Wednesday, January 21, 2009

For Rent

A most wonderful gift was given to us about a little over a year and a half ago. We enjoyed this gift for many days, weeks, and months and found it brought us much joy. Then it turned a year and a half and unlike most things, the novelty did not wear off - but some days it does wear us thin. In addition to the joy it continues to bring us, we are finding it is also teaching us many things - patience being the first that comes to my mind. It is teaching us that mess is a part of life as long as it is around - which is rather difficult for Jonathan - having VD blood in his veins and all. It has taught us to be ever vigilant, ever on guard - for there are many dangers to be encountered. It has taught us that everyday things can be used for destruction. It has taught us that boys are actually rather easy and that girls are just SOMETHING ELSE! Of course these are all generalizations and probably apply to few households. Since pictures are worth a thousand words, I'll share a few, but need to assure you that in no way does it capture even a portion of our dear Kylie. Most times, I am not in the right frame of mind to grab my camera and take a picture, but I have a few to remind myself in future years of what our precious daughter really was like.
I mean really - what 11/2 year old doesn't sit on the counter and "make toast"?

Or start the dishes for her mother?

Really she is very angelic! Doesnt' this look say it all?!!!She has graduated from dragging the chair over and now has her own personal ladder (which is rather hard to get rid of!)

"But mom, i'm just helping out you know."


A few other tales:
-one of her "at church" favorites is the toilet - not at home - just at church. It's been a few too many times, when its been reported to me that Kylie is in a bit of trouble. So I go to retrieve her and find toilet paper (wet) and water all over the floor - not to mention a very wet Kylie.

-saran wrap and foil wrap, or toilet paper roll completely undone, and ziploc bags all over the house

-the boys are into their lego right now and enjoy building things. Kylie will walk up, examine their creation and give a very deliberate kick to send it to immediate ruin. The boys often play in her room (which has a lock on it), or ask me to "Please put Kylie to bed!!!".

-the case of the missing toothbrush - this happens nearly every day. Kylie should have the whitest and cleanest teeth of any 11/2 year old around. At any given moment, she can be found wandering with a toothbrush or toothpaste tube in her mouth - and yes I've told her that it really is not healthy for her! Jonathan is especially fond of this trait of hers as it is often his toothbrush that is nowhere to be found.

-organizers - baskets are favorite of mine, and I have many drawers lined with them - right now they only organize mess b/c rest assured, the hour or two after they are straightened out, they are dumped and redumped until chaos reigns again. This applies also to any cupboard that can be opened. The candy bucket cupboard is a real favorite. This one is childproof, but it is also my "pantry" and therefore opens frequently during any meal preparation - she rarely misses an opportunity.

- then there is the temper - oh it is actually too humorous. She gets mad, runs around, bends over and bites whatever happens to be there - a workboot, a chair, doesn't really matter

- and as I write, she stands beside me on my "filing cabinet" and makes a disaster of my desk, and so I shall have to stop.

Below is a very rare photo opportunity of Kylie sitting still and being "a very nice daughter".

Just in case you suspect we don't love this girl, I had better set the record straight. We love her dearly. She really is a very funny girl and we think she's great. I've always loved a little spunk, and she's certainly got that. I was reminded the other day of a poem I've heard reminding us to find the good every day things - the line I was reminded of and will want to be reminded of in the days ahead goes something like this, " I will give thanks when I see a mess all over my house, because it means God has blessed me with children."

And the last line of this parable is this: Jonathan is helpless to do to much with this troublemaker of a child. She has her daddy completely wrapped around her finger and that is not always a good thing!!!

7 comments:

  1. So glad you finally posted Denise:) Kylie is certainly keeping you on your toes, and it is a good thing she is so cute. I too know how fast a house can get messy, but mine is because of a dear little boy. Just today I caught him in the medicine cabinet which you have to climb on the countertop to get to, happily eating garlic pills. And he finds great delight in opening the dishwasher mid session, and throwing in whatever he can find (one day it was the toiletbrush, which at least was a new one), but once it was all my dishwater soap. These children bring lots of life to the family!

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  2. DENISE!!!
    This sounds all to familiar. We feel your pain. Although Brooke is getting older now. She too has Josh wrapped around her finger . What's up with that?? needless to say we love her like crazy!! I loved your pictures.
    Steph

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  3. Enjoy it Denise. Some day all too soon those little girls grow up and become big ones who eventually leave the home to begin homes of their own. Then you will have a neat and tidy home but you will miss these days that you have now.

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  4. you sure have a way with words Dee! what a little clown... the toothbrush thing i can totally relate to... "tees, tees" and grabs it and runs. im always paranoid that shes gonna fall and its gonna go down her throat.
    i love the little "innocent face" picture. Hilarious. its a whole new side of her that i never get to enjoy. its great to see these small parts :o) and thanks for finally posting!!!

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  5. So glad to know it's not only our kids that are crazy! =) Between Shaelyn and Kyla they definitely find their fair share of trouble. Shaelyn's newest sentence is, "Sorry Mommy! I didn't do Anything!" Your Kylie is such a cutie-pie, I can't believe how old she looks! Hope you guys are all doing well!
    Steph

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  6. Hi! I followed your link from Steve and Jo and I really enjoyed this post! I think many of us parents can relate - and I certainly know what you mean about girls! I'm never quite sure what to say when people talk about girls just naturally being "girlish" - that's it built into them to nicely play house and such - well, I've had more "trouble" from my girl than my boys combined :) But I love my girls :) God's strength as you raise her to use her spunk and energy to His glory!

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  7. hey Denise!!
    lots to catch up on your blog, i love the way you write. She's adorable. I have to say though TOTALLY OPPOSITE around here. Ashleigh was so EASY compared to Jadie and I am just hoping that Josh isn't going to make it double trouble b/c then i'll really not be coping. :) so fun though!! take care - have a nice weekend!! :)

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