Being Transformed

Abandoned Blog

2009-10-14T02:02:00.002-04:00

I didn't intentionally abandon my blog... it just sorta happen. So here's my list of excuses:

1. Ended a relaitonship
2. Bought a new house
3. Moved into new house
4. Kinda-sorta switched churches (just to sister church!)
5. Started new relationship
6. Found myself going to TWO churches every Sunday
7. Small group duties every wednesday
8. Decorating house
9. Travel travel travel
10. Work?
11. The new man is in North Africa at the moment.
11. Etc. etc. etc.

Life happend, and I love it. I have LOVED having this blog to turn to when I was at home and needed to vent, but lately thats what I've had J and God for. I turn to them with everything because...well.. J is the new man in my life who I am daily "doing life" with as Andy Stanley would say, and God is the ONLY one who will always be there for the good and the bad. I learned a long time ago that you need to talk to him just as much during the good as you do during the bad.

Anyways... I'm BACK!.... I think. We'll see! Even though I haven't blogged in over a month I check on each of yalls blogs weekly. I slightly obsess over making sure things are going okay over at Profoundly Seth ( J and I pray for yall every time I iphone the page and share with him all good/sad updates!) and I still can't get enough of all those Charming Kids, they always put a smile on my face. Both Angie and Angie have such a way with words that I could never ever stop checkin in.. even tho I wish I would take the time to comment more... And MamaKat, I don't have to switch over to her blog as much now that we're facebook friends!! :)

JUST incase you don't see me blogging and u want to bust my chops a little I am tweeting now!! Find me! I'm kay_lan816 and I tweet daily from my cell!

Can't wait to get caught back up from my accidental hiatus... so much has happend, and so many pictures need to be shared!

Love Always n Forever

Dreamy Swing

2009-09-02T16:32:00.002-04:00

A few weeks back this gorgeous tree still had an old fashion swing on it, perfect for a random photo op. I had no clue at the time I'd come back one day and the tree (which was dead) would be half chopped down :(

Out of all the photos taken that day I loved this blurry, slightly too light picture that just looked a bit dream..... So i played with it a bit and got this b&w....

THen I played with it a more, added contrast add a tad random color....

And Then... I just simply brightened up the photograph and got this little gem which I totally love!

To each their own!! Just thought I'd share them because I had fun playing around for a few hours!!

Have a wonderful day and get out there and take some dreamy photos of your own!!

--Kaylan--

P.S. I was the girl on the swing.. rare moment where I wasn't behind the camera! JL was the photographer.

What He Sees

2009-08-19T16:02:00.003-04:00

I don't see it.

He sees this beautiful girl. This girl who's eyes smile with rosie cheeks and love that exudes through her every word.

He sees an eloquent speaker who has a way with words, words that one day will reach so many people beyond his ability to explain.

He sees a person with an unbelievable heart for others; who shows daily a want to help others.

He sees a believer; who wants to show the world the love that Jesus Christ has to share.

He sees a listener; a girl who spends more time listening to the needs and problems of others than she does worrying about her issues.

He sees a desire to reach out to one or millions who need to be sheltered and fed and clothed, and given the chance to hear God's Word.

He sees humbleness in her walk; a decision, whether it be conscious or subcounscious, to choose to live with others and not above others.

He sees through to the inside and not just what she allows the world to see; the shaky, uncertain part of her that while still happy, it is a little bruised and looking for hope in a world that seems hopeless at times.

He sees this girl... woman.. whatever she may be, who is all these wonderful, beuatiful things created by God's hands, fearfully and wonderfully made.

I just see Me.

Twitter Bug

2009-08-19T07:18:00.000-04:00

I've caught the twitter bug!

See... The problem with having the iphone is that you can download WAY more applications than you could possibly ever need!!

For example.. out of bordom last week I downloaded BubbleWrap. What's the purpose of it?? Oh... just to sit there and see how many bubbles you can pop in the alotted time, of course! AWESOME use of my time, don't you think??

On the other hand, I was able to download the Holy Bible for free which is truly a fantastic app to have! I'm able to get on it and search "fear", and it brings up 1 John 4:18, Luke 12:5, 1 Peter 3:14 among many others... it's pretty great!

Tweetdeck though... I love it!! Still not sure if it's a responisble choice to have it as an app available at every minute of the day! Hehe

If anyone would like to follow me my name is kay_lan816 . Quite simple to find me! I don't tweet about anything crazy like "I just woke up" "Now I'm taking a shower" "Done with shower" "What should I wear?"---- I just tweet random things going on thru the day when I think about it, or about @NPonline or @buckheadchurch or verses I've come across.

Anyways, I'll be sure to follow yall if you find me!

Hope everyone's week has been going great! I've lost track of blogging lately for various reason, but know that I'm never too far away, AND if something is ever up in yalls lives please let me know if there is ever anything I can be prayin about for yall!

All the Love I have to Share,

Kaylan

One Week to NorthPointONLINE

2009-08-09T10:08:00.001-04:00

Just a friendly reminder that one week from tonight I would love for you all to head on over to http://www.northpointonline.tv/ at 6pm and check out Buckhead Church broadcoasting their worship services Live!!

It's going to be an ongoing thing, August 16th is the first Sunday of forever broadcasting to the world and reaching to people all over! There are groups that will be gathering in South Africa and Dubai, in small churches, and college dorm rooms to watch Buckhead services and join in worshiping.

I won't know either way whether you choose to log on next week at 6pm Eastern time and watch the service, so if you want to just do it. I won't know, your neighbor won't know, neither will your mom,dad, boyfriend or girlfriend. You're on your own to watch, no strings attached-- and I'm serious about that-- nothing to sign up for or a list to put your name on. I use to get SO embarrased when I'd go to a new church and they'd give you a visitors card to fill out... then when you least expect it you'd hear the pastor say, "And we'd like to thank our first time guests for coming today. Raise your hands please if they is your first time...(no hands go up) I see we had Kaylan Keeter visting us today?".... I always turned beet red and my voice would go scratchy! You don't have to worry about that at North Point and Buckhead, especially online!

We'll be lovin' yall all the way from Buckhead, GA! Hope some of yall tune in! If anyone does, feel free to drop me a line and lemme know what ya thought!

With all the Love I have to Give,

On this Beautiful Day..

2009-08-06T16:57:00.001-04:00

I felt a little broken… like moving forward seemed harder.

Like fighting for others to understand was just weighing heavy on me.

I hate judgement, even though I know it’s just a part of life, I still hate it.

It hurts, it’s trying, it’s tiring, and it’s pointless to fight.

What do you do when people won’t stop fighting against you?

You keep standing up, and getting beaten and bruised a little, but you press forward.

It isn’t always easy, following what you know, and what you have faith in, but you do it.

You meaning Me.

Then at 4:44pm I got this text,

“When my life seems turned upside down & no one loves me but You, My Lord it
would be so easy to quit right there, but I know, O Lord You don’t want me
to.”

Thank you to the sender of that text. You barely no me and yet you text me encouragement ever day, just because you want to reach out to those who have walked into your life even if it be for 5 minutes like myself. Thank you.

I needed that.

PUSH

A little nudge to remind me it’s all okay, even when I’m frustrated and feel like I’m taking on a
multitude of things all at once without all the answers.

Just say a little prayer for me I’ll have patience that I don’t come by naturally to deal with the people I love in the right way, and to deal with those who set out to hurt me in the right way too.

Love y’all with all I have to give
-Kaylan-

Secondly....

2009-08-04T17:20:00.000-04:00

Thought it was time I rounded out questions 26-50 I didn't do on tuesday :)

Can y'all believe it's already Thursday!? Where did my week go??

Are yall tired of my filler posts yet? I'm actually really tired of them too, so I'm promising myself that I'll never do one ever again (I can't actually promise never.. I'm not a "planner aheader".. but atleast none for.... awhile?!)

Okays, part deux......

26. What did you want to be when you were little? a teacher and an olympic gymnast.. always dreamed big!!

27. What is your best childhood memory? one night sitting in my grandma and granddaddy's living with all the lights turned off and a jar jammed full of lightening bugs.. i was in awe of everything, the bugs, the moment, and just how happy i was being right there.

28. Are you a cat or dog person? dogs forever and allllwways

29. Are you married? can't say I am, but God's got that covered I'm certain :)

30. Always wear your seat belt? once the ding ding ding starts, yes

31. Been in a car accident? a few-- last one i was 16.. been accident free for 7 years

32. Any pet peeves?chosen ignorance, snideness, people who look down on others, unacceptance, lack of humility, oh and scratching your fork on a plate! ahh! gives me goosebumps thinkin of the nosie!!

33. Favorite pizza topping? mushrooms

34. Favorite Flower? Penonies, orchids, poppies, dahlias, and zinnias

35. Favorite ice cream? turtle, chocolate or oreo

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? chick-fil-a

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? none

38. From whom did you get your last email? itunes.

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card at? william & sonoma

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? got out of the car in the rain on the side of the highway

41. Like your job? sure do!

42. Broccoli? My favorite veggie!!! With or without cheese!

43. What was your favorite vacation? Anyone that takes me some place new!

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? Jake

45. What are you listening to right now? Bring the Rain by Mercy Me

46. What is your favorite color? Green, Pink and Orange

47. How many tattoos do you have? None

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? nooone

49. What time did you finish this quiz? uh.. i dunno

50. Coffee Drinker? YES... as long as it has cream and sugar... or is in the version of a Iced Carmel Macchiato

Finished!!

Off to have some quiet time doing some much needed scripture reading!

I feel like I've some how been slipping this week, and well... that's not good!

All the LOVE I have to share!

K-A-K

For the Love of Random Questions...

2009-08-04T17:10:00.000-04:00

...How can I be so tired when I slept so AMAZINGLY last night?! It wasn't even an early morning! My gracious... I guess these things happen!

Anyways... I'm ready for the POOL and a NAP so it the spirit of randomness I'm going to fill out only 25 of the 50 random questions I acquired this afternoon.... last 25 will follow... eventually :)

1. What time did you get up this morning?6:30 AM. had a painter coming to the house and work followed that.
2. How do you like your steak? medium.. but i always say med-well so restaurants won't leave it mooing, hehe
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? transformers:return of the ______?
4. What is your favorite TV show? royal pains, at the moment
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? umm... i prefer being a steward of the world... i'd love to be a vagaban and just travel, travel, travel with someone i love
6. What did you have for breakfast? sausage, egg and cheese biscuit, and shared some sausage grits :)
7. What is your favorite cuisine? home-grown veggies ..so orignial.. i know!
8. What foods do you dislike? sardines, and liver n onions
9. Favorite Place to Eat? ippolito's-- loved it since i was FIVE yrs old
10. Favorite dressing? balsalmic vinigerette or ranch
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? explorer
12. What are your favorite clothes? i love all my sundresses equally
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? egypt, russia, slovakia, banff, greece, prague
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? definitely full
15. Where would you want to retire? where my husband, and kids and grandkids are
16. Favorite time of day? 3 am
17. Where were you born? georgia
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? college football and gymnastics
19. Who do you think will not tag you back? i'm not taggin ppl
20. Person you expect to tag you back first? refer to # 19
21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?refer to #19 and 20
22. Bird watcher? uhh.. i i see a really cool bird then sure
23. Are you a morning person or a night person? both, both, both! i go to be around 2am and get up around 6am.... i have no clue how i do it!
24. Pets? in dire need of a puppy! shadow and abby fill that gap in my life...for now
25. Any new and exciting news that you'd like to share? i'm finished with these questions for now and i'm headed to the alpharetta pool if someone wants to be really random and stalk me... p.s. if you stalk me, u better atleast come say hi!

That's all folks!

Hope everyone is enjoying this sunny Tuesday!

Kay-Kay

Buckhead Church goes LIVE!

2009-08-04T14:29:00.003-04:00

I'm so excited that NorthPoint and Buckhead Church love me sooooo very much that they chose to start broadcasting LIVE ONLINE on MY BIRTHDAY, August 16th!!!!! Isn't that so cool??

I love talking about my churches, NorthPoint Community Church & Buckhead Church, to people every day.. all day.. absolutely any moment of the day! Now instead of just being able to invite people to come @ 11am on Sundays to NPCC or @ 6pm on SUndays to BC I can just say, "Hey! Ya know Buckhead will be broadcasting LIVE tonight on http://www.northpointlive.tv/ at 6pm, so if ya have a chance why don't ya follow along with the worship service if ya have a chance? Maybe we could even chat about it later if ya want?"

It's going to be AWESOME!! I wanted so much to share this great news with y'all because even though I know that many of yall have your home churches that you attend in your neck of the woods it's always fun to check out what's going on in other churches too. The Online Broadcasts will be of the entire 6pm service from start to finish(6pm to 7pm). Get some friends together or watch it alone from your kitchen table, on your couch, with your cat/dog/snake/gerble, snuggled in your bed alone/with a friend or whereever you feel most comfortable!!

The reason I consider both NorthPoint and Buckhead my home church is because the Pastor is the same for both. I know this sounds unusual and out of the ordinary, but that's what makes them amazing churches. They were started not just as a church, but as A Church for the UnChurched. For people who don't like going to church, or who just aren't sure about the whole "Jesus Thing." People feel like they are at home from the moment they walk in the doors.. I take that back.. they feel at home from the moment they pull into the parking lot.

I started attended North Point and joined a small group back in the spring which led me to meeting wonderful friends at Buckhead Church who I attend services with @ the 6pm service. Every week is something new and relatable. There is never a sermon where you have a chance to think, "Ugh... I'm starving, when is this getting over with?" That is, unless you haven't eatten in a few days, and in that case call me before you go and I'll bring you starbucks and a snack :) I promise!

If you are just curious please go check out North Point Community Church or Buckhead Church at their websites online. That's how I started going, 8 months ago... an interest and a desire to fellowship with other people who knew Jesus Christ and who were willing and ready to step out in faith without being overbearing or in your face about the Word of God.

So.. like I said August 16th @ 6pm!!! My Birthday!! If you don't have plans on August 16th @ 6pm eastern time why not surf on over to www.NorthPointOnline.tv and check out what I'm up to for my birthday? :)

With All the Love I Have To Share,

Kaylan

Praying for Stellan

2009-07-27T14:02:00.002-04:00

Please just pray. And pray and pray and pray and pray and pray and pray some more. And when you feel too tired to keep praying... pray that He gives you strength to continue praying. Baby Stellan is back in the hospital with uncontrollable SVT.He's been there since Friday, and has had 3 days of straight SVT (with one 6hr break). His sweet little heart, the size of his 8 month old little fist, can't handle all of the pumping its forcing itself to do. His kidneys are having difficulty working, he's turning ghost white, and his body has began to refuse to hold on any sort of food. Sweet and wonderful God, Please lay your hands on Your Child, Stellan. Please heal him in ways that we all know that only You can do...I pray the same prayer I've prayed so so many times for this beautiful little one that you reach down and hold him in your arms and make in stronger.Whether it be your will to heal Him or simply ease his pain, please just wrap him in Your Love and take care of him.Please take care of the entire MckFamily. You know them by name, you know each of their thoughts, and the desires and needs of their hearts.Please just give them peace that you are in control in what feels like such a helpless situation.Bring your blessings on this family, that Stellan be healed and grow up to tell so many people about the healing of God that he will know first hand.Our Hope is in You- And always will be.Amen.
Please be praying for them and let Jennifer know that you love her and her family and are praying for their family over at www.mycharmingkids.net Love AlwaysKK

Lately

2009-07-24T15:11:00.005-04:00

Inspired by this blog.

This is me.
I am not blue.
I'm happy
Quite happy.
I promise!!

Wanted to share what's new.

What's old.
And what's going on.

Lately, I have been....

... smiling all the time.

... making lots of friends.

... studying His word.

... living in sundresses.

... soaking up the beautiful weather.

... wanting to take a mini va-ca to the beach.

... decorating.

... playing with green silly putty

... seeing Transformers 1&2

... praying for a sign.

... waking up.. happy.

... small grouping it.

... buying Jonny Diaz's cd... and falling in love with track 3.

... discovering more of my city.

... easing into life in a new house.

... convincing people there cookin is not bad at all.

... cookin home grown veggies.

... being spoiled.

... lovin' it.

...getting little sleeeeeep.

... stopped worrying.

... wearing no makeup.

... hoping a new camera is in my near future.

... sittin outside enjoying all the new sounds of my big big backyard.

... Working hard at GPS.

... gratitude.

... persistence.

... SURRENDER!

... waiting for the weekend to finally start!

What have you all been up to Lately?

love...LOVE...Love

50 Random Things

2009-07-20T17:42:00.000-04:00

Jenn Gundy, who has ran away to Michigan and abandoned all her loving friends here in GA, posted this "50 Random Things" last night and since some of them gave me a little laugh I decided to fill it out myself. It's a post of no importance except to say "hey! look what silly things I've been up to :)"

Please keep on reading if you feel so inclined!

Sharing Today at 5:42pm
1. What color is your toothbrush?Aqua Blue and Royal Blue
2. Name one person who made you smile today. Sara, even though it was thru the phone!
3. What were you doing at 8 am this morning? RUnning Late
4. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Driving Home
5. What is your favorite candy? Twix and Sour Patch kids!!
6. Have you ever been to a strip club? i plead the 5th
7. What is the last thing you said aloud."Hi!" to visitors in the hallway
8. What is your favorite ice cream? Oreo or Turtle
9. What was the last thing you had to drink? Coke from Zaxby's
10. Do you like your wallet? yeah.. I guess. Its' pink n brown
11. What was the last thing you ate? Zaxby's Club w/ hot honey mustard
12. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? Not yet.. but I'm makin a trip to V.S. tonite to see Kelly!
13. The last sporting event you watched? no idea
14. What is your favorite flavor of popcorn? Kettle Corn. mmm, luv the sweetness
15. Who is the last person you sent a text message to? Mi amigo
16. Ever go camping? Love it
17. Do you take vitamins daily? definitely not
18. Do you go to church every Sunday? Try very hard to!
19. Do you have a tan? I have freckles........no tan :P
20. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza?YES!!!!
21. Do you drink your soda with a straw? Except if its in a can!
22. What did your last text message say? " ;) "
23. What are you doing tomorrow? Tuesday??? No plans yet! Sure somethin will come up! Oh! Prayin for Ginnybean that the GRE goes great!
**WHY is there no 24?!** Substitute question: What's your least favorite Skittles flavor? The purple-- Ick!
25. Look to your left, what do you see?Printed out quotes, Telephone and tape dispenser
26. What color is your watch? Hot pink! Thx to Corndogorama!
27. What do you think of when you hear Australia? Koalas
**Where's 28??** I'll make one up.. What color Highlighter do you use? Neon Orange
29. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? Go In
30. What is your favorite number? 8
31. Who's the last person you talked to on the phone? Mom
32. Any plans today? Done with Work, now off to the mall to see Kels, then dinner & The bachelorette w/ Mom n dad tonight :) Gotta squeeze in some parent time since I've been busy lately
33. How many states have you lived in? 3
34. Biggest annoyance right now? patience
35. Dream job? I'm not sure what the job title would be, but traveling the world doing childrens ministries
36. Can you say the alphabet backwards?Yes, but veeeerrry slowly
37. Do you have a maid service clean your house? Yeah, her name is Kaylan :)
38. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? brown "worn in" flip flops
39. Are you jealous of anyone? Dont think so
40. Is anyone jealous of you?I dunno! If u are, tell me and I'll fix that, cause there isnt a thing to be jealous of!
41. Do you love anyone? Of course! I try to love everyone-- I just love some people more <3
42. Do any of your friends have children? Oh yes, and I love em!
43. What do you usually do during the day? Mon-Friday: Work, then hang out w/ friend unless its Wednesday and I have small gorup
44. Do you hate anyone that you know right now?No! Even people that have hurt me, I coud never hate
45. Do you use the word 'hello' daily? DO u have a different way of answering the phoen that I should use?? lol
46. What color is your car? Black
**Really? No 47 either??** Fill in question: What's the last song you got stuck in your head? A song by Ginny Owens called "If You Want Me To" that she played live @ buckhead church last night. It was beautiful-- a breath taking moment-- literally no one was moving. Amazing.
48. Are you thinking about someone right now? Yes I am
49. Have you ever been to Six Flags? yes I have! Just last weekend!
50. How did you get your worst scar?Fell on brick stairs

There ya go, 50 random things that you didn't need to know or even want to know. If you read them all... I have to say I'm laughing to myself that you took an interest in my lil time filler. Hehe. Copy it, use it, lemme know if you do so i can see your answers too!!

