The Mysterious Case of Mr. Dah-nee

Kendall has been quite the chatter box lately, but I must admit that I don't always understand what she is saying. Many times she will repeat herself and point until I understand, but sometimes I just don't get it.

Like lately she has been saying this name of something or someone...'dah-nee'...and I could not for the life of me figure out what that meant. I would mention it to anyone that knows Kendall well again and again, I wonder who or what dah-nee is? I would ask Kendall if she could point to 'dah-nee' or show me who 'dah-nee' was.

What or who on earth is this mysterious 'dah-nee' that she keeps mentioning?

Well, this evening we were giving the girls a bath when I mentioned to Trenton about this little boy in her class. He's a cute little guy, if not a bit precocious, with thick blond hair and chubby toddler cheeks. He's always the first one to smile hello or to wave goodbye. I was mentioning how he must get into trouble because the teacher is always saying "Johnny, stop that" or "Johnny, don't do this" and suddenly Kendall looks at me saying "Dah-nee!"

Mystery solved!

"Dah-nee" is "Johnny"!

Not a happy camper...

You may be thinking this 'unhappy' camper was me...well, to be fair, I was not particularly jazzed about the short-notice event. I mentioned something on Friday night in regards to how the weather was perfect for camping and who knows how much longer that would last...we had actually planned an earlier camping trip over Labor Day weekend, but we canceled it due to rain. So our Friday might ended in its usual chaos with Trenton searching for open camp sites. I did not think he would find one on such short notice...and he didn't.

In our area.

We ended up driving to Lake Texoma, roughly 1.5-2 hours away on the Texas/Oklahoma border. So I wasn't exactly thrilled...but on we trooped...carefully planned excel spreadsheets from years past were printed off...however these sheets didn't include the 'child' factor, so I tried as best as possible to gather what I could for that 'little detail' or 'details' now with Leah.

I was already a little stressed out before we even make it out of our own city limits...Kendall was late for her nap, so she was fussing in the backseat and Leah decided to famously 'kick it up a notch.' But again...on we trooped...

We made it there around 2:30. Unpacking is never easy, but because I was essentially tied up watching the kids, Trenton had to do most of the rest (putting up the tent, unpacking the bags, etc etc etc) alone. That process took around 2 hours, but eventually we left our little site and drove to the small marina about two miles away. This was not smooth sailing either. We had both dogs, plus baby, plus crazy little toddler. I tried to carry both Leah in the baby sling and Kendall on my hip while Trenton got the dogs, but Leah kicked the notch up SO high that we decided to tie the dogs to a post near the car.

I destressed a little taking some pictures...I really think I got some GREAT pictures. In fact, I love so many of them that I have already half-way made a slide show that I'll attach at a later date. Here are some of my favorites:

Kendall...she just LOVED to yank on poor Bandit's chain...

Trenton and Kids

How can you not smile at this beautiful baby grin?

I LOVE the look on her face on this picture...kinda summed up the whole trip for Kendall!

On our previously scheduled trip back in September, we had actually planned to leave Leah because we thought she would be the biggest hand-full....little did we know that she would be the BEST ONE. The child was great...she was content, she was smiling, she was the perfect baby. Big sister, on the other hand, there aren't quite words to express what an experience she was.

Crying, fussing, screaming...rotate these actions about 50 times and you pretty much sum up Kendall. She wasn't bad the whole time, but it was almost as though she decided to enter into the world of the terrible two's at exactly the same moment we went on this trip. There was actually a moment last night, I think around 3am, where she woke completely out of a deep sleep and started screaming APPLE! JUICE! APPLE JUICE! APPLE JUICE!

By the time we made it home this afternoon, we both realized that we had each had maybe 30 minutes of relaxing time in 24 hours.

So we'll have to hold off on the whole camping thing...for at least a year...for maybe 5!

Prayer...an interesting question

**Warning: Deep and Religious Entry Alert! This will not be a cute/informative entry regarding my kiddos**

Per my normal routine, I wrapped up this evening by scanning through my blog list for updated entries...I recently added a blog from a person that I've never met. In fact, I have no clue where in this world she may be located but found her on some link of a link and liked that she had my same camera (Canon 40D) and was extremely descriptive in her lessons on how to use it. At any rate, this evening she had a very thought-provoking question...what is the point of prayer? She didn't exactly phrase it that way and I didn't exactly read the whole entry...skim-reading has really been my downfall since having children...but it was still an entry that has kept me from falling asleep with both kids and husband in bed.

