Category Archives: Kid Stuff

Christmas Festivities And Deer Hunting?

We surprised my dad by flying home to Georgia a few days early.  We made it home in time for the Eagles Way Church Christmas service and family communion.  Communion as a family is always a special time.  Especially, when you look over at your children with the overwhelming knowledge that they are participating in one of the church’s greatest sacraments.  And, especially, when your daughter takes a bite of the wafer and comments, “Ha.  It tastes like popcorn!”  

It was certainly moving.

We had a little a family picture made after the service.

Then, Kris made good on his promise to Anna to take her deer hunting for the first time. 

They returned home with great father-daughter memories.

But no game.

And, I was really okay with that.

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Filed under Kid Stuff, parenting

Things I Didn’t Do At Five and Seven.

My kids were invited to tour our city’s Christmas lights in style this weekend.

When asked her favorite part of the experience, Anna said, “I loved every single thing about it!”  Then, she added, “Dad, I had Dr. Pepper, and I loved it!” 

John Henry enjoyed the ride, too.  But, he seemed to talk about the gingerbread cookies most.  We were definitely cut from the same cloth, as they say.  Whoever “they” are. 

Kris and I enjoyed a night out alone together.  He was gracious enough to take me to the mall, along with the rest of metro area, to shop for a pair of jeans.  A very fun experience in my condition, indeed.

I asked Kris, “Are you ready for me to be skinny again?”

He responsibly answered, “I’m not touching that with a ten foot pole.”

Then, he did what every good husband does for his wife.  He fed me.

Date nights with your spouse are so essential to a healthy marriage.  And, I mean date nights sans children.  Set aside time to be alone together.  You’ll be glad you did!

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Filed under Kid Stuff, Marriage

A Girl Has To Keep Her Status Updated.

These days when I look at my mobile and notice the school calling, I immediately think, “Anna.”  Yesterday was no different.  And, my thinking was correct.

Anna’s teacher first wanted to let me know that she had “told a story” the day before.  According to her teacher, Anna had told her friends she had surgery on her pinky finger.  I let her teacher know we would address the importance of telling truthful stories.

She wasn’t really in trouble for this next little incident.  Her teacher just wanted to “make (me) aware” of Anna’s computer skills.

Anna’s Teacher:  “Anna was at the school computer, and I heard her saying, ‘Ugh!  I can’t log into my account!’”

When she went to view Anna’s computer screen, this is what she saw:

Anna’s Teacher:  “I was surprised she could find the Twitter web site!”

Me:  “Er, yes.  Me, too.”

Seriously.  Where did she acquire Twitter knowledge and those skills?  Probably her Dad.  I’m sure of it.

When I picked her up from school, I asked why she had told her friends she had surgery on her pinky finger.

Anna:  “What?  I didn’t tell them I had surgery on my pinky finger!  I told them I had surgery on this finger!”  She said, pointing to her index finger.

Being the mother of Anna Takle, friends, is why I should never be short on blog material.

Ever.

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Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood

Fathers Be Good To Your Daughters.

Anna:  “Dad, your hair is running out.”

Yet, he adores her and even serves her still.

What compares to a father’s love for his daughter?

I’m quite certain…..

 nothing.

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Filed under Kid Stuff, parenting, Relationships

Return from Snow Mountain.

I wanted to blog yesterday.  Really, I did.  I just decided to enjoy breathing instead. 

We spent Thanksgiving with my father-in-law in Breckenridge, Colorado where we were a gazillion feet above sea level.  I’m sure one eventually grows accustomed to the elevation and dry cold.  And, it is beautiful enough to stick it out and, at least, give living there a try.  In other words, I probably need a month long vacation there next time. 

To let my body adjust, you understand.

Everyone skied save me. 

The kids spent three days in ski school.  Parents were encouraged to not stay and watch; however, we did peek a time or ten.  Kris observed the instructor orchestrating a red light/green light game with Anna’s class to develop their stopping skills.  He overheard Anna yell, “I don’t want red lights, JUST GIVE ME GREEN!”  I know you find this difficult to imagine.  She had a great time still.

She especially enjoyed herself when she was finally allowed to ski down “Snow Mountain.”  Snow Mountain is any mountain.  With snow. 

And, it became clear that being spotted while ski school was in session wasn’t the best idea, given Anna’s response to the camera.

John Henry learned a lot.  He says he’s ready for snowboarding, but we certainly aren’t.

