Eight Little Feet

Letter to Ireland

2010-02-08T18:07:00.001-07:00

February 8, 2010

Dear Ireland,

I have always thought that you have an “old soul” ... meaning you have lived many lives before this one. Your wisdom is far beyond your years, and every day you continue to prove that to me. You will be four in a month, and this is the most inquisitive stage you have had in your life. You are past the “Why?” and have moved on to “What happens when we go to heaven?” and “Do we get to meet Jesus when we are in heaven?” and “Are there germs in heaven?” It is a constant dialogue...and I love learning what is going on in your little mind!

Between you and me, I really love it when you misbehave! I think it is because it doesn’t happen very often. You always follow directions and do what you’re told, and you love to see how bright your halo can shine. So when you purposely get defiant, it is so hilarious! Except for when those crocodile tears start to well up in your huge blue eyes...not fun!

At this age you do not know how to walk. You skip and gallop everywhere! You are like a little fairy! Your favorite thing to do is help me in the kitchen. You sit on the counter and talk my ear off while I am making dinner. I am constantly reminding myself to slow down and listen to what you are saying, because when you have an audience you will let me see straight through to your heart. It is very beautiful. I have a feeling you really want to be a mom someday. You observe everything I do, and tell me that when you’re a mom someday you will get to drive, wear makeup, pluck your eyebrows, do the dishes, and on and on and on! Sometimes hanging out with you is a good glimpse into my behavior! It is my goal to get you to say “When I am a mom I will get to run a marathon and write a book!”

I think as you grow up I am going to have to teach you how to have fun and not take life so seriously. That is something I am reminding myself to do every day! You obviously feel things very deeply, and you would let yourself carry the weight of the world if there wasn’t someone there to remind you to let loose.

Ireland, your little heart means the world to me. I will always protect it as best I can, and be a role model for you. You have a compassionate, loving, and nurturing spirit. You could grow up to heal the world, and our family is so blessed to have you!

Love,

Mommy

Letter to Elliana, November 4, 2009

2009-11-04T16:57:00.002-07:00

Dear Elliana,

It is so hard to believe you are in first grade! I remember first grade fairly clearly…so to think that you are now that age is amazing.

You grew really tall this summer, and your legs are up to your earlobes. Last year at this time I was worried your coordination might never come together, but in July you hopped on your bike and rode around the block within a few hours. As you would say, “No training wheels necessary!" Your little brain is a sponge, and you read read read. I have already had to tell you not to bring your books to the dinner table, something I have been hearing Granny tell Uncle Mark my whole life! It is very clear to me that you will never struggle with academics. I think you are realizing that too, considering you race through your homework and constantly want to move on to the next thing. I am trying to teach you to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the fact you can take your time with your work. It is also my little trick for getting you to write slower and practice your handwriting!

You love the monkey bars. Every day you come back from school and tell me how many times your crossed the monkey bars at recess. You have a callous on the palm of each hand, and you hate the fact that your jacket falls past your wrists because you have to shake your arm before grabbing the monkey bars. I sometimes think your entire day revolves around your success or failure on those bars. Haha….

This is a funny stage for you and me. Every day you make me so happy and I love watching you discover the world now that you can read and write at such an advanced level. At the same time, my patience easily runs thin with you because you think you need to talk super loud in order to be heard, and I can no longer get away with a “preschool” answer to your many questions. You want the real-world version of things, and finding a way to explain life in a way you can understand is a challenge. It is a challenge I welcome, but it also makes me want to go to bed really early! But as soon as you exhaust me, you say something so funny that we both laugh our heads off, and your laugh is so brilliantly contagious.

Speaking of which, you are growing and learning so much that you are exhausted! Some nights I think you are genuinely sleeping before your head hit’s the pillow. I would imagine that following the rules all day long and coming home to be the leader with your sisters is a very tiring existence. I often need to remind you to take time to yourself and be alone. I have a feeling I will tell you that a lot throughout your life.

Elliana, you bring so much joy to my life. You teach me something new every day, and you are always challenging me to be a better mom. I can’t sneak anything past you anymore, and so you keep me accountable (God forbid I go through a yellow light or not check every piece of your Halloween candy before you eat it!) … Your attention to the rules is so endearing, and will make you very successful in life.

