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To my second-born daughter on her first birthday
Dear Kaitlynn, Today you turn one year old. Has it already been a year since that difficult, much-anticipated day when you were born?  Just moments after Kaitlynn's delivery
I was never so grateful to have your birth over with. In fact, I was so exhausted I didn't even remember to ask if you were a boy or a girl for a few moments after you were born. And was I ever shocked to find out you were a girl. We were so sure you were a boy we had even called you "Elijah" for months while you were in the womb and we hadn't really even discussed a girl's name. But we couldn't have been happier to add another beautiful girlie to our family and what a blessing you have been!  Grandma with her three grand-daughters (Candence-18 months, Kaitlynn-2 weeks, and Kathrynne-2)I know it might seem silly, but I'd wondered for months how it would be to have two children to love and I wondered if I'd have enough love to go around. I found out quickly that I needn't worry, instead of feeling like my love was stretched farther, my heart grew bigger!  Three months oldThe first few months of your life, your Daddy and I went through some very rocky times--financially, spiritually, and emotionally (okay, well maybe I was the only one having the emotional struggles!). Between a job loss, three months of unemployment, the falling through of a planned move back to our hometown, and our church folding, we struggled a lot during those months. Through it all, you were such a bright spot in the midst of a dark time in our lives. Thank you so much for giving us joy in the midst of heartache. I learned a great deal from observing your contentment and trust in us and pray that I can develop more childlike faith in my own life.
 10 months old--licking beaters is just about the best thing ever!
You've been one of the most cheerful, flexible children I've ever been around. Sometimes I worry that you are so cheerful that something will be really wrong and I'll never know. God has blessed you with an infectious smile and laugh and you bring so much happiness into our home.  Sisters!It brings such delight to us to watch you interact with your sister and to see the two of you becoming best friends. We pray you always have a strong relationship.  Aren't I a cutie pie?
You are growing and learning new things everyday--from words and signs, to developing motor skills, to beginning to obey and honor your parents. We are constantly amazed at how much you understand and are excited that you are starting to communicate with us! We love you with all of our hearts, dear Kaitlynn, and pray fervently that you come to a saving knowledge of Jesus at an early age. It is our heart's desire that you will be pure, as your name means, and--most importantly-- that you will love the Lord Jesus with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. We pray that God gives us grace and wisdom to be the mommy and daddy to you He has called us to be. Happy Birthday, my precious daughter! Labels: Mothering, Pictures
A family outing at the farmstead
After church yesterday, we went with some friends to the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead--a fun and free petting zoo/botanical gardens/children's park of sorts. The girls had a blast and it made for a very special Mother's Day for me!  Kathrynne loves her shades! (And check out those boots! She asked for some black boots "like mama's" recently and so, armed with her clothes envelope cash, Daddy took her on a special shoe-shopping trip!)  Daddy excitedly telling the girls about one of the animals or birds in the cages. He and Kathrynne love to go around and read all the signs and descriptions together; they always find some new fascinating tidbit of information!  Kaitlynn says, "Please can I get out of here and go play with everyone else?!" Feeding the chickens with the FishBoys. Labels: Family fun, Pictures
A Week with Auntie Gretchen - Friday - Day 7
Since I was sick on Friday, Gretchen took care of the girls by herself. I was so thankful she was here to help because there was no way I could have managed myself while feeling that miserable! The day was rather uneventful, but she did get a few pictures...  The carrot/orange smoothie Gretchen made for me--yum!  Gretchen set her camera's timer and snapped this picture of she and the girls headed out for an afternoon walk.  Our two little girlies--don't they look like they have quite the personalities? It is loads of fun to see them interact, especially now that Kaitlynn can communicate more! Sadly, Gretchen had to leave on Friday evening. We are so grateful she came to visit--not only was it a lot of fun, but she was also a great help. And, despite Jesse being sick and then me coming down with sickness, too, we managed to get all the projects done off of my to-do list. Yay! Speaking of Gretchen, her "I Can Sew" ebook package special offer is only good through Monday. Be sure and get yours while the getting's good!Labels: Pictures
A Week with Auntie Gretchen - Thursday - Day 6
  Don't I look happy?!  We took a walk to the library in the afternoon. Kathrynne road her trike all the way there and back and thought it was just about the coolest thing ever!  Coloring--one of Kathrynne's very favorite things to do at the library. They have little tables, crayons, and coloring sheets and we make use of them every week. Don't ask me why it is so much more fun to color at the library than at home!  Yours truly making fruit salad for dinner. (Gretchen said I must post this picture since I had only posted one other picture of me from this week! So there you go, Gretchen!) After dinner, Gretchen babysat while Jesse and I went out for a dessert and coffee date. It's been ages since we've had a babysitter and been able to do that so it was wonderful. However, I started feeling very feverish about halfway through so we came home and I collapsed and have been in bed ever since with this really nasty flu! Labels: Pictures
A Week with Auntie Gretchen: Wednesday - Day 5
