A COMPLETELY UNPLANNED WEEKEND.......

Well taking up where we left off........the week did not improve as far as Raelynn and her sadness as we left her every day.  I still am unsure why she is struggling but hoping it is just a phase.  We'll see how next week progresses.  I asked her today if she was going to cry next week when I took her to school and her reply was, "I sure hope not but let's just see what happens."  I guess I am much more concerned about it than she is :)

This weekend did not go at all as I had expected.  Raelynn was going to Washburn University on Saturday for a dance clinic and then performed during the woman's half time show.  So she left about 11:30am and then we went to her game at 5:30pm.  She had a blast! She went with her best friend, Paige and Paige's sister Riley,  They were too cute dancing.  I also discovered one more way that my daughter is exactly like me......the girl can't dance!  However, at 5 it is adorably cute, I am not sure at what age it just becomes embarrassing, so I hope she enjoys it why she can.  I had recorded the dance but can't get it downloaded or you could laugh with us as Paige shakes her booty and Raelynn tries so hard but looks more like a robot trying to loosen his joints!  Of course though we gave her big hugs and high fives to ensure that she knew she rocked the house!

After the performance we had some time with the Ichabod.  Raelynn got us into a little trouble with the Ichabod when she decided to call him the Icky Ichabod.  He chased her all around and then picked her up and gave her a good tickling!  I guess at least she made an impression as I am sure we will be seeing the Icky Ichabod as we visit Aunt Karli next year at college.

While Raelynn was at Washburn I had big plans to get things done at home.  Unfortunately instead I felt horrible.  I ran a fever all day and every muscle in my body hurt.  I felt terrible!  I laid on the couch and from time to time would get up to try to do something only to be completely out of breath and exhausted.  Finally I gave up and realized I was going to get nothing done.  Cooper was the sweetest boy all day......and a little ornery.  I put him down for a nap about 2:30pm  about 4:00pm he came walking into the living room with his little grin that tells us he has done something.  He says, "Mommy, I tink you need to see someting."  I got up and walked into his room.  He had every puzzle in his room out.  "I put dem together myself!"  He was so proud of himself.  I don't think he slept at all but I also couldn't get mad because he was so proud.  All day he played, got his drinks, went to the bathroom all by himself.  He would come and tell me but never whined or cried and asked for help.  He would sometimes come over and give me a hug or a kiss and then would be on his way.  At one point he went downstairs, got me a bottle of water and brought it back up to me.  He handed it to me and said he thought I might be thirsty.  It was perfect!  He also dressed himself.  He would come in and say, "I need a wittle bit of help, but not much." Luckily, I woke up this morning good as new.  But of course after loosing a whole day I had a million things to do.  Luckily I had a very productive day....unfortunately, Raelynn woke up not feeling so well. She has ran a low grade fever and felt just not great but nothing too bad.  Hopefully she too will wake up tomorrow good as new.  Because she wasn't feeling too good she spent a lot of time watching TV.  At one point Coop had stopped in the living room to catch a little of Hanna Montana.  I was in the kitchen and heard Coop say to Raelynn, "Jessie broke Hanna Montana's heart."  Raelynn replies, "Yea boys do that sometimes."  Coop so sincerely says, "I never break girls heart cause I not want her to have surgery to fix it."  I didn't know whether to cry or laugh.  I heard no response from Raelynn or anything else from Coop and I didn't say anything either.  It just seemed more appropriate to say nothing. 

So today I decided to accept the volunteer position as Preschool Director at our church.  I was approached about the position a week or so ago and my first thought was no way do I have the time for that but just as quickly I replied to an email saying I would consider it.  I met with them today to find out what it entailed and knew I was going to agree to do it even though I still questioned if I had time for it.  I finished our meeting and went into church. The first thing the pastor spoke about was how we have to be willing to let God use us in the manner he wants and how some of us never open ourselves to let this happen.  I just smiled and thought, Ok ok God I got it!  So starting in June I will be the new Preschool Director and as the day went on I just got more and more excited about it.  They have a wonderful team and some amazing support and helpers so I know it will be great.

So on to another week......can't wait to see what this one holds!

JUST SAY NO...................

