A nice goodbye...

This blog is dying.

But the latest MSN news can be found here:

http://mmkslknrk.wordpress.com/

Before I forget...

...this happened:

Yesterday I was in our bedroom folding laundry, and NRK was in the hallway eating a popsicle.

NRK: "Mama, what are you doing?"

Me: "Folding laundry."

NRK: "Aw, that's cool.  I'm eating a popsicle!"

I'd prefer the popsicle to folding laundry.  "That's cool" has been NK's favorite response lately to most things.  Not quite sure where she gets it from... but it's pretty cute.

Easter post coming soon...

Dyeing is Strange and Hard

We dyed Easter eggs today. Huzzah.

Today's blog title brought to you by this song: http://youtu.be/KiTKEztb6y4

Candy Land

Best face ever around the :37 second mark....

NRK Dose

As you can tell by my lack of posting, life has been busy again. Work has picked up for both of us. I'm in the middle of assisting with the Hall Director search process and MK is in the middle of officiating student room selections for next year. On top of work life, Norah had a cough towards the end of last week that progressed into a rotten (high!) fever over the whole weekend. Thankfully, after little sleep and LOTS of prayers, NRK woke up Monday morning with a very mild fever and was acting more like herself.

MK and I don't normally watch a ton of TV, but our little amount of down time lately has included NASCAR & Storage Wars.  I'm finding it very difficult to be a Kasey Kahne fan right now.  Other than his dreamy eyes, he doesn't have a whole lot going on.  Hopefully, he and his crew will get their game plan straightened out.  Our other TV entertainment, A&E's Storage Wars, follows team bidders who make a living off items obtained from storage auctions.  Think modern Antique Roadshow with some good drama.

CAN'T.STOP.WATCHING.  Pops, you'd enjoy it!

Anyways, what makes life more enjoyable (in addition to Storage Wars)?      
A healthy dose of NRK!

You're welcome.

NRK original artwork.

ACTIVITY TIME!

Two gifts put to creative use -
thanks Great Grandma & Grandpa Mabon for the cookie cutters
and Great Autnie Rod for the apron.

Love. <3

I definitely wasn't adopted.  Do I look like my parents or what?!

Ta - dah!

NRK & MK often sing "Jesus Loves Me" at bedtime.  Norah received this singing bunny in the mail today.  NRK is in love.  Thanks Great Auntie Rod!  Norah had a tough time getting the bunny to work at first, but by giving the bunny CPR-like compressions, she got it to work...over...and over...and over...and over...
...Auntie, how long do you think those batteries will last, eh?

Love you all.
SLK

Arrested

If I ever get arrested, I am absolutely going to do this. I hope this guy got the charges dropped simply for his commitment to the song...





It's really worth watching the whole video... This dude is the man. "Violence is the least of my priorities..."

I like food. Any of it.

I think I've found my favorite dinner recipe (thanks, Pinterest and Better Homes & Gardens).  I had to share, especially since I'm more of baker than a cook!  Do you like chicken? And artichokes? And spinach?  If you answered yes, then you should probably make this recipe; the leftovers are even delicious.

CLICK HERE: Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake Recipe

I omitted the crushed red pepper, only because we didn't have any.  I almost omitted the oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (MK dislikes tomatoes), but decided to grab some at the store.  I am so glad I did; they really added to the dish - MK even liked them! I also used skim milk, and I didn't even notice the lack of fat.

I just had a leftover serving for lunch...and I still want more....

Enjoy!

Seriously De-lish-ous!

What's a mama to do with overripe bananas and a sweet craving?  Make a delicious banana cake of course.  

Yep.  I made that.  ALL from scratch.  Ah.

I don't recall ever making banana cake before today.  WHY IN THE WORLD DID I WAIT SO LONG?!  I found the Best Ever Banana Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting recipe on Pinterest and adapted it a bit.  I used two round pans instead of the suggested 9x13" pan; used fat free cream cheese & buttermilk, and garnished with pecans instead of walnuts.  The result?  Dessert Heaven.  I will need to find a good home for the rest of this cake or MK and I are weight gain doomed.  

