Fail. More.
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If you recall, it was a mere 2 1/2 or 3 years ago that we remodeled the bathroom in our old house. Well...here we are doing it again. A little unexpectedly. The kitchen had top priority in our "new" house but the really wonderful stank that was coming from the master bath prompted some intervention. Boy oh boy was it moist! One thing led to another and before I knew it, I was knocking down walls. It's not necessarily something that I wanted to do again or even something that I feel 100% confident in doing but...I'm a failure yo! And failures know that life is pretty freaking boring without a little "Hey, what if I tried to..."
Here's your sign
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I love to read. Really love to read. But, I can't say that I've ever had a favorite book until this last year. If you have not read Wonder, you need to. NEED to. You also need to either read it to your children or make them read it themselves. I like to say that having a cleft lip/palate does not "define"me...but...it kind of defines me. I am 100% fine with the fact that one time you were telling someone about me and they couldn't quite place me and you said: You know...the one with the "face." Yep...that's me. I got "the face."
Not only do I love good literature, but I love GOOD children's literature. In the era of Twilight, I love to see a well written, well developed book with strong characters. Regardless of the fact that Wonder is personal for me, it's just a good book.
In 1996, I was 22 years old, living with my friend Kathy. I had dropped out of college and wasn't really sure where I was going. I had a relatively serious boyfriend who was nice enough but mostly just...there. It was then that I heard the Natalie Merchant song "Wonder." I could have sworn this song was written for me. It was so personal and important to me. Didn't change my life at the time but has stayed with me since. So, this year when I picked up Wonder and the first page quoted the song that defined me I wept. Really..."mom cried" over that one.
Wonder is starting to become required reading for elementary students and I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by wonderful teachers who invite me to come speak to their classes about my own experiences. What I try to convey (whether eloquently or not) is that this is not a book about bullying. It's about how it's the little things we say and do to each other that make such a big difference. And not just the negative. The positive is just as important. A high five or a smile can change a life.
When sweet baby Lucy was born she was so very sick. It was life changing. But, another small and wonderful thing happened. There was a woman who worked in the hospital delivering the daily meals. I remembered her. She had been there when I had Christian (she was subsequently there when I had Wyatt, by the way). The day Lucy was born was an emotionally devastating day that I couldn't possibly put into words. I was recovering from an especially dramatic bought of self pity when this woman brought me my meal. And, because I was taught to look people in the eye and say "Thank You," I did just that. She said to me "You always have the most beautiful smile. Thank you." I could tell it meant something to her and I promised to make it mean something to me too.
Wonder has another quote. It's another musical quote and, frankly, a song I was not that familiar with at the time. But they are not words that made me think of myself or my own history, but my girl. No truer words have been spoken.
New Digits
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We bought a new house in February. New, as in 1970s new. It's a bit of a fixer and I love it! One of the major selling points (I'm really easy to please) was that I was going to have my own mailbox. No community mailbox for us any more! Then, for Christmas, I got a Silhouette Cameo and crafty climax was reached (again...easy to please. Graham is a lucky man).
My new crafty cutter thingy is perfect for making this atrocity a little more appealing.
First, I scraped off the old numbers. Well at least I tried to. They were pretty committed to staying there so I half-assed it. Then I spray painted it white. No need to make this part perfect. Just have to make sure that where the new numbers will go are well covered.
I then used my Cameo to cut the name and number out of contact paper. I think one is supposed to use the official vinyl for this but when one is cheap...contact paper seems like a better option.
Another coat of white paint is then necessary. Or so I'm told. I have no scientific evidence as to why this is needed but I just do what the internets tell me.
Once that was dry, I just sprayed it with my black spray paint.
And, finally, peel off the contact paper. Viola!
You really shouldn't love a mailbox this much. It's wrong.
We survived!!
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It's our busiest time of the year and we just barely made it. First up, we had Wyatt's pre-K program where most kids sang but Wyatt just stood there. I didn't get any pictures because I forgot my camera (gasp!). Ah well, he needs to get used to it being the third kid and all. Then, we had Lucy's violin recital and she was beautiful and fabulous as always. Again, I forgot my camera so this is just a crappy iPhone picture.
