That Was Then...This is NOW

As I am sitting here beginning this post I have to admit that it is tugging at my heart and soon you will see why. Today was one of those days that life hits you smack in the face (again) and flashes your life in front of your eyes. Or at least the past 6 plus years of your life in my case.

Today at my parents I snapped this quick picture of McKenna and Tighe. They had just finished playing video games, something that they've come to enjoy doing together. It's still funny to see how Tighe towers over McKenna, especially when you stop and remember that there is only 4 months between them.

When I sat down to upload these pictures tonight I had a sudden vision. A picture in my mind of a much younger McKenna and Tighe in my mom and dad's living room. Babies. Little (okay, well Tighe was never little) babies. And this particular picture.

This is one of my absolute favorite pictures of the two of them together. I love the way they are holding hands with so much excitement on their faces, as if to say, "Hold on, this is going to be a wild ride." In reality they were just watching a favorite episode of the Wiggles but it really doesn't matter does it?

Today in church a woman leaned over and said that Cooper was really cute. She asked how old he was and after I responded she said, "Enjoy him. Soon he will be 16 like my son. It goes so fast." Maybe I needed that reminder. Maybe I didn't. Regardless, it's always in the forefront of my mind that this time is passing so very fast. But until you sit down and really see it like I did again today, it doesn't always sink in.

Life As Usual

Here it is, Friday again. As we are seemingly catapulted into February, I find myself wondering where the weeks have gone. Don't get me wrong though, I am more than ready for February since it means March and April follow close behind. I don't know about anyone else but I am ready for spring in so many ways!

Luckily the weather has been nice enough that we have not suffered much cabin fever yet this winter. And even when we are inside we've been working on our long to do list which mostly consists of painting, painting, painting. I should say that's more Earl's to-do list than mine. He's been handling the painting this past week and I must say he's done a pretty good job. As I write he is currently "painting" the basement walls with Drylock in preparation for finishing that space this spring. See, there's that "spring" thing again!

The kids are doing well. McKenna suffered a bout of strep throat this week but returned to school on Wednesday as good as new. The kids are excited that tonight one of the high school student helpers from McKenna's class will be coming to babysit. I guess Earl and I won't be missed very much. And I'm just fine with that because a night out is definitely in order.
Cooper is all about "Cars" lately. That is, when he's not into "Toy Story". They have become staples in our house. He carries his Lightening McQueen, Dinoco, and Big Mac trucks with him everywhere including to bed. A few nights ago he woke up in the middle of the night crying because he couldn't not find McQueen. On Friday's we take a trip to the video store to rent "Toy Story" since the only place to buy it is on e-bay for upwards of $50.00. The video store has an old beat up copy that has been obviously loved by many that only costs us $.25 a day. Cooper knows just where to find it and often can be heard reciting lines from the movie as he carries it around the store. I am hoping and praying that Pixar will release "Toy Story 1 and 2" again this summer when the third installment comes out.

Happy weekend everyone!

It's Definitely....Purple

Over a year ago, when we moved into our house, we promised McKenna that we would paint her bedroom whatever color she wanted. She wanted purple. For the past six months or more we've been pondering the various shades of purple squares painted on her wall but we (read "I") just couldn't settle on shade of purple. One seemed too dark, one seemed too light. I finally picked up a third shade and painted another square on the wall. It would ultimately be the tie breaker.

So, Saturday while I spent the day at work, Earl and the kids painted McKenna's room. It's most definitely....purple.

It was a bit shocking at first but the more time I spend in her room, the more I like it. It's a veryappropriate color for my six year old little princess.

Since I haven't blogged in awhile I should probably share a cute Cooper story also. Last evening someone mentioned the word "prayer". Cooper quickly responded, "Miss Kim tells me that." Miss Kim is his teacher at school. We pressed him a little further and he told us that Miss Kim tells the kids to pray before snack. I was interested to see if he remembered how the prayer went. So I asked him, "How does it go." He responded by folding his hands, closing his eyes and bowing his head. A second later he looked up and said, "It goes like that mom." I could almost see the little halo above his head --except his little devil horns were in the way!

Helping Haiti

It's hard to turn on the TV or the computer this past week without hearing about the destruction and devastation in Haiti. For me it's been so hard to watch footage of the hundreds of kids in orphanages. Every one of them, regardless of their age, reminds me of my own kids. I can't imagine being 2 years old, scared, hungry and alone with no one to tell you it's going to be okay.

On Friday when McKenna came home from school she said that she needed to take her wallet to school on Tuesday. The school has their annual fundraiser this week as well as their yearbook sale. And there is always a book fair here and there. So, I thought surely there was some THING that she wanted. How embarrassed was I when upon further questioning she said, "I need to help Haiti, Mom."