Did I mention MK made cinnamon roll pancakes for breakfast?

Whoops.

Love you all.

Ripped

Sarah is getting ripped in her training for the Tough Mudder race she'll be running in May. Bicep city.

#27

Birthday #27 is definitely a top contender for the "Best Birthday, Ever" Award.  As many of you already know, MK and I don't really go all out for our own birthdays.  To us, it is just another day... and really, we should be thankful for each day.  Plus, we feel old.  But on Thursday, Marshall woke me up with homemade Nutella & banana crepes - soooo good.  Then NRK and I headed over to one of our favorite hangouts, Play! We got home just in time for me to grab a bite to eat before leaving for a....

wait for it...

MASSAGE.

Ahhh, I relax a little just thinking about it.  If you've never had a (good/professional) massage, and you just rolled your eyes at me...get over yourself and treat yourself.  If you live in the Seacoast area, I highly recommend Lyndi Sargent in Dover, NH. Lyndi was actually our hypnobirthing instructor! Wanna see a cute picture of NRK and MK on her website? Click here.

So needless to say, the massage was amazing, especially since I'm in the middle of training.  A sincere thank you to my hubby who set it all up.  MK is notorious for always buying super practical gifts and skimping on the fun gifts.  Not this time; I love you, dear.  Although, I could write a decent persuasive speech on massage practicality...

Thursday evening we went out to Applebee's for dinner with a close friend.  I received some lovely cards in the mail and some really sweet texts.  See, not super exciting, but to me, it was such a good day.  Wish we could have spent it with more family, but I'm thankful regardless.  Plus, I had a 4 day weekend and a quiet campus (Spring Break) to go along with my birthday!  Who can complain about that?!

In my old age, I'm really trying to savor each day with my husband, NRK, and the people around me.  I'm a horrible, judgmental, and selfish person at my worst... but with Christ, I'm a loving and loyal wife, mother, daughter, and friend.

Here's to hopefully to another year - a year full of happiness and love.  May I glorify the One who gives me life.

Beards

NK: "Is Liv coming over?"
Mama: "I think so.  Papa is going to call Matt."
NK: "Matt?"
Mama: "Yes, Matt.  Liv's papa."
NK: "Liv's papa?"
Mama: "Yes, Liv's papa.  Like your papa."
NK: "Ooooo.  So he has a beard?!?!"

I'd sum up our conversation by saying a beard is what really makes a papa.  Too bad Matt doesn't have a beard.

The Shore

I don't think I'll ever get tired of driving east for 15 minutes and spending the next few hours doing this:

Norah, on the other hand, will never, ever get tired of petting star fish. 

 

Another year...

It's official - the K Family will be in New Hampshire for at least another year. 

While we are sad we won't be closer to family, we are very thankful for the life we have here.  MK and I both enjoy our jobs, love our friends, and are chipping chunks away from our student loans while still managing to build up our savings (for hopefully a move back to the Midwest someday).

I mean, the NH state motto is pretty awesome.

We love you all.

Welcome, Spring!

It's March 10th and we got four or five inches of snow last night. What a way to start our spring break, eh?

Still watching the Grinch...

During bathtime:

Mama:  "N, do you want to watch Bear or the Grinch after your bath?"
NRK:  "THE GRINCH!  It's my favorite present.  There is a coat, presents, a dog, and a sled that goes up, UP a hill!"

No, really, we will still be watching the Grinch come July.

NRK and I also had a lively chat before bedtime.  N played herself, and I played the voice of her stuffed animal, Baby Penguin.  The girl should really invest in some real friends as she has a lot to talk about - aquariums, bus rides ("blue and white ones!"), trains, sleep benefits ("sleep helps us be happy"), and family affairs ("Mama, will you lay with me for a lil while?  Mama, I NEED you...What's that noise [coming from the kitchen]?...Just Papa [baking]...He's busy.)

Hopefully that extended chat session will help NRK sleep tonight.  Miss N was up last night (er... morning) from 2:00 am - 5:00 am, wide awake.  Not cool.  We all suffered a bit brain-wise today, but I think we had a pretty good day considering.  NRK napped, which always makes a mama and papa happy after a rough night.

