Sweet Potatoes and Peas

I couldn't resist showing you Cate's newest thing. These days she's into her tongue. She licks her toys, my shirt, my face, her food ... whatever is in reach. She's pretty good at sticking it out too!

The Sounds of "Private Practice"

This is the third time I've come down to the computer after I watch "Private Practice" because I need to read the lyrics to a song that played in the closing scenes of an episode. Third time. And the show has only been on six times.

Tonight it is "All We Are" by Matt Nathanson. And it goes a little like this ...

... All we are, we are
All we are, we are
And every day's a start
At something beautiful

And in the end, the words don't matter
Cause in the end, nothing stays the same
And in the end, the dreams just scatter and fall like rain

The two others before that ...

1. "Save You" by Matthew Perryman Jones

...Watch it all go by
Was it really true
Is that what it was
Was that really you
I'm Looking back again
I'm tracing back a friend
You said it was a miss
Was it just in my head

And so help me decide
Help me to make up
Make up my mind
Wouldn't that save you
Wouldn't that save you
Wouldn't that save you ...

2. "Same Mistake" by James Blunt

So while I'm turning in my sheets
And once again, I cannot sleep
Walk out the door and up the street
Look at the stars beneath my feet
Remember rights that I did wrong
So here I go

Hello, hello

There is no place I cannot go
My mind is muddy but
My heart is heavy, does it show
I lose the track that loses me
So here I go ...

I'm not calling for a second chance,
I'm screaming at the top of my voice,
Give me reason, but don't give me choice,
Cos I'll just make the same mistake again ...

And maybe someday we will meet
And maybe talk and not just speak
Don't buy the promises 'cause
There are no promises I keep,
and my reflection troubles me
so here I go ...

And, so you know, the show keeps growing on me too. I have to remember that just because it's a spin-off of "Grey's Anatomy" doesn't make it "Grey's Anatomy: L.A." Nope. New show. Addison is Addison. But she's growing as a person and as she does, the show grows on me. And, yes, I like the idea of Addison and Pete.

Happy Halloween!

Last night Cate was dressed up like a pumpkin when we went to the park to hand out candy to people at the Trail of Treats. Different organizations (I was volunteering with the Red Cross) give out candy and sometimes promotional materials (like fire safety brochures).

That seemed to be a better idea than taking Cate trick-or-treating, meaning I'd have to do the asking then Greg and I would have to eat all the candy. Trust me, there were lots of kids Cate's age last night. Let me rephrase that: Lots of kids Cate's age were used as props so their parents could trick-or-treat.

So, off my soap box, we saw some people we knew at the park. Including Luke. He graciously tried to share the Tootsie Roll Pop I gave him with Cate.



I commend the sharing. I just didn't realize that she took it and was chewing on the stick. Who cares about candy when there's paper to be had.

From the weekend ...

I realize you have better things to do than wonder where my pictures are from the weekend. Well, on this Wednesday morning, here they are. You'll have to excuse me, I was distracted by my new washer and dryer earlier in the week. That and trying to get some order to the house.

So this weekend was a whirlwind of visiting Lexington and Louisville. We got to see a few friends, but there's just never enough time. Mom enjoyed her grandma time with Cate most of Saturday while we were at the UK game. (Yes, they lost. Consider us bad luck. But I promise you we were cheering. Maybe blame the guy in front of us with the UofL hat on ... in Commonwealth Stadium. Oh, that's right, blame the offense for its inability to score.) We stayed up late Saturday night playing cards with Cassie and Zac and then spent Sunday hanging out with them, Kevin, Laine, Milla and Poppy.

I just love that shot (above) of Laine reading to Milla and Cate. Both the girls mesmerized by the book. Sunday was the first time Laine had met Cate because she and Kevin just got back together in August after some time apart.


Through it all, Cate just played. And I'm telling you, she plays hard and just takes it all in.



Grandma and Milla picked out that xylophone for Cate. Milla got a "more advanced" one, but she wanted Cate to have one too.

