Tooth Fairy Return

Back in November, Kamdyn lost another tooth.  She's lost so many in the last few months that I can't keep up with it.  Now that she's getting so many permanent teeth, her appearance has changed and she's looking more grown up.  But I digress...

This particular night she told Mark and I that she was going to put her tooth under the pillow and she hoped for $5 or $20 from the tooth fairy.  Mark and I both told her not to hold her breath on a $20 bill!  Needless to say, she was very disappointed the next morning when she only found $1 under her pillow.  Trust me when I say she let us know about it too! 

So the next day this is what I find in a baggie under her pillow...

In case you can't read it, it says:

Dear Tooth Fairy,

I would like to trade my tooth back because my cousin Braden said he got $5 and $20.

Your Funky Friend,
Kamdyn

You've got to be kidding me!  Really?  I think I told her that Braden must have a different tooth fairy because of where he lives. Then, of course, Mark and I had to give her the speech about being grateful for what you get...I mean, we wouldn't be good parents if we didn't!  Right?  And then I'm pretty sure that we told her that some kids didn't even get a whole $1... I'm fairly certain that got us a big eye roll!  


I can't tell what she wrote under her name and I must have blocked it from my memory because for the life of me, I don't know what it says. 

As my friend likes to say, "that girl won't do!" 

Happy Retirement!

After years of talking about it, my Dad has finally retired!   I have said for the last year that I would believe it when I see it.....well, I saw it!  Mom and I were able to attend his retirement reception last Thursday and I am so thankful that I was able to go.   Dad received many awards and gifts, but the words spoken by many of his colleagues were the highlight of the reception.  There was a common theme of professionalism and hard work that made me very proud of my dad!

We had a fabulous meal of fish, chicken, hush puppies, fries, and all the fixings (apparently, a Corp favorite).  This was the only picture I got of his cake and, of course, it's crooked! 

Mom even received an award and pin for her dedication and support of Dad....I had to laugh because I'm sure she's thought for years she deserved an award for that!

There was a great slide show with pictures and music ("Ring of Fire" was my favorite!)  highlighting Dad's military service, family, and Corps career. 

The only picture that we got of the three of us...

Brian posted this on facebook about my Dad and it's too good not to share.  He's always had a better way with words than me...

My Dad was 12 years old when he got his first job. He has spent the last 25 and a half years serving thousands of visitors at Lake DeGray, always with a warm smile and eager to visit. Today, my Dad hung up his Ranger hat and retired, after working for 54 years. Words can't properly express how proud I am of my Dad. He's one of the most generous, hard working men I have ever known. No, he IS the most generous, hard working man I have ever known. Faithful employee, wonderful husband, awesome father, and SUPER Pop! I hope I can impact half the number of people, and my own son, as you have me. Happy retirement Dad, you deserve it! Jamie, Braxton, Campbell, and myself love you very much!! Proud of you!!

P.S.- Not that you have free time, feel free to mow my yard anytime!

 

I don't think I could have said it better myself!!  Mark, Kam, Cooper, and I are super proud of you and your accomplishments!  We love you!

 

And in case anyone is worried about him being bored....we've already got him busy picking up kids after school this week.  I feel a little guilty about that....not sure he bargained for that right off the start but, as always, he's willing to do whatever to help me and the family.  Love you, Pop!

Sadie Sue

Meet Sadie, the newest member of the Chastain family.  We...ahem...everyone but me, are in love!  I'm sure that sounds terrible to most, but I'm just not a dog person and that doesn't make me a bad person...if I sound defensive, it's because my family thinks I'm awful!  So, needless to say, having a dog in the house has taken some major getting used to on my part! 

The kids love, love, love Sadie, but are not always loving the responsibility of taking her out all the time.  Even Kamdyn, who has begged for over a year for a puppy, admits that she is more responsibilty than she ever imagined.  But....who knew when we got her that we would have a snow storm, rain, and such cold weather?  Sadie spent her first week at Mom and Dad's because we didn't even have power!

Sadie sledding with the kids....

Sadie and Kam at Mom and Dad's...

Kam likes for Sadie to sleep with her and pictures like this just make me shudder....

I can't imagine a dog in my face!

I think I've been the most surprised at how much Cooper loves the dog.  We knew Kam loved animals but Cooper's always been more stand offish with them.  This is how you will find Cooper and the dog 99% of the time...

Poor Sadie...

Santa almost brought Kam a Maltese puppy, but decided that it might not survive our house.  I think he made a good decision!

About a week after we got Sadie, Cooper was outside playing wiffle ball while Sadie was running around.  Mark was in the garage and heard a loud yelp from the dog.  Mark came in a few minutes later clearly flustered and told me he thought we almost lost Sadie.  Apparently, Coop was throwing the ball up to hit and Sadie jumped and you get the picture....

I truly believe though, that no one loves this dog more than Mark!  I'm pretty sure that this dog was more for him than for Kamdyn....

