4th of July 2011

We had a very uneventful 4th of July - but it was nice.  Justin, Kate and I stayed in town and got several chores done around the house; nothing exciting but it felt good to get a couple things marked off the "to do" list. 

We decided not to fight the crowds this year to watch a fireworks show like we did last year. Since 4th of July was on a Monday, it would have been a very late night to see fireworks and then have to get up early the next morning for work and school. Since the Tom Brown Park show wasn't starting until 9:30 or so, Justin and I decided to light some sparklers at my parents house and call it a night. My parents had invited us over for dinner and then we put on the "big" show in the backyard.

I'm glad we didn't put a lot of effort into our fireworks show because Kate wasn't too interested.

 

Happy 4th of July! 

Kate's Haircut

Here's my last post for the night... I cut Kate's hair last night.  At first I just trimmed it since her bangs were in her eyes, but Justin convinced me to cut some length off to try to get her hair to look a little more even and blended in with the sides.

BEFORE

AFTER

I promise it's straighter in the back than it looks in this picture.

It took me some time to adjust to it, but I think it looks cute.

Timberlane Small Groups

Our group at church has recently started meeting regularly for small groups and I am so excited about it! This past weekend was filled with small group activities. Saturday, David and Brittany Covan hosted a cook out/slip n slide party at Dave's parents house. Every time we are invited out to the Covan's I know we are going to have a great time.

The ladies (well most of them) - from left to right: Lindsey Burke, Tracy Reavis, Sarah Mullinax, Aunt Katie, Brittany Covan and Meredith Sullivan

Riding Audrey's wheeler and swimming in the pool - what more can two girls ask for?

Ms. Presley and Ms. Emeline riding Audrey's "big" 4 wheeler - one just isn't enough!

All the guys lined up at the slip n slide.  Fortunately no one was injured.

On the second and fourth Sunday evenings of each month, we meet at the host family's house at 4:30 for a great time of devotion, food and fellowship. This month, Jordan and Katie were gracious enough to host since Jordan has been one of the leaders in getting the small groups started.

 

Audrey and Kate - lined up to race down the hall.  This kept them occupied for quite some time.  Peyton missed this photo, but she was right there racing too. Audrey won every time. 

My goofy girl - always looking for attention!

Meredith Sullivan, Lindsey and Ben Threadgill

Lindsey Burke (holding Kendal Covan) and Brittany Covan

Jordan Swain with Mindy and Tim Fike (who actually work with me at Education)

Can't wait for our next small group event!

Splash Days

Kate's school has started splash days on Thursdays and Fridays. I never realized how much work it would be to get her ready for splash days and now I'm glad it's only two days a week. On top of getting her lunch made each day, I now have to send her in her swimsuit and regular diaper, a cover up, water shoes, apply sun screen, bring a towel, and swim diapers. Whew. But this picture makes it all worth while - she loves it!

Justin's 30th birthday and Father's Day

Kate is spending the night with Mimi and Papa tonight and guess what I decide to do?  Catch up with my blog (while Justin is watching a scary movie).  It has been several weeks since I last did a post and it has been on my To-Do list.

Recently Justin celebrated his 30th birthday! One more year and it will be me - yikes! Justin lectured me about not throwing him a surprise party (which I wasn't planning on doing) and instead we had a cookout at Mimi and Papa's with my family, both Reavis families and the Smyly family.  It was Raymond's 31st birthday two days earlier so it was wonderful to have all the families together to celebrate.

Being silly

While Kate and Audrey played with their toys, the big kids played with Lamar's newest toy - an air rifle.  

It was a low key birthday celebration, but a lot of fun!

On Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day by eating out for lunch after church.  Once again we were able to celebrate with Gigi and Grandaddy, Nanny, Uncle Jordan and Aunt Katie, and Mimi and Papa.  Kate and I are so blessed to have such wonderful fathers in our lives.  I couldn't ask for a better dad, father-in-law and husband.  We are lucky girls!

After such a full weekend, Kate passed out before we made it home from the restaurant.

Happy Birthday Daddy and Happy Father's Day!

