You are currently browsing the monthly archive for October 2009.
Fall means turning leaves from green to orange, brown, dark green, and yellow. Fall means cool crisp mornings, hot cocoa, and pumpkins. Fall means scarves, hats, boots, tights, and light coats. For me, fall means knitting and wearing knitwear. I’ve been knitting like a FIEND! I’ve knitted FIVE hats in the last month. I’ve also managed to squeeze out a scarf!
Wanna see?
Top view:
I love big floppy hats!
I whipped this up with no pattern in mind. I used size 9 circs, and cast on 96 stitches, k1p1 ribbing for 1 inch and striped my gray and black wool blend yarn and carried the yarn up on the inside:
Here’s another hat I knit:
This one is SOOOO SOFT. I used the discontinued yarn: Berroco Jasper in “Maroon Brown”. I bought the last 2 skeins from my LYS at a 40% discount. SCORE!
I made DH a beanie to match my gray and black one. Except his is fitted. I’ll take a pic when I get home.
We have plans to hang out with some friends this weekend (Saturday). We’re also taking the kids out to get some candy! I’ll post pics of that a.s.a.p.
Have a wonderful weekend friends!
~L
hihihihiHI!
Here’s a great video I found today. It’s a music video for the Japanese band Sour’s song called ‘Hibi no Neiro’ (Tone of everyday). Sour says that “the cast were selected from the actual Sour fan base from many countries around the world. Each person and scene was filmed purely via webcam.” Imagine the work that went into this. So creative and super fun!
Happy Thursday!
~L
Hi.
Tonight’s a “free” night for us. Bubba doesn’t have any practice and Ty should be done with his practice by 6. I look forward to Wednesdays because it’s the only weeknight we have together. So tonight I will be spending time with the kiddos drawing. I love to draw, and I love the fact that my kids love it too. Looking through the archives, I never did share with you the artwork I’ve been doodling.
Here it is:
It’s not finished, but it’s just doodles. Really. I’d love to get my hands on some paint. I have some ideas I want to experiment with.
Oh.
Tonight is also knit-night at Dunkin Donuts. This is the new group formed by my friend Chris after some drama with the old knitting group. Long story. I won’t get into it. Besides, it’s really not that bad. Nor dramatic. Promise. Anyway, I might go knit with the girls tonight. Either way, I’ll probably take my kids with me. I miss them during the week. And they won’t mind coming with me because there’s a Baskin Robbins there too 
Update on baby:
He’s breathing on his own. They took off the CPAP yesterday and started feeding him on a regular basis. Lloyda’s milk is slowly coming in and she’s been pumping some for his feedings. I’m so proud of little man. From what I hear, he’s quite the ladies’ man. All the nurses love him! Of course.
What are you doing tonight?
~L
Little Kit(ten) is doing great. According to mommy, he is breathing at 21% (a very good thing!) On Sunday night, the nurse said that he was really fussy, moving around and whimpering/crying. So much so, that he had taken his oxygen mask off, pulled his line out and wiggled out of his little blue cuff (in the picture above). Poor little man was hungry. They decided to start feeding him formula (since mommy’s milk hasn’t come yet) through his line. And lo and behold, he stopped fussing. This news has made me so happy, you have no idea. “Eating” formula (or breastmilk) is an awesome sign! I have a feeling this boy will be coming home sooner than expected. At this rate, anyway.
They also did a spinal tap to check for signs of infection in his nervous system and spine. It’s all clear. HALLELUJAH!
Lloyda was even able to change his diaper twice. You should see the size of those things by the way. Tineee-TINY.
This is him under the light to prevent jaundice. See his little hairy back? So adorable. He’s even sportin some snazzy eye protection “shades”. squeee!
AND OUR FIRST PICTURE TOGETHER:
Thanks Chris and Regan for your comments. You two are so awfully sweet, sometimes I wonder how I could be so lucky to have friends like you.
I’ll keep you posted on any new developments.
~L
My baby sister Lloyda gave birth to a baby boy this past Saturday.
We had originally thought she was 16 weeks along, but according to the nurses at the hospital, she was more like 26 weeks. We will never really know for sure.
It was a scary experience for everyone involved. Baby came quickly and is now in the NICU at Centennial Hospital (the best in the region for preemies).
