T-2

As you might remember, before we knew that Reese was Reese, we called her “baby T”…a term of endearment really. Well, now we are excited to say that we have begun the adventure of “T-2” :) …
That’s right. Here we go again! Finding out about this baby was somewhat of a surprise, as we wanted to wait a little longer so we would be out of the apartment and back into a house by the time the baby was born. But, after a few weeks of freaking out a little, we are super excited!! We know God is in complete control of our lives and has had this baby planned and planned for us specifically since the beginning of time, which amazes me!
So…I am 12 weeks, due May 13th. May is a good baby birthing time :) Reese doesn’t really get it I don’t think, but if you ask her where the baby is, she will say mommy’s tummy. And if you ask if she wants a brother or a sister she will say “sheeshter” :) So sweet! We are planning on not finding out again so I guess she will have to wait until May to find out!
We are thrilled and would love your prayers for a healthy pregnancy, healthy delivery, and healthy baby!
--Stay tuned for Halloween pics next week!

Psalm 139: 13-14
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well!”

Weekend update...

-So the past few weekends I have been partying it up :) On the 10th, I went to So You Think You Can Dance – Live! With sweet friends, Jen, Jenn, Meredith and Maggie. In case you didn’t know, this is a summer show by the producers of American Idol except dancing instead of singing! It is awesome! If you haven’t watched it, start this year!
-Last weekend we took Reese to the Butterfly Flutterby in Grapevine….she had wings on and looked so dang cute. They had little tiny ponies and she kept yelling “pony, pony” so we paid the $5 and let her ride the pony. She freaked out! Cried, freaked, wanted off the pony…so that wasn’t quite as successful as we thought it would be.
-This weekend I went to Jason Mraz with my friends from work Jenna and Amy. He was great, love him. Except he didn’t even sing the rocket song or You and I Both Know, which to me are two of his bigger songs…but he did make sure however, that he put Obama’s face in the background of a stained glass window up on the screen during one of his songs…
-Jason was Thursday night, Friday night was….High School Musical 3!!! That’s right. I was there on opening night with my friend Misty with every other 10 year old in the metroplex. And yes, it was worth it. I am so sad they are over. And I don’t care what you say…I love them, I own them on DVD, and I like Zac Efron. So there. :)
-Saturday we hung with the Stewarts and our dear friend Travis who we rarely get to see due to the fact he was in Iraq and now lives far away in Lufkin. Anyway, fun times were had by all at the kids carnival we went to and during the rousing political discussion that ensued. Check out Andrea’s blog and see her thoughts about it :) …

So now, back at work. It’s Monday. Yea.

Pics Part Deux...

Ok...so new pics were much needed on the blog. Stick with it...there are a bunch! Probably 3 posts worth in 1 !! :) Have fun...We have been having lots of fun lately and things are good! God is so good and faithful in our lives through this beautiful little girl, our families and friends!

New fav...spaghetti!

...at Luke's cool water party...

Reese and Owen...

Ready for school with Elmo backpack...

...we moved her to a big girl bed :(

who doesn't want to wear princess socks with their jellies????

She wanted every bow she owns in her hair at the same time...

Matty's birthday celebration!--Skip and Matt have been best friends for forever now and our familes are "family" to each other...Matt and Andrea and now sweet baby Luke are a constant in our lives and we love them dearly...And we love eating sopapillas with them at Uncle Julio's.

Girls night for restaurant week at Craft! This is a yearly tradition I share with these sweet girls!

THE END--YOU MADE IT!! :)

Sherman, My Hero...

