Student of the Month
Nov 19, 2009 Categorized: Life with Kids •
Today was a proud day for me. My son received the Student of the Month award for his class. Just as every parent is beside themselves when their children win awards, I was “poppin’ my buttons”, as my mom would say, considering all that he has been through and still he stands straight and tall and full of confidence.
Read MoreThe Night Before School
Aug 10, 2009 Categorized: Life with Kids • Musings •
Tags are trimmed off new clothes and the door lined with shoes. Packs are stuffed with supplies that have never been used. Uniforms are laid out with white bobby socks too, and my children are sleeping, I know not what to do. Should I blog, should I work, should I sit and boo-hoo? It’s the night before school starts for Thing 1 and Thing 2!
Read MoreBrimming…
Jul 30, 2009 Categorized: Life with Kids • Musings •
This isn’t a real good time to be writing an article like this, since I’d rather not have red eyes before Bill and I head off for dinner to celebrate our ninth anniversary. But I have a few moments of peace, a cup of coffee, and a heart that is brimming over with emotions just as sure as my eyes are brimming with tears.
Read MoreFamily Update
Mar 13, 2009 Categorized: Life with Kids • News •
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us and written us notes of encouragement over the past several weeks. We are so grateful for our fellow prayer warriors, and I can tell you we have literally FELT your prayers in tangible ways. I am happy to report that the McKelveys are all smiles again, despite the trials, and we are reclaiming normalcy despite our few new routines.
Read MoreTrials and Tribulations
Feb 03, 2009 Categorized: Life with Kids •
We’re having some not-so-fun times in the McKelvey household these days. Don’t hear me wrong--we’re having fun times too, and we’re trying to not let those fun times be shrouded by the muck we’re wading through. But despite our positive attitudes and reliance on God’s strength, there is still a sadness in our hearts we’re having to face. At times I feel a little guilty about actually grieving about seemingly minor things, but no matter how small it seems in comparison to another’s trials, THESE trials are ours, and they’re not going away.
Read MoreWorking from Home
Dec 31, 2008 Categorized: Life with Kids • Musings •
Last night I let the kids stay up late coloring at the coffee table while I sat on the couch proofing my latest web project. Most of my work I do after they go to bed, but on this Christmas vacation schedule, we’re not so pressed to get them to bed at a reasonable hour. When they’re occupied every now and then, I’ll pick up the computer and do a little work.
After a few minutes of my chatting, working, coloring, working, watching a video online, then working some more, Will was curious about my work. “Mom,” he asked, “do you have to do that?”
Read More2008 Christmas Gift Report
Dec 25, 2008 Categorized: Life with Kids •
Our emphasis at Christmas time is not on gifts. Most of our “Christmasy” discussion all month long is centered around the manger and the fact that we celebrate the birth of Christ, and not the coming of Santa and his reindeer. We partake in plenty of seemingly secular Christmas traditions, like decorating the house, making ornaments, baking goodies, and giving gifts, but we use those traditions to signify the important event that we are celebrating, just as we have traditions that celebrate our own birthdays. I suspect that most of my readers feel exactly the same way about Christmas. The point of it all is to celebrate the birth of Christ. But we still have lots to do and talk about that seems a bit less spiritual. I don’t want to downplay the importance of Christ on this Christmas evening. However, I think that most of us have had our time of reflection and praise for this Christmas season, and we will continue to do that at least weekly, if not daily, throughout the year. So at the risk of sounding sac-religious, I’m going to use my Christmas blog post to give an annual gift report rather than prolong the manger scene sentiments.
Our 2008 Tree
Dec 24, 2008 Categorized: Life with Kids •
I’ve always admired people who have a Christmas tree in every room. I personally find it far too difficult and time-consuming to put up more than one tree, although I have been known to put up maybe one big tree and a couple of small ones. After all, we don’t usually finish our tree until the day or two before Christmas. We start early enough--don’t be mistaken. The day after Thanksgiving, I’m usually banging my head on the attic rafters while the rest of the world risks being trampled to death in public places. Bill drags out the Christmas decor (less and less each year, at my request), and we get the pre-lit tree put up and re-lit. But we don’t always put the ornaments on it just yet.