Next, we had Lucy's Christmas dance program.
Then, Christian's choir concert.
Then, Christian's guitar recital.
Did I mention that all of this happened in one week? No problem, we survived it all with the help of our good friend, Steve Jobs.
Photography Friday
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Started with the dog who was completely uncooperative.
So, then I added in Graham. Who was helpful, but doesn't like it when I post pictures of his somewhat bald head.
Then we moved on to pastey-white children with blonde hair. I haven't completely worked out how to not wash her out but I did shoot these all in Manual mode which I am quite proud of!
I'm getting there. Slowly. But getting there.
Elementary
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One of the benefits of working in an elementary school is that you get to have fun days like "International Children's Day." Different countries were represented and I got "Henna'd" in India. Super fun!
I hate to toot my own horn...
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But, tooty toot toot I'm so proud of this blanket!! I call it the "Meemaw"
Photo fun!
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Wednesday night is dance night and it lasts for an hour and a half!! SHEESH..the things we do for our kids!! A couple of weeks ago, a new restaurant opened two doors down. Now that we have happy hour, 1.5 hours doesn't seem so bad. Christian and I have gone a couple of times for drinks and chips and salsa and today I brought along my camera to play around with my new lens. This first pic is not my best composed picture but it's the only one where Christian has a decent expression - he truly is the world's worst model.
Then we went back down to watch Lucy some. Again, not the greatest photo but I just would like to point out that I took this picture of her dancing with NO flash..indoors! Amazing!
The next one was a bit tricky and still needs a little work but I love it!
THEN, I discovered this website called Picnik Do people know about this? Am I totally late to the party? I LOVE it!! It's how I got the above pictures to have rounded corners (although, the effect was ruined once I uploaded them to the blog...I'll have to keep working on it). But, more importantly, it's how I managed this little gem:
WainSCOTTing
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Sight Words
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Lucy's teacher said she needed to work on memorizing some of her "sight words" and the "teen" numbers (she wants to say thirty for 13, etc.) so I wrote them on the mirror in dry erase for her to practice after bath. She finds this most fun!
World's Greatest Jungle Gym
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Graham and I are a bit notorious for having the most ridiculous fights ever. It's almost as though we are looking to see who can be the most nonsensical person on the planet. Take, yesterday (my birthday BTW), as an example.
Graham: What's happening tonight?
Kelli: I've told you a thousand times, I want Chuy's for dinner.
Graham: I know, but WHAT'S happening?
Kelli: CHUY'S!!!!
Graham: YES BUT WHAT IS HAPPENING!!!
Kelli: My parents are coming over and WE ARE GETTING CHUYS!!!
Graham: But, who is picking it up?
Kelli: Ok, "Who is picking it up?" is a very different question than "What's happening?"
...and it goes on and on and on and on....
At one point in the evening my mom said "Why are you guys married again?"
People, even at his most nonsensical (and, lets face it, I totally was right on that one. really!!), how could I not love this man.
Seriously, the commitment on the above face to the "c'mon Wyatt let me show you how to jump" alone is enough to keep me married to him for at least another 9!
Mom always loved you best
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She really isn't my favorite. It's just that this is what I get with the boys:
Bathroom distraction
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Congratulations Jaimie and Shidan!!!
My friend Jaimie is getting married in a few short weeks and I had a bridal shower for her this morning. There was about 4000 things I wanted to do, and I did about 4...which is a pretty good percentage for me.
First up, she needed a "blingy" J. This was Lucy's favorite thing.
Then, I found some great boxes at Michaels that I decoupaged with pictures of the happy couple (Jaimie was quick to point out that these were illegal reproductions of professional prints).
Bree was kind enough to make me some little signs for the food.
Something Blue
Happy Guests
The beautiful bride-to-be and our beautiful friend, Shannon
Cowgirl cookies "to-go"
It was a lot of fun and I was so happy to get to do it!! Now...back to that bathroom....
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