Hope everyone has had a beuatiful Monday Monday Monday!!

-K A Y L A N-

When You Smile

2009-07-17T18:08:00.003-04:00

I love getting on facebook and seeing something that just brightens up my day even more!!

Casey Darnell is an unbelievably amazing Christian guy who has a beautiful heart for God. He is a singer and worship leader to put it simply-- if you listen to his CD I promise you'll love him too!

Anyways, he's down in Panama City right now (I'm thinkin for a camp or sumthin...) and he wrote a song for his wife THIS MORNING and decided to post it on facebook because he misses her and their little girl! (So sweet!) ALSO... They just found out that they are expecting their 2nd child, and his wife is 5 weeks along!!! Please listen to the song, it's called "When You Smile", and let me know what y'all think:

**Go to the bottom of the page to turn off the music before you start the video!!**

His website is http://www.caseydarnell.com/blog if you'd like to check out his CD and learn more about him.

Okay, just wanted to share! I'm gunna go get ready for sushi tonite (I can't wait! Yum Yum Yum! It's been too many weeks since I had it last! lol) Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

LIVE-LAUGH-LOVE-

Kaylan

One month to Go...

2009-07-16T17:02:00.004-04:00

In exactly one month from 4:59am this morning I will be twenty-three

Twenty-three? Really? That's it?!

I don't feel twenty-three... when I say it outloud it seems really young. I realize in the grand scheme of things I've only lived out about a quarter of my life so far... but looking at the more immediate microscopic view of my life I wonder, "When am I going to kick things up a notch and get things movin along??" Sounds silly, but that's where I stand with it. :)

I love other people having birthdays!! I love baking cakes, planning parties and dinners, and searching out the perfect present that fits each person uniquely! And seeing someones face when they walk in and realize that whole day/dinner/moment was created for them... PRICELESS!!!

....Me on the other hand? Not crazy about my own birthday. Not because I'm not happy about being a year old and having lived another 365 days, but I just never feel any change. I love celebrations, but for me I just don't get celebrating something that I don't feel much emotion about! It's absurb I keep thinking about it that way!! (I will not turn down presents or the offer to do something really awesome to celebrate tho! FYI :) )

ON THE OTHER HAND.. I'll be 23!!! Where did year 1-22 go?!?! ..hehe. Apparently I have contradicting thoughts in my head! I think on my bday I'll take some time to reflect on what has happend and come to be from August 16th, 2008 til August 16th, 2009...

I got so giddy at lunch today (quick story!!)! I walked in to one of my favorite eateries here in GA and right in front of me are a group of four 30-something year old girls with 7 beautiful, silly, crazy little ones running around!

I very slyly snapped this photo (then felt like a stalker!) as a reminder of the awesomeness of Friends + Kiddos

I'm kid crazy.. that's pretty obvious.. but seeing those precious kids with their mommies just made me so happy! Like I've said many times, I'm at the point right now where I'm watching friends, one after another, get engaged and start talking about how it's killing them to think of waiting a year to start a family. I love that they are sooooo happy! My cup runneth over with joy knowing they are all finding that one person who their life will be inner-twined with until the day they die.

But my golly I wanna be on that boat too!! I swear I'm willin to swim out to the boat if they'll hold up a second! Lol--- Life is all about timing though. I'm happy in the "Waiting Room" of life reading my REAL SIMPLE magazine and just being excited that one day maybe some girl who's 22 about to be 23 will be lookin over at my 30-something self with my brood of sweet angels, and my best girl friends with their little ones, wondering and wishing, " When will that be me? They look so happy! I can't wait to have that too!"

So, Life is great even with the birthday looming in the near future! I'm trying to plan somethings to do for other people during my birthday month instead of making it about ME. After all.. if God hadn't created me I wouldn't be here to begin with!! I really want to cross something big off My List of things to Do... I'm trying to find a way to complete the "Cook for 100 people"... do we think Soup Kitchen would make that count????? If so.. volunteering here I come!

All My Love

Hope this week has been great and the weekend gets even better!

Kay-Kay

Pushing Forward

2009-07-15T16:30:00.001-04:00

Things have been going really well around these parts. It's been a busy Season in my life and I've been turning to Him with a sack full of decisions and answers that I've been seeking. I'm relearning for about the 1000th time what it means to lean on Him for understanding and not on myself. That control is something I've always seeked to hold on to when life starts spinning, but my heart and my mind both have been on the right track for sometime now. I feel like ME again.

I went a few weeks ago from being in a long relationship and having someone around 24/7 to being... Single. It sounds like such a weird word. One that I've very rarely used to describe myself in the last.. 10 years I'd say. I've always been very content with who I am, so I never hoped into a relationship just to be in one, but I never took the time to think things through to the point of "Am I ready to be in this relationship?" "Is this the type of man I should be dating?" "Have I prepared myself to be the person I should be in a relationship?". Things are different this time though. I'm not in need of someone to feel a hole in my life, that's what I have God for. I'm happy with who I am and where I stand in life with my friends, family and with My Creator.... But of course my heart wants to my connected with the ONE person out there crazy enough to put up with my rambling, my moments of insanity, my sense of humor, and all the family baggage that comes along with the "Kaylan Package." He's out there... My Father is Awesome. It's just that easy to have faith that He's the one leading me to a life I can't even wrap my thoughts around.

North Point Community Church has been such an answer to prayers. It's almost unthinkable that just a year ago I would drive by NPCC and wonder what it would be like to go to that church just one time.. ya know.. just to see what it was like compared to my church. I prayed my heart out about why was I not feeling like I was growing in His Word. I was living my life the right way, and studying Him, but it just wasn't happening, I felt a disconnect, a little confused and uncertain where I should be heading-- like when I was down a little and needed encouragement I didn't have a solid place to go to the get the right words I was needing to hear.... Then I went to North Point. It has changed so much about even my daily life that I just can't believe I couldn't see where I needed to be sooner!

But His Timing is always right on time, and man was it Ever!!! I have the world's greatest small group. Those girls are amazing. They are crazy and silly, and sometimes of their rocker just like me, but we all have a common love for the Lord, and a desire to grow with one another studying what He has for us to learn and hear, and share with one another.

Because of those girls, I've met some of my favorite people :) (You know who you are!) who otherwise who knows whether we would have met!! Life holds so many unknowns, it leaves me begging to take a glimps at what's coming next, but as someone reminds me daily I have to take things "one day at a time."

Friends with their hearts on fire for Jesus Christ are a blessing that goes beyond words. They give me a happiness and a contentness that I haven't found before. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then I pray one day that you will. If you're readin this, I'm so glad to know I'm friends/family with you! You don't have to be blood related to be considered part of my family, trust me about that!

All my Love, Always!
KK

To ALL MY FAMILY IN FLORIDA: I can't believe not even ONE of you plotted to kidnap me and take me with you!!!!!! :( Lol, Hope y'all are having a great time and taking LOTS of pictures to bring back and rub in my face! By the way... who keeps letting the kids prank call me on my cell phone?! I know it's yall.. Emma..Mia!!! Love you all-- Be safe, and bring me home a sand dollar if u can find one! *Kisses*

Fourth of July Pix

2009-07-15T13:54:00.005-04:00

It's taken me a while to get back to an internet connection to put these photos up, but I knew I had to share a few from my trip to Lake Burton for 4th of July!

Ginny & I are both waterskiers, but I decided to have her lil sis Grace teach me to wake board!! She's an AMAZIN wakeboarder as I'm sure you can tell from this pic-- Pretty Great teacher to coem to fing out!

Catchin' some rays out on the back of the boat!

We ofcourse had watermelon out on the dock on the 4th! It just wouldn't be the same w/o a slice of watermelon in one hand and a salt shaker in the other! Love the south!

Ran around the lake a bit w/ a few people from wwwaaaayyy back in the old WA highschool days. World's most Perfect Best Friend!! She's made my life crazy, but she's made it soooo much for perfect as well! We argue like sisters and laugh like sisters. "We're like mac n cheese-- you can't have one w/o the other!!!"

Another pic of the two of us out on the boat ridin' to see the fireworks!

One of the really cool fireworks pics i was able to capture! Would have loved to have my nice camera with me to slow things down and get an even better shot! (Next Time!!)

We spent the weekend eatting everything Ginny's Gigi cooked and laying out on the boat. I loved learning how to wakeboard! I got up on the 2nd try-- kinda surprised myself even!! That was about all there was to the 4th... Great friends, Great family, and lots of blessings from above!

love-love-love

My List: Updated

2009-07-11T07:00:00.001-04:00

I've posted my list before and I'm slowly working on crossing MORE things off my list!! So... I thought I needed to update that I have now bought my own house and slept there for teh very first time last night! It's such a wonderful feeling to coem home to MY HOME. *sigh of relief* So.. Check!

Things to do While I’m Alive
See the Northern Lights
Skydive
Learn to play Acoustic Guitar
Marry the man that God created solely for me
Have 3 children
Adopt a Child
Travel to all 7 Continents: Asia, Africa, ~~North America~~, ~~South America~~, Antartica, ~~Europe~~, Australia
Run a ½ Marathon
Visit all 50 states:Ones that I have left to see--Alaska, Conneticutt, Delaware, Idaho, Indianna, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michagan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Washington(Been to: 28 out of 50)~~AL,AZ,AR,CA,CO,FL,GA,HI,IL,IA,KY,MO,MT,NV,NJ,NM,NY,NC,OR,SC,SD,TN,TX,UT,VA,WA,WI,WY~~
Own my own home: X (July 8th, 2009)
Own a chocolate lab (sooooon!!!!!)
Road trip across the country for a week or two
Lead someone to Christ
Honestly read the Bible from cover to cover (for content, not just to do it!)
Go Fly Fishing!
Learn to Crochet
Visit Israel
Bungie Jump
Swim with Dolphins: X
See the Passion Play in Oberammergau: X (2000), hopefully going again in 2010
Be Published
Cook a dinner for 100 strangers
Step foot in every ocean: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Artic
Volunteer at a Hospital
Volunteer at an Orphanage: X
Go on a Mission Trip: X(2008-Costa Rica)
Get the Courage to Scuba Dive in the Great Barrier Reef
Sell One Photograph
See the Grand Canyon: X (2008)
Sleep on a Train over Night
Go to Walden Pond
Learn to Ballroom dance
Write someone elses life story w/o mentioning yourself: Wrote my Gram's story last spring! Amazing experience and something that couldn't have happend at the best possible time
Be an extra in a film
See a lunar eslipse
Sleep under the stars (no tent)
Grow a garden w/o killing it
Play with a big game cat (ie. leopard, chettah, tiger, lion)
Send a message in a bottle
Photograph an endangered species
Write a letter to myself, put it in a library book & look for it in 10yrs
Ride an Elephant
Catch fireflys w/ my grandparents like I did when I was little
Stand at the North Pole
Stand at the South Pole
Meet as many United States Presidents as Possible: Pres. H.B. Bush, Pres. G.W. Bush
Take a submarine ride to see the Titantic
Be someones mentor

Some of these things I'm realizing I've just dragging my feet on... time to get to work on my list again!!

Love y'all

Go out and live your lives in this GORGEOUS world that Our Maker created for us!!!

KayKay

Why Do bad things happen to Amazing People?

2009-07-10T13:52:00.006-04:00

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around that question today. Although I know God has a plan for our lives, what happens when we stick to that plan, but our partner chooses to follow his own plan??

Ellyn is in the hardest fight of her life right now, that I can't even imagine how she's able to even get out of bed in the mornings. She and her husband have four children. Beautiful Ava, Silly Jace, Wonderful Eli and Profound Seth. She and John dealt two years ago with the death of their son Eli, followed by the blessed birth of Seth who was diagnosed as profoundly deaf shortly after birth.

In the last nine months Seth under went surgery to receive 2 cochlear implants, and can now HEAR!!! Their lives have been so blessed, and with each step they have endured Ellyn has put her faith in the Lord to take care of their family and see them through every trial and tribulation that they have endured....

The news came on Wednesday... Ellyn's husband is leaving her and the kids. He's leaving it all behind because it's too much for him to handle anymore. He doesn't want to try working things out, or to continue counseling in order to heal their marriage... he's already met someone else and he's out the door, slamming it in their faces.

From www.ProfoundlySeth.com

Their children are amazingly beautiful and brilliant, they're so wise beyond their little years and have already endured so much with their siblings. My heart hit the floor when I read her post. Shock. How can God leave this wonderful woman and her children all alone? And then I answered my own question... they will never be alone. All the years that they live He's with them. No I do NOT believe this is the path He had intended for El to walk, but He knew it would happen and He knows that something unbelievable, that she nor I can even think (yet), will come her way.

She can't control John's thoughts and action, but what she does ask is that we pray for her family that they will heal. I pray that God causes John to surrender to Him and realize what a mistake he is making before it's too late to take back. I pray his heart be broken, if it's His will, and that he RUNS not walks, back to his family and begs for forgiveness. He needs to look to God and ask Him for forgiveness because He is the only one that can truly grant us that.

As if the situation could not be more trying.. Ellyn is twelve weeks pregnant with their fifth child. She hadn't mentioned the news before this week, for whatever her reasons might be. It is undoubtedly a gift from God that they are being blessed with another child, no matter the situation, but the difficulty is in feeling happy about known that this sweet child may be born to a broken family. I just pray that the stress of John's choices take as little of a toll on her mentally and physically so that this baby is born happy and healthy in I'm guessing...early January.

I can't fathom the devastation this family is enduring on top of the troubles that they already have daily from raising 3 kids and Seth's weekly therapies and check ups. If any of you have been through something like what Ellyn is going through, or if you just want to give her some words of encouragement please go over to her blog http://www.profoundlyseth.com/ or email her at ellyn@profoundlyseth.com .

I wear Seth's blue bracelet proudly every day as a reminder that if this sweet little boy can make it through all the struggles he has at such a young age, I have no room to complain about the little bumps in my road, but instead should keep moving forward with Him in my sights.

Be in prayer through the weekend and weeks to come for Ellyn, John, Ava, Jace, Seth, and the new sweet baby.

Love Always & Forever

Kaylan

Can't Get her Out of My Head

2009-07-06T02:30:00.005-04:00

Oh God, Wonderful and Amazing God, Please be with this family as they go through all that has come and all that is coming their way.

I quickly checked Angie's blog just by fluke (as usual, i should have known it was no fluke) and found out about Kate's story.

Oh how my heart is breaking for this beautiful spunky little five year old. I just couldn't fall asleep without spreading her word. Please Click Here to hear about Kate and the whole McRae family. Please fill them with love and prayers, oh how they need them.

I warn you there is no possible way you can see beautiful little Kate and not have her little face imprinted in your mind. Pray Pray Pray that the Amazing Physician will heal her tiny body and hold her tightly so that her pain will be relieved.

You all are wonderful and amazing people to take time to pray for a little girl who's miles away-- He hears all prayers, so please never ever think that one more prayer doesn't matter that much.. it does I assure you!

Please visit them at www.caringbridge.com/visit/mcraekate as well to see updated posts on her condition and more.

With all the Love I Have,

A Reason, A Season or A Lifetime

2009-07-06T00:27:00.002-04:00

This was a wonderful 4th of July weekend spent with friends laughing and catching up and just enjoying each others company. I'm so thankful to have such great friends that know what's going on in my head without me ever even saying a word out loud.

Those type of friends are the ones who keep you sane even when you feel like you're loosing it!

Tonight at church I was talkin with a friend and was tryin to remember a quote I'd heard a long time ago, but I couldn't quite remember it.... so when I got home I looked it up and wanted to share it:

"People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you will know exactly what to do."

When I found it I also found the email that I was sent a long long time ago that flows along with it:
"When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out, and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn! They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person or people involved; and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships, and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant."

I pray this prayer for each and everyone one of y'all that are in my life,

May today there be peace within you.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.

Let His presence settle into your bones,and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, and to bask in the sun.

It is there for each and every one of you.

God bless each of y'all! Sweet dreams!

Love always n always

-KK-

June 30- Believing God

2009-06-30T09:42:00.003-04:00

"Shout to God with a jubilant cry.

For the Lord Most High is awe-inspiring,

a great King over all the earth."

Psalm 47:1-2

God has so much for you, Dear One. And yes, seasons will come when He requires so much from you that you feel like you can't bear it.

You do have a choice. You don't have to do it His way. You can choose bitterness, resentment, carnality, or mediocrity. Or you can go for it --- with everything you've got. You can experience the unmatched exhilaration of partnering in divine triump.

The stakes are high, The cost is steep. But I'll promise you this: there is no high like the Most High. Don't you dare miss ir for the world.

--As written by Beth Moore in her daily devotional "Believing God-Day by Day: Growing your faith All year Long"

Sleepless Crossroads

2009-06-30T06:57:00.003-04:00

I'm broken. My body feels like its shattered into a million pieces that won't ever be put back together. I feel like my heart and lungs have gone missing and in their place came a rain fall of pain and emptiness.

I'm at a crossroads in my life that i'm scared to death of starring straight at. I've side stepped it for so long, and chose to walk alone in the dirt out of fear for so long that I don't remember how to put one foot in front of the other on this solid ground.

Some time while I slept last night all the air inside rushed out of my body. I've woken to a haze that Ifeel is so heavy on my skin, almost like it's crushing my chest.

My faith in Him is at the forefront of my mind at all times, and all I want to do is lay my broken body at His feet and beg him to carry me through my loneliness.

I feel alone, but that part isn't new.. it's just no longer being covered up with rose-colored glasses.

I liked being niave, being childish-- feeling like the world is in MY control, and if I will things to change, change will happen.... but I'm no more in control than any of us are, and I understand what I'm feeling about as much as I understand microphysics...

God doesn't just place something on our hearts for no reason right? And he doesn't give us a challenge that he doesn't think we'll survive right? --- Those should be statements, not questions, but with my breathing ajar and my head spinning I'm in need of afirmation.

I turned to "Me,Myself & Lies" in the midst of my sleeplessness last night and read this:

Take this paragraph and insert your name, and pray it out loud-

Oh Lord, you have searched ______ and you know ______. You know when _____
sits and when _____ rises, you perceive ______'s thoughts from afar. You
discern ______'s going out and ______'s lying down; you are familiar with all
______'s ways. Before a word is on ______'s tongue you know it completely,
O Lord. (Psalms 139:1-4)

It spoke to my heart and ripped it open all at once. I stopped holding myself up and gave in to uncertainty and asked Him just to guard my thoughts while I felt too weak to do it myself.

I need a bucket of prays coming my way-- Prays that my heart and my head come out of the fog that slipped in over night like a frost does in the late fall. Pray that I make faith based decisions, and that I learn how to stop being so frightened by my own life. I feel like I'm so scared to lose people that I sometimes begin to talk myself out of being in their lives in the first place.

Just pray that I learn to separate the logical from the illogical, and that... well... that I survive myself despite my body currently turning against me.

Love Always,

Not Me! Monday

2009-06-29T15:41:00.004-04:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

To start with... I did not spend the entire week bursting at the seams to move in to my new abode... only to have to delay it a few more days :(

I did NOT get so sidetracked shoppin for furniture and tryin to get every ~~horrific~~ new bill organized and accounted for that I still didn't get to sending out my change of address cards!!!

I didn't up everynight by tv light ripping out obscure ideas from Home magazines that were calling my name... and those ripped out pages, you ask where I put them all?? I definitely did not stack them all up and shove them inside an old People Mag. that I picked up in my office... I'm too organized to ever have done that!

And when for a 3rd month in a row Visa decided not to send me my bill ~~because they have waaay too much on their plates to worry about me apparently~~ I did not start wondering whether some chinese girl in Canada with a british accent and six kids to feed had maybe stole my identity and was receiving my bill instead..... If you're reading this little chinese girl going by Kaylan K... please atleast pay me back for the overdue charges!!!

Work was ofcourse stress free-- Absolutely no prob Bob.. (skippin over this topic)

I did not have the most busy week last week, it was A-Piece-of-cake,that colmonated in me making the decision to pack my weekend full of as many crazy things as I could...just to even it all out ofcourse!

I did NOT spend Saturday getting to make two new friends(Who I love by the way!)... while basking in the sun at a CORNDOG-O-RAMA...

It was most certainly not in East Atlanta... which did not worry me when I drove up and had no clue where I was! (Lol... I love atl...but why would i ever have gone to E.A. before!?)