He was most excited to finally get to ski with Kris and show off his new skills.

I was most excited about drinking my weight in hot chocolate and reading Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love.  Oh, and watching these two.

Kris suggested we return to Snow Mountain in February or March.  Um, we are having a baby then. 

“Oh, yeah.” 

And, these are things I don’t forget. 

Nor do I forget how blessed I really am.

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Filed under gratitude, Kid Stuff, Randomness

Oh These Blessings.

Dear Mom,

I am glad that your haveing a baby.  I love you with all my hart.  Your the best mom ever.  You are my favrit mom.

Love

John Henry

Sorry, but the “best mom ever” title is taken.  John Henry said so.

I’m so thankful for a son who is thoughtful.

I’m thankful for a daughter who makes me laugh.

I’m thankful for a baby boy who kicks my ribs in the middle of the night.

I’m thankful for a husband who always strives to do what is right.

And, most of all, I’m thankful for a King who knows me by name.

Enjoy the people God has placed in your life this Thanksgiving holiday. 

I’m going to enjoy mine.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Filed under gratitude, Kid Stuff, Motherhood, Relationships

Spelling With Anna.

Anna:  Mom, how do you spell “chudder”?

Me:  Spell what?

Anna:  Chudder!

Me:  Chudder is not a word.

Anna:  Yes, Mom.  Chudder!

Me:  What are you trying to write, Anna?

Anna:  Anna and John Henry love each chudder.

Me:  Okay.  C-H-U-D-D-E-R.

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Filed under Kid Stuff

And, I’m Allergic to Mopping Floors.

I know sometimes you all my mom wonders, “What happened to Dusty’s blog yesterday?”  I have no really valid excuse.  I could say I was busy.  Or tired.  But, then there are those bloggers who have their posts prepared more than a week at a time. 

I wish I was one of them. 

I’m not.  But, I might be one day.

So, all this to say….

Sorry, Mom.

In other news, John Henry received a badge yesterday for Cub Scouts.

Then, we headed out for a nature hike to meet another Cub Scout requirement.  Little sister came along.

I’m proud of his commitment to his pack. 

Later that evening, Anna had her school music program.  We celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas all in one night.  She has insisted on growing out her bangs.  This, we women understand, is a painful process at any age.  To be honest, I prefer my little girl with bangs.  They are just so Anna to me.  But, she has other ideas and means of wearing her hair as noticed in this picture before her pre-school performance.

Prior to her musical debut, I learned she told her teacher that morning she was allergic to books. 

“So, I can’t read today.”

And, there ya go.

I want to tell you all about my experience at the Tapestry Project in downtown Oklahoma City.  Let’s meet back here next week.

Have a great weekend!

Love ya.  Mean it.

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Filed under Kid Stuff

Lock Up Your Sparkly Shoes.

The names have been changed to protect the innocent.  Except Anna’s.  For, she is not innocent.

So, Anna brings home a headband from school that is clearly not hers. 

Me:  “Anna, where did you get this?”

Anna:  “I found it on the ground at school.”

Me:  And who does it belong to?

Anna:  “Hmm.  It might belong to Lucy.”

I think you all know what conversation followed.   The whole taking things that don’t belong to you, etc, etc.  And, I explained to her how she would need to return said headband to Lucy with a heartfelt “I’m sorry.”

She responds…

Anna:  “Well, at least I didn’t take Susie’s new sparkly shoes she got from a garage sale.”

Lord Jesus, help me.

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Filed under Kid Stuff, parenting

My Beautiful Core-Ray-Shuns.

JH - Anna 2006 wp

It’s funny how we notice the mispronunciations of words our children make, but hardly notice when they start pronouncing them correctly.  Kind of like when Anna used to call a chip a “bip.”  When did that stop?

I miss that.

Presently, John Henry still pronounces “important” as “import-nant.” 

I don’t correct him.  Not like I used to.  It’s the last bit of little boy left in him. 

And, I hope Anna continues to pronounce “created” as “core-rated.” 

It makes me smile every time she says, “God core-rated everything.”

Learning about helping others in her pre-school class, she had to tell her teacher something she helps do.  Her answer?  “I help my dad put chalk by the airplane.” 

They are actually called chocks.  But, we won’t dare correct her.

What does or did your little one mispronounce that always makes you smile?

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Filed under Kid Stuff