We failed to get many pictures on Wednesday, but here's one from the picnic on the deck:  The weather has been so beautiful the past few days so Kathrynne has especially been enjoying finally getting to play outside again after so many months of cold and snow! I've not been blogging much this week because we've been occupied with other things around here but I hope you've been enjoying seeing a little peek into things here with the pictures I've been sharing. And don't worry, I have plenty of posts swirling in my brain and I'll be back to blogging soon! We spent the morning getting some extra business work done, the rest of the cleaning and laundry finished, and now we're heading out for a walk and an outing at the library. Should be fun! I hope you all are having a lovely day, and maybe you're getting some of this beautiful weather, too! Labels: Pictures
A Week with Auntie Gretchen: Tuesday - Day 4
 Our failed attempt at making homemade soft pretzels. After my flopped homemade bagel attempt, I have decided that I just am no good at making any kind of homemade bread that needs to be boiled and then baked.  Gretchen working on my laptop and getting the "I Can Sew" ebook promotion all put together. (Have you gotten your package yet, by the way?)  Cutting Kathrynne's hair for the first time--I decided to let Gretchen do the honors since hair-cutting is not really my forte!  Kathrynne did really well, despite her initial apprehension.  "Hmm, I'm not so sure about this new hair cut." "Mommy, do you think it looks cute?' Aunties are the greatest! Labels: Pictures
A Week with Auntie Gretchen: Monday - Day 3
 Monday morning Gretchen and I had fun dressing Kathrynne up in a funky outfit--I suppose you could say we had the 80s look going complete with the high ponytail!  We then worked part of the morning on spring-cleaning the Master Bedroom. Kathrynne and I pulled the bed apart and cleaned and vacuumed under it. Well, Kathrynne mostly played "slide" on the mattresses! She didn't want me to put the bed back together!  While we worked on the bedroom, Gretchen cleaned out our bathroom closet. (Don't ask me what the dolly was doing in there!)  Much better!  And Kathrynne and Gretchen had to get a fun picture in the bathroom mirror, too. Labels: Pictures
A Week with Auntie Gretchen: Sunday - Day 2
 After church on Sunday and the fellowship dinner afterwards, we came home for naps and then fresh orange/apple/carrot juice and waffles for dinner.  Yummy! (See the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook? My mom gave that to me when I got married and it is my all-time favorite cookbook for everyday recipes. I used it countless times and only had one recipe flop!)   Washing dishes! Kathrynne can stay busily occupied with dish-washing for thirty minutes or longer. And she actually does a pretty good job of it. She's certainly my right-arm-in-training! Labels: Pictures
A Week with Auntie Gretchen: Day 1
My 20-year-old sister, Gretchen, is staying with us for a week and since she and I both love taking pictures and she offered to help me upload them to my blog, we thought it'd be fun to share a glimpse into our week.  Gretchen joined me for my Saturday morning planning session at Panera. She brought her laptop along and did some business work while I read my Bible, mapped out the week, and worked for a little while on my laptop. Oh and drank tea--lots of tea! What's a planning session without tea?!  Saturday's projects all planned. When it's just a simple day where we're not following our daily schedule, I usually write a to-do list in a spiral notebook instead of using my normal daily planner pages.  And then we took pictures of Panera cups from different angles and Gretchen taught me a few new tricks with my digital camera.  Why do Gretchen's pictures always turn out so much better than mine?!  We came home to find the girls just waking up and ready for baths!  Making pumpkin rolls (note the laptop which had the recipe pulled up on it).  Two cooks in the kitchen!  After dinner, we headed to The Cheesecake Factory for some delicious cheesecake!  Here's my piece of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake--I almost managed to eat the whole thing in one setting!  Kaitlynn--who seems to be changing and learning new things everyday. She just learned her first word ("mama") and her first sign ("all done"). Can you believe she's almost nine months old? Labels: Pictures
In stark contrast to her sister, this girl *loves* food of all types
 Kaitlynn tastes her first orange  Approximately 2 minutes later  Yummy! I like oranges, Mama!In the past two weeks, Kaitlynn has become completely mobile doing this scoot-crawl maneuver to get wherever she wants to go. And she's especially fast when the end goal is food! Completely opposite to her sister, she has instantly taken a great liking to food and constantly is begging for more. We're trying to take it slowly, much to her chagrin. At the rate she's going, I think she'll wean herself before too long. She is also "talking" a lot more and just this week learned to clap and play peek-a-boo. We're now starting to teach her some basic signs. I can hardly believe she'll be eight months in just two short weeks! Labels: Mothering, Pictures
Sisters and Aunts (oh and an Uncle, too!)
 A kind blog reader with two daughters who are a little older than Kathrynne and Kaitlynn sent these gorgeous matching dresses for them recently.  Can you tell they enjoy each other?  Oh how blest we are!  Kaitlynn with Aunt Lisa during her visit here last week.  More Kaitlynn cuteness... can you believe she's wearing a size 12-month dress here? My little baby is growing up so quickly! *Sniff, sniff*  Kathrynne with Aunt Laura and Uncle Justin--who drove up to spend an enjoyable afternoon and evening with us yesterday. Labels: Family fun, Pictures
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Just moments after Kaitlynn's delivery
Grandma with her three grand-daughters (Candence-18 months, Kaitlynn-2 weeks, and Kathrynne-2)
Three months old
10 months old--licking beaters is just about the best thing ever!
Sisters!
Aren't I a cutie pie?
