Rumor has it...

There has been a rumor spreading and I just wanted to make everyone aware that I am going to be an aunt, AGAIN, in January! My sister (Jennie) and her husband (Ben) were in this weekend and brought my parents their Mother and Father's Day presents. My mom received a frame that says I Love Nana with a little ultrasound photo in it and my dad got a Grandpa coffee travel cup that had a picture inside the plastic liner. Just FYI, they didn't have anything that said " My Poppa is the best". Nana & Poppa, Aunt Katie & Uncle Seth...sigh :)

I am so excited! This will be my fourth niece or nephew. I "inherited" my 3 nephews when I married Seth but I have been there for 90% of all their lives. Kristian was 2 when Seth and I started dating, Aiden was 2 months old and Kalin wasn't born until 2005 so I have been there for all of his life (bless his heart).

Secretly I hope it's a girl only because we have all boys on my side and Jennie's husband's(Ben) sister (keep up) just had a little boy in Novemeber and his (Ben's) brother just had TWIN boys in February. Well, he didn't but his wife did. I didn't want to cause anymore confusion. All those boys need a little girl to keep them straight :) As long as he/SHE is healthy, it doesn't really matter but a girl can always hope. She was 12 weeks this weekend so we shall find out soon enough. Too bad they are keeping the names a secret until the baby gets here. Oh, and by the way, they live in FL so I guess I will be having to make "visits" to the "beach" more often, yes?

2 years down...

Today was our 2 year anniversary! It's hard to believe that we have been married for 2 years much less been together for 7! The first year anniversary is always the most important (I guess). I stressed FOREVER about what to get him and he got me a pretty awesome gift too. This year, well, shall we say that I didn't even make it to get a card. I know that sounds terrible but if it takes a card to tell him how much I love him then we must have some major issues. I decided to take 4 hours of vacation tonight so I could spend a little extra time with my hubby yet here we are, me on the computer and him reading in the recliner.

That is us though. Here is how our special day went...

We got up a little earlier than usual today and went out to Unicoi to load some wood in the truck for Seth's brother. Seth has been cutting up a tree at a friend's house and had some wood that he is trying to sell. Anyway, we went and did that and then he took me out to breakfast. We went to Maple Grove and had biscuits and gravy. Then we had to come home and lay back down because we were so full. I started a load of clothes and we lounged for about an hour. Then we had to water our flowers and while we were out we decided to weed our garden. Whew! It was so hot. My mom came by for a few minutes, then I had to go to work. I left work at 7pm and went down to the church to help the new youth minister and his family unload their moving truck. I got there just in time to carry about 5 boxes and then take a break :) Afterwards, we went to McDonald's for dinner since it was so late, came home, killed some bees and ate an ice cream...and here we are.


It was a lovely day and did I mention that my boyfriend bought me some beautiful irises and had them waiting for me when I got home? He's a nice guy like that. I guess I will keep him around for a few more years.

Seth's Graduation Party

Here are some pictures from Seth's graduation party. His degree was in Construction so of course we needed to do a construction theme. My friend Sarah was such a doll in helping me make the invites....ok, she did the work, I just mailed them. My friend Lori was kind enough to pick up all the balloons and bring them to Erwin so I wouldn't have to go to Johnson City just for them. Both girls scoured Erwin with me looking for two little dump trucks (which we FINALLY found) and of course we all helped finish off the cake :)

Seth and Diana (she graduated that day in KY and made it back for some of the party)

What is a party without food?


Yes, Seth had to grill at his own party. I know, I'm a bad wife

The construction cupcakes. I love these little picks.

All my pictures are on my Facebook page.

Seth's Graduation

Here are a few pictures from Seth's graduation. He graduated May 8th of this year with his bachelor's degree in Construction Engineering Technology. I had class that morning and had to leave early but, what can a girl do? Priorities, priorities. Anyway, most of his family was able to come and see him walk across the stage...go to my Facebook page for some better pictures during the ceremony.

My dad, me, Seth and my mom

Seth at the bell tower at ETSU

The famous left handed photo

The GRADUATE!!!

Congratulations Seth!

Elementary School?

Sometimes, I think it would be nice if I wanted to teach elementary school age children. The parents still kind of care and like you when their kids are this age...



Then I realize that this is one moment out of 180 FULL days. Sorry, I just can't do that

Prayer Request

I am asking you to say a special prayer tonight for the Stamper family. As many of you know, their son and brother Aaron has been fighting leukemia since August of 2009. He lost his battle tonight and went to his eternal home. While he will be missed greatly, we rejoice in the fact that he is no longer suffering. You can read about his journey here...the posts are written by his sister Andrea who truly has a way with words. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for saying a prayer for the family.



There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears. There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face ~ Jeremy Camp

My Cup Runneth Over

One month has passed and I have yet to blog about anything that has happened. I will, I promise. This post though, is one that I just feel compelled to write because I am overcome at the moment with joy. Joy because I am so blessed.

I am blessed to be the daughter of a King! A King that will always love me and be there to comfort and protect me no matter what I do.

I am blessed to be the daughter of the most wonderful earthly father and mother I could have ever asked for. If you ask my parents, they will tell you I was a definite surprise but they have loved me from day one and have never stopped doing what was best for me, even when I didn’t think so.

I am blessed to have a husband that loves the Lord. I am blessed that he loves me and can look beyond my flaws and see me as his wife, his partner and his friend. I am blessed that he always kisses me goodnight.

I am blessed because I am part of the wonderful family at First Christian Church that has helped raise me since I was a baby. This church has been there for me to celebrate my joys and hold me and my family through our sorrows and for that I love them all.

I am blessed because I have good health. Sure, I have aches and pains on a regular basis but that is nothing compared to what others go through every day.

I am blessed to have a job. No matter how frustrating it is sometimes, I am grateful that I bring home a paycheck every week and can go to the doctor if I need to.

I am blessed because I live in a country where I can express my opinion. A country where I can fly my flag and praise my God without worry of being persecuted. A country that comes with benefits and privileges that I have done nothing to deserve. Someone gave up their life so I could have these freedoms and I will always remember that, regardless of my personal opinions about war.

I am blessed because I have a house to live in. I have electricity, hot water and food to eat. That may seem quite obvious but turn on the news sometime. Too many people in this world do not even have clean water, much less a place to sleep (safely) at night.

I am blessed because I can laugh.

I am blessed because I have the ability to write this post and share with you my blessings.

Just writing this fills my heart with joy because it makes me realize that I have more on this page that most people have in their lives and this isn’t even a smidgen of what I have to be thankful for. Thank you for sharing in my joy!