I would never proceed to pay $4 for a corndog and $3 for watered down lemonade... and enjoy EVERY single bite of it!!!

While soakin' up the rays, and listening to the worst rendition of "Indie Rock" music ever played I did not learn that my abilities to throw a frisbee must have peaked in Middle School!!! I did not get incredibly embarrassed every time I almost took out a random bystanders head.....

We did not watch people attempt to race on tricycles and do watermelon tosses in the street.. so would be such silly things to see in Atl!

I did not end up going to church TWICE on Sunday... only to end up seeing the same sermon twice! (Two diferent churches... they're sister churches so its a really awesome satalite feed to the second one!) And I definitley did not enjoy seeing the sermon about the Jesus Creed just as much the second go around!

And to top off the week I did not find myself at my very first FUSION group... and I didn't enjoy getting to meet more people from church and making plans to hangout with them soon!

As you can see, it was a pretty breezy week.. with NO fun involved...

Love u all... Hope everyone is makin' big 4th of July Plans!!

Siesta Summer Bible Study!

2009-06-23T19:16:00.002-04:00

What could be better than doing a summer bible study with Beth Moore???

Doing a summer bible study with Beth Moore and my family!!!

Yes, that's right! I'm about to start a bible study on Living Proof Ministries (Beth Moore's ministry) called "Me Myself & Lies" written by Jennifer Rothschild with my family!!!

This is a new plan that started coming together... about 24 hours ago :)

I'm so proud to say I started a beautiful ball rolling, that in just one day is bring a lot of joy.

Please be praying for us as we start this journey diving into His Word through Jennifer's study and Beth's guidance. It's never to late to join in btw! If you feel led to join the study all you have to do is buy the book "Me Myself & Lies" then find your way on over to http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com and sign up!! It's okay to go it solo!

-Lots of love-
Hostess Kaylan <3

National Geographic

2009-06-22T13:15:00.005-04:00

I am utterly in love with National Geographic. If you ever wondered what type of photographer I dream of being all you have to do is flip through the pages of a National Geographic. One day in my life time I dream of shooting just one photograph good enough to grace the pages of such an awe inspiring magazine.

I get so much more joy out of photography than any other art because it's life in the flesh. It's not something that was dreamed up, it's tangible and honest, beautiful in every way possible.

You can capture every moment of life thru your lens.

Stop and find the beauty in each day this week.

Just take your thumb and pointer finger of both hands and make a rectangle with them. Bring it up close to your face, and mentally capture the photos in your life that you may be over looking.

~Wishes of Joy~

My A-B-C's

2009-06-22T11:02:00.003-04:00

A
• Are you available? I'm Not Married, but I am in a relationship
• What is your age? 22
• What annoys you? Chosen Ignorance
B
• Do you know anyone named Billy? Not since 5th grade
• When is your birthday? Aug. 16th
• Who is your best friend? Ginny
C
• What's your favorite candy? Twix or Sour Patch Kids
• Crush? Nice try, but I'm not sharing that! Celebrity or reality! lol
• When was the last time you cried? Last week
D
• Do you daydream? Ohhh yes!
• What's your favorite kind of dog? Chocolate labs :)
• What day of the week is it? Monday
E
• How do you like your eggs? Poached over toast and canadian ham w/ hollandaise sauce-- Mmm!
• Have you ever been in the emergency room? Yep- Once as a kid, I fractured my collar bone after falling down a flight of stairs, and once as an adult, I had some crazy virus they still couldnt diagnose after 24 hrs...it was awful!
• Ever pet an elephant? No, but that would be awesome
F
• Do you use fly swatters? Nope... I'm more of a catch and release type of girl :)
• Have you ever used a foghorn? haha, yep
• Is there a fan in your room? Nope, only in the guest room and on the porch
G
• Do you chew gum? Sometimes, I love strawberry bubble gum
• Do you like gummy candies? yes yes yes
• Do you like gory movies? Take it or leave it-- I like them just as long as I have someone going hoem with me!!! In that case, Yes
H
• How are you? Fantastic, had a lot of fun at the Fusion movie last night
• What's your height? 5'8 1/2"
• What color is your hair? Uhh... Brown to Dark Blonde
I
• What's your favorite ice cream? Chocolate-- I'm a purist, hehe The new Ben and Jerry's Cake Batter w/ Chocolate Frosting is dynomite too!
• Have you ever ice skated? Yes sir.
• Ever been in an igloo? No, but I'd love to
J
• What's your favorite Jelly Bean? Toasted Marshmello and Chocolate Pudding
• Have you ever heard a really hilarious joke? I dunno... I really wish I could say yes
• Do you wear jewelry? My cross necklace I got for college graduation & my KAK initial ring Julie gave me for my 21st bday
K
• Who do you want to kill? No one!
• Have you ever flown a kite? When I was little
• Do you think kangaroos are cute? Kuolas are cuter
L
• Are you laid back? If I had to say yes or no.... I'd say yes
• Lions or Tigers? Lions..and Tigers! I pick both!! Hah
• Do you like black licorice? Ick, just dont care for it
M
• Favorite movie as a kid? Aladin
• Ever shopped at Moosejaw? is that really a store???
• Favorite store at the mall? William- Sonoma... I never buy any thing, but a girl can dream!
N
• Do you have a nickname? Kay, Kaleb
• What's your favorite number? 8
• Do you prefer night or day? Night.
O
• What's your one wish? To meet the man God created solely for me, and to know when I've met him w/o any doubts
• Are you an only child? Sort of, I have 3 hald brothers
• Do you like the color orange? YES, pink and orange (and green) are my fav colors
P
• What are you most paranoid about? Following my own path when I'm trying to follow His, but have no clue I'm following mine instead (daily paranoa)
• Piercings? 3
• Do you know anyone named Penelope? I did in high school, she went by Penny tho
Q
• Are you quick to judge people? Not at all, I like to take my time figuring out what people are really all about
• Do you like Quaker Oats? no.. that's weird isn't it?
• Know anyone that makes quilts? Yes
R
• Do you think you're always right? lol, Depends
• Do you watch reality TV? I plead the 5th!
• Reason to cry? When things start to fall apart and I become impatient about looking for answers in the right place
S
• Do you prefer sun or rain? I love em both, love the feel and smell of rain
• Do you like snow? Yes! But its hard to find here in the south
• What's your favorite season? Summer- even working, there is a type of freedom that comes with summer that I just dont feel the rest of the year
T
• What time is it? 11:48am
• What time did you wake up? About 6:10am
U
• Can you ride a unicycle? probably not, but I'd sure try!
• Do you know anyone with a uni brow? No, but thats b/c they pluck!
• Uncles do you have? 4
V
• What’s the worst vegetable? There isn't even ONE vegetable that I don't like, not even kidding
• Did you ever watch Veggie Tales? Ofcourse, Saturday mornings when I kept Clara
• Ever considered being vegan? I could do it.. I like steak, but I don't live on it. I eat chicken or pork probably 25 out of 30 days a month.
W
• What's your worst habit? Cracking my knuckles-- my ex's in highschool use to crack them for me to anyone me, and it unfortunately became an awful habit!
• Do you like water rides? Oh Yes!
• Ever been inside a windmill? No.
X
• Have you ever had an x-ray? On my collarbone, my right foot, and my teeth
• Ever used a Xerox machine? nearly every day
Y
• Do you like the color yellow? It's such a happy color, even in a mustard shade
• What year were you born in? 1986
• Do you yell when you're angry? The cycle goes - yell, shut down and don't say anything, cry.
Z
• Do you believe in the zodiac? It's something fun to read and laugh about
• What's your zodiac sign? Leo
• When was the last time you went to the zoo? 4th grade! I still think that would be such a fun date! hehe

You're turn!

Speaking to My Heart: Lyrics that Stick #1

2009-06-22T09:51:00.005-04:00

'Do you wanna run away together?'
I would say it was your best line ever
Too bad I fell for it
And I walked along
Waiting for you to come along
Take my tortured heart by the hand
And write me off

Do you know I cry?
Do you know I die?
Do you know I cry?
And it's not the good kind

Oh you forced to become strong
And I just cried, being weak
And you think you know
And I would like to think so
But do you know that when you go
I fall apart

Do you know I cry?
Do you know I die?
Do you know I cry?
And it's not the good kind
No, you not the good kind

I'm tired of hiding behind these lying eyes
I'm tired of this smile that even I don't recognize

Do you know I cry? (Do you know I cry)
Do you know I die? (Do you know I die)
Do you know I cry? (Do you know I cry)
And it's not the good kind

Do you know I cry? (Do you know I cry)
Do you know I die? (Do you know I die)
Do you know I cry? (Do you know I cry)
And it's not the good kind

Do you know I cry? (Do you know I cry)
Do you know I die? (Do you know I die)
Do you know I cry? (Do you know I cry)
And it's not the good kind

No, you're not the good kind
Do you know I cry?

By The Wreckers

Be Still Sunday

2009-06-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

Puzzle Time: Secret Revealed

2009-06-16T13:18:00.002-04:00

I HAD a SECRET!!!

****Drum roll please****

I BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!

I'm the offical homeowner of a beautiful new home here in the sultry, sticky, oh so grogeous south and I'm in love with it!!!!

I haven't quite got moved in yet, its coming along wonderfully, but it's takin' some time to move and get everything I need in order to move in!! It shouldn't be too many more days before I move in and take a few pictures to show!

It's out in the COUNTRY (hence the pic on the puzzle :) ) and it's just.... Amazing!!!!!

I'm so happy to have found a place and be offically out on my own. Apartment life in college was such a learning experience and I loved my roomies, they are my best friends, but it's such a different feeling to have a place of my OWN that I literally own, and hope to grow into in the years to come. It's way too big for me, but I hope that God has a big plan to fill it with lots of little feet down the road. I still believe I'll end up taking all paths to a family that God leads me to be it having my own kids, adoption and/or fostering. I have a big heart and it's open to all things possible in this wonderful world!!!

Even if I travel for missions as planned, I'll always have this home to come back to!!!!!

--LOVE LOVE LOVE--

Puzzle Time:I have a Secret!!

2009-06-15T17:13:00.000-04:00

So LAST MONDAY I told everyone that I had been keeping a secret.... I thought this would be a fun way to see if any can figure out the secret! If anyone can figure it out with these clues leave me a comment!! Give it your best shot even if you aren't quite sure!

Fill in the Blanks using the pictures Below: __ _____ __ the ______ __

Start Guessing! I'll Post Answer in the morning!

Photography, Smotography!

2009-06-15T16:05:00.003-04:00

"Where are all the pictures????"

I haven't put up any of my own photos in a good while because well... I just haven't taken very many!

It's certainly time to start back tho, don't ya think??

Or...I could just decide photography isn't my thing.

Just Kidding!!!

I love photography far too much to go that route, so I promise to get to uploading this week!!!

I promise some tasty, silly, and swoon-over shots coming up soon!

Can't wait to share them!

Hope everyone is having a sultry, sweet summer! Don't sizzle too long in the sun!!!

Kay-Kay

P.S. To all my NEW followers thanks so much for coming by!!! I am always grateful to new people who for some reason take an interest in my stories about me, my family, friends, and all the random things that are on my mind! A HUGE THANK YOU!!!

Doggie Oh Doggie, Where are you??

2009-06-15T14:13:00.003-04:00

People I have the THE BUG! Not the flu bug, no no, nothing that icky. And not the Baby bug.. my lordie that idea won't be in my head for a few years! This bug is a good bug, but a bug that has been bugging me and started to drive me crazy (in a good way!) for some time now....

I have... the Doggie Bug!! I want, I want, I want, I NEEEEED a doggie!!! OH people, you have no clue how very much I want a doggie of my own!!

I have names in my head like Moose, and Leo, and Brownie, and Cocoa, and Twisler (even tho I dont like twislers! lol). And I NEEEEED a doggie to give one of my silly, yummy, well-thought-out, loving names to!

I NEEEEEEEEED a doggie to love and to love me too (I hope!) who will follow me around the house, eat all the ice that I accidentally drop on the floor, sit on my feet just to make sure I don't move, cuddle on the bed while watching a good romantic comedy that we'll both love, go on long runs with, and who may genuinely need me as much as I NEEEEEEEEEEEEED them!!! (Do you love how it went from "a" to "them" in just a few paragraphs! Hah!)

Mama Kat is fostering an adorable grey hound named Aries, and I just have to believe that seeing her post about Jesus wanting her to foster him is a SIGN, a flashing NEON sign saying, "HEY KAYLAN!... *pause for dramatic affect* YES..YOU!!!! YOU MY DEAR... NEED A DOGGIE!!!!!!"

*Light Bulb flicks ON*

I need a dog.

People, it's coming--- I have nothing holding me back!...................................

*To be continued......(soon?:) )

KayKay

Scatter-Brained: In need of Advice!

2009-06-10T14:23:00.004-04:00

My brain is going in TWO completely opposite directions right now and I'd LOVE some ideas and advice from y'all!!!!

Help #1:
My small group and I are in the market for a new Bible Study to start and I need some ideas!!!

Has anyone done a study recently that they really loved or a study in the past that you feel would be relevant to a group of 10 twenty-yr old girls???

Please let me know!

I would love some hep from you lovely ladies!

Help #2:
One of my best friends is getting married in September, and I'm one of her bridesmaids! The dilema I'm facing right now is that as one of the bridesmaids I want to plan a bridal shower for her (most likely with a kitchen/home theme) with her other bridesmaids.

I'm always the party planner, so it just fits for me to take this on-- The problem is although I have attended way too many showers to count, I can't decide what sort of place to have the shower! HELP ME!!! My thoughts are either at a tea room in Buckhead or possibly at my home, but I'm not sure what's more appropriate and normal.

Where have you all gone to or thrown showers at before???? If I can get over the hump of picking a location I'll be set-- the decor, food, and entertainment is easy for me once I know where I'm planning it for! I just need a little help deciding, please.

My brain is not working with it being pulled in too many directions!

Please leave any helpful advice on bible studies and/or bridal showers in the comments section :)

Love Love Love

-Kaylan-

In the words of a Sherriff

2009-06-10T13:53:00.002-04:00

As I mentioned on Monday, I had the joy a week ago of meeting a few of the local sherrifs in my area, and they were some of the funniest nicest people I've met around here.

Despite the reason we were meeting at the time, I've come to think that HE was the reason we were meeting. It sounds a little out there to think that He had a hand in bringing sherrifs out to my house, but not to me.

These two sherrifs that I met together were both kind, and polite men... with some great since of humors. Ankoo and I both enjoyed talking with them and at one point we got on the conversation of the types of people that they had to deal with on a daily/nightly basis. After joking around about some of the incidents and crazies in the area (apparently one couple claimed they HAVE to drive in the middle of the road going 50 in a 30 because a month ago..when they use to drive the "right way" a deer hit them... so now its "safer" to drive in the middle so they can see the deer...) one of the sherrifs made a very profounf statement.

He said, "We all should drive with the knowledge that all of the other people on the road ARE more important than us." He laughed a little, but then said that he really did meant it because if we were to go out in to the word with a little less selfish attitude we would be more prone to be more responsible in the ways that we act and treat others-- with a little more kindness, and a lot less hostility.

This little comment has stuck with me. Like Super glue.

This little tip for the road is a fact that SHOULD transfer over into our daily lives. It should be a way of living life. Remembering that all of the people in the world are more important that us.

That doesn't mean you need to go out and get walked on... but maybe you should find away to be okay with getting your feet stepped on a little. What I mean is, you shouldn't be so afraid to get close to strangers just because it may not turn out the way you intended. Going out and sharing your life and Christian beliefs is frightening, but despite it being frightening it's what I know I'm here to do.

I was reading this post from Angie called "Her, Here" this morning and it just fits with what's going on in my head so perfectly. She mentions doing the little things, like leaving out a few cold drink for the garbage man every week during the summer, and praying for each of her neighbors. The little things that you can do locally are just as important as going out and serving around the world. Angie is such an amazing encouragement. She says, "The point is, we are supposed to look different than the rest of the world."

There should be no fear in being who we were created to be. We were created in God's likeness, and therefore are meant to go out into the world with with humble hearts and a kind touch.

I want to work on being that type of woman here in my home town even though I'm still feeling lead to figure out where else God is leading me to. I know that God led those sherrifs to me to instill those words in my mind, just as he led me to Angie's words this morning. He is the Almighty and the one I live my life in awe of. Bless Each of You today.

All my Love,

Kate's New Blog!

2009-06-08T14:00:00.003-04:00

Well, You all know how much I love Jon and Kate Gosselin, so it should be no surprise that I'm so happy to find out that Kate has started blogging on TLC's website pretty frequently!

To see for yourself what sweet things are going on in the lives of the Gosselins click on over to HERE and take a looksy!

This week Kate wrote about their trip they took for Memorial Day to N.C. looks like it was beautiful and the kids had a great time! I'll let you go read the stories of the week for yourselves tho!

Continuing to pray that the "P people" as she calls them will BACK OFF and try to remember that they are normal people, not actors pretending that this is their lives. *sigh* We live in a crazy world, I hope it gets a little less crazy for them though!

Happy reading!

Not Me! Monday

2009-06-08T11:15:00.005-04:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not spend the weekend shuffling furniture all around trying to find new places for old things.

I did not completely break down and go against my new "No Fast Food!" plan and eat not only at Wendy's, but ALSO at Mc'D's on consecutive days... all out of an inability to find to to sit down for lunch. Nope, Not Me! I always stick to my goals :)

I did not not brush my teeth before bed one night, only to wake up so disgusted by myself that I got OUT of bed to brush them at 2am.. no no no... I would never forget, and if I did it would never bother me to that point of insanity!

I did not just about die when last night my father did NOT say, "Kaylan, I can't believe your husband has never had {insert some food I think was called.. Poke?} You're going to have to cook it for him!".... He would never be so absent minded to forget sweetie is just a Boyfriend, not even a fiance.... and I would never become weirded out over such a crazy accidental slip of the tongue!! Not Us!

I did not keep a secret for TWO WEEKS from my family, which is by the way why I've been missing from here, that I still have not announced all because well.. I just haven't!

And I would never have made friends, truly no joke, friends with 3 local Sheriffs in a matter of a week without ever doing a single thing wrong to have caused it! (Very cool, i think!) Ha! I feel so much safer having them on MY side!

So life is going really great over here in my neck of the Woods!! What sort of Not Me! Mondays do you have to share?!

Love Always

~Kaylan~

Makes me want to Cry

2009-05-26T17:00:00.004-04:00

It makes me want to cry the EVILNESS of people. I have been very open about the fact that I truly love and enjoy watching Jon & Kate Plus 8 on TLC. The Gosselins are a beautiful chiristian family, and they ARE despite recent nah-sayers, a very normal and extremely down to earth family. It broke my heart last night watching the openning season episode of the sextuplets 5th birthday party. Yes it was awful to see Jon & Kate's marriage struggling, but with my background in child psychology it was even more upseting to watch how their problems are 100% affecting the lives of ALL EIGHT of their children.

The twins are 9 going on 10 years old, and are showing signs of typical children in burdened families. For anyone who has watched the show you know that Mady has always struggled with having so many siblings, but it was very clear that she and Cara have become their mother's confidant and protecter. They have taken on the role of helping do anything they can to make their mommy happier not out of fear or force, but because they are acutely aware of what is happening with their parents.

At one point Alexis, 5yrs old, told her daddy last night, "Daddy, I don't want you to go away again, okay? Okay daddy?" She's always been the sweet loving cuddler of the girls, but you can tell her heart is confused and knows that things just aren't in place.

At 5 years old a struggle between parents is harder to understand than at 10 even. They are able to sense the tension and disconnect of the family, yet they are unable to determine what is causing it. This is why so many children with divorced parents feel that it is their fault that their parents got a divorce. It isn't because a parents has said, "This is because of YOU", but rather the fact out not saying it. It is important to explain to children WHY their parents are getting divorced-- and for the record, simple is never better. Never. Leaving out information will make it more complicated. And if parents don't give answers, children will create answers incorrectly for themselves.

This family is amazing-- they are a loving family. I'm not saying that because I want it to be, I'm saying it because they are. Kate is without a single doubt in my mind a loving wonderful mother, and John is a sweet, loving father. They haven't forgot how to be parents--- They have forgotten how to be partners. And that's understandable because for the last 5yrs, 365 days a year their lives have been about their kids, not their marriage, and even in Christian families Satan will make us all feel weak.