I have this complete inability to say "No" to anything!  The problem is I love doing things and I never like to tell anyone I can't do something BUT in order for me to continue to add things into my life I am going to have to figure out how to convince the world that days should be 36 hours instead of 24 and convince my body that 2 to 3 hours of sleep is plenty!!!  As long as I am dreaming, a money tree in the back yard would be nice too!

This week has been a little rough with the kids.  After a wonderful weekend together we had serious separation issues on Monday. (Notice I said "we") Terry is having to go to work early this week so instead of he taking Coop to Mary Beth's, Coop and I drop Raelynn off at school and then I drop Coop off at Mary Beth's.  Monday morning everything is going great and we head out to take Raelynn to school.  Coop and Raelynn are both excited as it was a treat to have Cooper at the school.  Cooper carried Sissy's book bag for her and it was darling to watch her so proudly walk Coop into her school and down the hall.  She was telling him who everyone was and would ask him to tell them Hi while he proudly rolled Sissy's backpack for her.  Then it was time for us to leave.  Raelynn started to tear up and didn't want us to leave.  I eventually got out of her classroom only for her to chase me down the hall.  It broke my heart!  Then I took Coop to Mary Beth's and wouldn't you know it but he too cried.  I went to work Monday morning wanting to cry myself.  After I picked Raelynn up I talked to her about what upset her and she just said, "we had been together all weekend and it just hard for me to tell you goodbye!"  So this morning I had high hopes that things would go better but noooooooo.....there was more crying, more chasing down the hall, more frustration.  I really think the problem is that Cooper and I are leaving somewhere together without her.  She never likes to see Coop and I go do anything without her and I wonder if this is the problem.  Anyway, as we left the school this morning Coop says, "Sissy's sad."  "Yes she is and I don't know why but it makes me sad too" I responded.  Then Coop says, "I not cry at Mary Beth's so you not be sad.  You be happy!"  What a sweet boy.  We get to Mary Beth's and as we're walking in Coop says, "You happy Mommy, I not cry, you not be sad."  And sure enough he never cried and smiled at me as I walked up the stairs.  I think this is just a little glimpse of how my little boy is always going to look after his Mommy!  I guess we'll see how tomorrow goes.

Yesterday morning as we got ready Coop kept putting his hands in his pants' pockets but not his whole hand as he usually did but instead just his fingers with his thumbs still out.  He seemed to be concentrating on getting his hands just right in his pockets.  He concentration to this caught my attentions and I asked him what he was doing.  "I put my hands in my pockets like Grandpa."  This is exactly how my Dad stands, with his hands in his pockets with his thumbs out.  It made me smile.  Then Coop says, "Grandpa has BIG hands, my hands are wittle. My hands be big when I grow up, big like Grandpa's."  I love their chatter about Grandpa since his visit and as always my kids see things I never even really notice.  Their attention to detail sometimes catches me by surprise and I realize it is details like these that we take for granted and will someday just wish we could see one more time.

We got our family pictures back on Saturday and I will post just a few.  They were taken by Amber Temple, Temple Photography.  She has taken our pictures the last 2 or 3 years and we are never disappointed!  The kids are adorable in them all!!!

 

ANOTHER SNOW DAY...........

Another snow day.....gotta love winters in Kansas.  Yesterday it started snowing hard.  Tom let us leave a little early from work so we could make it home.  I left around 4pm and picked the kids up and headed home.  It is amazing what an extra hour can do in the evening.  We got home and everyone changed into cozy warm clothes.  Raelynn told me that she and Coop should take the night off from bathes because of all the snow.  I am not sure what the snow had to do with them taking bathes but since we rarely ever skip a night of bathes I decided to agree with her.  So with an extra hour and no bathes we decided games and dance parties would fill our evening.  It was amazing how much time it seemed we had together.  After we had calmed down a little, ate dinner and were getting ready for bed, Raelynn and I were sitting on the floor watching American Idol.  I looked over at her and as she watched TV she looked so big.  I am so often taken back by her presence at the most unusual times.  There seems to be this transition that she is going through.  She is still a crazy little girl but then is such a controlled and intelligent young lady.  I am sure this is how I will see her grow up and go from stage to stage in her life but it leaves me in awe.  As I set there looking at her a smile spread across my face and I just needed to see her silly side.  I poked her on the arm.....she ignored me.......I poked her again......she ignored me........I poked her again.......she turns to me with a smile as if she knew all along what I was thinking.  She says to me, "You are so weird!" and then puts her arm around my neck and kisses me on the cheek, "but I love you still."  Sometimes I think our roles reverse just for short little flashes of time but when they do it is just enough for me to be assured that she and I will always have such a special relationship and reminds me to never take that for granted. 

