It's Party Time!

Dave, Katelyn and I left for Austin with my youngest sister Brittany last Friday for a weekend of partying!! We always look forward to the time we spend with our family in Austin, but this visit was extra special because we not only celebrated Katelyn's 1st birthday (is she really one already??!!), but Brittany's graduation from UNT! Instead of being in Denton with the rest of her graduating class, Brittany and her roommate were in London finishing up their last class (where was that class when I was in school??!!). Needless to say, they were not able to walk across the stage on graduation day. So, when we got to Austin, my dad had a "cap" (read: a UNT baseball cap), Brittany's graduation gown from high school, his tassle from HIS high school graduation in 1967, and a homemade diploma - it was definitely a one-of-a-kind ensemble (see picture below)!

As far as Katelyn's birthday party....She loved every minute of it! With an intimate gathering of family and friends of the family present, what a joy it was for us, as her parents, to not only celebrate the gift she is to us, but to see the joy that others had in celebrating her as well! Over the last year, she has taught us so much about ourselves, our ability to love, and most of all, the Lord's love for us as His children! We look forward to many years to come with our little rascal! ...and another birthday tidbit for you--Katelyn loved her birthday cake!! It was made out of cupcakes, so we placed her very own cupcake in front of her to devour...and devour she did!! The pictures say it all! I also included a video of us singing happy birthday to her and the reaction she had! So cute! We also had a little tri fold picture frame that had a picture of me, Dave, and Katelyn, all at one year of age! It was so neat to see the resemblances she had to each of us!

HAPPY GRADUATION BRITTANY!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY KATELYN!

Serving Some Sweet Seniors!

Another weekly activity that Katelyn and I enjoy is visiting a nearby nursing home! We got hooked up with this particular home through our church. I have always had a heart for the elderly and actually visited a nursing home on a consistent basis when I was in college. I thought this would be the perfect time to start again! I figure....Katelyn brings so much joy to us that SURELY the Lord can use her to bring that same joy to people who may not otherwise have anyone to look forward to seeing during the week! It has been such a blessing! Katelyn and I love the residents just as much (if not more!) than they love us (well, let's be honest...it's probably Katelyn that they look most forward to seeing each week!). Some residents invite her to jump on their beds, others want to hold her hand, and still others just love to see her smile, clap her hands, or hold on tight to mommy's fingers and walk around their room. "This little piggy" is also a favorite game for residents to play with Katelyn when we visit. Her "little piggies" are worn out by the time we leave! The picture below is of Katelyn and one of the residents, Ms. Ann. All of Ms. Ann's family lives in Canada, and hers is always the first room we stop at!

Diggin' the Donuts!

Here's another post in the "Week in the Life of Katelyn" series! Every Wednesday morning, we go to pick up my long-time friend Rose and take her to a little donut shop near her house. I met Rose when I first moved up to the Dallas area almost nine years ago!! We would go on walks, take trips to Wal-Mart, and just visit! Even when Dave and I were living in China, I would make a point to call her once a month and catch up with her! Every time Katelyn and I go places with her, she always makes a point to tell people that Katelyn's middle name is Rose, and that is her name too! It is so precious! Another neat thing about our time at the donut shop is that we have befriended the sweet Korean lady who serves us our donuts! She even gives us a free half-dozen glazed donut holes each time we come. I bring these home to Dave for his enjoyment, so he always looks forward to Wednesdays too!