Check out my Slide Show!

Diamond in the Raw

Fellow moms out there--you'll totally get me on this.

I am so in love with our daughter...One of the things I love the most about her is the fact that she is just Kate. Completely uninhibited...at this age they don't know if what they're doing or saying is cute or funny or dorky. They don't care so they are themselves in the most raw way. I love that she is not self-conscious, and she loves when people watch her dance. I love that she freely laughs and smiles, and gives kisses when one needs them most. I love that when she finds joy in something, it's not contained--there are shrieks and shrills. I even love the displays of anger--raw emotion uncontained and unedited. I love the excitement over the smallest things--pumpkins, being outside, or shiny Christmas ornaments. I love the non-existence of embarrassment.

I pray everyday that no one would ever say anything to her that might influence and destroy this sweet rawness that is my daughter. It might not be realistic but it's what I wish for her sweet life.

Thanksgiving

If I had to pick just one thing I'm thankful for...it's definitely family. We enjoyed a holiday busting at the seams with family. Jared's entire family, my entire family (including Steph home from college and my cousin Caleb from Alakska via Denver University), and Nana Lou too! I get a little pathetic during times like these--all I want to do is sit around my mom's kitchen table, play cards, or any game for that matter, and eat chocolate and catch up with my fam. Throw some turkey, mashed potatoes, and a couple of football games (HOW 'BOUT THEM HOGS!!!) and I'm close to tears of nostalgia.:)

First Friends Sleepover

Kate and I got to stay with our friends the Gabriele's while the daddies were at deer camp. This was over the weekend of November 9th. I can't say there was much success in actual sleeping (Kate was up from 3:30am-6:00am), but we had a great time with Amanda, Kaden, and Tate. The pics above are Tate and Kate enjoying a breakfast of Cherrios off of the floor and Kaden and Kate in the stocking hats Amanda crocheted them! Impressive!

Hope You had a "WONDER"ful Halloween

I "WONDER" who this is driving the car? :)

"Uptown girl...always livin' in her white bread world..."

Kate & buddy Ethan the Dragon--no drama here!!!

We made it afterall...

Well, we made it to the pumpkin patch afterall...and KATE LOVED IT! She was running around trying to pick up each of the pumpkins. It was hilarious seeing as to how all of them weighed about as much as she does. I tried to post some video, but now that I've had the third error screen pop up, I am giving up.

Fall is absolutely my favorite time of year in Arkansas. The trees are finally changing into vibrant reds, warm oranges, glowing yellows, and the temperatures are sweet relief after a humid summer.

It's strange to think this is only Kate's second fall--ever. May God grant her 100 more. She is amazing. She's walking and talking like crazy. She has more than 50 words now and has become quite opinionated (I have no idea where she gets that).:) She is pure joy and we can't imagine life without her in it.

Pumpkin Patch???!!!

Ok so I think I am the worst mama ever. I really have thought about the events you should take your toddler to--library for storytime, the park to feed the ducks, play groups, church of course, and not to mention all the the seasonal things--swimming, the splash park, the playground, the PUMPKIN PATCH for those oh so sweet orangy pics, to visit Santa at the mall, the square downtown with all the Christmas lights, etc etc.

Here it is October 24th!!! I had really good intentions of taking Kate to the pumpkin patch to snap some cute pics but it seems life just keeps passing me by. I woke up Sunday with a cough/cold that I still can't seem to shake but is getting better. That came after I threw my neck out and had to visit the chiropractor who informed me I was 26 years late for my first appoinment. This on top of being out of town, then being in town with company, and a filthy house. Not to mention I haven't blogged in a month. Plus, on my to-do list: get broker's license, send care package overseas to friend in Iraq, get stuff together for camping trip with group this weekend, do Bible study for Tuesday night, Wednesday morning, and Thursday night. Find babysitter for docs appointment tomorrow. *YIKES*, get groceries, go to bank, blah blah blah.

