The South

Tony says to me when he came home from work today:

"I want to move back to Charleston soooo badly."

He didn't have a bad day at work, and life here is really great. But my Lovey misses his home and the comforts that only the South can offer. My heart-strings tug for Charleston and the Southern Hospitality I grew so fond of too. I especially enjoyed discovering the surrounding states and sights and only having to drive 2 or 3 hours to get there. (I'm still suffering from our road trip to Arizona, and we only crossed ONE state line in the 11 hour drive!) My response to Tony:

"When we get all our children here, we will move."

His face lit up and he's even more excited to have a baby!!!!

A note from Grandma Gail

This is the e-mail reply I received Wednesday from Grandma Gail when I inquired if she saw Mary-Gail's video on our blog...

I saw it this morning. The first thing when I come to work is to check Kemp Kuties. Then, and only then, am I ready to go to work. Both girls are a joy to behold, and you know that they are the smartest in the world and are their grandmothers favorite grand children.

Thanks Grandma Gail, "GG," for keeping an eye on us, and for bridging the distance between us with your love. We love you!!

ARMS! SHHHHH! AMEN!

We've been focusing on prayers at our house. Rebecca & Mary-Gail are doing really well at being quiet and reverent, and folding their arms. Tony will say something like, "We're going to have prayer now; fold your arms," and they BOTH say "ARMS!" and then fold them. Mary-Gail is so cute as she folds her arms AND bows her head: she tries to close her eyes, but can't and instead she squints them, tilts her head to the side, and pushes her lips out like she's puckering up for a kiss. Rebecca keeps her eyes open, but she puts her finger up to her lips and "SHHHH's" us and says "Quiet." Each time we say prayers, Tony & I have to bite our bottom lip because we want to bust up laughing at our cute little daughters.

A couple nights ago I was getting the girls ready for bed, reading stories and singing, when Mary-Gail said, "Prayer?" folded her arms, squinted her eyes, tilted her head, and pushed out her lips. Rebecca followed suit and both girls were standing with their arms folded waiting for me to say prayer. WOW! WOW! WOW!!! They love saying "AMEN!" and try to say it louder than the other. Last night Tony said Mary-Gail said "Prayer?" as he was getting the girls ready for bed. She & Rebecca know that prayer is part of our daily routine now.

We received several compliments on Rebecca & Mary-Gail's reverence & example during the prayers today at church. And the older couple sitting behind us chuckled each time the girls said "AMEN!" "Such fervor," the man said. :)

A Poem

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. JoJo reminded me that the Susan G. Komen foundation was established because her sister promised that Susan would never be forgotten. To those women who fight the battle of Breast Cancer, I honor you: your courage, fight, and inspiration, your life. You are not forgotten.

"After a While"

by Veronica Shoffstall

After a while you learn

the subtle difference between

holding a hand and chaining a soul

and you learn

that love doesn't mean security.

And you being to learn that kisses aren't contracts

and presents aren't promises

and you being to accept your defeats

with you head up and your eyes ahead

with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child

and you learn

to build all your roads on today

because tomorrow's ground is

too uncertain for plans

and futures have a way of falling down

in mid-flight.

After awhile you learn

that even sunshine burns

if you get too much

so you plant your own garden

and decorate your own soul

instead of waiting for someone

to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure,

you really are strong

and you really do have worth

and you learn

and you learn

with every goodbye, you learn...

I read Ice Bound last month. It's written by Dr. Jerri Nielsen, who ventures to Antarctica for its 9-month winter to serve as the resident doctor for the "polies." She finds a lump in her breast. She endures many difficulties, including self-biopsies, and struggles with a diagnosis that was (then) a death sentence - Breast Cancer. In her book Dr. Nielsen includes this poem that was given to her by her Doctor in Indiana (the polies had Friday night poetry readings; Dr. Nielsen's doctor shared this poem during one of those readings {via satellite communication}).

FLU SHOTS

Have you had yours?

Mom stopped by yesterday to give Lovey and me our flu shots. Lovey was very stoic and didn't even flinch or move; perhaps all those years in the military getting vaccinated and whatever else they wanted to do to him prepared him for shots? He said he's a MAN and doesn't cry.

Me...I have to buck up and be a big girl with shots. I've got 15 weeks of daily shots coming up soon!

A morning with Mary-Gail

Last night Tony & I took the girls on a drive to Utah Lake. We found horses and cows and also found lots of pumpkins, ghosts, and other Halloween decorations. Mary-Gail was fascinated with the ghosts, and started "oooooh-ing" this morning. Her little voice is so sweet!

Then, in typically Mary-Gail fashion, she moved on to read her books. I love engaging her in reading; she simply amazes me!

(Rebecca prefers to look through the camera now, instead of letting me video her. She is sitting on my lap pointing to the pictures on the camera screen, so the video is a little shaky).

Pumkpin Patch Pictures!!!

This happy child epitomized the face of the whole afternoon! Our outing to the Pumpkin Patch was a huge success as everyone picked out their own pumpkin and no one had a melt-down. These first few pictures were the last pictures we took after going through the pumpkin patch, seeing the animals, jumping on the inflatable jungle gyms, and swinging/sliding on the playground. I had to post these picture first because they are seriously THE CUTEST PICTURES EVER!

Taylor Bug" was the ultimate cheerleader of the day

Rebecca & Cy meticulously thought over each pumpkin

Daddy helped Mary-Gail with her pumpkin selection

But she really wanted to bring home the big cat!

Our pumpkins! They're "heavy!

Cute Chrisman Crew

THE START...

My three little pumpkins :)

Mr. Gage & Ms. Reese

All the little pumpkins in a row

Mary-Gail was fascinated by the little scarecrows & witches

She & Cy were excited about the shiny bat and all the pumpkins in the garden

I just love this picture - something about Daddy's holding their little girl's hand...

THE ANIMALS...

Look at the funky hairdo on that chicken!

Mary-Gail was in HEAVEN! My little animal lover :)

The girls didn't want to be held for a picture - they wanted to explore the giant pumpkin,

and who could blame them!

They saw ghosts inside the pumpkin

Gage showed us that even "big" people can walk through the little houses

Cy led the way through a tunnel with the girls following close behind

Oh so happy!

More pictures to love: Daddy & Mary-Gail; and Gage & Reese

THE PLAYGROUND...

This is what Reese is thinking:

"Pumpkins, animals, inflatable jumping gyms, a maze, and now a play ground?

I LOVE THE PUMPKIN PATCH!!!"

Rebecca is in HEAVEN!

Reese & Rebecca could swing all day long

And Mary-Gail could slide all day long

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the Pumpkin Patch on Thursday with JoJo and the kids. It was ridiculously fun!!! I wish I would have taken more videos of the kids running in every direction. "Pumpkin" and "heavy" were Rebecca & Mary-Gail's words-of-the-day. I have LOTS of pictures to post, just have to find a few minutes to do so.

Happy Bees

A peek at our Halloween costumes!