Back to the Beach

So Jason, Kate and I took off for the beach last Sunday. Yes, we drove down during the tropical storm! We didn't hit any bad weather until we literally drove into Destin. I wish I had taken a picture that night because the wind was pretty amazing the way the waves were almost going sideways! Anyway, we had a great week together for some much needed family time. We are just so busy and with Jason traveling a lot with work we just forget what its like to spend a whole week together as a family uninterupted by life!
Kate loved jumping up and down in the waves with Jason. It was really sweet to watch the pure joy and laughter.

Jason was wonderful always letting me go out to the beach while he stayed in while Kate napped. Thanks to my friend Kristen Sweet who loaned my her Twilights books. I read over 500 pages in less than 3 days - a record I am sure. But now I am totally addicted and have to read the rest now. Jason also reigned in Kate during the day and allowed me to do some sewing. I needed a little tote bag for her at God's House and made this one below. I am not going to hide my pride. I saw one I liked and then made this one without any pattern and I think it turned out really cute!

Everyone Loves a Party!

So this year for Kate's birthday party we kept it small and low key. The grandparents and great-grandparents came over for dinner and to celebrate Kate turning 2! We had a great time and Kate got some great presents that I know will provide hours of entertainment.

Kate loved us singing happy birthday to her!

It was fun to watch Kate blow out the candle all by herself!
I think this picture is funny because it shows the progression of a child. At her one year old party she dug into the cake with her hands and this year she picked up a fork and went at the cake!

Kate has the coolest aunt ever! Bry gave Kate some Joe Jeans that are so cute! So yes, my two year old will be sporting designer jeans this fall thanks to Bry!

Our neighbors have a cozy coupe and Kate plays in it for hours. So she got one for her birthday and when we took it out of the box and it was in pieces, it didn't phase her at all, she sat in it and played anyway!


Once Kate figured out the sit and spin she LOVED it! And this one makes music so of course she loves that too!

Kate got a little bike and man does she look like she's ready to ride or what with those sunglasses on her head!

On her actual birthday the little girls on our street came over for some icecream. Kate loves spending time with these girls and they are soooooo sweet to Kate.

Happy 2nd Birthday Kate!

Two years old....really??? This time around I am not as emotional about my little girl growing up but I am still in awe of our God. Having a child is definitely one of the most humbling things and I am more aware of my need for the Lord now then I ever have been. These past two years have been so much fun and Kate has brought us so much joy. It is so fun to watch her experience new things! I love that I am her mom. However, to keep it real, she has also brought us lots of stress, exhaustion, and her out right disobedience has pushed me over the edge at times. But she has a larger than life personality and over the past few months I have watched her do things that I had no idea that she could even attempt. I can only imagine the things to come as we continue to watch her grow up! Happy Second Birthday Kate!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Here are her stats from the doctor:

Weight: 28lbs 6oz

Height: 33in

Head: 18.5in

How To Share Your Ashley Mac's Strawberry Cake

It is a definite perk in knowing the owners of Ashley Mac's. If you have never tried their food they have a store in Bluff Park and in Cahaba Heights. Ashley makes the VERY best strawberry cake (among other things) and it is Kate's favorite too! But Kate has a much more giving heart then I do because she is a much better sharer then I would ever be with my piece of cake!

6 Years and Counting

Happy Anniversary to my husband. It is hard to believe that it has been six years. They have been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows but I am so thankful how the Lord continues to soften our hearts, deepen our love for each other and mold us together as one. Here is to many more years together! I love you!

And The Winner Is...

Ali, a fun little something is coming your way!

Thanks to everyone who commented on the blog. I love knowing you are all out their reading. I really love that I can keep up with more people because now I have your blog.

Come out, Come out!

Come out, come out wherever you are! If you read this blog, let me know by leaving a comment. Leave your name and email by Saturday July 25 and I will do a little drawing. I will do something fun with a monogram or applique for you! A few of my friends have done this and I thought it was fun so now I am doing it! So reveal yourself!! :)

A little update on Kate. I haven't said this before because we aren't really potty training but I did buy Kate a little potty and she has successfully gone tee-tee in it everyday. But by no means are we ready to cut the cord and not use diapers. We got a little one for upstairs and then we have the one that is just the seat that fits on the regular toilet for downstairs. Kate is at a fun stage where she is very aware of what is going on and you can see that by how she plays. She loves to take a wipe and a diaper and act like she is changing the baby dolls diaper. And today I found this....

Kate was potty training her baby doll. I turned the corner and saw her in the half bathroom telling her baby to "go tee-tee." I couldn't control my laughter!

Best of Friends

Here are some more pictures of our time at the beach. My friend Noelle took these pictures and I thought they were sweet. Graham and Kate are the best of friends. We call Graham "GG" and we say that name A LOT around here! We always want to play with GG. We went to a sing a long yesterday at the library and Kate was acting very shy and very clingy to me but when Graham and Noelle got there Kate lost every bit of shyness and was up dancing with Graham and playing and wrestling with her. Kate loves her friend GG. We will miss them so much when they move to California in a month! :(

Noelle got them matching t-shirts!

Summer Fun

Okay, if you don't have one of these pools then go ahead and get over to Wal-Mart and pick one up. This little pool provides hours of fun. Since Kate is pretty fearless I thought she might not find this pool very fun, but she loves it and will go down that little slide 100 times. I had never seen this type of plastic pool before with the slide until we played at our neighbors house. And now we have one. Great and easy entertainment!

Kate loves talking on the phone like most kids. But she particularly LOVES talking to Pop (my dad). It is so sweet and cute.

Let Freedom Ring!

This is my 200th post and I find the timing quite appropriate to dedicate this one to all the men and women out there who risk their lives serving this country so that we may celebrate the great freedom we have here in America.

I was also reminded this morning that as we celebrate this freedom may we not forget where we find true freedom and that is in Christ alone!

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July.