{selling cookie dough}

I must admit, I've never been "gung-ho" on fundraisers. Too busy, I would be doing all the work, not-so-great memories of standing in the cold trying to sell candy bars as a kid...the usual excuses. Of course, I usually buy one or two of what my kids are selling. That's only the right thing to do. So, when my mom (the fundraiser queen) came into town and found out that there is a cookie dough sale going on for Silver State, she jumped right in. She corraled Kate and Chad, taught them what to say, and took them out door to door. Mom took Chad and I tagged along with Kate, thinking I could help somehow. Little did I know the blessings I would receive!
No one turned Katelyn down. Big surprise there. But we've got a few things to work on;-) As soon as we walked out the door, Katelyn asked a young couple walking by with a double stroller. They paid right there. I was delighted to meet a couple in the area in our age group. At the first door, Katelyn walked right in, while Maria was finding change. She made herself quite comfortable, and even started up the stairs. Maria had me help her hang her Halloween decorations, then overpaid and told us to keep the change. At the second door, Linda didn't want any cookies, so paid for Kate to get her favorite kind: M&M. Pat next door was in her 90's, was on 6 liters of oxygen, slept in a hospital bed in the front room, got around in a wheelchair, and had a caretaker there making her meals. Pat wanted white chocolate macadamia, but couldn't find any money. I told her that her neighbor had just paid for it. When we got to the fourth house, Patricia was writing a check when Katelyn walked in the kitchen and said she was "so hungry." Patricia found a protein bar, which Kate spit out and said was "nasty!" Embarrassed, I pulled Kate out of there, promising her supper after we went to one more house.
At the last house, John met us at the door wheeling a large trashcan out. As I held the door open for him, he growled, "What do you want?" Kate responded, "Well, I'm selling tooties for my stool." John growled again, "Over-priced I bet." Kate didn't know how to respond to that. Just then, John's grandson Salem ran out and asked for M&M cookies. John didn't have enough cash, so went inside for his checkbook. When he came out, he sat down in a broken plastic chair by the garage, pointed to another broken chair, and ordered "Sit." I sat. He wrote out a check, asked for a receipt (which I didn't have), then proceeded to talk to me for 45 minutes. After a while, his grandson Salem went inside and brought out gatorade and crackers for Katelyn-who was starving. When we left, John said "No one ever has time to sit down and just talk. I'm glad you did. All I do is sit around with my right hand shaking constantly, trying not to die from cancer and Parkinsons. When you come back with the cookies, bring your husband so I can talk to him." With that, he slammed the door shut.
So maybe I have changed my mind a little about fundraisers. This one anyway. It was a great way to meet new neighbors and help them. Even if it was a little out of my comfort zone. You just never know.

{mountain autumn}

As usual, I love to brag about the state I live in. And this year's autumn has been exceptional. We've taken several fishing/hiking trips to the mountains to "soak" in the beauty as much as possible. And as the weather gets cooler, I start baking. Bring on the apple crisp, pumpkin pie, and hot cider, brisk evening walks in the crisp, cool air and relaxed conversation around the fire pit. Love it!!!

In fact, it would be all right with me if it stayed fall all year long. That way, whenever you come visit, you could witness the breathtaking beauty as well!

{butterfly, sugarbaby}

Katelyn Elizabeth Farney, my little red-head full of piss and vinegar...you turned a miraculous and adventurous 4 this month, and didn't miss a beat. I say miraculous, because we almost lost you in June. 3 minutes without air. The entire time I was doing the heimlich, I was thinking..."After all of your shenanigans I have survived, I need you more than I had ever realized." After all, who would I have to introduce me to every stranger in the grocery store while I shop? Whose toenails and fingernails would I paint purple, only to see it all scratched off an hour later? Who would eat all the vegetables out of our garden? Who would wipe my tears and give me "a biddest hud"? Who would I play princess and tea party with? Who would tattoo her entire body with markers because she knows her mom doesn't approve? Who would scold and defend Chad? The other day, you coached Chad on what you had learned about the alphabet, and when he finally got the funny rhyme, you said "Dood job, bid brodder. I'm so proud of you!"