Sleepy baby

When we get home from being gone for the weekend, there's always several bags that need to be unpacked, many bottles that need to be washed, laundry that needs to sorted and other random things that need to be put in their places. So that's what I was doing this morning, along with putting together Cate's high chair.

Just to set the scene, I was in the kitchen/living room doing these things while Cate was playing on a blanket in the living room. (It's one open area for those of you unfamiliar with our house ...) I ran downstairs to put in a load of laundry.

Well, we got a new washer and dryer last week so this was my first load in the new machine, which is a front-loading, higher-tech machine than our previous model that had a broken knob that prevented anything from being washed in anything other than cold water. So, I'm figuring out how to open the pull-out drawer thing where the detergent goes and selecting all my options ... cold, medium cycle, no extra rinse or spin, start.

I started walking back upstairs and realized I couldn't hear Cate or her toys. Now, I thinking, gosh, it takes her a long time to move (via scooting and maybe one roll) anywhere other than where I put her so she's probably not really into anything ...


Nope, not into a thing. Other than maybe a good dream. Guess she wore herself out. Or maybe she was still recouping from the extra attention she got this weekend from Milla, Grandma, Aunt Cassie and Uncle Zac. (More to come on that visit later.)

No news is good news ...

Don't you hate it when you keep checking someone's blog, and there's no update? I know I do. And I realize that in some people's world I've become the person who hasn't updated my blog in four days.

I have no real excuse.

I'll cling to the saying, "No news is good news."

Yeah, doesn't really work in the blog world.

I could tell you about how yesterday I loved listening the pitter-patter of the rain all day. I enjoyed the cooler temperatures coming through the windows. I slept soundly under a couple blankets with the ceiling fan moving the cool air throughout our bedroom. Then this morning I didn't want to get out of bed because I knew it would be chilly outside the covers. And once I got up, I momentarily appreciated the rain, then dreaded going out in it to run errands. But we were out of milk. In fact, I had a whole list. Cate got to bundle up in a cute, brown sweatsuit and I did my best to keep us both dry.

See, it's not really that exciting.

Can a picture make it up to you?

It's from last week, when temperatures were warmer, the sun wasn't a stranger and I wished for cooler weather. Looks like I got my wish, minus the sun. Anyway, back to the picture ...


I thought that would help. Yeah, she's cute. Better than sunshine, really. And look at that outfit. It's like a baby version of something I'd like.

OK, because I've been a blog slacker, here's one more ...


I would have a picture of the cute, brown sweatsuit, but Cate is sleeping. Maybe later. If you're lucky enough to get another blog update.

EDITED TO UPDATE at 3:57 p.m.: Cate woke up. After a bottle, she was all smiles. So you're in luck.

I hope ...

You know how sometimes you're so stubborn that you have to hear something over and over to get it? You know, you move so fast that you have to sit down a few different times and read similar things to really get the one lesson?

Well, OK, let me stop with you ...

Sometimes I am in too big of a hurry to get it or too stubborn to take the time to let my mind and heart soak up the truth. Maybe you know what I mean.

So that lesson for me is hope.

I say "I hope ..." often. I hope you're having a good day. I hope the meeting went well. I hope I see you soon.

Genuinely, I do hope those things. I do wish those things upon people.

But hope really isn't the right word. I keep thinking about that. Hope is bigger than me wishing wishes on people.

We use the word hope in the English language to express wishful thinking. It leaves plenty of room for doubt and uncertainty. In contrast, biblical writers used hope to express a calm assurance and trust. ... If you want genuine hope, it can be found only in God. Where he is, and when he is involved, anything can happen. ... It's also interesting to note that joy and peace accompany hope in the lives of believers. Confident of God's ultimate victory, we are able to relax, know that the battle is over, and rest in the knowledge that Christ is Lord. Joy and peace prosper in that atmosphere.
--From "How Much Is Enough?" by Larry Burkett with Kay Moore

So while wishing thinking is fine and dandy, and definitely can help in the midst of a bad day, real hope goes beyond that. Real hope is unwavering. Real hope is beyond anything I control.

