Breakfast Time

"Hmm, I wonder out how to get this last little bit of applesauce"

"I think this will work!"

"Got it!"

Cleaning, Cleaning

For some reason today I got inspired to deep clean our bathrooms- down to Q-tip detail... It seemed like the closer I looked, the more grime I saw. As I was cleaning out this nasty pink gunky stuff from under our metal runners, I kept saying, "eeeewww, yuck." So Kathryn was next to me pointing to the shower saying, "Uck, uck". I do love having a really clean bathroom, even if it only lasts a few days. What is it about dirt that won't stay clean?? I guess that's the nature of dirt, huh? :)

Outer Banks Vacation

We just got back from a wonderful vacation with my family at the Outer Banks. This is the third year we've done this, and thanks to Dad and Mom's generosity, we were all able to stay in a huge house almost right on the beach. Here are some pictures from the week. I might write more later, but I'm up way past my bedtime, so pictures will have to do for now. :)

I won't put all the outtakes on here, but let's just say that these cousin pictures are nearly impossible to get good ones of everyone! This was the best I got. L to R: Kathryn, Meredith, Hayden, Alison, Bradford, Bethany. I'm so glad Kathryn got to play with her cousins and get to know them better.

And here's all the "great-grands" with Gram, my mom's mom.

Kathryn and Papa (my dad)

Shepard, Kristen (my sister), and Hayden

Margaret (sister) and Josh, who were able to come last minute...we were so glad to have them there!

Jeremy (brother) and Nancy and family

Stephen (brother) and Emily, just back from their honeymoon!!

Kathryn really loved the beach!

With cousin Bethany

Running from the waves

Proof that Nick did go outdoors this year...the guys had a lot of fun on the kayak, especially on the day that the waves were huge. At least they said it was fun...it looked a little scary to me, and it involved several major wipe outs that day!

A picture of the sky on the last night. We could see this storm rolling in, and the sky was so dark...I love the colors and lines.

Ice Cream!

After 6 weeks of not having the stomach for ice cream (what?!? I know, crazy), I had my first "craving" for a Dairy Queen Blizzard Friday evening, so Kathryn and I packed up to find the nearest one. Needless to say, she LOVED her kittie cone (which was huge, by the way). She was very absorbed in eating her cone...could hardly get her to look at me.

"Okay, here I go..."

"You didn't think I could eat that much, did you Mom?"

"Oooo, they didn't tell me about the cone!"

And one more picture for fun...This picture cracks me up.

18 Months and a Visit to the Fountains

This morning I took Kathryn to the Birkdale Fountains, since we were up that way for her 18 month check-up. At first she wasn't at all sure about the water, and she would cling to me when I tried to bring her near. After about 30-45 minutes, I think she suddenly realized that it might be fun to join the other kids splashing around, and she loved it! Here are a few pictures of our outing...as you can see, little Missy is getting quite the personality!

"Ooo, I look cool in these."

"Hey, this is FUN!"

Striking a "model" pose

Never too young, right? :)

Life with an 18-month-old keeps me busy! It is such an interesting (and sometimes perplexing) transition from baby to toddler, where it really feels like a whole new set of joys and challenges than I experienced a year ago in the mothering realm. I love watching Kathryn developing, as she's learning new words (about 25 words or signs now) and can really communicate what she needs or wants. I love that she's very cuddly at night now and will ask me to sing "Jses" (Jesus Loves Me) and "Apita" (The B-I-B-L-E)- don't ask me how I can translate some of her jibberish. :) I love how she plays with her babies and little dolls, trying to wrap them up in blankets and push them in her stroller. I love that she loves books and will back up into my lap with a book for me to read. Along with the joys of this season has come a new dependence on the Lord for wisdom and guidance as Nick and I are given a huge responsibility to steward her little soul for the short years she'll be under our roof. I'm certainly seeing now that things are less black and white than I imagined before having kids. I'm grateful for the newfound hunger for the Lord's presence and strength, even though it's not easy. I'm grateful that even though I can not love and care for Kathryn in my own strength, I have much stronger arms around me, giving me grace for each new day. And I am grateful that I can do all things through Him who strengthens me...comforting words indeed.