I love you so much. Keep being you.

Love,
Mommy

Halloween Snowman 2009

2009-10-31T15:29:00.002-06:00

I love my Flip! (and my family!)

Granny's Package Arrived!

2009-10-31T11:18:00.003-06:00

We love you Granny! Thank you for the neat things and all of your hard work!

Pumpkin Carving 2009

2009-10-31T11:12:00.004-06:00

The girls had a good time carving pumpkins on Thursday night!

Letter to Annika

2009-10-13T22:14:00.004-06:00

October 13, 2009

Dear Annika,

Lately I have been calling you my little Simba…you are a ball of fire like a lion cub. At night when I tuck you in, you tackle me and we roll around and I kiss you all over your face and neck. This makes you giggle like crazy, but as soon as you realize you are giggling you pretend to roar like a lion. Your spirit at this age is abundant, to say the least.

I love watching you figure out the world. You have always been a person with many layers. Since the day you were born, there has been a wisdom and depth about you I cannot describe. It is demonstrated at this age in the way you carry yourself…you have a strong sense of self for a four-year-old. A couple of weeks ago your friend Avery cut off your bangs...and last week you were fascinated by the humidifier next to your bed, and leaned over so close to the green light that the steaming water pouring out of the machine burnt your forehead! But you walk so boldly and proud with no bangs and a big burn on your forehead…seemingly having no cares in the world.

But I know you better. I know that your heart is struggling in ways you will never show. I think at this age you are having a hard time defining your place amongst your sisters. This will probably be a lifelong battle…but you are working very hard at it, and so am I. You were dealt quite a hand coming only 18 months after a “first-born” … and then being only 6 months old when I became pregnant with the twins. Your sisters make a very loud, rambunctious, Annika sandwich…and you continue to hold your own…even though I think it hurts your heart when you are overlooked.

I recently started working at your daycare, and I love seeing you throughout the day. We talk every time our classes are on the playground together, and I relish in watching you climb to the top of the climbing wall. I try to sneak downstairs and hug you tight before your nap each day, and your friend Gage always wants me to kiss him too! Haha! Each Thursday I take you on my break. We get to spend an hour together, just the two of us, before heading over to Miss Flo’s. Flo is a friend of mine who is very smart with children. Remember all those layers I was talking about? Flo is going to help us continue to reveal the depth of you and coach me as a mom in the best way to parent an amazing daughter like you. Before we go to Flo’s we like to hit up 7-11 for Slurpees and gum. I think long after we stop seeing Flo, we will still be going to 7-11 for Slurpees and gum.

Tonight you were very tired and said your leg hurt. You must be getting ready to grow a little taller. At your 4-year checkup the doctor said you hadn’t gained any weight this past year, just shot straight up! I have a feeling you have a lot of growing to do before your 5th birthday.

Annika, you warm my heart to the point of explosion. I am so blessed to be your mom, and watching you grow is a gift. Our friendship will have a lot of ups and downs…because I have a feeling we are a lot alike. I identify a lot with you, and hope that you will invite me to help you unveil the mystery in your soul. Thank you for sharing yourself with me.

Tomorrow you have a field trip to the pumpkin patch! On the way home from school today you said that you want to be a vampire for Halloween. It changes every day. Your favorite movie right now is Wizard of Oz (you are actually obsessed with it)… but since Pepper can’t come for Halloween you have decided you don’t want to be Dorothy anymore. We’ll see what you come up with for tomorrow.

Sleep tight my little Simba.

Love,
Mommy

Jevon gets a makeover

2009-10-04T15:09:00.002-06:00

Twins brush teeth

2009-10-04T13:40:00.003-06:00

Jevon does Elliana's nails

2009-10-03T14:23:00.002-06:00

Ireland says hi!

2009-10-03T09:15:00.002-06:00

Elliana learns to ride a bike

2009-10-02T21:57:00.005-06:00

Okay okay...

2009-10-02T21:55:00.001-06:00

Yes, I know it has been almost exactly ONE YEAR since I updated this blog. I don't have an excuse. Let's all just be glad I'm in the mood to give it another go! Love, Katie

Check out my sexy mom!

