Early Morning Run

Yesterday morning was the first day of my new exercise plan--running daily. We only went around the block and it was coooold. But, it felt good to be on the track to fitness again! :) Here are some pics of the kids, who had just awakened.

Today, we are going to go after naptime to avoid the snowsuit necessity of the early morning! :) I want to lose at least ten pounds, but I would be happier with about 20-25. God be with me as we go through this pregnancy pound battle yet again. :)

A Loud Dining Experience

The kids started squealing and grunting at each other this evening during dinner. Oh my, it was loud...but very amusing. Wyatt's newest face is this scrunchy smiley expression. He reserves it for Kya and Grandma and Grandpa Mac. It's hilarious. I hope you enjoy listening in on a little Haner Home madness. :)

The New Sweatshirt Line :)

Well, the first sweatshirt in my line for the craft fair is hot off the sewing machine. My little model is a 2T and the sweatshirt is a 3T so it's a little long in the arms, but you get the idea. I am making matching bows tonight! :)

She wanted to sleep in it instead of her coveted "FEETY JAMMIES" (I wouldn't let her) so it must feel soft and cozy! :)

By the way, FEETY JAMMIES is capitalized because Kya NEVER says it softly. When she is ready for warmth and cuddles, she yells, "I WANT MY FEEETY JAAAAMMMMIIIIIES!" She's such a character--and talk about a cheeseball smile! Gotta love it!

Great News!

I am SOOOOOOOOOOO excited! One of my dearest friends just told me she's pregnant!!! But, I can't tell you who it is yet. It's a secret. Shhhhhhh. :)

Uncle Sean and the Kids at Thanksgiving

My Sweet Truth About Being a SAHM

There are no words to express the sweet joy of being a SAHM ("Stay At Home Mommy" for those of you unfamiliar with mommy web speak). I am absolutely unable to fully convey to my husband how wonderful and amazing he is for allowing me the opportunity to be home with the babies each and every day while he works so hard to make a comfortable life for us.

Each day he ventures into the world of teenage angst and educational indifference (high school) to attempt the seemingly impossible task of loving, empowering, edifying and clarifying geometrical proofs and algebraic equations to generally apathetic high school 10th-12th graders.

I, on the other hand, get to smell the sweet scent of baby shampoo on my babies' skin after every bath, watch Wyatt smile and laugh while Kya jumps and dances around the living room, keep a tidy (as much as is possible at this life stage) home filled with good meals, good smells, and fun sounds, and watch our kids grow up being little mirrors of us instead of someone else.

I have no issue with working women--nor do I ever judge or think badly of daycare or its many alternatives. I am just SO glad to not have to think about any of those things as I watch our children develop language, math, and social skills that reflect our family values (as much as is possible within the self-centered mind of a two year old and the exploration of an almost-walking seven month old!)

Thank you Lord and thank you husband for this wonderful opportunity.

Americat!

Happy Veteran's Day!



For Veteran's Day, Kya made a flag out of construction paper and glue and wrapped up some red roses in blue and white ribbon. She learned that we are from a country called, "Americat!!!" (Yes, that's how she says it, not a typo.) When she finished her crafts, she took them to her grammie (my fabulous MIL) who was not feeling well. We wished her a happy Veteran's Day and told her we are happy to live in a country called, "Americat!"

A Night to Remember

Tonight I am facing the week ahead with hope. I am hopeful that this week will bring the Lord's presence in our home, that He will be with each of us and teach us things He wants us to know about Him, about ourselves and about how we should live. I pray that we would lead our children straight down the path that is within His will for their lives, that we would not falter in our commitment and devotion to His ways and His alone. Let us be the light in the darkness Lord; let us not focus on the negative, but rejoice in the positive. Let us remember everything could be good or it could be bad. And let us focus on the good. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.

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Daddy Duty

Thanks to my lovely husband for helping so incredibly much this weekend while I was hurting. I am so blessed and couldn't ask for a better life partner. I love you Scotty Clifford!

Bow-making

So, my husband thinks I'm obsessed with bow-making. He might be right. But, aren't they fun and pretty? I can't wait to get started on my new business of making custom outfits and matching bows for little girls and baby girls. Sooooo fun. I'll post more of them once I get the pattern perfected. I am going to sew matching t-shirt tops with a centered designer patch and ruffle-bottomed pants in a matching fabric with a matching hairbow and sell the whole outfit. What a fabulous shower gift!!! :) I am sooooo excited. My friend Aimee is going to help me develop a brochure and cards to let people know what's available. I am SO excited! :) I hope my sewing machine (which my mom used for a long long time before me) holds up to the new projects! :)

Birthday Blessings

Tonight we celebrated my mom's and my birthday (November 9th and 13th respectively) at our house over dinner and cake (I LOVE CAKE! And my mom made a delicious yellow cake with chocolate frosting). It was a delicious meal and delicious company. What a blessing to have our family together and at least mostly healthy (both mom and dad have the cold which resulted in Wyatt's croup--ain't love grand!). My mom wished for my dad to quit smoking when she blew out the candles. We are all wishing and praying for that. I love you dad...would love you to be around and still announcing high school football when Wyatt plays someday. :)

These pictures were taken in our kitchen at our family dining table, which was kindly handed down to us by Scott's parents.

