Saturday, January 16, 2010

Girl time




Today - the female offspring and myself took off into the unknown.... ok well maybe we knew where we were going. Ft. Worth. Not sure what our plans were except that Emily was in control. She decided to go to the mall - not Chuckie Cheese, not the movies. THE MALL. What have I created? We ate lunch. We walked and looked. People watched and laughed. She had an alloted amount of money she could spend. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt what that would be. We went to every store in the Hulen mall looking for a certain pair of boots. In the process, she was narrowing down her choices of what she would get if we couldn't find these boots, Some sort of snapping shoes. We never found the boots but she did pick up some "stylish" shoes!! Where she gets her fetish for heels - who knows?? But I have a feeling, we have only begun to climb this mountain!!
We really enjoyed our day together and I am embracing every stage in her life, knowing all too well, in a few short years, she will be embarrassed being at the mall with her M-O-M! And we seen plenty of those groups today!!!!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Looking back over 2009

2009 was pretty uneventful at the Kapka house!! We, like most Americans, are really being more cautious about how, when and where we spend our hard earned funds! Thank the Good Lord, Jamie wasn't working out of town as much this year. But there are some changes coming to his work over the course of 2010, and it looks as if he will be gone alot this next year. We are just still so thankful he still has a job in this economy! It could always be worse! He is loving having his dad across the street. Jim retired this year. So Jamie has really enjoyed their motorcycle rides over this past year. We are all looking forward to camping this spring and summer. Its nice to have family so close and we are all adjusting fine to having them here. Alot of people asked me - really your mother in law across the street? But it has been GREAT. We are all avid Cowboy fans and enjoy Sundays together!

Emily finished out her first year of school in May and she (as well as us) were so relieved! With school comes alot of busy time. When we approached Kindergarden I was concerned how much it was going to change Emily's little life I never accounted how it would change mine! Kindergarten wasn't our favorite time, but 1st grade has been much better. Mainly because there isn't a little boy in her class that she struggled with last year. Our prayer for her is that she become more bold and to grow a think skin... and fast! We can't shield her forever, and if it weren't that boy, there will be someone else. I would say kids are mean, but its people in general!

Blaine is still at the KDO program at New River Fellowship with me. He was bumped up to my class (the oldest ones) last minute. He is suppose to be in this class, but when we enrolled 2 years ago, this class was full. Which was fine with me - my good friend Rachel was his first teacher. It eased him into school well. But now our dilemma starts. He is a summer birthday. Should we send him to school, or wait one more year? We are leaning right now on holding him one more year. If we do, he will attend a 4 day a week preschool to prepare him for the "long days" as Emily referred to them. Our prayer for him is to reveal what we should do with his school situation, and get him out of this competitive stage he is so wrapped up in right now. He is a horrible loser!

I still work with the kids at New River KDO. I still think that is what I was called to do when we moved down here. I love being with the kids. YES I am exhausted after a day of school, but its worth it. I am OBSESSED with the Twilight series, and I am not afraid to say it. Thank goodness I have friends that are just as obsessed as I am to talk to and feel normal! For all of you who know me, 3 years ago, I was a crab. Stayed at home, blended in. My family were my friends and they all lived within a 45 mile radius. Moving here and with Jamie always gone, I had to break out of my shell and make friends, or go crazy. In doing so, I had to conquer my fear of trust. So I did, and the thing you fear never happens, happened. I met some fake people, who mingled in with all my great friends, who I allowed into my life, and in return got hurt. It took me months to understand why I cared so much???? I am not regretful for putting myself out there, because I realize now, I missed out on so much trying to blend in. Yes, you will run across some genuine friends and mixed in you will get those that aren't. But its worth it! God puts those people in your path for a reason. He showed me not to put my faith in people but in Him, and I won't get hurt!

We had our annual Family reunion over labor day. Attendance was low this year, but had a great time with some family we hadn't seen in long time. We also celebrated Halloween with our great friends The Brock's again this year. Our friends from Austin were able to come again, and the kids love this holiday.
We have been blessed this year, as always! We are all healthy. We are all together, roof over our head, food in our kitchen and all that...
Well that is about all for us and our little life - peace out.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Thankful Joseph and Mary couldn't find a Holiday Inn Express





They say the chances of having a white Christmas in the North Texas area is less then 5%. God decided he wanted to show them a thing or two about statistics! Although there wasn't enough snow to build a normal size snowman, it was considered a huge news event!! My family improvised with their snow supply and created Katie Snowman and Brutus the Snowman. Then hurried inside out of the wind to retreat by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. I despise snow --- any cold wet thing (ha) But would love to make this a Christmas Eve holiday tradition! I can't see that happening again for a llloonnnggg time unless we moved from North Texas!

Merry Christmas all!!!!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

somethings you know you will never forget...


Is there anything more precious then a sock baby Jesus made by a 4 year old? I never understood why mom pulled out all our old ornaments and Christmas crafts we made to decorate her home with..... Now I understand.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Lots to be Thankful for



Here we are.... rednecks gone wild! No its not a family photo by a professional. Its taken by a family friend and my mom with her throw away camera in her garage!! BUT.... this picture taken during Thanksgiving is the first time this family has been all together in over 4 years! Over the course of this night we laughed, we cried, we debated, loved and spanked on kids, shared stories we have missed. We heard a story of one of the kids calling his grandmother a not so nice name. We played any kind of instruments we could find. Sang until our hearts were content, most of us off key. We ate, and ate and ate. Then we had to say goodbye!!! I am thankful for this group of fun loving, beer drinking, music loving, dedication from every stage of parenthood, unconditional love and support. We may not be the prettiest looking bunch, but I know who I can call when I need someone to back me! Just sad they are 400+ miles away!

Until next time.....

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

A haunting we will go.....






Pumpkin carving, tricking and treating and what not.... Fun was had by all this year at the Kapka house!!! Our dear friends from Austin came up and celebrated with us!! We had so much fun!!! Now time to recover! Until next year....

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Explosive!



This is what I woke up too -- its a great monkey bread recipe, if you use the right amount of rolls!