I'm Coming Up So You Better Get This Party Started!

Summer+Water+Sun+Birthday=Dane's Party! He invited his seven best friends and we played with water in any form we could think of. Dane's recent obsession with Pac Man determined the cupcakes and he raked in several Transformers as birthday gifts (which Connor immediately took over!), but hasn't wanted to change out of his Super Mario Galaxy pajamas from Jackson. All seemed to have a great time (even though one of his friends declared his sister had the swine flu! Great--argh!) Thanks for coming Jackson, McKenna, Carter, Maddie, Lucas, Dylan and Kensi!

Happy, Happy Birthday, Dane Boy, Dear...

When Dane was born, Shayne dubbed him, "The Fly." I didn't like that at all! Here was this beautiful boy with a pudgy little nose and long, black hair. He was the sweetest baby--definitely his Mommy's boy. He was my shadow and my pal. Around five months old, that black hair started changing to blond (with a few months worth of this odd, oak color). At nine-months-old, I had to give him a hair cut! And, to this day, Dane's floppy hair is his trademark. We all love to mess with it (I especially love turning him upside down so it looks like a big kooshball)! And somewhere around four-years-old, my angel boy decided it was time to add a little spice to life. His precocious personality and general attraction to finding life's boundaries these days is keeping us busy. On Father's Day, June 21, we celebrated Dane's 6th birthday by giving him a set of new wheels and accessories to go with them. He was a little unsure at first (this larger bike was a pretty big stretch for those little legs), but after a few times around the cul-de-sac, he was tearing it up! Love you, my baby!

I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home

Father's Day was a 50/50 day for Shayne this year. We bought one of his gifts together several weeks ago (a beautiful watch) and the other was a surprise (a new cologne)! Several days before Father's Day, Natasha decided to crochet her dad a special gift--he loved it! In honor of him, I quote our children sharing their favorite things about their dad:

Natasha: I like to watch movies with Dad and talk to him about history. I like when he plays baseball with us, too!

Connor: Well, I like that he plays games with me and when he reads to me. I like when he takes me for rides on his motorcycle and we go really fast and when he takes me somewhere like Target.

Dane: I like when Dad takes me to the movies. I like when he takes me to Build-A-Bear Workshop and he plays with me. I love that he goes to work every day so that he can do stuff with us.

Fynnley: I like to see the huge balloon up in the sky with Daddy. I like to go home with Daddy.

I am so grateful for a husband who loves his little family so much that he constantly evaluates his relationship with each person and how he can show his love for them more fully. I am grateful he takes his responsibility as a the head of our family so seriously and wants to provide the best life he can for me and our little people. We love you, Daddy!

I have also been blessed in my life to have four other fathers, each giving me their own examples of what fatherhood means.

To Grandpa Wakefield: You are one of the most devoted men in the Gospel I know. You are an example of endless energy and zest for life and someone who believes he can do anything. Your constant expressions of love for the great family you are the founder of is so appreciated. I love you, Grandpa!

To Grandpa Preator: You were a man of quiet strength and love, and I never doubted your feelings for your grandchildren. You were a constant companion to your wife and and great example of loving her until the end. Perhaps my love for fashion came from some of your genes as I always loved your dapper style and hat tilted just so. I love you and greatly miss you, Grandpa!

To my father-in-law, Don: Your ability to converse has offered to me a bond to the family you love so dearly. I can talk with you for hours and discuss topics I don't often address with others. I don't know any other father who gives so much of himself and serves so well the boys he raised. Your unlimited love for them is inspiring to me as a mom. Love you, Don!

To my dear Dad: I have loved you my whole life. You have given to me the foundation of my testimony of the Savior and love for the Gospel. For 21 years, you sacrificed and provided for my existence, and I am grateful. You are always willing to offer counsel and insight in times of need. I was the 'little girl with the golden curl' you carried off the mountain and will ever be her in my heart for you. I love you, my sweet Dad!

Wipe Out!

I don't know what the deal is--some people have an imaginary child named "Not Me" who does all of the rotten things in a household. But we apparently have an imaginary child who uses all of the toilet paper all of the time! I know, I know...I should just go to Costco and buy the gargantuan package of toilet paper and live off of it for the next month (that's right, month!) Because at the rate we seem to go through toilet paper, that would probably be how long it would last. And, you know, as I've potty-trained each child, I've taught them the good 'ole standard: use a square and a spare. Instead, I'm thinking they must be wrapping their little bodies into mini-mummies and then giving the wipe a good college try! Seriously, I'm starting to wonder if they're just giving it away to the neighbors when I'm out doing errands! Just ask my in-laws--while cleaning the guest bathroom this week in anticipation of Brenda's visit, I discovered a pack of T.P. hidden under the sink and it was a brand I don't buy. I just started laughing! Apparently, the in-laws have discovered our extra child as well...

Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch, You Know That I Love You!

Look at this guy! Hard for me to believe it was 15 years ago this month we decided to get married. And now look at us--living the dream! And I mean, that, too...together we have created the life I always wanted to be mine when I was a little girl: great husband, gorgeous kids, being a stay-at-home mom, living in a beautiful neighborhood, driving a snazzy car (okay, still working on that one, but I do love my truck--and, hey, at least it's not a minivan!!) And all of it thanks to this guy with his kaleidoscope eyes, never ending wit and lots of patience for his wife (most of the time!) What can I say? I love him...

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

A double rainbow--must mean luck is bending over our house! Dane ran outside and declared he was going to find the end of both rainbows! Guess we'll see him sometime next year...

To Frolic and Play, the Eskimo Way...

Knitting is not my craft. And sewing is definitely NOT my craft! But Grandma Keckley has taught Natasha how to do both. Natasha loves to spend hours (literally!) knitting all sorts of projects. Yesterday, she knit herself some leg warmers. These are two other examples of her creations--love them! I think it's really cool that she loves these crafts so much. After all, I need somebody to make me some new pillows!

Tea For Two, And Two For Tea

A Keckley Tea! 'Nuff said...

I Love Trash! Anything Dirty or Dingy or Dusty; Anything Ragged or Rotten or Rusty....

This is a staggering thought! On average, I have changed 21,900 diapers (and counting) during the diapered lifetimes of my four children. Potty-training time is quickly approaching for the last one (gotta get the vacation over with first!) and I'm not really looking forward to it. You see, I really don't mind changing my children's diapers. Never have. But here's the question I have often pondered: Why is it that the bigger size diapers you have to buy, the less the manufacturers include in a package and for the same price? Do I not need the same amount of diapers? Sure, it might take a little longer to get through the package, but I still need them! I feel like these days, I'm buying size 5 diapers every time I go to the store. So, today, I was shocked with a first for me in my 21,900 rounds of diaper changing: a diaper missing a tab! It floored me enough, that I had to take a picture of it and muse on my diapering career. Shayne thought I should frame it in a shadowbox as a tribute to all the diapers I've changed. Maybe I will...

Walk Like A Man, Talk Like a Man...

Someday, Dane will come to me at Halloween and tell me he wants to dress in drag. Not that I think I have to worry about that, you see. Because, here's the thing; he's incredibly boy, but since day one, Dane has allowed Natasha to dress him, make him up, paint his toes, put in the bows...you name it, she's done it to him. I have pictures of him dressed up as a princess (and he did make a darling one), and pictures of him with 20 clips in his hair and, even, hot pink sunglasses. Maybe it's his floppy hair--we all have fun messing around with his shaggy 'do. Or maybe it's his draw to the mischievous. During school, for a period of time, I realized he refused to wear his sandals to class. Finally, I asked why he didn't want to wear his new shoes and he told me the kids had been making fun of his blue, painted toenails!! I felt so bad! I had completely forgotten that Tash had painted them one day and I needed to take it off. Oh well. As you can see, it didn't stop him from wanting in on the fun of slathering his lips in pink goo. I can't really blame him, 'though....I quite enjoy a bit of color myself!

If You Go Out In The Woods Today, Beware of a Big Surprise!

Natasha is so good to entertain Fynnley. She comes up with all sorts of activities to do together. This morning, I found them in the toy room creating "houses" for the Littlest Pet Shop animals. Fynn loves the time spent with her sister and I love seeing them play together (and the quiet that ensues :))!

You Are My Sunshine, My Only Sunshine, You Make Me Happy, When Skies Are Gray!

This weather is killing me! I am so in love with Spring (probably because it's my birthday!) and I just savor Summer. But this year, we just keep getting rain, rain and more rain! In spite of the weather, I continue to barbecue! My next-door-neighbor was mocking me the other day and laughing that she looks out the window during a storm and sees me hanging out, cooking on the grill. (I think she's just jealous! Who can resist the smell of bbq??) So, despite the weather, while I grilled one day, I shot some pics of my little ladybug--so much fun...

