Mackenzi has had a wonderful birthday! On May 28th, she turned 6 years old! I can't even believe how she's grown in the past 6 years! She is truly a blessing from God! We're so thankful for her sweet spirit and her loving personality! She's a very caring, compassionate, and special girl. Happy Birthday, sweetheart! Here's just a tiny glimpse of a video of the fun she has had as she's turned 6.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
From the mind of an almost 6 year old. . .
I want to brag on my little princess. This past week, she experienced her first death in the family. Brian's grandmother, Neva Lou Kreymer, went to be with the Lord on May 20, 2009. She celebrated her 98th birthday this past April.
A couple of weeks ago, she had a heart attack and went to the hospital. We took Mackenzi and spent time with Mamaw. She came home, and we were able to visit with her on Mother's Day as well. Over the course of the past several weeks, we have talked with Mackenzi on the process of dying, and have used this as an opportunity to also talk with her about our Salvation. Sometimes you never really know how things are sinking in with an almost 6 year old mind. When we got the call that Mamaw had passed away, I told Mackenzi that Mamaw had gone to be with the Lord. She looked at me, and seemed a bit puzzled, and then said, "So, my neighbor can't come over." And sort of walked off. I didn't push the point with her, she was right. She knew that it meant we'd be going out of town.
We got to Wylie that evening and spent time with all the family. It was a good time, and over the course of the next couple of days leading up the funeral, she asked a few questions at different times. The day after Mamaw passed away, I took Mackenzi and Levi to Arby's in town and then on to the park in Wylie. Mackenzi prayed for our lunch and said, "Dear Lord, I hope Mamaw has had a good day with you. Please take care of her. Please take care of her. Amen." When she looked up at me, I had tears in my eyes, and she started crying. It was the first time for her to show tears since knowing about Mamaw. She climbed in my lap and cried, and then pointed out the window to the sky and said, "That's where Mamaw lives now, with God. The clouds are her home." Then she asked me if Mamaw wore clothes when she went to Heaven. I told her no, that Mamaw didn't need any clothes. And she looked at me, again puzzled and asked, "Is Mamaw naked in Heaven?"
The next night was the viewing. Before we left the house, we explained to Mackenzi that she would see Mamaw's body, but that she would not be living. We tried out best to help her understand the process that we go through when someone dies. She seemed to handle seeing her that night at the viewing. Later after we got home, she was walking around with a piece of paper in her hand and a yellow highlighter. I asked her what she was doing, and she said, "I'm going to write a letter for Mamaw to go in that box with her." I asked her, "What are you writing?" She said, "Just a letter." And then she showed me that she had already written, "I love you Mamaw." She asked if I would help her get some of the "sight" words down because she didn't know how to spell some words. She composed this letter. . .
A couple of weeks ago, she had a heart attack and went to the hospital. We took Mackenzi and spent time with Mamaw. She came home, and we were able to visit with her on Mother's Day as well. Over the course of the past several weeks, we have talked with Mackenzi on the process of dying, and have used this as an opportunity to also talk with her about our Salvation. Sometimes you never really know how things are sinking in with an almost 6 year old mind. When we got the call that Mamaw had passed away, I told Mackenzi that Mamaw had gone to be with the Lord. She looked at me, and seemed a bit puzzled, and then said, "So, my neighbor can't come over." And sort of walked off. I didn't push the point with her, she was right. She knew that it meant we'd be going out of town.We got to Wylie that evening and spent time with all the family. It was a good time, and over the course of the next couple of days leading up the funeral, she asked a few questions at different times. The day after Mamaw passed away, I took Mackenzi and Levi to Arby's in town and then on to the park in Wylie. Mackenzi prayed for our lunch and said, "Dear Lord, I hope Mamaw has had a good day with you. Please take care of her. Please take care of her. Amen." When she looked up at me, I had tears in my eyes, and she started crying. It was the first time for her to show tears since knowing about Mamaw. She climbed in my lap and cried, and then pointed out the window to the sky and said, "That's where Mamaw lives now, with God. The clouds are her home." Then she asked me if Mamaw wore clothes when she went to Heaven. I told her no, that Mamaw didn't need any clothes. And she looked at me, again puzzled and asked, "Is Mamaw naked in Heaven?"
