Monday, November 30, 2009

Anticipation...

The first year we were married Dan and I didn't have much money so we made it a tradition to buy one Christmas decoration for our home each year. We picked this Advent Calendar up at a market in Cambodia two years ago, and already it is becoming one of our most TrEaSuReD yule tide traditions.

With our schedules quickly FiLliNg, the temperature rapidly DrOpPiNg, and the sun RaReLy shining, I find the days of Advent are ones that I'd rather curl up on my couch with a good book, burning fire, and a cup of FrU-FrOo coffee instead of heading into work.

It is on such days that I find great JoY in something so seemingly SiMpLe. I love how the small act of moving just one nativity piece a day, be it a sheep, a shepherd, or a king stirs up great HoPe and AnTicIpaTioN in my heart...


The KiNg is coming, and as we remember his HuMbLe entry into Earth so many years ago, it reminds me on those "I wish it was a SnOw DaY" days that he is coming again soon.

So tomorrow morning as we stand before our calendar placing the lone sheep on the scene, I eagerly expect that He will stir my HeArT and give me the StrEnGth to walk out the door and face my WorLd with his LoVe, the love of the coming KiNg.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

I'm Full...

Please ignore my DiRtY hair and just feel the LoVe...


My HeArT is full and so is my BeLly. Happy Thanksgiving.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Kids say the funniest things...

FrIdaY afternoon, our amazing ThiRd GrAdE BuDdiEs were making their weekly visit. The BuDdiEs were hard at work finishing up their How To books...you know, How to Make a PBJ, How to Make a Paper Airplane, etc. My FiFtH GrAdErS were supposed to be leading their third grade buddies in the effort.

As I walked around the room to ensure that everyone was on task, I stopped at a table of four boys working together on their book...well, one boy was working on the book while the others were being SuPpOrTivE observers :).

In an attempt to EnCouRaGe a TeAm effort, I simply said, "The whole group is supposed to be working on the book. Why are ThReE of you just watching G do all the work?"

Their response: "We're taking turns coloring the book 'cuz we already stapled the pages together."

My response: A PuZzLeD look followed by...."That's why you're supposed to StApLe it once it's FiNiSheD so that each of you can work on a page instead of just one person working on OnE page while everyone else sits and does NoThiNg".

Their response: Completely PuZzleD...

My response: A look of DiSbEliEf because no one in the group has thought to solve this problem by taking out the staples and passing out the pages so that everyone can be On-TaSk and the project can be completed in an efficient manner.

I calmly take the book from G and begin pulling out the staples by HaNd because I'm HaPhaZarD like that.

Their response: Utter AmAzeMenT. Seriously...You would have thought I'd just made something VaNisH into thin air...

One of the students who appeared to be the most puzzled KriNklEd his face as if seriously PoNdeRinG the matter and said in a high pitched tone of utter PeRplExiTy...
How'd you do that Mrs. Bailey?....
Did you have trainin' to do that or somethin'?


My Response: Of course I ErUpTeD into laughter at the thought of me and every other teacher in the WoRLd receiving training on how to pull staples out of paper by hand...as if this is some high-level SkIlL that all teachers must show competence in before being crowned with the HoNoR of teaching these little ones.

Through the LaUgHteR I replied, "Actually, no, I didn't get training in this. Believe it or not I just figured it out on my own."

CoNfuSioN still on his face, the student replied, "oh" and began working on his part of the book.

In these sMalL MoMeNts I'm ReMiNdeD of the great JoY found in what I do. I'm EnCouRaGed that even though my job can sometimes seem ChAoTiC, out of control, and OvErwHeLmInG to me, my clientele still think I'm a HiGhLy QuAliFieD GeNiUs, and I'll take that any day....even if it is just for tearing staples out of a book by hand.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Top 10 Signs You Have an Amazing Father-In-Love...


10. You know you will never be in want of LiGhT BuLbS because he's the proud owner of WaTtS Up.

9. He welcomed you into his family despite your ShrIekInG LaUgH that woke him from his SluMbEr many a night throughout your high school years.

