Today's Birthday Girl

In honor of Miss Gracie's third birthday, I thought I'd gather some photos of her three illustrious years of life.

This is a picture of Grace today, on her third birthday. She had a great time. She loved her strawberry cake, but she loved her chocolate ice cream even more.

Here is beautiful Grace a few months back, at two and a half years old.

Here is Miss Grace at two years old, sporting her first pony tails. What a cutie!

A happy, laughing Gracie at 18 months.

Grace Evelyn on January 31, 2006, her first birthday. Bring on the cake!

Here is Gracie at 6 months old, ready to ride some ponies!

And, finally, this is Grace Evelyn at exactly one week old. Look at that precious smile!

Happy Third Birthday, Baby Gracie! Mommy loves you so much!

Happy Birthday, Gracie!

It is official... there are no more "babies" in my house, because my last "baby", Miss Grace, turns three years old today.  I am sad and in a deep funk about this, as we are forever done with diapers, pacifiers, bottles, learning to walk like the frankenstein monster, tasting ice cream for the first time, seeing a baby duck for the first time, and all those other moments that kids are amazed with "the first time" it happens.  

Nobody warns you about how fast this happens (or when they do, you are buried so deeply under a pile of dirty diapers that you can't hear them!)   At least I didn't hear them... 

But, my baby is a baby no longer, and since she is three today, I have tried to narrow it down to only three reasons that she is special.  I have had MASSIVE trouble making the list short, because Grace is REALLY a special kid. (Those of you who know Mighty Miss Gracie know what I mean, now, don't you?)  

SO........ in her honor, here is a list of special things about Miss Grace Evelyn!

1.)  She has a wicked sense of humor.  She is absolutely hilarious.  (And I'm not just saying this because I'm her Mom.)  I mean, she cracks me up EVERY SINGLE DAY.  Even on days where I'm contemplating pinching her little head off, she still will make me laugh (and often at times when I should be totally serious and very authoritative! )  She makes disciplining a challenge...

2.)  She loves passionately.  If you are lucky enough to be in her circle of "chosen" people that she has feelings for, you are truly lucky.  She is fierce about her love, too.  (Translation: Don't mess with somebody she loves... even at the tender age of 3, she'll TAKE YOU ON if she thinks you are harming one of her "peeps".)  :-)

3.)  She is scary smart.  I mean really scary.  Her vocabulary is amazing.  She routinely uses works like magnificent, disgusting, fabulous, and ridiculous.  She figures things out that she shouldn't be able to at her age.  You can't "trick" her like you can some kids her age... she just knows things.  I think maybe she is an old soul.

I could write a much longer list, but I won't.  She continues to surprise me each and every day.  I will continue to say that she is the child who "calmed me down" as a mother.  My first two kids were compliant, sweet, calm, and just easy to mother.  Grace has just been "different" since the day she was born!  She has humbled me and made me seek the Lord's guidance many a time!  But she is a precious gift, and I love her just as fiercely as she loves me!

Happy Birthday, Big Girl Gracie!!  Mommy loves you!

WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY!!

It's my first time to try linking to Rocks in my Dryer for "Works for me Wednesday, so wish me luck!!   Here is my best tip:  when making banana bread, mix it up in the food processor!  It only uses one bowl, which makes it simple, and the clean-up is a breeze!  Here is my favorite recipe.  It works every time!

1/4 C. butter

3/4 C. sugar

3 large bananas

1/2 C. broken pecan pieces

1 egg

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1  1/2 cups flour, mixed with 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1'4 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 teaspoon 

baking soda

In food processor, mix butter and sugar until creamed.  With machine running, add egg, then lemon juice, then slip in one banana at a time.  Let it process until well-mixed.  Turn off machine.  Add dry ingredients.  Turn on machine, and let mix until smooth.  With machine running, add pecans until well mixed.  Pour into greased loaf pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for 45-60 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.)  ENJOY!

My Katie grows up before my eyes...

Today my "baby" turned 9. In her honor, I've pulled a few photos of her life so far...

Here she is today, Jan. 29, 2008. She's 9 years old and so happy.

Here she is at 7 1/2 years old, standing in front of the creek on our place.

Here she is on her 6th birthday.

This is Miss Katie's kindergarten school picture. She's 5 years old, and she's ready to take on elementary school in a new, smaller town. Welcome to Hamilton, Kate!

Here is Kate in her first dance costume, ready for her first dance recital. She's three years old.

Precious Kate, at two years old.

This is a picture of Katie on January 29, 2000. It's her first birthday.

Kate Elizabeth, one month old. The best gift her mom ever received.

Happy Birthday, Baby!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATIE!!!