Sunday evening while having dinner with my parents my mom also provided us with another opportunity to help. The Methodist church was collecting hygiene packs to replenish the supply of 15,000already sent to Haiti. And so Monday morning, armed with our list of necessary supplies we set out to shop. A few hours later we had completed 12 hygiene packs. I must say that all the sorting that has been learned in kindergarten continues to pay off.

Last night as we got our backpacks ready for the week I loaded up McKenna's folder with her yearbook money and her fundraiser packet. McKenna followed close behind with her pink Hello Kitty wallet in hand. After collecting money from both Earl and I, she opened her own stash - money she has earned by helping with chores around the house (or that she's found in the laundry!) that she was saving for a special bed for her American Girl doll. My heart swelled 100 times as she put her money in the "Haiti" envelope and said, "I was going to buy a toy with this money, but those other kids need it more." I wish I could bottle up the innocence in that statement.

It might be awhile before Earl and I can pay for anything with spare change again as every last penny that was in plain view or under the couch cushions is now on it's way to Haiti. And I might be looking to purchase a very special bed for an American Girl doll soon. But it will all be worth it as my sweet girl learns a valuable lesson and reminds all of us of the blessings all around.

Playing Dress Up

I decided to stay home from church today because the weather mentioned freezing rain. If there's one thing I hate more than driving in the snow, it's the thought of driving in/on ice. I had visions of walking into church and coming out two hours later to a parking lot covered in ice. Since Earl is working today that would have meant the Dugan's would surely have had some house guests that I know they weren't planning on!
Anyway, so we stayed home and spent a lazy day together. We stayed in our jammies way to long and the kids played and played and played and played together. It amazes me how every once in awhile they get along so well. That's the kind of day we had. Right before lunch I decided that they should get dressed at some point since we were still planning to venture over to Mimi and Pappy's. I pulled out the T-shirts that Kyle and Caty got them for Christmas - Matching CAT t-shirts. Cooper's is black, McKenna's is pink. They are both adorable. Pretty soon I heard the funniest thing - they were pretending they were Kyle and Caty. It was priceless. Cooper came running over to me and said in his proud little voice, "Mom, Mom- I Uncle Kygle." And so I told him that he better hurry up and head to the fire company since that is where Uncle "Kygle" spends most of his time. Cooper replied with a robust "Boo" since Kyle and Cooper spend most of their time trying to scare one another and running around the house.
So, I must wrap things up with this post and finally get myself ready. We are, in fact, going to brave the rain (which hopefully stays rain) and go have dinner with Mimi and Pappy. Oh, yeah - and show off their shirts. I hope the real Kygle and Caty are around!

This I Know for Sure

Yesterday it seemed that it was going to take some convincing to get McKenna out of bed and ready for school. In an effort to make crawling out from under the warm covers a little more attractive I decided to make small talk. I reminded her that it was Friday, it was gym day, we would have movie night, and tomorrow was Saturday and swimming lessons. Those last words had barely escaped my lips when McKenna's eyes popped wide open, she looked me squarely in the eye and in her most matter of fact voice said, "Oh, I'm not going back to swimming lessons." WRONG! First, I paid big money for 8 weeks of swimming lessons not one. Second, we don't quit something once we've started it (thanks Mom and Dad for that lesson). Third, if there's anyone who needs swimming lessons it's McKenna.
This morning we found McKenna downstairs watching cartoons when we got up. The first mention of swimming brought a flood of tears big enough to warrant a poncho. After much discussion on our part and sadly the promise (aka bribe) of a trip to the beach this summer if she learned to swim we headed to the pool. McKenna was all but silent the entire 11.2 miles from our house to the YMCA. But I have to admit that she put on her brave face. She entered the pool area without much apprehension and even got in the water without missing a beat. Feeling satisfied that she was at least in the water I settled into my chair near the back of the observation room. Several parents stood in front of me at the window watching their kids and commenting on how much they liked the swim teacher. I wasn't paying much attention to their chatter until I heard, "I mean, look at that little girl, she's crying but the instructor is still firm with her." I knew that had to be my kid. I stood up and sure enough, McKenna was clinging to the swim instructor with a sheer look of panic on her face. At that moment I felt so badly for her. Not really because she was being basically forced to go under water (for a millisecond) but because I felt like I had failed her in some small way. I feel so guilty for not putting her in swimming lessons sooner; for not making sure she was comfortable in the water from the beginning; for making her come to lessons now. But, at the same time I know that it's what she needs even though it's so, so hard to watch.
After the lesson ended I went into the pool area to dry McKenna off and tell her how proud I was of her. The tears had ceased and she was actually smiling. I was turning to leave when I heard the swim instructor call to me from the pool. Remember, she's also the Sunday school teacher. She commented on how terrified McKenna is and how she is committed to working with McKenna to get her more comfortable in the water by really taking baby steps with her. I can't tell you how very much that meant to me. Most people see her as the no nonsense swim instructor. But I can assure even through her fear, McKenna knows a whole different side of her and that makes all the difference in the world.
Tonight the only real thing I'm certain of is the fact that this is the first of many, many times that I will sit on the sidelines and watch as my daughter faces her fears. Just as much as I'm sure that this is the first of many times that I will sit and feel that I have in some small way messed up as a parent. And I'm sure that this is the first of many times that it will work out just fine and soon be nothing but a distant memory for us both.

