Crazy Weekend: Sunday

Caden is turning 2 on Saturday and to celebrate we had his birthday party this past Sunday. It was great! We had so many friends and family come over and celebrate with us. Eric even brought his guitar and sang "Happy Birthday" to Caden. This was the perfect way to end a great weekend. I will let the pictures do most of the talking:)

Crazy Weekend: Saturday

Saturday morning we went to have breakfast with Santa at the Community Theatre:) The food was great; and the boys likes seeing Santa (well, from far away--Caden did not want his picture taken with him;)

Crazy Weekend: Friday

Last Friday some of my girlfriends and their kids had a "birthday party" for Jesus--complete with making birthday cards, dancing, singing happy birthday, and eating cupcakes:) We LOVE celebrating the season this way and hope it becomes an annual tradition!

Crazy Weekend: Thursday

"mom, why am I dressed like this? I look ridiculous, I can't move, and all my friends are totally gonna make fun of me;)

To say this past weekend was crazy would be an understatement...which is why I am WAY behind on blogging (and somewhat behind on life:) We started it off with a little "country" sledding. Our good friends the Ballards are what we consider "real life" cowboys (and girl;) Sledding with the horses was super fun; we cannot wait to go again!

Top Ten Reasons I haven't Blogged in almost 3 Weeks...

1. It is freezing. I hate cold weather...I know this reason may not make sense to some of you; but being cold makes me not want to do anything.

2. I have two boys.

3. Under the age of 2 (yesterday I changed 5 dirty diapers before noon;)

4. We just bought a house!! So I have been cleaning, unpacking, painting, hanging things, cleaning, etc

5. I seriously doubt people are constantly checking/refreshing my blog page to see what I write about next:)

6. This is a busy season for work (great busy, just busy!)

7. My camera has been dead since Thanksgiving and what is a blog post without pictures?!

8. We have been doing fun things like going to play dates

9. laundry.

10. I am tired;) (see reasons 1-9)

So I will leave you with pics of my two favorite reasons I have not blogged lately...

Family Pictures

Chris and I had not had any "formal" family pictures taken since our wedding...and with two new babies we thought it was time. We picked the coldest Saturday of the year so far to get some outside pics made...here is a preview;) (if you look at these ignore the fact that Charlie's lips are starting to turn purple in the last few:)

you can look at the rest here and if you do- feel free to tell me your favs! Also, the photographer is AWESOME so make sure you browse her website!

FREE Christmas Cards;)

Shutterfly.com has an awesome promotion going on right now for all bloggers...50 FREE Holiday Cards! I use shutterfly all the time and everytime I order they do a great job. (and they have super cute designs; so all you have to do is pick out the pictures;)

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5 Things I LOVE...

about my (gulp) five month old baby Charlie...

1. you are an angel; seriously, there are good babies; and then there is you;)

2. you smile...a lot--just about every time someone looks at you!

3. the way you watch your brother

4. how you LOVE bath time

5. The way that you are so snuggly;)

(and the way you suck your thumb!)

Missional Mothering

Young mother, it seems like everyone wants something from you. And you’re probably already giving way more than you ever thought you could give. But even with all your giving, you might struggle with guilt—lingering, joy-drenching, energy-sapping guilt—that you should be doing more, giving more, accomplishing more.

Don’t waste that guilt. Pay attention to it. Use it. Take it out of the shadows and examine it in light of Scripture. Is this a godly grief that leads to repentance or a worldly grief that produces death (2 Cor. 7:10)? Is it life-giving or life-depleting? Ask yourself, does this bring fresh joy and peace to those nearest me, or does it add unnecessary stress and strain to my home?

Mother: You have a mission field

Our first and primary mission field is our children. God values our children. Jesus became indignant when the disciples didn’t embrace the worth of children in God’s expanding kingdom (Mark 10:13-16). God tells us that children are his blessing to us (Ps. 127:3). And he places great importance on our teaching our children to love and serve him (Deut. 6:7-9).

Don’t feel guilty over making your children your primary ministry investment in their early years. Your availability, sensitivity, affection, and unhurried attention are irreplaceable.

