Land of the Free and Home of the Brave
Jul 3, 2009
This July 4th I have the privilege to be in the land of the homesteaders and surrounded by God's beauty. In my opinion, one of the most stunning and awe inspiring places in our country. And to think of all the people that have fought and served and died to give us the freedoms and peace that I am able to enjoy, makes me really want to celebrate being an American this July 4th.
After watching how the election has been handled in Iran, I am gr8phul for a government who can peacefully go about their business. Even during the current recession, we live in the land of plenty and we have way more than most. Being an American affords us a LOT of privileges and opportunities and I will be extemely gr8phul for that as I bring my son to the parade or watch the fireworks go off over head.
God Bless America!
27 Years strong....
Jun 25, 2009
Some things get sweeter with time. Love can be that way and that is the case for Kelly & LeAnne in Canada. Their love is so sweet that it spills over and runs into the people that surround them. This past week I was blessed enough to be one of those people. Kelly & LeAnne celebrated their 27th year of marriage and they were just as cute as any newlyweds I know. I had the pleasure to do a little photo shoot with them in their back yard. Rather than trying to get them to loosen up in front of the camera, they had me cracking up. Their smiles are infectious and the joy that they have is palatable :)
Today is Trav and my 5th Anniversary and I have a heart full of hope that when we reach the 27 year mark, that we are every bit as joy filled as these two. I am so excited to celebrate 5 years of marriage! Thank God that I married my sweet husband, I doubt that any one else would put up with all my antics and craziness. And still love me :)
Driving on the 405
May 31, 2009
Hi There! I know I am slow but I just realized that a blog is like a journal and Facebook is for the quick onliners. It's just quick and that is just one of the reason that I have fallen in love with it. Facebook is fun, interactive and I have reconnected with SO many friends. That was said like a true addict. I will have to work on that...the addiction. Life moves so fast and is sooo busy. But it is going to be getting even busier in November. God has blessed Trav and I, and we are expecting a new little family member around Thanksgiving! I figure it is time to write about it because my belly has popped out and there is no more hiding it. We are looking forward to having another little munchkin to try to keep up with. How Angelina and Brad have 6 is beyond my comprehension. And twins in their. How is it that there aren't any pictures of them with unruly child, with 1,000 bags of stuff and having a bad hair day? They have tons of help, right?
The first few months of this pregnancy were a roller coaster ride. I will spare all the gory details but let's just say I was SICK! I have such a new appreciation of women who get sick while pregger. It is hard to imagine until you are walking in those shoes. It is BRUTAL. But it looks like it is getting better and I am extremely gr8phul for that!! Extremely!
Anyway, Trav and I are trying to get out and do some fun things while we can and before I get too big. (Kai was almost 10 pounds and I was HUGE) So we took Kai camping last night up in the San Gabriel Mountains. It was crazy to see Kai in that element. He is 100% little boy. I am going to start calling him mini-T because he is a carbon copy of Travis.
**********Here are just a few of his comments while packing***************
He looked at the overcast sky and said, "Mom, it looks like I am going to need my rain coat."
And when we put him in the car he said, "Dad, when we go on the 405 can you please not put my window down because I might get kinda chilly."
WHAT?? He is 2!!!! What 2 year old says things like that. If he didn't come out of my body I would question if I am his mother. I didn't start asking questions like that till I was 30. And not till my mid 20's did I even have a concept of what road I was driving on. I was too busy singing a song or dreaming about something.
Anyway-enough chatter, Here are some pictures from last night :) It was a beautiful sunset! It is always good to get away from it all and have some quiet. As quiet as it can be with a 2 year old around.
Doesn't it look like he is talking to one of his homies?
And now for angelic...
and now for silly...
And I am going to try to take a few more pictures of Trav and I. I realize that I have spent the past 3 years behind the camera and I don't have many pictures of me because of it. I think I am like a lot of Mom's out there, always taking pictures but seldom in them.
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Update: I was trying to reflect on my Facebook addiction and decide if it was healthy. And I have to answer that with an overwhelming "YES!" I have kept a document of all the status updates from 2009 and I LOVE looking back on it. It is such a GR8 way to remember all of the Kai-ism's and those precious moments that I NEVER want to forget. It reminds me of how blessed I am and how gr8phul I am to be Kai's Mom and Trav's wife. It reminds me to be more than content and to celebrate the joys in my life. I am blessed and I need to not take that for granted.