I pray to Jon and Kate that they both turn to God for guidance. They they put aside their wants, and what they feel is what their family needs, and that they surrender it all to Him. I pray that they realign their life so that God is number one again.

I know that she feels that she is doing this already, but without doing it WITH her husband they will get no where. The blame game is fruitless-- the only person that can fix their marriage is HIM, and I pray they realize this sooner rather than later.

I pray for every family struggling at this moment to make it "all" work. To survive these hard times, however little or a lot they are affected. I pray that the children that are in every single struggling family feel the presense of God in their lives and that they learn at a young age that God is always on THEIR side, and will be their to hold their hands through the bad stuff that gets really confusing.

If you're a nah-sayer. Stop. Just stop tearing other people down. What in the world is the point you're trying to make???? That people aren't perfect? Ok... I'm pretty sure we know that. That even tv families have big faults?? Yep, we get that too. If you're spending your time worrying about the well being of this family, or other people as well, I hope you're stopping to think how it would be if 1000s of people were blogging and gossiping about you and your children... and instead Start Praying.

Love Always,
KK

fPhoto Friday: Lost

2009-05-22T06:10:00.001-04:00

Camera: Nikon CoolPix S60
Setting: Auto
Date: 4-30-09

Taken in the afternoon-- I'm starting to try and figure out what time of day I enjoy shooting the most. I like afternoon,shaded light but I can't wait to take some early morning photos soon.

Introducing the New 'Do!!!

2009-05-22T06:00:00.001-04:00

I am excited to show off my brand new hair cut and color!!!!!!

I've had my hair some where from medium to super long pretty much Always. I've been lucky enough to have healthy hair that grows very fast, so I love playing with it, but just never knew if I'd be okay with it short!

Call it a mental block if you will, but I've had in my head that long hair is more beautiful..... I still think that, but NOW I think short is gorgeous too! Plus I'm no longer a blonde!

Introducing the Shorter much Darker hair of Miss KK:

What do y'all think??

Sorry the pics a a teeny bit fuzzy! Had to use the web cam on the laptop, but I'm sure I'll have some new pictures after this weekend!

Love y'all!

Kay

P.S. This is the length it was before it all went away yesterday! Only about 6 inches missing... not that much :)

Writer's Workshop: Beachy Attire

2009-05-21T21:45:00.002-04:00

Mama Kat's always entertaining Writer's Workshop! Thank You Kat for giving me something to look forward to on Thursdays!!!

This week's Prompts:

1.) Share a love letter.

2.) Memorial Day Weekend plans?? Do share!

3.) List ten things you are currently sick of.

4.) Put an outfit together using pictures you found online and show us what you'd LIKE to be wearing today.

5.) What have you been too busy to pay attention to?

Well..... to answer #2 I'm headed to the BEACH for Memorial Day!!!!!! Wanna know more? Hop on over to this post and find out!

So #4. Put an outfit together using pictures you found online and show us what you'd LIKE to be wearing today.

I would LIKE to be wearing this Cotton Bonbon Dress from J Crew.

Isn't the description from the site cute:

"A sweet, summery confection in our signature soft cotton piqué, featuring a tiered ruffle skirt in cotton lawn and delicate picot-edged cotton-lawn trim around the neckline and arm opening."

I'm even in love with these Nutmeg Elodie vachetta flat sandals!

"Introducing Elodie—the season's "It" sandal in Italian vachetta leather (it develops a beautiful, honeyed patina over time), with a flattering crisscross design. We'll be wearing ours with everything. 5/8 harness buckle. Vachetta-leather footbed. Man-made sole. Made in Italy. Half sizes order up."

I'm in love with this sandals.... Darn Mama Kat! If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have known about them! lol Just kidding! I'm glad I do :)

And IF I had to only pick an accessory I'd love to be wearing instead of a whole outfit.... I would have to go with a Southern Proper Belle Headband!

Too Cute!!!

That's enough shopping for me for tonight! Go by Mama Kat's Mama's Losin It blog and find out what prompt everyone else chose!

Sweeeet Dreams & Sweet Shoppin!

I Love Them!!!

2009-05-20T16:39:00.001-04:00

I can't wait to see these sweet kids' faces again! Happy Birthday Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Collin, Leah and Joel!

Soap Box Wednesday: Under Construstion

2009-05-20T14:45:00.004-04:00

Welcome to SoaP BoX WednesdaY! If this happens to be your first time to SoaP BoX WednesdaY and you want to know what it's all about , click over to this blog and find out more! Get on up on your perverbial Soap Box and let me know what is on YOUR mind this week! What is it that's got your blood boiling, and drivin' ya crazy? Fear not, now is the time to speak out!!

To be honest... Soap Box Wednesday isn't under construction... My life is!

I've been running around like a crazy person all day due to an unbelievable amount of problems and issues and just things that have to be done "right now", and I doubt at this point I'm going to make it to looking at even one news article, let alone 100s to find a reason to soap-box it today ladies and gents!

Sorry to disappoint!! If you're dissapointed..well tough cookies :) Just kidding!!! I wish I had the time too, Trust ME, but it's just not happening :(

INSTEAD... Why don't yall leave me some links to either:

A. An article you saw that you found interesting-- even if it's not soap box material-- and what your thoughts are on it

OR

B. A website- be it someone's blog or just a site that you like to spend time on-- that you think I or others that read this blog should really go to! I don't mind one bit being a sound board.

If any one leaves links or sites I'll post them in a blog for everyone tomorrow.... otherwise I'll have to actually work on writing something of my own! (Oh No!!!)

Post. Script. : Please say a little pray for the girls in my wed. night small group. They're all young like me and each going through their own "Under Construction" stuff in their lives! Awesome girls and I love them all, so thanks for the prayers!

American Idol at 8pm eastern on FOX!

GO Kris Allen Nation!!!!!!

Vote For Kris Allen!!!! Right Now!! Please!!??

2009-05-19T20:48:00.009-04:00

I can't WAIT to hear Kris Allen's name announced as the WINNER of American Idol tomorrow!!!

I get that a bunch of people "think" he's the underdog, but man-o-man he has God on his side!!

PLEASE GO VOTE FOR KRIS ALLEN!!!!!

CALL 1-866-436-5702
1-866-436-5704
1-866-436-5706
If you have AT&T text the word "VOTE" to 5702!!!!!

Vote and Vote and Vote until the voting period has ended!!!!!!!!

He has a beautiful voice and is sooo talented-- He plays the piano and the guitar with such ease! It's all gift given to him by God! And the big thing, HE KNOWS THAT!!!
VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!

A little background on Kris:

Kris is a devout Christian. Before trying out for American Idol, he was a worship leader at New Life Church in Maumelle, Arkansas, and in college he was a leader in Chi Alpha campus ministry of the University of Central Arkansas, where he was a business major. He has done missionary work around the world, including in Burma, Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa, Spain and Thailand. On September 26, 2008, he married longtime girlfriend Katy O'Connell Allen. She is adorable and his biggest fan!

How could you not want HIM to be the guy who your kids listen to and look up to???

GO VOTE for KRIS ALLEN!!!

-Love y'all-

Kaylan

I ♥ Faces: Blub Book

2009-05-19T13:33:00.006-04:00

This is my FIRST time participating in I ♥ Faces! I love the site, and read every single Friday tip that I can!

'Mesmerizing Blues"

I couldn't think of a more perfect picture to enter for the blurb book. I'm in love with this photo of Miss. Blue Eyes- yep they're all natural, not a single edit to those sparklers!- and I thought maybe it has a shot! Can you see the curl of a smile starting at the edge of her lips? Gah! I love this little girl!!!!

*I am submitting this photo into the http://www.iheartfaces.com/ Blurb Book photo contest. I am granting I ♥ Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ♥ Faces web sites.*

Becoming a Dodo Bird

2009-05-19T06:09:00.001-04:00

I have always thought, "Oh, Wouldn't Tiquana, Mexico be a fun place to go to one day!?" I've always heard people talk about it, and just assumed it must be really pretty, or atleast fun to go to....

Exibit A: Raphus cucullatus... Also known as a Dodo Bird! Below is a Self Portrait of ME!

I thought this was the best example of how I feel after watching America's Most Wanted. Gooooood LORD! Do you have any clue how many cartels run through Tiquana?!?!?!!??! Holy Moly, I was shocked to see the warehouses stacked full of drugs down there.

I always have felt so safe living where I am. I mean, I've always had boyfriends who are quite good with guns because of hunting and just a general interest in personal safety, and I've always had an awareness myself.... but I've been a little unnerved watching America's Most Wanted.

The state I live in has a large Mexican and Chinese population that has increased tremendously and it's eerie to think there may easily be cartels out there only miles for where I sleep. I've heard lately that the drug rings are becoming more common in near by counties and are creeping their way into upper-class, luxury neighborhoods. I guess that shouldn't be surprising seeing how much blood money is involved in this.... "industry."

They are the fastest growing crime threat in the United States.

Shelby County, Alabama which is basically Birmingham, AL was hit by the cartels last year when 5 men were found murdered by a Gun-for-hire. The sherriff in Alabama said, "You may think just because you've never been affected by it, that you never will but that's not true. These 6 men that committed the murder drove around on our streets and lived around here. They could have been next to You at the traffic light, and could have easily hit you if you had gotten between them and their target."

How do we fight against ruleless people who find drugs more valuable than life?

God Kept it Simple

2009-05-18T18:50:00.007-04:00

God Kept It Simple When He Made Me..

He gave me milk chocolate-carmel brown eyes like my Mom,

Long dark brown hair like my Grams,

And One little dimple that stands out when I smile.

He gave me the gift of gab like.. well.. everyone in my family,

The ability to read whether people are good or bad like my Father,

And to top it all off the complete inability to lie...Ever.

It seems to me God wanted to keep things simple for Him and for me.

He made me just the same as so many others He has created for centuries, but at the same time He has never made a girl exactly like me.

And of those gifts that stands out today that He gave me was the Gift of NOT lying. It sounds kinda funny, but it is a gift. I stutter, I "umm" and I talk even faster than I already talk, but I know as well as anyone who knows me that it's just pointless. Why even give it a try?

You'd think I'd give up wouldn't you? You'd be right... but I always try first... Then I give up and typically turn myself in immediately...

Another gift He gave me... Humility. And a really Large Conscious! I may be the most self-aware person that I know. Maybe that's because of the choices I've made and the lessons I've learned, but I always feel unbearable when I make uneasy decisions, or bad decisions.

This was on my mind today because I realized I was asked if I'd done something last week that I..well.... forgot to do! I felt bad, but I had taken care of getting it down... just not on the day I should have! Nothing big, but I felt guilty. When I was asked about the thing, I pretty much immediately started talkin fast to "try" and cover my guilt. Oh well, I can't be perfect and I just thought I should own up to that on here today. I felt the need. That's Me and That's All.

Happy Monday

Keep it Simple--Don't Lie!

~love~

Not Me! Monday

2009-05-18T13:38:00.002-04:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I definitely did not spend my week makes plans to go to Six Flags... and then end up going to an Antique Fair on Saturday instead.... No normal 22 year girl with boyfriend happily in tow would choose shopping for really nifty pie cabinets and antique signs and milk crates over getting dizzy on some of the best roller coasters ever invented! Nope, Not Us!

I did not make a final decision to never again eat fast food after watching TLC's "World's Largest Dad" followed by "World's Largest Teen"..... and ending with "World's Lasgest Mom"!!! I did not feel completely disgusted with myself that I love McD's quarter pounds, then literally Thank God that I realized a few weeks ago that there are NO McDonalds on my regular routes to any where during the week! ( Little Blessing in disguise, lemme tell ya!)

And during my not so eventful weekend, I certainly did not look at my clock at 7am, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30am on Sunday morning and decided that skipping the 11am church service and opting for the 12:30 service sounding like the worlds Greatest Plan!!

And upon making that decision we were NOT late to the 12:30 service.... and I definitely did not realize once I got there that the service actually starts at 12:45 making us about 5 minutes early instead of 10 minutes late! Ha! I know I know, you are wondering if I can share how to have such empecable timing aren't you?! :)

And for the fun of it Sweetie and I did not spend the afternoon (Definitely not TWO HOURS...) in Barnes and Nobles scoping out Go Green Books (which i'll certainly not be posting about later this week), Amaetur Photographer books, Photoshop Elements books, and yummy new recipe books! We are soooo not that dorky..... Or maybe were are... or Not.....

So I guess nothing too dramtic and horrible occured this past week, but lots of fun and slightly embarrassing moments went on! And that's O.K. with us!!

So what wonderful Not Me! Monday events happend to YOU???

Don't forget to go to McMama's and check out all the other Not Me!s. I guarentee they'll give you some great belly laughs!!!

LOVE LOVE

Kaylan

Cheater Cheater Brussel Sprout Eater

2009-05-16T20:17:00.004-04:00

Don't ya love quick delicious dinners? I know I do! And what better day than Saturday?

We spent the day out at the Antique Fairs around town and wanted something quick, but half healthy for dinner!

Ankoo's Pick: Hot Dogs!
My Pick: Brussel Sprout Hash!

A typical "us" dinner! Ankoo loves "marinating" the hot dogs in Zesty Italian Dressing.. I like mine plain! Then he grills them for us while I take care of the sides.

I just had to pass along the Brussel Sprout Hash recipe to all of yall to try. I've cooked it a lot lately because I've decided out of nowhere to start loving brussel sprouts. Strange considering I use to "hate" brussel sprouts. [It was one of the two things I had in my head that I hated as a kid without ever trying them!... The other was chicken liver and gizzards.. and I've yet to try those] The original recipe uses bacon, but I like to leave it out depending on what dish it is accompanying.

Recipe for Bacon & Brussel Sprout Hash

Ingredients

Extra-virgin olive oil
4 slices of thick-cut bacon
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 lb of fingerling potatoes, split down the middle
2 cups Brussel sprouts, cut into thick slices
1/2 lb red pearl onions, peeled
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 bunch flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Set a large saute pan over medium heat and add a 2 count of olive oil. Cut the bacon into long strips and add to pan together with thyme. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes to render the fat then strain and set aside. Discard half the fat in the pan then add brussel sprouts, potatoes and pearl onions. Season with salt and pepper and cook until slightly browned. Add chicken stock and steam for 3 to 5 minutes until liquid has evaporated and vegetables are tender. Add balsamic vinegar and toss to coat. Cook until balsamic has reduced then fold in fresh parsley and bacon. Eat Up!

I decided to cheat a little tonight add use BirdsEye Steamed Brussel Sprouts because they were all I could find and they were delicous to add in to the potatoes and onions after I steamed them for 4 mins first. I also substituted half of a vidalia onion for red peral onions. Either way will be delicious! Let me know if your kids try it too :)

Love Always & Hopes for Great Eats!

Kaylan

Get Out Of Town!

2009-05-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

That's definitely the plan for memorial day weekend!!! Escaping all the craziness of a big city and drivin' off TO the beautiful sunsets (not to say that they sunsets here aren't beautiful tho!).

I'm so excited to get away for just a few days to few the sticky air of the beach, feel sand on my feet, go bear foot, and leave in my bathing suit for a whole 48 hours! I love that my hair goes naturally wavy the moment the beach air touches it. Its so awesome.

I'm all ready dreaming of pizza at night sitting on the porch laughing with my girls about who knows what! Just having a great time hanging out and enjoying life!

What does everyone have planned to their Memorial Day weekend? Any family traditions that y'all do every year? Or how about a new tradition that you've decided is just so wonderful you're going to start it this year!! I always LOVE new ideas, especial family traditions!

Soap Box Wednesday: Monster ReMake

2009-05-13T15:25:00.003-04:00

Okay soooooo.......... I have nothing to blab on and on about this week that is driving me crazy!!!

SO WEIRD!

I have personally been having a pretty emotional roller coaster week of uncertainty in my life, BUT this post just aint the place to discuss that! This post is all about speakin' from my heart about what is on my mind, so since nothin' too crazy has happend in the media in the last 7 days out of the ordinary that has gotten me all fired up and teary eyed.... I found childhood happiness in the pages of this AJC article instead and just have to share!!!!

I LOVE SIX FLAGS!!!

I can 100% remember the feelings I felt the very first time I went on a REAL roller coaster. By REAL I mean one that actually had loops and didn't just feel like you we're in a station wagon going over bumpy hills at 60mph. (Hehe)

I was with my nephews and 2 babysitters and we ended up at Six Flags because White Water got rained out and our baby sitters figured we may as well go to Six Flags instead... I was scared to death! The Georiga Scorcher had just openned a month before and it was huge! You could see it from the road and it was beautiful...but I was terrified. I didn't want to be a baby in front of my nephews and not go, and to say the least I thought the 2 girls watching us were "so cool" being about 17 and all, and there was NO WAY I was sitting this one out.

So we get in line for the Scorcher after waiting FOREVER to buy a fast pass, and right as we get up to the gate to get on the ride... a girl getting off throws up..

Didn't matter to me! Ten minutes later I was on the ride of my life and I have LOVED roller coasters ever since!!! My first words when we got off were, "That was really short.....Can we go on it again?! PLEASE!"

This weekend Sweetie and I may make our way down there just the two of us to enjoy the day and have a little fun! I'm dying to go on Goliath, the Scorcher and Batman as always (You'll never catch me on the Death Machine, known to most as the Georgia Cyclone).

AND i can thank the AJC for the article on the NEWLY Improved Monster Machine for giving me the idea of taking a Saturday to go to Six Flags!

I'm so happy that they FINALLY revamped the Monster Mansion and have updated those poor monsters! Boy, were they in need of a bath and some new clothes. They have added new fur, new paint, new lights and even new music to the attraction. If you don't have kids, it's the perfect ride to get on a just relax for a few minutes either way.

Anyone else want to meet us at Six Flags this saturday???

Lemme Know!

~Love Always~

Wordful Wednesday: Food from the Experienced

2009-05-13T13:50:00.004-04:00

Wordful Wednesday!!!

The perfect day to post a picture and write ALL about it!!!

So wonderfully hosted by Angie at SeVen CloWn CirCuS! Be sure to go check her out, and see all the other Wordful Wednesdays posted today!!!

There are so many sweet surprises in life that just WOW you arne't there? Last night after shopping with my mom she said she was going to run to the grocery store and would see me at home in a bit, so when she arrived about 30 minutes later I was ready to start cookin....but then I received an amazing sweet surprise!!!! My sweet, unbelievably amazing, 83 yr old grandmother had spend teh after noon make US dinner. Why did she do this?
"Just because she wanted to" say the exact answer I received from my mom. :)

My Grams is above and beyond what any granddaught could ever in a million years wish for! I know she knows she's loved by every single member of this family whether they are apart of it by birth or by God's grace!

Soooo, I wanted to show y'all what she made!!! It's called Tamale Pie, and boy was it tasty!

Tamale Pie w/ refried beans, and white rice! Mmm

With a big ice cold glass of Diet Dr. Pepper on the side of course :)

And just in case you we're wondering if I enjoyed it....

Here is what the plate looked like
after it had been in my presence for a few minutes....

What can I say? I love Mexican, and I love my Grams cookin' even more!!!

Did anyone else have somethin' delicious for dinner last night?????

Love Love Love

~KK~

Southern Homes full of Love- Part 2

2009-05-11T13:52:00.000-04:00

Have I kept y'all waiting long enough to find out what movie this Beautiful house is from?

A couple of y'all made some really great guesses! I can easily see how y'all thought it would be from Sweet Home Alabama, but that house is a little different!

This beautiful house is from The Notebook!! My all-time favorite movie in the world! What in the world is more romantic than a man building a HOUSE for you?! Okay, I know the house was already built, BUT he redid the entire interior and exterior of the house, made her a painting studio over looking the lake and painted teh house white with blue shutters just like she asked! It's just so sweet, and I love this house. It's... Perfect!

I've had my eyes wide open for a little beaut just like this all over the South and I've had the luck of finding a few.. nothing bought yet though.

I'm such a country girl with a slightly city girl exterior! :) I love being in the woods, and could live without shoes from now until the day I die if only it was socially acceptable. I love barn wood used in houses and really old furniture that you can just tell has a story of its very own. I want a house that fits those things. The things that say, "This is definitely a house built for Kaylan," and not a "Oh...well.. I guess this is nice... A little hoity though." I'm not glitzy or uber preppy... I just can't have a perfectly formal house. I need my lace and my boots, hehe. So hopefully that PERFECT Home will come along really soon!!!

