This past week has been non-stop for us.
I have been subbing and Joseph has had playoff games for baseball. We have been gone from the house 7am-10pm almost everyday...and then had to get up for a game this morning...and yes, it was soooo hot, and yes, I'm a little burned. I wished I just turned brown like my kiddos.
Anyway, because we haven't been here, I haven't been able to do ANY housework...it's a mess...but I'm wondering, since we weren't here...how did it get so wrecked?!
Anyway, playoffs are going good...if stressful can be called good...lol. The first game we tied 10 to 10, and instead of playing another inning, they did a tie breaker and we ended up as the losing team. You have to loose twice to get out, so we have played two more times and won. Both times we only won by one point. Our boys aren't playing their best, but they are doing pretty good. At this point, I could take it or leave it. I love for them to win, it's exciting...but so much stuff is going on right now, that it won't hurt my feelings if they get beat. I don't expect to win the playoffs, but it has gone really good. It has been so neat to see him come so far so fast in a sport he had no previous experience in. He is the smallest one on the team...for a couple of days we couldn't find his belt, and I swear, I thought his pants were gonna fall off when he was running the bases! He hit a home run in our last game...it was awesome watching him run all the way home...I felt so very proud!!! So, now we play again on Wednesday...and either way it goes, this has been a great season.
As for next week... the boys both have awards ceremonies, the both have class parties, Andrew has a 5th grade party, there is a school policies meeting, and then Andrew's graduation!!! It's the last week of school for us and I know it's gonna be so hectic...but thank you Lord, it's the last week. The boys have both had a very good school year...I'm really proud of their grades. Joseph didn't miss one day this year, and Andrew only missed two because of a virus. I have mixed emotions that Andrew will be in 6th grade...it's exciting, yet very scary! These are uncharted waters for David and I. I know that he is getting to an age, where, he is going to learn so much more (and I don't mean book wise), peer pressure, and other temptations...I can only pray GOD will protect him, give him courage & wisdom, and guide him to make the right choices. They just grow so fast.
Anyway, I am just ready for a break from school, sports, the rushing here and there. I am ready to relax and spend some quality time with my family! I want us to do lots of swimming, reading, day trips, and laughing together this summer.

Hugs, Katy

PS. Thinking about how fast they are growing (which is actually a constant in my mind) I went browsing through some pictures...look how sweet they were...

♥My boys


♥Andrew Reed


♥Joseph David


♥Isabel Grace

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day!!! I hope you all had a safe, great great holiday... we sure did. We were all off from school, work, etc...so that was nice in itself...but we really got to spend some quality time together today, and it was so nice. Plus, we're that much closer to Summer break...wooohooo!
It started out @ 4:30 (yes, a.m.)...I had to get the briskets in the oven. I did go back to bed for just a bit before I got up and started cooking/preparing some more. While David and the kids relaxed on the couch and helped me do nothing, I slaved away in the kitchen. I'm kidding! It was really nice to just see them lounging and playing and taking it easy together...our busy schedules don't allow for just a whole lot of that, sadly enough. We had lunch @ my brother's house and I was in charge of the Brisket (so good!!!), broccoli rice casserole, banana pudding, & salad (even though I bought that in a bag...ha!). I have to say, everyone did a great job...lunch was delicious...and spending time with family was even better! Jennifer, my brother's girlfriend, made a couple of desserts, one being Butter Cake...it was fantastic! She is going to give me the recipe, which could be dangerous, because I may want to make it and eat it all the time :-0.
Afterwards, I really needed to come home and clean the kitchen, but instead Jennifer and her kids, me and my kids, and my mom went swimming. We had the BEST time. Isabel absolutely loves the water...it was kind of scary because she was so comfortable in it and keep getting in and out and going everywhere, she kept telling me "just let go, Mom". Nothing really needs to be said about Andrew and the water, he basically should have just been born a fish because Andrew + Water= Love...lol. Joseph can't "swim" on his own, but actually learned a lot today and did well. I can't wait for them to all take swim lessons in a few weeks. Plus, it was quality mother/daughter time for my mom and I, and we don't get a whole lot of that...so I'm thankful we all went together.
It was just a really relaxing, fun day (besides having to get in a swimsuit...yuck). I honestly can't think of much that would have made it any better (except for my G-ma being here to celebrate with us)...Thank you, God, for such a blessed day spent with those I love.
Of course, after this activity filled day...we are all worn out! I can barely type this but I'm not quite ready for bed, still hoping for a second wind so I can get some laundry done (laundry...the story of my life!).
Well, that's it for now...hope you all have sweet dreams tonight!