So- Here are my top 10 "Kai-ism's" from 2009
- Kai said, "I did sleep Mommy. I closed my eyes, now you give me a sticker. Don't tell me no that would be naughty." 1/4/09
- Kat said Kai please don't touch my privates. (He was grabbing my boobs in the store) He said, "I am not touching your privates, I am touching your bra!" 1/28/09
- Kat said, "Kai it's naptime!" and he said, "Come on, I can't keep doing this everyday." 1/29/09
- Kai said, "I smashed the ant and he got died" 3/25/09
- Kai's Statements at nap time- "I don't know how to sleep", "it's not dark yet", "I am not having a good attitude". 4/7/09
- Today Kai was there while I was photographing the groom getting ready. Kai said, "Mom, why is he getting married?" I said because he fell in love. Kai said,"Mr. Chris there is still time, you don't have to fall." 4/18/09
- Bath time quote, "Mommy, Mommy I just smacked Daddy's buns!" 4/20/09
- Kai spilled juice everywhere and then he said, "Hold on, I am going to call Daddy." He then took out his pretend cell phone and told his Dad how he made a mistake. 4/23/09
- This morning Kai sat at in church with us. The Pastor said a few things that made people laugh, so Kai asked me kinda loud. "Mommy, why is that man telling jokes? Then a minute later Kai started laughing at everything Pastor Glen said. :) 5/3/09
- When Kai was in the bathtub tonight he pointed his junk up and then peed all over his face. 4/24/09
I hope these make you smile as much as they make me. That is the whole reason I share them. I love the things that kids say. I can honestly say I love them more than chocolate. And that is a BIG statement coming from me :)
Disneyland Tips and Tricks
May 8, 2009
My Mom and I just spent the past 2 days at Disneyland and we really did have a magical time! It was bliss, that place of complete enjoyment. So cool!!!! I have one story to relay that might help you like it helped us. :) I heard someone talk (and I can't remember for the life of me where.) about what I am going to share and it is a great tip.
After waiting for Kai to wake up from his nap, LA 5:00 traffic, parking and ticket lines we finally entered the Magic Kingdom. It was 6:00. We were planning on only staying till' 7:30, so I was kinda bummed that we would have such a short visit. We decided to see how long the Nemo lines were...and found out that the wait would be 30 to 45 minutes. Bummer! The parade starts at 7 and we didn't want to miss it. Here's where the tip comes in, someone said to go to one of the people who work at the ride and ask them (as nicely as possible) "if they can make dreams come true?"
As soon as it came out of my mouth, the guy (Patrick) smiled and said he could!!!! Woo Hoo He then lead us to a special entrance and we got on the ride immediately!!! It was AWESOME! My Mom thought I had given him a tip or something. Later when she was telling Trav the story she said, "I didn't know what Kat had offered the guy." Hahahaha That doesn't sound good, but it made me crack up. So try it, it can't hurt to try :)
After Nemo we headed over to the parade and we had a BLAST!! Kai was so fun. He was ready to party and shake his tail feathers. He was leaping to dance with The Chipmunks, Donald, and so many others that I lost track. He was so much FUN!
Here's a video of him getting his groove on. I have such a Fun son, he is more fun to hang out with than most adults :) And we bought an a Annual Pass and I am so excited to bring him back there. It was AWESOME~~~
Family Session Manhattan Beach
May 3, 2009
Last week I had the pleasure to spend some time with an awesome family. I met them right before Kai was born, 2 and a half years ago. Amy and I were both days away from delivery and we connected instantly. Our husbands work together at LA Air Force Base. We ended up having our boys at the same hospital just a small time frame apart.
When we were at the hospital trying to convince Kai to join us. The nurse tried to encourage me that a women down the hall had just given birth naturally to a healthy 10 lbs. baby boy. We later found out that was Amy & Dan and Max. I am will be forever impressed by that. And then she was brave enough to do it again. Just over a year ago Christian arrived.
