Happy Wedding Day Eve!

I still can't believe you're about to get married tomorrow! You tormented me - or was it the other way around........... But I honestly began to look up to you as I watched you grow to be the amazing person you are today. And I'm so happy and thankful that you are going to be able to spend the rest of your life with someone who was definitely meant for you. I hope that you and Laura have the most incredible wedding/party day!!!!! I love you both so much!!

Happy Birthday to my little brother!

Happy Birthday to my little brother!

I knew these photo's would come in handy some day!

I love you!

Happy Fathers Day to my Daddy!

Hollywood sure missed out for Top Gun casting!

I am so thankful for my dad! One thing I always wanted was to have my dad walk me down the aisle. I am so glad that I was able to experience that. And even more than that, he actually officiated our wedding!

My dad has always been my "hero", even as I got older and realized that even he wasn't a perfect human being. He has always done so much for our family. He has always provided for us and taken care of us.

I have always relied on my dad to fix everything, from vehicle problems to a broken dishwasher spraying in his face. He is also an expert campsite trench- digger & blue tarp hanger, for those of you who have ever camped during a northwest monsoon.

I have a vivid memory of riding in the child seat on the back of his bicycle, flying at what seemed like 100 miles an hour down a hill at Point Defiance Park. I have always trusted him and know that he would do anything for me.

I think the first time I consciously acknowledged how much my dad means to me was when my grandpa passed away. I saw what a difficult time that was for my dad, knowing that he would not see his dad again. I felt a wave of thankfulness and relief knowing that even after I don't have my dad here, I know I'll see him again. I can't imagine not having that comfort.

I know so many people grow up without a dad or a good father figure in their lives. I'm so thankful that my husband and my dad have a good relationship that grows stronger every day.

So, Daddy, I want you to know how much you mean to me, how much I appreciate everything you do and have done for me, and how much I love you.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my moms, well...... lets just say it's a special birthday!

My mom has always made birthdays special for my brother and me. I appreciate the effort she must have put in now that I'm older. She made us birthday cakes almost every year, always coming up with a clever design.

One year she made a furry (coconut) rabbit complete with ears.

There was also the white frosted cake with sugar-coated purple pansies (which are edible!). Other memorable cakes include a brown kitty cake for my brothers 1st (I think..) birthday, which he promptly smashed his face in. She also did a boxcar train, and a gummy insect cake for my brother. I also remember kitty cat cupcakes one year. In more recent years I have begun requesting our family's English Trifle recipe.

She always makes birthdays special for everyone in our family. That's just how my mom is. She thinks of everyone else first. She worked so hard to help with all of our wedding preparations, even saving some money to help us out with the cost of our venue. She has spent hours helping me get our yard landscaped, showing me how to care for each new plant we put in. She has always been there whenever I needed her.

Mom, Mother, Mommy....... My Dad & my Husband both call their moms "Mom". My mom always called her mom "Mother". We grew up calling my mom "Mommy". I have never mentioned this before, but I found that once I reached an age where "Mommy" became sort of socially unacceptable (Ok, I was probably 25), I found it impossible to stop calling her that. I honestly still do, mostly in my head. I've found myself in a crowded store calling out "Mommy", with the 'my' part sort of mumbled at the end as I realized how it must look for a 30 year old woman to be calling for her Mommy. Only recently have I started to see in magazines or on TV grown women referring to their "Mommy". I was elated to hear this as it makes me feel a little less weird. To me she will always be Mommy, even if I don't yell it in a public place. I've actually never asked her what she would prefer!

I would be ecstatic if I could be half the wife and mother that my mom is. I know she's not perfect, but this bible passage really does describe who my mom is.

I love you - Happy Birthday!

Proverbs 31:10-12 and 25-31

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more that rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

The Scalpmaster 3000

Strange things can stir up feelings of nostalgia...........

Yes, it's a little strange that I snuck a camera into the bathroom to take a picture of my mother-in-law's hairbrush. 

 But it brought back fond memories, because my mom had the exact same hairbrush (Scalpmaster 3000!!!!) while I was growing up, except hers was green.  In fact, that hairbrush was the only one I ever remember her having since I was little until I moved out on my own. I even remember every detail of it, the floral design on the back, how the handle felt in my hand and the bristles when I ran my fingers over them.

Maybe I'm a little odd when it comes to being sentimental about things like this, but I love when a simple object can bring memories of smells, sights, or feelings flooding back like it happened just yesterday.

It's so funny how the silliest little things can bring back fond memories of the people you love!

Three signs you may be in the south.........

                     Yes, Washing-tonians, they do still exist!!!!!

                                               This IS a microbrew!!!!!!!

                      

                                        Need I say more????????????????????

            I love the south!

Ahhhhh....vacation........

I didn't think it would ever get here! We are off to visit family in Charlotte, NC - home of the Panthers!

I'm excited to see everyone, especially to meet Aunt Ellen for the first time who lives in Asheville (below).

And I can't wait to spend two days in one of my most favorite cities....Charleston SC!!!!! I will have stories and pictures to post when we get home. See you in 10 days!

Katie