By complete surprise I received a message upon my last post here telling me that I have consumed all allowed space and have no more more room available to post photos. So...a decision was made and I am moving on to another bloggy space.
Here is the link to the new blog. See you there!!
Kate-Lyn's Reminiscence II
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Simply Thankful
This Thanksgiving Day held a lot of emotions for our family. We've had quite a year. I feel this is worth making a list of all the things we should be thankful for, so we all remember this difficult but special year:
1) We were all together, that alone is a long awaited answer to prayer
2) That we were there for Addie and for each other. Without Sandy there, it was tough, really tough.
3) That we were all together for Matthew and Kaitey. Our support for them is so important.
4) That Jeff and Skot came home. I sure needed a hug from those guys.
5) That were there for David. He needs us.
Lord, thank you for family. Thank you that you love us despite our imperfections and misguided ways. Thank you that your Son, Jesus, died so that we could have a right relationship with You.
As Christmas is near, I pray that we ALL keep track of what it really means to have the Christ Child in our lives.The Prince of Peace, Kings of Kings, Wonderful Counselor.
Humbled by His Goodness and Grace,
~Kate-Lyn~
1) We were all together, that alone is a long awaited answer to prayer
2) That we were there for Addie and for each other. Without Sandy there, it was tough, really tough.
3) That we were all together for Matthew and Kaitey. Our support for them is so important.
4) That Jeff and Skot came home. I sure needed a hug from those guys.
5) That were there for David. He needs us.
Lord, thank you for family. Thank you that you love us despite our imperfections and misguided ways. Thank you that your Son, Jesus, died so that we could have a right relationship with You.
As Christmas is near, I pray that we ALL keep track of what it really means to have the Christ Child in our lives.The Prince of Peace, Kings of Kings, Wonderful Counselor.
Humbled by His Goodness and Grace,
~Kate-Lyn~
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Sit down, it's a big one...really!
I mean it, it's a big one. I need to pour my heart out a bit so be prepared, it's gonna take awhile.
Back in May I had a conversation with Ryon and his girlfriend Kaitey that would change all our lives forever. She told us she is going to have a baby in January or I should say; they are going to have a baby in January. You could've knocked me over with a feather. As I type these words I am still filled with many emotions that I am sorting through. This obviously was not their plan. They both were on another path completely and now? Well, now their lives are drawn together in a way like no other. I am pleased to say that a lot of talking, thinking, planning and prayer has happened since then and they have set a course. Her family is in New Hampshire and she would like to remain close-by to them. Ryon naturally needs to be with her. So, he has moved to New Hampshire to live with her and her family until they can get a place of their own.
I know he is a bag of nerves about all of this. Fatherhood, living with her family, the weight of being the provider for everyone, building a lasting relationship with Kaitey, and the loss of his carefree plans he so naturally took for granted. I feel absolutely heartbroken when he has a moment where he needs to vent and unloads on me. You NEVER want to see your children suffer, and he is. I'd like to say with reasonable assurance that this is all gonna work but I have to be honest with myself. I'm worried. Worried whether they have what it takes. Starting out under such pressure is not a great foundation and the odds are majorly stacked against them.
For the sake of their son I pray daily, even hourly, that they defy all the odds. I pray that that which originally brought them together will grow, deepen, mature, ripen and becomes the glue that bonds them all together. Forever. As one. Please God, do this for them and for our family. We like Kaitey, and she and Ryon are a good match. He has spent time getting to know her family as well and a bond is growing there, slowly. We ALL want the same thing, we are ALL in this together.
There is of course (speaking selfishly) a whole 'nother dynamic here. Peter and I are going to be g-g-grand- grandp-grandparents. There I said it! OMG, I was not prepared for this---one bit. Having had a few months to ponder my new role in life I have to say, I'm still not prepared for this. I'm a planner, a strategist, a thinker. Having this thrust upon me was a real shocker. I know Peter feels the same way. But what can we do? We can get ready and we can pray, because prayer changes things!
I know many will say or quietly think bad things about this whole situation. I too have thought some of those myself. But then I quiet my mind and realize that being mad or separating myself from our son, Kaitey or the baby is absolutely the worst thing to do. They need us with such huge changes ahead! We would only be adding to their stress if we behaved negatively and let our emotions run loose. Plus, I am humbled by what scripture tells us in Psalms 139:13-17 (long ago this became one of my favorite verses, ever)
"13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, oh God.
