Pumpkin Marshmallow

Pumpkin Marshmallow, Pumpkin Pancakes, Pumpkin Lattes and Pumpkin Carving.... Huummm Pumpkin.

Happy Fall to all of you.  We recently carved pumpkins with the kiddos at my sisters house.  We have dont this every year and it is always fun for Mo and I.  Kayla and McKenna have grown up so fast, just seems like yesterday we had to help them carve and now they are helping Taylor and Maysen carve.

  

And here are boys painting pumpkins on Halloween.  I had 6 kiddos that day and decided it would be better to paint than let the boys loose with knives.

And Trick or Treating with pals on Halloween.

Happy Birthday Maysen

We celebrated Maysen's Birthday Sunday, October 2, with Claire's Baptisim.  Her actual birthday is October 8.   My sister made her a princess for her party and I loved that smile she had on her face all day she was so happy.

All of the cousins were there, Maysen loved seeing all of them.  We didn't get a good picture of Melaine, but here is Lilly and Alec.

And of course her girlfriends...

And the Pinata...

Thank you all that came and celbrated with us.

Claire’s Baptism

We had Claire baptized Sunday, October 2.

Claire's Godmother Cathy getting her dressed.

She is always such a happy baby.

Oh My Gosh she looks so much like her daddy.

The ceremony was nice, there were four other babies getting baptized as well.  We had lots of family and friends there to celebrate with us.

Don't let this "hot mess" fool you... she was taunting the deacon the entire time.

It was a perfect day.

Acquaintances, Friends, Best Friends, Family and Almost Family

When Kolby died I think every person questioned how I was related to him.  See Kolby was not just my little cousin, to him I was his Aunt and he was my Nephew.  Most kids call me Aunt Kate whether we are related or not and I love it.

In life there are Acquaintances (I have lots of), Friends (I have few of), Best Friends (I have 2), Family (Sometimes I wish I had less, but in the end we are blood and love each other) and Almost Family (there are a couple out there).

… Acquaintances are just people you know, you say hi in the grocery store and know a little about their personal lives.

…  Friends are people you have a good time with, you usually stop and talk to them in the grocery store, your kids know each other and play well and you probably have their number stored in your phone. 

…  Best Friends go with you to the grocery store and talk about everyone there, you have their number on speed dial and your kids are as close as siblings and have probably given each other a black eye at some point.  Angela and Steph have really helped me to become a better person.  Angela is the layed back one, Steph is the innocent one and I am definitely the high maintance one.  All together we work.

…  Family, well that one is self-explanatory.  You never love all of them at the same time and you never hate them all either.  In fact there is a fine line between love and despise at any given moment.  With the blink (or roll) of an eye you can go from a perfect day to utter chaos.  Or have a tragedy that unites us all, if even for a moment.

… Almost Family is I guess is people like Chastity.  People always ask me how I am related to her and the simple truth is there is no blood between us.  I love her like a sister and don’t honestly know if anyone can understand that.  When I tell them we are not related they say ooww, as if because there is no blood my love for her is any less and I can guarantee you it’s not.  There are bonds that are unbreakable, at times very thin, but still there hanging on by a string.

I don’t consider myself to have many friends; I think people use the word “friend” way too much to describe people who are more like acquaintances.  I often catch myself calling someone a friend when the truth is I know nothing about them and they really don’t know that much about me.  I guess my point is, that if I consider you a friend you are important to me not just and acquaintances… a real friend.

A Perfect Day

Sadly, we do not have a nightly bedtime routine, we should since we have 3 children one of which is school age.  I however have a routine once I get into bed.  I sway my hips back and forth trying to put myself to sleep.  An annoying habit yet I can’t fall asleep without rocking myself lol.  I then go over every event that happened that day in order of importance and ask myself questions… did I hurt anyone’s feelings today (if the answer is yes, did I mean to); did I do all I could today (the answer there is usually no and if you have seen my house you believe me); did I make my children smile as much as they made me smile today>>> that answer is always no it seems.  They make me smile so much it would be impossible to show them how happy they make me.  I look at them and am in awe at the fact that those are my little people… my little people I made.

Today we went to the Bluebell factory and it was awesome.  Not the tour itself, in fact that was a little boring… just a bunch of machines.  But I got to spend the day with Taylor, Maysen, Claire, Melanie and Tina.  I honestly think the kids were more excited about seeing Melanie that going to the Bluebell factory.  After the tour you get a scoop of ice cream and guess what exotic flavor my kids choose… Homemade Vanilla.  Taylor says he is going to college in Brenham and working at Bluebell because the lady told him he would get to eat all the ice cream he wanted FOR FREE. 

We then went to the water park and only stayed about hours but it was so relaxing and fun to just hang out.  Maysen is getting braver after her accident at Serendipity and Taylor is swimming so well.  Claire loves the water and loves splashing it even in her own face and Melanie is a little fish it seems.  The day couldn’t have been any better.

