April/May Photo Dump

It's time once again to clear out the pictures on my iphone, so I'm putting them to my blog for safe keeping!  Many of them probably look familiar because they've been posted on Facebook.  But since this blog is also my scrapbook, I want them saved here as well.  I'm amazed (and somewhat disappointed) in how many pictures I actually take with my cell phone.  As I've always said, I'm thankful that it's a handy resource to have available for those unexpected adorable moments that I want to capture, but I also cringe when I see the end result because the quality is so terrible compared to my DSLR photos.  But, it's better than missing the memory all together I suppose!

Back in April, one of our many Tuesday ice cream days

My friend Erin sent Kyndall this stuffed liver, which although totally hilarious has also proven to be quite the teaching tool.  Kyndall fully understands that Mommy needs a new liver because mine doesn't work right anymore.  She also now knows that in order to get this new liver the doctors will have to cut my belly and take the old one out.  I've found that just being open and honest with her is the best way to go about this whole process.  Obviously, she doesn't know ALL of the details but she knows the basics of what's going to happen.  Every child is different but Kyndall is very inquisitive and isn't satisfied until she understands something fully.  So, "Lilly the Liver" has actually been quite helpful in getting this conversation started!

My favorite part about Lilly the Liver is her tag.....

Doing what she loves most....picking flowers at the park

Another favorite activity---Crafting!  On this particular day she chose to paint a bird house

Passed out on the couch after a busy day!  This NEVER happens!!

A few weeks ago while my sister was here, Kyndall took a liking to my sister's stuffed dog Rosie.  My sister is 27 years old, married and has a baby on the way....BUT she doesn't sleep without this ratty old dog next to her every night.  I'm sure she's going to kill me for sharing that, but isn't that what older sisters are for??  Anyway, Kyndall decided she couldn't sleep without Rosie so Kelly graciously shared her for a few nights.  I love going into Kyndall's room and watching her while she sleeps.  On this particular night this is what I found.  So sweet!

My little flower lover stood in awe of this giant rose at Hobby Lobby.  Could someone tell me what in the world you would ever use this for??

Oh this picture brings back some memories.  This was taken about 5 minutes before my Dairy Queen escapade which won me a helicopter ride to Nashville and landed me in the ICU at Vanderbilt for several days.  We were parked and just about to go in and get our ice cream when I decided to snap this picture of Kyndall in her shades.  Little did I know what was about to take place.  See the DQ sign in the top left corner?  Oh the flashbacks....!  =)

Pipe cleaner glasses made by Kyndall herself!  She has developed quite a love for pipe cleaners, as you will see throughout this post.....

I was really bummed to be missing our big annual family Easter celebration at my Grandparents' house back in Florida.  It's my favorite family get-together of the entire year but due to my placement on the transplant list I'm unable to travel.  My sweet sister sent me this picture of an egg she made with my initials on it, just to show me that they were thinking of me!

Another Tuesday, another ice cream date

Several weeks ago we had our entire front yard professionally landscaped by a local nursery.  The workers were here all morning and Kyndall found it absolutely fascinating to watch them as they dug up the old plants and put down the new ones.  She pulled up a chair and ate her breakfast in front of the window while watching the men work in our yard.  She really does love ALL things related to flowers and plants!

On our way to the post office with one of our MANY stacks of bracelets to be mailed!!  I feel like I've spent more time at the post office over the past month than I have my entire life!  But, I am so very thankful to all those who proudly wear the Donate Life bracelets and are helping me to spread awareness about the importance of organ donation!  Each time I see someone wearing my name on their wrist it makes my heart smile so big!  It's something so simple yet it means so much to me when I see it!  THANK YOU!!

Going on a walk around the neighborhood.......

Picking wildflowers, of course........

My favorite part of the day........

My friend Mari who lives in Arizona had her 3rd grade class make get well soon pictures for me!  Kyndall and I enjoyed looking through them and reading the sweet notes that many of the kids included.  Thank you, Mari!!

Matthew and I celebrated our 6th anniversary on April 26th.  My Mom graciously let us have a nice dinner to ourselves while she and Kyndall enjoyed fine dining at Snappy Tomatoes---K's favorite restaurant!

We had some crazy strong (and scary!) winds one night recently.  When we looked out the next morning, we found that Kyndall's play house had been completely blown apart!  Thankfully Daddy was able to put it back together.

After 6 months of living in this house we FINALLY bought a set of double recliners for the play room!  YAY for not having to sit on the floor anymore!!!!  Next up on the list....getting that room organized!

In case you didn't know, I have the pickiest child that has ever walked the face of this earth.  She will eat a total of about 5 things and that's not an exaggeration.  Meat is NOT one of them, which makes meal time extremely difficult.  I never thought I would get excited over my child eating a McDonald's hamburger but a few weeks ago I did just that!!  This was a FIRST for Kyndall and we made a BIG deal over it!  She actually ate about half of her burger before deciding she didn't like it after all.  Any suggestions on how to get her to eat meat??  Veggies??  Basically anything healthy??  I'm desperate!

Seriously, this was a BIG BIG deal!!!

The Frozen obsession is OUT. OF. CONTROL.  She really does thinks he's Elsa and don't you dare forget and accidentally call her Kyndall!  She will correct you in a heartbeat!  Here she is looking JUST like Elsa---see her braid and her cape??  They're practically twins, right??

I told you, I LOOOOVE watching her sleep!!

Kyndall and Daddy waiting for the opening ceremonies of the Strawberry Festival to begin!  Kyndall was most excited about seeing the strawberry queens and the super cool fireworks

Walking back to the car after the fireworks

Costume delivery day at dance class!!

Tending to her plants like a good little gardener......

Not a day goes by that she doesn't spend time on her beloved 4 wheeler.  Best gift EVER!!

Last week she discovered a love for tree climbing........

This past Saturday morning, watching Daddy cut the grass.....

Last Saturday night Matthew and I went to the Jackson Generals baseball game to host a customer even for Matthew's work.  Kyndall and Grammy had a girls night, complete with a movie at the theater and dinner at Steak 'N Shake

Matthew with two of his employees at the Generals game

Again with the pipe cleaners.  She made "birdie swings" for the birdies.....

She told me not to take them down so I am following orders so far and the birdie swings remain

Relaxing on my new Mother's Day gift!  We LOOOVE the swing!

A bittersweet day---Our last day of dance class was this past Tuesday which also meant the end of our traditional Tuesday ice cream dates with Caroline and Glory

This past Tuesday night I went with 7 of my best girlfriends from church to see the movie "Moms' Night Out" (highly recommend it, by the way!!)  My sweet Mom agreed to keep Kyndall as well as Caroline so that Glory and I could enjoy a rare night with our friends.  Mom sent me this picture of the girls sharing a bowl of popcorn and watching Charlotte's Web.  So sweet!

More pip cleaner creations.......

Watching the rain fall yesterday and enjoying the cooler temps by opening the windows......

Another impressive piece of art from Kyndall.  Maybe I'm biased because I'm her Mama but I really do think she has a knack for art.  Her attention to detail is fascinating to me.  Those red creatures on the bottom right and bottom left are our two dogs, Cam and Huck.  I'm not really sure who the people are......

Today it was extra windy so I picked up a kite at the Dollar Tree.  Best $1 I've spent in a long time!  She had such a good time flying it all by herself!

And that's it for now!  My goal is going to be to take less crappy cell phone photos and more REAL photos!   I know I'll be glad I did!!