Cheers to 55!

Cheers to the coolest 55-year old I know!

I remember about 20 years ago, when my mom was out for the evening, Dad served us kids up some fried bologna for dinner as we watched America's Funniest Home videos. We sat on the floor, sipped orange juice, and laughed our heads off.

I remember coming home from Awana's at church on Wednesday nights in dad's car, racing against mom to see who could get home first. "Take a shortcut, Dad! Faster!"

I remember Dad coming home late from the office during tax season, with Taco Bueno in his hands. Julie and I would scarf down as much Mucho Nacho as we could before Dad tickled us away.

I remember getting Dunkin Donuts with Dad for the family before bed and having to take a 2 minute shower before I could eat mine.

I remember Dad taking me on early morning breakfast dates at Waffle House before school in highschool. I love those special one-on-one times.

I remember Treasure Hunt at the old house. We would team up and tackle each other over an old dirty sock treasure.

I remember helping Dad pick out a new wedding ring for Mom for their 20th Anniversary in Hawaii.

I remember Dad holding Brett's squirming body down, so Julie and I could give him kisses.

Happy Birthday, Dad! I can't imagine having a more amazing Dad - willing to do anything, anytime, anywhere for his family. Thanks for being an amazing man of God. Loving Him above all helps you love us more!

the big question

So last night, I thought to myself... why don't I wear lipstick? Alot of people wear lipstick. Why don't I wear lipstick? I've kinda always been a more natural girl, the bare minimum when it comes to makeup. But yesterday, I thought I should try lipstick.

This wasn't just at a normal time of day that I had this thought. It seems I always have wacked-out thoughts late at night... see my previous post for evidence of that. But no, I thought I should try on some lipstick at 11:30 last night.

I walk to the bathroom. High up on the shelf is a paper bag of "stuff I don't use very often, but can't seem to throw away." Alot of girls know what I'm talking about. "Hey, I might wear this or use this someday, and it's still perfectly good. I can't find any good reason to throw it away." Deep in the bag was lipstick... a bright red shade. Something to really notice!

I slather it on my lips. Hmmm... kinda bold, but not half bad. Kinda brightens things up a bit. Throws people for a loop. I wonder if anyone will notice. I hop back in bed, try to read a little and zzzzzzzzz.... sleepy time. Off to lala land. Where I always look like a supermodel in my dreams.

This morning I woke up, roll out of bed, and head to the bathroom. Light on and.... "WHAT THE....?" Who died on my lips and bled all over my teeth?!?!?!




Dangit, I'm such a dummy! Never go to bed with lipstick on. Even if you look like a supermodel in your dreams, you won't wake up looking like one. I really LOL'd. Not gonna lie. I hate it when people write or text LOL. I'm like, really? Did you really "laugh out loud" or are you just trying to make yourself look funny? But I really did LOL at myself! Not gonna lie.

So here's the big question... What if I woke up, got dressed and went on with my day, never once looking in the mirror. Are you the kind of person to point out, "Hey, wipe off your nasty lipstick teeth, you little dweeb!" or are you the kinda person to just wish away the embarassing elephant on the face, and hope the next time I take a bite of food or sip my drink that it'll wash away the stain???

For real, though... which are you?

I'm a "crazy"

It's official. Find that straight jacket. Throw me in a padded room. I've lost it. I'm done.

I wake up with a start! Look at the clock; it's 6:19. Oh my gosh, I can't believe I've overslept Whiz Kids! I'm supposed to pick up Nora and meet her for the first time. Apparently she cried because she thought it started last week, and I didn't pick her up. I'm the worst tutor EVER! "Whiz Kids lasts until 7:30," I tell myself, "I'll just call her, apologize, and pick her up for the last part. It'll be okay."

See, I'm a night-shifter. I work at night. And I sleep during the day. But I don't remember Tuesday day. I had plans to hang out with my cousin Ashley and her two boys all day today. I think that's an awefully long time to sleep. Surely Ashley would have called me and called me, saying "Where are you? I thought we had plans!" Surely, I didn't sleep through the whole day! Yah, I went to bed at 2 in the morning, but I wouldn't think I would have slept through the whole day!

I jump out of bed with my phone, turn on the light, look at my crazy hair in the mirror and think, "Okay, I'll just wash my face real fast, throw some clothes on, and I'll be out the door..... I'm the worst tutor ever!"

Walk to the kitchen and notice that it's pretty dark outside. Okay, I didn't think it was daylight savings time yet. It wasn't supposed to get dark this early in the evening already. That's weird. Dialing Nora on the phone. Pretty sure it's Nora's Spanish-speaking mother on the phone. I say, "NORA!" like she's hard of hearing or something. Nora's brother gets on the phone, and I explain my case. "I'm Kaylyn, Nora's new Whiz Kids tutor. I'm so sorry I'm late. I told her yesterday that I would pick her up at 5:30 for Whiz Kids and I'm just a little late. But I can head over there now. Is Nora there?"