The next night was the viewing. Before we left the house, we explained to Mackenzi that she would see Mamaw's body, but that she would not be living. We tried out best to help her understand the process that we go through when someone dies. She seemed to handle seeing her that night at the viewing. Later after we got home, she was walking around with a piece of paper in her hand and a yellow highlighter. I asked her what she was doing, and she said, "I'm going to write a letter for Mamaw to go in that box with her." I asked her, "What are you writing?" She said, "Just a letter." And then she showed me that she had already written, "I love you Mamaw." She asked if I would help her get some of the "sight" words down because she didn't know how to spell some words. She composed this letter. . .
I love you Mamaw. I hope you have a great day Mamaw. I know your body is in here, but you are really in heaven.
Pepaw was reading in his bed, and we were sitting in the hallway outside of his room. He heard Mackenzi writing this letter and asked her if she would read it at the funeral. She said yes right away. She wanted to practice reading what she had written, and so she did. . .that night and also the next morning. We got to the graveside where the funeral was, and Mackenzi told me after seeing all the people who had come that she didn't want to read it anymore. I told her that was o.k. but then she went to stand next to Pepaw. After hearing her Pepaw speak, daddy, Uncle Hilly, and Uncle Phillip, she bravely read her letter. She spoke loud enough for all to hear, and read her letter without a mistake. I was so proud of her. What a precious little girl she is. God is working in her, without a doubt.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Kenzi the MONKEY!!
Kenzi has tried to get across these rings for several years! She was so proud of herself, and so was I! Go Kenzi!!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
We decided to go to Fort Worth this past weekend to see the Stock Show and Rodeo. I had heard on the radio that there would be the parade in Downtown and thought it would be a lot of fun. We had Kenzi's friend over from the night before with her first sleepover and so she went with us too. We arrived in Downtown and got parked, and walked about two blocks to the parade. We didn't have front row seating, but it wasn't too bad. The girls were able to stand in front of a couple of ladies and see things pretty close up. It was exciting to see the bands, animals, cowboys and those sponsoring the parade. It got pretty windy and a little chilly, so after about an hour or so, we headed on to the stockyards.
The first thing we saw was the petting zoo. I hadn't planned to take Levi in there, but thought I would just stand at the gate and take pictures of the girls and Brian. But, as we waited in line, Levi became so excited by seeing the animals that I knew I had to go inside with him too. We bought food to feed the animals and they gave it to us in these ice cream cones. The goats really enjoyed being fed and tried to take the food right out of your hand. There were little babies inside also and Levi got to feed a couple of them. It was a lot of fun.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Levi's Dedication
On Nov. 23rd we dedicated Levi to the Lord at Rockway Church. We are so blessed to be a part of a church family who is so wonderful and loving. When we started attending Rockway, Mackenzi was just over 1 years old. At the time, we were driving to Wylie every week to attend Brian's dad's church. We were tired of traveling each week and thought we'd like to attend a church locally; only we weren't sure if we'd feel comfortable putting Mackenzi in the nursery of a church we didn't know. So, we talked to our neighbors and began attending with them when we stayed in town for Sunday. It didn't take long for us to fall in love with Rockway Church. I believe we attended for about 6 or 8 months (I'd have to check with Brian) before we joined. It was a glorious morning the day we joined, and is one I'll never forget. Brian went to get Mackenzi out of the nursery as the service was ending, and we walked together as a family into the arms of Jonathan (he was the children's minister). He welcomed us, prayed with us, and we knew it was God's will for us to be at Rockway.
As with many churches, Rockway experienced some changes. We hadn't fully involved ourselves, for whatever reason. We were attending hometeams, had taught VBS one summer, but we just really only knew a handful of people. Then we began seeing some of those people leave the church. Brian kept asking me why? And I didn't have that answer, but what we both concluded with those conversations was that God was not telling us to leave Rockway. He was telling us to stay.
