She keeps us laughing!

K: When I get married, I'd like to wear your wedding dress if it fits.
Me: Ok, that sounds good!
K: Do we open presents at the reception?
Me: No, that waits until after the wedding.
K: Ok, well, I'd like a mixer.
Me: You have big plans, don't you?
K: Yep.

K: I would like Annabelle and Zoe to be my maids of honor someday.
Dave: You'll need a man first.
Me: And to go to kindergarten.
K: What do I need a man for?

K: Mommy, can you go put this in the fridge for me, please?
Me: Why can't you?
K: Oh, this is just a favor.

Me: You kind of stink since you've been outside.
K: No I don't, I smell like roses.

Me: Are you going to answer me?
K: Mommy, you are interrupting my concentration.

K: How does a baby get in a mommy's tummy?
Me: God puts it there.
K: But HOW does it GET THERE?
Me: I need some time to think about how to explain this to you. I'll tell you more when you're a little older.
K: That's what you said yesterday and today I AM older.

K: I want to know how toys are made. Hey, I'll be a toy maker when I grow up!! I still want to be everything, but that includes a toy maker.

Me: God loves everybody.
K: Even the bad guys in Germany? (No offense to Germany. She is just still obsessed with The Sound of Music.)

K: We were playing The Sound of Music at school and [name] didn't want to be Louisa! She wanted to be Marta and that didn't make sense because Louisa is taller than Marta and [name] is tall!!
Me: Have any of your friends even seen The Sound of Music?
K: No.
Me: So they just play along with whatever you tell them to do?
K: Yeah, most of the time. Sometimes they don't cooperate.

K: Mommy, today is my birthday!
Me: Um, no it's not.
K: Yes it is, today I'm Marta! And it's Tuesday. I'm seven. I'd like my pink parasol, please.

Me: We're going to look at more houses tonight.
K: Ugh, again? This is exhausting. I just want a night to stay at home and relax.
Me: Sometimes I forget that you're only four.

Kid at school: I'm scared of Heaven.
K: No! Let me tell you! Heaven is a wonderful place! We get to meet JESUS. And the Father. And all the people who asked Jesus into their hearts. So don't be scared of Heaven. 

Me: Guess what? In the new house, your closet is huge. There's lots of space to hang dresses and built in shelves for purses and shoes and stuff.
K: I am about to cry happy tears! Seriously, I am crying happy tears right now!!!

K: A friend at school asked me why I'm always singing.
Me: And what did you tell her?
K: Um, because I LIKE to sing...!?!?!

She keeps us laughing!

K: (pointing to a box of gauze at the store) Can we buy some of this? I'd like to turn my Baby Alive doll into a mummy.

K: I want to be on a team someday. Actually, I want to be a cheerleader with a little arm. 

K: What does apartment start with?
Me: A.
K: No it doesn't, it starts with U. Uh-partment.

K: When I'm older, I want to run races and win. ON TV. How do I do that?

K: I'm bored of four. How much longer until I'm five?

K: We're getting those dogs on tv.
Dave: Not right now. You know what we're getting instead? A baby.
K: Do you think we're also getting a Golden Retriever? (?????)

K: This is my doll, Molly. Her middle name is Tamale.

K: Mommy, will you please open my candy cane? If you dare...

K: Maybe I just want to be "everything" when I grow up.

K: What does "the shepherds trembled" mean?
Me: They were afraid. The shepherds were not expecting to see an angel or the bright heavenly hosts in the sky.
K: Oh, they didn't actually SEE angels.
Me: No?
K: Of course not. They had to use their imaginations.

K (after a long discussion about Heaven): DADDY!!! Mommy said I will see you in Heaven!!
Dave: That's great, but I was hoping to see you a lot sooner than that...

K: Who built God?
Me: Great question. The Bible says He's been here since the beginning...
K: But HOW did he get here?
Me: I'm not really sure how to explain this to you, but I'll try--
K: Ok, then can we just sing Jingle Bell Rock?

K: How does a baby stay in a mommy's tummy?
Me: Um, the passage we've talked about is blocked. The baby stays put until the mommy's body says it's time.
Dave: (rolling his eyes)
Me, to Dave: You want to take a shot at explaining this?
Dave: Katelyn, these things just happen.
K (dissatisfied): That's all you want to say?

Me: Your room is a disaster.
K (grinning): Would you say it's a catastrophe?

K: I have a lot of questions for God when I get to Heaven.

Music in our veins

Whether it be just singing for no reason or someone playing the piano, electric bass, or another random instrument, it seems like there is always some type of music going on in our house. Given that music (college choir) is what brought Dave and me together in the first place, I love this. 

Playing the trombone. (I'm still unclear on why we have a trombone, but I've made my peace with it.) Girl's got some strong lungs!

Playing Daddy's harmonica

Hosting a Disney singalong. This went on for about 30 minutes and we all had parts so that we could be "A TRIO!!!!!"

Singing along with the player piano at Walmart. This happened a LOT in December, so if you were one of the customers greeted by her free concert as you entered the store... hope you enjoyed it.