Fall Family Photos ... From Stone Mountain

I still have one bag to unpack and one more load of laundry, but looking at my pictures from our four-day trip to Atlanta* seemed more entertaining.

As you can see, it seemed like fall, especially at Stone Mountain, where the leaves had started to change colors despite Georgia's drought. It was a little warmer than October should be, but the pumpkins, leaves and lake atmosphere helped usher in some sense of autumn.

I got a bit obsessed with the covered bridge over Stone Mountain Lake and the surrounding area.




Meanwhile, Greg got in a little fishing.


We took the skylift up to the top of Stone Mountain (See the skylift in the top picture ...) and then walked the 1.4 miles down. The second shot is a view from the top. Then there are Greg and Cate walking down. Cate loved that Baby Bjorn. It was the first time she'd been in it.




Like I said, Cate loved the Baby Bjorn. I think it made her feel a part of things ... deciding where to go, drinking water and playing miniature golf.




We took part in Ride the Ducks. You've probably seen them before. It's a ground tour vehicle that can go in the water too. Pretty fun. Well, Cate didn't love the life jacket she had to wear. But not long after we had it on her, she decided to make the most of the extra cushion. The periodic quacking didn't even get to her.


I had been wanting to find a pumpkin patch to take some fall pictures of Cate. I already looking forward to next fall when she can appreciate the fall festival type activities. So is Greg, who is especially looking forward to going through a corn maze with her.

But for now ... we have these cute shots.



And, lastly, Greg and I -- well, really Greg -- had mastered taking pictures of the two of us when we'd be places together. You know, put our heads together while he had the camera in his outstretched arm ... well, it's a little more difficult with three people!

Trading complaints for blessings

I complain too much. No doubt. I've been trying to think of the blessings around me when circumstances make me want to complain.

THEN ... this morning while watching "Today" I learned about A Complaint Free World. The goal, which started with a challenge from Rev. Will Bowen to his congregation at Christ Church Unity in Kansas City, Mo., is to go 21 straight days without complaining. People have had to start over with their counts. And with each complaint, a purple bracelet moves to the other wrist.

Visual reminders help me. I'm sure I'll have to start over, but I'm going to try. And if nothing else, maybe I can learn to complain less. I ordered some bracelets tonight because, as the Web site says, "Scientists believe it takes 21 days to form a new habit and complaining is habitual for most of us. ... The purple bracelet is a powerful tool to remind you of how well you are creating your life with positive intention."

three words

I saw this on someone else's blog, and I liked it is so much I wanted to do it.

Where is your cell phone?: on the table
Husband?: he's my complement
Hair?: needs a cut
Your mother?: constant, strong, giving
Your father?: likes to work
Your favorite item?: Media Center Extender
Your dream last night?: many random people
Your favorite drink?: Diet Dr Pepper
The room you are in?: office/scrapping empire
Your fear?: letting family down
What do you want to be in 10 years?: an improved me
Who did you hang out with last night?: Locklars in Atlanta
What are you not?: make up wearer
One of your wish list items?: remodeled kitchen area
What time is it?: just after 8
The last thing you did?: answered silly question
What are you wearing?: comfy walking clothes
The last thing you ate?: yummy Quizno's salad
Your life?: better than imagined
Your mood?: tired yet thankful
Your friends?: they're like family
What are you thinking about right now?: too much pressure ...
Your dream car?: dark blue Trailblazer
What are you doing at this moment?: shortening my thoughts
Your relationship status?: Hill turned Taylor
What is on your TV screen?: recorded The Bachelor
Last time you cried?: it's been awhile
School?: Murray State University

YOUR TURN ...
Either post a link to your blog with your answers or copy and paste this into a comment. Come on, be creative ... just for a few minutes. Then you can get back to important things.

The return home ... with one bag too few

So I just got home from Atlanta* and I realized as I was unpacking the car that the scrapbooking goodies I had purchased at Jo-Ann this weekend were in TWO BAGS, not just the one I picked up at the counter after checking out. So about $30 worth of embellishments, two packages of my favorite chipboard letters, buttons and refill pages are not with me. That bag is somewhere else. But not at the store. I checked. I think I even begged. The nice lady said they keep the stuff people walk off without, but my bag didn't seem to be there.