One Sunday morning, I remember seeing this young couple. They were shaking hands with people, introducing themselves, and just seemed very comfortable. I remember wondering if I had seen them before, but realized I hadn't. Several months later, in February of 2007 we met this young couple, Kyle and Jessica Walker. It was at a Superbowl party - also a kickoff to Hometeams. I remember the compassion in Kyle's eyes as Brian shared with him that we had one daughter, Mackenzi, and that we had recently miscarried our second baby. Soon after this Super Bowl party, Kyle was named our Community Pastor. We got to know him and others in our church through Kyle's organizing of our Home Teams. He was dedicated, devoted, and truly wanted us to "live life together." In April of 2007, Brian's brother, Phillip, endured brain surgery for a tumor the size of a lemon. Kyle came walking through the doors of the waiting room; he prayed with us, and just began living life together.
In October of 2007, I became pregnant for the third time. Within a time span of 30 minutes, I experienced complete elation of being pregnant, and also fear of what was to come. Would I be able to carry this baby? Would he/she be o.k.? These were fears I could not overcome. As we shared with our friends at church of our pregnancy, they were excited for us. They had been praying with us to become pregnant and knew of our desire for another baby. I feared another miscarriage, but also felt that it was important for me to involve as many as possible so we could be praying against Satan! Rockway church prayed for us, and with us. Again, living life together.
Rockway became an extention of our family as they prayed week after week with us as the little life inside of me grew. When I was 20 weeks pregnant, I had an appointment for a sonogram to find out if the baby was a boy or girl. That particular day we also had planned for hometeams. I forget the details surrounding the situation, but for some reason we couldn't have hometeams at our usual location; and so Brian and I offered our house to meet. I remember fearing that I might not get good news, and couldn't fathom having all those people in our house. But, as you already know the story, we found out the baby was a boy. Keith Wiginton, our pastor at the time, came into our house that evening and was so elated for us. His exact words were, "That's awesome, God is Good!" And the rest of our friends celebrated with us that evening as well.
Rockway literally carried me especially because through my pregnancy with Levi I wavered so many times allowing fear to control me. My Ladies Bible study was so monumental in praying with me - both in our trials of attempting to get pregnant, and throughout my pregnancy. Sunday mornings were filled with people asking me how I was doing, how my pregnancy was going, and did I know I was in their prayers. I received emails and phone calls encouraging me to trust that everything would be o.k. Living life together.
The birth of our son, Levi, on June 27, 2008 was one of the best days of my life. God had blessed us with this precious little boy - ten fingers, ten toes, a beautiful, perfect little boy. And over the course of the next couple of weeks following his birth, we were inundated with meals and visits from our family at Rockway. Prior to his birth they showered us with gifts, blessings and plenty of diapers. Living life together.
On Nov. 23, 2008, it was an honor and a blessing to present to Rockway Church our little bundle - Levi Ashton Kreymer. While we miss Keith and his family (who have moved to OK), we are blessed to have Kyle as our Senior Pastor. It was such a joy to have him perform Levi's dedication. A very special morning as we had our family there, and also our church family. All agreeing to support us as we seek to raise Levi (and Mackenzi) according to God's will. We are truly blessed to be a part of such a wonderful church family. (on a side note, we are thrilled to be waiting the arrival of Hudson Walker - Kyle and Jessica's firstborn son due in March 2009. Like us, they've experienced a difficult time with pregnancies.)
I am usually very diligent about getting pictures on such special occasions, but for some crazy reason, I didn't do very well this day. This third picture is of us with Kyle. Brian's parents, my parents, my nephew, Tony and his mom, and Kenzi's soccer coach, Sarah and her two kids were here this day to celebrate with us in addition to our friends at Rockway. I'm sorry I don't have them reflected in the pictures.
As with many churches, Rockway experienced some changes. We hadn't fully involved ourselves, for whatever reason. We were attending hometeams, had taught VBS one summer, but we just really only knew a handful of people. Then we began seeing some of those people leave the church. Brian kept asking me why? And I didn't have that answer, but what we both concluded with those conversations was that God was not telling us to leave Rockway. He was telling us to stay.