Almost 21 Months Old!

A week from today Kate will be 21 months old and daddy will be 30!  Wow. 

At her age, Kate keeps us entertained. I love her seeing her personality develop. Every day Kate will say a new word or want things done a certain way.

-Recently she started saying “Ah-Dee” (Audrey). Often when we get in the car, she picks up her pink cell phone and calls Audrey. I would love to know what she’s “talking about” because she says “Ah-Dee” and “Oh” over and over again.

-Mommy and Daddy’s shoes are one the latest things Kate loves to play with. I have a habit of taking my shoes off the moment I get home and Kate immediately runs over and puts them on. She can get one shoe on quickly and the second one takes her a minute or so, but she doesn’t give up until they are both on.

-She loves an Acapella cd Justin recently made and says “more” before each song is over so we know to play another one. She rocks back and forth and lifts her arms (like she’s conducting singing) – that car seat doesn’t stop her from dancing. Her favorite song is the same one as her Daddy’s: Mansion, Robe and Crown.

-Blankets are another recent joy for Kate. I think her motto is “the more the merrier”. When we get her out of bed in the morning she gathers them all up in her arms and takes them to the living room. She doesn’t walk around with them, but she prefers them to be easily accessible.

-Baby dolls have recently become one of her favorite toys. She loves to lay her babies on the floor and cover them up with a blanket and pat their chests. I bought her a mini baby at Michaels one day and we take that one with us most places we go. Its compact size makes it easy to fit in the diaper bag. I will see her rocking and patting the baby as we drive around town and it always makes me smile. Often it sounds like she’s singing or talking to the baby too.

-I have learned that time out devastates her. She will try once or twice to get up, and I say “sit down”, she folds in half and wails on the floor. It could be just her inner drama queen, but it seems to be the most effective form of punishment (for the time being).

-When Kate says “Up” and a blanket is nearby, she wants to be covered up. Saturday mornings she will get a pillow off the couch and lay down with it in the living room saying “up” over and over until one of us covers her up. She has even asked to be covered up while bending over and resting her head on a stool. Not sure where that came from but we do it.

My sweet girl is growing too fast. Before I know it, her second birthday will be here. 

Our entry for the Cute Kid Contest - unfortunately it didn't win (second year in a row).  I think Betsy needs to find some new judges - just kidding! The winners are very cute. Justin picked this picture, I was going to enter the picture below of Kate wearing my shoes and her ice cream cone pjs Aunt Katie bought her. 

Looking forward to the weekend and two days with my family!

Back to Full Time Work

Well, I made it though my first week back full time. It appears like my new work schedule of 8:30-5:30 is going to severely limit my time with Kate since doesn’t get up until 7 or 7:15 and typically goes to bed by 7 each night, but I’ll adjust. Thankfully she isn’t stuck at school from 8-6 because she has her Aunt Katie picking her up. I can’t express how much it means to me that Katie is willing to pick her up.


One of the upsides to full time work is an hour lunch break. I took advantage of it last week by running out to do some errands. Unfortunately, I got rear ended in the parking lot at the bank and my first thought was “you have got to be kidding”. That makes it the fourth time this year. There must be a sign on my car that says “Please hit me”. The lady asked if I was ok and I told her it was fine and I wasn’t worried about it. But my car has seen better days.

When I got home last Wednesday (my first “full time” day), Kate was standing in front of the window with just a diaper on and her face pressed up against the glass. I could faintly hear her yelling “HI”. That was the best greeting after being gone all day.

Last Wednesday ended on a good note because I got to hear Jordan speak since it was the first class of the Wednesday Night Summer Series. In the past, men from different area congregations have spoken but this year the “younger” men in the congregation are speaking. I’m always pleasantly surprised when I hear Jordan speak. He has an interesting view on the topic and can present it in a way that is enjoyable and easy to remember. The topic this summer is “Meant for More” and his three main points were we are meant for more spiritually, professionally, and personally. See Jordan, it stuck with me! I’m so proud of him and in two weeks, Justin will be speaking! Can’t wait!