How vast is the sum of them!".
Knowing this tells me that God has a plan for this little one. He made him. Therefore he WAS meant to be and somewhere amidst all this uncertainty there IS a divine plan unfolding. Much the same with our Grace. Her birthmother obviously needed to make a plan. Hers was different. She chose to say "Goodbye" where Ryon and Kaitey have not. Nonetheless the underlying truth is the same; each child is precious no matter by which circumstances they arrive. God made them "wonderfully" and in His image. Therefore we are to love them, nurture them, be proud of the little people they will become.
Matthew 25:40 says:
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me".
For now, I'm holding onto these words inspired by our Lord and Saviour. He is all I need. His word is enough.Come what may, we need to move to a place of understanding, acceptance, love, joy and celebration. A new life is soon to come. His name? Cyrus. He's named for a King. Thank you Jesus for being our Rock, our Prince of Peace. Our King of Kings. Stand by us Lord in this time of need. Surround our son Ryon and Kaitey and Cyrus. Through your Holy Spirit give them unity, peace, joy, strength, wisdom and most of all an enduring love for each other. Let this be the strong foundation on which they build their lives together and their family upon.
Whatever God brings together let nothing or no one separate. AMEN!
Back in May I had a conversation with Ryon and his girlfriend Kaitey that would change all our lives forever. She told us she is going to have a baby in January or I should say; they are going to have a baby in January. You could've knocked me over with a feather. As I type these words I am still filled with many emotions that I am sorting through. This obviously was not their plan. They both were on another path completely and now? Well, now their lives are drawn together in a way like no other. I am pleased to say that a lot of talking, thinking, planning and prayer has happened since then and they have set a course. Her family is in New Hampshire and she would like to remain close-by to them. Ryon naturally needs to be with her. So, he has moved to New Hampshire to live with her and her family until they can get a place of their own.
I know he is a bag of nerves about all of this. Fatherhood, living with her family, the weight of being the provider for everyone, building a lasting relationship with Kaitey, and the loss of his carefree plans he so naturally took for granted. I feel absolutely heartbroken when he has a moment where he needs to vent and unloads on me. You NEVER want to see your children suffer, and he is. I'd like to say with reasonable assurance that this is all gonna work but I have to be honest with myself. I'm worried. Worried whether they have what it takes. Starting out under such pressure is not a great foundation and the odds are majorly stacked against them.
For the sake of their son I pray daily, even hourly, that they defy all the odds. I pray that that which originally brought them together will grow, deepen, mature, ripen and becomes the glue that bonds them all together. Forever. As one. Please God, do this for them and for our family. We like Kaitey, and she and Ryon are a good match. He has spent time getting to know her family as well and a bond is growing there, slowly. We ALL want the same thing, we are ALL in this together.
There is of course (speaking selfishly) a whole 'nother dynamic here. Peter and I are going to be g-g-grand- grandp-grandparents. There I said it! OMG, I was not prepared for this---one bit. Having had a few months to ponder my new role in life I have to say, I'm still not prepared for this. I'm a planner, a strategist, a thinker. Having this thrust upon me was a real shocker. I know Peter feels the same way. But what can we do? We can get ready and we can pray, because prayer changes things!
I know many will say or quietly think bad things about this whole situation. I too have thought some of those myself. But then I quiet my mind and realize that being mad or separating myself from our son, Kaitey or the baby is absolutely the worst thing to do. They need us with such huge changes ahead! We would only be adding to their stress if we behaved negatively and let our emotions run loose. Plus, I am humbled by what scripture tells us in Psalms 139:13-17 (long ago this became one of my favorite verses, ever)
"13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, oh God.
How vast is the sum of them!".
Knowing this tells me that God has a plan for this little one. He made him. Therefore he WAS meant to be and somewhere amidst all this uncertainty there IS a divine plan unfolding. Much the same with our Grace. Her birthmother obviously needed to make a plan. Hers was different. She chose to say "Goodbye" where Ryon and Kaitey have not. Nonetheless the underlying truth is the same; each child is precious no matter by which circumstances they arrive. God made them "wonderfully" and in His image. Therefore we are to love them, nurture them, be proud of the little people they will become.
Matthew 25:40 says:
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me".