Anyway, I guess I should just plan to grow my own pumpkin patch for next year--yea, that would make it easier to make time to get there...:)

Birthdays!

It's amazing to me how much harder it becomes to keep up with a little one when they are walking...Kate took her first steps when we were in Alaska in July. And now...she's practically running! It's a full-time job keeping up with her, and I'm thinking there's no need for aerobic exercise outside of her these days!

There's lots to update on...not 0nly is she walking but also talking up a storm. She's says mommy, daddy, baby, hi, bye (though at times it's still "dye"), turtle, puppy, nana (banana), biba (bible), thank you, Datel (Rachel), Papa, Nannie, Mow (for cat), and she's now able to tell you where her nose is!

We were very lucky to have so much of our family here for her birthday. She's definitely all girl---got tons of of clothes and shoes! It was a lot of fun watching her eat her special "Cupcake" Cake that her Gram made her. She didn't seem as big a fan of icecream--too cold or something.

Anyway, we had a great time celebrating her birth and it truly doesn't feel like it's been a year! What a blessing she is to Jared and I...

Alaska July 2007

It has been said in years past that when you visit the Severns you must be prepared for a two-week vacation in one week. We laughed...

We left for Fairbanks on the 19th...arrived to see EVERYONE at the airport to meet us! This was just the beginning of the most awesome trip Jared and I have ever been on (including our honeymoon).:) From the fresh vegetables out of Grandpa's garden, to the wild moose and her twin calves, the Riverboat tour on the Chena River, to the sea lions gorging themselves on salmon in view from our tent in Valdeez, the gold mine where we panned for gold, to exploring Worthington glacier, kayaking Columbia glacier to being with our awesome family, fishing with the pros (Knowltons), spotting bears, standing in awe of Denali, and eating wild blue berries, walking the pipeline, and driving through the most beautiful part of the United States of America. IT WAS AMAZING! There are just no words to describe the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Now that we've somewhat recovered...we're ready to go back!

Gambling in Reno/Fernley

So one of my oldest and best friends, Teresa McCallum, and her husband live in Fernley, NV. We have been wanting to go visit for a long time and we were especially anxious for Kate to meet them. So Kate and I flew out there on the 9th of July. We had a great time visiting, catching up, and being tourists together.:)

We spent one day in Virginia City (a touristy mining town not too far from where they live). We got to go to Farmer's Market in Reno, we looked at houses (they were in the market to buy and wanted my realtor two cents worth), toured the high school where Teresa teaches English, and yes, gambled.

Before you go judging me too harshly, you must know, that before we went, Jared had a dream that I played the quarter slot machines and won 6 million!!!! And he not only dreamed this once but TWICE!

He is so funny. Before I went he asked me if I thought I would see a slot machine while I was there? Um hello? This is Reno/Tahoe baby, there are slot machines in the airport, at the gas stations, and in the front of the grocery stores not to mention the casinos and bars! So yes, it wouldn't be a problem.

So I waited until the last day...here I was at the airport with $20 cash. We had an hour before the plane was leaving, what else was I going to do? Gamble...and win the big bucks! Well, lose I did and at least I did it fast cause there's nothing that feels worse to me than throwing money away.:)

Oh and I almost forgot to tell you about Pitch! Pitch is Teresa and Josh's dog...and Kate's new infatuation. She absolutely could not decide if she should crawl up on and kiss and squeeze the poor guy or go crawling for the hills. It was so funny. I think by the end of the week, Pitch was ready to say goodbye to Baby Kate.:)

P. S. Congrats on the new house guys!!!! Can't wait to come back for another visit!

Ste-B & Our Trip to Tennessee

Kate and I joined my mom and youngest sis Rach on a trip to East Tennessee to visit Steph over the Fourth of July. With good eats, pedicures, shopping, and fireworks how could you not have fun??? It's a 13 hour trip in the car and even though Kate only slept an hour's worth, she didn't cry once. She is the most amazing traveling baby ever! This was just the beginning of our travels...