*We actually didn't go to Atlanta. Just all the urban sprawl associated with the city. We went to my cousin's wedding in Kennesaw, shopped at an outlet mall in Dawsonville, ate dinner at another cousin's house in Suwanee, went to a Barnes & Noble in Snellville, stayed a couple extra days at Stone Mountain and visited some friends between Tucker and Decatur.

Pictures from my trip to come ... I need to go start laundry and quadruple-check for my Jo-Ann bag before Cate wakes up from her nap.

laughing, planning, growing

My house was comfortably chilly when I woke up this morning, and it's stayed that way most of the day. I got to break out some of Cate's fall clothes, which I've been waiting anxiously to do. She's cracking me up today because she keeps taking off one sock. Then the one that's still on is barely on. After a couple of times, I assumed her feet must not be cold, and she's been barefoot since.

So we're leaving in the morning for a little trip. First, we're off to Kennesaw, Georgia, which is one of many Atlanta suburbs, for my cousin's wedding. Then Sunday and Monday we're going to explore Stone Mountain. It'll be nice to have a break from home on what will be Cate's first vacation.

Speaking of firsts ... I think I've failed to mention that Cate's two bottom front teeth came through a week or so ago. They're still working on coming all the way in, but they're there.

wishes and blessings

Today is one of those days I keep thinking, "I wish ..." I follow those dangerous words with something frivolous, pointless, unnecessary and beyond practical. BUT instead of focusing on an immaculate house, closer family, my wishful shopping list or costly home improvements, I want to focus on the blessings of my day.

The weather is beautiful. Like October should be. I'm wearing a new pair of corduroy pants in honor of the so-called cold front that wiped out the heat wave.

The park is a good place for lunch, especially with friends and family. I also ran into a fellow stay-at-home mom who hosts a mom's group that I've attended once and plan on attending again.

Subway makes tasty pizza.

Cate has been making this cute face by chewing/sucking on her bottom lip. Like a fish face.

I love my TiVo-wannabe because daytime TV is generally unappealing.

My swing is comfy, especially with a good book.

YOUR TURN ...
What has been a blessing in your day?

More scrapping ...

Just ignore this post if you don't care about scrapbooking. But I know have (at least) two readers who care because they share the hobby. I know I like to see their pages (Hint, Shelley ...) so I'm only assuming they don't mind seeing mine.

So, now that I'm done with that disclaimer ...

This is a page I scrapped on Sunday.

(Not) So Happy Together

Today I watched Ethne for awhile while Angela took Elijah to speech therapy. Quite a mama's girl, Ethne wasn't pleased when Angela left. So she curled up on the couch and eventually went to sleep. During that time, Cate woke up.

SIDENOTE: While they both were sleeping I was watching "Jon & Katie Plus 8." Have you seen that show? All I can say is: Wow. Talk about a crazy house of which that mother somehow seizes control. A set of twins AND a set of sextuplets. Wow.

So, anyway, once both of the girls were awake, we went outside to swing. And Cate was really into Ethne ...


But Ethne wasn't too into Cate.


So much so, Ethne tried to shrug Cate off.


So I moved Cate.


But Cate didn't understand.


Sure, I'm biased, but I don't know how Ethne resisted those big, beautiful eyes.


Later, after Angela had returned, Ethne showed more love toward "Baby Cate."

Five Months

Cate is five months old today. And she's up to 16 1/2 pounds.

belong

Our first family portraits are now in the scrapbook. That makes it official, you know!


(Click to enlarge.)

Happy Friday.

Ladies Man

This is Luke, he's almost 18 months old. He loves trucks and has beautiful curls. When this picture was taken last night, he had just finished giving Cate, whom he affectionately calls "Date," a "hug," which involves laying his mess of hair on her. She's gotten to where she grabs it.