Here's to a better night!

Love this photo.

And love you all.

Routine

After saying our prayers tonight, I told NRK I thought this would be a normal week for us (I hope!), and we would return to our weekly routine.  NRK just kinda shook her head.

Mama: "Do you  know what that means?"
NRK:  "I don't know."
Mama:  "It means tomorrow morning you will get to see K & Z."
NRK:  "They're coming over?!  And we can play?!"
Mama:  "Actually, I think you are going to Z's house tomorrow."
NRK:  "Ooooo!  And we can play with toys?!"
Mama:  "Yep.  Then Z will be here when you wake up from your nap."
NRK:  "THEN WE CAN EAT POPSICLES! AND MARSHMALLOWS!"
Mama:  "What?  Um.  We'll see.  Maybe one of those."
NRK:  "Ooooo! AND ICE CREAM?! HUH? HUH? HUH!"
Mama:  "I don't think so.  Goodnight, N."

I'm not sure where she got the idea that routine = loads of sweets, but can you blame her?

Praying for a very normal, but happy, week.

BEST EVER!

I'm pretty glad NRK shares our love for cereal.

NRK is in love with these binoculars. 

(Thanks, Great Auntie Rod!)

NRK was inspired by "The Bears' Picnic" and came up with this picnic all by herself.  

Our "blanket" is the dish towel that was hanging on our stove.  Pretty cute.

"Mama, we have to find the perfect spot!"

The perfect spot ended up being in her bedroom with the Christmas lights on.

What can I say, our kid is awesome!

Full Hour's Work

Hard at work.

     

Just for you, Grandma T. Kole! 

Whew, Duplo building is exhausting, especially with a crummy cold.

Ah, popsicles.  Just what the Mama ordered.

Thanks, Grandma.  The blocks are getting lots of use!

Best Friends

The babe and I have both been dealing with colds.  I think I may have got the worst of it (which I'm thankful for, actually).  Regardless, we have been spending a lot of time laying around, watching cartoons, and reading.  This happened today while laying on the couch together:

Norah sits up after I've been tickling her with my feet.
NRK: "Mama, I have a question for you."
Mama: "Yes, Norah?"
NRK: "You can tickle me all day long."
Mama laughs: "Oh yeah?"
NRK: "Yeah.  We're best friends."


Special thank you to my hubbs.  He slept on the couch last night so I could have the bed to myself.  He basically parented 98% of today so I could sleep/rest.  I married a good man.

It's Ours!

Mama and NRK see a puppy and its owner outside the apartment window.
NRK: "Look Mama!  A PUPPY!"
Mama: "Oooo, I see it NK. Isn't it cute?!"
NRK: "Maybe it's ours?!"
Mama: "No. It belongs to that lady right there."
NRK: "No.  It's ours!"

If I could, I would my dear.

Too cool for school...

...also too young.

At peace.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

Not the plans we have for ourselves.
Not the hope we create for ourselves.

This verse is very difficult for a control junky - someone who likes to have the details of life all planned out.  I find comfort in knowing my life has a plan and purpose.  A purpose that is deep, beautiful, and can help bring heaven to earth.  But my brain immediately searches for details - what does that look like right now, tomorrow, the future?  Then I worry I should be doing more.  But worrying is pointless.  God has it all figured out; planned out.  Everything I do has the potential to impact the world around me.  The catch?  I have to chose to trust even when I'd rather be worrying.  Isn't that absurd?  Sometimes I find it easier to make a list of all the options and possible outcomes of a situation rather than trust God has the best ending for me... one that I may not even think up on my own.

Evidence:  Six years ago, did I think I'd marry someone like MK (I mean that in a very kind and endearing way)?  No.  Did I think I'd get engaged and marry someone under a year of dating?  Heck no.  Did I think I would end up in NH?  Definitely not.  Did I ever think I would have a baby at 24?  No stinkin' way.  You get the idea.  Basically my life at present is something I never imagined possible.  But I could not have created anything more blessed myself.  I never knew I could love one man and one little girl SO much.  I never imagined having friends who truly ARE family.  I never knew I could actually have a job that I enjoy - where my organizational abilities, attention to detail, and intelligence are highly valued and appreciated.  When I am striving to love my husband, my daughter, the people around me... even myself (in an unselfish way), regardless of location or details... I am bringing God here.  One small act of faith at a time, I am bringing heaven here.

