KATE IS 3!!

I cannot believe that Kate is 3 today! It seems like yesterday I was fussing at Scott and telling him that it was stupid to vacuum before we left for my planned C-Section at 5:30 a.m.!!! (He is still a neat freak, but boy has Kate relaxed him in that area!!) Most of my friends know that I had to go through IVF to get pregnant with Kate. Looking at her sweet face each day confirms 100% how much all of those shots were worth it!! She is even more adorable than I could have ever imagined when the sonogram tech told me I was going to have a little girl. She is the most unbelievable gift Scott and I could have ever hoped for & I praise God each night before I go to sleep for allowing us the privilege of being her parents.

I've always known I wanted to be a mother, but had no idea just how deep my love for a child could be. Being a teacher, I have taught/mothered some of the most precious little ones you will ever meet. But giving birth changes you for the better. I know that being a mother has made me a better teacher and having been a teacher has also made me a better mother. Not only did I always know I wanted to be a mother, I knew even more that I would give anything for a little girl. It is my mission to give to Kate the same kind of love that God extends to all His children - totally unconditional. I want to her to have life so much better than I did as a child. No matter where her path in life might lead her, I pray that she will always know that she can count on me and that I am her biggest fan.

Some of her faves these days are Elmo, Big Bird and anything Sesame Street; singing to the top of her lungs no matter where she is (I admit, I really egg her on sometimes), the book, The Napping House, and ME (she is the biggest Momma's girl on earth, and don't think I don't LOVE that!!).

I look forward to many more wonderful years watching her grow up. I hope that she will always know how much her daddy and I love her and what she has meant to us. I pray that she will be as kind as she is beautiful and always look for ways to serve others. Thank you, God, for our little miracle!

KATE'S PARTY

KATE AND HER BOOK

KATE, AIDEN, AND BRAXTON

COOPER AND SARA KENNEDY

STONE

MADDOX (HE SET THIS POSE UP HIMSELF!)

JETT (STRIKING HER POSE)

KATE AND HER UMBRELLA

All Kate wanted (or needed) for her birthday this year was a "jumping party". We had her party today at the Courthouse JumpZone. It is a room full of inflatable jumphouses and slides. Kate loves it, although she has not quite mastered climbing to the top of the slide. She probably could have done a better job if she hadn't been carrying around her latest, favorite Sesame Street book which she calls "Put Down the Duckie" - don't ask! Anyway we had several of her sweet friends and their parents there along with her Poppa D and Granna. She thinks now that someone is supposed to have a party everyday. Thank goodness our sweet friend Maddox is having one there in a week or so!! When we got home, she had the best time opening her presents. One of her favorite things was a Hello Kitty umbrella from her friend, Grant. She stood in front of the mirror for 30 minutes singing "Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day." Thanks to everyone who made her big day so special!