...April was full of fun-Part 1

We kicked April off with a visit to Atlanta for Cousin Sloane's 2nd Birthday hosted at Gigi's. 

Isn't she adorable?

It was the beginning of Spring Break so the girls got to stay 4 days with Gigi, all by their big girl selves. They love going to 'Camp Gigi's' where they make cookies, plant flowers, have play dates with cousin Jack, go shopping at 'Gigi's Mall' (aka: Northpoint Mall), and play with a plethora of vintage toys (one's their dad used to play with!) 

This is a picture of the euphoria the girls have when they are at Gigi's.

After the girls got back, our sweet friend Bunny came to spend a few days with us, going to the beach, the Market Place, and enjoying various other activities. Jordan also participated in the annual Montessori Trike-A-Thon to help sponsor St. Jude's Children's Hospital. She has watched her sister ride for the past two years and finally it was her turn. 

She also finished her 6 game soccer season with The Jetsons. I loved watching Jordan play. She surprised me. I thought she'd be feisty and play hard but she leisurely trotted around after her team. However, when it came time to kick, girlfriend turned on the heat!

The Jetson's: Noah, Cora, Walker, Coach Brian, Jordan, and Reed

The girls had a special play date with Michael and Ally, making a yummy treat.

TO BE CONTINUED...

...is visiting VSU

Back in January we visited my first college stomping grounds at Valdosta State University. I walked through the campus reminiscing while Jason ran after the girls, only to realize it wasn't as quite as 'special' for my family as I had made up in my head that it would be. Oh, the stories we tell ourselves. But there was good that came out of it. My sweet friend, Bunny, met us there and she graciously took some great pictures.

...is I let her wear it

I asked the girls if they wanted to pick their own outfits- head to toe- on their own. Of course they were thrilled and rose to the occasion. I didn't even supervise. This is my effort to give them some autonomy. So, they come out ready to model their attire. I'm prepared, given my girlfriends' flair.

Jordan picked out a burgundy long sleeved shirt and paired it with a salmon color ruffled skirt along with bright pink & white striped tights (kind of like the ones Pippy Longstocking wore). She finished her look off with white ruffled socks and black Mary Jane's. Oh the clashing, but I let her wear it.

Kendall picked a purple dress with some sequins and hot pink tights. She topped it off with her bright florescent green wedges and a sparkly headband. Yes, she stood out, but I let her wear it.

I do have to wonder where they get their sense of style from. I left the house today in my usual attire of a cotton shirt with a tank top underneath, jeans, and flip-flops. It's bland, typical, and outdated but I let her wear it.

...is Soccer on Saturdays

Well, we have officially joined 'soccer' nation. She was so excited when we bought her gear that she wore it for about 5 hours straight.

When it came time for her first game, she wasn't so thrilled and only played about 3 minutes. But, things turned around for her next game experience and she did splendid.

Her coach was proud of her kicking skills. 

Jordan and one of her team mates, Walker, who is also at school with her

Whoa, look at that sassy walk!

Go Jetsons!

The Jetsons vs The Super-friends

Sam, Jordan, and Will- Best Buds

...is 6 years of pure joy

Kendall Athalee Lee
A.K.A.: Kendall Bendall

Born February 23, 2005

Dear Kendall, 

You are such a joy in our lives. You are certainly one of God's sweetest gifts to us. You love to hear stories about your life, so in this 'ode to Kendall' I will attempt to script 'short-stories' of how I see you. 

I will never forget the day we found out that I was pregnant. Your daddy had just come home from a 2-week mission trip and the first thing he asked me was if I was pregnant. I thought he had gone delirious from lack of sleep or something. But, he would not budge until I took a test and lo and behold, I was! God had given him a promise that He would bring life into our lives and He was true to His word. 

one day old

You were such a sweet baby. I will always cherish our late nights together when no one was awake but us as I fed you, prayed over you, and rocked you to sleep. I loved waking up to your sweet voice cooing in the crib...you'd hang out in there for nearly an hour before you were ready to eat or get out. You were and are a tenacious little thing, loyal to whatever has your affection (i.e, buddy) and never giving up when you set your mind on something.

10 months old

You melt our hearts with your baby blues and lips that women pay thousands of dollars to have. You are not afraid to be unique and speak your mind. I like that about you. And, you have a style of your own, which you are very proud of. Take for instance the 'florescent' green wedges that you would wear every single day even though they terribly clash with just about everything or the gaudy headband that has a huge flower on the side, originally made for a halloween costume, that you love to accessorize with. You turn these things into works of art and proudly wear them. You have even began telling me as of late: "Mom, not everything has to match." I am learning to let you go with it!

I'm pretty sure you wore the green shoes with this outfit to school! (that skirt is teal, BTW)

You also entertain us all the time with your drama-(tic) skills. As early as I remember, you have loved to 'dress-up' as and literally become a princess (or fashionista diva) complete with lip-gloss and all the accessories you could find. There is rarely a dull moment and I am so glad. You add color to our world.

mommy's make-up is not so glamorous.

Snow White waiting for Prince Charming to awaken her with a kiss.
Notice ALL the accessories: head-band, necklace, gloves, purse, shoes,  & I'm sure some lip-gloss.

You are smart, imaginative, and keenly aware. In your words, you have a big mind with big thoughts. You blow me away with your insight at such a young age. Just the other day you described to me how your brain is like a remote control. You said: "Sometimes I see scary stuff in my head and when I do, I just push the stop button. Then I change the channel to see God or spy kids and I'm no so scared" while you acted it out. (This is going in my 'counselor's handbook' of illustrations!) 