They are such an awesome family and their easy personality is both fun and infectious. Amy & Dan are always quick to smile and don't let things stress them out. We have been gr8phul for their friendship and we are sad to see them pack up and head to Washington.
They make some beautiful children. Their son
Max owns a piece of my heart. He is such a sweet and smart little man.
He has been such a good friend to Kai.
Here's my favorite of the day. Sometimes when the kids won't cooperate or just cause... stop what you are doing and kiss your spouse. I thought this was pretty funny but also pretty sweet. They have been married for 10 years and still have a spark between them :) That Rocks!
We wish you all the best and we hope to see you soon. You guys are a special family and we are better for knowing you!
He's a Dancer :)
Apr 26, 2009
We went out and took some pictures and he was a jumping and dancing monkey. I hope you had a good weekend :) And yes, he is going to kill me when he is older :)
Wedding- Texas
Apr 21, 2009
We just spent the past few days in Dallas, Texas for a Wedding. It is so interesting to me how different parts of the country have different traditions and customs. This was a laid back Texas wedding, with some great people and some Tex Mex food.
Rachel Joy Scott-10 years since Columbine
Apr 20, 2009
I can't believe that it has been 10 years since Columbine. I can honestly say that event changed the course of my life forever. I had just returned to the States after being in Central America for a year. I had traveled in war torn countries on my own where people carried guns constantly but when I returned to the States, the safety and security I was expecting was shattered. Home no longer felt safe. 3 days after I got home, I watched the events of Columbine unfold and I was ROCKED!
A year later I saw Rachel Joy Scott's Dad give a presentation on his daughter's life, journal entries, desire to be "used by God to reach the unreachable." God used that presentation to move me, challenge me, humble me and show me his love. I could no longer deny God, he was real and I couldn't pretend to not see Him.
I share this to say, that I was one of the unreachable that Rachel mentioned. I didn't want to be a "Christian." I had a stigma of what that meant and I tried to fight it. But God showed me His plan, His mercy, and His Love! I owe so much to a teenage girl named Rachel Joy Scott and her families faithfulness to share their painful story. My heart goes out to them and all who suffered at Columbine. The God of love still was able to use it for His glory and for that I am FOREVER gr8phul!
A book that explains Daryl Scott's presentation and the life and choices of an AMAZING teenage girl is Rachel's Tears I am not doing this life changing story justice, the book is incredible. And I have a copy is anyone is interested in borrowing it. :)
Craig Scott Rachel's brother was one of the only survivors of the library. He watched 10 of his classmates and friends die and shortly after found out that his sister had died also. He has an amazing story and this is a video of his addressing President Bush. It is a powerful statement. One that I couldn't agree with more.
{Info from Baby Center}
Apr 6, 2009
I read this online today and it both shocked me and seriously disturbed me. I am just posting it in case you might be interested. And this is a product that is suppose to be safe.
CDC finds rocket fuel chemical in U.S. baby formula
Fri, Apr 3, 2009 (HealthDayNews) -- A rocket fuel chemical called perchlorate was found in samples of powdered baby formula tested by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists, but it's not clear how much of a health threat it poses to infants.
The largest amounts of perchlorate were found in baby formula derived from cow's milk, said the researchers, who wouldn't disclose the brands of formula they analyzed, the Associated Press reported.
Scientists have said significant amounts of perchlorate can affect the function of the thyroid, which helps set the body's metabolism. Fetal and infant brain development can be affected by thyroid problems. But the level of risk posed by the trace amounts of perchlorate in baby formula is difficult to assess, the AP reported. Formula sold in the United States must contain iodine, which counteracts perchlorate's effects. Other factors that influence risk include the infant's size and how much formula they consume.
Potential health risks weren't examined in the CDC study, which was published last month. The Environmental Working Group issued a press release Thursday to draw public attention to the study.-- HealthDay
And just because I like pictures, here's one I like. :)
Bye Bye Friends!
