Merry Christmas

Fw: Sneak peek

	Here is a little preview of our home. We painted every surface and did the flooring on the first floor ourselves. We also added the wainscotting and put in the new baseboards. We will update with a full tour soon...or you can visit and see it in person!

Anyone out there?

Okay...it has been too long since someone has posted on this BLOG. Here is a clip from my book that I has received lots of rejections from agents. Happy reading. Comment if you like. I can take it. Be brutal. LOL. Keep in mind I am no professional. Still working on my craft.

Master in mind proved to be one of many strengths of Frode Navon, and as for weaknesses, they did not exist. But how, one may ask, can any person lack weaknesses? The answer is astoundingly simple yet true, they turn their flaws into strengths.

During a time of growing famine and pestilence, when the villagers began to quarrel and bicker, covet and lust, a fair maiden of the gardens said to Frode Navon’s mother, “That boy will never have a mind sound enough to learn of the writers’ script,” his mother shook her head, quietly countering, “Then hours will I spend teaching, until his mind becomes learned.”

In the Land of Naumbet, beyond the market village of Melderrin and off the crossroad that connected with the less traveled road, Frode Navon and his mother dwelt in a humble shack. The floor, lacking stone and made of dirt, was evidence of the poverty in which they lived. His mother, a seamstress maiden, labored hour after hour, earning barely enough to scrounge up the necessities to sustain their life, while his father, after learning he had fathered a child, left without thinking twice.

Commodities given to Frode Navon’s mother out of charity and kindness were stacks of parchment, bundles of quills, and secular books in a variety of languages.

Never did she speak to Frode Navon of their meager circumstances, nor did she fill the air with words or thoughts of negativity. Everything in life contained a sacred beauty. Life was a gift. This way of thinking made even the most humble of living seem richer than that of the nobles. She gave thanks daily for her own knowledge of reading and writing. With gratitude she thanked the heavens for a father whose first and foremost priority was placed in education. After her father’s sudden death, she vowed to never take lightly the importance of learning.

Her gift, given at birth, was optimism. And at the youngest of age, Frode Navon could not deny the power of her influence.

As soon as Frode Navon’s fingers could grasp a quill, hours were spent under candle flame as his mother guided and encouraged him in the art of reading, and writer’s script. Kind and full of dedicated belief, she stretched forth patience and taught fervently. It is said that if one believes enough, the sky will pour down blessings, and for young Frode Navon, the rain never ceased. His gift, existing only because of great faith, was knowledge.

The young boy trained under the tutelage of the most well known apprenticeships in myths, legends and the healer’s touch. He also learned to be a master equestrian and archer. His mind never desisted.

It was because of his gift, the rarity and perfection of it, that he was petitioned to accept the position as Royal Professor, a title of such prestige and opportunity that he could not decline. At the age of fifteen, Frode Navon became the youngest and brightest of all the Royal Professor’s. He taught the nobles of Naumbet for twenty-five years and though he was treated with the utmost respect, given access to the Books of the Scholars, the same monotony of each day became mind numbing. Wanting to experience life before old age ripened his body; he decided one night to escape from within the walls of the castle. Regardless of the consequences that accompanied such a risk, his determination to break free grew evermore pressing.

BK Reunion

We had to have a fire every evening because it was so cold, even for Idahoans.

Easton has learned to blow bubbles and in the process give his mother a much needed shower.

Kids, water and fire! It just doesn't get any better!

We had a great time camping, eating and playing games. It was cold at night but the setting and the company was extraordinary.

Happiest birthday wishes Kara! You are talented, fun-loving, quirky (that's a good thing!) and amazing in every way. Love you sister!

Happy Easter!!!

Emmerson Lin Kay

SHE is finally here! She arrived 4-16 @ 10:50 PM weighing in at 8lbs 4oz with a TON of dark hair. Machelle only had to push twice and the doctor threw a pair of gloves at me and said, "You ARE going to help me". So I put those puppies on helped deliver my daughter. I am grateful that I was able to help do that because now I can use Bill Cosby's line, "I helped bring you into this world, I can take you out!" (That will be saved for the teenage years). Mom and Emmy are doing fantastic and we couldn't be more pleased. There is now officially some estrogen among the Bob Kay grandchildren!
(Thanks aunt Megan for the name suggestion. You just upped your status closer to "favorite aunt").

Fabulous 50!