For now, I'm holding onto these words inspired by our Lord and Saviour. He is all I need. His word is enough.Come what may, we need to move to a place of understanding, acceptance, love, joy and celebration. A new life is soon to come. His name? Cyrus. He's named for a King. Thank you Jesus for being our Rock, our Prince of Peace. Our King of Kings. Stand by us Lord in this time of need. Surround our son Ryon and Kaitey and Cyrus. Through your Holy Spirit give them unity, peace, joy, strength, wisdom and most of all an enduring love for each other. Let this be the strong foundation on which they build their lives together and their family upon.
Whatever God brings together let nothing or no one separate. AMEN!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Miscellaneous Hooha
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| Our pretty little batgirl on Halloween |
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| Maid Marian and the Huntsman at Trunk or Treat |
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| More Trunk or Treaters, guess who? |
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| Miss Grace and Chen Laoshi at the Storytelling Competition |
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| Chen Laoshi giving her approval |
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| The Wolves |
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| Little Rabbits, who won 2nd place! |
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| Delicious desserts at the 5th annual Chili-Chocolate Cookoff |
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| Fun times with friends |
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| We won! |
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| Our newest family member |
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| OMG, what is not to love about that sweet face! |
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| Smooches! |
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| Those eyes, those lips...just too dang cute! |
A busy, fun month indeed!
Just smilin' from ear to ear...
~Kate-lyn~
Friday, October 19, 2012
Just horsin' around...
Yup, life is good when you are at the barn. Her favorite place to be. Gotta pull her away every time.
Her joy is mine, doubled,
~Kate-Lyn~
Her joy is mine, doubled,
~Kate-Lyn~
Saturday, October 13, 2012
So Incredibly Beautiful, and what joy!
My dear friend from way back in high school shared a most joyous family event with me and I just HAD to post these photos.
Her daughter ( I call her my niece) and fiance made the unusual decision tosort of elope. After a lengthy two-year engagement and many days and hours spent planning and re-planning the wedding day; this was their final plan. Due to many personal factors, they flew away to a warm, sunny location with just their parents and grandparents, to become husband and wife.
After looking at all their gorgeous photos, it sure made me wish we had done it the same way! Simple, personal touches everywhere, intimate, and oh so beautiful! Just like her. Perfect.
I pray you both are blessed with a lifetime of of good health and happiness. May today's joy extend throughout the rest of your lives and carry you on the low days. May the strength of family surround you always and if it is God's will may children come in His perfect timing. Amen.
Radiant, elegant and every bit as beautiful on the inside.
God is so good!
~Kate-Lyn~
Her daughter ( I call her my niece) and fiance made the unusual decision to
After looking at all their gorgeous photos, it sure made me wish we had done it the same way! Simple, personal touches everywhere, intimate, and oh so beautiful! Just like her. Perfect.
I pray you both are blessed with a lifetime of of good health and happiness. May today's joy extend throughout the rest of your lives and carry you on the low days. May the strength of family surround you always and if it is God's will may children come in His perfect timing. Amen.
Radiant, elegant and every bit as beautiful on the inside.
God is so good!
~Kate-Lyn~
Formidable on the field...
This week has been all about sports in our house. From one field to the other we go...
First it was Ross on the faceoff...
Then it was Grace making the clear...
Oh yes, what fun Fall can be!
Hand on the shutter,
~Kate-Lyn~
First it was Ross on the faceoff...
Then it was Grace making the clear...
Oh yes, what fun Fall can be!
Hand on the shutter,
~Kate-Lyn~
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Right place at the right time...
Last month Miss Grace and I went to a fun event and had the good fortune of winning tickets to the Disney on Ice, "Treasure Trove" show at a local arena. We also were invited to the pre-show party to meet one of the Stars on Ice. The day finally arrived and we had such a great time! I'll let the pictures do the talking...
So many Princesses...so much fun!
Such joy is positively contagious,
~Kate-Lyn~
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| Thank you Froggy!!! |
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| Goofy Parents in Mouse Ears!!! |
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| Just Can't Wait!! |
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| With the Stars |
So many Princesses...so much fun!
Such joy is positively contagious,
~Kate-Lyn~
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Too Cute Tuesday
Sometimes words are not needed, deep sigh....
Everyday is a blessing, family is our treasure...
~Kate-Lyn~
Everyday is a blessing, family is our treasure...
