Kie and Santa

Kie met Santa last week....

*as Kie calls him, Santa Ho Ho!*

and let me tell you,

he was initially super excited to see him.

It was just the lady taking the picture that was the real problem.

She was scary.

Ok, not so much scary--but she was too hyper.

Kie clammed up, 

and if you know Kie...you know he is not one to shy from the camera. *Oh hey HGTV camera crew!*

Anywho,

here's a few of the pictures.

Not one smile.

Nope...

but, there were no tears

And this Santa, well he was the REAL deal.

Real beard and all!

In fact, Kie did tell Santa he wanted a race car for Christmas. 

Regardless, the pictures are adorable...I couldn't be more happy :)

And no, Kix did not get held by Santa.

I'm a germaphoebic!

Kix is WAY too young for that!

Until next time,

hk

look at those big blue eyes...

melts my heart

Telling Santa he wanted a race-car!

Seriously, this Santa was legit!

prayers and more

It's been a hard few days...

as every web page, Facebook status, tweet or what have you has been covering the news and their thoughts/views on last Friday's awful and heart-breaking tragedy in Newton, CT.

I have little to say, but a lot has been going on in my mind and heart.

As a Christian woman, I can't lie and say my faith hasn't wavered, because it has.

I wish I could say I still feel comfortable in this world of ours, but I don't.

I know as a Christian, I need to be a leader, a light, a positive force in this world.

But, I've been broken and questioning so many things, just as so many others have.

I know as a mother, I need to lead and be brave for my children as well.

But, like many--many parents, I was a loss of words...

I was sickened..

I still am.

My heart breaks daily.

I can't even begin to fathom the pain these families are dealing with, nor do I want to.

I do know I've prayed a lot.

I've prayed for understanding.

Of forgiveness..

For peace for these families.

I've said a million thank yous for my blessings...

and it has kept me grateful during my 'tough times' during the day.

Like when my toddler doesn't listen, 

or when the toddler who continues to throw his toys, blocks and remotes that may hit me or his brother accidentally...

I'm reminded how lucky I am to have these moments.

Or, when I'm tired and worn out from sleepless nights with a newborn,

I now wake up grateful I get to be woken by a baby.

That I have a baby to hold, to love, to kiss, to sniff, to snuggle...

For now, I have these moments.

I am lucky. 

I'm grateful.

I'm humbled...

and forever reminded how short and precious life can be.

God, my sweet merciful Lord,

I ask for peace for these families that are suffering.

Lord, I pray that You hold these parents, siblings, grandparents, teachers, classmates...all of them, so very close to you. 

Hold their hands, their hearts and wipe their tears.

Dear God, I pray You show them Your love is still there,

that You give them comfort and understanding.

Dear God,

I thank You for being here for us all.

Thank You for the good we still have in this world from You.

Thank you for bringing so many of us together, for opening our eyes to the heroes that are among us.

Please, stay with us in this world.

Stay with us, Dear God...because we desperately need You.

I pray You heal our country, guide our leaders,

and that You show us where to go, direct our paths and our hearts.

Thank You for Your unwavering grace

In Christ name,

Amen

Now, a few pictures of my loves...

I did a little photo session with Kix in his Le Petit Prince onesie that my dear friend, Juli gifted me.

I have a long history with Le Petit Prince :)

My grandmere is French (Meme) and I took 4 years of French in high school, also with Julie.

 Le Petit Prince was one of the books we read a few times.

I also took French in college for 3 years.

I'm in love obsessed with the French language and culture.

So when I got this onesie in the mail, it truly made my week!

Also, a little background on the quilt.

It was my grandfather's.

He got it in a barter (a trade) from work.

He was a dentist (like my father) and a woman couldn't pay for her root canal so she gave him this quilt  as payment back in the 70's.

My Papa was a very generous man and money wasn't something he ever treasured. In fact, he gave away more free work and money than anyone I know.

He believed in giving---and he was a missionary.

My grandfather was an interesting and exceptional man in many ways. 

 My grandfather has been gone for 15+ years, so when I found this quilt with the note attached to it--I just had to have it.

It was just sitting in a linen closet at my parents.

So it's a very special quilt for me.

until next time,

hk

My other Little Prince :)

Santa came early...kinda

Santa came early to our house!

Well, sorta.

This is Kie's big gift this year...

It is still a work in progress. Justin has been in overdrive at work this month.

Like I had mentioned before, we got this as a gift from a customer.

Justin is also in the process of 'customizing' it for Kie and Kix.

As you can see, there is already some landscaping being done.