8. DeleCtaBle food is his SpEciaLtY. Whether he's preparing his famous SmOkeD meat, CiNnAmOn RoLls, PoTaTo casserole, LaSaGnA, or taking you out to one of his favorite ReStaUraNts, you know you're in for an incredible meal when he's around.

7. Whenever he talks to his SoN on the phone, he always remembers to send his LoVe to the "beautiful BrIde".

6. You can always count on the mini-fridge in his office to have your favorite beverage, CoCa-CoLa-ClaSsiC.

5. He is an eXeMpLaRy GrAnDpA, and you look forward to watching your own kids AdoRe him one day.

4. You see so many of your most TrEaSuReD qualities of your HuSbAnD in him...love of LeArNinG, KiNdnEsS, LoYalTy, desire to LeAd the FaMiLy to a deeper love of ChRiSt...just to name a few...

3. He LoVeS his wife and treats her like QuEeN...a good example for any SoN!

2. Every time you visit, he gives you a BrEaK by providing your husband with a KiLleR back MasSaGe.

1. His HuG and KiSs on the FoReHeaD make you feel WeLcOmE and LoVed like one of his very OwN.

ThE EnD

A very Happy BeLaTeD Birthday to you Dad Bailey! I am so grateful to have you as my FaThEr-in-LoVe. Thank you for all you have done and still do to make our FaMiLy such a blessing to me. I am grateful for the many ways you have InFluEnCeD Daniel in becoming the man he is today. I know any list I could make could not contain all of the LoVe, PrAyErS, and BlEsSiNgS that you have given to us. It's my HoNoR to CeLeBraTe you!


Love,
Katie

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Attention Husbands of the World...

So if you're a HuSbaNd, and you're leaving your wife for the weekend, and it just happens to be the end of an ExTrEmEly overwhelming week...you know, the kind that leaves the kitchen looking like this:







You might want to be PrOaCtiVe and SmArT about the situation.


For example, you might want to leave your wife a voice mail like this one so she's not surprised that you left her with the T.W.D. (this term was created by my dad: Toxic Waste Dump) you two have created over the course of the week:

"Hi Honey it's me. I just wanted to call before I leave to apologize for the mess that I'm leaving. I feel really sad about it. I can clean on Sunday when I get back and,
hopefully I can make it up to you with a date Sunday night."

Though acknowledging the situation in this way is good, you might not want to assume that a voice mail totally covers your tracks.
It does prepare her for what's to come, but let's be HoNeSt when she walks through the door and sees first hand the MeSs you and she have been trying to IgNoRe all week...and all she really wants to do is ReLaX... and she realizes that you are ReLaXiNg around some GoRgeOuS lake surrounded by trees turning their leaves into the BrIlliAnT shades of AuTuMn...and though the idea of you cleaning on Sunday sounds good, you know that in reality there's no way she could stand herself any longer if she left it until then...

You might also want to leave something like this:

Honey Love,

I miss you already. You are my love. I'm so sorry it's still a TrAsH PiT.
Please forgive me. I'll clean on Sunday. Think about our date on Sunday.


Love,
Grizz

...that way when she sees this:



...She'll MuSteR up a GrAciOuS attitude instead of FrUsTrAtiOn. SmIle and LaUgH instead of RoLl her EyEs and SiGh. She'll probably even forget the about the mess and MiSs you terribly...And who knows...maybe her just knowing that you recognize that she got the CrUmMy end of the deal this time might help her AtTaCk those dishes with GrAtiTuDe and LoVe as she thinks of her SmArT and PrOaCtiVe husband.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Ode to Christopher...

How I LoVe thee my BrOthEr dearest...Let me count the ways...A list of TeN things that make me GrAteFuL to call you BrOtHeR on this day of your birth and every day of the year...

Number 1: You're the only person in the world that I continually catch UnaShAmeDly checking themselves out in the mirror. I can't blame you...you come from a GoOd LoOkIn' family...

Number 2: Even though you sometimes implement ToRtuRe TaCtiCs, you still remain, in my opinion, an InCrEdiBle UnCle. I secretly can't wait to watch you work your MaGiC on my own children one day.
Number 3: You're really CoOl...SeRiOuSly...what were you thinking bringing along your sixth grader sister to the CrAnBeRriEs CoNcErT when you were a college kid? Did you know that was my first concert ever?...I'm glad I get to forever share that memory with you. I never hear DrEaMs without thinking of you my BrOtHeR.

