The Adventures of Kiki and Miss Belle

During church last Sunday (1/25/09), I got a text from Dad that said "Can you pick up Adee for Mom?" My first thought was - Oh no! I hope something's not wrong! But then, I called Emilee and said I was on my way home from church and I could come pick up Adee and she told me that Adee had just wanted to come over and play with Tia (my mom) and Kiki (me). So, even though I was looking and feeling like I was on death's doorstep, I hopped over the Em's house and picked up my little look-a-like.

As soon as I got there, she was ready to go. Her outfit was perfect - a skirt and t-shirt that didn't match with a pink hoodie with rainbows all over it and jeans. The jeans were apparently an addition required by Mom since it was cold. I wish I had a camera! Too cute! Em told me she wanted to come play at my house. Who doesn't feel special when someone wants to come play with you? It doesn't matter if you're 5 or 25, it's nice to feel wanted and cool enough to hang out with!

So, we drove the mile and a half to my house. The whole way she would ask what song was playing on the radio and what the name of the street was. We didn't really go that far or make too many turns, so the answers were often - "Still the same as the last time you asked."

We got to my house and she asked - "Where's Tia?" Ah man - she didn't want to just play with me! Oh well! But, since Mom was busy trying to get stuff together for her calling, Adee got to be my little shadow. We picked out nail polish and painted her fingernails and toenails. She insisted on "rainbow" but I was able to convince her that we could have rainbow toes, but not fingers. She always likes to play with Kiki because that means she gets her fingernails painted AND she gets to watch a movie on my iPod (it's the only way I can keep her still enough to paint and then let it dry!).

After painting, we decided to have dinner. I went all out and scrambled up some eggs. She was loving that! She also got to enjoy some Chex Mix and cheese and apples with caramel dip! Balanced meal, right? I think I'm her favorite because I let her eat salty snacks as part of dinner. Heck - I like salty snacks as part of my dinner, so why deny her the joy too?

After dinner, we got ready for bed. She didn't want to sleep in one of the boys' t-shirts, so I went on a search for pajamas. I found a pair of size 8 SpongeBob pj pants in the bottom of Gavin's dresser (um....Gavin wears an 18.....pack rat!). She was tickled that she could wear them. They were a little long, but she was happy not to sleep in her jeans. We CLIMBED into my bed - it's almost taller than Adee - and snuggled up under the covers - about 3 blankets! We read 3 stories and then turned out the lights. She was worried that she might have a bad dream, so I told her to make sure that she woke me up if she got scared. Not 5 minutes later, she was telling me she had a bad dream (lie - she didn't even fall asleep!). I gave her a big hug and we closed our eyes and tried to sleep. It took her a while to fall asleep, but once she did, she was out for the night. I had to get up early to take Dad to work and go to work myself, so at 6 am, I sent her to climb in bed with Tia and our sleepover fun ended. Tia got to get her dressed for school and have breakfast with her.

I had a blast! I love that little girl. She was the one who gave me the title of "Mama Kiki" almost 4 years ago when I went to stay with her and her big brother while her little brother was born. Since she called all girls "Mama" and added their name, I would be "Mama Kaycee," but Kaycee is a difficult name for a 2 year old to say. When she said my name, Logan said it sounded like Kiki, so he started referring to me as Mama Kiki and the name stuck. It has since been shortened to just Kiki (although Brigham added a Tiki to it randomly today - Kiki Tiki).

Adee has quite the personality and spunk - and she has deep, dark chocolate brown eyes like me!

I love Miss Belle!

Christmas traditions

So I finally took the time to load the pictures from Christmas time. I realized in looking through all of them that my family has some pretty fun Christmas traditions that I thought I might share...



First, we go to this really cool thing down in Waxahachie with our friends the Burgesses (or as I like to call them the Burgers!). It's called Bethlehem Revisited. They set up a city block in the style of what Bethlehem might have been like at the time of Savior's birth. There are shops and homes, people selling chickens, tax collectors, and even Roman centurions (The boys like to taunt the centurions so they will get thrown in jail). Mary & Joseph come through the town every half hour or so and look for a place to stay. They go to a stable in the back corner and then shepherds come looking for the Baby Jesus, as well as wisemen (with real camels!). I always enjoy our time there. This year though, it was warmer than usual, so there were more people there. I tend to be bothered by crowds, so it wasn't quite as fun until...Seth stole a centurion's spear! There was a resting place for the centurions and Seth stole the spear that was just resting against the fence. Then he went for the gold and grabbed a shield!!! It was greatness. We snapped a photo for Logan since he was the one who started the centurion taunting tradition. Erik then tried to join the picture and steal his own, but a centurion caught him. Boo! It was pretty funny when he got fussed at.

