Paddling to stay afloat...

Life has been crazy lately!

Hopefully this sweet face can tide you over until life slows down for an update!

Dads and Daughters

I borrowed this from my friend Heather who blogs here. She mentioned how she can't wait to see these with her husband and daughter but not too fast and I couldn't agree more. Just seeing how hard Preston fell for Kinley (which I knew he would, because of how hard he fell for Tobie, but I still tried to prepare him for it) makes me eager to capture sweet moments between the two of them.

Here are just a couple sweet moments that took place at the hospital. 

{I knew before we all left the hospital that I was chopped liver compared to his girls}

kisses from Dad after Kinley's first bath

snuggles at the hospital while waiting to get our discharge list competed

50 Rules for Dads and Daughters

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

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2. Always be there. Quality time doesn't happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she adds years to her life… add life to her years.

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3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.

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4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

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5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

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6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.

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7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.

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8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.

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9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.

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10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.

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11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”

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12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.

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13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

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14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.

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15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait until her wedding day.

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16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

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17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.

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18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

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19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.

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20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.

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21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

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22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.

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23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

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24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.

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25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

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26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.

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27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.

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28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.

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29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.

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30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren't there.

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31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.

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32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

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33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.

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34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

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35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.

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36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.

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37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

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38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.

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39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.

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40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.

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41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.

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42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

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43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.

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44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.

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45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

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46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.

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47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

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48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.

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49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.

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50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.

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Kinley and Tobie are lucky little girls to have a Dad that loves them so much! There is no doubt in my mind that anything will ever come before or between him and his girls.

More from Pa

(He sure is going to regret telling me that I need to update my blog more often...)

This was said when they visited on September 18th. 

Pa was just looking and talking from a distance

"I could just squeeze the shit out of her! Would you mind?"

Another gem from Pa

This past weekend, we took Kinley on her first road trip! We ventured to Enid Sunday afternoon. The main purpose of going was to attend my Dad's Gourmet group. 

What is Gourmet? This type of Gourmet started as 6 couples. It is now 4 couples and my Dad. They all went to church together and once a month, they meet at someone's house and have dinner. The host house makes the main meal while others bring, salad, dessert, appetizer, bread or a vegetable. I think they started back in 1979 but I could be wrong maybe it was 1982. It was one of those years because I remember it was either the year Brother was born or I was born. Regardless, this group of people have known me since I was a bump on my Mom's belly. 

They were all excited about Kinley and even bought her a swing... so I wanted to take her to meet the group and it was convenient because my Dad was hosting.

Anywho, when we got to town, we just showed up at Nandy and Pa's. I hadn't told them we were coming. My plan was to set Kinley in her car seat, ring the doorbell and stand back to wait for Pa's reaction. However, when we pulled up they had just gotten home from the grocery store and riding around town. They were still surprised though.

Two weeks earlier, Pa was nervous to hold Kinley because "I'm not stable and if I drop her, I would never forgive myself." We ended up putting Pa in the corner of the couch and, well, you saw what happened here the last time he held her. This time, he sat down on the couch next to me, looked at her for a few minutes and then put his arms out ready to hold her.

In conversation, Aunt Carol mentioned that she and Nandy went for a pedicure but Nandy didn't really care for the massage chair. Pa was just flabbergasted by this. He asked her , "why do you like me to scratch your back in the morning but not like a massage chair." She just shrugged off his question so he answered it for her while moving his hands and fingers around, "It must be magic fingers!" I think he cracks himself up too!

I still think it is so sweet how he takes care of my Nandy. I pray that Preston keeps up the good work he is already doing and will still take care of me when I am old.

Good Stuff from Pa

Well, if the last Crazy Stuff My Pa Says post didn't embarrass him enough, this one is sure to get him!

See, I don't want to forget the good stuff that he says so I text it to myself. This text is from the first time they came over to visit Kinley, so July 23 to be exact. Sorry to keep you waiting on this one but let's be honest I got a little busy. :)

During their visit, Pa was talking and either I didn't hear what he said or didn't understand him when he asked, "Do I talk like I have a mouth full of shit??" We all cracked up when he asked that and I am cracking up again as I type it!

Here's the doozy for the day:

This next great conversation happened when they were leaving. Brother drove Nandy and Pa's Buick Rendevous (think of a little rhino because that is what it reminds me of) over. 

one of these--- I only show it so you know it wasn't like them cramming into a clown car

Nandy rode shotgun while my Dad, Claire and Pa shared the backseat. I'm waiting for Pa to get in so I can shut the door to send them on their way. He was in the process of buckling his seat belt when the wonderful-ness came out of his mouth.

Pa: Can I hit the hole now? (asking Claire if he was close to the seatbelt latch)

Me: How many times have you said that today?

Pa: Oh, I haven't hit the hole in years!!

WOAH! Too much information.

Me: Get your mind out of the gutter! I wasn't talking about that. I was asking since you always say that about standing up to pee!

He then followed up with something along the line of that not being a problem because his friend gave him some stick that is supposed to help him hit the hole in the bathroom.

Even though he says some of the craziest things, I know that is he is head over heels for this one...

this was from the first time they visited. what a little baby she was 

look how big she has gotten! (8 weeks old)

Thanks for the laughs PaL!

iCan Learn!

I have thought about this project for quite some time (like I had 4 drafts of it in my DC account) and finally finished it! Now I can wait and hope it will be brought to life through donations. 

In my confirmation email, it said for the next 7 days to use the code INSPIRE at check out and the Donors Choose board of directors would match the donation! Then, the Friends and Family campaign starts on Monday, October 8th. I don't have a code for that yet but each donation is matched with that code for a week.

I haven't spent much time with my students this year but can imagine they would get pretty excited knowing they could learn using an ipod Touch. 

This snazzy piece of technology would be used during my literacy stations. There are so many educational apps, free or for a small fee, that I think students would love! AND, they won't really feel like they are learning. I would also download some kid friendly music and use it as a reward.

I am hopeful for this project to be funded because I think it will be so exciting for my kids!

Faith Quilt

Whenever a baby is born, the women of our church give that baby a quilt or blanket. I had seen a couple here and there and each one was different. Here is Kinley's quilt.

It is such a unique quilt! The heart in the middle is little rosettes. I only wish I had the patience and time to make something like that.

a little tag sewn onto it so she will always remember where it came from and that it was made with love

Here she is testing it out...