Well, we are no longer nomads as of 2 weekends ago. We sold our sweet first house in Arlington and have been living with Skip’s mom, who graciously took us in for the summer…We now are living in a townhouse / apartment in North Richland Hills. It has 3 bedrooms, garage, cable and a washer / dryer…everything we need! Moving was crazy as it usually is…We had all of our stuff in 2 PODS which were scheduled to be delivered that Friday. Well, they put the first POD in our driveway, then when the second POD arrives, there is no where to put it due to the newly created construction zone in the parking area closest to us so…what do they do? Try to look for a spot you say? Let the movers unload the first one then move the second one into the driveway? NO. He drives off with my POD without even trying and yells out the window as he is driving away with all my worldy possessions that I would have to re schedule. I stand in my new front grass square crying. Well, I say, maybe it will be ok because one of the PODS had all our furniture in it, and the other had stuff that was basically storage. I eagerly unlock the padlock, pull up on the door to find……crap. So the movers that we had scheduled come unload our “crap” into the garage and then say they will come back when the other POD comes back. I call PODS desperately begging 80 year old customer service rep Shirley to help me. But to no avail. I call back again determined to find justice. Robert then proceeded to promise me that the other POD would be there first thing Monday morning even though the schedule was full he would fit me in. Thanks Robert. So all weekend goes by with us not able to really do anything because everything we needed was in the other POD. Monday morning rolls around and the empty POD still has not been picked up. It must be picked up or there will be the same problem of no where to put the full one. I call. Guess what happens…Nothing. Then my knight in shining armor shows up in the form of Sherman. Sherman said don’t worry, its my job. Ill get it done. Music to my ears. So as he finagles the PODS around and gets the full one in the driveway and the empty one on his truck, I go to the donut shop to get him breakfast for his awesomeness. I really appreciate when customer service people actually provide customer service. So the rest is history…the movers get us unloaded, we get things set up after a few late nights…There is still an explosion of boxes in our garage, but other than that, we are doing pretty good. So come see us at our amazing new place! It pretty much look like every other apartment you’ve ever seen in your life! :)

-I heard this Chris Tomlin song on the radio driving in this morning and although I had heard it many times before, God really allowed me to be struck by certain words today in particular. I was truly reminded of the power of our God and the majesty of His creation. I love the line that asks, "Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light"?? I mean, wow! Our God, the God that directs each lightning bolt, is the source of the light of the sun, that forms our children in the womb and knows when a sparrow falls...is the same God that loves even a wretch like me and has chosen to save me and give me eternal life.

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea

Creation's revealing Your majesty

From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring

Every creature unique in the song that it sings

All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing God

All powerful, untamable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go

Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow

Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light

Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night

None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name

You are amazing God

All powerful, untamable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing God

All powerful, untamable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing God

INCOMPRABLE, unchangeable

You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same

You are amazing God

You are amazing God

My girl...

First picture...September 8, 2006

Dear sweet baby girl,

Happy 2 year old birthday! You have no idea how much you are loved and adored by your daddy and me. Ever since the day you were born we have been in love with you. We prayed for you before we even met you or saw your face and God has truly blessed us beyond what we could ever have dreamed of! Your blue eyes, cute hair, cute little button nose, fingers, toes…your sweet and loving spirit, your willingness to share, your beautiful little voice, your spunk and craziness, your smile and infectious laugh, your love for animals and nature…We love all the things you say…”thank you, I love you, oh man, cool mommy :) “. I love your kisses, cuddling with you, I love when you ask me to hum with you at night…Thank you for teaching me so many things.- Patience, unconditional love…I see your face and I want to be the best person and the best mommy I can be for you. I pray everyday that God develops me in ways that allow you to see Him through me. I pray that you grow up to be a healthy, happy person and that you have Jesus in your heart.
This is something hard to fully express in words…But just know that you are mommy and daddy’s best girl forever :) and that you are loved more than words could ever say!
Happy Birthday Reeseie girl!

The Blustery Day

As I walked from my car to the trolley (yes, that’s right, trolley) to go to work this morning trying not to be blown away…I found myself thankful for the remnants of Gustav, and filled with hope that fall is on its way! Fall. My favorite time of year. It means leaves, long sleeve t weather, the new fall line at the Gap, football, the beginning of the holiday season, apple cider, punkin patches, playing outside, the smell of fireplaces lighting up for the first time…my heart is beating faster just writing this! It also means the start of a new season of tv. So with my trusty fall preview edition tv guide and highlighters in hand, I am ready to set my DVR for the season to come. For all these reasons and many more, I am full of excitement about this fresh, crisp, beautiful fall that in my book, started today!
Happy Fall everyone!!

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!!