I hear some Spanish translation of my message to Nora's mom in the background. Brother gets back on the phone in a super sweet voice. "Well she goes to school at 7 and comes back at 3." I'm thinking, Who goes to school at 7 in the evening? "No, I know she gets home from school around 3, but I told her that I would pick her up at 5:30, and I know I'm a little late, but I can still come pick her up if she's there."

More Spanish translation in the background. "Well... I guess my mom says you can come pick her up, but...."

And then it dawns on me.

I've just called Nora, my precious little Whiz Kid, whom I haven't even officially met yet, at 6:19 IN THE MORNING. OH MY GOSH.
I'VE JUST MADE A COMPLETE FOOL OF MYSELF.

"You know what," I try to cover myself, acting all cool and sly. "You're right. I'll just come pick her up this afternoon, okay? I'm sorry." click.

OH MY GOSH. I just called Nora's phone at 6:19 AM and tried to convince her lovely Spanish-speaking mother to let me come pick up her child RIGHT NOW. Before school. AT 6:19 IN THE MORNING.

Oh, I've done lost it. I've lost my marbles. So many clues I just passed over.
1. It was dark outside.
2. I didn't hang out with Ashley today, like planned.
3. That's an awefully long time to sleep for me.
4. I didn't work last night anyways.

So go ahead and lock me up. I'm a certified "crazy." Let's see if she still wants to go to Whiz Kids in about 12 hours, cause I don't know if I would if I were her.

***I'm posting this now, because if I don't, when I wake up for real, I'll think it was all a bad dream... and it was NOT A DREAM!

whizzzz kids

Meet Desteny. I first met Desteny when she looked like this picture I'm holding up next to her current self. She was a shy quiet 3rd grader. Her English was minimal, her smile hesitant, and her concentration was lacking.

4th grade began a beautiful friendship. I encouraged her with cards each week reminding her of who she is in Christ. A beautiful daughter of the Lord. She laughed alot more. Little changed with her concentration but her smile came easier.

5th grade emerged a girl with a flair for life. I couldn't get her to stop talking long enough to read a sentence in a book. Her reading comprehension level was still slow and choppy. She invited me to her sister's 3rd birthday party (which apparently is a BIG deal), and I started to see her love for her sister outgrow the annoying sister tag-a-long. She invited me to her 5th grade graduation where she wore a beautiful yellow dress. Her parents let me take her out for ice cream.

6th grade popped out a woman! Desteny shared with me her dreams of college, job, owning a house, supporting her sister. Her passion for life astounded me! Who is this young woman? Where did the shy little chica go? Desteny's concentration could still bounce faster than Federer's serve, but she excelled in math and science at her charter school. She called me friend. I actually teared up one time looking at her, thinking of how she's changed over the years. She said, "What's wrong with you? Why are you crying, weirdo?"

This is 7th grade. She said no to Whiz Kids this year, but asked me to tutor her mini-me, Alondra when she's old enough. She's a strong woman with an exciting future and I'm proud to call her friend. I love you Desteny!



Turning a new leaf.... I'm starting back at 2nd grade with a new Whiz Kid next week. Haven't met her yet. Drove past her house and prayed for her, but I haven't met Nora yet. I'm excited and nervous to begin this journey again. Now I know why people do this. I've gained a friend for life, and I'm ready to make some more...

working out

does anybody get bored with working out?
anybody have any fun ideas to spice up your routine?
i used to work out with a guy named roderick and he always had me do something new and different. it was never the same from day to day.
i loved it!
i'm bored with working out.
i wanna get fit but i don't like running on a treadmill.
i don't like "typical gym activities."
throw some ideas my way, or call me up and let's adventure together!

bring back the penguins!

wow, so it's been awhile since i've posted. my mom reminded me today that i have a blog. wow.
so 2 years ago at the oklahoma state fair, there was a penguin show. nothing has ever compared to this show at the fair, and i doubt anything ever will....
cayce can attest to that.... so let's beg the oklahoma state fair...

BRING BACK THE PENGUINS!

watch this video!





sorry it's sideways... if you have a laptop, turn it sideways, it's worth it!!!!!

i need a reminder sometimes...

why is it so easy to forget to pray?

on tuesday at whiz kids, i lost my car keys. i don't know why, but it upset me a little. i don't usually get frantic and emotional about little trivial things, but for some reason, i momentarily freaked out. i asked desteny, "didn't you grab my keys when we were in the gym?" "no, i don't have them, i promise!" so we start retracing our steps. the gym is locked. the library is locked. downstairs, telling my tale, carol suggests, "let's pray about it. Lord, help us find kaylyn's keys."

now, seriously, why is it so hard for me to think to shoot up a prayer to the God who cares about each and every detail of our lives. a simple request in faith. a prayer heard by the LORD God.

"kaylyn, i found your keys inside the game box we played."

thank you, Jesus. may i be quicker to bring my needs to you next time. thanks for the reminder.