And So We Say Goodbye

First let me say that I believe in God and know that one day I will meet him in heaven in all his glory.  It is really hard to say goodbye to someone.  I keep reading people say “you’re in a better place” and it just makes me so mad.  There was nothing wrong with this place.  I will never again get to hug you and hear you say “goodbye Aunt Kate, I Love You” and it may be selfish but I want you back.  God has plenty of other angels, we need you.  I didn’t hug him the last time I saw him… I always hug Kolby; he is a very huggable guy.  He came in my house and picked up some medicine for Kolby Ryan and was in a hurry so he said goodbye turned around and quickly walked out.  I guess at the time it was no big deal, I would hug him next time right.  I have only met Kolby Ryan twice and really wish Kolby would have gotten to experience all the joy with him that Kolby himself had brought into all of our lives when he was born 18 short years ago.  I remember going to the hospital to see him, he was the first baby I ever went to see in the hospital, I was 15 and in total amazement.  He amazed us most of his life.   Mankind is flawed with this love thing, even though I didn’t get to see Kolby near enough in the last years, I love him as he still that little kid playing at my house with Dylan and Tyler.  And so I say goodbye Kolby way to soon.  My heart is so heavy and eye filled with tears as I type this blog.  I will remember and love you always.

Love Your Aunt Kate

Claires first Easter was very intresting and fun.  We spent Saturday at friends Easter parties (the most awesome Easter party ever), birthday party and my little sister turned 32.  Sunday we spent with my sister-in-laws family at the park.  It was perfect weather for a perfect day.  Maysen and Taylor really liked egg hunting (and egg eating.)  Our weekends have been so busy... family + friends = great times. 

Tomorrow Taylor showes his bucket calf.  I am so proud of him and MO, even Maysen has helped.  They make me smile everyday and everyday I thank god for the blessings in my life... my husband, son and daughters. I'm on facebook and here to show off and talk about my cute kids and hottie hubby. I am truly a blessed person. I have the best family a person can I have. I have a great, caring and hot as hell husband (after 15 years, I still love him with all my heart and more everyday.) I have three beautiful children… Taylor who is as handsome as his daddy and has a great personality… I love having conversations with him, everyday he amazes me how bright and wonderful he is. Maysen, our VERY busy young lady, she never stops and has such a huge imanginnation.  Our brand new little girl Claire… we have yet to see Claires personallity, but no doubt it will be just as intresting as Taylors and Maysens.  Just holding my children and knowing they are a part Mo and I and the love we share make everyday with them special.

When I was pregnant with Taylor one of my friends told me they didn’t want to have children because it would change their life way to much… I asked he “what is so great about your life that a child couldn’t make it better” Change may not always be good, but my children are the best work I have ever done. I always wonder what they will be when they grow up… but I am just taking this one-day at a time. I totally believe in fate and every decision you make today affects tomorrow. Life is what you make it… SO MAKE IT GREAT.

Where will she fit in...

Mo has Taylor and I have Maysen… I was so excited when I realized I was pregnant.  I want a huge family.  As the days, weeks, months, went by I obviously started thinking more and more about this little baby growing inside my tummy.  With every little kick, every little punch and every hiccup I wondered what this baby would be like.  Boy or girl really didn’t matter, either way where was it going to fit in.  I mean Mo and Taylor are best friends and Maysen and I are just alike, did we have room in our lives - in our hearts for this baby… where was she going to fit in.  I believe in God and I know he has plans for me, what they are can only be seen day by day.  Well Claire Rose was born January 28 and our worlds changed forever.  I sat in the hospital room with my family waiting and waiting for them to bring her to me.  She was having a little trouble breathing so the wait was killing me because I was so worried about her.  I kept sending Mo down there every 10 minutes to check on her.  We all wanted to see her, to hold her, to kiss her.  That is when I realized she doesn’t have to fit in; there was already room for her in our world.  She wasn’t going to have to adapt to us, we were going to have to adapt to her.  Not just late night feedings or diaper change but her personality.  We were going to turn our world upside down for that little 6lbs 10oz girl and be over the moon about it.

I'm not a writer, but I'm trying...

I have yet to determine the purpose of this blog… is it to keep family and friends update with our lives; is it to vent, rant and rave to get things off my chest; or is it simply for the comic relief and amusement of those who happen upon it.  Regardless this should be interesting and a little fun.

There are a few things in life I despise; TRAFFIC, people in general, and black eye peas.  Recently I tried to take my children to the zoo over spring break with their aunts and cousins.  This turned out to be a huge mistake because there were traffic jams every where, tons of people, and no place to park.  After a minor panic attack we abandoned the zoo trip and decided to go to Incredible Pizza.  Well guess what they were closed down and I was not look forward to eating at ChuckyCheese.  Then I remember this place in Sugarland my friend told me about called “Stomping Grounds” It is like an indoor playground and it rocked.  For 7.25 the kiddos get to play as long as they want and you get to sit in an air conditioned sitting room sipping coffee… they even have Wi-Fi.

http://www.stompinggroundsplayland.com/

Our little chunky monkey had her 2 month old check up today, 12.4 lbs and 22 inches long (6.10 lbs and 16’6 inches at birth.)  Mo stayed with her for the shots because I can’t look at her poor little face.  She is smiling and cooing, my mom can make her giggle.

I know you may find my opinion is biases, but I truly believe that I have some awesome, if not the most awesome, kids.  They show so much love for each other and for their cousins, aunts and uncles.  Taylor has a card at school and when it gets filled with stickers he gets to pick a prize from the treasure chest, 40 stickers, that’s a lot.  He came home yesterday with a bracelet for Maysen from the treasure chest, he really is a great big bro.

Well I could go on and on… like about Taylor’s new ramp, the princess tea party, Taylor and Luke calves and our game night with friends, but I will leave that for another time.

Tata for now, Kate