Number 4: One time when I lost a FrIeNd you were the OnE who came to be with me. You put aside your busy schedule to be a BiG BrOtheR. Thanks for just being there. I know others in the family would say the same...

Number 5: As you know FoOd is of the UtmOsT importance in our FaMiLy, and I have to say you do your fair share of CoNtrIbuTiNg to the PaLlaTe PleAsInG meals at our gatherings...give me some of that SwEeT ChiLi !


Number 6: You are the SloWeSt eater on the face of the PlaNeT...I love that I can FoReVeR make fun of you for that :)

Number 7: You picked a RoCkiN' wife...seriously, I'm so thankful you chose ChRiStiNe. She fits in PeRfeCtlY with the Family, and I think she is HiLaRiOuS, CrEaTiVe, FuN, and CaRiNg...all essentials if you ask me.


Number 8: Basically you've always been one of my FaVoRiTe people to HuG. Thanks for putting up with me even in my most AfFeCtiOnAtE of moods.

Number 9: You truly CaRe about and LoVe each member of our family, and you ShoW it. You are one of the best LiSteNeRs I know, and I AdmIrE you for the way you take time to get to know and care about each one of us. You always make sure we have some QuAliTy talk time when we are together. I really VaLuE that time with YoU.

And FiNaLly Number 10: You put up with StuFf like my MaRiaH CaReY AlL I WaNt for ChRisTmaS song and dance...


and ThiS...
...ThIs...



...I can't forget to mention ThiS...



...somehow you're even managing to put up with ThiS...

...ThiS....
and EvEn this...

Yet at the end of the day you somehow manage to LovE us all...you're the BeSt. Thank you for being such an InCreDiBle brother to me throughout the years. I'm grateful for the opportunity to CeLeBraTe you on this day.


I love you Christopher,

Katie Did

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Still in Shock

It's Saturday morning, I wake up, and Dan is already over at church starting his day. I pull myself together just in time to deposit checks at the bank before heading to watch one of my FifTh GrAdeRs bowl.
This weekend happens to be rather full so I'm wondering how I'm going to fit everything in as well as relax, clean the house, grocery shop, make meals, etc.
As I watch fifth graders get BoWliNg scores I will never in my life achieve, the smell of bowling alley food tempts me. Somehow I resist the GrEaSe BoMbaStiC food even though the only thing I can imagine throwing together at home is a microwaved/baked potato with cheese, broccoli and deli ham...TeMpTiNg, I know.
After being a cheerleader for three rounds of bowling, I say goodbye and take my growling stomach to the car and begin not looking forward to my sink full of dirty dishes and my throw whatever we've got on a potato because we haven't been to the store in awhile lunch.
As you can imagine I was thrown into a total state of shock as I walked into our house and smelled something DeLiCioUs...then I remembered we live below Mark and Kora so it was probably their something delicious I was smelling...
Dan was standing at the sink WaShInG the DisHeS that I was dreading only moments ago so I decided to expect the best and ask what he made that smelled SO good. You must understand that Dan's specialties usually include deli sandwiches, BLTs, and breakfast so when he proudly said, "I made a YuMmY ThAi DiSh" my jaw just about dropped to the floor. I couldn't imagine anything I would rather have for lunch at that moment, but I had to see it to believe it...
It turns out he DiD indeed make a yummy Thai dish! Not only did he make lunch, he actually went online and found a recipe for pad Thai and tweaked it a bit because of our lack of groceries...Even as I sit here with a FuLl BeLly I still can't believe it...what a PleAsAnT surprise...even if Dan says it was really more for him than me...I'll still take it.

Friday, September 18, 2009

A Garden Story

Once upon a time there was a LaDy named KaTiE who dreamed of having a GaRdEn in the NeIghBorHoOd CoMpOuNd...

So she talked her husband into digging up the sod with her in their CoMpOuNd yard...

