only backgroundI'm a wife, mother and grandmother. I'm opinionated. I contradict myself frequently. Most of all, I love my kids. I believe in them. I fight for them. They're weird and wonderful. If you want to know more, here's a bunch of other stuff from my old site.
Archive for the ‘Kids’ Category
It’s been a very long time since we’ve gone all out for a child’s birthday party. All the kids had big parties when they were young but as they get older, they mostly want a few good friends to stay over, maybe a special trip to the mall or the bowling alley. Looks like we’re starting all over again, though, with Kendyll.
We did have a small party last weekend, but we’re waiting to have something bigger. Why are we waiting? Well, Kendyll’s uncle Jesse has missed both her first and second birthdays because he’s in Hawaii. Jesse is coming home in March so we’re going to plan a really nice party, with aunts and uncles and cousins, for Kendyll’s birthday. I had planned to leave our Christmas tree up to celebrate with Jesse when I thought he was coming home in January; March is just way too long to keep a Christmas tree in the living room, even an artificial tree. So instead of pretending that Christmas is in January, we’ll pretend that Kendyll’s birthday is in March.
Anyway, I’m looking at birthday invitations at VistaPrint and I’m totally amazed at the great prices. I’m trying to design my own template so these will be really special. Oh, and I even have a coupon code to get 10 free invitations! If you’d like to use it, just enter ‘BlogInvite10′ to receive your 10 free invitations. Great deal!
Now I have to narrow down my choices for the picture I’m putting on the invitations. I think I’ll take a vote here at home or maybe I’ll let Kendyll pick her favorite. I wonder if the end of March will be warm enough for an outdoor theme? Hmmm……
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We had a little party for Kendyll tonight. Maggie baked the cookie cake.
Kendyll had a wonderful time being the center of attention. She’s so much like her dad! She got cards and toys and a few outfits. Her favorite gift, though, came from her dad. Of course, Nick gave it to her the night before, since he was just as excited to see her on it as she was to get it. Once she figured out how to push the button to make it go and that she needed to pick up her feet from the ground, she was zipping all over the house. Kendyll was on a journey from the Outer Banks to the top of the mountain and through the valley. She was in her own little world taking only a moment here and there to wave to us when we called her name.
Now, if only the weather would cooperate a little, she can take a spin on the sidewalks instead of through the kitchen, dining room and living room!
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It’s hard to believe it’s been two years. Time flies faster and faster as I get older, it seems. Why can’t the kids stay young a little longer?
On January 31, 2006, I was sitting at the hospital waiting for my first granddaughter to be born. I’d taken the day off from work. There was nothing that would keep me from such a blessed event.
Along with Nick and Brit, her mom, dad, sister, grandmother and uncle were all there, waiting for the baby’s arrival. It seemed like Brit was getting tired and it looked to be a long wait so we all left Nick and Brit alone while we headed to the cafeteria for a snack. Wrong move.
I got back to the maternity ward first and waited outside the door since it was closed. I had no idea at first that Kendyll had already made her debut. Apparently, she was ready whether the rest of us were there or not. I still remember walking into that room and seeing that beautiful creature snuggled in her daddy’s arms. I remember how her mommy smiled as she took her into her own arms. And I remember that first time I got to hold that precious blessing myself. I cried at the miracle that God granted our family.
I know that Brit was young and Nick was even younger. I know that they had too many strikes against them right from the beginning. I know, too, that none of that matters. This amazing child was meant to be. She belongs here and she has brought so much joy to this family that I cannot imagine life without her. I never realized how strong a grandparent’s love is. I never realized that the heart could expand this much, and reach through to another generation without getting weaker but rather growing stronger.
Two years ago our lives were blessed. Thank you, God.
And happy birthday, sweet Kendyll.
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I like to believe that there’s always a bright side to everything. No matter what happens, something good has to result. It’s just a matter of looking at the situation the right way. Perspective, I guess, it what you would call it.
For example, my husband and son both work construction. Winter hit early and hard; work has been hit and miss since the beginning of November. Needless to say, that isn’t good for our budget. What is good, though, is the amount of time that Nick has been able to spend with Kendyll.
Rather than coming home tired and struggling to stay awake to play with his daughter, Nick has been getting up with her every morning, tending to all her needs and playing with her right up until it’s time for bed. They play in the playhut tents and tunnels, read books, build with Legos and wrestle around.
This morning Nick crawled into the kitchen when Kendyll wasn’t looking and then called her name. Kendyll realized Nick was hiding and started calling back, “Daaa! Daaaa!” She looked under the dining room table, down the stairs, even under the couch, all the while calling for him. When she finally found him scrunched down in the kitchen, she squealed with joy. Brian and I just laughed at the two of them.
I think we have a daddy’s girl on our hands.
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Earlier today I walked into my bedroom and found Kendyll sitting in the recliner, watching The Andy Griffith Show. It was a really old episode, in black and white. I had to chuckle. Kendyll’s dad was the only one of my kids who would sit through old black and white sitcoms. Just like her dad.
