update

i talked to the doctor a couple of hours ago and the pregancy test came back negative. i'm sad. kevin and i were both hoping so this was sad news. we know that this is God's way of protecting me at this time because if i was pregnant, i wouldn't be able to have the MRI done. i need to take care of my body right now. i will be getting the MRI at 7:30 tomorrow morning. i'm scared...not to get the MRI, but to find out the results. i'm afraid of the unknown. it will probably take a couple of days to know the results, so i will be sure to post anything when i find out. God is in control. i will continue to hold so tightly onto His love and find peace in the confidence that i have in Him. thanks for your prayers.

prayer.

for all of you who read our family blog...i have a simple a request. could you pray for me? i went to the doctor this morning because i have been having a tingly feeling on the right side of my body, primarily my head. it has been going on for a few months and the first time i went the doctor, they gave me no answers. i thought it was an ear infection because my right ear has been having lots of pressure. last night i was feeling a tingly sensation from head down to my toes on the right side of my body. i knew it was time to go back to the doctor. when i went to the doctor this morning, she did a bunch of neurological tests and ruled that out. i had some blood work done, but on wednesday it looks like i will be getting an MRI. the problem with that is that because kevin and i are trying to get pregnant, there is a chance that i am pregnant at the moment and its too early to take a home pregnancy test. they want to make sure before i get the MRI, so tomorrow i go in for a blood-drawn pregnancy test. if it is negative, then they will go ahead with the MRI, early wednesday morning.

i am scared. i have never had an MRI and i am afraid to find out what is wrong. pray that God would give me peace through this and for His healing touch. thanks.

grocery shopping and kyri quotes.

i remember when i was a little girl, i loved to play store and go grocery shopping with my pretend food, or with food from the kitchen. it was my favorite! being that kyri is so into pretending right now, i decided to try it out with her the other day and she loved it too! i made $1 dollar bills and put them in her doggy purse. i put all of her pretend food and a few books on her bed. with her shopping basket in her hand, she was ready to shop! kyri pretty much wanted to buy everything at once. she was putting everything in her basket that she could possibly fit. while she was shopping she said, "grocery shopping makes me tired." oh man! after she paid for her groceries, i put them in a paper bag for her and sent her on her way. she left the room, came back in and said, "i'm home from work!" precious. one of her other lines lately that always makes us laugh, "two million dollars, that's huge!" everytime she sees a price tag or money, that is what she says. such a funny girl.

the idea of playing store with kyri is to help her with counting...and to have fun memories with mommy! of course when daddy came home from work, she wanted to shop for groceries with daddy too!

muffin tin monday

today's lunch was extra special...adorable letter cookies! kyri has been so into her letters and she actually knows all of her abc's. little miss smarty pants! now we are teaching her the difference between lower-case and upper-case. must be quite confusing, but she is so eager to learn right now. mommy and daddy are so proud!

multi-grain letter cookies...strawberries...cheddar cheese...
p.b. pinwheels...red bell peppers...organic vanilla yogurt

all in the family.

this past weekend, we went to paradise to go to a family barbecue on saturday and my sister-in-law, cassie's shower on sunday. i was a little nervous about going, with everything that is going on with my parents right now. my grandma was in town from north carolina so we knew that this was a much needed trip. my cousin organized a barbecue at my brother's house, which i was thankful for. it has probably been over 2years since we have all been together (aunts, uncles, and cousins). growing up, we spent lots of time together, but we have grown apart in the past few years. it was actually a really nice time to reconnect. kyri loved playing with my cousin amy's son, ethan, who is two months younger than kyri. how cute is he?! that blond hair just kills me. he is super smart and they had so much fun playing pretend with each other. the food was delicious...especially amy's home-made salsa and my grandma's blackberry cobbler. i made a yummy mediterranean pasta salad and peanut butter cookes, which everyone seemed to enjoy. our time together was too short, but it made me realize how much i need to stay connected with all of them. differences and all, we will forever be family.

kyri and ethan enjoying "banilla" ice cream
kyri's great grandma viola...my dad's mom
brother dana & cassie...brother sean & crystal...dad...grandma... kevin, sarah, & kyri...cousins amy & ashley...aunt peggy,
ethan, & uncle wes...uncle matthew & lisa

kevin, kyri, and i stayed the night at dana and cassie's house. this is their first house that they can call their own and it is adorable! they have worked so hard remodeling the entire house and it is amazing what they have done. i can't wait to see it when all of their projects are complete! kyri was spoiled by uncle dana and aunt cassie...they gave her this cute little doggy purse with butterfly clips inside, and chocolate milk and lucky charms for breakfast! i know, so much sugar. kyri was in heaven and just ate all of the marshmallows. we had a great time staying with them and talking about their huge journey ahead of them...parenthood! their baby is due at the end of october and we are so anxious to meet baby riley! it is too precious to see how excited dana is to be a daddy. they're going to be such wonderful parents...i just know it!

