My Little Daisy

A few months ago, as we talked about how the Daisy House would no longer be in just a short while, Ray made a grand suggestion. She said, "Hey, we should all write down some of our favorite Daisy House Moments." And I thought that, since our blog has been essentially dead for a long while, I'd revive her for just a while. So, here's my go . . . send us an email and tell us your story - we'll get it posted for all to read. (And it will make me cry, but it will be good!)

We did some creative writing in my class a few weeks ago. I made my students write a description of one of their favorite places. The assignment sounded so fun I had to do it myself!

Ode to My Back Porch
As I emerged from the cool refreshment of the basement, I was welcomed through the dim dining room out onto the back porch. I could hear the voices talking and laughing. As I yanked the screen door open with both hands I was greeted by the warm windy evening in Wichita. The smell of the burning wood of the chiminea and the smoke of a cigar welcomed me outdoors.

My friends continued their conversation as I took a spot in the middle of the porch swing to join the conversation. The glow of the tiki torches and white Christmas lights in the cool warmth of the moonlight and fire created the feeling of home.

I took a sip of the icy water from my Raven cup, absorbing the auro of those around me; a feeling of comfort, a feeling of family, a feeling of belonging. It was as if I was a little flower observing a bouquet of friendship surrounding me.


So many times I have been surrounded by you all. I love these friends that aren't just friends, but so much, much deeper!!

Incomplete

My Tuesday has been dull. Boring. Lonely.

I know that we have a great reason not to have Rosary on Tuesday this week but it has made my evening icky. It has still been busy; I had two meetings that both lasted longer than I thought they would. But it's just icky. I feel icky. It's icky.

I miss all of my friends. I haven't seen them since Sunday and that is such a long time!!

GIANT PARTY SATURDAY

December 17th. 8 PM. Party of the Year at the Daisy House.



BE THERE.

It is now December.

(conga line rhythm)

Now it's time to parTY.

Who wants to come parTY.

I really want to parTY.

(end conga line rhythm.)

Does anyone remember how much fun last December was? How about we beat that fun to the ground this year with an even MORE FUN December???!!!

WOOP WOOP!

Turkey, anyone?

So tonight we Daisy Ladies hosted the second annual Daisy House Thanksgiving Dinner. We put the bird in the oven right around 12:30 this afternoon... and by 6 pm we had a house full of people and so much amazing food that just thinking about it makes me full all over again.

I had three stand out moments of the evening... though I imagine there are tons more but I'm trying not to think about more for the sake of babbling too much :).

1) Pre-dinner preparation. Being in the kitchen with 5-7 people rustling with corn on the stove, mashed potatoes in the crockpot, a turkey being carved on the cabinet, brocolli rice casserole that just wouldn't get finished, yams...rolls...bread...more broccoli rice casserole... and stuffing in the oven, Desserts and appetizers being stirred. The kitchen was full of people and food... and everyone was happy and silly. It was so wonderful.

2) Post dinner cleanup. It isn't the cleaning of the dishes that I found so joy-filled. Rather, it was standing there watshing dishes with my girls and listening to the eruption of laughter and conversation throughout the dining and living room. There were four or five conversations happening in a house with maybe 25 people and it was so neat to hear so many friends being so darn friendly. It was such a happy noise... and I had to just smile as I stood washing the dishes, because look at what God has done!

3) Miss Abby Jaymes. One of my flower girls and I had a super giant blast playing together after dinner. I was tackled and chased and jumped on and it was so awesome. Three years ago I was terrified of anyone under the age of 17. Now I love kids... I love love love love love them. I love playing and cuddling and holding and loving them. I'm so excited to be a mommy in a few years.

So those were my moments. Did you come to dinner? Did you have moments? Share them if you wish. We'd love to hear.

Love and Hugs,
Kiki

P.S. If you couldn't make it to Thanksgiving dinner, remember that the FDOC is coming up in December. There will be a ginormously fun and exciting party on December 17th (that's a Saturday) if you're interested.

P.P.S. Kim leaves for Rome in like 5 days!!!! WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!

My Pledge of Stuff

I pledge to the readers of this page that I will strive to be a better updater in the next few months. Due to little time and lack of energy the wonderful blogspot of the daisy house has fallen through the cracks between my fingers.

Lisa has done a fab job of keeping it up to date... but I shall come back and update as well. That is my pledge. Love you all.

Daisy Hugs All Around!

St. Therese, Pray for us!

I don't think that I need to preface this post by saying how amazing the last year of my life has been (but that is what I am going to do anyway:). I had no idea that being a "Daisy Girl" would impact my life in the way that it has, much less an idea of how our house would impact the community. A year ago I was just pretty excited about getting not one but two roommates. And these were the kind of roommates that would stay up and talk to you all night (not that I didn't enjoy the way that Rilla would have midnight snuggles with my head).

A year following our house blessing amazing things have happened in my life and in the lives of those around me (most of which you can read on this, our blog). A year ago Kim, Kristi, Jose and I sat in our living room (which was still a little cluttered from moving in) and started a novena to St. Therese, our patron saint. The three girls were all reading Story of a Soul by St. Therese and we wanted to emulate her love and total service to Jesus. In our novena we prayed not only for a bouquet of daisies (what elseJ ) but also a bouquet of friendships. The results of this novena are continuing to blossom all around us as evidenced by the new friends we have made.

As we enter a second year of living in our house, we ask once again for the intercession of St. Therese and we invite you to join us. For the next nine days (starting on Friday), join us on the blog for the novena. You can pray for the Daisy House intention or add your own. Then, at the end of the nine days, there will be a "rockin" party honoring her at the house to celebrate the Glory of the Holy Spirit and the feast day of St. Therese! We hope to see you there!

The Novena Prayer
St. Therese, the Little Flower,
please pick me a rose from the heavenly garden and send it to me with a message of love. Ask God to grant me the favor I thee implore and tell him I will love him each day more and more.

We ask that you continue to bless the Daisy House and all those who come "home" here. We ask that you send us not only a bouquet of daisies but a bouquet of friendships. Make our house and our lives overflow with the love of Christ and help us to live everyday as you lived your "Little Way." (add your own intentions here)

Pray 3 Our Father's, 3 Hail Mary's and 3 Glory Be's

Amen