So Kaelyn has been very emotional this week. I chalked it up to being tired on Monday after a full weekend. Every little thing that didn't go her way caused her to bawl and sob. No exaggeration! But then it happened again on Tuesday. Wednesday was better, but Thursday I was about ready to call someone up and ask if they'd like Kaelyn for the day while I ran away! :) I have no idea why she had these sudden outbursts. Not ready for such a new stage!

[Sidebar: Steve's answer to the above would be "she gets it from her mother." I am anticipating him making such a comment and taking away his power by saying it first. Yes, I am a passionate human being. That translates into getting really excited about life. But it also means when something goes awry, my tears or anger can be just as passionate! I did already say a thank you to both Steve and my parents this week: after my time with Kaelyn, I realize how much love my parents showed to put up with me growing up and Steve shows being married to me!]

Anyway, there have been some cute moments this week, and that's what this blog was intended to be about. But I first needed to have it on record that I had a crazy week as a mom! :)

Kaelyn is really into reading about Jesus in her children's board book Bibles. It is adorable when she asks for "hee hee." That means Jesus. I don't know if she's pronouncing the J like in Spanish, where Jesus is "hey-soos," or what! (Then again, she also calls raisins "hee hee" which is REALLY random, so I think she just gets out what she gets out with no apparent meaning.)

Kaelyn brings us one of her Bibles and asks to read about "hee hee" at least four times a day. She also requests her Bible and Jesus again right before she goes to sleep. I usually rock her and sing "Jesus Loves Me," but this week she wanted to read the Bible again before sleeping. In fact, three times this week she's actually clung to her Bible and taken it to bed with her. (Whatever works to steer clear of the aforementioned tears!)

In one of her Bibles, Kaelyn can describe "feet" (Jesus washing the disciples' feet), "eat" (the last supper), "night night" (when the disciples fell asleep in the garden while Jesus prayed, and and the "fire" which is "hot" that the discples were sleeping beside), "cross" and "rock—big" (for the stone that was in front of the tomb). But the best is when she holds up her hands and we ask "Where did Jesus go?" when we see the empty tomb. We flip the page and say, "There He is!" as He appears to the disciples. It's really cute to watch her! Then we wave and say "see you later" as He goes up to Heaven. (You know, this Bible is a really good book!)

This week was also cute when Steve taught her to say "pray" and fold her hands as Jesus was doing in another of her books. And she'll repeat Steve saying "Amen." So maybe now we can start getting her to participate in prayer times instead of trying to get us to wake up when we close our eyes to pray before dinner! :)

More faces of Kaelyn (taken by my dad a couple weeks ago).

And then I promise that's it for a while! :)

I've been questioning my sanity a little about my fondness for The Office. It probably started with Steve mocking me on his blog! But then I just HAD to watch the premiere episode again last night because I thought I perhaps had missed a few things while laughing and conversing with friends during Thursday night's viewing. Previously I had requested Office merchandise for my birthday and had purchased a few things at the Target dollar section that had Office quotes and pictures on them.

And I do check out a blog where fellow fans commune and discuss the show -- hey! I'm making new friends, that's all. And I happen to catch up with some details of things I missed in the show and find out extra tidbits such as when they post deleted scenes at NBC.com. (It does prove there are more obsessive fans than me. They notice way more than I do!)

But I'm starting to wonder if maybe I do need a support group after all!

Truly my love of the show and appreciation for its well-crafted characters and hilarious dialogue just goes along with my nature as an editor and writer -- I appreciate good storytelling! Am I right, people? I only neglect my daughter a couple hours a week in order to keep up with this new hobby! :)

Then today a thought occurred: Steve is really into fantasy baseball AND fantasy football. Enough said. I feel fine about myself now! :)

I was talking to my friend Robin a few weeks ago as she was ready to take an amazing leap of faith on a new life adventure. In our conversation, she asked how I was doing. And I told her, "You know, I've been realizing lately how wonderful I am!" I just can't help it. I know that people around me are experiencing some painful experiences right now. And my heart and prayers are with them. However I continue to see is how blessed I am. I told Robin that 2007 has been my year of joy! If you'd like to share my joy, read on!

Work
At the beginning of this year, there was some question at work as to whether they were going to continue the work at home policy as is or revise it some. We never heard anything. Every day since I have tried to remember to appreciate the huge blessing I have in getting to work from home. I get to spend all day with Kaelyn and Steve while still getting to use my skills as an editor. I think the apprehension on my status has made sure I don't take this set-up for granted!

Cincinnati
I found that Cincinnati became home pretty quickly. Sorry, Lexington. I will always be proud to be from Kentucky and will never change my UK basketball loyalty. But I do love Cincinnati. I'll admit I was nervous to move to town, away from suburban life. Yet lately I've noticed how at home I am here and how much I love where we live. Our backyard is beautiful Eden Park. You can't beat it! We have amazing walks with terrific views. Please come visit, and I'll give you a tour!

Church
On Sunday we celebrated two years of Echo Church. It's such a cool experience for me to be so excited about church every week. I look around at all the new brothers and sisters in Christ I've gotten to know from our time together, and I see others I've grown closer to, and I smile! I love witnessing God use Steve each week as a preacher and a pastor.

Friends
I've already mentioned Echo friends. Others have relocated, yet I am glad to know that I can vacation in Iowa, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Indiana, or London, England because people I care for dearly live there! Glad for email and blogs and Facebook to keep in touch! I've had some fun times and great conversations with my locals too :) those who've been by my side for years. You keep me sane, people!

Family—extended
There's been fun birthday parties on the Carr side that have brought us all together a lot this summer, and I've been so thankful! I had an awesome time on vacation with my parents and aunts. And I was humbled by the love my family showed on my birthday, from my in-laws and grandparents making the drive to my parents creatively giving me 30 gifts to open!

Family—close up!
I cannot tell Kaelyn and Steve enough how much they mean to me. I never knew that toddlerhood could be so fun! Kaelyn cracks us up on a daily basis. She is learning so quickly, with her vocabulary expanding each hour if we'd try! She loves exploring, and it's fascinating to watch her fascinated at every little thing. She loves people, and people love her! She's trying to become so independent, yet she is so attached and loving with her hugs and kisses. And Steve. I just can't say enough. You are truly amazing, babe. I say that with all sincerity! You amaze me with your skills and talents and steadfast love for God, Kaelyn, and me!

So those are just a few things I've got going for me! Enough to make anyone smile! :)