A Weekend to Remember

This weekend was Wes' 10 year high school reunion. It was much more enjoyable for me than most spouses seeing that I graduated from the same school just one year later. We went to the homecoming game Friday night and then went to the big event at Michaelangelo's rooftop in downtown Conway after the game. A lot of the stereotypical high school reunion things I had heard of came true, and I found myself laughing a lot. One of Wes' classmates is now a DJ for one of Little Rock's rap radio stations, so he took over at Michaelangelo's and played some great throw back songs. Another classmate is now a legit rapper, and he held a party Saturday night that we missed. We witnessed break dancing and some not so appropriate dancing, but the majority of the night was filled with great conversations. It's strange how you can so easily remember faces like it was yesterday when you saw them, and at the same time, we have all grown up and have matured a lot in our personalities and in the way we interact with one another. (Most have matured, most...refer back to the not so appropriate dancing comment.) I left the reunion excited about next year's event. And last night, I even got out my senior yearbook, looked through all 500+ in my class, and hoped that they will all show up next year. A Facebook group has been created for Conway High School Class of 2002, so here we go. Enjoy the few pictures I took this weekend.

I indeed got my new phone before we left, so my dad got out his first Mac to compare Steve Jobs' first and last creations.

Two of my favorite '01 senior girls.

Wes and B.

I don't know what to say here.

Wes' mom's favorite holiday is Halloween, and this is just a TINY bit of her decor. The table looked beautiful.

My parents are trying to sell their house, so mom's decorations were toned down a bit this year. I liked this new piece to her collection.

And before we left Sunday, we all climbed on top of each other in the chair and had a sweet little family moment.

Shower

I mentioned the other day the shower my incredible friends threw for our dear friend having her first girl after three boys. This pregnancy has been nothing like the other three to say the least, so we pretty hurriedly got lots of pink decorations and girly gifts together and showered her last Thursday night. Hopefully sweet Ember will be arriving right when expected, and if that's the case, we didn't have much time to plan this party. Enjoy some fun pictures from the night. It was a beautiful night for sure.

Before the food arrived. Sarah loves chocolate, so the table was filled with yummy chocolate treats.

Do these banners look familiar?

Thanks, mom, for sending the bird decor up here. I didn't get good pictures of it, but it all looked great.

We played some hilarious games. Game #1 was "guess what mother is on my back."

Game #2 was a guess the prices of baby gear game, and this game #3 was diaper and dress the baby doll as quickly as you can...with one arm. My partner and I creamed the rest of the crew.

Mommy Blog

I have a friend who really knows what it means to be a friend and who also happens to be insanely funny. Over on her blog, she hosts the Elsie Awards each year (I think this is the second annual). Basically, these are social media awards completely based on her opinions and beliefs. She nominates, she judges, she awards. It's a great system really. Some of the categories are Best Photo Sent Via Text, Best Reply to a Facebook Post, Most Interesting Tweet, and the most coveted award must be Best Overall Social Media Personality. You see, yesterday, she opened up a few categories to People's Choice. Woah. Hold the phone. These categories were Most Interesting Facebook Album and Best Blog That Doesn't Suck with the description that blogs with pictures of babies holding numbers on couches don't count. There goes The Kate Box. I said something to her about this, and apparently so did others. We are finally getting to the good stuff here. She announced today that a new category has been created...Best Mommy Blog That Doesn't Suck.

This post should not in any way influence the nominations or voting, but I just thought it necessary (really, I just have a little extra time today as I'm packing for husband's 10 year high school reunion and stationing myself by the front door waiting for the UPS man to deliver my new iPhone) to describe the origins of The Kate Box.

The first post was written on February 21, 2008 on an inclement weather day here in Bentonville, AR. I wrote about my new adventure as a 6th grade social studies teacher, neighborhood driveways, lawn chairs, and a dear friend's run in with a cow in those first few months. Slowly but surely, more wedding showers and baby showers were discussed, a poll on which dog we should get was posted, house decorating pics were put up, and silly teacher stories were shared. I don't know if I intended for this to become a "mommy blog," but that's where I am right now. No longer do I have silly teacher stories, but I still have incredibly beautiful days as a, a wife, a friend, a leader, and most importantly, a child of God to share with whoever reads this thing. And of course I now have stories as a mom to share.

I was telling a friend last night after about 15 of us prayed for another friend expecting her fourth child (first girl!) that I had one of those moments yesterday. I was backing out of the driveway heading to the baby shower to decorate, Wes was strolling Reese around in her wagon, and Reese just smiled as big as she could and waved to me. I smiled back, waved back, blew her a kiss, and told them both I loved them. As I was driving away, I stepped out of the moment to try to freeze that in time. I think I had always envisioned becoming a mom and had tried to pretend to know what it would be like, but because I just live one day to the next, in the middle of the action, I rarely stop to think about how precious this gift of mothering is. And how stinkin' adorable my daughter is, too. So yeah, this blog is a mommy blog, and I can't really do anything about it because it's my full time job, and my daily routine pretty much revolves around it. However, I think all of us mamas want to be looked at as more than just a mama.

