Happy Birthday Kari!

February 25 is a special day for me and many others.  It's the birthday of our sweet friend, Kari Firestone Heil.  

Although I miss her so much and wish we were experiencing this stage of life together, I'm thankful that her story continues.  Her story has taught many that depression is very real.  Her story has taught many that sometimes it's the person you least expect that is struggling the most.  She is more than her death.  Even in the tragedy, her life continues to provide light and hope for many.


I know that one day her beautiful daughters will want to know more about who Kari was.  What was she like?  My hope and prayer is that they will get a small glimpse into the person who so many loved and enjoyed being around.  I've shared memories in years past, and this year our other roomie, Garyn, shares some more.  We love you and miss you, Kari!

~~~~~~~~~~~

From Garyn:


Remembering Kari…when I think of Kari, I remember my sweet friend who was full of life as many people who knew her would say.  I remember my friend who was bubbly…who laughed and made me laugh.  I remember so many things, but what I think of most is the kind of friend she was to me.  Kari was someone I could be real with…a friend who made me feel like I could be myself in the most genuine form.  As I have grown older and lived through more years, I understand more each day how rare it is to connect with a friend in that way…to have a friendship that requires no effort because it is natural and easy.  That is who Kari was for me, and I miss her so very often. 

We shared a love for music and singing. We both had solos in Freshman Follies at ACU and discovered then that we had the same passion for singing and performing.  We were packing partners on ACU chorus trips, and I remember some funny moments…some inside jokes I won’t share…oh but if she were here to reminisce with me about them, we would laugh and laugh!  I remember a CD she had - all songs from musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and we would listen to it in our duplex and belt out all the songs with enthusiasm!  I admired her love and talent for musical theater, and enjoyed seeing her perform…she truly loved it. 

Kelly, Kari and I were roommates while at ACU, and I have so many memories of the three of us in our duplex, and in the apartment we moved into after that. My dear friend Misty lived  with us for some of that time as well.  So many memories of moments we shared just living life together during those years.  I wouldn’t change it for anything.  I remember Kari so often…as if those days were yesterday, and it brightens my world each time I think of her  - always.  


Love you girl!

Valentine's Day ~ 2012

Love puts the fun in together, the sad in apart, and joy in a heart. ~ Author Unknown

Valentine's Day.  The day to celebrate the ones I love.  So to celebrate them...I take their pictures!  :)

The first subject was not very willing.  But we did the best that we could.

He quickly decided his great-grandfather's rocking chair would be more fun to push around the house.

Or turn into a slide.

When I took the 50+-year-old chair away, the Valentine's Photo Shoot came to an abrupt end.

The next subject was much more willing...for a few minutes at least.  And yes, it's probably a little narcissistic  of me to be the one who bought that shirt for him.  But hey, I'll enjoy the props as long as I can.  :)

This is the point when the picture taking got old...

So I demanded that he absolutely stop smiling this very instant...

During the day, Tate delivered roses and handmade cards to all of his preschool teachers.  We had an extra rose, so I asked if there was a girl who happened to be a friend that he would want to give it to.  (And no...he will never be allowed to be "The Bachelor.")  So with his extra rose, he chose our sweet friend, Annie.  Oh my goodness, this was cute to watch.

First off, he had to inspect exactly where those pesky thorns were.

Waiting...

Happy Valentine's Day, Annie!

Here's a card and a flower!

Now I'm not sure what to do...

Seriously the cutest thing ever.  And I'm sure they will seriously be embarrassed when they see this in a few years.  Arranged marriages are still OK, right?

The night was wrapped up with the annual heart pizza, my favorite cinnamon swirl bundt cake, and complete meltdowns by the children at the dinner table.  Oh, the joys!  :)

And even with meltdowns and exhaustion (mine!), the day was a wonderful reminder of the incredible blessings I have to love.  Especially this one...

And just for historical purposes of the same shirt & chair, I can NOT believe this was Valentine's Day just three short years ago.  There is no way that he was just that little.  Sigh...

Because of Will...

Because of Will...

I frequent the milk aisle at the grocery store very, very often.

I find my toothbrush, computer mouse, hairbrush, etc., in the oddest places.

I get some of the best hugs several times a day.

I burn extra calories chasing you around.

I see an incredible brother bond forming right before my eyes.

I have a few priceless, perfect minutes each night while rocking you before bed.

I know not to leave anything out that could be easily climbed upon.

I get applause any time I sing or dance.

I've learned how incredibly messy blackberries can be.

I am an expert at Goofy's version of the Hot Dog Dance.

I get to look at the biggest, most beautiful blue eyes every single day.

I avoid red lights if at all possible.

I have learned that my heart has the capacity to love in a new and never-ending way.

MLK Day

To me one of the ugliest traits someone can have is racism.  As a parent there are so many parts of your child's character you want to help mold and shape for good.  Everything in me hopes that Wade & I can raise these two boys to be disgusted by racism.