Til then I'll be dreaming of my Notebook house and Love story happy ending!

Keep reachin' for your dreams! I know I am!

~KK~

What Happens on a Friday Night...

2009-05-08T23:00:00.004-04:00

So I spent 2 hours stomping through the woods tonight, had my right leg go straight down into a hidden hole all the way up to my knee, and scraped up my dad's hand on thorns when he was helpin me over some trees... Interesting, but so much fun!!! And as always the iphone camera came in handy for some unplanned photos!!!

So now I'm home and spotted this cute little ABC's of Me that my cousin April had up on her facebook so I thought I'd fill it out too!!

You've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with the ABC's of YOU. At the end, choose 26 people to be tagged. You have to tag me so really you just need 25 more people.

If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you - but not in a creepy stalker kind of way. Pick 6 people and tag them then be sure to let them know!!

A - Age: 22
B - Bed Size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: dishes after dinner
D - Dog's name: Shadow
E - Essential start you day: brush teeth and wash face
F - Favorite color: pink and orange and green
G - Gold or Silver: White Gold
H - Height: 5'9
I - Instruments you play(ed): piano &tried to play guitar in 6th grade
J - Job title: wouldn't u like to know :)
K - Kid(s): none at the moment ---> many in the future
L - Living arrangements: currently lookin for a lovely home of my own!
M - Mom's name: Julie
N - Nicknames: KAY
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: very very bad food poisoning my freshman year, it was AWFUL
P - Pet Peeve: ignorance, ahhhhh! Drives me crazy when people act as know-it-alls but are very misled
Q - Quote: When God shuts a door, He opens a bunch of windows!!!!
R - Right or left handed: Right
S - Siblings: 3 half brothers
T - Time you wake up: 5:30am
U- Underwear: yes I wear them! Geeeez! Can we say personal? lol
V - Vegetable you dislike: love 'em all! no joke!
W - Ways you run late: They call it "Kaylan time" for a reason....
X - X-rays you've had: teeth and right foot
Y - Yummy food you make: umm... carmel turle cheesecake
Z - Zoo favorite: Monkies and Tigers

Writers Workshop: Oh Baby

2009-05-07T11:49:00.002-04:00

I looooove having Mama Kat's prompts to give me a boost at the end of the week when I'm starting to run low on energy and my brain stops coming up with blog worthy material! So this week we have a big variety of questions, but ofcourse there are always certain ones that JUMP right off the page at me! Here's Kat's prompts from mama's losin' it for this week:

The Prompts:
1.) Create a video for your blog (vlog) and participate in Tim's "vlogemotions" by talking about an emotion you've felt this week. You can link up here AND link up at Tim's place at Fort Thompson on Thursday. That's right...you have my permission to double dip.
2.) Do you want a baby?
3.) Who got in big trouble this week?
4.) Write a poem for your mother.
5.) Time for a trip? Where are you headed this summer?...Or where would you go if you COULD.

I'm certainly not a video blogger... me doing public speaking? Yeah... we'll work on that! Maybe some time soon I'll guts up and make that happen, but not today!

No one got in trouble this week and though I love my mother my creativity is on hiatus... therefore #2 win this time.

Do I want a baby? Did you say do I want to wake up every morning to crying that seems unmanagable, to sticky hands and crayon murals on the walls? Do I want to have to change smelly, stinky diapers, make time to puree carrots only to have it all flung at my head? Do I want to wake up at 3am to little knocks on the bedroom door begging to let she and puppy sleep with mommy and daddy? Do I want to kiss booboos and cut the crust off of every sandwich I make until I'm 45? Do I want the feeling of wanting to deck a 5 yr old little kid when they are the cause of the hurt feelings that I hear about on the ride home? Do i want to fall asleep in a chair waiting on their friends to drop them off 2 hrs after curfew? Do I want to have to take pictures the day they go to junior prom and look way too grown up to even bare?

Nah.. Not really.
...
What?
...
Expected a different answer?
...
Wait... YES! I want a baby. Are you crazy?! Better yet do you think I'm crazy??? Ofcourse I want kids. I want four and I want to adopt or foster or whatever God sees fit and knows I can take on! I love children. I want babies for all the joy that they bring into this world. I do want my own babies, and one day hopefully that dream will come true.

All in good time! I'm not rushing my life. Life is great! I'm happy, we're happy, life is moving smoothly as planned :) *Knock on Wood!!!!!*

So even though I want a baby today.. don't mean it's going to be happening today! Or even this year just so were clear! :)

To all the mommies reading this I hope you're enjoying your sweet little blessings every day. The ones that I've had the opportunity of meeting thru your photos and stories are soooo beyond sweet and precious! Keep them safe and very well loved! Luckly children you have to have such beautiful amazing moms! Happy Early Mothers day girls!

Soap Box Wednesday: Be Fearless

2009-05-06T14:12:00.005-04:00

Welcome to Soap Box Wednesday! If this happens to be your first time to Soap Box Wednesday and you want to know what it's all about , click over to this blog and find out more! Get on up on your perverbial Soap Box and let me know what is on YOUR mind this week! What is it that's got your blood boiling, and drivin' ya crazy? Fear not, now is the time to speak out!!

I'm holding back tears right now because of frustration. I'll never understand how Satan can have such a strong hold on people that they take their families lives and then take their own. HOW? I want to yell, " HOW GOD CAN THIS KEEP HAPPENING?". It isn't fair.

An article today on MSNBC's Crime & Courts-Top Headers is what broke me. I welled up tears began to build because of my lack of understand of all the pain that leads to... more pain that is just passed along to more unsucpecting people. And An article today on MSNBC's Crime & Courts-Top Headers is what broke me. I welled up tears began to build because of my lack of understand of all the pain that leads to... more pain that is just passed along to more unsucpecting people. And why?

Life just snuffed out as if it's a melting candle that was burning too hot on a table and as quickly as it was lit... a gust from the night air blows it out. 5seconds. Gone. WHY.

Why is it happening?

Why does it keep happening?

Why do people act without thinking?

Why don't people realize the finality of their decisions?

Why are people so broken on the inside that they feel as if ever cold breath of air is burning in the throats making them miserable and unable to fight for the fire that was once in their world?

Just.... Why?

I can't say honestly that I even know how to turn to other people when I'm hurting. I'm just now at 22 learning how to rely on God to hear me when I'm in pain, let a lone feel safe that telling someone else, someone here on Earth, that I need help in a big bad way some times. But fear is the desire of Satan. He wants us to fear trusting one another, fear rejection, fear being wrong, or even being right. Our fear of openning up no matter what occurs is what allows Satan to consume us.

And for some that consumption rules over me.

I went to college to find a way- to learn a way- to safe children. To save them from their parents, adults, other children and sometimes even themselves from that consumption. I want to help them see that their hearts can be filled with something so much greater, so much strong if only they are willing.

I feel like I'm falling short of what I'm meant for. I feel a weakness that I haven't felt in a long time. I just feel weak. I feel that the task that I have mentally taken on is so far out of reach. It angers me because I'm a go getter, and I can go get every child about to fall victim to stupidity, or sadness, even to hate.

I wrap my arms tigher around every child who is in my life because that ability to atleast protect them IS in reach.

I've seen sadness in children in my life lately, but how do you tell their parents that you're a little worried? It isn't actual all a parents fault sometimes. Life happens. Life gives us twists and turns so we can learn and grow, but some are hard. And as a child well... it can be harder, because you're just starting to learn how to trust and how to communicate.

Whoever you are, however old you are, do not allow fear to keep you from speaking up. If you try and the person you need to talk to just doesn't seem to be listening, try this:

Go to them when no one else is around, and gently take their face in your hands and move their faces slowly so that their eyes are looking at yours and tell them,

"I need to talk to you. And I really need you to hear me because to ME
this is important. I need you to listen to me first before you say anything,
because this is what I'm needing right now, Please?"

Then tell them how you're feeling, and what you're worrying about and fearing. I promise it will help whether it's your mom, dad, wife, husband, friend, family member. Some times we all need some redirecting to realize how much someone may need to be heard.

So what's have you seen this week that has you on gritting your teeth and angered to tears?? I wanna know!!

Love always and forever,

Kaylan

OhhhOH! Livin' on A Praaayeeerr!!

2009-05-05T09:47:00.003-04:00

Take my HAND, We'll make it I SWEAR! OHHH-OH! Livin' on A PRRAAAAYYEERRR!!!

I wish I could say we could breath easy no that Ankoo has gone through his testing for the police department, but that just isn't the case yet! Boy was Saturday a crazy day though!

Ankoo had to be at the rec center by 8am... so ofcourse he decided he needed to be early, and he got there around 7:35am. Gooood think he did too! When he arrived, around 100 people were already inline to fill out the release form saying they were willingly about to throw themselves at a 6 foot wall and hoist themselves over it. :)

After signing the needed papers he was broken into a group alphabetically and Phase 1 began....

Two groups went before him (about 10ppl per group) and he said it was quite the thing to watch men of all ages try their hardest to finish out the obstacle course in under 3 minutes. The course began with the 6ft wall, straight into dirt....which after every person became muddier and muddier due to the flood we had just hours before the tryouts. Next was a sprint, stairs, sprint, 4ft jump sprint, and then a 160lb dumbie pull. THE END... i.e. Paint for water and listen intently for someone to tell you your time.... Then turn to see how the next people did.

THANK YOU GOD FOR PULLING ANKOO UP AND OVER THAT SILLY WALL OF DESTRUCTION!!

Man oh man, You don't know how proud of him I am for what an amazing time he got! I'm so proud of him. He's been practicing and getting back in shape, and no matter what comes of this I am so pproud of him for sticking with it even when he's been bruised up, scratched up, and tuckered out!

He and exactly 130 people (only 2 women) moved on to Phase 2: the 90min written test! I refuse to jinx him so I'll just say we think it helped him that he was a Crim. major and was in Jr. Police Academy Camp every year since...8th grade.

*Sigh* Now the waiting period begins! Ugh... Oh, I am horrible at waiting. It makes me CRAZY!!!! No joke, i hate waiting on anything. Whether its 5 minutes or 5 weeks, I can't stand to sit idle!! But... we're praying, and hoping, and praying, and wishing, and praying a whole whole lot more about the WHOLE situation!!

I told him the other night, " Ya know what? Don't even sweat it. You did amazing. You did everything you possibly could do to show them that you're right for the job and that you actually want this job. You can't worry about it now. If it doesn't work out we can't be mad about it okay? I know I want you to get it, and I know you do to, but if you don't well... then... it's just part of the path, not the end of it. God has a plan. His plan is going to work out, and we can't get mad if what we think is the plan turns out not to be the plan. Lets just pray about it, and whatever happens we'll be able to be happy with it either way, right?"--- He agreed, and to be honest we've had nearly no anxiety about what the future holds.

There are currently 3 open positions, 3 people will be given those jobs immediately. Another 30 people or so will be placed on a ranked list that will start first of July, and as jobs come available they will fill the positions starting at the top of that list.

Letters will be sent out in a week or 2 letting only the people who have received a job, or who are on the list know that they have been requested to come to a formal interview. So our prayers are as follows:
1. That we follow the path that God is leading us to.
2. That he receives a letter.
3. That the wonderful, very wanted letter will arrive with news that a job awaits him immediately!!!

I know all this are already planned out in His blueprints for our lives, but we have no way of knowing what those are. I just pray he gets this job. He's in the process of packing away his college life and headin' it all out to storage until that day comes when a job arrives and our lives can start together here in GA. I pray that day comes soon!

Love you all oodlez!

KAYLAN

Alien Skin Software Giveaway!

2009-05-05T09:24:00.003-04:00

Who doesn't love a great giveaway?! I know I do! Over at I ♥ Faces they are doing a giveaway that ends TODAY for a $199 worth package that includes the full Alien Skin Software Bokeh! Y'all this thing is amazing!! I downloaded the 30day trial version and love it! I unfortunately haven't had much time to figure it all out so I would love to win today, BUT I'd love for one of y'all to win if I can't!!! They have a bunch of other software you can try out too. It can be used with a number of programs, I'm using it on Photoshop Elements 6.0 and it's working great!!

Head over to I ♥ Faces and leave a comment about which bokeh element you like best and **VOilA!** You'll be entered to win!!

GOOD LUCK!

Kaylan

Compassion International Blog Trip

2009-04-30T11:09:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to give everyone a list of some of the people who are over in Kolkata, India right now as a part of the Compassion Blog Trip, where each of the members of the team blog every day about their experiences and help to put a real face on Compassion International. Please go drop by atleast one or two of their blogs when you have the opportunity. I won't say anymore because their blogs definitely each speak for themselves!

Shaun Groves- http://www.shaungroves.com/shlog
All I have to say is WOW. Love love love the way he writes, and am amazed at how God speaks through each and every word he writes. He's hilarious, and has a great joking, sunshiney mood that exudes throughout his "Shlog" as he calls it :) If you pick just one person's to read, I suggest starting here!!

Keely- http://www.keelymariescott.com/
Keely is the Compassion Photographer on the trip, and man oh man is she G.R.E.A.T!! She has some of the most amazing pictures and video clips of their trip so far over in India.

Pete Wilson- http://withoutwax.tv/
Dude... no words... just go read! Please.

Angie- http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/
I've followed Ang for 6 months now. Her portrayl of her time over in India is very open and honest. And man, that girl has found the inner strength to be so amazingly real about the truths of life in India and has laid open the book about how Compassion Internation is making a difference with just $32 to sponsor each child and month.

Melissa- http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/
She's writing from the LPM blog daily, and has wonderful personal accounts of the trip to share!

Please be in prayer for each of the members of the team, and for all the wonderful things that Compassion International is doing in India!

Lots of Love Always,

O.M.G.: Mama's Brush with Fame!!!!!!!

2009-04-29T16:17:00.004-04:00

OMG OMG OMG!!!

My mom had a "brush with fame" today! Okay... she actually only had a near brush with fame!

We live in the beautiful South and my mom & I love to go find new antique stores. Ofcourse.. my mother being really into interior decorating she has her favorite haunts, and since she's home right now she decided to do a little fun shopping! :)

While out and a bout she went to a store in a historic area and the lady owner told her Kathrine Heigl had just been in there shopping! In our own little area of town! I was shocked!!!!!

Isn't that so cool? Apparently my mom already knew that Katie's family lives here in our area, so she wasn't as shocked my the concept of her near run in, but I thought it was kinda neat.

Katie,

If you ever by a miracle of God happen on my blog one day I just thought I
should say I hope you love what you bought at the Elegant Attic. Sooo
beautiful! You're an amazing actress, I pray you continue to have many
blessing in your work and with your husband Josh!

A fan since '96 (Wish Upon A Star :) ),

Kaylan

P.S. If ya ever want some one to catch a movie with or to grab dinner with
when you're in town and bored.. Call me

Okay I'm done coming across as strange! have yall had any near brushes with someone you really admire???
KK

Soap Box Wednesday: Living here on Earth

2009-04-29T10:23:00.004-04:00

Welcome to Soap Box Wednesday! If you haven't seen this up before, go on here and find out more! Get on up on your perverbial Soap Box and let me know what is on YOUR mind this week! What is it that's got your blood boiling, and drivin' ya crazy? Don't hold it in-- Get up on your Soap Box and shout from the roof tops! :)

I have been biting my toungue for days about all the things going on around me that have been just "Getting my goat" as Sweetheart likes to say. There have been so many things in the news and in my life in the last 7 days that have just floored me. I almost don't even know what to begin with because it isn't as if one problem is worse than any other. It all comes down to one singular cause of ALL of the problems that I have been seeing and that have been burdening my heart: Satan.

He is at the root of every evil thing that I have been seeing and that has been going on. He wraps His malicious talans around all of us. Some times it happens so ferociously and quickly that the anger in us is so unbearable- we may even forget what it was like to feel good and be happy. Othertimes He whispers "sweet" nothings in our ears and ever so slowly latches onto our hand and slowly hardens our hearts and weakens our walk with the Lord. So instead of my usual Soap Box rants, I want to list all the many things that I am shouting prayer for from my broken down Soap Box. My Soap Box is tattered just like me, but that does not make it ANY less powerful in this world. Please be in Prayer for these things as well.

1. Violence and bullying in Schools - Almost everyday a new story appears.. this time an 11yr old here in GA committed suicide because of the bullying that no teacher even tried to stop, and in Pennsylvania a 6 yr old showed up to school yesterday with a pistol showing it off for 3 hrs before he ever got caught. The 10th Anniversary of the Coloumbine shooting was April 10th, and despite how horrific it was, and how much of an impact Cassie Burnell ( The girl who died because she was unafraid to admit that YES she was a Christian as a gun was pointed at her head) made on my life, so many are numb to school shootings now- just one decade later. How did our world get like this?

I pray today that children would grow up in a moral world. One where there is no fear of worshiping God publicly, and where parents listen to their children when they tell them someone or something is hurting them at school. I pray that God protect the innocent, and burden the hearts of those who seek to harm others because of the harm they have faced.

2. Struggles on top of struggles - I've learned through experience that when life gets you down... you're probably going to get hit with something even harder pretty soon. I'm not being pessimistic I've just seen it in my own life, and I'm currently praying right now for other families to get through the rough situations as well.

God, Please be with those like Ellyn and Jen who need you to continue carrying them right now. You have brough them through so much heartache already, but no one can help feeling weak even in times of wanting to praise You for the good in our lives. Strengthen their hearts. They know to turn to you in good and bad, but Satan is always going to be waiting on the front steps inanticipation of a weak moment. Be with their families as they celebrate the joys of healthy children like Stellan and Seth, and as they deal with how sorrow effects their lives in ways that just can't be planned for.

3. Spitefulness - It's the third thing that has been on my mind, and just eatting at me. It's something I don't understand well, therefore I have a difficulty "getting it." Just because you know that someone has a lot of support and people praying for them, does not mean that you should NOT give of yourself as well, right? Do a lot of people feel this way towards others? Is it jealousy that they aren't receiving the attention or is it anger, or just satan whispering to them that it isn't fair? What is it yall that makes people afraid or even angry about others hepling others? It drives me crazy when I hear someone say, "She doesn't deserve to be prayed for.", "Why should I help him out? It's not like there aren't millions of other people with his same problem. What makes him so special?" or the "I'm sure they have enough help. Don't try getting involved with things that aren't your business." ARG! If you are the type of person who says those things well... Know that even without me knowing your name you are on my prayer list.

As a child I had a Precious Moment Bible. I was a really slow reader so learning bible versus was really hard for me. Luckily for me there were about 10 pictures sporatically in my bible that depicted verses. My favorite one (which turned into my favorite verse) was :

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:7

Dear Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Please give me words to listen and understand what leads people to speak unkindly of others, and give me the correct response when I hear words of negativity toward succoring those who are in need. Help me to not be redirecting from your plan because of the words of others.

Love you all from the depths of my heart,

Prayer Requests

2009-04-24T14:24:00.002-04:00

It's just been an overflowing day of needed prayer requests. I thought about writing this post this morning, but decided to postpone it... until I just received an urgent prayer text msg.

I can't really give any details right now, but please be in prayer for my family. God knows the needs of our family, so please just be praying when you see this.

Also, please continue praying for Stellan. He had his ablation in Boston earlier this week, but it is still a very trying time for the family, and their energy is beginning to drain. It's so hard to stay strong in such a long ordeal, so please be in prayer that God will wrap his arms around MckMama and the whole family. Go to MyCharmingkids to get up to date details on Stellan's condition.

Also, please be in prayer for Angie (Bring The Rain) as she leave today to fly to Kalketta with Compassion International on a week long mission trip. She needs our prayers through out the week and please check her blog daily starting on the 26th for updates from the missions field.

A prayer request from Angie sent me to her brother-in-laws blog this morning, who I actual had started reading last week. Please be in prayer for he and his wife Nicol, who just had a miscarriage this week. They have been through a lot in the last year that no parent should have to go through, and right now is just a difficult time. Please pray that God will shelter them in this time of pain, and that they can find the strength to turn to God instead of turning away. Please visit them and give your encouragement.

Also, my father's best friend is currently at the Mayo Clinic in Ohio having test run to find out if there is anything that can be done to remove the pancreatic cancer that was discovered last week. Please pray for Chuck by name. Pray that he and his family turn to God for answers and pray that the doctors be given the right words to say no matter the outcome of the tests. We were informed that the cancer was inoperable, but they doctors have decided to run new tests.