sunday was cassie's baby shower at our friend cindy's house. everything was pink, of course, and it was a great time to celebrate this new baby. my mom did such a wonderful job with everything... the food was delicious! i made the cupcakes, which i tried out a super easy and adorable technique! (yes, i made those flowers). they were chocolaty and yummy. cassie received lots and lots of adorable baby girl clothes, baby necessities, and a camo diaper bag...so perfect. my brother dana loves to hunt and fish and they already have lots of camo for baby riley. awesome! now dana won't have to worry about carrying around a pink diaper bag. i would actually use the camo one...its so cute! while i was at the shower with kyri, kevin got to go ride go-carts at an indoor track with my brothers. he had a blast! he needed to have some male bonding time. overall, the weekend was very enjoyable and we had so much fun spending time with dana and cassie. we are already planning on having them come stay with us after the baby is born. we are so proud of them and can't wait to get the call..."baby riley is here!"

muffin tin monday

white cheddar pirate's booty...grapes...barbeque chicken...
peas...cheddar cheese...vanilla yogurt

i love my husband.

my precious kevin has made me smile this week when i didn't think it was possible. i have had a rough week...emotionally, spiritually, and physically. there are a lot of difficult changes going on with my family. my parents, after being separated for almost 2 years now, have decided to go through with the divorce. i wasn't completely surprised when i heard the news, but that didn't make it any easier to accept. the whole situation is a mess and there are many factors that are making it quite ugly. i am communicating with the both of them, telling them how i am feeling with all of this, while loving them at the same time. it is not easy.

with all of the drama with my family, kevin has always been right by side. he has given me comfort every time i get off the phone with my parents and i am an emotional wreck. he has wiped every tear and has comforted my heart. he is always encouraging me to speak my mind. he gives me affirmation when i need it most. God has blessed me with an amazing man. kevin never fails to fill my mind and heart with God's truth. he definitely keeps me from falling apart. i am so grateful to have a husband who loves and cherishes me. i don't take it for granted for one second that i have a man who wants nothing more than to spend the rest of his life...with me.

to throw into the mix, we are in the process of trying to have baby #2. for me, that brings so many emotions. i am constantly thinking about it and it is even keeping me from getting good rest. its so different for the woman because its my body, plus the waiting and expectations can really drive me crazy. God is reminding me that every day is a new day...that keeps me going. i was a little depressed, well a lot depressed, and kevin knew i could us some cheering up. today he surprised me with a cherry limeade from sonic. he knows me oh so well! what a perfect surprise.

look at my hot husband!
i have to give him props too for always coming home from work and helping me in any way he can...playing with kyri (top priority!), cleaning up after dinner, giving kyri a bath, and helping with the bedtime routine. last night he went above and beyond and made dinner! i got out what he needed for grilled cheese and tomato soup (trader joe's creamy tomato soup...the best!). i also got out the grated parmesan cheese and said, "this is really good sprinkled on the soup." i come into the kitchen and he had sprinkled the cheese on the buttered bread before putting it in the pan. the grilled cheese had a cheesy, buttery crust and it was amazing! note...my husband NEVER cooks. not only did he make us dinner, but he discovered a fabulous tip to make grilled cheese even better! he got a nice little pat on the butt for that one.

kevin...i love you. even in the midst of the bumps in the road, you always know how to make your girl smile :)

the bestest grandma and grandpa!

kyri got a special delivery from grandma and grandpa in the mail today...so awesome! inside was a sweet nebraska t-shirt, a mickey mouse clubhouse sticker book, and a precious note. the first thing she did was name each of the letters on the t-shirt. kyri will wear the shirt proudly! she loved the book and will spend many hours, i'm sure, coloring and placing the stickers in just the right spot. dennis and patti are always so good about sending little cards and gifts to their granddaughter. not only does kyri get excited every time, but it just warms my heart that they do special things for us, even from far away. thank you, grandma and grandpa! what a pleasant surprise!

muffin tin monday

p.b. and honey sandwich...white cheddar pirate's booty...
green beans...organic blueberry yogurt

silly saturday

painting with pudding!
earlier this week, daddy and kyri painted with pudding paint. boy oh boy was it fun too! i actually got the idea from john and kate plus 8, which is my all-time favorite show! i just made banana pudding from a mix and added food coloring. kyri's choices were pink, yellow, and blue. i let kyri use her fingers. way more fun! she couldn't stop eating the pudding. first on the paper, then in the mouth. what could i do...it tasted so yummy! daddy painted "curious george" for kyri. so cute! when she was done painting on the paper, we let her paint on her body a little bit too. this was probably her favorite part, even though she doesn't really like to be messy (such a girl). when all the pudding painting was said and done, it was most definitly bath time.

paint you can eat...a winner for sure!

muffin tin monday...and queen for a day!

kyri and i did lots of crafts today...we painted a picture to send to uncle andy for his boot-camp graduation, we painted our hands and did hand prints, we made a paper-chain necklace, and we made a "queen" crown. she picked out the color and was so excited to wear it! i tied a blanket around her like a cape and she was set! she was going around saying, "i'm the queen...queen kyri." then it was mommies turn to wear the crown and cape. she played with my hair too and i was in heaven. we had such a fun afternoon together...mommy and kyri. for lunch, it was muffin tin monday. i remembered! kyri had a very healthy and yummy lunch today...string cheese, snap peas, blueberries, p.b. pinwheels, pirates booty, and turkey (accompanied by a cup of milk of course). she ate almost every bite! muffin tin monday and queen for a day...just a few more reasons why i love being a stay-at-home-mama.