Finally it was time for bed.  After Terry and Coop had read their bedtime story I went in to tell Coop goodnight.  I lay my head on his pillow and he was quiet for a minute.  Then he says, "Mommy, we need to buy Sissy a computer."  I clarify that he did say a computer and he responds, "Yea a pink computer, a laptop."  I chuckled because what a sure sign of the times that my 3 year old knows all about a laptop.  Anyway, I ask him why we should buy Sissy a computer and he tells  me because she really likes them.  Then he says, "you buy Sissy a pink one and I can have an orange computer."  I explained that computers were very expensive and we would have to save a lot of money but maybe one day we could get he and Sissy a computer.  That was about all there was to the conversation until this morning.  Coop and Raelynn spend a lot of time together playing and doing things together and apparently this morning Coop was filling Raelynn in about our computer discussion.  All the sudden she comes into our room and says, "Mom Cooper said we get a laptop in one day!?"  I started to laugh, "Maybe some day but no not in one day."  They were very disappointed but by tonight the thought was lost and no one seemed too sad about it.  I love my kids, I love their funny stories and not so funny jokes.  I love how they take things so literally and I even love when they aren't being cute! 

TIME WITH MY DAD............

This past week my Dad was here to visit.  This is something that virtually never happens so it was quite a treat.  Steph and Cody were here for a few days as well so Steph could show off her new beautiful ring!  The week was one we will never forget for many reasons but some awesome family memories were made with Steph doing craft projects with the kids and Dad making princess cupcakes with Raelynn.  It is amazing what events can generate some incredible memories.

Today was Raelynn's first Girl Scout Cookie Sales, there was no doubt we have a saleswoman in the family!



ENGAGED!!!

This post has been a long time coming...........my little sister, Steph, is finally engaged!  The truth is I have known since shortly after Christmas that Cody planned to propose but his plans seemed to keep getting "cancelled".  As you know from my previous posts I really thought he would propose over Christmas but it never happened.  I had drilled my Dad as to whether Cody had talked to him about it but he promised over and over again that he had not.  We had only been back from Christmas a day or so when I receive a text from my Dad, "Cody just talked to me!"  I screamed and ran around my house like a crazy lady.  I was sooooo excited.  The plan was that after Cody's family had their family pictures that they had scheduled to take on the 27th or 28th he would turn to her and say, "Let's get our engagement picture taken while we are here?" and then he would pop the question.  Unfortunately due to members of the family getting the flu pictures were postponed and eventually cancelled.  Then it was going to be on New Year's Eve......Steph and Cody had planned to have a big celebration back in Manhattan, but they got snowed in at Scott City and spent New Year's watching a movie.  Now the thing was I was not even suppose to know and the only other person who knew was my Dad so needless to say he received texts often begging him to find out when Cody was going to propose.   Then on Sunday January 9th, Steph had spent the night with Cody's family the night before.  Sunday morning they were to go to church with our family.  As they were getting around Cody was complaining about having to go to church and Steph says to him, "Give me a diamond and you don't have to go to church!"  She joked with him often this way.  So Cody did just that!  He set the ring out on a table or counter or something and I guess Steph walked by it 3 or 4 times before she actually saw it and then when she did see it she was scared to acknowledge it.  Finally it all happened and wouldn't you know I missed her exciting call that I had been waiting so long for because I was in church.  It was nearly and hour after her call that I called her back.  I was so excited for them.  I was driving home and after talking to her I told Coop and Raelynn that Aunt Steph and Cody were engaged!  Neither Coop or Raelynn said much.  The smiled a little but that was about it.  I was shocked because they love Cody and I thought they would be more excited.  I said, "isn't that so exciting" and I just got a "ya!"  I drove a little farther thinking why they were not more excited.  Then it hit me, "Guys, do you know what engaged means?"  Raelynn and Cooper in unison so "No."  I started to laugh and then told them they were getting married.  They were much more excited then!