Here's what I do besides mothering:

I workout at the gym for myself because I like it, it makes me feel good, and it's one way I can honor God with my body.

I spend sweet time with God daily. He teaches me how to be more like His Son, and He reminds me of His love for me, too.

I have a husband who I love, admire, respect, and appreciate. My time with him is precious, and I enjoy just being with him.

As a work from home kind of gal, I cook, clean, take care of the dog, and hang out with neighbors.

I hang out with about 20 or so high school girls a lot. We talk about cheerleading, friends, boys, grades, classes, families, and Jesus. A lot of talk is about Jesus and how to live a life glorifying God.

I have friends who I look up to more than they will ever know. These are old friends who I've known since high school or college, and these are new(er) friends who I've gotten to know in the last several years. They challenge me to be better, they encourage, love, and support like nobody's business. It's crazy how much I am thankful for them; thus, I spend time trying to nourish these relationships.

All that to say, I guess this is a mommy blog. I just never had thought about what all is involved with being a mom. To train up a child in the way he or she should go involves modeling life for him or her, and that includes taking care of yourself, spending time with loved ones, and of course allowing Him or Her to see your relationship with our Creator.

{I am pretty sure a lot of this was just rambling, but as this blog also serves the purpose of a journal at times, I am appreciative of the time just spent getting thoughts out for myself. And I also hope this new iPhone arrives before we pack up for C-town.}

**Udpdate: Got my phone. Yeehaw! Now, go Wampus Cats!

Mountie Pride

It's been quite the day around here, and I was reminded of how I kind of thrive on busyness. I couldn't do this every day, but I must say that it was a nice change of pace for us even though I am worn out right now. We watched cousins Morgan and Ty this morning, Reese napped at their house this afternoon while I went to the RHS Homecoming Assembly, we all went to the Homecoming Parade, I took Reese to the Convenient Care Clinic to make sure her cold/croup isn't getting worse before the weekend begins, we ran home to grab dinner and change clothes, then we headed to the football game. Reese and I stayed just long enough to see our girls and watch a Mountie touchdown, and then we made our way home.

Two of my cell group girls and former cheerleaders/students were on homecoming court, and they were stunning. I teared up at the assembly this afternoon. These two are beautiful young women who both want to glorify God with their lives. I'm just blessed to get to know them so well. Enjoy some pictures from today! I didn't try to juggle my camera tonight, but I'm going to get some pictures from others soon because Reese got in some really cute shots out on the track with her favorite high schoolers and Mountie moms.

Reese's GORGEOUS babysitter, my dear friend, and weekly breakfast buddy. Excuse my hair...I got it washed while Ty and Reese were napping this morning, but blow drying and fixing it wasn't in the cards for me today. (Or really most days for me.)

Again. Check out that beautiful dress.

My other cell girl on court...that dress was a jaw dropper, and she was radiant.

Reese lovin' on Leigh Leigh.

Oh, you are so pretty.

Some of my girls before the parade.

EIGHT years old!!!

When this big guy was born, I was a sophomore in college. My oldest nephew turning 8 makes me feel both old and blessed. He's the oldest of 8 grandchildren on the Walker side, and these 8 cousins are pretty amazing. What a blessing it was to see the joy on his face yesterday surrounded by his friends playing football, eating cupcakes, and singing "Happy Birthday" at his birthday pancake dinner. He's a happy kid, and I thank God for letting my crew of 3 be a part of a family where love and joy are found so constantly. I love that Reese (and future kids) will grow up with so many wonderful cousins nearby.

Okay, so this birthday was pretty fabulous. Birthday Boy got an afternoon full of incredible weather, a park full of friends and football, gifts full of toys and donations to 99balloons, and a house full of family and pancakes.

{side note: I'm not posting any close-ups of his friends in case parents don't want faces on a blog. JB, I have a few cute ones you will want.}

Reese getting her crawling energy out at home pre-party.

Learning how to sing "Happy Birthday."

Cousin Ty and Aunt Jayme

Reese and Gran

Most of the little party-goers.

Reese and O'Pa

Having a little fun--and poking daddy in the eye.

Time to sing and eat pancakes!

We love you, big EIGHT year old!!!

It's Fall Y'all.