On Christmas Eve, we always build a fire to roast marshmallows and have s'mores and hot chocolate. The firewood is the Christmas tree from the previous year that has been drying in the backyard (Mom doesn't like this part of the tradition. She thinks it's very PWT of us). We all cuddle up with blankets and our treats around the fire and Dad reads The Cajun Night Before Christmas (De Chirren been nezzle Good snug on de flo' An' Mama pass de pepper T'ru de crack on de do'). Then Dad reads Luke 2 and we watch the Nativity (Luke 2) set to Amy Grant's "Breath of Heaven," followed by Joy to the World. Then we all kneel for family prayer and head to bed. The kids all pile into one bedroom and the parents are off to wrap.

On Christmas morning, the kids stay in the room until it's a decent time to get up. This year we didn't start opening presents until 9am! Usually, it's around 7:30, but I played games with the boys to let Mom and Dad sleep a little longer. Then, we can't go in the living room until everyone goes together. We empty our stockings first and then open our Santa presents. Santa always leaves us 3 presents - just like the 3 presents that the wisemen brought to Jesus. This year my 3 presents were - The Office DVD game, a pretty green sweater, and a jewelry box (that's a giant picture frame too). While opening presents, we have breakfast (monkey bread) in the oven. Inevitably, it is forgotten and ends up a little crispy, but still delicious!

This year we added a new tradition - talking to the missionary. We were able to talk to Logan for about 90 minutes or so (I only know the amount of time because international calling is expensive and I just got my cell phone bill!). We each had about 10 minutes to talk to him and then we put him on speakerphone and listened while he opened his Christmas package (thanks Darlene for helping send it!). He was so cute to tell us about everything he opened (see the pics). The most exciting gifts for him were his Saints tie and tuna fish.

I wanted to start my own tradition this year and decided that I would make everyone homemade gifts. I really enjoyed it. I made hats for Gavin and Burke, slippers for Chance, and a framed Nativity for Mom (I bought an old calendar and cut out the picture and framed it). Dad got a machine that will make homemade ice cream...that was the best I could come up with! I was excited for "Christmas with the Cousins" (that's Christmas with Mimi, Emilee's fam, and Loree's fam). I made gifts for everyone that I thought were awesome. I made a new pattern for a girl's hat that I made for Emilee, Adee (& her Samantha doll), and Darbee (Loree and Posee's are almost done). I made a scarf for Mimi. I made slippers for Mack and Brooks and a hat for Brig (which was too small). It wasn't a complete success, but I really enjoyed making everything and the things that fit looked really cute on everyone.

This isn't a tradition, but I have to mention it. Em and her kids gave me an awesome new wallet for Christmas. It's like an old cigarette case. It's red with white polka dots and I love it! Inside, there was an Ikea gift card too. How fun! It was a great present.

I hope y'all had fun with family and friends this Christmas. I'm glad that we have these traditions that help us to stay close as a family and remember the Savior. I am planning to continue these and add some more I'm sure.

Eight things in six topics...

So Erin tagged me...how can I resist this fun little interview...

8 Favorite TV shows:

1. LOST
2. Dancing with the Stars
3. Jeopardy
4. What Not to Wear
5. So You Think You Can Dance
6. The Colbert Report
7. The Office
8. Heroes

8 Things I did Yesterday:

1. Went to work
2. Went to 3 DSW Stores on the way home
3. Called 5 DSW Stores
4. A wonderful evening with the Stake President, his wife, and the fam
5. Saw my brother set apart as a Missionary - Yay Elder Sorensen!
6. Went to Penney's with B & G and thoroughly enjoyed their budding styles
7. Watched some Dancing with the Stars & Jeopardy - see above!!
8. Slept in the recliner while Elder Sorensen kept asking me how to copy pictures to the computer, where the family names to do baptims at Winter Quarters Temple were, can I take a picture with you, and my favorite - have you seen the Ipod?

8 Things I look forward to:

1. October 2010
2. the weekend - every week
3. My weight loss goal acheived
4. A Master's degree
5. Debt paid off
6. Home ownership
7. A Piano Studio
8. Mardi Gras - Erin, save that vacation time!!!!

8 Favorite Restaurants:

1. Semolina's - Crawfish Alfredo - yes please!!!
2. Deanie's - New Orleans Seafood - hello?
3. Maggiano's - especially if I can see Katileigh Nell Burger!!!
4. Prairie House - mmmm Sausage!
5. Rockfish Grill - the closest thing to #2 in DFW
6. Dodie's - a great pleace to visit when I'm feeling a trip to NOLA coming on, but don't have the cash!
7. Bennigan's - the home of the Monte Cristo
8. Applebee's - the home of the Shrimp and Spinach Salad!