Well, as promised the last few days have been a bit crazy. We have managed to get back into the full swing of work and school. Plus, we've added a few new things to the mix. Saturday the kids began their swimming lessons. This is something we've been meaning to do in one form or another since McKenna was small. But with me working full time and Earl in school it just never happened. Then Cooper came along and I wasn't able to take McKenna because I had to get in the water with her which would mean Cooper needed a sitter....and so, you get the point. Sadly enough, it just was never convenient. But, we have managed to find swimming lessons for both kids at the YMCA on Saturday mornings. Cooper is the water babies class and really seems to enjoy it. Earl was kind enough to swim with him this past Saturday while I watched from the bleachers near by. I wonder if I'll be that lucky again this weekend. McKenna's lessons are later in the morning and parents are not even allowed to be poolside during those lessons. That's probably wise because I'm almost positive McKenna would have high tailed it out of the pool had we been anywhere around. She is not scared of the water, as long as she does not have to get her face wet or take her floaties off. I assure you that neither of those two things exist at swimming lessons. One of the first things the instructor did was take her to the middle of the pool and make her go under water. This went on more than once and was accompanied by tears (McKenna's not mine!) but she did it and we are so proud of her. I wish I had some pictures, but since we can't stay in the pool area it makes it tough to get photos.

On Sunday we headed to church again. This was our second week attending the First Baptist Church in Milton. Megan regularly attends there and we thought we would try it out. Turns out we really like it. It has great programs for kids and the kind of service we enjoy. Plus, it turns out that one of the boys from McKenna's kindergarten class and an old friend she grew up with in daycare both attend there. Not to mention the fact that ironically enough one of McKenna's Children's Church leaders is the swimming instructor. Small world....or divine intervention - I'll let you decide for yourself. It has really been a blessing to see the Dugan's each week also and share that time together.

So, once again I apologize for my lack of blog posts lately. We are certainly keeping busy with extracurricular activities now that we've added swimming to gymnastics. McKenna's school work also keeps us busy since each night she has to read 2 books. At first it didn't take more than 5 minutes but as she progresses the books become longer and longer. I've also finally been taking baby steps to get my house decorated! I know...we've been here forever, but it takes me awhile to decide what I want and then I have to find it. Earl will be on vacation at the end of this month, but he is going to be one busy guy painting rooms and hanging curtains etc. Hopefully this time I'll remember to take before and after pictures. Hopefully!

8 Days a Week

I've been off work for the past 8 days. 8 glorious, uneventful, nothing planned (well, almost nothing) week! And I haven't managed to post a single thing on the blog in that span of time. The truth is, life has been happening and I've been soaking it up but not writing it down. I really should though. I don't want to forget that this past weekend we went out for breakfast. Half way through, Cooper was getting restless but he had yet to eat more than a few bites of his pancake. After some encouraging he looked at our waitress and said, "I'm done, I need a box." That, my friends, is when you know you eat out way too often. But it certainly made us laugh.

I don't want to forget that McKenna and I made a craft project in preparation for Valentine's Day. I don't want to hear any groaning from people out there who think I'm crazy for thinking ahead to Valentine's Day already. After all, there are people who start their Christmas shopping in June!

I don't want to forget the fact that over Christmas vacation my kids decided to fully embrace sibling rivalry and fighting. Fun times. The time that they play nicely together still outweighs the time spent screaming at one another but I don't anticipate that to be the case forever. Just being reasonable here.

Today I'm going back to work and won't get another 8 day stretch off in a long time. I have mixed feelings on that. On one hand I miss my co-workers, although Facebook is a wonderful way to stay in the loop while being at home. But, more than anything I am going to miss spending time with the kids. It was hard to have McKenna home for two weeks only to have to send her back to school this past Monday. Today won't be much different as I head back to work.

BUT, this weekend we are branching out to new things! The kids are starting swimming lessons. That means we will be front and center at the YMCA at 9:30 Saturday morning. Cooper and I will go first. Yes, that's right, I have to swim with him. I hope the water is warm. Then it's McKenna's turn at 10:45. I'm a little worried about her. She's very excited to be starting swimming lessons but is not so fond of swimming without a floatation device or getting her face wet. Which, is exactly why she needs swimming lessons.

So, here we go, getting back to "normal" and getting on to new things. The next week and a half should be interesting to say the least. Hopefully my kids will stop fighting long enough for me to blog about it.