Kya's haircut

Mommy had to cut the bangs today. I don't think she likes it. LOL! But it had to be done.

Wyatt's diagnosis

Our wonderful pediatrician saw the kids today and diagnosed Wyatt with Croup. She took one listen to his barky cough and knew right away what we were dealing with. She is so awesome and she really loves the babies. Sometimes I really think she wants them to feel better just as much as I do. She also gave us the name of a new diaper rash cream (at least new to us) which has already diminished his rash 50% (NOTHING has worked on it til now). Here's a link to an article describing croup: tp://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/croup.html.

While at the pediatrician's office, Wyatt was given a breathing treatment (this did not go over well with him.) He has since received his first dose of steroids and another breathing treatment and seems to be breathing easier. Poor little guy. Last night he could barely inhale and his cry was barely audible because of his lack of ability to breathe. I stood in the hot shower with him and coated him in Baby Vick's (only to learn later that Vick's is not recommended by our pediatrician.) He still struggled to smile as I sang to him and nursed him throughout the night.

After such a crazy night and day, I was exhausted. My sweet Scott put both kids to bed by himself! Thanks honey! After all the drugs, Wyatt just kind of nodded off on his daddy's shoulder. How precious. Scott's feeling terrible as well so I am the last one standing! Thank you Lord that I am well enough to care for my family in their time of need. It is truly an honor. I just wish I could fix everybody. Please keep us in your prayers.

From my kitchen window

From my kitchen window...

My friend Sarah "tagged" me and though I have yet to fully understand the meaning of being "tagged," apparently the idea is to share a little something about the particular topic with which you are "tagged." So, my topic is the view from my kitchen window. Our kitchen doesn't have a typical window-over-the-sink set up. My sink actually faces the living room--an attribute for which I am very thankful since I can watch the babies play while I wash up. :)

This window is in the kitchen nook and looks out to our front yard and the street on which we live. It's a lovely peaceful view. I love our home and am so thankful that my hubby does such a fabulous job on the yard (even when he's sick.) We feel truly blessed by our circumstances and surroundings. God is so good to us even as undeserving as we are.

Out this window, you can see our three pumpkins from Halloween (the fourth and littlest one got rotten and had to be discarded), two chairs, Kya's sandbox (built by her daddy), the lantana which are growing rapidly in this mild fall weather, and Scott's little flowerbed around one of two ash trees in the front yard. That's about it. :)

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Learning Time

Every morning and afternoon (with a few exceptions), Kya spends time at her "learning table" reviewing her letters, numbers, colors and shapes. This is HER IDEA. She wakes up in the morning and from naps and says, "Learning time!" Isn't that the coolest? She is so spunky and excited to learn and spend time on her Leap Frog 'Puter. :) She recognizes and knows the sounds of all the capital letters and knows her numbers up to thirteen. She knows square, rectangle, triangle, trapezoid, semi-circle, circle, hexagon, pentagon, and her favorite, "OCTAGON!" I can't wait to see what she learns next. This is such an exciting time to watch her little brain as it absorbs everything to which it is exposed.

Saved by the Grandparents

Yet another last minute save by my fabulous in-laws. Just when I thought I couldn't take another moment in two year old tortureville, in swooped my mother in law to save the day! She and her lovely hubby took Kya for four hours this afternoon!!!! And I got to do some painting (see picture above) of the now infamous unfinished living room wall, prepare some bows for samples at the bow making party I am hosting on Friday, and clean a small portion of the kitchen. :) How refreshing! I also got to spend some much needed one on one time with baby Wyatt. He has laryngitis from coughing so much so he is all raspy and sad. :( But, he's still smilin...cuz that's just what he does. I should take a lesson from that kid.

What a tremendous blessing to have the best in laws IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!!! Did I mention my mother in law also listened to me rant and rave about the healthcare profession for half an hour? (after having Kya for four hours!) That is true love. I LOVE YOU GRAMMIE!

Wondrous Wyatt

Wyatt is the most docile pleasant child I have ever encountered. This despite two hospital stays, a sister who likes to test gravity with his head, and a recent bout of pink eye. He just smiles at everything and everybody. What a blessing!

Lipstick

Lipstick is so attractive to girls, even at a young age. My daughter Kya has been sneaking into my makeup bag for this precious commodity almost since birth. Here she is just this morning testing out my Mac lipstick in "Faux." I don't really care for this color so it didn't upset me too much except for the fact that she spent some of her application time on the carpet, which made quite a mess. But, she gladly helped me get out the Folex and rub the spot right out. :)

She is such a pretty girl, even when she is making a mess. :)

Kya and mommy being silly