8 Things on my Wish List:

1. A new back
2. A job closer to home
3. Elders Sorensen and Starks to be great missionaries!
4. Tax breaks all around!!!
5. Price of oil per barrell - $50!
6. A fun time at the State Fair on Friday
7. Jill to do great on Saturday at Regionals
8. move back to NOLA

8 People I tag:

1. Mom
2. Kati B.
3. April H.
4. Christy D.
5. Amee S.
6. Kerrie C.
7. Suzanne L.
8. YOU!

(If you have been tagged, post your answers to these six categories of 8, then tag 8 more people.)

Service is a life-saver....Literally!

Yesterday at the Sorensen house was an interesting one to say the least -

I left work a few minutes late and realized that I needed to stop and get gas. While getting off the highway, my brother calls. The conversation went something like this:

Me: "Hello?"

Burke: "Hi Kaycee."

Me: "What's up? Did you need something?"

Burke: "Mom wants to know what time you'll be home."

Me: "In about an hour or so...I have to get gas and traffic is pretty bad."

Burke: "Ok, she says can you please hurry because she needs your help. We forgot we're feeding the missionaries today and Brigham pooped on the wall."

Me: "I'll hurry...wait did you say on the wall?"

Burke: "Yeah, he pooped and then played. See you soon."

So, with that in mind, I hurried to fill up, but there were these 2 teenage girls who came up to the guy pumping gas next to me. They asked if he had any money because they ran out of gas and had to get home to Cleburne (We were in Hurst). He said he didn't have any cash, but he would give them all the change in his ashtray. They gladly took it and headed over to their car. I watched and stood there and thought about how much I hate to just give money to people, but then remembered my running out of gas experience and tried to think of what I could do. They never asked me, so did they really need it? Well, I decided to go use my card and let them pump $5 worth of gas. When I offered, they were immediately thankful and keep thanking me the whole time the gas was a-pumpin. When I realized they were in an old Jeep, I knew $5 wouldn't get them very far, so I said $10. Yes, I should have been on the road to help clean-up the poop portrait, but it felt like I should help the girls out.

So, after they were done getting gas, I left and got back on the road. I got to Grapevine near DFW and the traffic was completely stopped. I took one of my secret back-ways and while passing the line of traffic, I saw that the highway was shut down with 2 fire engines and a couple of ambulances. The thought instantly came to my mind, if I hadn't spent the 5 or 10 extra minutes to help the girls, I would have been right there. Wow! Sometimes the Spirit is so awesome. I was so grateful for the prayers of my brothers who always ask Heavenly Father to help me be safe and have a good day at work. I definitely saw that prayer answered yesterday.

By the time I got home, the poop portrait was gone, dinner was ready to be put on the table, and the kids were playing happily in the backyard. My mom never ceases to amaze me! Yes, she has had a busy and rough time lately with everything she has to do, but how she does it, I don't know!

My dad is pretty awesome too! The day before my birthday, we were headed to Pancho's for a "Quantity not Quality: Mexican Feast and I stopped to pick up Mom and the Boys. We were waiting for a while, so I went in to see what was up and Mom was scurrying around the kitchen. Apparently the burner on the stove had started sparking and caught fire and put a hole in the pot. The stove would not turn off, and we couldn't unplug it, so I pulled the element out and we went on our merry way. Well, it was the largest burner, so it's been tricky to cook since then. Yesterday, my dad fixed the stove. He bought a new element and switched the wires so we can use the stove again. He's pretty handy and definitely a hard worker! Even after a full day of work (12 hours as a nurse!), he came home and installed a toilet seat, fixed the stove, and much more on the "honey do" list. It's another way that I amazed! He rocks!

I on the other hand feel like a dork. I only slept 1 hour the night before last and last night still didn't sleep over 6 hours or so. I feel like I am dragging constantly and I am not getting much done. I think I need to go be creative like Pres. Uchtdorf said at the General Relief Society Broadcast on Saturday....

Marriage and Family

So I was being my stalker self and had to go read my friend Kati B's blog since she updated for the first time in months. She posted some info about Prop 8 in California - which is set to reaffirm California voters' vote on Prop 22 in 2000 by amending the state consitution - to define marriage as only between a man and a woman. Why do they have to reiterate what passed with 61% of the vote? Because 4 judges in San Francisco have overturned the people's voice to recognize same-sex marriage and declared sexual orientation to be a protected class giving them civil rights. Rights are important, but with this distinction, anyone who speaks against homosexuality - even in church - could be prosecuted for hate speech.

I hope that I am not coming across the wrong way, and I really believe that the Church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility towards men and women with same-gender attraction. Protecting marriage between a man and a woman does not affect my Christian obligation of love, kindness and humanity toward all people, but I do know that there is a prophet of God on the Earth today - Thomas S. Monson - and he, along with his counselors, have counseled the members in California to get involved in this issue to help preserve the sacred institution of marriage. If the prophet is giving specific counsel, I want to follow that. Yes, I don't live in California, but I know that when legislation begins in one place, it often follows elsewhere. I figure if anything, I can help get the word out and help support the cause of righteousness. If anything, this is my effort to let people know where I stand and it is unequivocally on the side of marriage between a man and a woman and continuing to support the family as the basic unit of society - both here on Earth and in eternity.