I got a call from a nurse at Southern Hills Hospital early Saturday morning (6:30am). She told me that my sister is having her baby and to come to the hospital RIGHT NOW! I hurried out the door, calling my mom and brother to come over and stay with my kids (Danny was at work). The drive over was torture. All I kept thinking was “It’s too early, it’s too early, it’s too early”… I was minutes away from the hospital when the nurse called back. She told me to just head over to Centennial Hospital (about 15 miles away) where they are transporting her via ambulance (both calls, I heard Lloyda in the background screaming in pain!) I took the quickest route I knew and arrived at Centennial the same time as the ambulance. I saw them wheel her in on the guerney as I was running from the parking lot. I asked a couple of people where they wouldv’e taken her and took the elevator to the fifth floor. As soon as the door opened, I could hear Lloyda yelling down the hall and the nurse at the front desk told me that I could not go in. I stood at the door and the room got quiet. I was so nervous. When they finally let me in, I walked into the room to see 5-6 other people in there and my poor little sister in her bed. She started crying uncontrollably. A nurse was at her side consoling her. That same nurse said that babies born 26 to 28 weeks have a 95-98% chance of survival. Amazing. The baby was in the small bed for the newborns while two nurses hovered over him. I couldn’t see him at first, but when they wheeled in another bed with a plexiglass enclosure, the two nurses moved aside so that baby can be moved into that bed. HE WAS TINY! At first glance I saw Lloyda’s face. He was dark-complected and quite normal-looking. They had him wrapped in plastic and a nurse held a oxygen pump to his little face. And off he went into the NICU.
We didn’t get to see him for another 2 hours. When we finally did, Lloyda and I got to touch him and really see him. He’s a miracle.
Let me introduce you to Francisco Kitiona:
This little guy will be in the NICU for about 10 weeks. They will not release him until he can breathe on his own. Lloyda was kept in the hospital for 2 nights (she gets out today).
It’ll be a long road, but he will not be alone. We’re looking forward to holding him and watching him grow into a strong, healthy man.
Congratulations, Lloyda! Welcome to mommy-hood.
Birth measurements:
2 lbs. 10 oz.
14.5 inches long
Happy Birthday, little Kit!
We love you.
~Aunty Lette
=)
Spending some time looking at awesome photography on Flickr. Found this little cutie and thought I’d share.
Be back soon, my lovelies!
~L
Our in-house fashionista has done it again:
She’s so da bee’z-kneez!
Happy Hump Day, y’all!
~L
I LOVE MY NEW HAT!
Yellow makes me so happy…
Updates:
Mom’s surgery went well. We will go and see her tonight. She will be home tomorrow, Lord-willing.
Ty’s followup doc appt is on Thursday. He went back to school on Monday. He was on Fall Break for 2 weeks.
Bubbs and Nate are on Fall Break this week. Nate learned 13 of his sight words in 4 days! Bubba’s been a great help.
Bubba got 4 sacks during his last game. He’s been the defensive MVP for two weeks in a row. He also got voted Team Captain by his teammates!
Lai has been saying our night-time prayers all by herself, without any prompting from me. It’s so sweet. Her prayer is exactly the same every night:
“Jesus, tank yew fo today, tank yew fo da food, tank yew fo all my fwens, tank yew fo evy-ting, tank yew fo my mudder and my daddy doughing to werk, tank yew fo damma and dampa. Amen.”
Thank you, Jesus!
~L
So this knitting frenzy is in full swing. I’ve been working on 3 different projects simultaneously. It’s my knitting ADD. I get bored easily and when one frustrates/tires me, I can pick up object #2 or #3 and just alternate between them. Sometimes I have 4 or 5 going at the same time. It works, I swear. I eventually get them done. Well, most of them 
This little hat is one that I’ve made 3 times in the past. Pattern here. (Ravelry link).
Since the pattern is written for an adult-sized head, I casted on 86 sts. The rest of the pattern was the same. It is well-written, and easy-to-follow. I highly recommend knitting this one. I really love this pattern. I already have one in red and casted on for a yellow one. It’s so pretty
Here are the side and top views:
She likes it too. The yarn I used is really soft and machine washable and dryer-safe! Yarn here.
And a close-up:
Happy Knitting!
~L
Tyler got hurt again at practice. This time it’s his neck / upper back. I took him to get an MRI yesterday and we will get the results “within 48 hours”
Tyler said that they were running hitting drills and he went to hit his teammate square in the chest with his helmet/head (like the coaches tell them to do) and tweaked his neck with the impact. He was sore that first night (Wednesday) so DH made an appointment with a doctor the following day.
That first doctor had an xray done and noted a curve in his spine that is not normal. Apparently it curves the wrong way at the top and that this doctor has never seen anything like it. It sounds scary, but I think Ty may have been born with his spine already like this.
The MRI yesterday lasted an hour and has been sent to the radiologist for review. We’re praying for a good outcome and speedy recovery.
Anyway, I thought I’d share the x-ray of Ty’s neck with you to see if you can tell what the doctor is talking about:
Side view.
Side-view at an angle.
It’s weirding me out to see my son’s innards. I know that some people find this sort of thing fascinating, but I guess I don’t have that gift. haha.
Anyway, I’ll update you as soon as we find something out.
Have a great weekend!
~L
She was having so much fun, she neglected this little guy.
I don’t know if she was “wallpapering” or putting up reminders? So cute.
~L
We celebrated hubby’s birthday this past weekend. My lovely, hard-working mister had to work all seven days last week and the week before! Poor fella.
His day was on Sunday, so on Saturday night (after he left for work), the kids and I made him a sign and each one of the kids drew Daddy a card.
