Because of...

Because of September 11, 1959
May 28, 1977 happened.
Because of May 28, 1977
March 21, 1979 happened.

Because of all this, we celebrated this weekend.

Did you follow all that?

This weekend I met my mom in Dallas to celebrate her 50th birthday.
We had so much fun that we only took two pictures. That's right, two. She has them. Maybe they will make the blog. Maybe not. But the memory should.

Fun moments....
Getting lost.
Finding each other.
Discovering that you can not go the wrong way down a one way street.
Finding each other again.
Eating avocado rolls and portabello mushroom sandwiches on the Cheesecake Factory patio.
Watching Texans wear fur lined coats when it's 55 degrees outside.
Laughing.
Learning that my mom twitters.
Learning that my mom knows more about facebook than I do.
Realizing she has more facebook friends than I do.
Laughing, again.
Finding the hotel.
Checking in.
Hearing my mom ask me for the 4th time what time our conference started on Saturday.
We got a business rate.
Mom's a bad actress.
Laughing some more.
Realizing that my mom packs a small apartment up every time she travels.
Being thankful for this when I forgot my toothpaste.
And my razor.
And my shower cap.
Knowing that you never stop being a mom.
Feeling thankful.
Staying up too late.
Sleeping in too late.
Watching a Barbara Streisand movie together.
Talking about the changing role of women through the ages.
Learning that my mom was the BWU president at one point.
Remembering when she was going to start a pie making business.
Realizing that life is all about stages.
Wondering what 50 feels like.
Watching my mom feel comfortable in her own skin.
Loving that look.
Laughing.
Shopping, shopping, shopping.
Talking, talking, talking.
Having a snack in toys r us.
I just opened the bag and ate.
Mom tried to pay for hers.
We were starving.
Finding the Melting Pot.
Confusing the Garmin.
Taking 45 minutes to make a 2 minute trip.
Laughing.
Dressing in the parking lot.
Putting on trench coats to cover up shopping outfits.
Dinner at the Melting Pot.
Eating for 2 1/2 hours.
Feeling thankful for valet parking.
Falling asleep.
Waking up.
Talking.
Talking.
Talking.
Crying.
Laughing.
Being grateful.
Not wanting the trip to end.
Lunch at La Madeline's.
Wishing we had not eaten so much dinner.
Making plans to go the Melting Pot again.
Planning another trip.
Wishing time would stop.
Realizing that time would not stop.
Saying goodbye.
Loving.

Happy Birthday, Mama. Some things are even better without pictures.

We will Survive

This is my new theme song.

We have survived the stomach bug.

My favorite converstation from last week.

Sam: Mommy, what is wrong with my tummy?

Me: Samuel that stomach bug that was inside Reagan has crawled into your tummy and making your tummy feel icky.

Sam: Mom, we need to take this bug and put it in a tree. (after a long pause) And shoot it.

This kid cracks me up.

Every stinking one of us got it. Yuck.

But...we're better now. So, yeah for healthy days.

October has been insanely busy. Good, but busy. We've decided to slow things down a little for November.

I'll try to update with pictures this evening.

Samuel

This picture is from our first camping trip as a family. It was fun...and wet! It rained for a good part of our stay. The rain wasn't too bad until we were packing up in a flood of water. That I could skip on the next trip.

This is Sam on day two of our trip. I'm sure he's hunting something. Lately, he is always hunting something! Mostly birds.

"I want to stomp on their heads mama. Stomp with my foot." Hmmm...okay, son. I hope this is normal for little boys!

Big news in Sam's world...he is officially and without doubt (doesn't that sound official?) potty trained!!!! Yeah.

I thought about taking another potty shot...but really once you are potty trained you earn the right to dignity in that area. So, no more documentation of progress.

Moments to remember from this journey with Sam...

"I need to pee, Mom."

"Ok, let's go to the potty."

"No, Mom....I'm a boy. I pee outside."

....we have this conversation at least 3 times per day!!!

"Momma, I need to poop."

"Ok, Sam. Let's go to the potty"

...after several minutes sitting on the potty....

"Mom, my poop needs to cook a little longer. I better wait a while."

Yeah for potty training and an even bigger yeah for not buying diapers!!!!!!

Fun with Honey and Papa

Honey and Papa came to visit a few weeks ago and I didn't get a chance to blog some pictures. I think the smiles on Sam and Reagan's faces tell the story better than I can with words!

First Fruits Party

We had a Sunday School Fellowship at our home this weekend. It was a lot of fun to have everyone over and spend time laughing and talking and laughing some more. There were games of dominos, lots of girl talk, encouragment, and some great food!

When the party was in full swing and folks were all engrossed in their own conversations...I couldn't help thinking that this was all possible because of Jesus.

More than 2,000 years ago a little guy was born in a barn to two young people. Probably two scared young people. That little person was the very Son of God. And ultimately His sacrifice for us would mean that centuries later my house would be filled with people.

There was laughing and eating and encouraging and hugging. There was good conversation and fun words. Plans for girls nights out and talks of hunts that would happen this fall.

I had a great time Sunday night. I loved being in that place. I loved hearing people having a good time.

But...without Jesus...well, nothing would have happened. Without Jesus there would have been no party.

I think there is probably some pretty powerful truth in that last statement.

But, for now, I'm just grateful for community. I'm grateful for the Body of Christ and the part that I get to experience.

Because sometimes it's fun...sometimes it is a lot of fun!

Pumpkin Patch 2009

Our local pumpkin patch arrived on Monday. That's right...when you live in our part of Texas the pumpkin patch arrives via truck from North Carolina. Whatever. It was fun and we got some cute pictures of the kids.

This one cracks me up. I'm not sure what the kids are looking at...but all I can think is that we are doing a profile shot that can be used to track us down if we steal a few pumpkins!

We're here! We're here!

...but busy. Very busy!

Fun things happening around the Kenley Casa...

• Party planning - we're having a Sunday School Fellowship this week at our house and I'm trying to sort out the details. It's going to be so much fun, I think, or maybe mass chaos. We'll take pictures.
• First family camping trip during which we survived a monsoon!

and drumroll please.....

Samuel is potty trained!!!!! We are done!!!! This is the first week in 2 1/2 years that I did not buy him diapers! Praise God!

Hopefully, there will be some time for reflection and picture posting tonight....