There are no neutral moments in a young child’s life. Someone is going to be influencing your children, inculcating values and imprinting standards on their impressionable young minds. Let it be you!

Accept your calling from God to serve your family. As a mother, you are helping to shape the souls of your children for Christ and ultimately influence the world. Your children are your gift to the future.

Stay on mission

Does this mean you will never invest in others outside your family? Goodness, no. But if you are a young mother, stay on mission. Use your primary ministry of mothering to serve Christ now. Don’t let anything diminish your unique role as a wife and mother. It is not godly guilt that would call you away from a wholehearted investment in your little ones for his sake.

“

Don’t feel guilty over making your children your primary ministry investment in their early years.

”

This season in your life is just that—a season. And each season is a divine calling from our creator and king. Organizing a new event at church is important. Teaching your little boy to be kind to his sister is also important. But which one can best be done by you during this season? Serve God well by ministering to your children first. Very soon they will be grown and gone, and you will be unable to recapture the teachable moments you have now.

Mothers, listen to Psalm 78:4-7: “We will . . . tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders he has done . . . that the next generation might know . . . so that they should set their hope in God.”

www.theresurgence.com

Mimi & Pop-Pop

"Mimi & Pop-Pop always make you feel like they have been waiting all day to see just you; and now that they have the day is complete."

My Boys

This may be the only family picture we have right now:)

There are no words.....

for this much cuteness!

We have been too busy......

cheesing...

and sucking our thumb...



and smiling...

and hangin out with the boys...

and going to football games...

and soaking up every last minute of summer:)

You know youre 20 month old doesn't feel well when....

he asks for his paci, both puppies, his drink then climbs up on the couch asks me to cover him up in a blanket and wants to watch Toy Story instead of play basketball....

Love Shelbyville!

Those of you who know me may be a little surprised by the title of this post...me loving small town shelbyville?! I know but it is true. It has taken me over two years but I have fallen in love with this small town. So in love, in fact that I want to get involved and help people here in a way that I never have before. Shelbyville (like all places) has such a need...people need help, people need somewhere to go, people just need people to love them--which has led me to somewhere else you may be surprised about--a job:) I know, I know it is all just too much to take isn't it?! I recently began "working" for a new church plant here called Christ Community. I use the term working loosely, because although it is a job and it is a lot of work, I could not ask for a better set up. I am able to use my gifts, my talents (even my college degree:) for a job that I absolutely LOVE. Not only that, I am doing pretty much everything from home:) Not only is it a huge answer to prayer for us, but doing something I love makes me a better mom, friend and wife:) There is a reason I have been a little vague about Christ Community and my role there...I want you to check it out for yourselves...we are on

facebook

twitter

and my personal favorite, our website

go. check. it. out.

and if you have any questions or comments or want to get involved email me at katie@loveshelbyville.com

What's your favorite color Baby?

BLUE AND WHITE! I know as some of you read the title you couldnt help but finish the cheer.

In honor of the UK UofL football game this weekend my boys were representin earlier in the week...

maybe if I keep staring at mommy like this it will freak her out and she will stop taking my picture


Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?! Apparently my boys are:)

mooommmm, are you done yet?!

Ky State Fair

There is just something about the fair. I have been going since I can remember. The food, the animals, the live music, the rednecks:)...it is just a good time. Here are some of our pictures from our recent trip to the fair with the Webbs:

A little Perspective

Recently the Lord has been teaching me a lessoned that I learned a long time ago but most definately need to re-learn. I love being a mom and I have been blessed (knock on wood) with two incredibly healthy boys, that are full of life, good sleepers and all around just very joyful. Most day are awesome. I have wanted to be a mommy my whole life and most days Caden is so much fun...we have dance parties, we play drums, go on walks, play in the pool, play basketball, read books, I try to teach him a thing or two every once in a while...most of the time we genuinely enjoy eachother. Then there are the other times that are not so nastalgic...when he gets so frustrated that he hits, or kicks, or throws himself on the floor. The times where he tells mommy "NO" or screams until my insides cringe, the fact that he hates riding is his carseat...the times when he doesn't want to go to sleep or share with his friends or sit still when I really need him to. I know how this may sound to some of you; but the joy of a blog is that once in a while I can share "real life," honest moments with other mommies without the fear of being judged.