Steph and Cody~ You are about to enter a whole new stage of your life.  You both have so much still to learn and I am thrilled that you will have each other to learn it with.  I cannot tell you how wonderful being married to your best friend is.  It is not all easy and it takes work but just remember how you feel right now and never forget that!  There is so much excitement to come but it will come along with so many more emotions too.  Cherish them all both good and bad and remember it is the bad that will make you stronger together and the good that will keep you coming back for more.  You are now a team and as in any team, you must bring your own individuality but must also form your individuality to one another so that you are both seen in your decisions and actions.  Steph I have watched you grow up as I have grown up myself.  You are a wonderful person and a extraordinary sister.  I am so happy for you!  I am always here for you and cannot wait to share in your excitement!

Oh yea, and the most important part......................




THE RING!



CONGRATULATION!

Dad, get your checkbook out and let the planning begin................

FUN, LOVE, PRIDE, DISGUST; ALL IN AN AVERAGE WEEK AROUND HERE.........

I often tell everyone that Coop is ornery but this week topped all.  One morning Raelynn and I were headed out the door to school.  Coop was in the living room watching Mickey Mouse and Terry was in the shower.  Right as I am shutting the door I hear Coop say in his small ashamed voice, "Mommy???" I stop immediately and head back to the living room because that voice always means something is wrong.  Coop meets me midway with his head hung low.  "I potty in my pants."  I was so disappointed because he has been doing amazingly.  As I swoop him up to head to the bathroom I say, "Oh Cooper" in my disappointed voice.  As I pick him up I notice he isn't wet.  I look down at his face which by this time covered by a huge smile.  "I gottcha Mommy!"  That little stinker hadn't pottied his pants, he had tricked me!  I, of course, laughed and then tickled him to death for "getting me".  As I left the house it occurred to me that if at age 3 he is pulling tricks like that, what will he be doing at 5!!!

Thursday night was a rough night at the Keefer household.  We often give the toys we out grow to Mary Beth for the daycare.  Apparently one of the toys we gave held a special place in Raelynn's sensitive heart.  It is this hippo pushing toy she had when she was first learning to walk.  We had gave it to Mary Beth awhile back but I am guessing on Thursday they had just gotten it out.  We had finished baths and all out nightly routine and were headed to bed.  Raelynn was very tired.  She lays down in bed and as I bend over to give her a kiss tears begin to roll.  She wanted her Hippo back!!!  You would have thought we had just lost the most important thing in the world to her. It took me a minute or two to even figure out what she was talking about. I lay with her and tried to console her but nothing worked and she eventually cried herself to sleep.  As I was walking out of her room and wondering to myself what that was all about and relieved that she had fallen asleep, Coop was walking in to tell Sissy good night.  I picked him up and told him Sissy was already asleep and I didn't want him to wake her.  His face turned to sadness and the bottom lip popped out and tears began to roll yet again!  "I not tell Sissy good night!  She can't go to sleep yet!"  It was so sad yet so sweet!  I promised him if he could quit crying I would let him go in and kiss her on the cheek.  He gathered himself and we went back into Raelynn's room.  He gives her a light kiss on the cheek and whispers good night.  By the time we got both kids in bed we felt like we had battled a short war :)  I am glad they are so loving but REALLY?!

Today has been an unbelievably productive day.  I cannot even explain what a  new found freedom we have now that Coop's potty trained.  There is no more constant asking him or timer every hour or two reminding us to take him.  There is just his cute little voice saying, "I go potty Mommy!"  Music to a mother's ears!  However, event though I am not needed for that anymore, I am still needed for damage control.......I am using the restroom which of course I never can do without company.  The door opens and there is Raelynn holding her cash register with tears in her eyes.  "Mom look what Cooper did!  He said he was fixing it but I told him he was going to break it.  He was hammering it!"  Sure enough Coop had cracked the display.  I asked Raelynn to sit it on the counter and I would deal with it in a minute.  Raelynn does as I asks and leaves the bathroom.  As the door is closing I hear my sweet adorable little boy yell at his sister in a deep raspy voice, "WHY DID YOU HAVE TO TELL HER!"  In an equally vicious but much quieter voice Raelynn responds, "Because you are going to learn to respect my toys!"  It took me a few seconds to compose myself before I could leave the restroom to deal with the situation.  I wonder what the kids would think if they knew how often I laughed at them!!!

