Yellow Guy

A few weeks ago, Meron and I were leaving Kohl's empty handed when she spotted the Kohl's Cares for Kids stuffed animals. She wanted one. Or maybe I wanted her to want one because I love Dr. Seuss. Let's blame her...

So she wanted one. I was pushing for the whale from the "If I ran the circus" book. He was just bulbous and cool. But not Meron. She said "I want that yellow guy."

"Are you sure," I asked. "Want yellow guy!!" was her LOUD response. So we grabbed the yellow guy (I still don't know his name) from "Oh the thinks you can think!" book. That was about all we heard about him for a while.

Fast forward 3 weeks - life is all about yellow guy now. He's everywhere. We're brushing his teeth. He's going potty. He's getting prayed for. He's getting shots and boo-boos fixed. He eats dinner. He watches Meron eat dinner. He goes out with us.

I drew the line at him coming in the tub with her.

I dunno what it is - maybe it's because I am a big stuffed animal fan - but I love that she loves yellow guy so much. I hope she hangs on to that love for a while!

Serious Phone Conversation...

... with nobody!

Running For Brighton - Race #15

While we were out in Conway picking up the loads of baby formula - I got the rare opportunity to run a 5k with my nephew. The morning of the race he was diagnosed with strep throat. But after some rest and some gigantic pills from the doc - he was determined to run it.

As we ran - I kept checking on him - asking him if he needed to stop, rest, drink water, etc. And like God almost always does - He took my mind to the orphans - and it just really struck me that they don't have anybody to ask them the things I was asking Will. They struggle day in day out - through sickness and health - on their own.

Wanna help change that? Wanna help support an orphan and get them past the challenging first few months of life? You can - and it's easy!

Go check out the Brighton-Kennedy Foundation wesbite, become a fan of the Brighton-Kennedy Foundation on Facebook or donate to help us with our mission! Together - we can make some changes!!

Thanks Aunt Stacy...

"Thank you Aunt Stacy for raising kids with awesome caring hearts! You guys are making a BIG difference!

We love and miss you!"

Taming of the Do

One of Meron's teachers LOVES to braid her hair. She always asks us and we always say "yes!"

Today she caught me in the parking lot and said she started braiding Meron's hair but then lunch was starting to be served and Meron got crazy fussy and said:

"No! I gotta go get my food!"

Don't come between this girl and her lunch...

But we still ended up with a much lower, tamer do.

Meron Polamalu

It's been a while since we ran around on the football field. So tonight Meron and I grabbed a quick after school snack and then suited up to get some run-around time in.

Good times, good times...

Hearts of Youth

Around the end of last year I tossed out a challenge to my niece and nephew. They live right outside of Little Rock and I don't get to see them enough so I challenged them:

"You guys raise 50 cans of formula for the foundation and I'll drive out to get them and hang out with ya!

Well - fast forward 40 days and let me just say this - Laura, Meron and I returned home today with a truck full of formula. Over $4,000 worth of it!

My niece took the challenge to the youth at her church - who partnered up with adult classes and turned it into a competition. Here's just a sampling of what they accomplished:

enough dry formula to make 41,140 ounces of liquid formula

that is roughly 6,857 6 oz. bottles

At 5 bottles per day - that is enough food for 1,371 DAYS!!

These kids basically just fed 3 orphans 5 meals a day for over a year!

I think I need to repeat that... These kids basically just fed 3 orphans 5 meals a day for over a year!

Ansley, Will and the rest of the incredible kids at First United Methodist Church in Conway, AR - we love you! You guys deserve a huge round of applause!

You've been an inspiration to us and it has been a huge blessing to partner with you on this! May God bless you guys for stepping out in faith and following His lead!

Trapped but Smiling!

Trapped away from home by some nasty nasty weather... but she is still smiling!

Best Buds

Meron's cousin Will is like the Pied Piper of kids - they just seem to be magnetically attracted to him and he is great with them...

His charm works on Meron - that's for sure! She can't get enough!

Yeah!!

Meron pretty much hasn't stopped smiling since we got here! She's having a great time and loving on everybody within reach of a hug!!

Excited!

We asked Meron why she was so smiley... her response?

"I cited to see Stacy, Will and James and Ansley."

We are too Meron, we are too!

Watch Out Paula Dean!

Meron's making cupcakes! Food Network here we come...

She's At It Again...

Looking all grown up and stuff... STOP IT MERON!!!

Pretty Princess Pals

Meron got to hang out with her pal Emma recently - and maybe I'm biased but I think they made some of the cutest princesses around!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Big thanks to everybody who sent little miss Meron something for Valentine's Day! You shouldn't have done that - but she had great fun with it all!

Hope everybody had a great day with their special someone...

Snow Fun - Day II

We woke up today to the neighborhood still looking like a winter wonderland - so it wasn't a dream! It did snow!

Back into the outdoor gear we jumped and headed back out. We played. We ran. We threw snowballs. Made snow angles. Took wagon rides.

And daddy got carried away with the snowman.