This picture sums up our weekend....

We had Katelynn's second 1st birthday party this Saturday. It was so much fun!! Lots of friends and family were at the house to make this first birthday extra special for Katie Bug. It was a lot of fun, but also a lot of work and we are all glad it is another year before we have to have one of those again. =) This was Miss K after her nap after the festivities. This is proof that it was a hit!!

Everything but a hat..

or bows. Katelynn will not wear anything on her head that I have bought for her. Super cute red hat for Christmas, nope! Cute bows that match her outfits, you've got to be kidding! But a tupperware bowl or a diaper..Sure! Why Not!!

One Wild and Crazy Ride

But one I would ride over and over again!! This past year has been amazing. I wouldn't change a thing. The tears, the giggles, the sleepless nights, the 2 am feedings, the messy diapers, the runny nose, the 7 am snuggles, the bruises from the attempts to crawl, the finally getting the crawling down, the first words, the first kisses, oh those first kisses!! Katelynn Noel you are a blessing from God that I adore. You are my little best friend and I love reminiscing about the past. But even more, I love looking forward to the future. I am looking forward to first steps (check, we are getting the walking down), first teeth, first days of school, first crushes, first "loves", first heartbreaks...cheerleading outfits, prom dresses, homecoming mums.......decorating your college dorm room, decorating your first apartment....seeing you in your cap and gown, seeing you in your wedding dress, seeing you holding your first born. Too many things!!

Katelynn, you are such a precious gift. Know that you have introduced Mommy and Daddy to a kind of love that we never knew existed until you. Know that we will always love you, no matter what. And know that you are so very special to us. You always will be.

Happy First Birthday baby girl!

Grow strong, sweet Katelynn, and know that Mommy and Daddy love you more than words can express.

Miles and Miles Forever!

Love, Mommy

Stealing This Idea

From a friend of mine. A is doing some great "decoration renovations" to her house and she has started to use her blog to show the work that has been completed and also to get input on some of her ideas. I am going to steal this idea and see if I can get some much needed input on my ideas. I have been wanting to do something with the wall over our buffet for years. Seriously, since we purchased the buffet right after we were married I knew something was missing there. While going through the new PB mag, I found some ideas I just love. Not sure how hard they would be, but I am willing to try.

This is a picture of our actual buffet. (bottom) I love this idea of multiple chalkboards. Not sure if I would actually use chalk or just paint black canvases and use the vinyl lettering (if it sticks) or paint something on it. This one seems like a lot of work, but I really like it. I am also not sure if our kitchen could handle this much black. Our cabinets are light and our walls are dill pickle.

My next idea is this. I love these shelves and I would be able to display more of our pictures and great dishes from the wedding. It would also be more storage. It would also be more to dust. Or we could just do a mirror behind it. So not sure. Help me out here guys. (And A, thanks for the blog idea. Hope you don't mind.) =)

Working from Home...

I would love to say that this could actually be an option. Be with K all day long, still have daily contact with adults and still bring home at least some "bacon". Truth is, I do not see how people do it! It has to be the hardest thing ever. I have a friend, K, who is doing just this. She is working from home while taking care of two beautiful daughters, A and K. I can tell some days she is at her wit's end, and I now know why. Today I decided to stay home this afternoon with K. Not take the day off, mind you, but work from home for an afternoon. If a picture is worth a thousand words, well here you go. (I had decided to bring home some filing that I was getting behind on and here is what happened.)

My dear friend K, it is not that I didn't respect you as a work-from-home mother before, but now I am amazed by you. Any time you need a break, give me a call! And to all you other working moms (inside the home or outside) give yourself a big ol' pat on the back. You are all AMAZING!!! Now, back to work.

Hello, operator.....

K is figuring out how to use the phone.....