For more information see:

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the Church's official website
• Preserving Tradition Marriage and Strengthening Families - a letter from First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Church leaders in California to be read to all congregations on 29 June 2008
• Kati's blog - what inspired this post
• The Family Proclamation - a proclamation given by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, then the prophet, in September 1995 that defines the Church's belief and expectations concerning the Family
• The Divine Institution of Marriage - an article from the Church about its involvement with Prop 8
• Same-Gender Attraction/Marriage - excerpts from an interview with Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, and Elder Lance B. Wickman, a member of the Seventy.
• Same-Sex Attraction - perhaps the most succint and best information on the subject from an Apostle, Elder Oaks
• Protect Marriage - a coalition to help support the passing of Prop 8
• Poway - one of the stake websites showing the Church's support for this
• When Gay Rights and Religious Liberties Clash - NPR article showing how religious groups are being challenged about their provision of services to individuals with same-gender attraction and losing

I had a birthday - shout hooray!

Lot's of people sang to me yesterday.
I'm one year older and wiser too.
I had a great birthday thanks to you!

Ok, enough with my shameless adaptation of a primary song - onto the good stuff -

My birthday was yesterday. My last couple have been on the lame side, so I was trying not to get excited about this one. I mean come on - 26 - what's so great about that?

Well, on Saturday night, Mom, Dad, Gavin, Chance, Michael, and I ate some Pancho's goodness. Yes, it's a quantity over quality kind of place, but I do love me cheap Mexican food in excess! Sunday morning, I had meetings for church, so I planned to ride with Michael as usual. Michael said he had to be there early, so I got up extra early - i.e. 7 am - and hurried over to pick him up. I got there and he asked me to come in - I was already suspicious. He had a present waiting for me (that his mom helped "wrap") - dental pics that we saw at the store a while back and 26 Snickers Nut N Butter Crunch (well actually there were only 20 because he had enjoyed some). Also, there was my favorite breakfast - French Toast (that his dad had helped cook). It was yummy delicious. Once we were finished, we headed to Branch Council, which was ok and then the 3-hour block. I had offered to play the organ in sacrament meeting, so I was playing prelude and 3 different people came up and shared birthday wishes and presents. Holler! Alicia gave me some watermelon lip smackers; Staci gave me this awesome thing for my wall; and MaryAnn told me my present was in the car. What fun!

After sacrament meeting, Michael walked in with a Sunday School manual and looked a little stressed. I asked - Are you teaching? He said he had forgotten that 3 of the 4 teachers would be out of town, so he was going to teach. I offered to teach and had a good time teaching about the Stripling Warriors. Not too tricky of a lesson to teach since I feel like I live with them. It went well, then it was off to Relief Society. For music enrichment, Amy had everyone sing "Happy Birthday" and we had all of the June, July, and August birthdays come up and get a treat. It was fun! The lesson was great too!

After church, I went over to Michael's to work on this project I've been trying to finish for over a month. I didn't finish, but headed home around 4:30. Got home, cleaned up a bit, started to frost one of my cakes, and then tons of folks came over to celebrate. It was awesome! The Willardsons came from McKinney. Sister Tenney came. Diane and Jared came (all the way from Utah I might add!! :). Emilee and her brood, Mimi, Loree, Brooks, and Darbee, and Amanda and Jonathan Colegrove also came. It was tons of fun and tons of crazy. There were kids running everywhere! I had a great time.

I got some pretty cool presents - a Piano shaped jewelry music box, a Pei Wei gift card, a porcelain figurine, a quilt cover, a new church binder-notebook thingy, M&M paraphernalia, some awesome pictures (thanks Lizzie), cosmetics, this awesome hand crank lantern, these awesome cupcakes on lollipop sticks (which I haven't tried as of yet, but look forward to eating when I get home today!! thanks Kati B!!!) and lots of very sweet cards. I'm a small gifts love language girl, so I was feeling very loved!

After the excitement left, I watched some Olympic action and ate some sausage and then MaryAnn and Suzanne came over to bring me my presents - European chocolates and new swimming gear (awesome tinted goggles and a white Nike swim cap).

What a way to finish out a great day!

So, 26 is starting out magnificently. I'm excited for all of the things that are coming up - Logan going on a mission, Michael getting his mission call and going to serve, applying for a master's degree, training for the sprint tri, paying off some more debt....the list goes on.....

Thanks everyone for helping me have a great day!

Love ya!