One Sunday morning, I remember seeing this young couple. They were shaking hands with people, introducing themselves, and just seemed very comfortable. I remember wondering if I had seen them before, but realized I hadn't. Several months later, in February of 2007 we met this young couple, Kyle and Jessica Walker. It was at a Superbowl party - also a kickoff to Hometeams. I remember the compassion in Kyle's eyes as Brian shared with him that we had one daughter, Mackenzi, and that we had recently miscarried our second baby. Soon after this Super Bowl party, Kyle was named our Community Pastor. We got to know him and others in our church through Kyle's organizing of our Home Teams. He was dedicated, devoted, and truly wanted us to "live life together." In April of 2007, Brian's brother, Phillip, endured brain surgery for a tumor the size of a lemon. Kyle came walking through the doors of the waiting room; he prayed with us, and just began living life together.
In October of 2007, I became pregnant for the third time. Within a time span of 30 minutes, I experienced complete elation of being pregnant, and also fear of what was to come. Would I be able to carry this baby? Would he/she be o.k.? These were fears I could not overcome. As we shared with our friends at church of our pregnancy, they were excited for us. They had been praying with us to become pregnant and knew of our desire for another baby. I feared another miscarriage, but also felt that it was important for me to involve as many as possible so we could be praying against Satan! Rockway church prayed for us, and with us. Again, living life together.
Rockway became an extention of our family as they prayed week after week with us as the little life inside of me grew. When I was 20 weeks pregnant, I had an appointment for a sonogram to find out if the baby was a boy or girl. That particular day we also had planned for hometeams. I forget the details surrounding the situation, but for some reason we couldn't have hometeams at our usual location; and so Brian and I offered our house to meet. I remember fearing that I might not get good news, and couldn't fathom having all those people in our house. But, as you already know the story, we found out the baby was a boy. Keith Wiginton, our pastor at the time, came into our house that evening and was so elated for us. His exact words were, "That's awesome, God is Good!" And the rest of our friends celebrated with us that evening as well.
Rockway literally carried me especially because through my pregnancy with Levi I wavered so many times allowing fear to control me. My Ladies Bible study was so monumental in praying with me - both in our trials of attempting to get pregnant, and throughout my pregnancy. Sunday mornings were filled with people asking me how I was doing, how my pregnancy was going, and did I know I was in their prayers. I received emails and phone calls encouraging me to trust that everything would be o.k. Living life together.
The birth of our son, Levi, on June 27, 2008 was one of the best days of my life. God had blessed us with this precious little boy - ten fingers, ten toes, a beautiful, perfect little boy. And over the course of the next couple of weeks following his birth, we were inundated with meals and visits from our family at Rockway. Prior to his birth they showered us with gifts, blessings and plenty of diapers. Living life together.
On Nov. 23, 2008, it was an honor and a blessing to present to Rockway Church our little bundle - Levi Ashton Kreymer. While we miss Keith and his family (who have moved to OK), we are blessed to have Kyle as our Senior Pastor. It was such a joy to have him perform Levi's dedication. A very special morning as we had our family there, and also our church family. All agreeing to support us as we seek to raise Levi (and Mackenzi) according to God's will. We are truly blessed to be a part of such a wonderful church family. (on a side note, we are thrilled to be waiting the arrival of Hudson Walker - Kyle and Jessica's firstborn son due in March 2009. Like us, they've experienced a difficult time with pregnancies.)
I am usually very diligent about getting pictures on such special occasions, but for some crazy reason, I didn't do very well this day. This third picture is of us with Kyle. Brian's parents, my parents, my nephew, Tony and his mom, and Kenzi's soccer coach, Sarah and her two kids were here this day to celebrate with us in addition to our friends at Rockway. I'm sorry I don't have them reflected in the pictures.
