morning.
Now that she is officially five, Ashley has a couple of things she's excited about: going to school, being with the big kids for VBS, not needing to suck her thumb (my toes and fingers are crossed again), learning to whistle, and giving away some of her "littler girl toys". All good things!
I love you Ashley Mae ... and I am excited to see all the ways that God blesses you and grows you in the year to come. You are truly my little caterpillar, turned butterfly ... getting ready to fly!
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