Remember

Our deepest gratitude to those who have died in our nation's service, and to their families.

The Kahler Family

So long first grade, hello second!

As of 12:50 today, we will officially have a big second grader in our house! Emily's last day of school is today, and I was informed by the entire class during the party yesterday that I couldn't call them first graders anymore... they're second graders. I said "First graders, will you please line up to go throw water balloons?" In return, I hear "We're not first graders anymore, Mrs. Kahler, we're second graders." Then they just stand there, waiting for me to address them correctly! Seriously!?... you took the time to tell me that instead of bolting to the door to water-bomb the person of your choice? They don't take second grade lightly, that's for sure! They are so stinking cute and we had such a great party... a Sonic party. We got them Sonic. That's right, we're cool like that. That, and I got a drink out of it without getting "the look" from Nick. You know, the one that jokingly says he really thinks that I have a Sonic problem (see "my five" post)!?
There has been so much going on, I don't even know where to start. For that, and the fact that I promised Em that she could ride her scooter to school while I push Ethan in the stroller, I have got to get my behind up from the computer.
Happy Graduation day to Nicole, our sweetheart cousin. She rocks. She likes to tell little girls that Hannah Montana is behind the curtain on the stage at wedding receptions... love her!
Who else is thrilled that David Cook won American Idol!?!?

Happy last day of school, graduation day, Thursday!
A

Last day of school!

And Ethan... because I think he's cute!

happiness...

is spending Mother's Day with the ones that you love. It is also discovering that your new camera and lenses take the pictures exactly the way you want them... so, so happy about that! I am really into scrapbooking, but don't do much of it because of all of the "extra" that ends up being in pictures. Now, I'm going to be a scrapping fool... and a photographer :), um, ok... maybe not the photographer part!

Another thing that makes me happy is that Dr. Kevin Leman is going to be speaking at my church this weekend! I have read his books and Nick listens to him on the radio, so we are excited to hear what he has to teach! If you're in the area and you have children, it's something you won't want to miss!

Happy Monday!
A

Kisses from the kiddos!

Perfect... although, as I mentioned, not a photographer!

Little Miss Sassy

Woohoo!

My five (as requested by Shelijn)...

1. 5 things under $5 that I couldn't live without
Chapstick
Sonic drinks
Crayola products
Hand lotion
Odwalla Monster C drinks when I feel a cold coming on

2. 5 Favorite Movies
You've got Mail
Love Actually
Top Gun
The Little Mermaid
The Bucket List

3. 5 Baby names I love
Emily and Ethan (of course)
Addison
Adam
Ella
Hudson

4. 5 Songs I could listen to over and over again
Stand
Cowboy Take Me Away
All That Matters
Drops of Jupiter
Emily singing God Bless America at 2 years old

5. 5 People who have influenced me in a positive way
Nick
My parents (including in-laws) and siblings
Emily and Ethan
Mrs. Ricketts
All the people that show me who I don't want to be... you know, the lady in the grocery store that yells at you because your kid is crying, or the person that never has something nice to say... never.

6. 5 things that are always in my purse
Chapstick
Money for a Sonic drink :)
Really small first-aid kit
Bobby pins
Crayons that I steal from the restaurants

7. 5 moments that have changed my life forever
My wedding
The birth of my children
My baptism
Nick being sent to Iraq
The moment I realized that not everybody is going to like me or treat me kindly, but that's ok... I don't have to let it affect me and I don't have to be like them.

8. 5 Obsessions I have now
Sonic drinks (really, Nick is looking into starting a Sonic's Anonymous, just for people like me)
Photography... you watch, I'm the next Annie Liebowitz :)
Cooking/ baking
Blogs
Organization

9. 5 places I would like to go
Italy
France
Seattle, Oregon (Nick loves them both and I'm a rain/ green person)
Victoria Falls
New York for the Macy's Thanksgiving parade

10. 5 appliances or kitchen tools I cannot live without
Kitchenaid Mixer
VitaMix "blender"
Dishwasher (did that in CO for long enough!)
Rocker knife
Coffee pot

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope that all of the Mothers in my life have a very Happy Mother's Day!
To some, it is their first Mother's Day, some just watched their oldest daughter get married :), some are dedicating their babies at church today (so excited to see you!), and some are going to enjoy a really great day with family, just to name a few.
Whatever you are doing, I wish you a Happy Mother's Day and hope that this is a great day for you!
I have to add a prayer request because there are two mommies that are on my heart a lot today... two mommies that I know that will spend this Mother's Day in the hospital with their little ones. Please pray for them and their children, and the Lord's peace in their life today. Thank you.

Happy Mother's Day Sunday!
A

Happy Cinco de Mayo...

Mexican food for dinner tonight, not doubt about it! I think we'll have burrito bowls tonight since it's one of the things that the kids always scarf down and want seconds of... yum! Really though, we don't need a reason to enjoy Mexican food around here, it is our absolute favorite! Since I'm on the topic... if you have a Costco in your area, you HAVE to buy their uncooked tortillas... oh my goodness, they are delish, and you can cook them to your little heart's desire! I eat them by themselves, way too many at a time. Way too many. You can find them in the cooler section, usually right by the shredded cheese... try them now, they are fantastic!
We've had a really great May so far! Did anybody put flowers on somebody's front porch?
We had a great weekend, some sickness that we are thankfully over, and now we are into finals week for Nick and the last couple of weeks of school for Em! Em is already a bit sad that she won't have the same teacher next year... ok, she's really sad, she even has been crying about it, sweet thing. She wrote her teacher a note and asked if we could go to the neighborhood pool together over the summer, how cute is that!? She has the most wonderful teacher. There isn't enough that I can say about what a great teacher she is and we are so thankful that she has become part of our lives! She has two daughters, one is Em's age, so it works out well and we will definitely see them over the summer. Em is happy about that and maybe it will help reduce the tears on the last day of school! Nick, on the other hand, won't be crying as he finishes his final on Thursday night! He will have over a month off until his summer electives. We're going to get a couple of much needed vacations which I'll tell you about after we're home... for obvious reasons!
Ok, I have stuff to get done that requires more of me than sitting in front of the computer wishing for a laundry fairy. Actually, the laundry is done, ironed and put away... I would settle for an errand fairy!
That, and Handy Manny is almost over... time's up Mom!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Happy Monday!
A