Monday, November 17, 2008
STORM
Mackenzi had her soccer party tonight - at Alley Cats in Arlington. She had the BEST time! This season has been so special because she has really bonded with the girls on her team. This was Mackenzi's 3rd season to play, but this season, she was put on a new team, with a new coach. (Her coach for the past seasons decided to take a break.) I thought Mackenzi would be upset when I found out Coach Eric wouldn't be coaching this season, but when we told her, she was the opposite - totally excited for a new coach and new teammates. And God definitely blessed us with a new coach, Sarah - who has really been special for Mackenzi and the other girls; and three new teammates. We started out with five on the team (usually you have six) but then one had to quit pretty early on in the season due to her asthma. So, that left the team with just four girls including Mackenzi. Despite a small team, the girls worked really hard all season and learned how to play together as a team. Here are pictures from tonight's party where the girls really had a great time.
STORM
Hayley, Chasey, Kenzi, & Emalee
The Dallas Memory Walk
This past weekend we experienced our fourth year to walk with the Dallas Memory Walk. It's a walk to raise money to help fund research for Alzheimer's Disease. Many of you who know me, know that my grandmother suffered from this disease. It's a terrible, terrible disease for the individual to suffer through, and also for the family involved. It was through our experience with her disease and the social worker involved in her case that encouraged me to consider the field of social work as my profession. Unfortunately the social worker who talked with my family was not very friendly. It was a difficult time for us as a family and for my grandmother who was trying very hard to "cover" up what was going on with her. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't that the social worker wasn't doing the right thing for my grandmother, it was just the way she presented it to my family that just didn't seem right.
I walk in memory of Lorene Sewell who passed away Jan. 15, 2001 and in honor of all who battle this disease. I am overjoyed to be a part of such a wonderful cause with my work and also with my family. Last year we had just found out the week of the walk that we were pregnant, and this year, Levi brazed the cold weather! We had both Levi and Mackenzi bundled up - with several layers of clothing! Levi was so warm, he even fell asleep during the walk.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My BIG helper
Okay - so this morning I needed a little bit of help. Levi has slept really well the past two nights, and I'm oh so thankful for that! But, as a result, I had to pump this morning after waking up. And with that, I knew I wouldn't have time to get that done, and nurse him with all the other stuff that needs to get done in the mornings before we're off to school and to start the day. So, I woke up little Kenzi and asked her if she would help out this morning. She got dressed first, and then I gave her the bottle for Levi. She was more than willing to help out. . .I got them all set up and then went to the bathroom to finish getting myself ready. I came out of the bathroom to check on them. What I found was that the two of them were just very quietly watching the cartoon Einstein's on tv. It was definitely a "kodak" moment, only Levi heard my camera open up and he looked at me just as I snapped the first picture. You can see that Mackenzi was still mesmerized by the cartoon and didn't even notice I had walked in the room! 
So, then I quietly went back to getting dressed, and left the camera open this time so I could hope to capture what I saw when I first checked on them. . .here's the two of them watching tv with the bottle in Levi's mouth.
And by the second time, Mackenzi realized I was taking pictures of the two of them and posed some for this last one. . .she's such a big helper, and I don't know what I would do without her! 
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Levi's finally rolling
Levi is finally interested in rolling! He's been quite the roller this weekend having rolled for the first time Friday evening! Keep on 'a rollin' buddy!
Mackenzi's first sleepover
Mackenzi went to her first sleepover this past weekend. She was so excited! We agreed to let her go last week at her soccer practice. She was asked by Chasey, her soccer coach's step-daughter. We agreed. . .and then of course we nearly backed out! A sleepover! 
Kenzi has been asking for many months about having sleepovers - having kids come over and going over to other kids' houses. . .but, we hadn't really agreed for that to happen until this past week. She has spent the night at my sister's house, and at Nana and Memaw's house without us for up to a week at a time, but this was different. This was someone else's house that wasn't related to us. Chasey is a sweet little girl, and we've spent quite a bit of time on the soccer field with her parents as well as her step-mom and I emailing back and forth throughout the season. . .so, we felt plenty comfortable with her being there. . .just weren't sure if we felt comfortable with her not being here with us! Friday evening wasn't such a big deal, we took her over to their house, and stayed about an hour just visiting. When we got home, it would have been time for her to go to bed, so it wasn't too unusual yet. . .but then Saturday morning when we woke up - it was definitely different without her little smile in the morning. But, as you are probably well aware, we survived! I even had brunch plans with my DBU friends, and so I was out of the house early for that - and then we met at the soccer fields for her game at noon. Which, by the way, was an awesome game! Angela took pictures, and so when she sends them, I'll post a couple of them. Mackenzi, Chasey and Emalee played a wonderful game! They won by like 9 to 2! Mackenzi scored about half of the goals and Chasey scored the other half. When I was little, we weren't aloud to spend the night at friends' houses the night before soccer games. . .but, we may have to enforce that rule later on - like when she's trying to stay up half the night! But, for now, it was fun - she had a great time! Here are the girls playing the Wii. . .