A couple days ago we were having one of our not so pleasant mornings. Caden was frustrated with me because I couldn't understand what he wanted (and I am not even sure he knew) and I was frustrated with him because we had been having a pretty tough morning. So, I started doing the only thing I know to do when it comes to parenting guidance...pray. And within seconds, the Lord brought the story of this little girl who passed away of cancer and would be Caden's age; and the story of this little boy who passed away at just 12 days old. I can think of story after story I have heard of parents losing children and it is just devestating. Those parents would give their right arm to have a "bad" day with their baby, or to have a child screaming in the carseat, or one who doesn't sleep.

I know it is SO normal to get frustrated as a parent so this post is not meant to say that I am putting all this pressure on myself (or you other mommies). It is just that I am learning that even in the tough days and the hard moments I need to be grateful that I have been blessed with babies to have tough moments with. Sometimes, I just need to take a step back and get a little perspective.

Girls Night Out

I think we planned our girls night out a month in advance...and man it was worth the wait! 14 mommas/ladies loaded up and caravanned down US 60 to this great restaurant. I don't think any of us realized how much we all needed a night out until we got there...and stayed for 3 hours:) It was so refreshing to just hang out with women, eat some good food and relax...I most definitely see another one in the near future! Here is a pic of the whole group:

we would LOVE for you to join us next time...email me @ katie.gaither@live.com so we can include you in!

Friday Night Lights

it was packed!

Picture this: Friday Night Lights, Varsity Blues, Remember the Titans...last night I felt like I was a part of a movie scene. Our little family went to support the Collins Titans in their first EVER football game; and it was exactly what you think of when you hear the words "small town high school football game." I am pretty sure 90% of Shelbyville was there, there were people everywhere, and the weather was awesome. There is nothing like a football game to bring out your small town pride and the feeling that fall is almost here.

football may be Charlie's sport of choice...he seemed to REALLY like it:)

My Little Man

this is what Caden looked like this morning....

and this is what he looks like now....

**notice who is the one smiling:)

Elijah Clay's Birthday!

Eli is one of Caden's very best friends (which is nice because is mama is one of mine:) Other than having a super crafty mom...check her blog out here) Eli is one of the cutest kids ever; with his dark hair and light eyes he is definately hard to resist:) Caden and Eli have taught eachother a lot...how to jump from coffee table to couches, how to play basketball, how to make animal sounds, how to terrorize, i mean love on, baby Charlie. They have taught eachother that it is only appropriate to have a dance party if you remove all of the toys off of the top of the toy box and stand up on it, that sharing is not super fun yet and that maybe watching TV together is not the best idea because Caden is terrified of Eli's favorite show (Yo Gabba Gabba!) Here are a few pics yesterday from Eli's (2 year old) Elmo birthday party! We love you Ballard family:)

Happy Graduation Day

Yesterday Chris graduated from Georgetown College with his Masters Degree! I cannot express in words how proud I am of him. He realized that God was calling him into teaching/coaching during the first year of our marriage and has been pursuing that calling ever since. Not only did he receive his diploma yesterday; he graduated with a 4.0! Chris has overcome so much diversity in his life and I am SO SO SO proud of him!!!! (so proud in fact that I made him take a picture holding his diploma...)

My (little) Giant

Weighing in at a whopping 14.4 pounds and standing (well laying:) at a staggering 24 inches long at only 2 months old...Chaarrrllliiiieee Gaaaiithhherrrr:)

Our pediatricians reaction when she saw him at his 2 month check up pretty much sums its up..."So I guess breastfeeding is going well for ya!?"

Charlie is in the 95% in weight and the 90% in height! Thank God for a healthy baby:)

8.11.2007

Three years.

I love you, Chris!

Oh, Boy!

I kid you not...this is what my oldest son looked like when I went to check on him last night...I am still not sure if this is appropriate to put on the blog but I cannot resist....

When Mommies are away....

(or just not paying very much attention:)

This is what happens when two mommies are hanging out and let their two toddlers (and Charlie;) have pretty much (supervised) free reign.....

which then leads to this...

Happy Monday!