Katelyn, you never miss out on creating a mess, meeting a new friend, or making someone's day. When you were born, you kept your eyes wide open for 6 hours, soaking in everything you possibly could. And you haven't slowed down since. The minute I saw you, I had never wanted something so badly. A healthy, adorable little girl is every mother's dream come true. I was hoping for a calm, cuddly personality, and was disappointed at first when you were not that way.  I had a "box" to fit you in- my idea of what a girl should be like. Alas, you held me at arms' length, even as an infant, while demanding you always knew my exact whereabouts. You were loud, screeched constantly, and hated to nurse. Even now, you ask me what I think or which outfit I like, and then do or wear the opposite. And gradually, I have realized that you have an incredible gift, you will achieve great things, and you will help and uplift others in the process. You have always loved school and socializing, sharing, and giving away your things. Last year, you were named "Miss Socialite" at Meadowood. You started a new preschool this month, and delight my soul with your songs, verses, poems, "Kate-unique" dialect, and the never-ending chatter about all your friends. You are passionate about whatever you do: reading books, riding your new purple Specialized bike with pink helmet, playing dress up, coloring, being outdoors, bossing the dogs, helping me in the kitchen...You have taught me to expand the possibilities, to think outside the box, and to never give up. You shock me, surprise me, and never cease to amaze me. I look forward to being your best friend and watching you achieve your full potential.

{quarter time}

So I have alot to catch up on. Alot to tell about when I can sit down and write about all what we've done in the last few months... like going to Pagosa for our anniversary, being a bridesmaid in my cousin's wedding in Oklahoma, and vacationing in Branson. But since it is late, and we're going to Silver Dollar City tomorrow, I will tell about a recent incident when my daughter's life passed before my eyes, my career in nursing was validated, and I learned never to take my children for granted...

We were sitting in the rehearsal dinner, watching a video of my cousin and her fiance, when Jonathan leaned up to me and whispered loudly, "Honey, Kate just swallowed a quarter!" We jumped up and ran out of the darkened room to the foyer, where Jonathan did a finger sweep and found nothing. He then let go of her in near panic as Kate turned purple and crumpled. My training came into play without a second thought- I did the Heimlich maneuver almost 3 minutes before the quarter came shooting out across the room. After a couple rescue breaths, Kate grabbed her throat and screamed. We took her outside to calm down. I was shaking. Not a minute later, Jonthan's sister Shara called. The first words out of her mouth were, "Are you guys okay? I was playing the piano when I felt like God wanted me to stop and pray for you."

{Kate's latest idea}

Kate told me last night, "When I'm older, I'm gonna get a new face." I asked her, "But why? Yours is so pretty!" She pondered that, and answered, "Well, I'll keep my same mouth and eyes, but I need a new nose." "I like yours- it's perfect," I assured her. "No, I don't like this one" as she touched her nose. "This one keeps getting buggers in it."

{spring fever}

Well, we've got it. Spring fever that is. Every day, we stare longingly at the mountains, wishing to be there. When it warms up, we get the itch even more. So this weekend, we corraled some friends, I took my midterm exam early (only 3 more weeks left), and we all headed out for South Fork-our home away from home. It ended up being a nice weekend of relaxation, camping in our RV, and soaking in the Pagosa Hot Springs. We got some sun too! The kids baked a little more than anticipated, although I did do the mom thing and coat them with sunscreen... We were just in the water longer than anticipated. But it was wonderful.

{swimming lessons}

Have you ever had a "light-bulb moment"? I need some company. It seems I have these alot. All moms probably say to themselves at one point or another, "Why didn't I think of that earlier?" Where is the manual for child-raising that includes such reminders as "let your child feed himself at 18 months; your child should be potty-trained by age 3; it is no longer appropriate for a child to suck his thumb after age 4; it is highly recommended to take your child to the zoo 3 times a year; enroll your child in swimming/karate/gymnastics/soccer lessons by age___." After all, how can a mom keep up with all these things?

So I had a similar light-bulb moment about 3 weeks ago. My kids have been begging for me to buy them floaties for the pool this summer (they lost theirs at the end of last summer). We haven't gone swimming recently, but they are already thinking and somewhat fearful about it. Then it dawned on me, "Swimming lessons. Why haven't I enrolled them sooner?" I mean, I have a friend with a 3 year-old who just jumps right in and swims underwater with no assistance or timidity. Why can't my kids do that? Because I have not enrolled them in swimming lessons. So I did. They are now taking weekly lessons at the Safe Splash Swim school, in the same class for now. Their first lesson was quite a success. Donned with new goggles and a pink swim cap for Katelyn, they excitedly lined up to enter the pool. I got to watch the energy through the huge window in the parent's lounge. When we went to the hot springs this weekend, they were noticeably more comfortable in the water, even after just 1 lesson.

Their cousin Andrew is signed up to join in the fun and take lessons with them. I can't help but laugh out loud every time I look at this picture of Kate. Let me know if you did too!