Facing Reality
Dec 10, 2008 Categorized: Life with Kids • News •
We’ve known for nearly four years now that we would come to this point. It’s not a major dilemma, and there are many things that would be much worse. But still, the reality of the moment is weighing so heavily on my heart. Today we received the official news from Hunter’s new endocrinologist that it is time to start growth hormones. All of the realities that we’ve been able to “ignore” for a while are once again on the surface.
Unexpected Tears
Aug 11, 2008 Categorized: Life with Kids •
I had planned to get to work as soon as putting the kids to bed tonight. Instead, I am sitting here in a pool of tears at the thought of my first-born son going off to kindergarten Wednesday. We met his teacher today, and she seems really nice and well-organized. I had a pretty good feeling about his school, and I think he is really excited about it. I’ve so loved having him at home this summer since preschool let out, and I’ve sort of dreaded this moment in time. I thought I was handling everything like a big girl, until I popped in his preschool classroom today to say hi on my way to Hunter’s 3-year-old preschool orientation. Just the sight of his little preschool room turned me into a fountain of tears I didn’t know I had.
Read More“I’m BIG!!”
Apr 30, 2008 Categorized: Life with Kids •
When I asked Hunter how old she was on the morning of her 3rd birthday, she put out her little hand with an attitude and said, “I’m BIG!!” After laughing for a moment I said, “Are you two or three?” Again, she replied, “BIG.” So, we’re going with that. If you ask her today how old she is, she will give you the same BIG answer. And indeed, her semi-annual checkup at the doctor yesterday proved her case.
Party: Accomplished
Apr 19, 2008 Categorized: Life with Kids •
{Big sigh.} The 2008 McKelvey Birthday Bash is officially history. The Captain Hook and Tinker Bell party went down without a hitch, and we had a wonderful time celebrating the birthdays of our precious children. I’ve posted pictures at my dropshots page, and password-holders can get there by clicking on the photos in this article. I’m uploading over a hundred just from today, so it is taking a while.
Hooks and Tinks
Apr 19, 2008 Categorized: Life with Kids •
Today is the big day. The moment for the Peter Pan Pirates and Fairies Birthday Party is nearly here. The Tinker Bell tablecloth lies in await beneath some leftover loot (beaded necklaces and rhinestones) and the Southern Living at HOME Gail Pittman Hand Painted Pots and Stand holding purple and black dessert napkins and a complementary purple African violet. Bill is away filling purple, green and clear balloons with helium, while I prep the back yard and bury hidden treasures in the freshly built sandbox and black cardboard treasure box which Bill fashioned out of a diaper box.
My First 5-Year-Old
Apr 05, 2008 Categorized: Life with Kids •
My darling little Will turned five today. We had a fun birthday together with just our little family to celebrate. We’re planning a big double party in two weeks for both the kids, so today was a bit low-key.
Confessions of a Preschooler
Feb 07, 2008 Categorized: Life with Kids •
“Mom, I chased Karlee at school today,” Will told me as I chewed my Arby’s roast beef sandwich in the parking lot waiting to pick up Hunter after school today. “I chased her because you can do that. You can chase people.” A big grin sneaked across his face.
Doin’ Sick Time
Jan 19, 2008 Categorized: Life with Kids •
Monday afternoon as I put fresh sheets on all the beds, I told myself it was a guarantee for a night of soiling sheets. That’s pretty much the way it always happens. Murphy’s Law, I guess. But I had no idea Hunter was coming down with a stomach virus and would vomit all over her bed at just 10:30, before I even hit the sack.
