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

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!

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!

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! :)

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!**

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.

New Skip Blog Post

Skip has finally updated his blog...

Click here to check it out.

Ode to Half Price Books...

I love you. Not only do you provide me books at half price, but also endless hours of entertainment, kids stuff, cds, DVDs, stationary, reading supplies, giftcards, "green" shopping bags, journals...
Of course this is stemming from my recent trip to see you when I spent way too much money but got three books I am super excited about reading:
-Eat, Pray, Love
-The Pillars of the Earth and
-Poe and Fanny,
and also:
-a Little Einsteins sticker book
-Fairy Numbers (these two things for reese of course)
-Scene It board game - Harry Potter edition - (nerd, I know)
-thank you cards
So, thanks again for everything you do for me. My next ode will be written to my beloved Central Market. :)

Round it up...

Ok. I hate these “blog roundups” but that’s what happens when you don’t write consistently! And as most of you know, I have plenty of randomness swirling in my head to keep up a blog with! My fault. And I love writing…Anyway…This is going to be in list format because its easier and I love making lists!

1) Miley Cyrus—bought the new cd yesterday, love it! And yes, I know you are thinking it, so Ill say it out loud. I DO know that Im 28, not 13. But whatever. I say there’s something to be said about staying a little “young at heart.”…
2) Skip bought me Anne of Green Gables on DVD as a surprise the other day…I cant believe I’ve never blogged about Anne before! My parents bought me the videos when I was little and I’ve been taken with it ever since! I know every word by heart. If you’ve never seen it, borrow it from me! I will say, it makes me want to be Canadian and live on a farm in 1900. But then again…
-every time I see Alias, I want to be in the CIA,
-every time I think about NYC, I want to be a New-Yorker,
-every time I watch Hannah Montana I want to be a teenager again, but be cooler this time around :) ,
-every time I hear the name Kristi Yamaguchi, I for 2 seconds think I actually still have a chance to win Gold in the next winter Olympics if I just train hard enough,
-every time I watch Food Network, I am determined to be the next Barefoot Contessa,
-every time I see an amazing photograph, I am determined to fulfill my life-long dream of being a photographer, even if only for myself. (This one is actually for real :) )
-…this list could go on forever…
3) I’ve been thinking about the significance of my life lately…or at least, how significant I make it. I was very convicted when thinking of pre-Gaylord days when I was so blessed not to have to work, but did not “redeem the time” as much as I could have. Working has opened my eyes to the way I approach looking at staying at home, being a wife and mother…I don’t think I put the significance on it that it deserved before. I would change some things if I could go back, but I can’t. So, I learn from it, pray that our God of goodness uses this lesson for my eventual good and His glory—which I know He will without a doubt, and continue to try to be more like my Savior daily.
4) Lets see, oh yeah!!! So I am also on a mission to use only canvas grocery bags! I bought some at Tom Thumb a long time ago, feeling good about myself for “going green” but then forgetting to take them in the store with me! But, I have been looking at how plastic bags are disposed of and, it’s not good! They are not being recycled, being dumped in the ocean, all kinds of stuff…so I am renewed in my challenge to only use canvas. So since I am having a love affair with Central Market, I bought a bunch there, and I am determined to use them every time!!!!!


Well, thanks for listening to my rambling! I am also determined to write more…not that you are all waiting on the edges of your seats or anything! :)

Fairview : Population 2734 + 3

For the 4th of July weekend we took a road trip up to a little place known as Fairview, OK to see our good friends Jay and Gina.  Never knew you could have so much fun in a town that doesn't even have a Starbucks or McDonald's.  (They do have a Pizza Hut though)

Fairview's awesome marketing campaign. :)

Reese takes on the Zoo!!...

Ummm, only the coolest picture of all time!!

Snack time!

She liked the reptiles...And no, she is not a parceltongue.

Thank goodness she's not a Slytherin!! (Harry Potter reference...FYI)

The monkeys were a crowd pleaser...