2008-10-25T12:15:00.003-06:00

Here's another pic from the wedding, and for those of you who haven't seen my mom in a while...look out! She is a foxy lady and I sure love that she is healthy and has a long future with her grandkids!

Today is the most beautiful fall day. The girls and I raked leaves this morning and (of course) jumped in them so much that now I will have to rake them again and somehow manage to bag them. And this afternoon we are carving pumpkins.

I am by no means trying to say my life is anywhere near perfect...but this day sure is!

I have a sister-in-law!

2008-10-17T12:07:00.007-06:00

Despite the fact each and every person in this family has taken turns being sick for over two weeks...we somehow managed to get in the car and drive to MN for Mark's big day! It was a very quick trip- we left Thursday morning and we were home Monday, but the girls did a great job and between them, their cousins, and Katrina's nieces and nephews, it was quite the kiddo parade!

Here are a few photos until the rest are done. Mark is so happy! And notice the hunk in the back! Jevon saved the day...I don't know if the twins would have gone down the aisle without him!

Hand, Foot, & Mouth?!

2008-09-25T11:01:00.002-06:00

I've been a little distant from updating the blog since this week has brought more punky kiddos with sickness. Annika has been home all week with Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease (?) or whatever medical speak is for really sick. She has had fevers keeping her awake and her poor little mouth is filled with sores. But I am really hoping she is getting better since this is day 6, and the doctor said 4-7 days until it runs its course.

Some more positive news is that I have resigned from my position at Group to jump full-time into a business venture with Jevon. It might sound crazy, considering my job has pulled me through a difficult year, but that is about all it has done. I was way underpaid and with a family of this size, my salary at Group was not going to cut it! I have very high hopes for what is ahead- and it is well worth the risk.

I will write more on the business soon!

We have a confirmed case of strep throat in the toddler room...

2008-09-17T15:01:00.005-06:00

Poor Ireland has strep throat, but after some meds she is on the up and up. Last night she was pretty lethargic though, and I couldn't resist getting her all snuggly on video.

Isabelle's PB&J Face

2008-09-17T14:49:00.002-06:00

Too cute to pass up!

What we've been up to

2008-09-13T14:47:00.009-06:00

This September:

Went to a puppy parade Labor Day weekend with cousins Betty & David- a new tradition!
Elliana started kindergarten! And she has grown so tall her pants don't fit
Annika started church preschool and loves it
Ireland and Isabelle suddenly have more hair than I know what to do with
Elliana keeps wiggling her teeth thinking they will fall out (not so much)
Jevon and I wrote a business plan...seriously considering bringing it to life
My job is getting more boring by the minute now that the "busy" season is over
Getting ready to travel to MN in October for Mark's wedding!

This summer:

Everyone started a new daycare (affectionately called "summer school")
Jevon and I stopped counting dates
Linda visits in June and meets Jevon for the first time, big trip to the zoo
Fourth of July fireworks in Loveland (I think the twins had never seen the moon?)
Jevon traveled with all the ladies to Minnesota for the first time...met the relatives and we are still dating!
Spent a lot of time at the pool
I shot my last wedding for a while, sadly burying Kate Nickel Photography and selling my equipment to make ends meet (still a dream for the future...)
Work is "busy" for the first time, meaning I actually have something to do. Group Workcamps is in full swing with over 25,000 participants

Big sisters changing Ireland

2008-09-13T14:31:00.004-06:00

Elliana and Annika demonstrate how to change a diaper (since I haven't figured that out yet...)

Coloring before bedtime

2008-09-12T23:03:00.003-06:00

What am I doing? Help!

2008-09-12T22:29:00.004-06:00

So I have friends that have all these super-cute blogs with photos dancing in all different directions, unique layouts, beautiful fonts and colors...and I have no idea how to do any of that! Before this blog looks remotely darling...I have a lot of homework to do. Please hang tight while I figure this out. In the meantime, here is the first family photo of me and the girls in February. The photographers were a little excited to have so many little girls in the studio that I think they creeped everyone out a little...but as always, Isabelle was entertained. Ireland and Annika were not as impressed. Hopefully we will take another one soon, as the twins have changed a ton since this photo! Oh this is going to be fun...so much to write about...but I think I'll start by adding video...

Welcome to our blog!

2008-09-12T22:02:00.001-06:00