Today my sweet "biggest" baby turns 9 years old. It is unimaginable to me that I could have a child who is 9 (because some days I feel like a child myself!!!) But, in fact, she is growing up. I have had the pleasure of being her mom for 9 years, and in 9 short years more, she will be grown up and ready to leave my nest. It is half way over, and I cry inside when I think of that! She is the baby that I prayed so hard for, and believe you me, God did not disappoint when he blessed us with Miss Kate Elizabeth. In honor of her big day, I've come up with a list of 9 things that are special about her:

1.) She is the best big sister who ever lived. She will fiercely protect her little sisters. She will comfort them when they are hurt and praise them when they are doing well. I often refer to her as the "other mother." She helps make my job easier.

2.) She is as smart as a tack. She learns new things at warp speed and has a memory that makes me envious.

3.) She is one of the most empathetic people I know. She feels the pain of anyone who is hurting or wronged.

4.) She LOVES animals! In particular, she holds a soft place in her heart for horses and cats (especially the 7 kitties who lie at our house currently!)

5.) She has a MEAN roundhouse kick in karate! She can break a board with her hand AND with her foot.

6.) She is a talented singer, and is brave enough to get up in front of people and perform. She also loves acting (and isn't bad at it, either!) We call her our little "drama queen"!

7.) She loves the Lord. She accepted Christ this past July and hasn't looked back since. She loves to sing about Him and tell others about him when she gets the chance. Her nighttime prayers are sweet and sincere.

8.) She is a hard worker. When she decides to do something, she does it. (Even if it isn't easy.)

9.) She is a true example of a living, breathing, walking answered prayer. She is the best gift I have ever received! She is my sweet, wonderful, perfect beautiful daughter. I LOVE YOU, KATE ELIZABETH!! Happy birthday, sweet girl!

Proud Moments

Last night we had a service at our church just for kids. It was REALLY great. We had a Christian Magician who came to perform for us and do some tricks and make everyone laugh and teach the kids a little bit about God. His name was Todd McKinney, and he was from the Waco area. Highly recommend this guy. Really neat stuff. He called some kids up on stage to help him, and at one point Katie was up there, dressed like a "Super Sleuth" and somehow picked out the cards that other people had secretly chosen. She doesn't know how it worked. But, I digress... that's not what I started out to write about.

Miss Gracie came into the service with us, because she didn't want to go to the nursery. (Don't know why, but she is having some separation issues right now...I'm hoping this is one of those "Stages" that everyone always talks about.) Any-hoo, she's in the service, and the magician told all the kids to come and sit down on the floor in the front. So, of course, she had to go, because, though in reality she is only 2, in her MIND, she is at least 5, maybe 8. So, they are getting ready to start, and our friend Sharon gets up on stage to introduce the magic guy. Gracie gets up and before I can nab her, she is on the stage, tugging on Sharon's pants leg. Then (very loudly) she says, "Miss Sha-won! I gotta go potty!" Oh, I can't tell you how proud I was!! (At least she didn't go in her pants...) Isn't parenthood GREAT?

Beauty Queens...

The other day we went out to Luke's family farm to visit the grandparents. While we were there, the girls decided to have a "beauty pageant". Mind you, they had no dress-up clothes out there, so they had to improvise with old slips from Gran's lingerie drawer. They were pretty funny! Here is what they came up with!Katie, "Miss Dramatic"

Abby, "Miss Photogenic"

Gracie, "Miss Independent"
(Note the special "beauty queen" wave she has going on there!!)


They had a great time, and everybody "won" the crown at one point or another.

Happy Birthday, Aidan and Bill!

Today is my nephew Aidan's first birthday!  I can't believe it... he's supposed to be a tiny baby still.  Happy day, sweet boy!  Aunt B loves you SOOOO much!

Also, two days ago was my MUCH older brother's birthday (who is also Aidan's dad, by the way). However, he is A LOT older than one... about 38 years older than one!!! ha ha!!  Love ya', brother! Happy Birthday to you and to your sweet baby boy!!

note to readers:  here is supposed to be a fabulous photo of my brother with his son... I had it all ready to scan and put on, when (surprise!) it wouldn't work!  Blogger frustrations!!  I WILL figure it out soon!  I AM smarter than this darn computer!

Sexy Shoes, Volume II

Get a look at these, will you? Since I poked a little fun at my better half for purchasing some sparkly blue running shoes, he decided he needed some different shoes that are designed for running longer distances. These are the ones he chose. WOW. They are REALLY orange! Just like the other pair, he purchased these without my assistance. (For this, I was grateful.) Anyway, the girls looked at them and really had not a whole lot to say. Katie said they look like orangutan shoes, and Abby thought they looked like Nemo the Clown Fish shoes. (Well, they are orange, and they DO have a big "N" on them....)