My mom's 50th was last month and we were lucky enough to sneak in a few surprise visitors for her surprise bash! She had been VERY adamant about absolutely no parties or celebrations for this birthday. I barely got her to agree to let me make a cake! I knew the only way to keep her from being super angry were to have her beautiful sisters and mom right in front for the surprise. As she walked in they sang, "We came for your birthday shout Hooray! We want to sing to you today. One year older and wiser too, Happy Birthday to you!" She was quite surprised to say the least.

The sisters and mom went all out with multiple "rude" cards that were all hysterical. We played an awesome Shirley bingo game and my dad serenaded mom with his own rendition of Eric Clapton's "You look wonderful." Still bummed we didn't get it on video because it was really, really good!

These cake pictures didn't turn out too well, but the cakes sure did! Yummy!

Kohen in the jumperoo.

He is usually a pretty mellow baby but he loves the jumperoo. Shannon shot this clip while we were putting together the second crib today. It is finally time to split them up. We have been putting it off for awhile now.

Grandpa Bailey and twins

Jackie invited her dad and Gail over for a birthday dinner for him. He turned 88 and says he doesn't want to live another 88. Several years ago we put a candle on the cake for every year and about burned his house down so this year Jackie only put 8 and 8 (16) candles on the cake. Justin and Shannon were here with their twins along with Justin and Patricia and their kids. We thought it would be nice to get a picture of the great grandpa with the twins. The baby sleeping nicely is Easton and the one trying to make noise is Kohen. They are both doing very well and we feel so blessed. Happy Valentines day!

Just got home from my 16 week appointment...oh wait. Oops, I guess I just let that one loose. Okay, let me start over...
It all began one day in November (well really in October, but we will fast forward past that night). Finally I couldn't stand waiting another day. Staring at the two pink lines I felt something completely different than when the plus sign ushered in my first pregnancy.
Sitting at the computer Whitney carried on as any other day. Hands shaking I displayed the stick. "Look. Two lines."
"Hmmm...no, that's not two lines, only one."
"Whatever! See," pointing, "one dark line, and a really faint line. TWO lines."
"Cool." He nods and smiles, turns back to the computer in ignorance of the worrisome lines spreading across my forehead.
"I can't do this Whit. I can't. The loss of sleep. Elijah sleeps through the night now. I can't handle sleepless nights. And two? That means I'll never nap during the day." I mentally remind myself to make a color appointment as I feel gray hairs sprout instantly from my head. Oh wait! Shoot! Coloring hair during pregnancy is forbidden. And so is feta cheese, and brie, and sandwich meat, and fish, and the entire food pyramid! All these restrictions. And what will I look like after baby two?
Though I am back to pre-pregnancy weight, I have given up on pre-baby body. Everyone knows (and compassionately tells you) that with each child you look worse and worse. What encouragement.
Whitney's calm voice brings me back from thoughts of self-pity, "Take another test, in a week or two, just to make sure."
My nostrils flare. "I don't need to. Positive is positive. Besides, you didn't even act excited!" Tears aren't welling in my eyes, but my heart is aching with an abundance of emotions. "Can't you say, 'WAHOO! YEA! This is fantastic' and twirl me around in your arms?"
"WAHOO, YEA. This is fantastic."
He forgot to twirl me in his arms.

With all that said, and the last few months being difficult with all the known beginnings stages of pregnancy, I am finally feeling rather decent. Starting to workout again. And very excited for this little baby. Really, I was only discouraged and terrified for about a week. It is a huge blessing that we are having another little baby and I am thrilled.
Do I prefer boy or girl? I prefer a healthy baby. But name wise...it was difficult enough naming Elijah, so having another boy could be a bit of a challenge, especially since Whitney is still so fond of Winston. And I am not. At all, even in the slightest. Maybe that'll change.
Whitney was ready to have a second child once Elijah's little face graced us, but at that point I was still staring down at a big ol' tire, saddle bags and all that goodness. No matter what, I'm not sure I'll ever be ready when the time comes to have the next baby, but I sure warm-up to the idea when I hear that heart fluttering for the first time.

EDIT: I don't want this post to make Whitney sound like he doesn't care, cause believe me, he does! But you know us women. We have this idea in our head of how things are suppose to go. Whit's amazing and couldn't be more excited for the upcoming addition!

Ava Lianne Kay

Here are a couple pictures of our little girl. We love munching on her cheeks and staring into her pretty eyes!

Girls on the Rise

Yep....we found out we are expecting another of these sweet little things! It must be the year for girls in the Kay family! We're looking at about June 6th.