I definitely understand the importance of a strong prayer life...it's important to talk to our Father, to praise Him, thank Him for all our blessings, and to ask for forgiveness for our many sins...but why do we ask for things in prayer? I do it all the time...in fact a majority of my prayer time is probably spent in asking for things...to keep my family safe and healthy, etc...but suddenly the thought crossed my mind that has honestly never passed before...why? If God is all-knowing, if He is the beginning and the end, and He knows all the in between (and He does)...why do I ask that He keep my family safe from intruders in our home? Doesn't He already know if there are going to be intruders at some point in my home? God does not answer all prayers, and for good reason, but what's the point for us to pray for specific things if He already knows? And another interesting question...does the number of people praying for something/someone increase the likelihood of an answered prayer? If I'm the only person praying for something, does that mean it's less likely than if a million people were praying for the same thing? I have personally experienced the peace that has come from multiple people's prayers on something, but did that help with the outcome in the end?

Is it horrible to be asking these questions? Should I be praying for something or just praying that God will change my heart to line up with His will?

I know that God wants me to pray for things, so I'm not questioning whether we should do it...just likely overthinking. Is this one of the questions that we shouldn't ask?

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18).

I know that the need for prayer is very strong and that it is such an important part of a Christ-centered life...this was just a question posed that I had never thought of before. I am interested to hear feedback as to your perspective too.

Leah's Updated 411

Leah is 15 weeks and 1 day...she can still squeeze into a #1 diaper, although the "1-2" size that Pampers makes is actually better...she has many nicknames (some she might rather forget some day)...Beaner, Baby Beaner, Baby B, Lee-Lee, Lee-ster, the list goes on and on...she is turning into a fabulous night sleeper like big sis (8 to 12 hours almost every night!)...she has the cutest dimple and loves any kind of funny noise you can make with your mouth....she wears 3-6 months and has almost outgrown it!...her feet and head almost rival the size of her 18 months older sister (you better stop beating up on her Kendall - she'll be able to fight back soon!)...she has gorgeous skin tone and rolls upon rolls on her chubby baby thighs...we think her eyes are going to be blue like daddy's but we're not 100% sure...her eyebrows are SO expressive, I can get 15 very different looks from her in about 5 minutes depending on those brows!...she loves her bouncer and the sound of running water...she does not like to be in her crib unless tightly swaddled (thank you daddy)...she can cry from "0 to 60" in 5.2 and has no mercy once she gets started...we know she has decided to "kick it up a notch" when we hear the dreaded 5 second pause, this inevitably means screeching cried will follow...she has lost most of the hair on the top of her head and has a "bald ring" around the back of her head...we struggle to keep her cradle cap at bay but this is something big sis eventually grew out of...she is going to be a flower for Halloween and should be a pretty adorable side-kick to Kendall's "Bee" ensemble.

First Playdate

I should probably clarify that this wasn't our first playdate ever - we have enjoyed many playdate/therapy sessions with my friend Sarah and her little darling Allyson - but this was my first playdate with total strangers. I've been going through some odd mood moments, likely relating to my return back as a part time associate...I had actually written a blog post about it and ended up pulling it after I had a few minutes to think better of it. At the moment, my feelings tend to end as a all-out complain-fest, and I'm sure everyone has better things to read than that. Moving on to the all-stranger play-date...every now and again I feel the need for new or change...one would think adding a new member to the family and cutting all my hair off might fit that need, but I was still left needing something new. I was reading through an online forum when I came across a place where mother's go to host and attend playdates and decided to join. I was instantly amazed at all the creative and fun-sounding playdates that were on the calendar - one for every day except for Sunday. I decided to attend the New Member's Brunch this morning, figuring that would be a good way to ease into it - with other 'newbies.' To be honest, I was not very excited about it this morning. The week was long and tiring...the past few days have been rainy, and Kendall woke up with all wheels spinning at 6 am...but we still managed to leave the house on time and made it with no real issues. I'm very glad we went...I got to meet about 6 other mothers and they were all very nice and friendly. We were all exhausted by the time we got home around 2pm and took a 'family' nap until about 5.

On a funny side note...we were all sitting on the couch this evening when I see an old sippy cup that had not been in the usual rotation for a while. I had seen it a few minutes before, but since Kendall is famous for digging her cups and eating utensils out and leaving them around the house, I didn't think much of it...until I realized there was liquid in this old old sippy cup. I asked Trenton if he had given it to her, but he shook his head no...he was the one who ended up taking off the lid and sniffing at the apple juice that had to have been at LEAST a month old. Kendall, completely unphased, tried to take it away, exclaiming her usual "app-le ju-uice." Apparently she found it in her toy box...so Kendall probably had her first taste of apple 'wine' today...