Prayers from a Toddler

Is there anything cuter (or funnier) than listening to the bedtime prayers of a two year old child? (Yes, she's still 2 for 12 more days!! Don't rush me... I don't want my baby to be three!)

I thought I should share some of the things that the amazing Grace has prayed for over the past few weeks. In addition to praying regularly for the man who owns the Hibachi Grill in Waco, Mr. Miagi, she has prayed for macaroni and cheese, "Miss 'Lisha" (our friend, Alicia), mashed potatoes, Lainey (Abby's best friend), and "all the tickets at Piper Pizza Place". She also prays for regular everyday things, like her Nana and Papaw as well as Gran and Grandad, her sisters, and "a nice day". It just amazes me me that a little person who is so young already gets the concept of prayer. Now THAT deserves a big AMEN!!!

Story Time!

I pray that I never forget the moments like this one, because this is really the "good stuff"... Katie read a bedtime story to her sisters, and the little ones actually WANTED her to, and they actually listened to the story. I sound a bit sappy, I know, but it was really a moment... I ran downstairs for the camera!! Lord, please let them grow up and actually like each other. May they be close and lean on each other. Let them laugh together and cry together and seek each other out for sound advice during the tough times. Let them all grow and mature into strong, smart women. Let them leave home and spread their wings and make their own way, but let them always fly back home, because that is where they love to be. Guide their thoughts and dreams in the way that You would have them go. In Your name I pray, amen.

Kitties and Brownies...

We have a litter of sweet little kittens to play with right now. Every little girl should have some type of baby animal to play with... it's the cutest thing in the world! This is Katie with one of the kittens, named "Gato". Can you tell we let the girls name the kitties ALL BY THEMSELVES?!?!? The other kitties are named "Scaredy Cat", "Whiskers", and "Pepperoni". (I have no idea where Pepperoni came from... they call him "Peppy" for short... go figure.)On a completely different note, the other night Luke let Gracie and Abby help him make brownies. Who knew a small box of brown powder could provide such fun for kids? They had more fun than they've had in a long time. They just couldn't wait for those brownies to come out of the oven... here is a picture of them sitting on the step stool, staring into the oven. (Believe it or not, this photo is not posed. They were really sitting like this!)

Hope everyone has a fabulous day!!

The "New Look!"

Look!  Look!  Doesn't my blog look so cute?  Shelley is my new "custom web page designer"!!  She did this, literally, in about 15 minutes.  My hat is off to you, Shelley!  Thanks, and this message is good for a free lunch from me (or free babysitting... or both... thanks again!) :-)

More Horse Show Pics...

The whole day wasn't spent on horseback. We had lots of friends who came out to watch, and some who came to participate as well. We had a fun lunch at Circle T, too. Corny Dogs for everyone!! Here are Luke and Gracie picking up their lunch to enjoy in the sunshine.Here's Abby, with a table full of friends, ready to enjoy some good food.
Here's Kate, being congratulated by her good friend, Abbey, who was kind enough to come out and cheer her on. What beautiful young ladies!

Prize - Winners

Katie entered her first horse show today, and she won a first prize ribbon! She entered the walk only division and "walked" away with first prize! I couldn't believe it... she was very poised and sure of herself. She also entered a walk/trot division, and didn't place there. But, overall, she was thrilled with the experience. We were lucky that her dear friend, Olivia, was kind enough to loan us her sweet horse, Tex. He was great. Here is a picture of Katie and Tex with their big blue ribbon.Here is another photo of Katie and Tex in the ring, trotting away.
I have lots more pictures, but blogger is going slow today, so I will try and post some more pics tomorrow. Congrats Katie (and Tex!) :-)

Sexy Shoes

Look at these shoes. Are these not some sexy shoes? They look really sleek and fast, don't they? They really ARE as shiny as they look. Ready for the kicker? My conservative husband owns these fine looking tennies! Can you believe that? Purchased them all by himself...I was proud. I felt like a mother bird pushing her fledgling out of the nest for the first time... "Fly, my darling! You CAN shop alone!" The best part is, when Abby saw them she said they were Daddy's "peacock shoes." Gracie told him they looked like "Barbie Island Princess Shoes." I know he was so happy...

I've had a request for Christmas Pictures of the girls from Christmas morning. Well, there is a reason that I haven't posted any until now... we didn't take very many! Gracie was still under the weather and not feeling (or acting!) very well. As you can see, Katie and Abby are so happy with Santa, and are looking so cute in the Christmas PJ's... Gracie - well, not so much.
Here is Katie. "Thank You, Santa!"

Here is Abby. "I love Santa!"

Here is Gracie. "Santa Who? Somebody wipe my snotty nose!" :-)

Merry Christmas a little late from the Killian girls!

What is missing from this picture?

I know what you are thinking... WHY does she have a picture of an empty wall in her blog? Well, dear friends, this photo is missing something! Any thoughts on what that might be? I'll give you a moment to contemplate...