Apr 3, 2009
Today I am pouting. Well, some sweet new friends and their little people are packing up and moving away. Josh and Sarah really radiate something special and that light will be missed. We wish them ALL THE BEST on their journey and new life, but we South Bay people might be pouting for a little while.Last week we got together and did a beach outing. So they would have a few pictures to remember their time in sunny California. Sarah and Josh just roll with the punches and don't let things get them down for long. You would not be able to tell in these pictures that that they had been pushing themselves to the limit... packing up boxes, selling their house, selling a car, saying goodbye to friends, all while watching 2 children and not sleeping very much. But all of that stress in tension didn't show up for a millisecond. That is remarkable!! Truly incredible!! They were able to live in the present of the moment and enjoy it for what it is worth and that really inspires me.
Josh, Sarah, Sophie & Jake you guys are a special family and I hope that our pathes cross again soon. You are in my prayers and you will be missed. I pray that God sustains you through it all and gives you immeasurable JOY*
Oh yeah--did I mention that they were doing all this and Sarah is expecting their 3rd child. She is a strong and beautiful woman. I really respect her.
At the beginning of our time together Sophie broke down in tears and said that she didn't like the camera. I am so gr8phul for the ocean and waves, she LOVED them!!! She was SO MUCH fun to watch play in the waves. :)
The Shack
Mar 25, 2009
I had a number of people recommend the book, "The Shack" by William P. Young and I always thought that I would read it someday... If you saw my bedside table and the heaping pile of magazines and books you would laugh. In the reading department by intentions are way better than my actions. (I am working on that)
Anyway-after a few more friends mentioned it in Vegas I got home and found a copy on my doorstep. I guess God was really trying to get me to read the book ;) My neighbor had brought it for me and I finally decided to read the book.
Wow, Am I glad that I have made the journey. I an 2/3 of the way through it and I have really enjoyed it. There are so parts of the book that are hard to swallow, it is just one of those times where you spits out the bones and enjoy the meat. And there is a LOT of meat. It is such a beautiful picture of holy love and I think this will have to be a yearly read. :)
I love that SOOOO many beautiful people in my life knew that this book would really touch me. It makes the book all the more special. So I am saying-- READ IT! :)
Labels: http://theshackbook.com/aimages/bookmarkad.jpg
Dr. Lorri
Mar 24, 2009
I had the pleasure to meet and photograph Dr. Lorri. She was such a treat! What a beautiful woman, inside and out. She has written a book called, "The Authentic Life" and from what I witnessed she is living authentically and loving every minute of it. She was a joy to work with and her jack russell stole my heart. Oscar is the cutest dog and watching them interact made my job easy. I will be buying a copy of her book when it comes out.
It is so nice to be around someone who is so calm and peaceful. She was quick with a smile and a laugh but clearly not trying to be someone that she is not. This woman has a LOT going on but she was able to be present in our moments together, in a way that is rare. I learned a lot just by spending time with her. Dr. Lorri is some one special!
A Fun Saturday
Mar 22, 2009
I was never into trains. I didn't know anything about them and honestly I didn't care too. But love has changed that. When the Doctor's handed me a beautiful baby boy, everything changed. In a split second, and I honestly had no idea.Now I spend my days driving around looking for construction sites, so that my little Bob-the-Builder can watch the front end loaders and concrete mixers. And if there is an excavator that is a major bonus. Well, yesterday morning Kai and I went on a little field trip to the Lomita Railroad Museum. It does something to me to watch his eyes light up and a huge smile bust out. He was pretty excited about the trains, and that made me excited about the trains. :)
I just wanted to share a few pictures of my little conductor.
A real Problem
Mar 21, 2009
It has been a year and a half of Trav working on his Masters and I have been meaning to post a picture like this since the beginning. This is the type of problem that he has to deal with. YUCK! In the past year, Trav has done pages and pages and books and books of this type of crap. So it is official, He is WAY smarter than me. WAY!I couldn't complete or figure out a single equation. So my hat is off to my cute and smart husband. But I miss him and I can't wait till this program is completed. Just 6 more months to go and then it will be time to party. And that is an equation I am happy to solve.
About Me, Kat
I have always been drawn to the camera. Photography is such an interesting blend of technical know how and capturing heart felt emotion.
The challenge is to flawlessly do both, in a split second before the moment passes.
Everyday and every moment is an opportunity to learn to live and shoot better.