Love you all with all my heart,
Kaylan

How to Be a Bad Sickly Bloggy Friend

2009-04-23T13:30:00.002-04:00

I have felt guilty all week for neglecting my blog for almost a full week! And of all weeks, it ended up being the week that Cheryl from The House that Love Built sent all her amazing followers my way! I'm so sorry to any one who came over to see Soap Box Wednesday and well.. it wasn't here! She was so sweet to include me last week in this post, and I'm so grateful that she sent some people my way!! Please go visit her blog when you get a chance!

I've had an attack of the allergies since this weekend, and missed two days of work! Ick! Come to find out I have just an upper respiratory infection-- nothing a little steriods shot, some Motrin, MucinexD, and a little rest won't cure up! Thank goodness I'm not contagious... and yet, my whole office avoided me all yesterday when I came in to pick up a few papers! LOL.. Way to show your love girls! Just kidding!

I'm back though, and at about 95% today! Have y'all ever woke up after feeling icky and just looked in the mirror and realized, " I feel really pretty today! Ya know what.. This is going to be a Great Day." That IS today for me!!!

I woke up, got dressed in a shiny mustard shirt and black skirt- put on my strappy heels-- and even took the time to straighten my hair! (WoW) I just felt good about myself. I had so many people smile back at me today at lunch, just strangers, but it warmed me up inside. I even helped a lady pick out what to get at my Fav lunch spot, My Friends Place. It's just great to feel back to normal!!

Hope everyone is having a good week, and gearing up for some fun family time this weekend! I channel each of y'all to set aside some time with your family this weekend. Drop my to see an Aunt or Uncle, Grandparent or cousin even who you don't see that often. You don't have to even call first! Trust me, if they aren't there, that's O.K. Just leave a note saying you dropped by to just say hello, and leave it at that! I promise it'll make their day!!

--Love y'all--

Dancin' the Night Away

2009-04-21T22:34:00.001-04:00

I just had to post this little widget to encourage y'all to watch Dancing With the Stars on Mon & Tues nights @9! It's just so much fun to watch! I wish I had those MOVES!!!
Love- KK

Southern Homes full of Love- Part 1

2009-04-20T16:37:00.006-04:00

Does anyone recognize what movie this house is from right off the bat?? :) I'll explain more tomorrow... but give it a shot...What movie do YOU think it's from? It's from my all time favorite movie!

Oh little white house with the beautiful blue shutters and big inviting porch...

How much I want thee!! *sigh*

-love-

fPhoto Friday

2009-04-17T15:46:00.004-04:00

"For the Love of Great Paw Paw"

Camera: Always trusty iPhone (boy do I wish it had a. a zoom & b.
a flash!)
Date: 4/12/09
(I promise to use a real camera again soon.. when I charge
one!)

I fell in love with this picture the moment I laid eyes on in over the weekend. The sweetness and innocense of Lane with his Great- Paw Paw( Sweeheart's maternal grandpa) as he calls him is just captivating to me. I'm happy I stopped to capture them "wrestling" in the grass! What as great picture for Lane to have when he grows up ( I hope! lol)

When Lane would get pinned to the ground we would go "I gotttta get up Great Paw Paw!" with such a serious tone. Paw Paw would let him up and the second he did, Lane would turn around and pounce on Paw Paw. It was so sweet!

Which color of the pic do y'all like more? Darkend or lightened??

Writer's Workshop: Big Bucks

2009-04-16T23:15:00.009-04:00

I have about 45 minutes until Thursday is over and I can't post my writers workshop anymore!! Since I'm AWAKE and well.. I'm honestly not ready for bed yet.. I think I'm gunna get going on my workshop this week! :)

Writer's Workshop from Mama Kat is so much Fun [with a capital F!] everything week. I'm in such a great mood today with Asher having been born-- this makes picking a happy prompt an easy choice!

Here are this weeks prompts:

1.) If I sent you four hundred dollars today what is ONE thing you would spend it on and why. ps I want my change.

2.) What are your kids talking about?

3.) Tell us about a local news story that's all the buzz right now in your neck of the woods.

4.) Share some blogging advice.

5.) Tell us about that time at the playground when that thing happened.

If Miss Kat was sweet enough to send Four Benjamins my way... I would have to make a list of what in the world to do with it of course!! I can't make that sort of decision that quickly! lol

Options

$249.99 on a Nintendo Wii Console

$89.99 Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 for just $89.99, or w/ Premiere Elements 7 for $149.99

If you're looking to buy Photoshop Elements do it now before April 23 here to Adobe and buy it! They have discounted it from $129! (Might be buying this even IF my check from Mama Kat doesn't show up!)
OR

I would send all $400 to Compassion International to help out kids all over this world, who to tell you the truth need it a whole lot more than I need to play on Wii or to perfect my really really not-so-terrific photos I take.

Get this widget!

Angie who is Audrey Caroline's Mommy over at Bring the Rain is leaving SOON to go on a mission trip with Compassion, and she's got me thinking about sponsoring at least one child.

Hmmm.... We shall see what comes of this. Thanks Mama Kat for gettin' me thinkin! lol
Amazing how these silly things can manifest into something else isn't it?

Okay, So go over to Kat's and find out what prompt other people chose this week!
KK

4-16-09

2009-04-16T14:06:00.005-04:00

He has finally arrived! Sweet baby Asher Adams (my 10th 2nd cousin), son of Steven and Cheryl, was born sometime around 9:30am! Of course there had to be a little bit of drama before he could make his appearance...

Cheryl had to have an emergency C-section, but everything turned out fine! Don't worry! Asher is a 7lb 7oz healthy boy! So cute I could snuggle and kiss his little pink cheeks all day long. :)

He's such a beautiful baby! I'm so excited for Cheryl & Steven and their other 3 kids, Lemonade, Slugger, and C.S.. They are such a wonderful part of my family. Please go congratulate Cheryl over at The 2911 Promise when you have a chance!

Love you, Asher!
Your cousin- Kaylan

The Snipets meme: Who am I?

2009-04-16T05:36:00.001-04:00

I challenge you: The Snipets Meme

Angie @ Seven Clown Circus gave me this great idea with the way that she wrote her "About Me" for her profile. I challenge y'all to tell your readers about yourself with only 25 short snipets. NO full sentences!! Don't be afraid to make up a few words here are there! Here's mine:

I'm Kaylan. Uber Cheermister. Lover of Sappy movies. Obsessive smiler. Listener extrodinaire. Obsessed with weddings and party planning. Could live on spaghetti. A tad bit overly out-spoken. Self-proclaimed blonde-hair-wannabe. Novice photographer. Big dream wisher. Hoper of a family and husband in the future. Earthy, but outgoing. Lives in the Kitchen. Loves to lay in the sun. Newly discovered bookworm. iPhone Carrier. Sometimes Sassy. Crazy about Orchids. Foe to few, friend to many. Auburn girl for life. LOST Fanatic. Puppy snuggler. Whistler of tunes. Boyfriend of sweetie. Daughter of the Great Almighty Father. I love life and everything I continue to learn in it!

Let me know when you post yours! I can't wait to read them :)

~KK~

Wordful Wednesday:Such a Hoppy Easter!

2009-04-15T17:10:00.001-04:00

Wednesday wednesday wednesday! I've been holding out for two days to post these pictures for Wordful Wednesday hosted by Angie @ Seven Clown Circus! Such a hoppy easter we had with my sweetie's family. We've been together so long I've started losing track, but most holidays are spent together with my family, or unfortunately apart... so, I decided we should both spend Easter in his ol' stomping grounds with his family. It was great!

Sunday was very packed, but well worth it! Ankoo woke up around 5am to go turkey hunting with his dad, they call it "Easter Sunrise service" out in the woods, just the two of them and God.. and hopefully a few turkeys too. When they got home we had brunch, then Ankoo and I walked right next door to the Methodist Church for their Easter Service. It was the first time we'd heard their new preacher. The service was great, as well as the singing and worshiping. I was so happy that we decided to make it a priority to go even though we weren't home to go to our church service. After church we rushed over to meet his family at his Maw maw and Paw paw's. It was such a wonderful day out, and great to see all of the kids! I miss them so much when we're away for a month or so.

Little C doing her best to break in to her egg! She refused to move on to the next egg til she had shaken it to make sure there was something inside! lol I love toddler logic!

Wasn't her outfit cute!? Her Aunt Abby got it for her for Christmas-- Perfect!

Boy did she rack up!! She's only 2 and she found every single one on her own.. except...

What can I say! What are daddy's for?!

During the Easter Egg hunt C's momma and daddy, our beloved friends/cousins, found this little buddy and decided to play a joke on someone... Ankoo got picked! Too bad he has no fear of creepy crawly things-- Sorry guys, he spoiled the fun! Haha

Great Easter! Can't wait til the next holiday!

