A few more wedding pics....

Just a few more pictures of my brother's big day!

I'm pretty thankful that I come from a long line of strong women. My grandma is a walking miracle. Last summer none of us would have EVER believed that she would be at Mikes' wedding...but here she is...and looking beautiful to boot. We all love you grandma!!

Katelyn had the best little outfit. I just love the sparkly, red, Wizard-of-Oz-like shoes!!!

Couldn't you just eat her up???

Mike and Niki figured out what song each set of parents danced to at their wedding and then played them for each couple. It was really sweet. Katelyn of course couldn't let Gramma and Pa Pa dance without her, so she joyfully jumped right in. (And of course, they didn't protest.)

Here is my dad with his three sisters and his mom. This is one crazy group of people...literally insane...they look normal when all dolled up, but they're not. I'm so glad I'm related to them.

I'm so proud of my mom...she made it through Mike's wedding with her make-up intact. She was a beautiful mother of the groom and of course the stuff she did to help decorate was all beautiful. I love my mom.

Things are going to be boring around here now that the wedding is over. What will I do with myself?

Mike & Niki got hitched!

I know, I can hardly believe it myself...but the day finally arrived and Mike and Niki BOTH said, "I do." My little brother is a married man and Lord knows he couldn't have picked a better bride. Niki is fabulous and we couldn't be more excited to welcome her into our crazy family. I finally have a sister!! Niki, you looked absolutely beautiful today!!!

Here's their first dance...

Me and my bro...

Katelyn was the flower girl. She did pretty well for a child that's not even two. I walked down the aisle with her and helped with the petal throwing. She looked just beautiful today. She fell asleep as soon as we got in the car....she's had a big weekend.

So lovely!

Mother's Day weekend

It was a beautiful weekend! While Katelyn was sleeping on Saturday afternoon, I mowed the lawn and planted the tomatoes and peppers in our little garden. I have lettuce, broccoli (which isn't doing so hot), radishes, onions, basil, mint, cilantro and oregano growing in containers on the back porch.)

Gamma bought Katelyn some sidewalk chalk and she loved it! She likes to color and was pretty excited that she got to do it outside.

Here's Katelyn and Gamma on Mother's Day.

Here are Katelyn and I after church...blowing bubbles. Please note the econo-size tub of bubbles. We have to go big with the bubbles around here. Bubbles are one of Katelyn's FAVORITE activities. She says "catch bubble" as she runs around chasing them with her little rake. :)

Here she is on Mother's Day. So cute! I love this little dress. My mom has better pictures. I'll post more soon.


I was so thankful yesterday that I get to be Katelyn's mom. All those Mother's Days when I was so sad...
I thought about Katelyn's birth mother in China yesterday...so thankful to her for giving this little girl life.

Making time

I work with children all week long and I see lots of different interactions between people.

Many times I see children who are tossed aside...dropped off...seen as an inconvenience.

This truly makes me sad....for the child and the parent.

Of course there are times when I'm tired, busy, preoccupied...

but with each day that goes by I realize just how fast Katelyn is growing and changing.

I know that one day I'll look up and she'll be heading off to college.

It would be tragic to miss all of her observations, ramblings, time at play.

I don't ever want my child to feel like she's an inconvenience.

As I work with kids, I am more and more convinced that the greatest thing a parent can give is their undivided attention.

It seems to be an endangered species...

Spring has sprung

Spring means cute dresses on a Sunday morning and bows in the hair...

New sandals on a growing girl...

Beautiful days playing outside by the lake...in the sticks and dirt of course because a girl can't wear a dress all the time....

....blowing bubbles outside with Grammy....who Katelyn now calls Gamma....said with much tone and beckonning...Gaaaaammmmaaaa

....and lots and lots of running...and more baths too. And then some more dirt...and stomping in puddles....

We love spring around here!!!