Life's Little Discoveries

I just love it when little ones discover new things.  This week, my Kati-bug come across a tiny gecko when Dad was helping out by sweeping the kitchen.  I know!  Can you believe it?  He picked up the broom and it didn't bite him!  Let's just say that my husband is domesticly(?) challenged.  Ok?  And I thought I was the only person in my house that knew how to use a broom.  Now back to the kid & "the bug". 

Dad tried to get her to touch it.

She just prefered to look.

She did think it was pretty neat, though.

Life's Little Discoveries

Fill in the Blank Friday

Ok, folks.  I have come across a new, fun game to play.  This is a great idea created by The (Un)Experienced Mom.  Check out her adorable blog as well!  So, the thing is, she poses a question to you and you, well... answer it.  The question you ask?
 
The one quality/behavior/thing I say that proves I am turning into my own mother is: ____________


Hmmm... some of us don't know if we really want to get into this, but here goes:

I don't think there is one quality/behavior/thing I can say that proves I am turning into my mother.  There are sooo many things.  Just ask my husband.  There are certain phrases I'll use (usually something that is somewhat redneck or wives-telley-ey) and he will laugh at me, "you sound just like your mom."  (insert stupid laugh again)  I also look at my hands and see my mom's hands.  Motions or gestures much of the time.  I just wish I had my mom's beautiful nails.  Not fair!  What can I say, though, I am my mother's daughter.

Fill in the Blank Friday

And She's Off!

For a little over one week now, every member of the O'Connor household has been able to talk around unassisted on their own two feet.  Yep, KK is a walking all by her little self.  Yaaay!  (Round of applause insterted here.) 

We practiced a lot, but the baby doll stroller Nanny got her for her birthday helped so much.

Yes, the baby is nearly as big as she is!  She had been trying really hard and then all of a sudden, last Wednesday evening, she just kinda took off!  She walked circles around the kitchen all night. 

Then she realized that she had to learn how to turn.  The next day she would walk one way, attempt to turn, fall down, get back up, then walk the other way.  She practiced all day.  Didn't take long at all and she had it down pat.

Now she's trying to run.  She doesn't like getting dressed so she tries to get away after bath time.

Dad was there to catch her though.  I just love that tiny, naked hiney!  Celebrating another milestone.  Kaitlan can walk!!!

And She's Off!

Tuesday's List: Everything Halloweeny!

I absolutely love love love Halloween.  I think it has to be my favorite holiday besides Christmas.  And the only real reason Christmas is my fav is because it is our Lord Jesus Christ's birthday & I get to spend a little extra time with my family.  Otherwise, it's just too darn cold for me in December... even in Texas.  I know, I know, I'm a wiener. 

So on to my Tuesday List.  A segment that I discovered which is a creation of this lovely young lady I ran across in cyber space.  Please feel free to join in and share your everything Halloweeny!

• Fall-- Halloween seems to be the point where it feels like fall is really here.  Living in Texas, we may still have 80 degree weather this time of year.  Once Halloween hits, it just feels cooler outside.  If you have experienced the Texas heat, you know what I mean!
• The Costumes-- I love to watch my babies dress up and have a good time.  This year I have convinced the kids to be more creative and create costumes themselves rather than slipping into a store-bought one.  It is going to be so much fun.
• Candy!!--  You notice this part has the exclamation.  I have been trying to be good, but the holiday season, beginning with Halloween, is just so darn tempting with all of the goodies.  Of course, Dad and I have to check out the bags to see what's in there for "safety reasons" and then we dump all of them into a big red bowl for the whole family to share.  That way we don't have the confusion of who's bag belongs to who.  I try to sneak as much of the chocolate bits I can without adding too much to the waistline.
• My Daddy-- Yes, my Daddy.  It's been a tradition now for the past 11 years that we've lived in the DFW to go to Poppy's house for Halloween.  Although he only lives about an hour away on the other side of the Metroplex, I don't get to see him very often.  He travels all over the country (and a few other countries) for work and is very busy once he does get home trying to catch up on things around the house.  We've only missed one year due to a Cub Scout gathering, but I really like our family tradition.
• Haunted Houses-- So long as we don't ever ever EVER go back to the one that had the bubble room/hallway/whatever the heck it was, I love to be scared.  I am a little closterphobic and that was so not cool of them.  I thought I was going to die!  Imagine being in a dark area filled with bubbles from top to bottom with a bunch of strangers and everyone wants to get out of there but no one really knows which way is out or how much longer till the end.  Never again!  But I love them besides that one.  Even the funky smoke-filled room where the guy chased me with the chainsaw.  I should have kicked that jerk!
• Scary Movies-- On a similar note, I love scary movies!  Give me a bucket of popcorn, a soda and some Mike Meyers... from the Halloween movies, not that I don't love Austin Powers, but we're talking scary movies here.  In the same sense, I love when the 13th falls on a Friday.  Bring.it.on.

