Tool Bench

We went yard saling yesterday morning - something we rarely do. I really hate going unless I know that they have kids clothes, but Kylah got up before 7 (a rarity, luckily) so we decided to go. I did find 2 outfits for her and this tool bench. It was $20, I figured if she didn't like it, we could give it away or something. When we got home I got it all cleaned up and we took her outside to play with it. She LOVED it!! She had to investigate all of the tools and figure out how they work exactly. We were going to leave it outside, but decided to bring it in later since she was having such a good time with it.

Otto

Kylah loves our dog, Otto. She wants to go and see him all of the time. He is usually in his pen, yet she still seems a little apprehensive to get too close even then. Last night, when Derek was feeding him, he let Otto out to run around some. Kylah loved watching him run and play. When he went behind the house and we couldn't see him, she would yell "Otto, Otto", it was very cute. Derek got him and held him to keep him from snapping at Kylah. She got a little closer to him than I thought she would and almost touched him (in one of the pictures it looks like she is touching him, but she never actually did). At one point, Derek was throwing walnuts from the yard and Otto was chasing them. Later, Kylah had one in her hand and Otto got a little too close because he thought she wanted to play like Derek had earlier - of course this scared her and she screamed. He has never even attempted to hurt Kylah or even growled at her, but for some reason she has a little fear there. A few months ago, Otto got close and was sniffing her. She didn't like that either and was shaking so bad when I picked her up. She was so scared it made her poop. That night she had what I think was a nightmare because she NEVER wakes up at night and she was shaking really bad when I went into her room. I ended up laying on the floor next to her bed until she went back to sleep - 2 hours later! I was afraid we might have a repeat last night, but luckily we didn't.

Dastin

Dastin, Zian, and Jennifer came for a visit this afternoon. Kylah was so excited to see Dastin - she hasn't seen him since June when his baby brother was a few weeks old. Dastin stayed with us a few days a week during last school year while his mom was at work. Jennifer is now able to stay home with both of her boys!! Dastin and Kylah are 3 days apart and have always enjoyed playing together. Waiting for Dastin to arrive!!

Kylah insisted on wearing her necklaces!

Dastin pushing Kylah in her dump truck... today

...in January (look how much they both have changed!!)

Playing together. They were having so much fun and laughing so hard here.

Dastin and Kylah - July of 2007

School Days

Kylah went to school today! She went to Big Red School in the summer and started back today for the fall session. This morning, she picked out her own clothes, the monkey shirt again!! For some reason that is her favorite shirt. I usually give her 2 to pick from when she is choosing. I didn't give her the monkey shirt purposefully, but she wanted to wear it so bad that I gave in. I guess she won't be wearing it out now, because she got marker all over the front of it. (If anyone knows how to get marker out, please let me know - I'm not so much worried about this shirt, but her clothes in the future). She was very excited to go back and see her friends. Actually, there is only one little boy in her class that was in the same class in the summer, but she remembered him and was eager to "help" him. She was such a big girl and didn't cry or get upset at all. I was a little teary, but I am so glad that she was a such a big girl. When I picked her up they said that she was so good the whole time and wanted to help some of the other kids who hadn't been there before.

Talking to daddy on the phone before we left.

On our way to school!

Hey, I remember the beans!

On our way home. Apparently she had to change clothes because one of the teachers spilled apple juice on Kylah while trying to help her move to another seat.

Kylah's art work

Yard Work

We all worked in the yard yesterday afternoon. It was so nice outside - much too nice to stay inside. Since we were out anyway, we decided to get some work accomplished. Kylah was, of course, a big help and got upset when it was time to go inside.

Random Thoughts & Blessings

Just some random thoughts and blessings- things that I have had on my mind over the last few days. This is a very incomplete list!

Thoughts

• Life is short - love the ones you are with and let them know that you do.
• You never know when your time will come, so live like it could be at any moment (because it could).
• Don't take little (or big) things for granted. It is so easy to get caught up in your day and miss out on the important things going on all around you. Ex. Your daughter seeing a butterfly outside and getting so excited. Or when she hears the dog bark and has to answer him back.
• Enjoy each moment - try not to dwell on the things you don't have, but rather be thankful for the things you do have.

Blessings

• Christ - who died for ME!!
• A happy, healthy daughter who is so smart and funny.
• A husband (of almost 5 years!!!) who truly loves me and all of my insecurities.
• Wonderful parents who taught me (and continue to teach me) so many wonderful life lessons.
• Great friends that I truly hold dear to my heart.
• A wonderful church family.
• Being able to stay at home with Kylah each day and watch her grow and learn - it is truly amazing to see her figure something new out. Sometimes it is all I can do to watch and not just do it for her.