Turkey Trot;

Kaiya's school held their annual Turkey Trot on Wednesday, November 27, 2013. Mom had school off because traditionally the charter school's owners needed the day off to cook. Since they wanted to be able to cook, they wanted the teachers to have the day off to cook too!!  I did not tell Kaiya I had the day off, and I even arranged with Mrs. Soltis to volunteer in the classroom for a few hours!  I couldn't hold my excitement . . . and ended up telling Kaiya Tuesday before she left for the evening. Wednesday morning, she came home and we made breakfast together. Then, I took her to school!!

This summer the P.E. teacher, Ms. Estafan, was killed while out running. In honor of her, everyone was asked to wear her favorite color, PINK!! Kaiya loved this teacher! Every time I dropped Kaiya off her kindergarten and first grade year, Ms. Estafan was in the pick up area . . . I do not remember a morning going by that she didn't say good morning to and give Kaiya a high five. She really made an impact on Kaiya. Especially with her matching outfits for her many pairs of sneakers. ;-)

After a lunch date with Kaiya and being her personal volunteer (Mrs. Soltis had me just work with her because she was SOOOO excited to have me there). I returned to get Kaelani. She and I had a play date and then some great snuggle and cuddle time . . . maybe, there was some sleeping too!! 

 When Kaiya got out of school, we headed to the theatre to see "Frozen." It was the most adorably perfect movie! It is about two sisters . . . I fought back tears the entire time!! Kaelani did a great job and loved the show . . . especially the popcorn!!

 The girls had a blast playing human slide at home that evening!! Silly sweet sisters!!!

American Heritage

We went to the American Heritage Reenactment today!! It was so much fun!!! 

He had a coke in his hand and we teased him about it not being era appropriate! Good guy!! 

Gizzy driving the Vietnam era army vehicle. 

We had so much fun!!! 

Happy Birthday Grammy!!!

Love this!!!!

Currently in America, nearly 50% of all couples who make a vow to love each other “til death do us part” end up calling it quits, so some people believe that the success of failure of their marriage is just a “coin toss” left to chance and completely out of their hands. I firmly believe that the keys to success in marriage are within your grasp; it’s based on your actions and not random chance. It begins by understanding and avoiding some of the main reasons why marriages fail.

Most divorces begin by believing a lie. Here are some of the most common lies that lead to divorce:

1. My spouse doesn’t make me happy anymore.

It may be true that you’re unhappy, but it’s a lie to think that your spouse has the power or the responsibility to make you happy. Putting the pressure on your spouse to create your happiness puts an unrealistic burden on both of you and puts more value on your fickle feelings than on your unwavering commitment.

2. It would be easier to start over with someone new than to try and fix our relationship.

When you’ve been through lots of difficulties and frustrations in your marriage, it may seem easier to pull the ejection lever and imagine starting over with somebody new, but the truth is that you’ll be taking all the unresolved pain with you into a new relationship, so you’re going to have to deal with it either way. You’re better off fixing what you’ve got than throwing it away.

3. The kids will be fine.

If you have children of any age, they’ll be negatively impacted in greater ways than you can imagine. The divorce of a child’s parents (even if those children are nearly grown or adults themselves) almost always has emotionally devastating consequences. To believe otherwise is to believe one of the most dangerous lies about divorce.

4. We’ll never be able to make it work.

I’m not saying it will be easy, but I’ve seen so many couples come back from terrible places to create amazing marriages. Couples who make it aren’t the ones who never have a reason to get divorced, they’re the ones who decide that their commitment to one another is always more important than their differences and flaws. Keep fighting for each other and don’t give up! Your marriage is always worth the effort.

Sisters!!

These two girls have my heart!!! Their love for each other is so pure! The watch out for the other and just love each other! I love listening to their laughter. I love listening to them play together!!

Keep Trying

Life is too short to be negative and judgmental of others. We all have our faults and flaws, things said, things done that we are not proud of. When you think about it, basically it comes right down to learning as you live life and go through experiences! You learn who wants to share your world of inner friends and family and those trials and tribulations you have to be a better person. You learn who is worth being in your life and who truly wants to be and at what capacity. You learn who wants to be a part of your positive energy and the love and understanding you can pay forward to them. Life is tough! Love one another, breathe and live like its your last day everyday! — Anthony Merrill

This is so true!!! Why judge, be angry, vendictive, and shut out people who love you. Life is so much happier when you allow for other to have flaws, make mistakes, fall short, and yet keep trying. Life is happier when you let people love you and allow them to help bear your burdens. It brings more joy to one's life when you work with others thru struggles and trials, even when their struggles happen again and again. I am so grateful for the love I have of others thru all my falling short as I struggle to become who He sees me as becoming. I love being able to be there for others and help them realize it doesn't matter how often you mess up or fall short, just keep trying!!! As long as you keep trying that is all that matters!!! 

Princesses

Kaelani loves princesses.  Typically, she is fascinated with putting a crown on me and on sister. Tonight, she put one on me (while on the throne LoL) and one on her own head. I even convinced her to take a picture. 

Every crown needs a little adjusting! Love this Lulu Love!!! 

Self Portraits

This little lulu cracks me up!! She loves to take mama's phone and she has the camera feature mastered. Was scrolling thru my pics this afternoon to discover about 10 - 20 self portraits with this exact face ... eyes vary a bit!! I am rolling!!! 

She is such a funny bunny!! <3 her!!! 

Kaelani's Words

Just wanted to update some of the new words Kaelani says. She is speaking so much more . . . however, most strangers don't understand . . . mom does! Guess it is the training of which sounds she leaves off and out. 

Sit - si

Roll over - roool

Beg - Bec

Bubbles - bub bubs

More - mur

"No cat me!" Translated no catch me!!! 

Fall Carnival

We got invited to a fall carnival on November 2nd. It was a blast. Kaiya wore her twilight trickster costume and Kaelani had no desire to dress up. We all had a blast and met lots of new friends. Kaelani had tons of fun playing in the yard with all the old school park toys (it was totally sweet). Kaiya had a blast running around with all the kids.

A picture of one of the hosts. I died laughing because this was so out of character for him. 

Gizzy enjoying the car. 

The sign of a fun night ... Not a bat of the eye from car to bed. Sweet Lulu.