After a bit of SwEaT and ToiL, the plot of land was ready for Dr. BeArD and his TiLleR...

A few days later fellow CoMpoUnDeRs joined the effort...



After a bit of TrEe BeArDiNg...



...AmErIcaN GoThiCinG...


...And yes, PlaNtiNg...


The NeIgHboRhOoD waited in ExPecTatiOn to see what GoD would bring forth from the EaRtH...

Only time would tell if their SoWinG would indeed ReAp a BoUntiFuL HaRveSt...
And this concludes Part I of our GaRdeN story...to be continued soon and very soon...

Thursday, September 17, 2009

I Love Me Some Cassie!

For those of you who don't know... CaSsIe is da BoMb! We met last year at Halloween time so this was our first year to CeLebRaTe our BiRthDaYs together. Aside from having birthdays exactly one week apart, we have a lot in common even though we are a few years apart...I won't say how many :)

Anywho, I love HaNgInG out with my CaSsiE girl on Tuesday nights. She's a girl after my own heart!


She's SuPeR fun to ShOp for!

Plus she knows me well...see what I mean...


I also love that she made me this card in StUdY HaLl...

Cassie, you are so ThOuGhTfUl, CrEaTiVe, and KiNd. I hope that you will have a fabulous year Miss EigHteEn...

Thank you for being a BlEsSiNg to me and many others as you LoVe with the love you have been given. You are BeAutIfuL my friend. May your BeAuTy continue to increase with each year...

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with EvEr-InCrEaSiNg GloRy, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

I love you girl,

Katie

Sunday, September 13, 2009

The other day Dan and I were at the StUpE having ice cream. For those of you who didn't go to WhEaToN, the Stupe is ThE place to go for IcE CrEaM. We decided to stop there and reminisce for a bit after ringing the tower bell (more on that later)...

We forgot that when you say one scoop at the Stupe, it's really the equivalent of three. Neither of us could finish our mound of ice cream, but as our cups were sitting there, Dan decided to use them as an IlLuStRaTiOn of us.

He grabbed the camera and started taking pictures of the cups. I thought he was documenting the ridiculous amount of ice cream left after we had eaten a good amount but, I was wrong. He remarked that looking at our ice cream cups said a lot about us and our differences. I then took a closer look at this:


I've marveled recently at how much easier it seems for Dan to lose weight than it is for myself. So naturally at first glance, I thought he was pointing out that I had ScARFfeD down more ice cream than him. Thus proving the point that I have far less WiLl PoWeR. All of this is true, but it wasn't his point. He directed me to look closer still...

HiS cup...

My cup...

I still can't figure out how this stuff seems to happen to me or better yet how I'm completely OblIvIouS to it, but I'm so grateful I have a perfectly CiViLiseD husband to point out that I'm a ComPleTe SloB!

It's a good thing he also shares in my ApPreCiaTioN for SiTuAtioNaL CoMeDy...Otherwise I don't know how he'd put up with his DiSaStEr of a wife!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

just a thought...

Have you ever been on your way to a friend's house, family get together, church, etc. and gotten into a BiG FiGhT with the husband? I hate when that happens. You get to your destination and put on your HaPpY FaCe for the sake of those around you, but inside you are BuRnInG.

Well, tonight as I watched MrS. ObaMa admire her husband's enterance, I wondered if her and the President ever get into ArGuMenTs on the way to CaPiToL HiLl. It's silly I know, but I know it happens to everyone else so why not the FiRsT LaDy?! I wonder how she does it. How does she watch as the WoRlD admires her husband and goes BoNkErS over the man who quite possibly just got UnDeR her SkIn.

What strength it must take to stay composed as the cameras zoom in on her every expression. I salute you MiCheLle ObAmA for your grace and composure...it's hard enough at church. I don't know how you do it in front of the entire PlaNeT. Just a thought...

Sunday, September 6, 2009

love, LoVe, love my Birthday Weekend...and my Husband...

FrIdaY...



Saturday...

Teasing me with my gifts...so CrUeL...



Sunday...


And since they made a HoLiDaY WeEkeNd to celebrate my birthday....


...Monday...






And last but not least...Birthday CaKe!





