He does all of the work taking care of Sadie so I guess it's a good thing he loves her!

Kids giving Sadie her first bath...I told Kam that she needed to pay attention so she could give the dog her bath while Mark was working.  She took notes on water temperature, how much water to run, where to rub the dog, and so on!

I told Kam that we should keep clothes on the dog because she is much cuter with that little body covered in my opinion!

I realize I have gone on and on too long about this dog, but it's for my kiddos to see and read.  Watching them play and laugh endlessly with her has made this little dog worth it... I think!  At least that's what I keep telling myself!  But if she's not house broken soon, my next post will be titled "cute dog looking for good family!"

Happy Birthday, Mark!

Happy Birthday to this big guy!  I won't say how old he is, but let's just say that he is beginning a new decade!

And since he's knee-deep in a major work project, we're not able to celebrate today the way he deserves!  Happy birthday to the most hard-working, selfless man I know....the kids and I love you so much!

Halloween 2012

We had a great Halloween night!  The church had a trunk-or-treat and fall festival that was loads of fun for the kids.  Let me just preface these pictures with the fact that the kids picked out their own costumes this year!  This is the only time Cooper wore that mustache and it cracks me up that it's crooked and maybe even upside down.  He just kept hollering that it covered both his lips!

Kamdyn originally wanted to be a genie, but we had a hard time finding that so she settled on this.... At first, I told her it was a flapper but then realized quickly that it wasn't.  By that time, she had fallen in love with it and begged for it.  When we showed it to Mark, he told her she looked like Miss Kitty...or a "saloon girl" as he called her.  She asked what a saloon girl was and I told her nothing that a 7-year old should be associated with...we asked someone in the store what it was and they said a flamenco dancer so that's what we are calling it. 

Cooper loves all the games and now that he is older he's able to run around on his own.  Mark commented how much easier it was last night!

I included this picture just because I thought Lalaloopsy beside him was so cute!

 Playing some golf!

 Kamdyn and her friend, Abby...

Playing a little tic-tac-toe....

I didn't get as many pictures as normal because Mark and I ended up working some games... I love our fall festival and always look forward to it.  Afterwards, we stopped by Mamaw and Papaw's to trick-or-treat before heading home.  Of course, Papaw gave the kids a whole bag of candy bars and sent sodas home with them as well.  My kids are so spoiled.... a great night and time was had by all!

Bucket Fillers

The kids school is focusing on the theme "bucket fillers" this year based on this book about teaching kids to express kindness and love in their actions.  They have t-shirts they wear every week and each class has a notebook that is sent home with a child every weekend to complete a family bucket-filling project. 

Kamdyn was the first one in her class to bring home the notebook so I really felt the pressure to make our project something good.  We decided to take toys and clothes to donate to the women's shelter in town.  Kamdyn has a heart for shelters so I thought it would be a good one for her.  She helped get everything together and load in the car and my job was to deliver it.  I'm embarrassed to say it's still in my car, but I will get it delivered eventually!  I'm a bad mom, I know!

Our other project was to make cards to send to some of the older adults in our church who are undergoing cancer treatments now.  We didn't have many art supplies on hand so I just let Kam do whatever she wanted.  She wrote this note to Ms. Evelyn...it makes me smile every time I read it. 

She sent this note to Mr. Dewey, who is one of the finest men I know....

Both these people told me how much Kam's cards meant to them and I've even heard others mention how sweet it was.   It made me realize that I need to be more intentional in taking time to send notes, cards, etc. to those who need encouragement or just need to know that someone is praying for them.  

Cooper had to get in on the card making too.  He made this card for Braxton and he even included a dollar bill for his best cousin.  Don't ask me why, but he tries to give money to everyone.  We took the card to Brax's mailbox and I think he loved it!

On the flip side, the book also discusses "bucket dippers" and I'm afraid that more often than not, we fall into that category.  It's something we can work on with the kids and help them to recognize now. 

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."     

-1 Thessalonians 5:11

The President

My department has a meeting with our new president on Friday and at dinner last night, I asked Mark to take the kids to school so I wouldn't be late.  Kam's ears perked up and said, "the president is coming to our house?"  I told her I was talking about the president of Henderson, not the United States, and he was coming to my office and not my house.  She told me this morning that I probably needed to get there early to "tidy up" (except she pronounced it "tiddy up").

That conversation, coupled with the fact that we pray for our country, the upcoming election, and Godly leaders, I guess is what prompted Cooper to say this on the way to school this morning.  

"Our president is dumb.  He doesn't president very well.  If I saw him I would say, boo!" (big emphasis on the boo!).

Out of the mouths of babes..... I'm sure his Dad, the closet politician, is so proud!  For the record though, he denies saying the dumb part and dumb is actually a bad word at our house.  However, I'm pretty sure I didn't correct him on this!