Trying so hard to see the giraffes!

Her favorite...the elephants!!! She even got a stuffed one to take home!

Just a taste...

Just a few new pics...I've got more coming so don't worry! You'll get your fill this week because I'm behind on posting pics! Above: We took Daddy to the Japanese Gardens. Reeseie loved feeding the fish! Below: Weekend at GiGi and Papa's house!!

Finally!...

Ok. So I figured it was about time. I haven’t written in FOREVER! (New pics to come very soon, btw)…Anyway, quick life update on us. We sold our house, as evidenced in the last post, praise the Lord! I have to say though, as I went back to our little house for the last time, I stood in the middle of an empty house, and cried. I thought of Skip and I starting out in that house, all of the White Elephant parties we squeezed into that house, all the great great times we had there, bringing reese home there for the first time…Anyway, now we are residents of Saginaw, living with Skip’s mom who has graciously taken us in for a few months while we house hunt and pay off debt. We think we have found a new neighborhood in Keller we like, but are looking in Hurst too. I am still happy at the Gaylord, Skip is still teaching/coaching in White Settlement, Reese is talking up a storm and is super fun right now, I turned 28 this month and definitely had this "Crap, I can't believe I'm 28 which is almost 30 and I still feel like high school was yesterday and I feel like I am in a perpetual state of being 24 and next year is my last year in my 20's and then I'm old" moment. :) But, it was a fun birthday nonetheless! Now, on to some randomness…

Things I am pondering lately:
-Where to live.
-having an herb garden.
-why there is traffic at all hours of the day and night on 820.
-why can’t you still renew your Driver’s License online when it’s expired.
-how to be a better wife and mother.
-organization…A.K.A, the Container Store.
-why at Mexican places, even when I am so so full and not hungry anymore, I still keep shoveling chips and salsa in my face until the second we get up from the table…and feel miserable for it afterwards.
-how to get more sleep.

Some Fun Things to check out:
-Alexander blog…through some ups and downs they finally have gotten their referral to adopt a sweet baby from Ethiopia!
-O’Steen blog…Check out the new twin baby girls!
-the Sex and the City movie website (yes, I saw it and it rocked :) )
-this really cool little place in Ennis, yes Ennis Texas a sweet friend at work Amy told me about. You can rent the house and you can just chill, go fishing, swim…It’s super cute and inexpensive. We are totally going.
-the new TaraLeigh Cobble book. I love the way she writes…and this latest one is about NYC--- (where my ashes will be sprinkled when I die :) )

Ok...pics to come soon.

Help Wanted...

Well after 15 months we have finally sold our house! Now onto the joys of moving. If you have nothing better to do, come over Saturday and help us move boxes. Or at least laugh at Skip as he attempts to move a washer and dryer. It'll be awesome.

Life is Good...

Yes we haven't posted anything in a while because life has happened. Busy work schedules, trying to sell a house, yada yada. But in the midst of all the craziness life is still good and Reese brings a smile to any situation. Here are some of her latest moments...

Spring Break with Daddy

While Mommy's away we try on her shoes...
we sit on top of Daddy's car and jump off...
we blow bubbles inside the house...
and we play outside ALOT!

Easter Sunday

Reese's first Easter egg hunt. Uncle Chris throwing the eggs back into the yard when she wasn't looking prolonged the ordeal. But hey... Reese had a blast! She also got an Easter basket with Elmo eggs from "GiGi"(Kate's mom) which she loves! Since Mommy forgot to do a basket, it's a good thing Reese has 2 awesome grandmothers! :)

Weekend Update starring Reese

...collecting acorns. A favorite weekend activity.

...modeling her sweet new 'do

...now from the front, blue steel :)

(Zoolander reference for those who don't know)

....all tuckered out

...she's a big girl in the grown-up rocking chair

...what happens when we take her out of the rocking chair

...awwwwww!!

...got our elmo backback and we're off!