Oh, before I go...one very important last word...

***Here's to those who serve & to those who have lost their lives serving the United States of America, (and to their loved ones who miss them so much)...we are forever grateful and truly thankful that your courage has allowed us to live a life of freedom...God Bless***

Eventful day...

Today I took Izzy for her checkup, and she had to get a shot. As we were walking out of the Doctor's office she said, "Why did they have to pinch me"? I explained to her that it was a shot, with medicine, that helped her grow up healthy, and she was a big girl now. She seemed satisfied with that answer and never even cried over the shot, so I was happy. When I opened the car door and lifted her up to put her in the car seat, her eyes got really big and she said, "Moooooooommmmm, why are you putting me in the car seat? You said I was a big girl, so now I get to sit in the big seat with a seatbelt"! Ahhhh..the predicaments we parents get ourselves into.
Lately, Izzy has really been into playing dress up in her clothes. She will stay in her room forever and if I open the door to check on her, the little diva will shout, "shut the door and leave me alone"!
She has picked out a couple of especially stunning ensembles I would like to share with you:

Here she is sporting the silk cherry night gown,
rhinestone studded Wildcat sweatpants
& pink cowgirl boots

In this superb getup, she has the l/s purple princess pajama top,
gymboree leopard tights (too small, I might add),
& pink glittery Crocs

My niece, Keyli, also seems to have the fashion bug...

Now that you've had a good laugh, there are a couple things on my mind I could use a little help with if you feel so inclined:

1# My kids and eating...Isabel and Andrew eat plenty...more than plenty...but Joseph is so so picky. He is so little, too! I was wondering if any of you (ANY OF YOU!!!) had any ideas or recipes that you think would be helpful...any thoughts appreciated!

#2 Please say a little prayer for Andrew. He finished his testing today to see if he will be in accelerated classes next year. I really would like for him to, but, I know those classes take focus and dedication, which Andrew is totally lacking. So, just pray that God's will be done, and that we are accepting of whatever that is in this area.

3# (And ever so important) I'm looking for a sunhat for Izzy, to use when we go to the pool. I looked online and found nothing. I looked at Wal-Mart and found Dora, Princesses, etc...I am wanting a plain one. None of you may have a clue, which is fine, but since I'm having trouble with that, thought I'd throw it out there.

Well, guess that is it for today...I am getting pretty regular with the blog thing. I am starting to like it better than myspace...hmmmm.
Hope everyone has had a great day and sleeps well tonight
hugs, Katy

Way to go Sara!