Read MorePaper Airplanes
Jan 11, 2008 Categorized: Life with Kids •
“I’m sorry to tell you this son,” said Bill, “but I’m afraid we’re going to have to save this one for outside only.” I messed up tonight and made THE best paper airplane either Bill or I have ever seen. I’ve prided myself in my paper airplane crafting expertise for a while, now, but this new and improved version of the Heather Kate airplane really soars to the top of the homemade toy charts.
Read MoreBittersweet Treats
Jan 05, 2008 Categorized: Life with Kids •
Santa Claus brought my children the most delectable big red lollipops with teddy bears painted in icing on the front. He always brought them to me when I was a kid, and now he brings them to my children. They are every kids’ dream--the kind they go to bed dreaming of on Christmas Eve. But they are also every parent’s nightmare.
Read MoreClosing Out Christmas
Dec 26, 2007 Categorized: Life with Kids • News •
Well I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was so full of blessings and fun! I’ve contemplated much the last few days about the true meaning of Christmas and how we have ended up making it such a season of busyness. I plan to take some time to think out my musings through some typed words, to which of course, you will be privy.
Read MoreFunny Words
Dec 17, 2007 Categorized: Life with Kids •
Kids are known for saying funny things. I used to keep a list of all the funny things Will said, but I’m not sure what happened to it. Anyhow, this week has produced some funny words that I thought I’d share.
Read MoreWhere the Snow Blows
Dec 15, 2007 Categorized: Life with Kids •
We’re getting the tail end of the winter storm that’s raking across the midwest. Unfortunately though, it takes a whole lot of snow for us to actually see it sitting on the ground. When it snows this far west, the snow doesn’t fall. It blows. Sideways. The snow that sits on our grass probably started two counties away.
Read MoreA Christmas Photo
Dec 09, 2007 Categorized: Life with Kids •
Here is a photo from one of last week’s party nights. Five Christmas parties in one week was enough for the whole season!
Read More
Thank You Notes, Take 2
Dec 09, 2007 Categorized: Life with Kids •
So there I was, the very day after I implemented my new thank-you note system, staring down at a pile of written, addressed, stamped, and TORN-UP envelopes. Such a vivid picture of how my children have invaded every single area of my life. I LOVE my children, and they have been such a blessing, but WOW. The messes they can make.
Potty-training and Bedtime Excuses
Dec 09, 2007 Categorized: Life with Kids •
I was just sitting here reading my friend’s blog when in toddled my 2 1/2-year-old rubbing her eyes and announcing she needed to “tee-tee.” What is it with kids and bedtime? They will use ANY excuse to get out of the bed.
Read MoreThe Nightly Collapse
Nov 27, 2007 Categorized: Igununce • Life with Kids •
I did it again. I do it every night. And every night I try to talk myself out of it. In four brief seconds from the time I close the kids’ bedroom door to the time I round the corner…
Read MoreA Simple Christmas
Nov 23, 2007 Categorized: Life with Kids • Simplify •
“Put ‘em back on, Hunter. Quick!” I heard Will say as I was cleaning the kitchen after dinner. Bill had the bath water running, and I had told the kids they had to put all the ornaments back on the tree before they could get in the bath.
Read MoreAn Empty Egg Carton
Nov 22, 2007 Categorized: Life with Kids •
I usually don’t think anything about an empty egg carton. I just throw it in the trash can. Unless, of course, it is handed to me by my 2 1/2-year-old daughter on the cosmetic aisle of Wal-mart.
Read MoreBell-bottom Blues
Nov 13, 2007 Categorized: Igununce • Life with Kids •
There are things in life that are worse than shopping for new jeans. But not very many. I can’t believe I actually looked forward to getting a new pair of jeans today.
Read MoreThe Heather Kate Household
Nov 10, 2007 Categorized: Life with Kids • News •
Since I’ve been absent from my blogging habit for so long, I’m sure my out-of-towners are a little out of the loop on my current life situation. I thought I’d take a minute to update you on the happenings of our household.
Read More