Speaking of Christmas carols, oh my goodness. Katelyn listens to Christmas music all year long, so you can just imagine the holiday spirit at our house this year. We've sat at the piano and sung Christmas carols many times and driving in the car is just a little bit merrier when everyone is singing along to the radio.

On a related note, Katelyn's current obsession is The Sound of Music. She LOVES all the songs and sobs when the movie ends because she doesn't want it to be over. And for the past two days she's asked that I call her "Gretel." We've also been learning solfege in children's choir, so do-re-mi makes a lot of sense to her now. 

I think back to when I was pregnant with Katelyn and how HARD she would kick me anytime there was music... I'm not at all surprised that she loves music as much as she does!

She keeps us laughing! and the State Fair

K: Tonight, let's call Baylor "Pickles."

K: I'm deliciously thirsty!

Me: How about instead of complaining that I got you the wrong snow cone flavor, you thank me for standing in line for you?

K (confused): Well, I couldn't stand in line. The counter was too tall.

Me: Rachel plays the French Horn.

K: Does Rachel also speak French? Haha, that's funny.

Dave: When 3 people sing, it's called a trio. Do you know what it's called when 4 people sing?

K: A four-o?

K (mad at me): Thumbs down for you, Mommy!!!!!! THUMBS DOWN!!!!!!

K: Ugh! This lollipop tastes like stink! I'm throwing it away.

K: This car is nice. Relaxing and fresh.

Me: PLEASE be still... you know, when you're older, there's a sport called track where you run all the time and race other people. You can win medals and stuff.

K: *lights up like a Christmas tree* You mean I can WIN just by racing other people?!?

Me: Well, yes, if you're the fastest. And if that's what you want to do, Daddy and I will be there to cheer you on.

K: MOMMY. Let's talk about this every night.

K: Oh, fiddlesticks.

Me: The man who crashed his car into Daddy's car and all those other people is in jail. 

K: But we can still love him, right? Even though he made a bad choice and we don't really know him? We can love people we don't know?

Me: YES, sweet girl. He made a bad, dangerous choice and there are consequences, but we can love and pray for him.

______________

We went to the State Fair for the first time and had a great time. We saw animals and lots of interesting things and rode some rides. A few highlights...

She did NOT like Big Tex because he was "creepy." I'm kind of with her on this one.

Next time little brother will be in that empty spot!

Waiting in line for the Ferris Wheel. She loved it! No fear of heights with this girl.

I couldn't ride much since I'm pregnant-- which was fine with me because I don't like rides anyway. Glad these two have each other!

  

The swings were her favorite.

One of my favorite pictures ever

She keeps us laughing!

K: Does Siri have a mommy and daddy?

K: My legs are aching for a race. Let's go!!!!! (takes off running)

K (poking me): Hmm. You have a lot of hips, don't you?

K to me: We can both be Wonderwoman. She's a brunette too, you know.

Me: Where did you go?

K: In the living room. I met a precious man named David there.

K (loudly on her first Sunday in big church): Why is this prayer taking so long??

K: Can I have a hamster?

Me: Absolutely not. Besides, Baylor would get it!

K: Oh fine. When I'm older, I'll have 2 cats, a hamster, and Baylor. Baylor will be old by then so she will die soon.

Me: Katelyn!

K: Well it's true! She WILL die when she's old! 

Me: Yes, but--

K: I'm just telling the truth! Isn't that what God wants me to do, tell the truth? I'm just doing what God wants!!!

K: Maybe we should name the baby Snowflake!

K (5 minutes into Charlotte's Web): This is a long movie. No thank you. (leaves room)

K, after falling down: I am just a broken machine today!

K: Mommy!!! Did you know that when a mommy has a baby in her tummy, her bottom gets bigger too???

Me: I'm aware.

K, to the tune of "Skip to My Lou": God improves you and me...

K, praying: ...and keep the baby safe. And it's a girl--fine, if it's a boy--not fine.

K, to me: Well. You're already gaining some weight in the tummy area.

K: Why do people always ask about my little arm?

Me: Well, it's not that common and people are curious. You have a great chance to tell others that God makes each of us special! Not everyone knows about God, you know.

K: People don't know about the gods?

Me: ONE God. The Bible says there is one God.

K: I'm pretty sure the Bible says there are 12.

Me: That's disciples. Jesus had 12 disciples.

Me: What's your new teacher's name?
K: I call her Serena.
Me: Is that her name?
K: No, but I think that's a pretty name, so I call her Serena.

Me: Hey, you traced numbers! Good job! Wait...
K: I made them curly because I wanted them to look pretty.
(You can see where she got bored with the normal way on row 1, #4.)

She Keeps Us Laughing!

K: Tomorrow night you and Annabelle and some other kids will walk down the aisle at Grandad's church carrying American flags.
Me: Is this a winning game?
K: What...? NO, it is not a race. No running, no contest. Just carry a flag and walk like everyone else.