It looks nothing like last year, but my house is now decorated for the fall. I kept a good amount of my decorations in the tubs this year because I'm going for a more "simplistic" look. And I like it. Of course another huge motivator in this "simplistic" approach is a little one year old who likes to get into everything. That and I'm on this neat and clean kick. I still have a little work to do on our front porch including picking up a few mums, so I'll be taking some pictures out there soon. My mom made me a fabulous moss and burlap wreath for the front door and gave me some neat pumpkins, so Reese will surely have some portraits made out there in the coming month and a half before all of this brown, orange, and green turns into red and green. What a wonderful few months. Praise the Lord for giving us incredible reasons to celebrate. Thankfulness and a crisp in the air now, and His perfect gift in December.

So, here are a few extremely amateur photos of a few pieces of fall scattered about in my home. As it gets closer to Thanksgiving, I will most likely be adding some turkeys and possibly using my collection of Thanksgiving dishes for the first time ever. Get. Excited.

The mantle. My favorite decorated spot right now. The pumpkins spell out HAPPY HALLOWEEN. Maybe I should have taken a pic from the other end, too. There are some cute things over there.

Orange and brown. Ahhh... And I bought that gourd at the Fayetteville Farmers Market about 5 years ago. So fun.

A little vintage Halloween cat and some more orange.

Big Eyes Pic moved to our idea of a "mudroom." Granny's felt cats are hanging below her.

Simple decor on the coffee table. Everything has to be squeezed in the center or else toddler hands grab something that probably shouldn't be grabbed.

A hodge podge of things that I think is funny. Lamp that has been moved to above the entertainment cabinet due to toddler cruising, a couple of 6 month old pics, a high school sorority Spring Fling picture of a young Wes and Kate at 16 and 17, a polka dot vase from 02.04.06 (our wedding), and Reese's little pumpkin from last year. Oh and some antennas that I don't think are even being used.

I finally took down Reese's birthday party pics and replaced them with vintage Halloween cards (and a few newborn pics of Reese from fall 2010).

I don't really even know what that is, but I just really like getting it out every year and finding a home for it.

And this. Ahhh...it's no decoration. In fact, the picture doesn't even do this justice. My freezer is FULL of fabulous frozen meals. Six friends of mine (pluse me makes seven) do a meal swap, and we each make two meals seven times. This morning was the swap, and now I have 14+ delicious dinners ready to go. We just started a blog called meal swappin' mommas that I will share with you once it's up and running. But here is what we have this round. At least half of them are organic, and a few are crock pot meals. Yummo.

Chicken Tortilla Soup, Turkey Burgers, Shepherd's Pie, Stuffed Meatballs, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Asian Sloppy Joe's, BBQ Chicken, Taco Soup, Spinach Feta Quiche, Chicken Chili, Apple Butter Pork Chops, Chicken Soft Tacos, Swedish Meatballs, and Cranberry Chicken.

NICU Reunion Carnival

A few weeks ago we got a card in the mail informing us of the 1st Annual NICU Reunion for all of the Mercy NICU graduates. I was so excited about this party and couldn't wait to see Reese's nurses who we grew so close to and who became our heroes. This morning was the shindig, and it couldn't have been a more beautiful day for it. Due to the Razorback game starting at 11, we missed the official group picture at noon, but we spent about an hour checking out the fabulous carnival and catching up with some of my favorite people. Now Reese is napping while we nervously cheer on Arkansas against our old and once again conference rivals, Texas A&M.

A lot of memories and emotions came flooding back while we were walking around the hospital terrace just one year and a day after we took sweet girl home. It was the same terrace where I went out for fresh air, prayed, and had some heart to heart conversations with Wes a year ago. All of my memories and emotions are so dear and special, and I pray that I always remember my thankfulness and appreciation for this hospital and its staff. These nurses made us laugh, encouraged us, guided us as new parents, didn't judge me for being a crazy 1st time mom, and shared with us exactly what was going on with our precious daughter moment by moment. Here are just a few pictures from our wonderful morning.

A very proud daddy taking Reese to the carnival.

Yay! It's Auntie Lauren!

The carnival photo booth. We woke Reese up to come to the party so that we could get back for most of the game...needless to say, she acted like she was still napping the entire time. She would NEVER let us mess with her this much if she was truly awake. However, she would have lit up the entire place with her smile and laughs if she was a bit more rested. Those are her favorite activities these days, and I absolutely love it.

Our hero, Jeri. Jeri was the nurse who got my IV in after seven tries from others, she was in the room when Reese was born and helped her get oxygen and cleaned up, she was the one who put her PICC line in, and she was the one who removed it 7 days later. And I'm sure she was the one who did a lot more than I'll never know. I will never forget her comforting presence.

My sweet, sweet NICU graduate!

On the night Reese was born, nurse Mary watched her in the NICU while she was receiving oxygen and recognized something wasn't right. Her discernment, knowledge, and care helped diagnose our sweet girl early, and I will forever be thankful. She was working today, so Lauren helped us sneak up there to say hi!

Cute photo booth pictures!