So there is my very first Tuesday list.  I can't wait to read other's lists and see what you love about Hallowen as well.

Tuesday's List: Everything Halloweeny!

Booty, God, Booty

I have to say that I love music.  Music that praises our awesome Lord is even better.  Even better than that is some music that you can praise the Lord and shake your booty to.  I know, that doesn't sound like it really goes together, right?  Well, I have come across a great new song that I love so much by Beenie Man.  I like all kinds of music including Reggae.  There is just something about the beats that make you wanna move your feet!  And shake your booty!  Where is all of this coming from?  Well, I came across a blog called Stuff Christians Like.  I don't really know who this Jon fellow is, but it seems he's from Atlanta and listens to a hiphop/rap station there that plays an inspirational moment of some sort at 6:30am.  It sounds kind of like the stations here in the DFW in how he explains it.  He says that they will play a "bootie" song such as "I'm in Love Wit a Stripper",  followed by the inspirational word, and closes out with another "bootie" song such as "Lollipop".  Thus, giving you booty, God, booty.  I thought that was just too funny and very true.  Then I come across this awesome song that sort of gives you booty and God all rolled into one neat little package.  His meaning behind this was that we kind of find ourselves doing this in our everyday lives.  I mean, we all do it because we are all sinners by nature and no one is perfect.  Example:  I tell my kids that their actions are not like Jesus's actions would have been and remind them of Pastor Daniel's sermon last Sunday.  Then I yell at the kids.  Then I pray for God to give me strength in dealing with them.  Make sense?  Think about it.  So, here it is, enjoy (and feel free to move your booty!):

Gospel Time by Beenie Man

Booty, God, Booty

Halloween Preview

I am so excited about Halloween this year!  This is the first year that I have been able to convince my kids that they don't have to get a generic, store-bought costume that every other kid on the street will be wearing.  I convinced Sage that she and Kaitlan should both be Harajuku girls.  They will be so cute!!  To explain this:

Harajuku Girls is a term to describe women and teenaged girls in Harajuku (Tokyo Japan) who wear a style of clothing that originated in the street culture of major cities in Japan, i.e. Tokyo and Osaka. The "Harajuku style," named for the Harajuku district of Tokyo, combines a wide range of diverse influences, and is also known as "Fruits Fashion" by followers of Fruits Magazine. The terms "Harajuku Girls" and "Fruits" are not used by the Japanese to describe themselves.  The term has come into popular use via Gwen Stefani's music videos and songs from her Love.Angel.Music.Baby album.  A few examples:

There are different styles including Gothic Lolita, Decora, Kogal, Ganguro, Wamono, Second-Hand Fashion, and Cyber Fashion.  It's really just about self expression which I always love!  Raiden wanted to be a ninja or something, but I was already on a creative roll.  I talked him into being a hobo.  I remember being a hob for halloween when I was a year or two older than him and I thought it was cute.  I can't wait to get him dressed in a sturdy, filth covered pair of jeans and an old, worn out, long sleeve shirt.  I'm going to mess up his hair real good, make him a napsack on a stick to carry and give him a five o'clock shadow.  They are all going to be so cute!!!  So here is a small preview of the girls costumes... Raiden was just in the pic.

Yes, Kaitlan is crying from being held down, Raiden is attempting to give her bunny ears, and it's just an altogether cruddy shot, but you can see basically what I'm talking about.  The girls will NOT be wearing those tops, but the tutus, BabyLegs, gloves, & knee-high socks are all a part of their outfits.  I can't wait for another week and a half to creep by so I can get creative on them!