Me: What's up with you calling me 'mom' all the sudden?
K: I'm calling you Mom because I am your child, remember?

K: Why is there only one God?
Me: Because that's all we need.
K: Aww man, I was hoping there'd be 11.

K: I will change ALL the baby's diapers.
Me: Babies poop, you know.
K: I will change ALL the wet diapers. You can change the poopy ones. I don't want to get poop on my hands.

K (mumbling to herself): Four is just hard.

K: Look, a horse! I'd like a horse party for my 5th birthday!
Me: That sounds... expensive.
K: Oh, we wouldn't have to BUY the horses. Just ride them. 
Me: But you're scared of horses... you wouldn't even ride the mini horses at the Fall Festival.
K: Let's have a Fall Festival birthday party!!!!!!

Me (while watching America Ninja Warrior): Wow, I could never do that.
K: Maybe I could do that. Because I'm so strong.

K (singing): This little light of mine--
Me: I'm gonna let it shine!
K: This is not a duet.

K (annoyed): I'm four now. Why do these clothes and shoes still fit me?

K: Poojure. 
Me: What?
K: It's French.
Me: I didn't know you spoke French! What does it mean?
K: It means hello.
Me: OH. Bonjour.

K: Why are you back early from playing golf?
Dave: I wasn't playing very well.
K: Did you tell the coach to go home?
Dave: No, I was just hitting golf balls.

Me: What candy did you choose?
K: Smarties. To make me smart.

Me: Let's chat.
K: What does chat mean?
Me: Have a little conversation.
K: Ohhhh... well, you're kind of a chatterbox.

Me: Don't say "I can't." Say "I'll try."
K: I can't even try.

K: I'm going to tell you the story of baby Jesus. Jesus was born in a manger and Mary always wore blue.

K: Mommy, you look scruffy.
Me: Well that's not very nice!
K (gesturing wildly): Oh, I AM being nice! But you need to know. You look scruffy.

Me: When your friends say hi to you in the morning and you give them a pouty face, you're being rude.
K: Well, I am just not a morning person.

Me: What's up with you calling me Mom lately?
K: When I turn 4, I'm going to start calling you Mom.

K: MOMMY. There's a wolf outside. Not a bunny, not a cat, not a bird. A wolf. 
Me: Are you sure it wasn't a small coyote? 
K: It was a wolf. And wolves live on the moon.
Me: What?
K: You know, there's a moon and the wolf goes howwwwwwl.

Me: Why are you mad at Baylor? 
K: She was licking the carpet and I told her not to and she did it anyway and that was disrespecting me!!!

K: I'm sometimes a bit of a handful.

Dave, watching the World Cup: Yeah! USA just scored a goal!
K: Hmph. I wanted to win.
Me: You're not even playing the game!!!!

K: When I grow up, I'd like helicopter. I'd like to also be a helicopter pilot.

Me: I'm glad you like the water! You're part fish!
K: Actually, I'm a clown fish.
Me: You are pretty funny.

The Week

We recently had a REALLY long week. In the 7 years we've been married, we've learned that God likes to cram our major life events into very short time spans. Luckily, we've gotten pretty good at dealing with big things on the fly. All of this happened in 8 days...

The morning we left town to spend July 4th with family, we had to surprise buy a new car. We're thankful that it all worked out, but car shopping in another town wasn't how we expected to spend our day. At least we were able to sell the car that died to the tow truck driver, haha.

But, we also had a great time with family and the most awesome inflatable slip-n-slide EVER...

Early Monday morning, we found out I'm pregnant!! Due mid-March. SO MUCH EXCITEMENT!

Also on Monday, Katelyn had minor surgery to remove two small, benign cysts from her scalp. She was a champ and everything went well.

Katelyn and Molly, wearing surgical gloves to be a "moose on the loose."

Wednesday was Katelyn's 4th birthday! We thought it would be neat to tell her about the baby on her birthday. She's been begging to be a big sister for a year and we were certain she'd be excited. To our surprise, she started sobbing and didn't want to talk about it. Confused as to what went wrong, we told her it was ok to be overwhelmed by big feelings and we didn't have to talk about it until she was ready. We asked her not to say anything to anyone because we were going to announce it to family in a few days. 

My brother in law was taking the girls to Denton to play that morning... and two hours after I dropped her off, my sister sent me a text message asking, "ARE YOU PREGNANT?!?" Katelyn had announced it to everyone in the car... and then literally, to EVERY HUMAN BEING she saw that morning. So, we ended up rush-telling our families before Katelyn got to them! So funny. When I picked her up that afternoon, she told me, "I've decided to be excited about being a big sister. And don't worry, I'm going to be a good example to the baby." Guess she just needed time to process! (She is thrilled about the baby now, by the way.)

Saturday morning was her birthday party...

And Saturday night, she busted her chin on the bathtub ledge which landed us in emergency room. Thankful for an awesome doctor and for Dermabond instead of stitches. It's almost completely healed now. 

And Sunday after church, we all looked like this!