I guess back to working on projects, I have made myself a list and of course cannot rest until it is done!

1. Update Blog........check!

heeheehee!

TOO MANY LAUGHS.........

I don't know if it was because I missed them so much today, but the kids were extra entertaining tonight!  I picked them up from Mary Beth's and within seconds I was laughing.  Raelynn informs me that Saturday night she and Cooper are going to be the parents.  Then Coop chimes in, "and you and Daddy are the cubs!"  This comes from an episode of the Bernstein Bears so I guess Saturday night should be interesting.  We then had to stop at the store.  We get in the store and Coop says, "Mommy I not sit in the cart, I a big boy now!" So he walked around the store bigger and prouder than I had ever seen him.  Everyone we passed smiled and then Coop looks up at one lady and says, "Hi, have a good night!"  I thought the lady was going to fall over.  Coop also decided it was time for him to start chewing gum.  Raelynn and I are big gum chewers so it was bound to happen.  He did great with it, as a big boy like he would!  We got home and they went right into playing.  The next thing I know they both walk in the kitchen, set the table, get their water and then ask if dinner is ready.  Our dinner turned into comic hour.  Over and over again we heard jokes.  This is just a glimpse of our dinner time!

A perfect end to a Monday!

HAPPY NEW YEAR..............

Here we go 2011.....let's see what you have in store for us!  I sat and thought for a minute how much I really mean this.  Isn't it exciting, scary and so suspenseful to think about what the next year has in store?  Every since Coop was born......well really even since Raelynn was born.......I look forward to every day to see what happens and to think that we have 365 days to wonder about is almost overwhelming but absolutely wonderful! 

2010 ended with a little fun with the kids.  I only had to work until noon on Friday so after work I picked up one of Raelynn's best friends and we headed to Overland Park to the mall where there just happens to be the American Girl Store.  If you are not familiar with American Girl Dolls you are truly missing out.  They are these perfectly wonderful dolls that are ridiculously expensive.  You can design the dolls to look just like you.  They have clothes that are for the girls as well as the dolls so you can dress just like your American Girl Doll.  I have to say when Raelynn first started talking about them 3 years ago I swore I would never spend that kind of money on a doll but I have to tell you, they are awesome!  Anyway, we had a great time browsing the store and saw so many things that "we" want!  Raelynn has the Bitty Baby which she got for her birthday.  I told her she could have one thing for her Bitty Baby and what did she pick?  The "Get Better" Kit loaded with your necessities, band aids, stethoscope, etc.  After all the fun there we headed to the carousel and play area.  The kids had a wonderful time and it was fun just to watch them. At one point Raelynn and her friends turned to me and said, "Your awesome!"  I cannot think of a better thank you! 

New Year's Eve we stayed safely at home.  It was more fun with the kids and we all made it to the New Year, well sort of!  Once the ball dropped in NY it's technically the New Year :)  We all crashed shortly after. 

Tickle Time!  Poor Aunt Karli :)

Karli headed home today.  I always hate it when my sister's leave!  Karli was so much help to have around and just great to share our fun times with.  But I guess we have to get back to our routine and on with the year.  I spent the day cleaning and doing laundry.  Raelynn continues to be her same awesome self and enjoyed the day watching way more TV then I ever allow.  Coop is doing amazing and I would say has accomplished the whole potty thing.  Today, I was in the middle of mopping the floors and had been interrupted several times.  He hollered as me to say he had went potty.  I went to the bathroom and told him good job but I was distracted and just wanted to get my floors done.  Coop says, "Mommy, smile, aren't you proud of me?"  Instantly a smile spread across my face and tears filled my eyes.  I am so glad my kids can so quickly turn my attention to what really matters.  I quickly turned to him and dropped to my knees to hug him.  With a big smile I told him I was very proud of him and very thankful that he was my little Boo.  I stopped right then and the kids and I did a little wrestling and tickling on the floor.  It was just a few minutes of laughter but I knew just taking those few minutes would make the rest of my mopping much more enjoyable.