I'm exhausted. Yesterday, my mother and I drove to Las Colinas to see my cousin, Sara Grace, graduate from Heartland School of Ministries. When we got home, it was close to 2 am! Anytime you see someone that you care about graduate, you are proud. I was especially proud watching Sara graduate, because 1)she was graduating...duh 2)it wasn't just any graduation, it was a graduation from the studies of missions and evangelism....what better job on earth could there be than doing the Lord's work & 3)because this graduation was nothing short of witnessing a miracle of one of God's children.
I don't think she would mind me sharing a brief history of her life. I won't go into all the details...let's just say up until a couple years ago, her life was absolutely consumed by drug addiction. She was raised by her mother and father in a very loving, Christian home...one that as growing up, and coming from a broken home myself, I considered ideal. Once the addiction took hold, I can't tell you the places she lived or what she looked like, of the things she did...heart shattering to see someone you love and care for in such a state. Truth is, I'm sure I don't even know the half of the horror stories that took place during this phase of her life, and don't feel the desire to. While so many people had to distance themselves, and let go, the prayers continued to go up. In the Bible there is a verse that says if you raise your children the way they should go, when they are old they will not flee from it. God made good on His promise. Sara's parents heard of a place called Teen Challenge, and only by the grace of God, did she agree to go. From there, they helped her find God again, and he proceeded to not only change her, and her life, but did great works in my cousin, who I love beyond measure. From Teen Challenge, Sara got the desire in her heart to work for God, to help win those lost souls for His kingdom. In a couple of weeks she will be leaving to live, not just visit, in Honduras. She will be doing missions work there, and I believe helping plant a church. For those of you that don't know her...you just can't imagine where I'm coming from...this is a miracle to have her come up from such a wretched, evil, dark, consuming place, to being one of God's servants. This is the same girl, that a few years back, sat in the passenger seat of my car and told me she didn't even really believe in God. Daily I am amazed by His works, though I don't know why, because with Him, all things are possible. Turning a drug addicted, dishonest, selfish girl who was basically killing herself into what she is today...that is nothing to Him...he does these things constantly because of His love for us. Sometimes I forget that he is our Father, and what would a loving father not do for His child?
Thank you Lord, for the transformation in Sara's life. Thank you that it was her graduation and not her funeral I was attending. Thank you for all your blessings in all of our lives. Thank you for never giving up on any of us, even though we are so unworthy. Thank you for letting us be your vessels, and filling us daily with your love and blessings.
I just wanted to let you all know about my little cousin (she turned 26 last month, 3 yrs. younger than me!) and let you know how proud I am of her...how thankful I am for her. This is the very condensed version of her life up until now, but I felt it needed to be shared. I want to ask that you say a little prayer for her, that she is kept safe, healthy, and is blessed and able to do great things while in Honduras. We all get discouraged sometimes, and being so far from home in an unfamiliar place, I know she will have let downs and disappointments, and get homesick, and probably wonder, at times what she has gotten herself into...so please pray as well that her faith is kept strong, and her eyes and heart remain lifted to the Lord, that he will guide and comfort her.
Never give up on those you love and care about. Even if it is too hard to be around them, you can and must continue to pray for them, and lift them up to the Lord. God has an individual plan for each of us, and until you have walked in someone else's shoes, you really can not understand where they are coming from...really. So, if you are going through something, like an addiction, with a loved one, never give up hope...
"Hear our prayers, O God; Incline your ear to us,and grant us your peace. " ~G.W.
With love today, Katy

PS. They read my FAVORITE verse @ the graduation last night...

2 Corinthians 4: 8 - 9
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.


I just had to throw this one in...we all hope to hear these words from the Lord when our time on earth is over...but I like to think of it as Sara's new motto...

Matthew 25:23
"His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'

PSS. G-ma, I know your watching from Heaven...how proud are you of your grandaughter??!! We all missed you being there...see you soon <3

Imperfect

Today is not a good day for me. I feel down, upset, ...just broken. I feel like I am running a race that there is no end to. So much to do, so little time and capabilities. So many questions, so little answers. Days like this make me want to throw my hands up and submit, "I give up". But I know better. I know GOD doesn't give us anything we can't handle...but I wonder if he is trusting me too much.
I feel inadequate as a mother, aunt, wife, sister, and daughter...and mostly, as a servant to GOD. Nothing specific has happened...I think we all have days like this. I am just a little lost right now. For today...I have let the clouds take over my sun. I know, most definitely that I am blessed and loved by our Father in Heaven. I know that HIS grace is sufficient enough to cover my sins, problems, and worries. I know I can lay it all down at the foot of the cross and walk away, fully confident that He will take care of it all for me. I know that today will pass and tomorrow I will wake anew and afresh and all will be well...I know this.
Even though these kind of days don't "feel" good...I know we need them. They give us a chance to step back and and reevaluate our life and the path we're on. I guess it's good to be broken, because GOD is fully capable of fixing us, and making us better than ever. I love that about HIM. I have made so many mistakes, and wonder how I'll ever make up for them...but then realize, that if I never do, GOD loves me anyway. Jesus never pointed fingers, yelled, placed blame on, or disowned...he just kept His arms and heart wide open for anyone willing to accept Him in their life. What, as the song goes, "A Wonderful Maker".
This is not a pity party by any means...everyone has struggles...these are just my thoughts for the day, so take it as you will. I love GOD, and I love my family, and I love my life, and I am so thankful I have Him on my side.
I am so very thankful that I have family and friends that love me and are there for me...and I hope they know that I am always here when they need me, too...when their sun is hidden :-)
May your sun shine brightly today...



But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong...

