Train Wreck

Well, not really a train wreck per se.  More like being hit by a Mack truck.  That's how I feel tonight.  I can NOT get sick.  Not now.  We have some really exciting things happening in the next few days and I don't have the luxury of being ill.  Tomorrow is a HUGE day for Lucy and Saturday is the St. Jude Marathon (I'll be doing the 5k)...I hope.

A few quick answers..

1.  Ella's Thanksgiving dress came from Gymboree.  So did Lucy's "thankful" shirt.

2.  The Elf on the Shelf can be found here. or  http://www.elfontheshelf.com/Home.aspx

3.  Some of you have expressed interest in helping out with the Lebonheur Christmas meal.  I am so humbled that you would be so gracious.  Thank you very, very much.  Please send any donation to my attention
(Kate Krull)
c/o Rose Construction 
126 Highway 51 South
Covington, TN  38019

Sick Baby

A sick baby makes this mommy sad and VERY nervous.  Praying both girls can avoid this virus, especially my one with the weakened immune system. 

It's Snowing!!

Yes, that's right.  The deep South got the earliest snow I can ever remember.  It's just beautiful and the girls were mesmerized.  Ella even kept asking to make snow cream.  That kind of snow would have gotten us a day off from school tomorrow.  Oh well, to school it will be and Lucy is thrilled.  She went today for about 2 hours and we plan on letting her go most of the morning tomorrow. 

Happy snow day!

And Merry Christmas, too!

This Weekend

This weekend we........

Trimmed out tree:

Watched the deer that was hanging out in our backyard before church:

Tried to snap a picture of this very active, but super adorable, little boy in his church coat:

Celebrated my Dad and Mom's birthday.  We were supposed to be celebrating my sister's as well, but she had a sick baby.  Yuck!

And helped Mom and Dad trim their tree:

The picture above was from this year.  The picture below was from last year.  The girls are wearing the same dresses from last year!

Thanksgiving Memories

This year's Thanksgiving will forever be remembered as the most wonderful Thanksgiving ever.  I was surrounded by the family I love most and we made some wonderful memories.  Here are the highlights of the day:

Lucy went down the slide at least 2 dozen times.  Laughing hysterically every time!  It was so wonderful watching her playing so carefree. 

Jack also spent most of the day playing on the slide.  He went down on his tummy every time and thought it was the best thing ever!

 They were so funny that everyone gathered outside to watch them play and laugh.  I think everyone really appreciated seeing Lucy smiling, laughing and enjoying life like a 5 year old should.

We took some time to take some pictures with my grandparents.  I think the picture of the 4 boys and their wives with Maw and Paw Paw turned out the best.  My grandfather is fighting his cancer as hard as Lucy did and most of the time you would never know it.  He is so courageous and strong.  I love him and my grandmother so much.

 My sweet Ella was so busy playing with her twin cousins, Reagan and Taylor.  They never slowed down long enough for me to snap many pictures of her. 

Memories of Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without remembering us gathered around the tables eating, laughing and talking about "old times." 

And lots of pictures of the ones that mean the most to me.

A few more memories....

Dad wrestling Jack to put his shoe on while he was trying to go down the slide.  I was supposed to be helping but I was too busy snapping pictures and laughing at my Dad who was trying REALLY hard not to lose it!

My handsome husband who I love so very much.  The best Dad on the planet!

Sweet Maddie.  My niece and the love of my life.  She's so precious that I laugh every time she smiles.  She is an angel and I just love her so much.  Just watching her and Jack play makes my heart happy.  When she sees me she says "KK!" as if I was the most important thing in her world.

Uncle T and Jack.  Jack doesn't like many people, but he took to Tommy immediately at Thanksgiving dinner.

The most precious picture.  Jack and Pops throwing acorns in the water.  This is a picture of innocence.

My Thanksgiving prayer this year was simple.  "Thank you dear Lord for giving me my family back."  It was all I could do to keep from crying all day long.  Greatfulness abounds and I am so thankful to have an appreciation for what's important in life.  I don't sweat the small things.  I'm keeping my focus on what matters most.

He's Baaaaaack

Harley returned.  Our Elf is here and we can't wait to see what kind of mischief he's up to this year...