State Fair 2009

Yesterday we went for our annual trip to the State Fair of Texas. The day went by so quickly! We got to the fair a little before 11 and seemingly in a blink of an eye it was already 6. As I think I have mentioned in previous blog entries regarding the fair, the main reason I enjoy going is the food...and boy did I have some food! I saved calories all morning so that I could enjoy a Fletcher's corn dog, cotton candy, fried cookie dough, a turkey leg, and some Texas tator twisters. I only got a tiny bite of the cookie dough and turkey leg, since those are Trenton's favorites :o)

Kendall got to go on her first ever carnival ride - a few of them actually. She barely made the height requirement for a couple rides, but I'm not sure she really enjoyed the thrill much anyway - she will likely be more like daddy in the way of rides. I'm hoping Leah will be more like me, or else I will be going to Six Flags alone :oP Although, in her defense, even the baby rides pull some G's I think...my bottom is bruised today and I think I have wip-lash! This is not so uncommon for me - I still have random neck issues that I believe began with the Poteet Strawberry Festival of 2001...

Kendall and Daddy on her first ride



Kendall and Mommy on her 2nd ride

I think Leah had a good time...she slept for most of the day, but woke up for one or two good photo-opportunties with Mommy. We had an interesting time putting the double stroller into numberous configurations that I don't believe are correct (yikes)...we had to be creative because the front seat that we've been using for Kendall can't recline for a nap with the baby in the back...so we swapped...it was interesting...we'll just leave it at that. No one fell out and CPS was not called, so all in all it was a productive experience I would say.

Mommy and Leah

Daddy, Kendall, Big Tex

As with each trip, we had to visit the butterfly gardens...ironically we spent so much time in the 'park' area that we didn't even make it to the more butterfly-filled area, but I still got some cute pictures.

Kendall and Mommy

Kendall can never run fast enough for Mommy's camera...

My sweetie

Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

Today is officially my dad's 60th birthday, although all of his presents and surprises arrived over the weekend. The first surprise was the "delivery" of my dad's brother Steve - he arrived on Friday from Virginia and I drove him over early that afternoon. None of us has seen him since my sister's wedding 7 years ago, so it was wonderful to get caught up again. Both of my parents were so excited that they had tears in their eyes once they saw him.

Dad and Uncle Steve

The next surprise took place the following day - his big surprise party! My sister worked so hard to gather so many things - the email contacts for my dad's friends, putting together the meal items and decorations, printing out the invitations, making the special outfits for us and the grand kids...it was all about to start!

Below are the outfits that we wore to the party. All the grand-girls had matching shirts and skirts. Jake had his own boy version, and my sister and I had our own shirts - each shirt depicted a special moment we had with our dad/grandpa.

Kendall

Rachel

Ella

Jake

Maili

Maili & Kristi

Another set of surprise guests for my Dad - his Uncle Hale and Aunt Dolores - they drove in the previous day from Florida. We haven't seen them since their daughter's wedding a couple years prior.

Aunt D and Uncle Hale holding Leah

It was a fabulous party and my mom and dad were genuinely surprised. I went to pick them up in order to control their arrival time and was grilled the whole time by my mother! The look on their faces was well worth it though - complete shock!

After my dad's entry, both my sister and I said something. My sister read a beautiful letter that had the whole room in tears. I read the below poem that I had written the week before:

What do you tell your dad on his birthday,
How do you let him know?
So much that he means to you
What words will make this show?
　
All the gifts he has given to you
His love, his support, his cares
What can you say that will fit the bill?
To show gratitude for all that he shares?
　
What do you give your dad on his birthday,
To the man that has it all?
Two beautiful daughters, a wonderful wife...
Enough granddaughters to conquer the mall!
　
How do you feel on your dad's birthday,
Are you overwhelmed with the emotion?
Now with your own two little girls,
You understand his heart of endless devotion
　
What do you tell your dad on his birthday,
You hope 'I love you' will be a good start
Then follow with it up with these simple words,
Filled with joy that came straight from your heart.
　
Happy 60th Birthday Dad,
We love you
Here's to many more years,
And much happiness too!

Mom, Me, Dad, Maili

We love you Dad - Happy 60th Birthday!