Love

~~~~KK~~~~

Soap Box Wednesday: Sexting, seriously??

2009-04-15T14:26:00.003-04:00

Welcome to Soap Box Wednesday! If you haven't seen this up before, go on here and find out more! Get on up on your Soap Box and let me know what is on YOUR mind this week! What is it that's got your blood boiling, and drivin' ya crazy? Don't hold it in-- Get up on your Soap Box and shout from the roof tops! :)

Let me first give you a small excerpt from the article on MSNBC I found this week:

In an unusual legal case arising from the increasingly popular practice known as
“sexting,” six Pennsylvania high school students are facing child pornography
charges after three teenage girls allegedly took nude or semi-nude photos of
themselves and shared them with male classmates via their cell phones.
The
female students at Greensburg Salem High School in Greensburg, Pa., all 14- or
15-years-old, face charges of manufacturing, disseminating or possessing child
pornography while the boys, who are 16 and 17, face charges of possession,
according to WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh, which published the story on its Web site on
Tuesday. MSNBC: " 'Sexting' surprise: Teens face child porn charges"

This article is just one of many I have spotted this past month. The first I read was on the cover of People Magazine about 3 weeks ago. I'm really sad to say I was less than shocked. The age of girls having premartial sex is getting younger and younger by the DAY. This is serious! What in the world has happend to parents that has made them turn a blind eye to 12 yr old girls in mini skirts and tube tops!? Are they insane?

To the Moms and Dad's of 10-18 yr old daughters:

BE A PARENT!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is not "just a phase" for a 13 year old girl to be wearing booty-showing skirts, low cut tops and getting caught making out with a boy.

Parents can say what they want to make them think it's going to stop at just kissing, but I'm here to PROMISE you that it won't. It won't. It honestly will not. I get that absolutely no one wants to think that their sweet daughters are out being curupted by this world, and are being tempted by sex on a quite frequent basis, but it's true.

To the Moms and Dads of 10-18 yr old sons:

They most certainly are thinking about sex, and if you don't talk to them about it.. I guarentee that their friends are. Who do you want their information to be coming from?

Yes I meant to say starting at TEN years old. That's not a joke, and not an exaggeration. It is extremely frightening, but it's happening. Not just in bad schools, not just with bad kids. All boys ( and girls) are susseptible to the lures of Satan.

I can remember being 13 and in the 8th grade, and the rumors that floated around school after Christmas break that a guy and girl in my grade had been asked to leave the Private school, the highly thought of with a fantastic reputation and no nonsense private school, because they had been caught have sex. I was shocked. I'd known kids doing "things" in the 8th grade-- but Sex? It floored me. I went to church- I had great friends- and those things hadn't crossed my mind yet. But the second those 2 kids (yes, we were kids, despite the fact that we certainly didn't think we were) were expelled it was the only thing that any one could talk about for months.

As parents I'm sure most of yall have had the:

Parent: SO how was school today?
Teen: Fine
Parent: Anything good happen?
Teen: No
Parent: Really?.. Well, did anything bad happen?
Teen: Mooooom, stop bugging me. I don't want to talk about
it. You wouldn't even understand anyways.
Parent: But I want to honey. Just trust me.
Teen: Mom! Nooo! Just stop it, okay?

I was definitely that kid-- I'm sure most of us were. That's why its important BEFORE kids make it to that age that they know there is an open line of communication. Waiting til that time comes is too little too late.

I had a cell phone at 13, my parents traveled all the time, and well, everyone had one-- So it would be unfair to say 13 yr olds today shouldn't have cell phones. The problem is not making the connection of the permanency of texting and emails. Kids don't think. Atleast, not like an adult. They're trying to, and most of the time they are pretty sure they have it all figured out by the time they are 10. So when a 13 yr old girl has a 14 yr old boyfriend who she's been kissing and her boyfriends older friends tell him he should get pictures of her without clothing, that girl is open to situation she has no idea isn't a "small thing." She probably thinks " Well, it's just for him. It's no biggie. I mean- I trust him, and he loves me. No way will he show this to anyone as long as I tell him not to."

That's the bigger issue than girls and boys being prosecuted as adults for sexting. They should not be "sexting" in the first place. These kids are acting as adults... that's been happening for years, and its a big big problem, one in which many people think is too touchy of an issue to approach. Talk with your kids. If they play innocent, maybe they have no clue what you are talking about, but maybe they do and are scared to death of talking about it. The scareist conversations are the most important ones, and even if they don't listen I guarentee your words will stick with them. Let me know how you feel about sexting, and be open with them. If you aren't upfront with them, they'll see right through it. They might be kids, but they aren't toddlers. Teens and tweens are growning up in a big world of sin. It will continue to get worse. You can't be with them every second, but when you are make it count.

Kids shouldn't lose their innocense at 11yrs old--- be the hope they need, and help them to help it.

What do y'all think about it? Has anyone else had their ears to the floor about this issue? Any personal stories about this going on in your area? Please share.

Love Love

~KK~

Good Friday

2009-04-10T12:27:00.003-04:00

It's really hard to fathom that on this day two thousand years ago, God sacrifice his ONLY Son to be curxified on the cross, so that each of us living today, and those who came before us, and will come after us, would be saved, and given the chance to have all of our sins washed away.

All of them. I feel so undeserving sometimes of such a thing. I know that His love is so much greater than any other love in this world, and it's so hard to take it. I'm in awe daily. When I look outside and every little thing He created, or look at my friends' sweet childrens' faces that to me are such a sweet blessing and miracle that only He can give.

Today is a day that many forget about on this weekend-- It's not on purpse, but sometimes we all get overwhelmed with getting to spend time with family, hunting easter eggs, and having Easter dinner that we let the reason we are all getting together slip away.

On this beautiful Good Friday I'm praying for each and every one of you who Jesus died on the cross to save. You are all so precious, and are each very very dear to my hearts.

The following are the 7 Words that Jesus Christ said on the Cross. I've been reading through them, one each hour ( One for every hour he hung on the cross +1 extra at the end).

Father forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).
Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43).
Woman, behold your son: behold your mother (John 19:26-27).
Eli Eli lama sabachthani? ("My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?", Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34).
I thirst (John 19:28).
It is finished (John 19:30).
Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke 23:46).

With lots of love,

100th Post: Glorification in the Office

2009-04-09T11:01:00.006-04:00

"Does my job glorify Him?"

A girl in my small group said those words last night, and although I've thought those words indirectly in my subconscious, I've never stoped to say those words out loud:

Does my job- that I'm in right now- that I spend 40 hours at ever single week- does it glorify Him??

I don't have an answer yet.

I'm working it out in my head.

Here's why...

Reasons for yes:

I am obeying my father. My father owns the business that I very happily work for. It's been his hope since I was born that I would grow up to have an interest in a business that he started. Therefore, I am heeding God's word-- not sure if that means I'm glorifying him.
I've made friends in my office who openly profess Jesus Christ as their Savior. I have no fear of discussing my love for My Father as my work. It gives me great joy to be able to do so without any worry or fear of judgement. I'm happy to be working in a positive enviroment. I feel deeply that in life it's important to support the people you work with, no matter what in the world their religion is. I love the variety of people I work with, and I can learn from each of them. It is nice to have that common interest though. In that way, I do feel I am glorifying him.
I want to continue to help my company grow, and in doing that I hope to one day have side plans that WILL in fact glorify God. It will be a project that is solely for Him, in His name, and for His Glory. Every day the things I learn will help me to be better suited to prepare me for the projects to come.
he knows my life, and He is leading it. The path I've gone is the path that I feel He is leading me on. Evidence of that is that this is not where I thought I was suppose to be headed, but it's where I felt myself being lead. I feel no worry about where I am, and actually have no fear about how this is affecting my life. If anything, where I am in my job has actually been what has brought me closer to God in the last couple of months.

I don't think I can come up with any "No"'s except to say that I wish I was doing God's work all throughout those 40hrs of work, but maybe I am. I feel I have a purpose here- for Him, not just for myself- and we'll just have to see. I just have to continue to have an open heart and open ears, and be sure to listen when He says it's time to Go.

So are you glorifying God in your work place? It's not an easy thing to answer... but it should be. I'm going to try to keep this in the forefront of my mind and not allow it to get pushed back.

Happy Happy Thursday! Is everyone ready for Easter? I can't wait!

Things You can Learn in 24 Hours

2009-04-08T10:34:00.002-04:00

Never fly on an empty stomach.
Always bring snacks on a trip.
Always wear dark shoes on a trip.
I still love to travel.
Not all showers work the same.
Traveling with men is not the same as traveling with women.
I love my job.
My job is so awesome.
My job is so much easier than the manual labor many people have to do daily.
I don’t mind getting dirty one bit.
Snow= Great surprise
I wish I lived in the Midwest part time still.
Some times you need to leave the big city to be reminders that there are a whole lot of loyal, hard workers still in this world. Proud to have met A LOT of them.
The South isn’t as pretty as the Midwest in the winter.
I still love the south..but I love the Midwest too. <3
Snow is MUCH prettier in the country than it is in the city.
City folk could never do what country folk do. Never Ever.
I’m still proud to call my dad a good ol’ Ozark boy.
Just because dirt blends in on black shoes.. doesn’t mean it’s not there.
This world keeps getting smaller.
I love my Job. And I’m pretty sure that I always will.

Loco- Motion

2009-04-06T08:04:00.003-04:00

I've heard my whole life that motion sickness is genetic... So why in the world I was blessed with it I'll never know! As a child it was so much more acceptable to be driving for an hour in a car in the middle of nowhere ozarks, an hour drive in to civilization, and the moment we would reach the bridge dividing the mountains and the city you would hear the greenness in my voice eek out, " I'm going to throw... Up." I had sympathy from everyone... But as an adult it's not so easy to not feel embarrassed having to say, " I..think..I'm gunna be.. Sick!"

Oh well, what's a girl to do? I'm headed back to those gorgeous mountains that are whistling my name today. Wish me luck that there are no flashbacks to those childhood memories today!!

Happy Monday!

KK

~Be Still Sunday~

2009-04-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM & AUNT JUDY!!!

Love y'all sooo much!

Wordful Wednesday:Dry as the Desert

2009-04-01T14:16:00.006-04:00

I'm feeilng silly seeing as tdoay is Apirl Fool's Day and I hvae only plyaed two joeks toady, so I thoguht insetad of using old pictrues I'd take a few new ones to illutsrate the.. emoiton I am curerntly feeling!

Err....

Ugh...Ouch!

Geez!

*Sigh*

help...me... :(

Why do I look misearble? Contacts.. tehy may be the detah of me.. or tehy may hlep! This is day 1 and they are dirving me crzay! I've haerd the saiyng "You jsut hvae to get use to tehm. It takes a wihle." How long is a wihle people?? Becuase seroisuly, I know I don't mind putitng up with tehm if a wihle doesn't = weeks! Oh well! At least I look pretty-ish!

Has anoyne palyed any raelly good Apirl Fools jokes yet tdoay?

Steppin' off my Soap Box

2009-04-01T09:00:00.001-04:00

Get ready.. Get set.... SOAP BOX!!!!

Why aren't y'all running????? Oh! I haven't explained yet! Whoopsie, my fault!

I have decided to get down off of my soap box! I realized after posting tuesday that I tend to get heated about things that bother me, and I need to get off my soap box and let someone else have a turn!! I know... shocking huh? Don't think I can shush for a little while without going all willy-nilly about something that's driving me crazy??.... OK, honestly I'm not sure how long I can hold out either BUT I really want to know what y'all are passionate about! I've read on blogs like Ellyn's and MckMama's the things that tear at their heartstrings, and I want to hear about YOURS TOO!!!! So come on... I have a fun way to do this. Starting TODAY, Come link back to me using Mr. Linky on wednesday's and let us all know what you're getting on your soap box about! Don't be scared to get compassionate about things! You never know when your words may lead another person to a conviction about that issue as well.

We'll see if anyone out there bothers to link back before I decided to start doing this more than once! lol--- I love you girls, the ones who speak up and the ones who aren't quite ready for that, but who still have a big big voice that the world should hear! Thank y'all for being a part of this if you choose to be!

Oh, and if you want to join in, it doesn't have to be wednesday... link back on whatever day works and we can figure out later if tuesday or something might work better. Okay, go get on your soap box! I really really want to hear the things that get y'all going!

LOVE

--KK--

**Slight problem: For now, leave a comment with a link to your Soap Box & be sure to take my NEW button to link back to me.... I'm frightened by Mr. Linky! Does anyone know of a linky where I wont have to change my entire template??**

Seriously? What are they thinking?

2009-03-31T17:39:00.000-04:00

I'm 22 and in a pretty long-term relationship so I would say, hopefully, most of y'all would agree that after dating 3 years its not that illogical for me to think about the future, right? I like thinking about whether we would make good parents together, how our personalities would show through in our parenting styles, and what it would be like to raise children together. I try to be realistic and think ahead b/c those things are important, and I truly can't wait to have a family way down the road. I'm pretty sure there is nothing wrong with that. Anyways, I like to watch how other people parent-- friends, family, total strangers-- and take in the things that I find useful to do or not do one day.

I don't know if any of y'all are familar with the new TLC show Toddlers & Tiaras, but it's interesting. Most of the time its like a horrible accident that you just can't turn your eyes away from, but sometimes I have seen a flip side to the fake eyelashes, orange spray tans, bad 80s hair and over done make-up that these infant-12 yr olds are doning. Some parents want there girls to just have fun, and they skip the fake stuff and just stick with hair curled at the ends and a pretty dress up gown. (I commend the parents that don't look at their daughters as Barbies) I have at times thought, "Aww- that's cute!" when they show a 6 month old fast asleep in her huge, frilly, pink pagent dress and a big flower hairband on being judged- seems pretty harmless. But an article I read today kind of has changed my opinion once again.

**Places just one foot on the soap box..And Begins..-- I'm intrigued not infuriated :) **

An article from Newsweek is titled "Generation Diva: How our obsession with beauty is changing our kids." I hit panic mode as I read this article, y'all. [I realize I've been focusing a lot on kids this week, and I know some people may say, " Why would I read something you suggest? You don't have kids. You are still a kid. You don't have a clue what it's like." And that's all true. But what I know is what I see.. so I keep sharing :)] Here is a few snipets of the article:

But this, my friends, is the new normal: a generation that primps and dyes
and pulls and shapes, younger and with more vigor. Girls today are salon vets
before they enter elementary school.--- And instead of shaving their legs the
old-fashioned way—with a 99-cent drugstore razor—teens get laser hair removal,
the most common cosmetic procedure of that age group.

Four years ago, a survey by the NPD
Group showed that, on average, women began using beauty products at 17.
Today, the average is 13—and that's got to be an overstatement. According to
market-research firm Experian, 43 percent of 6- to 9-year-olds are already using
lipstick or lip gloss; 38 percent use hairstyling products; and 12 percent use
other cosmetics.

"My daughter is 8, and she's like, so into this stuff it's unbelievable,"
says Anna
Solomon, a Brooklyn social worker. "From the clothes to the hair to the
nails, school is like No. 10 on the list of priorities."(Is she seriously OK
with this?!- Here's an IdEa.. dont buy it for her!)
It's been estimated that girls 11 to 14 are subjected to some 500 advertisements a day—the majority of them nipped, tucked and airbrushed to perfection. And, according to a University of Minnesota study, staring at those airbrushed images from just one to three minutes can have a negative impact on girls' self-esteem.

If tweens can be convinced they need to spend to perfect their already
youthful skin, it's hard to imagine what they'll believe at 40. And with all the
time they'll spend thinking about it, it's even harder to imagine all they're
missing along the way.

If these things are true.. I think I need to think a little longer about how to be a Christian parent in this type of culture. I seriously applaude every single one of y'all who have daughters, and sons, who you are trying to teach Who is important in this world, and that they are important just the way He created them... While going up against a very large battle out there in the world.

I can't wait to have girls (Ankoo claims I'm doomed to have 4 boys because I want girls and boys so bad) to play dress up with, but not so they can be glamorous and "sexy"! Why would a parent want their 5yr old to look sexy?! OMG! Seriously? *Sigh* It seems like a useless battle, but we all have to teach kids that this is far from normal... and just pray that one day things will flip back to normal!

Who knows, when I was 10 yrs old bellbottoms and peasant shirts came back in to style for a good 5 yrs.. so maybe all this beauty obsession will be a passing phase! It's in his hands, but I did just want to pass along the article to anyone interested. Go to Newsweek: Genereation Diva to have a quick read for yourselves!

*removes foot from soap box, & smiles*

Back to the grind!
Love x Infinity-- KK

Magical Fairy Princess Dust

2009-03-31T12:40:00.006-04:00

Is this really happening? I couldn't believe my eyes this morning when I check my email from my phone and saw that Jen at Tutu's Bliss had left me a comment letting me know I had won her giveaway!!! WHAT?!?! How is that possible!? I screamed my head of in excitement and called Ankoo to tell him IMMEDIATELY, "I WON!!!!"

This pic is from Tutu's Bliss-- The dress is one of many that she creates.

He didn't understand because oddly enough just like back at Christmas when I had thought about buying an ornament from Blu Creations, then won one from Natalie.. the same thing happend with this, well sort of! I spent all yesterday at work checking on the Ebay auction for the Tutu's Bliss tutu dress. I kid you not, I stalked it like a cheetah because enough though I've been staring at the dresses for weeks on Etsy I couldn't make up my mind, so I knew that the auction was a "sign" that I just had to buy the dress, especially since the money was going to The Children's Tumor Foundation. Well, 53min were left at it was right past 4:30 so I had to leave work... I decided to go ahead and bid.. I mean, no one had bid for HOURS and although someone had skyrocketed the bids from $20 to $45 in under 4 minutes it still seemed awesome. So I put in my $46.00bid, and automatically was told "You were out bid! Bid again?" I refused to give up! So I bid again. I think I bid 48.05 that time... "You were out bid!Bid again?" Nope! Game over... I gave up. I was happy for the person who was crazily using an automated machine to outbid me.

Even though I really wanted it, I prayed in my car as I drove home, "I'm not anger God. Don't let me be spiteful of someone elses joy. I hope with all my heart that the little girl who gets it loves it for years and years, and loves twirling in circles in it!"

I told Ankoo before bed I was bummed, but that I'd still enjoy eventually getting one once I could pick want I wanted..... Then I won her photo prop giveaway this morning! Oh gracious, how I don't know, BUT I just wanted to say THANK YOU so much to Jen! Your tutus and props are beyond gorgeous and I can't wait to have all your beautiful creations to use in photo shoots, and for my friends' little girls to play with! The package includes over fifty dollars of boutique hats, portrait pacifiers, floral clips and other goodies. After winning this, I promise y'all there is a tutu purchase in my future! lol

All of y'all with little girls, I am not exagerating! I've done the leg work to find all sorts of tutus online, and Jen's beat all of them by leaps and bounds. She even does special orders to make them the perfect colors and sizes that you'll love. So go check them out please! When you fall in love with them I promise not to say I told you so! :) Hehe

Have a Magical Tuesday!

~KK~

Oh My!

2009-03-30T22:18:00.002-04:00

I won something!!! Whoa, I can't believe it! But I can't tell y'all what I won yet! Sorry to be so criptic, but y'all will understand eventually!

Thanks El! So so much! So glad the Fundraising went so well!

~Love~

The Red Envelope Project

2009-03-30T16:11:00.005-04:00

Please join me to help protect the unborn.
Red Envelope Day is March 31st. (Tomorrow!)

Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.

Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message:This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception.

Put it in the mail on March 31st, and send it.Then send this website to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president.

In the last few years I've become much more ProLife than I was as a teenager. When I was younger I had no clue what abortion was all about, and luckily today I still do not know any women who have had one as far as I know. It is a personal decision, and I'm not judging anyone who makes that difficult choice, however I just do not believe in it. I don't see the logic in a person saying, " I'm just not ready to handle that yet."--- For me, personally, if a person finds themselves "ready" to be in a physical relationship, then they need, and must be ready to be having a child, because sry y'all but that is the main purpose of having a physical relationship. I'm beginning to think they don't conver that part in sex education anymore... which is leading to younger and younger children making adult decisions.

I don't want to be gimmicky but PARENTS, TALK TO YOUR KIDS. DON'T ASSUME THEY AREN'T DOING IT. Be a proactive parent. It's not just "bad kids," its all kids, and the ONLY way they'll know you want them to wait is to tell them. I get wanting to save their innocents, but no matter if they are in a public, private, christian, all boys, or all girls school there will be that one kid who tells your child "Everyone's doing it." Don't wait. Please. Talk now. Pre-teen is too young to be watching girls lose their childhood. Be their biggest advocate.

LOVE LOVE LOVE

P.S. If they act annoyed or tell you they don't want to talk about it, do not just let it go. It means they are scared to talk about it, and weren't you when/if you were talked w/ your parents about serious things like this?

Tutu's Bliss & The Childrens Tumor Charity

2009-03-30T08:26:00.002-04:00

Go to Tutu's Bliss Blog right now! Don't wait!--- Seriously! What are you waiting for??

Okay..fine. I give in. I'll TELL you why you have to go over there RIGHT NOW:

Tutu's Bliss is not only having a HUGEEEE GIVEAWAY, but she is also apart of a charity auction that is going on right now for The Children's Tumor Foundation. ALL proceeds raised in the ebay auctions go to helping find new treatment for Children with Tumors such as children living with Neurofibrosis, a disease where tumors appear at random all over a child's body.

Go over to Tutu's Bliss and Click on the link to the Charity, and while your at it... if you go back to her blog and leave comment just telling her which charity item is your favorite you'll be entered to WIN her HUGE Giveaway which includes sooo many awesome items! Especially if you have a little girl, or granddaughter, or even just know a little girl who loves to dress up and be a fairy princess head over now!!

Okay-- That's all... I've tried to inform y'all, so I hope somebody will go check it to! :) As always, What Do You have to Lose???

~LOVE LOVE~

Be Still Sunday

2009-03-29T08:00:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday Eli

2009-03-28T20:50:00.003-04:00

Happy 2nd Birthday Eli!

Robert Elias McCall

Birth & Death: March 28th, 2007

***This pic is directly from Profoundly Seth! Go to the site***

For anyone who follows the stories of Ellyn's beautiful youngest sons, you already know who Eli is. Eli is a little boy whose parents, Ellyn and John, were so excited to have a 3rd child, their second son, be born on March 28th, 2007. But they had know way of knowing before that day that their beautiful son would die just hours before his birth.

Today the McCall family is in New York city with Eli's big sister, big brother, and little brother, all celebrating Eli's life and the impact that he is still making on this Earth.

I just wanted to take a moment to say Happy Birthday to him, because even though he's up in heaven with God, it's still important to remember him and his family that are still grieving his loss. The loss of not knowing the person he would have grown up to be.

Ellyn's family is beautiful, and they are firmly based in their faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. They challenge my faith daily-- and in learning about them, my faith has grown.

I wanted to share this video with you all today. It is mostly about Eli's little brother Seth, who is profoundly deaf and awaiting Cochlear Implants soon, but it is about the journey and the struggles that they have gone through and survived. *Turn off the music at the bottom of the page first :)*

Love y'all! ~KK

P.S. Anyone who went over and contributed to the Profound Pictures... You Are Awesome!! They raised over $3000 for Seth and two amazing charities! Thanks for helping!

fPhoto Friday

2009-03-27T14:39:00.006-04:00

Camera: Nikon D60
Setting: Auto
Date: 3/8/09

Just a little "Coke Float" made out of flowers and sugar-free candy for my Grandma from my Aunt Kris. Thought it was too cute to pass up photographing. Have a wonderful fPhoto Friday! Hope the weather clears up a bit down here in the south.... could be a good weekend for some INDOOR photography!

~Love Love~

Writers Workshop: Riding in the Rain

2009-03-27T09:58:00.003-04:00

The Prompts:
1.) Somebody I'm praying for....
2.) I don't believe in prayer because...
3.) What are you putting off right now?
4.) You can go back to your childhood for one day. What day and age do you choose?
5.) Your friend tells you he can pick up any girl at the bar, no matter what he says. You bet him $100 he can't. Create the world's worst pick up line and send your friend off into the crowd. What happens?

Like Mama Kat, i too have been praying for Stellan. I've prayed for this sweet little boy to be healed my God all week, & every time I get on up date from MckMama on my cell via Twitter my heart stops for a few seconds while I quickly read her updates and pray for the "..." to be continues with something good. Small update- Stellan is going in to surgery to have a line put in. His heart has stopped pumping blood efficiently to the rest of his body, so they are uncertain whether they will put in a PICC line, central line, or a J line. Please continue you praying! Pray works-- whether its hard to understand why "all prayers aren't answered," God hears ever single one and will continue to give us the thigns in our lives that we need as long as we turn to Him.

Okay... So.... since I've already been prayin for Stellan... I pick...
4.) You can go back to your childhood for one day. What day and age do you choose?

I know exactly what day I would pick. I was around 7 years old I would say, and it was the middle of November. I was up in the Ozarks with my family on vacation for Thanksgiving, and everything was perfect. Growing up there was no other place as magically as my families ranch. Nothing in the world could compare to the smell of the mequite wood burning in the fire place, the sweetness coming from the fresh chocolate chip cookies that were cooling in the kitchen, and the crispness in the air when I would run out side to meet my brothers and dad as they came in from hunting. I loved it. I was at ease in the woods. I was home to me. A safe place for all the other things that were going on back in Atlanta.

I had grown up learning everything I know about the woods from my Dad, who learned everything he knows from his Dad, who had learned everything he knew from His Dad... we had a lot of woods-savy men in our family! :) Anyways...

On this one specific afternoon that will always stay in my mind vividly til the day I die, my Dad and I decided to go on a horseback ride, just the two of us. I loved riding! My dad was never afraid to let me try things, and had me riding horses since I was 6 months old, and could barely sit up. I'd beg and beg to ride because it was "Our Thing" to do together. My mom rides, and some do my brothers, and nephews, and cousins and all.... but they just don't get it they way my daddy and I do.