I can't wait till Justin is done (I'm almost as excited as Kie) so we can start playing in it.

The swings and slide already have been put to good use.

As for the adults,

well....

we get to hang around at the fire pit.

I can't believe it's nearly been a year since we brought in the New Year sitting around the same fire pit with good friends!

(Btw, I had one too many glasses of wine that night and felt awful! I promised myself never again!)

::Also, to the right of the fire pit--you can see part of our deck--where our hot tub is.)

I also can't wait to use it, too :)

As for the rest of this week...

we have big plans!

Justin's mom is in town and we have days worth of Christmas festivities to do around Austin.

Then it's hightailing it to Atlanta for our BIG family Christmas.

Thankfully, I'm about 99% done with everything as far as gift giving/wrapping/planning!

In my family we do gag gifts.

They're soo much fun! And it involves a lot of creativity and planning.

I have one more gag gift to do, and a poem to write to go with it--then I'm finished! (All our gag gifts have a poem to give you hints about the gift.)

I always start prepping for Christmas--and Christmas gifts, a year beforehand.

Especially with kiddos, it's smart to do so and to catch sales. (Also great for getting Christmas decor!)

Well, this momma is TIRED! My house is spotless, all laundry done--every one's asleep and it's after 1:00am.

I'm sure by the time I get settled into bed, Kix will need a feeding.

Such is life of a momma.

I have some red-blood shot eyes..

but at least they're festive colors! ha!

Until next time,

hk

wordless

My heart may just explode...

I'd do anything for these two.

Gosh, who knew I'd be head over heels in love with two short guys?

 One with a curly mullet and the other, a bald, little fat man ;)

quiet moments

Some of my favorite moments of the day include nap time.
Don't get me wrong, this isn't because I use nap time to finally eat my bonbons and sip some wine.
(But if I had the bonbons, I may just do that.)
It's because, during the quiet few minutes--I can sit there and be in awe of my blessings.
It's the quiet moments I can reflect on life.
Of where I've been,
and the journey it took to get here.
I look at my sleeping newborn (how long can I call him my newborn?)
and relish in this time.
His ever changing face,
his weight gain and new squeaky noises he makes.

It's during the quiet times I can pray,
thanking God countless times for what He has given me--regardless if I deserve it.

I sit here, looking at my house...though messy and littered in toys and clothes...
I'm grateful to have a home.
A home we've work hard together on making.
A home that my husband returns to after a long day of work to find it full of life.
A home where we can share dinners, prayers, playtime and such.
It's in these moments of quietness I find myself being humbled and grateful over and over.

My life truly changed when I became a mother.
Before I became a mother, I could hardly sit and be in the quiet...
I was always on the go...
and always looking for the future and what to do next.

Even now my mind races with things to do and get done.
But sometimes, I take the time to sit.
Sit and be thankful for everything right now.
Happy to be in this life...
to be in this moment.

Thankful for two healthy, beautiful boys that forever changed my life.
I sit and am thankful for the hardworking husband that leaves this house 6 days a week to provide for us.

I sit in the silence...
and am in awe.
Truly.

What do you do in your quiet moments?

-hk-

A view from my corner

So many things I love and cherish in a few photos.

Thank you sweet Lord for these blessings You have given me.

I am forever grateful!

my sweet chunkie

Christmas movie morning..."my office view"

No, I can't cut his hair yet.
 And yes, I love his bedhead.

"Hold it?"
Showing momma he is ready to hold his brother

Cute husband and another new tree to add to our backyard

Another tree, but this one is inside the house 

the world's snuggliest newborn

my view tonight...


A beautiful cool december night
it's taco Thursday and the
fire is going, baby swaddled, Kie playing--and a hunky husband sitting besde me.

until next time,
hk

Another day in the life of Kie Pie

I know I was blessed to live a life 'of doing and going' when I was a kid.

My parents took us on annual vacations and we always participated in every sport, club or play (be it music, dance or choir.) 

We always did stuff.

And so did my husband (at least before his father passed away.)

With that said, we like to make life well-rounded and full of experiences for Kie.

I know he won't remember attending ACL festivals, his first plane ride, his two trips to the beach, his ski trip in Colorado or his first experience at Formula One's Grand Prix...

but, I have the pictures to prove!

::Just like I have pictures of my first trip to Disney World and to Sea World--and countless other firsts::

However, if we waited till the kids were older--there may not be that tomorrow.

You never know if you're guaranteed that time.

So take it now. Make memories...

take pictures,

and hopefully you can re-share those experiences with your little one again.

-hk-