ThE EnD...


...and the BeGiNnInG of what I'm HoPeFuL will be a year of learning, love, laughter, and gratitude. Thank you LoVe for making my birthday so special. You're the BeSt...

Happy Birthday to Me

In honor of my birthday, I've decided to indulge myself with a new playlist. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you can see 27 years of music, one song for each year of my life.
I'm the type of person that hears not only a song when it plays but a host of memories that go with it flood my mind. I had so much FuN checking out the billboard charts for each year of my life and choosing my FaVoriTeS. So many memories are evoked as I hear it, and I hope that you will find some JoY in listening to it as well...
Song number one is from 1982, number two is from 1983, etc. There are 28 songs because I've officially begun my 28th year!
Here are some of my memories in the list...can you guess which song goes with which?


  • Riding in the car with DaD
  • Watching MTV with my brothers....when it actually had music videos :)
  • Dancing at my WeDdInG
  • FaVoRiTe movies
  • Making up dances in my BaSeMenT with my childhood BFF
  • The LoVe of my LiFe...DaNieL
  • Working my FiRsT JoB and spending most of the money at AbErCrOmBiE
  • Dancin' it up in my CaR with one of my most favorite people in the world
  • 6th grade end of the year picnic
  • spending hours memorizing LyRiCs with a friend
  • Working out at CaRdInAL FiTnEsS in the beginning of our marriage
  • Mourning the loss of a FriEnD
  • SiNgInG my heart out in the car on my way to school
  • ChErRy CoTtaGe RoOmMaTeS

I could go on, but for now I will leave you to explore the list. I would love to know if any songs stir up memories for you...and I highly recommend this little activity for anyone who's sickeningly NoStaLgIc or just wants an excuse to put songs you would normally not admit to enjoying on your blog! Enjoy!

If you absolutely DeSpIsE 80s/90s music or pop music...please feel free to press pause at the bottom!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my mom's birthday, and though I do not have her official birthday post completed, I wanted to at least say Happy Birthday! You're the BEST mom in the world, and I will tell everyone why soon...
Love you mom,

Kate

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Window Seats & Alligators = True Love

One of my favorite JuNkfoOd movies (one you can't consume regularly but you CrAvE from time to time) is The Wedding Singer. Here's just one of the exchanges that I love between the main characters played by Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

Robbie : She wasn't the right one, I guess.

Julia : Did you have any idea she wasn't the right one when you were together?

Robbie: I should have. Uh, I remember we went to the Grand Canyon one time. We were flying there and I'd never been there before and Linda had, so you would think that she would give me the window seat but she didn't and... not that that's a big deal, you know. It's just there were a lot of LiTtLe ThiNgS like that. I know that sounds stupid...

Julia : Not at all. I think it's the LiTtLe ThiNgS that count.

Recently the Hubster and I were at a Gator Farm in Florida...


We had a BlaSt on our AiRboAt ride...and even got to see some of the FiNgEr BiTeRs up close in their natural habitat, the EvErGlaDeS...


We were thoroughly entertained and amazed at the gator show that followed...

And then came the opportunity of a LifEtiMe, a chance to hold a GaToR. Of course we were totally PsYcHeD. It was $2 per person to cradle a small reptile so I scoured my purse for four bucks but was only able to come up with $2, enough for OnE chance to hold this coveted creature.

Me: Honey, you can hold the alligator.

Dan: Are you sure?

Me: Yes, I'm sure. I know you ReAlLy want to hold him. I want you to hold him.

As the Alligator man said his final words I rummaged through my purse just to be sure I didn't have two more dollars...sure Dan would be oblivious because he was listening to alligator man and usually focuses on one thing at a time :)

Dan: Kate, you're gonna' hold that gator, and I'm gonna' take your picture.

Me: No way, you're holding that gator.

Dan: I've already decided. It's done. I want to see YoU with that gator.

And as that gator was within my grasp, I posed for Daniel, and in my HeArT I was reminded that ThIs is TrUe LoVe...seen in alligators and window seats, the things that count, the LiTtLe ThiNgS...


Thank you Honey for loving me in all things big and small. You're definitely the right OnE for me.