Kenzi has been asking for many months about having sleepovers - having kids come over and going over to other kids' houses. . .but, we hadn't really agreed for that to happen until this past week. She has spent the night at my sister's house, and at Nana and Memaw's house without us for up to a week at a time, but this was different. This was someone else's house that wasn't related to us. Chasey is a sweet little girl, and we've spent quite a bit of time on the soccer field with her parents as well as her step-mom and I emailing back and forth throughout the season. . .so, we felt plenty comfortable with her being there. . .just weren't sure if we felt comfortable with her not being here with us! Friday evening wasn't such a big deal, we took her over to their house, and stayed about an hour just visiting. When we got home, it would have been time for her to go to bed, so it wasn't too unusual yet. . .but then Saturday morning when we woke up - it was definitely different without her little smile in the morning. But, as you are probably well aware, we survived! I even had brunch plans with my DBU friends, and so I was out of the house early for that - and then we met at the soccer fields for her game at noon. Which, by the way, was an awesome game! Angela took pictures, and so when she sends them, I'll post a couple of them. Mackenzi, Chasey and Emalee played a wonderful game! They won by like 9 to 2! Mackenzi scored about half of the goals and Chasey scored the other half. When I was little, we weren't aloud to spend the night at friends' houses the night before soccer games. . .but, we may have to enforce that rule later on - like when she's trying to stay up half the night! But, for now, it was fun - she had a great time! Here are the girls playing the Wii. . .
And here they are playing dress up with makeup and playing with the Barbie dollhouse. . .
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Levi's 4 Months Old!
Wow - 4 months old! I can't believe that little Levi is already 4 months old! He's getting so big! We went to the doctor yesterday and he is 14 lbs and 9 ounces - 50% for weight; 25 1/2 inches long - 75 % for height! I checked out Mackenzi's size when she was 4 months. . .and, well, she was quite a bit smaller than he is - she was just 12 lbs 12 ounces and 23 1/2 inches long! What's funny is that when she was six months old - she was just 14 lbs 11 ounces and 25 inches long. . .so, Levi is about the size she was when she was 6 months old. . .only 1/2 an inch longer! Whew. . .so, needless to say, he's growing just fine! He's not interested in really rolling over - but is very interested in toys - or anything that's in front of him. He wants to reach out and grab it. . .and then put it straight into his mouth! We get so tickled at how loudly he can smack his fingers. His first finger and middle finger on his left hand go all the way into his mouth. . .and his right hand holds onto his left hand just to make sure it doesn't come out! It's really funny. It's very different than Mackenzi who never put anything in her mouth.
The doctor gave us the green light to start cereal - and so, hopefully this weekend we can make it to the grocery store and try that out. We'll see how that goes. I think he'll enjoy it. Mackenzi didn't want anything to do with rice cereal, or baby food for that matter. So, maybe Levi will be different than she was. We'll see. I'm sure we'll have fun pictures to show soon!
Something else that's so fun about Levi is that he is wanting to coo and talk all the time. I've started singing to him quite a bit -and when you sing "Old MacDonald" he just talks right along with you. . .I tried videoing it today, but wasn't too successful. He would start out singing with me, but then would get captivated by the camera and would stop talking. So, maybe we can capture that soon - it's precious to see!
Time is flying so quickly, and we're so blessed to have such a sweet little boy - and then of course we love his big sister too. She is such a big help. She is helping Levi stand up here for this picture -
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