When you were 2 years old I remember trying to teach you the concept of grace. You were potty training and each time you would go 'poo-poo' we gave you a chocolate kiss. Well, one morning you ran to the potty and pee-pee'd and being so proud of yourself thought you deserved a 'kiss'. I told you that to earn a 'kiss' you had to go 'poo-poo' but I wanted to give you grace so I gave you a 'kiss' anyway. So, the next day when you 'earned' your 'kiss' I heard you say as you walked out of the bathroom: "This is grace. I'm eating grace." 

When you were about 4 years old you told me one day that God talked to you. I asked you what He was saying and you said: "He just called my name. At first it was scary...I didn't know who it was, but then I knew it was God. He just said Kendall." You finished our discussion with this: "It's cool that God knows my name."

You are so loving and helpful. You seem to have a good balance between being a leader and being a servant. You are aware of others and are a faithful and thoughtful friend. You've always been 'about the people'. You are a great big sister and show your love to your little sister by taking her under your wing. You don't like her, or anyone, to feel left-out. She is your constant pal. You have a life-time friend you adore that you've known since you were born. You girls have shared many 'firsts': first dress-up party, PJ party, and girlfriend date at Starbucks. And, some of your favorite people are 'cousins' as you call them. You and Caleb make great super-heros, while you and Haley make great little mommies. And you like to wrestle with Hannah.

Kendall (5) and Jordan (3)
Sisters, friends, playmates, princesses

Lily Kate (51/2) and Kendall (6)
"Two are better than one for when one falls down the other can help her up."

Hannah (10), Kendall (5), Haley(7), Caleb (4)
'Cousins': a title of honor assigned with great sincerity, awe and affection

You are one of the most giving and thoughtful girls I know. One day while you were taking a bath we had this conversation: 

Kendall: "Momma, did you know that there are babies in China that no one wants?"

Mom: "Yes, there are."

Kendall: "When I get older, I'm going to get me one of those babies that no one else wants and love it."

Mom: "That's a wonderful idea. You would be a great mommy to that baby."

One day I overheard you in your room playing with your baby dolls praying: "God, bless my baby."

And for your birthday this year, your earnest desire was to cut your long hair so that a sick child might have it. I am inspired by you all the time and I thank God for giving us you. 

Before hair-cut

After hair-cut

You write so many of the sweet stories in our lives by the way you live, love, think, and give. I write these stories on my heart and am forever changed by them. My prayer and hope for you is that you continue to love boldly, give freely, walk uniquely, and think deeply as you learn to be YOU. And always remember that God knows your name and calls you to HIM. I love you, Kendall Bendall.

...is beautiful moments

Beautiful Moments #1: Mommy/daughter dates. Kendall likes to come home and play with her baby dolls on our dates. We pretend to be sisters with several children each. Kendall was even pregnant at one point. Her imagination is extraordinary and makes for fun pretending. Jordan prefers to go out on our dates, usually at her favorite place- Target- to get an icee and look at toys, decorations, shoes, books, etc. We even recently had a mommy, Jordan, Aunt Sis date.

Beautiful Moments #2: Playing games, rolling in 'fake' snow, and drinking hot chocolate in front of the fire place in the North Carolina mountains with Gigi, Aunt Amy, Uncle Chad and Sloane was so much fun. And I actually read an entire book.

Beautiful Moments: #3: Jason turned 32. My sweet dad secretively arranged an outing for his birthday. Dad & Mom, Shaunacee and Alec, and Jason and I went to Jacksonville to see a band from Canada called "Great Big Sea". They were really good. We also enjoyed a beautiful view while eating some fresh seafood. Also, Jason's mom posted some really cute pictures of him growing up on facebook. It spoke volumes. Happy Birthday, Jason.

Beautiful Moments: #4: Hannah asked me to be her confirmation mentor. We have met together weekly for four weeks now and it's been a pure joy to talk with her about her faith and God's Word. She is an insightful and inquisitive young lady.

Beautiful Moments #5: We had our open house for our counseling offices today. I am so grateful for the support of my friends and mom in coming. I felt the love!

Beautiful Moments #6: Valentine's Day was filled with tulips, Broomelli Boys pizza, teddy bears, and Pride and Prejudice. There is nothing like watching unrequited love drive Mr. Darcy through the fog at dawn towards Elizabeth Bennett and upon reaching her finding hope like never before as she acknowledges her affection for him. I am thankful for the rewind button.

...is it's already February?

I can't believe today is the first day of a new month. January literally sped right by me, leaving me in its dust. I've been in a state of shock for most of today, with a few moments of awareness shining through. Then, I listened to a message from Chip Ingrim and it was like a 2X4 hitting me in the face. He talked about 6 symptoms of misplaced priorities in your life.
1. Busyness. Yes.
2. Emotional Stress. (It may come out in anger and irritability or disconnecting or just reacting rather than responding.) YES.
3. Low grade guilt. This, he explains, is a sense of restlessness- like not doing or being enough for (fill in the blank). Crap, Yes.
4. Financial debt or problems. (Our money will tell us a lot about priorities.) Definitely gotten lazy with the budget, so Yes.
5. Prayerlessness or deficits in our time with God. (We might begin to be superficial with God, going through the motions.) I alway want more time with God, so a little yes.
6. Escapism behavior. (Examples: eating out a lot, renting a lot of movies, eating when you're not hungry, etc.) Crap, Crap, Crap, Yes.

OK, maybe this explains why January is gone with little recollection of it. Since I don't want a repeat of last month, I'm going to face reality and make some changes. What they will be I'm not sure of yet. But, lo, change is a comin'. What I do know is it starts with slowing down!