Our friend Kelly has "fake" relatives. In college, she'd be talking about Aunt So-and-So and we'd ask about that family, and she'd respond, "Oh, she's not really my aunt." Like family friends, if you will.

That's Luke. His parents Jaclyn and Bryan are our closest friends here. We all went to college together, and we're thankful that we're all still here together. (Well, you know, we came back after a couple years elsewhere. But now we're all here.) So Cate has Aunt Jaclyn, Uncle Bryan and Cousin Luke.

Luke is so sweet with Cate. That K-sound at the beginning of her name just stumps him. When she cries, he looks over like he's checking on her. When Jaclyn and I walk, he sometimes looks at Cate and talks. Who knows what he's telling her, but these days it's safe to assume it involves a ball or a truck. He gives her many "hugs" in a row and will return her toys to her after he takes them.

I'm thankful "Date" will have a surrogate big brother in Luke.

awake

So, I've been on a roll lately ...
Call it inspiration. And some good naps by Cate.


And I feel really brave for using pink and red together. See how scrapbooking takes me out of my box?!

Telling stories on the massive World Wide Web

So I was reading another blog today, and while reading the comments to her recent post, I started thinking about my motives for blogging, especially about Cate.

I started my blog in 2001 as a way to keep up with friends. Well, OK, mostly Ryan convinced me to. (And he barely updates his anymore, but that's another matter ...) Anyway, I'm glad I did. It's a great record-keeping tool for me and a great way to keep in touch with friends and even make new friends.

And, regarding Cate specifically, it's an efficient, fun way to keep others posted on her progress. Yes, she's my daughter and I think every smile is precious, sometimes giggle inside when her bottom lip quivers before she cries and never can completely capture how I feel about her in photos or words. Even so, I try to at least touch on the surface.

Cate was a much prayed and hoped for baby. By us. But also by many of you. (That's you plural ... even though I still don't know how plural because of you lurkers who don't comment! Another matter, again ...)

God blessed us with Cate, and I only hope our story helps someone else. I don't mind sharing. And in this day and age, this is how. Come to my house, and you can see my scrapbook up close and personal, not just through snapshots on here.

Should I worry about letting to much information out on the World Wide Web? Maybe. But I also trust that putting our stories -- the big ones and the day-to-day moments -- out there might help someone else cope with whatever else is going on. Should I worry about how Cate will react one day to knowing her baby moments are chronicled here? Maybe. But really I think she'll be glad to have my blog (and scrapbooks) because Lord knows I wouldn't otherwise remember details.

The blog is for me. The blog is for Cate. The blog is for you.

What do you think?

Playin'

Cate is finally OK playing on her belly ... for a few minutes. Last week she rolled over from her belly to back for the first time. And she's done it a few more times this week.



But she doesn't hesitate to let me know when she's ready to be back on her back ...


where she likes it.

Am I finished?

I scrapped this layout yesterday. But I feel like it's missing something. (Click on the image for a larger view.) Any suggestions?

Celebrate Sisters

(Click on image for larger view that will allow you to read the journaling.)

This is a page I finished last night. I really love that "Celebrate" stamp I used. I bought it, along with some other Stampin' Up stamps, at a yard sale this weekend. I don't use stamps much, but these seemed to be ones I could use often.

Happy October!

Here's to hoping it feels like October soon! While 87 degrees is nice, I'm ready for cooler temperatures that make it really feel like fall.

a conversation

While I was giving Cate a bath yesterday evening, Greg came into the bathroom to talk to me.

Greg: I forgot to tell you something.

Kristin: (Thinking that maybe we were supposed to be somewhere or that I needed to do something for him before Monday morning.) What's that?

Greg: UK is ranked eighth in the country in the new poll.

Kristin: Yeah, I already knew that.

Greg: If Kentucky can win Thursday night at South Carolina, Game Day might come to Lexington the next week for the LSU game.

Kristin: Yeah, South Carolina is a big game.

Greg: Yeah, we really need to beat the 'ole ball coach.

Greg exits and I finish up Cate's bath.