~Kate-Lyn~
Sunday, September 16, 2012
September 14, 2012 - a very sad day for our family
On Labor Day weekend we intended to close out summer with our usual trip to the lake with friends and family alongside. Our weekend turned out to be anything but usual. Peter's sister, Sandy, was hospitalized with breathing difficulties which then turned into pulmonary fibrosis resulting from her prior radiation treatments. Sandy bravely fought off breast cancer, twice.
Speeding ahead to this weekend--quite suddenly her condition deteriorated rapidly and turned into an untreatable form of pneumonia. She passed peacefully on Friday afternoon, surrounded by the whole family. Now she is resting in the loving arms of her Savior. I am sure she has heard those words we all long to hear..."well done good and faithful servant".
If I were to try and describe the kind of woman she was I would never do proper justice with my limited abilities. To Peter and I she was sister, friend, confidant, mentor and teacher. To our children she was Aunt, friend, teacher and in her eyes they could do no wrong. All good things came from her. By that I mean she gave selflessly to her family. There was nothing that she touched that wasn't beautiful; be it a present lovingly wrapped, a sumptous meal planned with each in mind--right down to her special birthday bear which she placed at your plate every year when it was your turn to be spoiled a bit. Every year under the Christmas tree were ornaments for each child. On her summer travels she would pick them out for each one, making them feel so loved and cherished.
Dear sister, that is what you are now and always will be to us...loved and cherished. I do not know how we will go on without you. By God's grace and mercy I know we will; but when you left you took a piece of our hearts with you.
One day at a time,
~Kate-Lyn~
Speeding ahead to this weekend--quite suddenly her condition deteriorated rapidly and turned into an untreatable form of pneumonia. She passed peacefully on Friday afternoon, surrounded by the whole family. Now she is resting in the loving arms of her Savior. I am sure she has heard those words we all long to hear..."well done good and faithful servant".
If I were to try and describe the kind of woman she was I would never do proper justice with my limited abilities. To Peter and I she was sister, friend, confidant, mentor and teacher. To our children she was Aunt, friend, teacher and in her eyes they could do no wrong. All good things came from her. By that I mean she gave selflessly to her family. There was nothing that she touched that wasn't beautiful; be it a present lovingly wrapped, a sumptous meal planned with each in mind--right down to her special birthday bear which she placed at your plate every year when it was your turn to be spoiled a bit. Every year under the Christmas tree were ornaments for each child. On her summer travels she would pick them out for each one, making them feel so loved and cherished.
Dear sister, that is what you are now and always will be to us...loved and cherished. I do not know how we will go on without you. By God's grace and mercy I know we will; but when you left you took a piece of our hearts with you.
One day at a time,
~Kate-Lyn~
First Grade...so far
Well week one was good for our little one at her new school. Her safety net is that two other girls from her old school are making the transition with her. Additionally, a friend from a neighborhood close-by and a boy from her old school are in the other first grade class. This has helped immensely.
Week two went good as well, mostly. A few days she has reported some "offenses" by a boy in her class that I have been monitoring. Hoping for a good week this week with "Mr. Not-So-Nice" having been moved across from her rather than right next to her. Her teacher is nice but is in no way like Mrs. Edwards from last year. I know it's just not fair to comparethough I certainly am . Despite the differences she is handling things well. Thank you God.
Just had to post these photos from her big day #1...
Oh Happy Day...
~Kate-Lyn~
Week two went good as well, mostly. A few days she has reported some "offenses" by a boy in her class that I have been monitoring. Hoping for a good week this week with "Mr. Not-So-Nice" having been moved across from her rather than right next to her. Her teacher is nice but is in no way like Mrs. Edwards from last year. I know it's just not fair to compare
Just had to post these photos from her big day #1...
Oh Happy Day...
~Kate-Lyn~
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Random Things...
It seemed
that summer went so fast, oh how I hate to see it go. These are a few moments that I love to recall. Just a few random things...after all this is why I blog.
Basking in the goodness of it all...
~Kate-Lyn~
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| Scaredy Dog! |
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| Dancin' in the yard, embarrasing the kids |
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| Cute couple |
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| Coach Ross |
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| Who's that cute pet? |
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| Wild abandon |
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| Brian Gibney Band |
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| Fifty is Nifty! |
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| A Night at the Commons |
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| Our Tiny Resident |
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| Lovely Miss Stephanie |
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| Farewell Rosie |
~Kate-Lyn~
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