I didn’t get to take pics of the cards, but will post when I do. They are so awesome!
A blurry family pic.
\
We spent the rest of the day hanging out at home, watching football while DH slept.
Last night (Monday) I finally got the man a cake…
It was a simple celebration this year. He just wanted to be home, with us.
Happy Birthday, Danny. I love you.
~L
The benefit concert this past Wednesday night was a huge success. A lot of people came out in support of the cause in spite of it being in the middle of the week. It was humbling. For that I am utterly grateful.
Some of the artists who came out to help were:
Michael W. Smith
Natalie Grant
Melinda Doolittle
Jeremy Camp
Coleman Blue
Calvin Nowell
It was an awesome evening with wonderful people. I spent a lot of the concert in the lobby with my hyper 3yo. That was fine with me, since I was joined by the other moms, most of whom are good friends of mine. Mom and Gords also came along.
So, on to the pics:
After the concert, we joined some of the family for some fellowship at a local Japanese restaurant. Good times.
I wish you all could’ve been there.
~L
Last night, the Mount Juliet football team put the smackdown on their long-time rival Wilson Central Wildcats. It was a massacre. The final score was 35-3. And it was all caught on camera. And that camera fed the video live to our local Comcast cable TV. I told everyone to watch. I’m such a proud mama. He did great and got his face on TV a few times. And let me tell ya, I like being a mom to a kid who’s on TV.
Anyway, as exciting as it was, the other team had players who played alongside Tyler once upon a time. They still remain friends to us and it was hard to fully celebrate and “rub it in”. But they were good sports and embraced Tyler afterwards like nothing’s changed. It was all so sweet.
I’m really beginning to like this sport.
Here’s a blurry pic of Ty on the field:
That’s the mic they had mounted on the stands. It’s hard to get a good pic 200 yards away.
After the game, we chatted with our old friends:
I also snuck in a picture of Ty with his “adoring fans”
It was dark, and they knew I was watching (after they all hugged him).
I’ve been looking online for video of last night’s game to share. I’ll post it as soon as I find it.
Have a great weekend, my loves!
~L
Tonight’s the benefit concert for Samoa.
Come out if you’re in the Nashville area!
It’s a beautiful day in Nashville! It’s 63 degrees and SUNNY! God’s smiling down on us.
LoveLove
~L
Last week’s catastrophes have been dominating my thoughts thus affecting my mood, which in turn controls my actions. I’ve been in a sombre mood to say the least. I’ve been thinking alot lately. Thinking about how blessed we are to be living in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Where healthcare is readily available, and where if you are in need, there are ways to find help and get it too, even if you are not a citizen of this country. God bless America.
My kids have been a great motivation to bring things back to a sense of normalcy. They hold no grudges, nor fear, nor pain. They seem to gravitate constantly toward happiness and awe. The world is their playground. Kids make everything better, don’t they? They are a reminder that life goes on.
So, last Friday I was able to take Bubbs and Nate to their Fall Festival at school. I followed them around as they played all the games and won prizes. Bubba even sang karaoke in front of the crowd in the cafeteria. He did well, and wasn’t shy. I know he didn’t get that from me. The song? Smooth Criminal by MJ. That kid loves him some MJ!
Unfortunately we were only able to stay an hour. Ty had a varsity game that night against Lebanon. It was a packed stadium that night. We won 52-13. We are still undefeated at 6-0! The boys are doing a wonderful job this season. 
Ty’s #32 (in front of 81)- see his knee brace? 
Bubba’s team won too, against Bordeaux on Saturday. I didn’t go to that game. Nate, Lai and I went with mom yard saleing. I scored some pretty cool deals. I’ll share that later.
Sunday we went to church and had Chinese buffet for lunch. My poor DH worked all 7 days last week, but still managed to spend time with us, coach Bubba’s team, attend Ty’s game, go to church, and eat Sunday dinner with us. I love this man…
How’s your week going?
~L
The Katinas are holding a benefit concert for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit the islands (Samoa) this past Tuesday. If you are in the Nashville area next Wednesday, please come out and help make a difference in the lives of those who lost so much.
Thank you for all your prayers for my home. And if you would please, continue to pray for healing for the people of Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga.
This week has been very hard for me. I’m finding it so hard to work when my mind is with Samoa and the people I love. On top of that, my birthplace (the Philippines) has also been hit by devastation this week. They experienced tremendous loss from a typhoon that caused major damage and took the lives of 246 people (with 42 still missing). Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) reeked havoc on the capital of the Philippines, Manila. This is the city where I was born and where I spent the first 3 years of my life. Below is a video slideshow of images taken during the storm. It is heartbreaking and crushing to watch.
Finally, I leave you with a song that has been a huge encouragement for me.
Redeemer by Nicole C. Mullen
“Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
and Who told the ocean you can only come this far?
and Who showed the moon where to hide ’til evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?
Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives:
Let all creations testify
Let this, life within me cry
I know my Redeemer lives…”
Be encouraged and know that God reigns.
Amen
~L
