One of our Favorites

She is one of our favorite people.

She is spunky, silly, kind, loving, compassionate, energetic, and so full of joy.

My kids all adore "Katie Wilson".  (I think the feeling is mutual) 

She is a wonderful role model for my daughter.  

When Morgan first met Katie, who was the worship leader at our church, she started writing songs to give to her.  Katie took each and every little song with a smile on her face and encouraging words.  

A few weeks ago, Katie got married.  It was definitely one of the most anticipated events of our fall calendar.  My kids had been counting down the days. Every time we would leave the house Landon would ask "Are we going to Katie Wilson's wedding?" 

I wish I would have taken a picture of Morgan and her girlfriends waiting for Katie to walk down the aisle. They sat clumped together at the end of the pew, practically on top of each other, hanging over the edge waiting for Katie. It was precious.

The wedding was gorgeous. Katie looked amazing.  It was a beautiful celebration.

In the hustle and bustle of the reception, with so many guests wanting to visit with the bride and groom, Katie took time to visit with Morgan (and her girlfriends) and take pictures with them.  So much like Katie to take time for these young girls. They were all just giddy with excitement that they got to have their picture taken with Katie.  A little act that meant so much to these girls.

Thank you Katie, for being such a wonderful role model for my daughter.  We miss you and love you!

Wordless Wednesday: A Day at the Zoo

Humbled

 As part of my teacher education program in college, I had to take a public speaking class.  I do not enjoy public speaking in any form. This class was painful. Painful. I dreaded every. single. moment of that class.  

I celebrated when that semester ended, hoping I would never have to do any type of public speaking again (besides standing in front of 5 and 6 year olds).  

Last week, our pastor approached Lance and asked him if we would give a stewardship talk in church.  My reaction, as you can imagine. was NO! Absolutely not.  There was no way I was getting up in front of church, both services, to talk about stewardship (specifically tithing).     

As my husband gently reminded me we are called to step out of our comfort zone and do things that might make us squirm a little.  

I finally agreed to do the stewardship talk. Then I began to feel sick to my stomach, I couldn't sleep, and I was completely anxious for the next few days anytime I thought about it. I prayed I wouldn't pass out in front of the church. Or fall down the stairs. Or vomit.  

Last night as we entered church for our Financial Peace class (more on that later), a woman approached us.  She had tears her eyes and proceeded to tell us how that day her husband went home, worked on their budget and put in a tithe for the first time.  It is an act of faith for their family because on paper the ends are not necessarily going to meet.  I am praying that God will bless them abundantly this month so they can see the fruits of being faithful.

We almost didn't share our story because of my fear of public speaking.  Because I didn't trust that God would use us or give us the words to tell our story and touch lives.  I am thankful we had this opportunity.  I am thankful for the lesson I learned in stepping out of my comfort zone. I am thankful for being humbled.

Wordless Wednesday: Buddies

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

It's Super Mauryn!

I am afraid this is probably only the beginning. Life will never be dull with this little ball of fire.

Crazy Girl from Kristen Cheney on Vimeo.

Movie Maker

It wasn't enough for Landon to be a rock star.  Now he is also a movie star.

A few disclaimers before video viewing:

1.  Lance didn't have a clue.  Lance was on his way to the shower (its why he is shirtless) when he saw Landon talking to the computer and walked into the room.  He found out about an hour later that their silliness had been caught on tape. And it was blog worthy!

2. He's a fighter.  I am not sure why Landon says he is going to fight his sister in the video. I think it may have been 4 year old babble.  We do not support, encourage, or promote physical fighting.  Okay, I feel better now that I have cleared up that little fact.

Landon's Movie - Full Version from Kristen Cheney on Vimeo.

 

Twenty One Days

I once read somewhere that it takes 21 days to break a habit.

We have been working with Landon on breaking his habit: sucking his thumb. 

On his 4th birthday we took away his jammies. We had prepped him for a few months that on his birthday he would say good bye to his jammies.  If he had his jammies, he sucked his thumb. No jammies, no thumb.  The jammies were kept on his bed and he could have them at naptime and bedtime.

His birthday came. The jammies went. He found a new comfort item and continued to suck his thumb.

I talked to the dentist. I talked to the pediatrician. Both of them said, he will grow out of it and there is really nothing we can do to stop the thumb sucking.

Some friends of ours told us that they had let their son pick out any toy he wanted (within reason) from the store if he stopped sucking his fingers. The boy did it in 4 sleeps!  

I am not above bribery if it will encourage him to stop sucking his thumb. 

I offered Landon the chance to go to the store and pick out something he wants if he can go 21 days without sucking his thumb.  He was strongly opposed to the idea at first. Then I think his older sister enlightened him on what kinds of things he might get at the store.

He decided one night to put his blanket in the closet and go to bed without it.

Night one, night two, night three, night four, night five..... going well. He hasn't asked for his blanket and has been going to bed like a champ.

Then yesterday I asked him to lay down for a bit in the afternoon and here is what I find:

He told me he can sleep at night without his blanket and sucking his thumb cause its a long time but naps are too short and he needs his blanket (which leads to sucking his thumb).  

 

Anyone else have a thumb sucker? Any ideas on how to break the habit? It was really cute when he started sucking his thumb at 6 months of age, but now that he is 4 1/2, not so cute.