Today I talked with Tate about Martin Luther King, Jr.  It was the first time I had ever told him that people with dark skin used to be discriminated against.  Of course this was on the conversation level for a 5-year-old, but it made me tear up even explaining it so simply.  I explained why MLK was a brave man trying to help people not be mean to others just because of the way they look.  And I tried to remind him that God created every single person and loves them all the same no matter what color skin they have.  So should we.

We did this craft from this website.  We watched a little bit of MLK's I Have A Dream speech and then this video, which Tate seemed to really enjoy.

A few years ago, Newsweek had this cover story with some pretty fascinating and sobering research studies about how kids at a young age already discriminate.  I'm sure there are different schools of thought out there, but this one resonated with me.  It said that many parents in an effort to not seem racist by pointing out differences inadvertently communicate what they're trying to avoid.  

I want to try this approach.  I want to try when appropriate and the right opportunity to point out that people look different, but that is how God made us.  I want my boys to be offended when they hear someone make a racist remark.  I want my boys to appreciate and value diversity.  I want my boys to show the same love to everyone that God has shown to us.

I guess I have a dream, too.

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'"

Christmas 2011

We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  It was hectic and full, but what a wonderful reminder of the many blessings we are thankful for!  

I attempted some brother/matching Christmas PJ pictures.  I just accepted the fact that it will be a few years before that isn't a stressful experience.  :)

Tate was really excited about Christmas this year.  In fact it was the first year I was worried about a middle-of-the-night waking.  But he slept all night and woke at his usual 6:30 a.m. time.  And amazingly, he still followed the rule of staying in his room until 7:00 a.m.  I was impressed.  I heard him and knew that he had come downstairs.  Sure wish I had my camera ready to see him sitting on the ottoman with a HUGE grin on his face as he excitedly pointed to the Jason Witten jersey Santa had delivered.  This was one happy boy.

Mean, football face.  And the jersey had to pried off of him later that day.  :)

There were a few more presents to open.  There was a big family present to come, so we kept the presents under the tree low-key.  It was a great reminder that it really doesn't take much at all to see some pretty excited faces.

Tate has started getting into Legos, and he loves the little figurine people.  This guy was a hit.

And so was the Playmobil band.  I often find them set up in his room performing a little concert.  :)

Finally around 8:00 a.m., our sleepyhead awoke.  Now quick before you blink, you'll see a couple pictures of Will actually participating in Christmas.  It didn't last long. Last year, he loved playing with the tissue paper.  This year...not so much.  He wanted nothing to do with opening presents.  Now once big brother had opened a few for him, he was excited about the Elmo & Mickey Mouse books.

And Santa brought him his own push mower.

And that about wraps up Will's Christmas experience.  Silly boy is just too busy and on the move to sit still for Christmas.

But he sure did love playing with Christmas ornaments.  :)

I was excited that we actually pulled off a great Christmas surprise.  To me the surprise part is just as much fun as the actual present.  On Christmas Eve, I was responsible for keeping both boys away from the house while the Dad Of The Year & Nephew Of The Year worked outside in the cold rain to assemble the gift.  With all of the blinds in the house closed and keeping him gone until dark.  The surprise was still safe.

So after he had opened his Christmas presents, we told him there was one more surprise.  The video is below of the reveal.  He was pretty excited, and it was so much fun that he was actually surprised.  Ever since, there has been some serious jumping going on.

The last part of our own little family Christmas at home was our annual tradition of making cookies to bring to a local fire station.  Wade gets all of the credit for this one.  In fact, he started the tradition years before we even had kids, when we brought the cookies over with our niece & nephew.  

This firefighter that answered the door this year was so nice.  Just a quick, easy way to say we appreciate the work they do...especially on a day when most of us get to be at home with our families.

Then we were off to Christmas #2.  I did not get a good grade in picture taking this year.  In fact, I did not get one single family picture of the four of us or any grandparent pictures.  Frustrating.  But we had a great time as always with the Strzineks.  And as always, if it's a holiday, I make people wear hats!  These three cousins are pretty great with each other.

And Will proved to be very consistent at each Christmas celebration.  He wanted nothing to do with it.  He much preferred running through the house and getting into this kind of trouble.  :)

The next day was time for 3rd and final Christmas celebration with the Enright side of the family.  I got a few more pictures...but still no family shots or grandparent shots.  Maybe one day.

These three cousins are all within 18 months in age of each other.  It is always a lot of fun when we get together.  And Tate was not lacking in excitement.  Every item pulled out of the stocking was met with loud shock and proclamations.  :)

Each of the big kids got a "big" surprise from Mimi & Grandpa.  A scooter and baby bed for the girls, and a "big boy" bike for Tate.  He feels pretty tough when he rides it.

Grandpa was breaking in Max's new chair.

And speaking of Max, it was so much fun celebrating his 1st Christmas with this cutie. 

The lone picture of Will from this celebration.  He is seriously funny.  We would hand him presents to open, and he would just throw them down, so he could run off.  Finally Grandpa got him contained with something on the computer.

It was a wonderful holiday with great memories and family around.