Moms

Mother's Day is tomorrow.
If you look in the dictionary, there are many definitions for "mother".
Thinking about this day, I think about all the moms I know...My own mother, my grandmothers, my aunts, my friends, etc... each with their own unique style, ideas, schedules, rules, emotions, struggles, and ways of showing love to their children.
Just the word "Motherhood"...it holds so much weight.
There's feeding and bathing, diapering, doctor appointments, PTO, sporting events, ceremonies, homework help, maid service, infinite piles of laundry, constant searching (for that lost shoe or library book), counseling sessions, and just trying, in general, to keep it all together.
There's all of that, and so much more.... From the moment a child enters our life, we are bound to them forever. We must love them, and comfort them, cheer for them and encourage them, stand behind them, teach them right from wrong, scoop them up and protect them when the world has injured them. We worry constantly and wonder if we will ever be able to let them go when the time comes...I mean, how could anyone else in this world care for them like us? Once we have that child, we are changed for the duration. It's kind of frightening knowing that their whole existence depends on you, the mother. I also know that I, personally, wouldn't have it any other way. Nothing is sweeter, nothing tugs at my heart more than hearing one of my children call me "Mom"...it's intoxicating.
And, it has to be said, no Coach bag or Tiffany necklace could ever equal the splendor of a handmade gift from your child, weather it be a card, poem, hand print, finger painting, or clay figure...even if you have no idea what exactly it's supposed to be (probably an ash tray even though you don't smoke).
I know some women choose not to become mothers, and somehow I just don't understand it...I guess because I feel like my whole being is wrapped up in my children, and if not for them, where would I be? Who would I be? How could life be as sweet? I just don't believe that it could...I just don't.
I think about how much I love my own mom, and how much she means to me, to my family. I find it next to impossible to put it into words how I feel about her...for nothing I write (or type) down could even remotely capture the power behind the emotion I feel. It's overwhelming. I think about my "Crabby" that we lost last September, she was my grandmother, but was a mother too. I think about how my heart breaks when I look at her picture and realize each and every time, all over again, that I can't talk to her, hug her, take her biscuits and gravy, look into her eyes, or tell her I love her. Wow...she is missed. incredibly. I think about how if it's that hard for me, how hard it is for my mom, to be without her mom, especially this mother's day. I know there is nothing I can say to lessen the pain for her. The only thing I can really do is let her know that when the tears pour down like rain, it's ok. I will never understand this life, or how it works, and that's ok, too...because it's easier to just trust in GOD...to take care of my Crabby in Heaven, and my mom on earth, and me, too. I am thankful.
I hope that this Mother's Day, you are all blessed. I pray that your children are safe in every way, and that you have peace in your heart as a mother. If you happen to be a mother whose child is lost, in any way, I pray that GOD has his loving, capable arms around them until they find their way home. And, last but not least, if you have a child that is no longer with you on this earth, I pray GOD comforts you and strengthens you until you meet again in Heaven. Happy Mother's Day.

Psalm 139:13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her


“The remembrance of a beloved mother becomes a shadow to all our actions; it precedes or follows them”

Age, etc...

OK, so...
I haven't really gotten any better on the blogging thing. I'm just used to MySpace and this is so different. I have been trying to figure out how to customize the layout of my blog...yeah, really isn't happening for me...
Anyway, my birthday was this past week...29!!! I am now less than a year away from 30, and I'm not really sure how I feel about that...ok, I think. I mean I feel like I have a really blessed life, and I'm happy, so I guess it doesn't matter what age I am. Right?
I got the kids pictures done last week @ MK's photography, by Jami Birdsong...she did a great job, it took me forever (and getting a headache) to decide what to order! I added a little slide show of some of my favorites on my page, the pictures aren't that big, but you get the idea...looking at them remind me how fast my babies are growing up...Andrew will be 12 later this year, so next year I will have a teenager...scary!
Speaking of Andrew, I am really proud of him because for the 3rd year in a row he has been commended (meaning missing two or less problems) on the TAKS test, which is a big deal @ school. That's all they talk about all year..."the TAKS test". Anyway, the boys have both had a really good year at school, only about 5 weeks left until Summer break...wooohooo
David has been on vacation this week, and we have done...NOTHING...and it's been...FABULOUS! I realized how much I miss him when he is working because he stays to busy. I have a great husband :-) I am so thankful for my family.
Well, guess that is it for the fascinating life of our family...
Be blessed,
Katy