I wanted to get back to the football game in the living room but I just couldn’t resist spending a little time watching TV with Kendyll. I laid on the bed and glanced back and forth from the TV to the recliner. That baby never took her eyes off the TV. She even sat and watched through the directbuy commercial and TV Land teaser.
I’m not going to even think about letting Kendyll watch the Wizard of Oz, though. Her dad watched that non-stop from morning until afternoon for several months at around the same age. I don’t think I could deal with that again!
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I know I’ve dropped the ball on my intention to post at least one picture each week of Kendyll and Belle. It’s just been a busy couple of weeks and pictures were either of Christmas or other people. Never fear, we’ve got a girl and pibble pic today!
I engaged in a little debate this past week regarding pit bulls and was surprised at how many people have pit bulls and also how many people are so anxious to believe the hype surrounding this breed. When someone states that a pit bull’s jaws exert 3 or 4 times the pressure of the average dog, my mouth drops open. Not only have scientific studies dispelled this myth, but the study also showed that both German Shepherds and Rottweiler have more powerful bite pressure than a pit bull.
I could go on, as you all know, but I won’t. Not now. I know my dog. I know that when my neighbor, Tammie, stopped by here on Saturday to trim Belle’s nails, Belle cried like a baby. She never snapped or growled or acted at all aggressive. She whined. And yelped. She learned that from Kendyll.
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You would think that a woman who raised 3 kids to adulthood and is in the midst of raisin the last three - two of whom are {gasp} teenagers - would be looking forward to the day when her house could be free of toys and little people. Not so. This house is just too big to not have kids in it.
I’m going to state something right now, just in case I forget it: I love that Nick still lives here at home because it means that when he gets Kendyll, she’s here with us, too.
Yes, I sometimes want to strangle Nick because he’s 19 and he’s my son and 19 year old sons have a habit of driving their mothers crazy. But this son has given me the most wonderful gift: a granddaughter. Tonight, we get Kendyll a day early and my heart is so happy that I’m having trouble concentrating.
Oh, and when I disappear for a day or two, you’ll know why. I’m probably stuck in Kendyll’s PlayHut tent with her. Yeah, I can squeeze in there. Shhh! Don’t tell anyone. It’s a great hiding place.
And this is me and my girl:
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Continuing with my seasonal lateness… I guess it’s time to post a picture from Christmas eve. Everyone else I know has already posted their Holiday pictures. I suppose you can say I’m aiming to be fashionably late.
My kids are all old enough to have lost at least some of the magic of Christmas, Santa and elves. Just in time, we were blessed with Kendyll so the magic will live for at least a little bit longer around here.
Kendyll got plenty of gifts of every time she opened a package, she promptly toted it away to her own little world. You see, her main gift was a PlayHut Megaland and she just loved it. No way could we keep her out of that thing. My kids had the cubes and tunnels and never get tired of them. We’d still have them, too, if our basement hadn’t flooded several years ago. PlayHut is one of those brands that are worth every cent you pay for it.
Just look at her smile. Have you ever seen such joy? No matter how appealing a quiet retirement community may be, offering really cool senior living perks like swimming pools and stuff, nothing can beat having this grandbaby around. Kendyll makes every day, not just Christmas, joy filled and happy.
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First, I’m going to state the obvious. I love football. If you’ve read here before, you ought to know that. Especially at this time of year, when my favorite sport is in full swing. Football is one of the few good things about this cold time of year.
My son Levi, though, is playing a different sport this year. He’s on his school’s basket ball team and has been attending practices for the past month. On Saturday, Levi will play in his first real game. I think he’s excited. I know I am.
I’ve never been able to sit at home and watch a basketball game on TV but I have been known to lose my voice cheering at a game when I know the players. It’s true I lose interest during baseball games, whether on TV or in the stands; there’s not enough action for me, I guess. But I like the non-stop action of basketball enough to get involved if I’m right there. I’m sure Levi will find out about that on Saturday.
I don’t have a picture of Levi in his uniform yet so here’s a shot of him with Belle, cuddled up on the living room floor. This is actually a semi-normal shot of my sleeping beauty - you wouldn’t believe some of the other places and positions we’ve found him sleeping!
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When Kendyll walks in, Belle goes bonkers! She races around, jumps up on the couch, pants and whines. Her tail is perpetual motion. The most dangerous part of any Pit Bull is the tail - that thing will smack you to the ground when it’s in full swing!
Belle doesn’t stop her nervous energy until Kendyll pays attention. Belle wants a hug and some loving from her girl and she doesn’t rest until she gets it. I think Kendyll knows that and gets a kick out of Belle running all over the furniture. Eventually, though, they both settle down and Belle gets the loving she wants. I’m never sure exactly what Kendyll is saying to Belle when she pets her like this, but Belle seems to understand.
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