Day 1  Writing on the Mirror

Day 2  That little bugger got into our candy jar.  But at least he brought a treat for Ella, Lucy and Jack!

Yes, Yes We Are

To steal a line from one of our favorite shows, "Phineas and Ferb,"......"Yes, yes we are." 

Giving Thanks

Giving thanks with a grateful heart.  That's what the Krull family is about these days.  Thanksgiving eve, we humbly served a full dinner to the patients and staff of the 7th floor at LeBonheur Hospital.  The place where we spent an agonizing month fighting for our daughter's life.  Turkey, dressing, gravy, potatoes, corn, green beans, rolls and desserts galore!  Thanks to the yummy food from Wells Kitchen the meal was a huge success.  It was a true honor to provide a small bit of "family" to these people who are fighting their own battles.  I only wish I could do more.

A very special thanks to the people who went along to serve, donated money, bought supplies and baked desserts.  I am so very thankful that others understand my passion for LeBonheur and can appreciate what this hospital means to our lives.  I don't know how many people received a blessing from this one act of kindness, but if only one person did then it was worth it.  I know I blessed immeasurably.  Ella and Lucy even went along!

We are planning on doing this again at Christmas.  If you are interested in contributing, let me know.  It is my goal to make this annual tradition. 

 The group that served dinner.  Thanks a million guys!!

 Cookies for the nurses, courtesy of LeBonheur nurse and friend, JR Coulston.  They are as yummy as they look, too.  The heart with the white stitching is the LeBonheur logo. 

The girls riding in style.

People I am thankful for today:

Just to name a few......

Grateful Heart

This post is one of true gratitude.  So many things have happened this week that have stirred my soul to its very core.  The most memorable one occured on Friday.  TCA had its annual Thanksgiving Feast and we all went to watch Ella perform.  Her class dressed as Pilgrims and sang the song "Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart."  It was the most moving and amazing moment of my life.  It really was. 

When we arrived at the school, I parked and started getting Lucy, her walker, Jack and his stroller out of the car.  Along with the diaper bag, the movie camera and my still camera.  I got Lucy's walker out first and told her to start getting herself out of the van while I got Jack settled.  By the time I got back around to her side, she was gone.  Seriously, gone.  I panicked.  I quickly gathered my things and ran inside, only to find that she had made it to the front of the cafetorium with the rest of the kids.  She was putting on the pilgrim costume and finding her spot in the performance.  Now, mind you, she had no previous knowledge of what was going on.  She didn't even know why we were going to school in the first place that day.

The program started before I even had time to get my camera or video camera out.  I was totally unprepared for what was about to happen.  My sweet Lucy stood up, steady and strong, and sang.  She sang with all her heart.  Did she know the words?  Of course not.  But that didn't stop her.  She sang along and tried to copy the motions.  I sobbed like a baby, my mom was crying and Erik was doing his best not to loose it, too.

It was amazing.  As they sang the words "Give thanks with a grateful heart for what the Lord has done for us," I was moved beyond giving thanks.  I honestly think I experienced a mountain-top moment that cameras or video could never do justice.  I will have this image of a 5 year old embracing life with all she has forever.   For that moment, Lucy was not hindered by any obstacles that have been placed in her life.  She had no idea that she was different from the other children.  And with the innocence of a child, she sang with a grateful heart to God because she didn't even realize that she had anything to be mad at Him about.  She was truly grateful to be there, and so was I. 

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give Thanks because He has given
Jesus Christ His son.

And now let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord
Has done for us.

Give Thanks.

My heart sang out with gratitude for that moment.  I am still crying about it even now.  I am also grateful for today.  For the first time since Easter, all 5 of us were at church.  Together as a family.  We almost made it all the way through Sunday School before Lucy's teacher called to say she was getting tired.  It was a wonderful start and I was so thankful to be there today.  Lucy was so excited about going that she was dressed and sitting on go long before it was time to leave.  I am so thankful my children enjoy going to church and learning about God.  What a blessing.

As I think about this week and Thanksgiving, I am more aware today than ever before of how very much I have to be grateful for.  Yes, I was dealt a bad hand this year and justifiably have some things to be upset about.  Amazingly, instead of having a bitter heart I feel more grateful than ever.  This week I am going to write about some of these things and spend some time reflecting on the lessons I have learned in 2011.