Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Some "firsts" for Reese

Pictures finally! Reese had a great summer as you can see...More coming soon! We didn't want to overwhelm everyone with 3 months of pics in one post! :)

First time getting caught in the sprinkler system with clothes on!

First time taking a picture with Mommy at 6:30 am

First time wearing her new Rangers Hat

First time at the Rangers Game

First haircut...A BIG deal!!

First time wearing mommy's glasses

First time in Texas with Great Grandmother

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Team Alexander!

All of you that know me well, know that I have spent half of my life with this sweet family. I was babysitter in my younger days, employee, friend…they have been extended family since I was in junior high. They were a big part of my “growing up”, my wedding day, they were there for Reese’s birth…I still treasure and love them dearly! They have been in the process of adopting from Ethiopia and through many ups and downs finally met their baby Abe yesterday! As I looked at the pictures, verse and song they chose to go with it, I was overwhelmed with joy and just emotion for them as well as tears for the place this family holds in my heart and love I have for this child I have yet to even meet! Click here and go read their story! Click here and watch the slideshow!
How GREAT is our GOD. All the earth REJOICE!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Show me the pictures!!...

I’m sure you have been wondering…”Where are the pictures??” Well, simple explanation. For about 3 months now we have been unable to locate the cord that connects the camera to the computer to download stuff. So instead of even researching getting a new one, I just have been hoping and praying for it to show up. Paying money for something I know is just hanging around in the back of a closet is like buying new tires—my #1 thing I hate spending money on—along with oil changes, contact solution, and new toilet bowl brush cleaner things. Finally last night I got fed up enough to trek to Best Buy in the rain with Reese, only to discover you have to buy accessories straight from the manufacturer. Boo. So I head home, navigate the Samsung website (which is quite hard, by the way) and for the low, low price of only $14.99 I now am back on track with my picture posting! It shipped today as a matter of fact so…stay tuned!

Monday, August 11, 2008

Vancouver, here I come!

Dum, dum, da dum dum dum dum dum dum da dum dum da da da dum dum dum dum dum dum. In case you couldn’t immediately tell, that is me humming the Olympic theme song. For two weeks, I am completely obsessed with all things having to do with the 29th Olympiad. The Nike commercials, the Water Cube (coolest name ever)...I love it! And I am for sure on the Michael Phelps bandwagon. Last nights relay—oh my gosh! Amazing! Any of you heard of the 14 year old diver, Tom Daley? Gymnastics, track and field, love it all! I must say, that Bob Costas is like my favorite announcer of all time. I kindof have a little crush on him, which has been ok’d by the powers that be since they love him too :) I mean, without the Bob, it just wouldn’t be the same. I have loved the Olympics since I was old enough to watch it and then grew to understand the significance of it. Winter Olympics ice skating was my first love and passion. If you have read my blog before, you know I still think I could be Kristi Yamaguchi and win a Gold Medal if I start training soon. I have the Lillehammer Olympics on VHS, yes, VHS. The Olympics make me feel like the laziest and most inadequate human being on the face of the planet, but also inspire me that people can do amazing things. It stirs up patriotism but also a neat feeling that the world is not as big as it seems. I love hearing all the stories of the athletes, of course I cry at every one…(I mean, I cried watching Cool Runnings people!)...the drama that comes along with such a high level of competition. I love seeing these people that have trained harder than anything we can imagine for this one moment, literally one moment of possible greatness! The moments that make history and make heroes. I am inspired that they have the passion, determination and motivation to drive towards this one thing, this one goal for the thing that they love doing the most in the world. I feel inspired to be a better person. But, when it really comes down to it, it is such a testimony to how amazing our God is! To be able to see such an amazing human body doing such amazing things is only the result of our amazing Creator! So, as I obsessively watch until my eyelids won’t stay open anymore, I also dream of what my own Olympic moment will be like --Vancouver 2010, here I come! :)

Friday, August 08, 2008

Shout out to our peeps!

We miss people! We, and also our peeps, all have somewhat crazy lives going on right now which reduces our hangout time :) As you know, skip and I (well, mainly me) are not the types to be ok with no social interaction. We truly need that connection with people to survive in this crazy life. With isolation from people you miss so much in life:

-having people to call you out! - accountability
-growth in Christ together and challenging you to be more like Him
-the bond you feel from serving and ministering together
-having a feeling of comfort with people. Meaning, they comfort you when you are stressed or upset, but also that you feel comfortable scrounging through their fridge for food without asking.
-having someone to just sit on the couch and say nothing with
-having someone who is ok with crying with you during life’s hardest moments, but also understands why you are tearing up at So You Think You Can Dance.
-having people to laugh so hard with that you can’t breathe
-having people that amazingly enough still want to be around you after getting to truly, and I mean, truly know you!
-having people that will forgive you completely and not just bring it up again later
-having people that you learn from and are amazed by. Real-life Heroes.
-having girl time! / guy time!
-having people to tell secrets to and know they are safe.
-having people you trust. completely. with your inner self, and that they would come pick you up if your car broke down at 2am without a question asked.
-having people that know your thoughts and heart and you are genuine and authentic with.
-having people to encourage you

These qualities are so rare, and true friendships are also rare, like jewels. It takes effort and time to build them and effort and time to maintain them...If you have even one friend like this you are beyond blessed. We are blessed enough to have several “jewels” in our life…We have been a little separated from them lately and are missing them desperately! So, thank you to all our “jewels” for allowing us to live life with you and for giving us this most precious gift of truly knowing you! We love you all more than you know!
**New pics coming soon!**

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

I can quit any time, time, time...

I have decided that I have a habit I need to break. Now some of you who know me well, know that I have tried to break this habit before. You might have heard these words uttered which originated from a 1990’s “after school special” commercial…”I can quit any time time time time…” It is called…Dr. Pepper.
I am totally hooked. I don’t drink coffee (save the occasional winter Starbucks sweet treat), I don’t really drink alcohol (save the margarita with fajitas, glass of wine at supper club, etc.)…but I’ve got it bad for DP. Not in a can, from the fountain…All cold and tingly. You know it’s a really good proportioned one when your nose burns and your eyes water drinking it! Yum. Ok. So I have gotten to where I drink more than I should (a specific number will not be mentioned in this blog), and I need to get it under control for these reasons and more:
1) the money I spend to buy them
2) the amount of pure melted sugar I am consuming
3) the amount of caffeine I am also consuming
4) the way it has me addicted
5) because it does not help with my lack of energy problem
6) because I do not drink enough water
7) because I want to lose weight and drinking 5 million calories a day isn’t helping :)

Now, I’ve gone cold turkey before and other than a headache for about a solid week, I can do it. But, this time, I think I am going to wean myself off of them…So, as of today, I am going to 2 a week. Then in 2 weeks, down to 1 a week, etc.
So, if any of you see me, ask me how it’s going. I’m sure I will need a support group. My name is Kate, and I’m a Dr Pepper-a-holic.