Neun und Neunzig Luft Balloons

Okay, so it's not 99 balloons---just one. But, still, it's an awfully cool, lone, yellow balloon. Fynn's friend, Portia, brought over this polka-dot balloon after her birthday party to give to Fynn. Upon seeing it, Natasha immediately seized it and started drawing "her characters" all over it. Fynn loved it and kept requesting more. WE love Tash's talent for drawing and get a kick out of her original creativity. So cool...

De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da, Is All I Want To Say To You

"I love your shoes, Portia!" "Thanks, Fynnley. I love your dress." "Fynnley, I love strawberries." "Okay, but Portia, I'm going to McDonalds." "Oh. Fynn, I have a new bike." Jessica and I were cracking up listening to our two, little lovelies carry on their little girl conversation. It WAS a conversation, but I'm not sure how much attention either one was giving to the other. It makes me wonder just when paying heed to verbal cues sets in to one's social behavior. Our five-year-old boys aren't much more advanced in their dealings with each other (although they both find any reference to potty words and bodily functions hysterical--the universal little boy bond!) I'm still so glad, however, to listen to Dane's musings regarding the universe and just what role we, as humans, play in that grand structure. He ponders over his relationship to God more than any child I've ever heard. And asks really hard questions that I don't have the answers for at times. The other day, during a thunderstorm, he asked if lightning could strike a house and cause it to burn. I told him yes. He asked if God created the lightning. I answered affirmatively. He then asked why God would create such a thing that could do such harm. I was blank. Didn't have a very good answer for that one--not one that would placate him to any degree, that's for certain. He is a thinker.
His humorous moments, however, are just as poignant. Jessica related this one she witnessed the other day:
Dane (asked Jessica while coloring with Jackson): Is white a color?
Jessica: No, not really.
Dane: Is black a color?
Jessica: Well, no, not really--black is just all the colors mixed together.
Dane: Oh. But it's the President.
I LAUGHED! So Dane. Love that little guy. Hope I can find enough truth and answers for him as he grows...

She Works Hard For the Money, So You Better Treat Her Right!

"What do you think? How hard is it to do a garage sale?" my lovely friend, Jessica, asked me one day. My reply: "Oh, it's not that big of a deal! Just slap a price on some stuff and away you go," I nonchalantly replied. HA! Famous last words.

So started what turned out to be an incredible (and I use this word not necessarily in a good way) process to "hosting" the neighborhood garage sale. We alerted all our friends as to what we were up to and asked if they wanted in on the selling. We had some serious takers (as well as many of our family members jumping in) and produced an amazing garage sale! Jess and I spent most of our week gathering the old for selling. We borrowed every table we could get our hands on and started setting up in my garage Friday morning. I worked all day, and it turned into all night! That's right...at 4:00 am, I attempted to make the popcorn balls for my darling, daughter to sell (she wanted in on the capitalism) only to find we were out of popcorn. So, I just kept lugging more stuff out of the basement. At 6:00 am, we started arranging all our wares and, boy, was it impressive! Imagine, our huge driveway (and heli-pad!) full to the brim with goods for sale. Our first early-bird customer showed up at 6:30 (didn't buy anything, lame!) and we were off. I don't think Jessica and I looked up again from doing transactions until noon! It was nuts! But, actually, pretty fun. By early afternoon, the stream of people slowed and we had a dilemma. There was SO much left for sale, I couldn't bear to start loading it into trucks to take to D.I. So, I looked at all my friends and, in a moment of insanity, said, "How about again next week?" And we did. Two weeks of garage sale! I don't want to do it again anytime soon, but, hey, we made some pretty serious cash, if you ask me. And my closets have never been cleaner! So, Jess, how about same time/same place next year? (Hee, hee...)

He Too Is Dreaming Of His Daddy's Love...

I was an aunt before I was a mom. It's Stacey's fault--she beat me to the punch! But, I wasn't too awfully far behind. Twelve years later, I became an "Auntie" for the 14th time! Little Hyrum Nathan Preator made his huge debut late Sunday night, coming in (or should I say "out"?) at 9 lbs., 5 ozs. and 20-inches-long, making his mom and dad two incredibly grateful people! Welcome to the family, baby...

I Can Often Feel The Savior Near, When Love Is Spoken Here

I can't make it through a baby's blessing without getting teary-eyed. That sweet, angelic, pure bundle being held in the arms of the Priesthood and receiving words from a Heavenly Father--it's incredibly touching. Even more so when it is one of my own children or the child of my siblings. Thank you, Kathy and Kyle, for inviting us to be part of such a special day!