Halloween Preview

Not Me! Monday

Have I ever mentioned what a scatter-brain I am?  Or rather am not?  I could not be the one who threw a birthday party for my sweet baby girl and forgot half of the things needed.  I did not forget ice, charcoal for the burgers, or plastic cups to name a few.  Not me!  It's a good thing my mom and sister were not here to help me out with that kind of stuff.  Then, of course, it was not me who forgot when our newly annointed 12 month old's appointment with the pediatrician was.  I would never forget a thing like that.  Never, I tell you.  I also would not call 3 days after the missed appointment asking when the appointment is.  I'm glad I never forget anything... Not Me!!

Not Me! Monday

Wordless Wednesday

I haven't the best camera by far, but I think these pictures of KK's first birthday will speak for themselves.

Wordless Wednesday

Blow Out Your Candle

I just had to share these two super cute pictures right quick of the birthday girl. The first is my lazy bones sleeping while I cook breakfast for her and her siblings. Then we have my little Kati-bug about to enjoy her birthday pancakes. She had never been that close to a flame before and I think she was impressed!

Blow Out Your Candle

Happy Birthday, K!

Has it already been one whole year since the Lord blessed us with our amazing Kaitlan Ryleigh O'Connor? I believe it has. It's hard to look at her & think that she is now 12 months old. She's the tiniest yet loudest of all of our children and so very loved. She loves babies and stuffed animals as well as cars and balls. I love to see her little face light up everytime her dada walks into the room. She is the sweetest angel sent straight from heaven. Thank You for letting us borrow this precious gift. So happy, happy 1st birthday my Baby KK. We all love you so much!

Happy Birthday, K!

...And There It Goes!

Where has the time gone? For anyone who has children, you soon begin to realize that time moves way too quickly. In four short days my sweet angel will be a year old. Yes, one whole year old! Unbelievable! It seems like yesterday that she was that tiny person we were bringing home from the hospital. It was so exciting to think of all of the things we would get to teach her. The adventures of parenting three children have been a blast as well as trying at times, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. With the upcoming event, it takes me back to when Sage and Raiden were babies as well. We thought Sage looked just like her daddy until she got a little older and realized she definitely looks more like me. She was such a good baby and now is growing to be a great young lady. She wants to be a veterinarian, which makes me happy to no end... a doctor in the family of some sort will be welcomed for sure. It's so hard for me to believe I have a kid in middle school. I don't know what to do at times. She definitely has a mouth on her and that has been hard to adjust to. I guess when Mom and Dad have that sarcastic humor, it rubs off on the kiddos. Then there's The Boy. Raiden has been such a little blessing. I'm so proud of him and his achievements in the Cub Scouts. I really hope he stays with it and can use it to his advantage in his life goals. My little firecracker is what I call him. Well, I actually call him my Boogie-woogie-boo-boo-bear (or boo-boo for short), but no one is supposed to know that. A handsome little guy with the best sense of humor. He's always been the little jokester. They make me wonder what Kaitlan is going to be like at their ages. Will she drive me crazy the was Sage does? Will she give me a hard time when it comes to getting homework done just like her brother? I can't wait to see how she grows and who she turns into. That goes for all of my kids for that matter. So where does that time go? Why can't we just gather it up in a jar like a bunch of fireflies and keep it all to ourselves? I guess that's part of why I started this blog. I want to be able to look at the wonderful things my babies have done and how happy they have made me. Look... there it goes again...

...And There It Goes!

Starting Over

Okay, I know I have already created a lovely blog that I was so super excited about, but things happen. We turned off our overpriced cable/internet and I, in turn, forgot my password by the time we got internet again. I thought I used my normal, easy to remember password, but that doesn't seem to be it. Soooo, here we are starting all over again. BTW, how do I now delete the other one? Oh well! Now I get to start all over & have a great time doing it. Wait, I think I already forg... nevermind, I just remembered it. I promise, I'm not originally a blonde! Now to get started. Wish me luck!!

Starting Over