Well on this cloudy afternoon, I can remember hearing the *clack- clack--clack-clack* noise of my father's boots on the 100 year old wood-plank floor heading toward my bedroom. He ducked his head in and said, "Ready?" and just smiled a big grin at me. I shook my head yes and jumped of the bed to grab my boots and search for my camo jacket. (Side note: I never liked wearing my own jacket-- I always wanted to wear my mom's camo jacket enough though it was too big for me.) I yanked it out of the deep cedar closet and swished my arms quickly into it; taking a deep inhale of the cedar smell as it escaped from where the door had been holding it captive. I ran out the door skinny, black front door trying to catch up to my dad as he was already making his way down the flat rock path to wear Blue, my dad's beautiful majestic horse stood. He was without a doubt the most gorgeous horse you'll ever see-- and he was truly blue! Well.. okay, he was a daple grey, but his coloring had a blue tint. He was so gentle and sweet and could always go whatever distance we wanted to ride.

My dad hopped on- he was always very quick; as if it was effortless-- and put his left hand out for me to grab on. I slid my left foot into the stirup, and pushed off the slick grass below me. I flipped my right leg on over and settled in on the warm blanket that lay behind my fathers sattle. The older I got the less often I rode with him. I had my own horses by now, Nancy and Sparkles, but on this day we rode together. -- We waved to my mom then took off toward the South. I hadn't remember every detail, because it felt like a fairytale.

I remember the mist that starting floating down from the tops of the trees and the fog that was on the ground. I can remember putting my hands in my dad's jacket pockets to keep them warm while we rode along through the treees, creating our on paths as we went. He's always had a sense of direction that I wish I had even an ounce of, and could take us roaming through the woods to run up deer, and turkeys and still get us back to the main road without a sweat. As we rode we talking about the ranch and how some day it could all be mine if I loved it enough, and understood how much it takes to be responsible for all the animals that live there. We talked about my Grandpa and the thigns he had taught my dad, and even talked about how we wished mom had come with us, but we were glad we didn't actually have to worry about anyone keeping up with us because Blue was ofcourse better than any of the other horses.

All of asudden the light mist that tickled my face as it hit, turned to a drizzle.. and then to a heavy stram of rain! it was too late... we were way too far from the house to even care how drenched we were. We both just died laughing. It was beautiful out there. It was coming down hard, but as I peered out from under the hood of my jacket i could see everything in the woods clearly. It was like a painting that could never be duplicated. I knew it was a momently to be thankful for. A moment that I was sharing with just him, and I could tell he was proud I was riding with him, not any of the boys.

He ran Blue the rest of the way home. He was a little worried in might start lightening, but I wasn't scared. I remember being so drenched that my jeans were so stiff and heavy from the rain weighing them down. It was awesome though.---- To this day I love riding in the rain. There is something magical about it that you only know if you've been there.

That's the memory and day that I would pick. That day of being daddy's little girl, spending time together... riding in the rain.

-----------

Sorry for such a long story, but I couldn't leave out details! Go on over to MamaKat's to see what prompts others choose this week!

~lots of love~

Re: Praying For Stellan

2009-03-25T12:37:00.002-04:00

Poor, sweet little Stellan is still not doing well. He's in the Children's Hospital still and his precious little heart will not come out of SVT for longer than half a minute. They have tried many different treatments, and so far his body is not responding to any of them. They had him on "Esmolol (beta blocker)" but are now taking him off of it because his body stopped responding to it, and he's now on "Amiodorone", and " also on a steroid (for his breathing/ retracting/ wheezing since he can't be on nebs obviously) and oral Flecainide." I'm quoting directly from MckMama's twitters because I know very little about the medical world. Please continue to pray for God to heal Stellan. He is God Almighty, the Great Physician, and he is the One with the power to heal sweet Stellan's tired and weak body if it is in his plan. He is a beautiful children, born into a Godly and loving family, and I pray that they would no longer have to endure this helplessness while the physicians continue to test new possibilities of flipping Stellan's heart beat back into a slow and even rhythm. It's all in His Hands

Wordful Wednes: 8 Gosselins and a Sparkly Vampire

2009-03-25T11:48:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Wordful Wednesday hosted by Angie at SeVen CLowN CiRcUs!

This past weekend was AMAZING!!!!!

I've been waiting til today to share my photos because well, they are nothing fancy but I'm quite proud of them so I thought Wordful Wednesday was the perfect time to display them!!

THIS IS KATE GOSSELIN!

This is me watching her sing my book AND my program!! (She didn't sign most people's programs-- looked at Sara and I and asked, "Want me to sign these too!?" with a big smile! So sweet!)

Yes, She is on Jon and Kate +8, but she is a real person separate from when she's on the show.

Sara and I with our MULTIPLE BLES8INGS Books!

Goobs and I

We got the DVD! Oh I'm so proud of myself for getting Twilight at about 12:05am! Yay

Last Friday was unbelievable busy and SOOOO much FUN!!!! Here was my schedule

6:30am Leave for Work
7:30am- 4:30 pm Work Work Work
5:15pm Met the Curries and Sara at Relish for dinner
6:29pm Paniced and jumped in the car w/ Sara to head to RUMC to see kate Gosselin
7:31pm Kate Gosselin spoke about family, their life, and MAINLY about their Faith in the Lord
8:34pm Meet and Greet with Kate!!!
10pm M&G finally over :( Left with TWO signatures of Kate's and some..blurry photos :)
10:20pm Stopped for Starbucks frap!
11:31pm Meet Ankoo,Eva, and Goobs at North Point Mall to stake out our place in line at FYE to get a copy of Twilight:The Movie on Dvd at exactly midnight!!
12:05am Was about 9th in line to get a Twilight Dvd!!!
...Some minutes after that.. Drove home and immediately went to bed!

Now go see some more photo's at Angie's! And don't forget to leave comments!!!!

DouBle*MUAH*

Pray For Stellan

2009-03-23T09:52:00.005-04:00

Not a good start this morning! As typical for a Monday, I arrived at work checked some weekly updates, got my news for the morning, then decided to click on over to My Charming Kids to see if Mckmama had posted her Not Me! Monday yet. I was shocked to find this in its place:

Stellan in the Hospital with SVT

I couldn't believe this sweet little baby had been rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night! It immediately broke my heart to think of him laying there helpless, while MckMama had no option except to sit in the waiting room praying to God that he take care of her baby and heal his heart.. yet again.

The McKinnon family's faith in the Lord, is unfailing even in moments like this-- I've promised to pray for sweet Stellan all day on the hour until an update comes from MckMama saying Stellan is returning back home! Please say a pray for him as well, and keep this family in your prayers!

Will update when I hear any news!

In his name-- Kaylan

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2

My 10am prayer:

Dear Lord, Please be with the McKinnon family today as they trust in you, the Great Physican, to heal there sweet Stellan's heart. They know that you are in control and that even that this frightening time that You are the one in control. Please lay your hands upon him and heal his little heart. Please give the doctor's at Children's Hospital the knowledge and strength needed to slow his heart down and return his strength. Please be with his Mommy & Daddy as the fear of the unknown is hard to not become overwhelmed with. And also with his MBS(many big siblings) as they try to understand why Stellan isn't at home with them today. Be with them all in these moments, as you always are. In Jesus Name I Pray- Amen.

fPhoto Friday

2009-03-20T15:04:00.004-04:00

Welcome to fPhoto Friday hoested by the wonderful Natalie at Married to the Preacher!

"Conversing at the Center"

I can't take credit for this photo this week, My friend Sara Notestine(soon to be Day) was the photographer and she took this while over in Spain back in 2007. The spot where they are standing is the exact spot where Spain believes is the center of the earth. The point where the tiles meet is the exact spot.

Photographer: Sara Notestine
Camera: Nikon i would assume since she's like me
Editting(done by me): Photoshop E6.0 Hard Mix & Color
Burn

Have a happy Friday!

I Must Be Dreaming: Chase

2009-03-19T15:13:00.006-04:00

***Disclaimer-- If you are family, tread lightly on this message! I want y'all to read it, but if u are unsure if you are ready to hear news, that's okay! I love y'all either way, so I wanted u to have fair warning*

To quote him accurately, " Couldn't have been better timing, and this is definitely a God Thing!"

Wondering who I mean by "him"???

I mean Chase.

Yep he has resurfaced again because of me simply being in an irriated and distraught mood last night. Before you get on to me, please let me explain!

For non-family-readers, Chase is a family member who hasn't been in my life since we were children for a variety of complicated reasons. As I've mentioned before, I'm the baby of the fam... but he was the runner up. He's just 4 yrs older than me, and I love him with all my heart. We were able to reconnect 2 years ago almost, when my cousin finally found him on Myspace of all places, and haven't stopped talking since! We can laugh for hours on the phone, and have spent a lot of time catching up on the things in life that we've missed out on. The funny stories, the stories about parents, the missed moments, the devastating moments... and now we've been able to recently share the beautiful current moments as well.

Valentine's day of 2008 I got a call from him saying, " I wanted you to be one of the first to know, She said Yes! We're engaged!" just minutes after he proposed to his now wife. I'd talked to him for weeks while he made the decision out loud that April was the only person in the world for him, and then the the days before he finally proposed. So to have received that call was a blessing, and I was so estatic to be able to be apart of that moment. Moments like that I hope to continue to share-- But my hope is that it will progress to being in person, and that he will have a desire to reconnect with the other members of our family as well..... which leads me up to last night....

I'm rash.. I know it.. I do things because I can't hold myself back.. So last night this is the texting that occurred: K=me, C=Chase

K(9:02pm): Are you afraid to meet me for some reason, Chase?
C(9:34pm)
No I don't think so! Where did that come from? Pretty
big deal for me! but am not scared! I've called when I was around Atlanta and am
excited about it!!!

Let me interject, and explain that he and I made set plans to have dinner right before Thanksgiving. He was suppose to call me the next day and confirm.... And then I heard nothing from him at all til Christmas Day.. so needless to say I didn't not believe his comment at first..

K: I don't really know where it came from. It was just on my
mind today. It's on my mind all the time. i talk to Ankoo and my mom and my
grandma about it a lot, and I've tried to back off bothering u ever since
nov....

Sry to text u out of the blue.. prolly not my best idea!

C: No! I'm glad that you did! I miss you and I miss our fun talks! I really do! I miss my grandma and family! Did you know I lost my mawmaw not too long ago and haven't had a grandfather pretty much my whole life! It has meant so much that you found me and I let everyone know! My mom included! I just wasn't sure what was going on.

So please please give me a call tomorrow! Ill have my phone with
me all day! I love and miss you and the fam!!

We did keep talking for aleast another hour, but that was the big part that I wanted to be sure to share. If I could send my phone to each person in the fam I would! Since I can't I copied it word for word! I think it's important that y'all all know how much he loves us. ALL of Us.

A while later I told him, that I needed to know he's serious about moving forward, that its not just words, because I want that part of him and my family to be able to be healed, and he told me:

C:I understand! Just put yourself in my shoes. To know that you have a
whole family who loves you, prays for you and misses you!
C: Yes... It makes me feel good knowing that so many people love me and
haven't forgotten me! Ouh.. just hard to explain I guess

I reassured him that it's ok, that I do completely understand! And he made sure
to tell me before we both went to bed:

C: But I know you will talk to them about it, just understand I'm willing
to take that step forward with you
K:They do all understand- I think sometimes it's hard because they feel
helplessas to what happens next. its hard not to see someone u know is missing
that you love-- but everyoen knows it takes time

He was referring to OUR family! He still considers everyone one of you his cousins, and his aunts and uncles and his grandma. And the step, well that obviously is he and I and April meeting up.
I make no promises about how soon that will be. But God is in this. He's in charge not Me- and that's the way it's suppose to be. I will try to start being more upfront to everyone about what goes on, but I want to respect Chase- and somethings are just between he and I, just like somethings are personal between each one of you and myself, that I don't have a reason to share. I try to keep things to myself because I don't want to get anyones hopes up, but I think it's best to live in the moment and enjoy the daily blessings instead of just "waiting for the bigger picture."

Whether you are my blood relative or not, I'd venture to say that if you are still reading right now, you are my family through God. Please be in prayer for Chase, and myself and my family. We could all really use it. All please give Praise to Him for the hope and the blessings that He is already giving to us!

In His name,

P.S. Chase & April- If y'all ever find this and read this, I want you to know for sure that I love and miss both of you too! I'll always be here for both of y'all! Always and ForEver!

Writer's Workshop:Pipe Dreams

2009-03-19T14:50:00.003-04:00

***Disclaimer:If you are family and you aren't in the mood to have a twist to your day that is good/scary then don't read today! I write what I feel--- so I'm atleast tryin to warn u!***

I'm late writing... yeah so? Atleast I'm tryin to blog a little , peeps! I'm so off on my blogtiming lately its a little ridiculous, but hopefully MamaKat will forgive me and still accept my lil' post!

On with it shall we? Time for me to pick.....

The Prompts:
1.) I used to think...
2.) List ten things you can do in three minutes.
3.) Describe a time you allowed your child to do something that you normally would not let slide.
4.) I want to become friends with...
5.) What are you currently fascinated with?

I pick: 1.) I use to think... that I wanted to get married right out of college. Now I realize I was crazy! I've been out a year already, and life still hasn't settled down much yet! I've now changed it to "..in my twenties." :) More feasible! I still am very much ready to start a family, but it doesn't have to be before I turn 23! haha

I use to think... that being the baby of the family was horrible!! Now I realize I can learn from everyone else, and that it's okay that everyone is protective over me. They love me and just want the best for me.

I use to think... I wanted ONLY biological kids when I grew up. Now I have a desire to adopt also. I've learned that my heart has a larger desire than a 17yr old could understand before! ( God shows us things in life when we're ready--- He knows what we can handle pretty well, dosn't he?)

I use to think...(and this is a big one).. That ever seeing Chase again was just a pipe dream. A fantastic hope that was nearly impossible to ever have come true. Now I know I was wrong! One day that will be a dream come true, and maybe soon even! *See next blog to understand more details*

Okay... that's all! What sort of things did y'all use to think???????
Love y'all,

Last Weeks Writer's Workshop

2009-03-19T14:25:00.003-04:00

Since I was in NewYork last week I completly missed out on MamaKat's Writer's Workshop, and although I've never tried to play "catch up" on a workshop before I spotted a Prompt that I wanted to write about... It leads in to a prompt for this week actually (kinda underlining, but if you know me... you'll understand)

Here were the prompts:
The Prompts:
1.) Discuss an intense game of Pictionary that you spent most of Saturday night arguing with your family about, only to log in to your email account two days later to find 35 emails between said family regarding aformentioned game and rules.
2.) Tell about a time you hurt somebody that still bothers you to this day.
3.) The one that got away....spill it.
4.) What inspired you? Write about a time when you were impassioned to write.
5.) What happened in the last year? Write about something you can do now that you couldn't do a year ago.

I pick: #5. What happend in the last year? Write about something you can do now that you couldn't do a year ago?

A year ago THIS WEEK, I was on Spring Break in Arizonia with my parents and Ankoo enjoying the warmth and trying to relax before finishing up my final semester in college. We decided to take a ride over to the Red Rock Mountains on Mon or Tues (cant remember for sure) and got a call from one of my mom's siblings informing us that BOTH of my grandparents had been rushed to the hospital in ambulences. My Grams had gone in to a diabetic coma, and my granddaddy was so sick from pnemonia ,unbeknown to all of us, that he was in bed unresponsive as well. It was so scary to be so far away and feel helpless. I hated it. My first response was panic.. that quickly turned to anger. I wanted to go HOME. That very instant. Not in a few days. Not at the end of the week. I wanted to be with them to comfort them right then!............ I didn't get my way... We waited... We got updates constantly, and my Granddaddy was released from the hospital, but the long 9 months that followed were life defining for my Grandma.

I've written about her nearly year-long struggle in and out of the hospital and coming so near to death that our family was called in to say goodbye and to "Let her go peacefully."

So thankful God is in control, NOT doctors! Because She is her today, and well! Beyond well! Being as sick as she was she is physically weaker, but is spiritually stronger. She's an Olguin Women... She's not going dow without a fight! :)

So what can I do now that I couldn't fully do a year ago, you ask??? I can trust the Lord without any doubt at all-- period. It is that simple. Yes indeedy! Anyone that tries to tell me, "It just not that easy to hand things over to Him!" is not really trying to. It is hard, but have faith in the truths that you know- that's the best way I know how to say it. I sat in that hospital room with streams of tears rolling down my cheeks and drenching my shirt, with a smile on my face while I held a breathing mask up for my sweet,beautiful Grandmother so she could breathe even when she had no idea what was going on. I never saw the light go out in her- I heard doctors say, "There is no hope" and speak of no chance of her ever breathing on her own.... while I watched her need for assisted breathing to decrease, and decrease, and decrease!!! She is a fearless- Godly women who I am going to be like. I'm not saying I am already, but I am going to strive to leave the legacy behind me that she will SOMEDAY have to leave behind as well.

Today, My grandparents live 2.5 minutes from my house, all on their own and in the best health possible for their age. They have daily struggles, but they are living, and loving. And I'm continuing to learn more about my own personal strength to be a strong rock and a godly, supportive women in my walk with Him.

Jon and Kate + 8-- Finally!!!

2009-03-17T13:29:00.009-04:00

I can't believe it's finally here! In just a few days I'm going to get to do something that I've actually been hoping for starting 4 years ago... Let me explain...

There was this little show on TLC that started as a one-time documentary of this family's life that went from being your typical Mom & Dad with 4yr old twin girls... to being a family built up of a Mom & Dad with 4 yr old twin girls AND 6 new baby brothers and sisters. If you ever turn on the TV, I'm pretty sure y'all have heard of Jon & Kate Gosselin and their beautiful 8 kids, also known as Jon & Kate + 8! I have been watching their show on TLC ever since the first airing of the documentary of their struggle with getting married young, having trouble getting pregnant, and the beautiful 8 children that God has blessed them with.

(L to R: Collin, Joel, Leah, Cara, Mady, Alexis, Hannah and Aiden-- Jon and Kate in back)

I fell in love with them from the moment I started watching for many, many reasons. I'm an only child/ youngest of 4kids and the only girl, so needless to say if we just start from that I'm part of a big family that keeps growing with many many many cousins, and second cousins, and I myself have always wanted to have a huge family. I still can't ever imagine myself having only 1 or 2 children, unless that ends up being all that God blesses me with.. and in that case, I'm definitely not going to argue the issue!

Point being.. The love that I could see in the Gosselin family gave me such hope and joy watching them struggle through parenting 8 children, and still making sure that God stayed number one in their lives. Which was the second reason I love them. They have a close relationship with God (which unfotunately for "entertainment" purposes TLC does NOT choose to show enough) which is evident in scripture that is written on ever single cabinet in their home, and words that they choose to teach to their children.

I've always wanted the opportunity to get to meet Jon, Kate, Cara, Mady, Alexis, Hannah, Aiden, Collin, Leah, and Joel and Yes my loves... the opportunity has presented itself!!! Although I will not be getting to meet them all, I will be getting to meet Kate this Friday!!!!!!!!!

She is coming to Roswell United Methodist Church (my Gram's church) as part of the RUMC Family Counciling Program that brings in speakers to the church. I can not wait to get to hear her talk, and get her book signed, Multiple Blessings, that I read back in the fall.

To be clear... YES, I have heard all of the horrible rumors that are flying around about their family, and all I have to say is 2 things: #1 Are you so into gossip that you are willing to trash people who you don't even know? (By "you" in mean the unverisal you- i'm not speaking to anyone specifically! :) ) They are human- They have 8 children- And live real lives just like we do. Back off of them!!!

#2 Whether or not the rumors are true, please pray for them. We aren't perfect and neither are they. It's not our right nor place to hold them to higher standards than we hold ourselves. Pray for them that whatever is going on that it strengthens their family instead of breaking it, and that they continue to know that they are safe in God's hands. As Christians when we make mistakes, they are held to higher standards by the outside world which is why they need the support of the people like you and I who know that He is the only one to turn to in good times and bad.

I can't wait to write to y'all on Saturday and share my experience with you all. I'm intersted to hear what she speaks about and to just tell her thanks for sharing her life even though there are those out there who want to tear them down.

Love y'all ton and tons,

P.S. Go visit their website, SixGosselins, they share devotions and prayer requests that have been sent to them that they want to share with others! I promise y'all will love it :)

In the words of a Child

2009-03-17T13:15:00.003-04:00

I couldn't even begin to have the courage at that age to stand up for the things we know even as children are UNexceptable, and that can not continue to just be over looked. God Bless her.

Not Me! Monday

2009-03-16T08:30:00.003-04:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Monday Monday Monday!

I have a case of the Mondays! That's for sure! I've always thought that was such a strange saying but it fits! I woke up this morning, read by clock that said "5:15", and thought to myself, " No Way! I couldn't have been asleep longer than 5 minutes! Ugh!" Oh well! I'm at work and trying to reflect on last week now!

So as usual came the Good, the Bad and the Ugly....

I did not get to spend 3 days up in New York/ New Jersey last week for work, and enjoy every moment of it immensely. I hate going up North. So many beautiful buildings to be forced to take pictures of, amazingly diverse cultures, and scrumtious foods to eat! Who in the world would like those things?! ICK! ....really? I hope yall know me better than that by now! lol

I did not get to go to a PORTUGUESE Grocery store while in Jersey and I did not get a Portuguese Nestle Easter Egg while I was there!!!! Oh no, not me! I'm certainly not slick enough to have gotten one for free just by being my wonderful self :) I would also never be adventurous enough to pick out a strawberry egg instead of a plain chocolate egg either! ( Seriously.. I can not WAIT to eat this thing yall! I promise to take pictures-- it is almost a foot tall!)

I also did not get giddy when I realized I get to cross another state of My List: Conneticutt!!!!

And because I am a rule abidder, I would never convince my mom to bring Shadow to my work... and up to my office... on her way out of town on Friday. No no no. No puppies in my building :)

I would never in a million years have gone to see Larry the Cable Guy on Saturday night either.. and if or when I did not commit this crime I would have laughed my head off at his jokes for two hours straight! I did not think it was pretty nifty that we had front row seats, nope, nuh-uh, and I would never love teh fact that I was able to shake his hand! (Pictures to follow)

Oh the Bad side............ I would never yell at my b.f. on the way to the show because I was starving and grouchy and we had no time to eat before we left. I would never doubt his ability to drive through atl without wrecking, and even if I doubted him I would not scream at him for not reading my mind and not knowing which lane to be in....... I did not feel extreme guilt for "knocking him down" instead of building him up... And it is not still on my mind this morning that I need to work on being supportive even when I'm stressed out.

I also would never have tried to guilt trip him into staying in Atl a few more days with me instead of leaving to go turkey hunting by saying, "Why are you even going? You didn't kill even ONE last year."......(Low blow..I know)... I did not regret having said it, and begin to encourage him immediately that this year would be different.....

So I did not wake up this morning and send him a text bright and early saying I hope he brings home a HUGE bird, and that he has a great time hunting today! Nope Not Me!!! I'm totally guilt free!!

*SIGH* Feels good to clear the air! Love ya guys and gals~ Hope you're having a great monday!

For more Not Me! Monday's go over to see MckMama! She'll be glad to have ya!

Six Word Saturday

2009-03-14T12:40:00.003-04:00

Ummmmmm....... What should I say? Lets see if these 6 words will cover it:

Froggy Food, Larry the Cable Guy

Yep that about covers my plans for today!!!! Explain more next week!!! Love y'all!!

fPhoto Friday 2.0

2009-03-14T08:09:00.002-04:00

After having so much fun with my photo yesterday, I decided to go back to Natalie's very first fPhoto Friday and review peoples photos from back in Oct. 08. I happend upon Ree's The Pioneer Woman Photography and was DELIGHTED to find that she has tutorials on HOW TO Use Photoshop! I've been digging all over google and hitting dead ends trying to find tutorials on how to use layers step-by-step or new ways to edit my photos instead of running over to picnik.com all the time. Don't get me wrong, I still picnik! I'm a Picnikin' fool, but I want to Leeaaarn how to be... good? atleast at editting my own photos. SO here is my photo of Kimber "my adopted son" back in January at Kiesel Park. We went to take pics.... and ended up layin on the ground and being slobbered on instead :) This was the only non-blurred (ie. Kimber didn't attack me with.."love" in this pic!) photo I took that day. So here is how I tried to switch it up a bit:

Original:

Fixed:

What do you think? If y'all use photoshops I'd love for suggestions! I'm learning so I know it's a little too red, but I'm trying to get a grasp on layers, hue/saturations, etc.

Love y'all! And thanks for stoppin' by! have a wonderful weekend!

fPhoto Friday

2009-03-12T22:53:00.003-04:00

I spent a couple days up in the northeast this past week and took this photo of the Washington Bridge as we passed through the Upper Level. I had no clue there were bridges with an "Upper Level" and a "Lower Level", but I was lucky enough to get to go on both. :) The bridge was beautiful, and I'm so glad I got this shot. It may be one of favorites I've taken in a long while!

Camera: Nikon S60

Go over to Natalie's now to see more fPhoto Friday Photography!

USA Today paper

2009-03-10T23:11:00.003-04:00

I'm in Northern Country for the next few days on work and didn't want y'all to feel I just didn't care about writing! It's really late here, but I wanted to leave a QUICK blog!

While on the plane today I was skimming through the USA Today trying to find something to keep my interest before dozing off. My eye caught an article on the FRONT PAGE that was about Owners and companies that are Giving Back during hard times. The people/companies are from all over, and I was happy as I saw that one of the Companies was in Brewton, AL... For those who have never heard of Brewton, that's not surprising. It's teeny-tiny and in South-west Alabama, sorta nearing Mobile. I kept reading and the Pharmacy company is also in ATMORE, AL!!!!!! This is exciting because my Sweetie is from Atmore, and that HAD to be the first and Only time Atmore has ever ever EVER been in the USA TODAY!! Woohoo!!!!!!!!

Maybe they'll actually be put on maps now! The man who owned the business was giving $16,000 to his employees- $700 to full time employees and $300 to part time-- and encouraging each of them to give 15% of the money to charity or organizations in the area. The idea is to continue the process of giving back and continuing to help others, keeping the economy going. Pretty neat to see- Just thought I would share that happy moment with y'all.

Have any of y'all ever been in the news paper or had a friend appear in one???

God Bless-- KK