(Imagine you hear music from "Jeopardy" playing here...)

YES! That's right! There is NO CHRISTMAS TREE in this picture! Yippee!!! Finally, the tree came down today, and all the Christmas paraphernalia has been packed away for another year!

The relief I feel is perhaps a little out of place, but we mustn't squelch such pleasant feelings, no matter how fleeting!

Now I feel like I can say, "Happy New Year!"

Back-To-School Blues

Da-da-da-da-dum...

School started again this morning.

Da-da-da-da-dum...

And nobody wanted to go.

Da-da-da-da-dum...

It was hard to get out of bed.

Da-da-da-da-dum...

And Mama wanted to whine, don't you know?

We got the blues... Yeah, yeah, yeah, the back to school blues!!

Look -Alike Meter

It took me forever to upload photos of everyone, but I finally completed the look-alike meters for all the kids. They are posted below. However, I don't think they are very accurate...what do you think?

Killian Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Geneology

Killian Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Geneology

Killian Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Christmas Trees and Kitty Cats

Yes, it's still up... Every day I think, "This will be the day! I KNOW I'll have time today to take down that tree!" But, every day, I don't. Yesterday was going to be THE DAY, no matter what! But, I had cat issues... I guess I should explain.

We had an appointment early Friday morning to take our cats in to the vet. Our "Mama" Cat needed to be spayed before she had any more kittens, and all the kittens needed to go in for their shots. We were supposed to lock the Mama cat up the night before to be sure that she had nothing to eat or drink after midnight. So, after putting the kids to bed, I went out to get her (on the coldest night of this winter so far, mind you!) and, of course, I couldn't find her. I looked everywhere. I called her. I took out a can of super-stinky cat food. Nothing. Great. So, the next morning, I did what any good mother would do... I sent Katie out to find her! And, naturally, she found her. Our next task was to find and catch all 4 kittens. This SOUNDS easy, but two of the kittens are WILD. So, I took my secret weapon, Katie, with me out to the well house (where the kittens like to hide), to catch them. The nice kitties were easily caught and deposited in the big kennel with their mother. Then we started to work on the wild ones. We chased them all over the well house, and finally after about an hour (and spilt blood from Katie and me), we gave up. I told Katie we would have to go with the kitties we had, and worry about the others later. We came in to wash off the blood and get ready. Meanwhile, the wild kitties came up to the porch of our house! So, when we walked outside to leave, there they were - sitting primly on the wood pile! I talked nicely to them and calmly walked over and picked one up and then THREW IT IN THE SMALL KENNEL! Oh, the kitten was MAD. She hissed and spit and howled and kicked and literally threw herself against the side of the kennel. But, we loaded the two kennels in the car and left for the vet (still with only 3 kittens - not 4). About half way to the vet, Katie informs me that she believes one cat has pooped. I told her surely she was wrong, but then I smelled a strange smell. The wild kitty had not pooped, but had urinated ALL OVER the kennel! (Thank God for plastic kennels!!!!!) We finally get to the vet, and have to pour kitty urine out of the kennel before we can go in. I'm sure you can guess how that kitten looked - mad as a hornet, and covered in urine!! Luckily, the vet still took care of her, and we left the Mama Cat there and brought the kittens back home. When we got back home, who was sitting on the porch? That's right - the 4th kitten. Licking himself, and very proud. I calmly cooed and talked to him until I got close and then SCOOPED HIM UP AND THREW HIM INTO THE KENNEL!!!! Of course, then I had to come inside and call the vet and explain that now I had the 4th kitten - could they please squeeze us in? They were kind, so we loaded BACK into the car and drove BACK into town and saw the vet again.

Anyway, all this long story to say that, no matter what my plans are, I wind up doing the "fun" jobs in our lives, like kittens, instead of doing the "other fun jobs", like taking down the Christmas Tree! Isn't my world fun?!?!?!??!

New Computer!

Santa was very good to us this year!  He brought us a new laptop.  Unfortunately, I have not figured out how to upload pictures from the laptop to blogger yet... I'm hoping to get it all sorted out soon, but until then, there may be a few posts with no photos.  (Actually, it may be a good thing, as I can't remember to take any new pics anyway! ha ha!)  As an update, Christmas was... different.  Gracie was sick for 7 1/2 days before Christmas.  Her fever finally broke on Christmas Eve.  She was miserable.  She had everything she could have... fever, vomiting, diarrhea, snot, congestion, a rash, sore throat, cough... you name it, she had it.  I cried for her!  She actually handled it pretty well, considering how sick she was.  Anyway, she was still puny on Christmas morning, so I didn't even take many pics...  Anyway, so far, nobody else has gotten it, and we are thankful.  Happy New Year!