Happy 15th Birthday, Makenna Nicole!!

Happy 15th Birthday, to my Kenners.

I remember the second I found out I was having another girl ~

I was so excited for Sis.

So excited to have two little girls.

Dance classes, and cookie baking, and girls movie nights ~

I could not wait.

And here we are, fifteen years later, you two are the best of friends.

And you are an awesome big sister to the two littles.

Fifteen years has flown right by.

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl.

You are beautiful, kind, and compassionate.

You are creative and intuitive.

I am learning {slowly, but surely} that no matter how hard I beg, plead, or nag, 

you are just not inclined to keep things tidy. Or to value organization.

But that's okay. 

Because you make us laugh every day and you help us

to see everything through a new lens.

Hope this year is the best yet!

A Day at the Salon

It seems, recently, that Sierra has gotten to do a lot of things, spend a lot of time with friends, and make a lot of choices.  I know that this comes with maturity, and being the "oldest", but sometimes I think Kenners feels a little left behind.

So the other day I asked Makenna if there was something special she'd like to do with a friend.  I said, "Perhaps go to lunch, or go shopping?"  And she came back with "Or a trip to the salon?"  What can I say?  That girl knows what she wants.  And luckily, I had a gift certificate to the salon, just waiting to be used.  It was meant to be.

We called up her friend {actually, her friend's mama}, and I scheduled mini manicures for the girls.

We dropped Sierra and Kameryn off at my Mom's, next door.  And Kenners, Taylor, and I headed to the salon.

And Kenners had So.Much.Fun.

It doesn't happen all the time, but I'm so happy that we can do these little things to show each one of our girls how special they are to us.  And to be able to focus on each one individually.

Am I The Only One Who Runs Out of Blog Titles?

Um, it's October. What the heck? Where is time rushing off to? Can I just say that I am a little panicky that there are only 12 weeks until Christmas? Do I have you all in a panic now? {Please don't tell me that you are already done with your shopping, k?}

Anyway.

Happy 1st of October! I'm feeling so sad for my blog. Poor thing just doesn't get much attention anymore :( What with house-building and homeschooling and day-to-day upkeep. And no offense to Blogger, but I recently found another place that I love. And it is consuming all.of.my.computer.time! Any of you belong to this fabulous group? So much to learn, so little time.

So. What's been going on around here . . .

We are finishing up electrical on the house. What a relief this is. I had no idea what a job it was! Do I sound like a broken record? Our front door was put in a few days ago, the painters are coming this weekend to finish the exterior, next we wire for phone service, and after that a few more odds and ends and then . . . and then . . . and then . . .

Insulation and Sheetrock! Woo-hoo-hoo!

Of course that means that we are getting close to a time when I am going to have to be making a LOT of decisions. Have I ever mentioned that I'm not much of a decision maker? Well, I'm not. I'm much happier when someone else is making them. I guess I'm always afraid I'm going to make the wrong choice. But Jeremy is so busy with the building part, and let's face it, he's not really into choosing appliances, paint colors, light fixtures. I find it all exciting, I just don't want to mess it up.

Yep, life is about to get even crazier.

In other news:

♥ Kenners went in for her post-op check yesterday, and the doctor is happy with the way she is healing.

♥ After her appointment we met Gramps for treats at Baskin Robbins.

♥ We have had some gorgeous, sunshiney weather this last week that we all have enjoyed.

I'd say we've had a blessed week!

Oh, and before I forget . . . a couple of Friday Funnies {just for you Heather} ;)

{These come to you specially from, who else, Makenna}

♥ Last night as the girls and I were washing faces and brushing teeth, Kam got into the Q-tips {again} and started shoving them through the heat vent {again} ~ this is a fun game for her, don'tchaknow. Kenners was the first to notice:

Kenners: Mama, Kam is making a mess of the ear cleaners again.

Sierra: Ear cleaners?! {snort} They're not called ear cleaners, Makenna. They're called Q-Tips.{Sierra feels the need to constantly correct Makenna, in case you didn't already gather}.

Kenners: Well, you use them to clean your ears, don't you? So, they're ear cleaners.

~~~~ I don't know. As I'm typing this, it doesn't really seem that funny, but I got a chuckle out of it last night. ~~~~

♥ Last weekend Kenners was still feeling a little under the weather due to surgery, so I was trying to comfort her by telling her she'd be good as new soon.

Me: Hopefully by Monday you will be feeling a LOT better.

Kenners: Already I feel 4% good. Maybe by tomorrow I'll be 2% better.

Sweet girl. Always lookin' at the glass half full ;)

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Whew! Anyone still reading? No? I don't blame ya.

Update on Kenner-Bug

You all are so sweet for your thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement for my little Kenner-Bug. Her surgery yesterday went very well. We're glad it is behind us so that she can heal, and get on with her very busy 5 year old schedule ;)

So, you knew it was coming. An update in pictures.

Sweet little thing was all smiles. The nurse asked if she was always this smiley. Yep. That's my smiley girl.

She was in a LOT of pain on the way home, and I felt so bad for her. As soon as we got home she had 4 popsicles in a row {lol} followed by some Motrin. That {along with snuggles from her new stuffies and three bouquets of balloons plus roses} seemed to do the trick.

We even got to color a little.

And big sis, Sierra, did an excellent job as nurse. She made sure Kenners was comfortable and had everything she needed.

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The surgeon called last night to check in {I thought that was very nice, btw}, and he mentioned that the swelling and pain would peak today. Crumb, I was sort of hoping that the worst was behind us. And true to his word Kenners did wake up at 2 am crying and very swollen. Poor thing could hardly talk. She is now sleeping {somewhat} soundly beside me, and we're looking forward to another movie-watching, ice cream-eating, snuggle-filled day.

Hmmm, that all came out a little more jumbled than what I had hoped. I guess I'm tired.

Yeah, that's it.

Today's the Day . . .

. . . Kenners goes in for her Frenectomy {that's where they remove extra tissue from under her tongue that is keeping her from being able to use her tongue correctly ~ just in case you haven't been following ;) }.

She's a little nervous. I'm a little nervous. But we all know that this is a good thing :)

Our plans for after surgery? Kickin' it at home, on the couch, with the multiple containers of pudding, jell-o, ice cream, and popsicles we purchased yesterday :) And watching a whole lotta movies. I'm expecting to gain a few pounds.

Hope y'all have a great weekend!!!

Letters of Intent

Dear Mother Nature,

Hi. Um, it's May. Coming up on June, actually. The constant drizzle of rain every day is driving us NUTS. We are trapped inside day after day, and the never-ending rain drops make running errands with three kiddos less than spectacular. Please get your act together before Makenna's last soccer game tomorrow morning. PLEASE.

Signed,

The cooped up Mama who wasn't sure if you got the Memo that it's MAY!

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Kenners,

Hello Sweet Pea. Could I ask a teensy favor of you? Could you please stop grinding your teeth at night? You are grinding them so loudly that it is waking up your sisters and Mama. It really is the most excruciating noise ever. And . . . I'm a little scared that you won't have any teeth left in the morning.

Thanks sweetie.

Signed,

Your Mama who loves you but does need her sleep

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