Shalom.

Pigtails

Space

Sarah says that turn down the opportunity to go into space if it were presented to her. She's crazy, man.


MK

Silly Sayings

Our kiddo has been on a roll.

At the New England Aquarium, looking into the massive core tank...
Mama/Papa: "Look!  That fish swam up to look at you and say hello."
NRK: "Yeah, I want him to be my friend."

After receiving a text message...
Papa's response: "Who's it from?"
NRK: "JESUS!"

On our way home from church...
NRK: "Where is Liv & Matt?"
Papa: "They are in their car right behind us."
NRK: "That's dangerous!"
Papa: "No, they are a safe distance behind us."
NRK: "Oh, I need my binoculars."

Valentine's Day...

...Is for people who are really into overpriced chocolates, absurdly expensive bouquets of roses, and other generally meaningless forced displays of affection.

Unless you're just a few months short of three years old -- then Valentine's Day is about getting stoked on finding baby corn in your Thai take-out.

We heart Sundays.

This past week was nuts for our family.  MK left Wednesday morning on a jet plane.  He was scheduled to return last Thursday night.  But due to technical difficulties, his first returning flight was majorly delayed, resulting in him missing his second flight.  MK stayed the night in Atlanta and was able to return to NH mid-Friday.  

NRK has been recovering from a cold and was up early Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning coughing.  Norah has also been nap protesting or growing out of naptime.  I've been sleeping poorly.  Needless to say, by Friday night, all three of us were exhausted.

BUT(!) today was such a blessing.  We didn't do a whole lot - went to church, ate Subway, lounged...but it was just the kind of day we all needed together.

We busted out and successfully used up the $1.00 watercolor paints NRK found on Christmas morning in her stocking.  She had an excellent time, but the finished product -  not as noteworthy. :)

Massive concentration.

"Mama, wanna paint with me?"

Why use one brush when a person can use two at once!

ARTIST!

All that creating definitely makes a kiddo hungry.

I'm pretty sure this photo was taken mid-sassing.

This photo is especially for Great Aunt M. Wiley.

We had so much fun working on this together; and I'm so proud of her.

She is one smart girl and very eager to learn! 

An attempt at wavy hair.  

There was no wave after the braids were undone (just curls), but NRK liked having the braids in.

Our bedtime routine for the last week has included watching "The Grinch".  Tonight, we read the book afterwards.  NK is a big fan of Christmas and can't get enough.  She still asks to go driving around to look at Christmas lights.  I'm pretty sure we will still be watching "The Grinch" occasionally come July.  

Oh well, I guess there could be worse things for her to enjoy.

We love you all and may God bless each moment we are given.

SLK

Giraffe

NK:  Mama, what do you wanna be when you grow up?
Me:  A mama.
NK: Oh.  What do I want to be when I grow up?
Me:  I don't know.  What do you want to be when you grow up?
NK: A GIRAFFE!
Me:  Yeah?  Why do you want to be a giraffe?
NK:  Because they are tall and eat trees.  SEE!
(NK proceeds to crawl on all fours and stick head straight in air.)

I'm such a fool.  Why would I want to be a mama when I could aspire to be a giraffe?!

Photo Fix

A friend of mine mentioned loving [her son's] baby feet.  I agreed.  There is just something precious about small and soft baby feet.  Even though NRK isn't a baby at all anymore, I still love her cute little toes.

But in all other cases, feet kinda gross me out.

"Ready, set, GO!"

This is Norah's ready stance for racing.

My parents have similar photos of me when I was younger.  Awesome.

A blurry photo of NRK's recent skeptical face.

He's a good papa.

A classic photo for our friend, K, who is currently teaching English in South Korea.

We are one good lookin' family.

Love you all.