Summer. Kate's 21 months old. Life. God's goodness.

Well, since my last post (in March) so much has gone on! I have lots to update on so I'm going to do it in list form and expand as needed.

Kate
Kate had an ear infection that resulted in having surgery to have tubes put in. A few ENT visits and one hospital visit, she's been ear infection free since the surgery! Praise the Lord! Her speech has improved tremendously, as well as her balance and appetite.
Kate's had a few more teeth come in... hang on let me count... OUCH! (just kidding, she's napping) 16! So the last 2 that came in are still working their way in (it's a slow process), but she's handling it well. After this it will be time for 2 year molars!
Kate's skin issues have been so great! We've found a diaper that works miracles for her severe eczema and that's Seventh Generation brand. I can't sing enough praises about this brand! Other than them being sold in limited stores, I can't make one complaint! They are amazing!

Hank
Hank's job is going well.
Hank's been approved for a scholarship for school which pays 100% of tuition!
Hank's waiting on his acceptance letter to start his Masters in just a few weeks!
Hank will be 30 on September 4th!
Hank's also excited to be in a wedding for a life long friend in October.
Hank's also excited about college football starting back up! Please be in prayer for him as he has not been in school with a child yet and that will obviously present new challenges! He will be working full time, in school full time and a husband/father full time! Not an easy thing to do!

Allison
I actually got news shortly after my last post that there was no longer a position for me at the preschool that I was hoping to teach at this coming school year. So I cried (a lot), but knew God had a plan. So I just waited and prayed that the Lord would work it out somehow. Well, He did and I just got news a couple weeks ago that Kate and I both can start in September! Kate will be a Butterfly and I will be a Penguin (right across the hall from Kate)! 3 days a week, with 3 year olds as an assistant to a great friend of mine. He couldn't have worked it out any better! I'm so amazed!
I'm busy planning Hank and Kate's birthday's!
Other than that, and the fact that I'll be 28 this month, things are great!

Thank's so much for the support, prayers, encouragement, etc. We are a super blessed family! I will leave you with pictures, as always.

Grammy and Kate

Playing in the pool at Uncle Boola's house

Granddaddy Moody

meeting new baby cousin Landon for the first time

July 4th parade in Wake Forest

July 4th parade

"picnic" while watching the Olympics

Kate and her "bay-by"

She didn't quite grasp the concept of fort :)

Still her favorite spot <3

pig tails

what it is?

have to have a cute sleeping picture

cheese!

so precious <3

cheese!

16 months. A little girl. A toddler.

 OH my, I can't believe how long it's been since I wrote on the blog! I'm sooooo sorry! Kate is now 16 months old. She's no longer a baby. She's walking, trying to talk, testing her boundaries (and my patience), playing, loving, and is THE. BEST. BABY. GIRL. EVER! Without a doubt! Have I said she's no longer a baby? I can't believe how fast she's growing. It's really incredible and such a gift from the Lord to be able to watch her grow and teach her new things. She is definitely a sponge and soaking everything up. I have a pack and play set up in our room so when I shower and get dressed she can play (contained) and she loves to just stand there and watch me. One time I looked over while I was drying my hair and using my hand to run my fingers through my hair and she was running her fingers through her hair. My heart melted. I proceeded to pick up my brush and use it and I looked over at her and she was brushing her hair with the brush she keeps in her pack and play. PRECIOUS! She LOVES to give kisses to anybody that will take them (we are working on this! ha). She will obey (most of the time) and continues to exceed our expectations. She's been trying to shake an ear infection for a few weeks now and is hopefully on the mend, but you wouldn't know it. She's such a great girl! She's just recently taken an interest in tickling. She'll even say her version of "tickle, tickle, tickle" while she does it. I'm really trying to soak up the little moments. I thank the Lord for blessing me with this beautiful baby girl. I'm learning so much about myself and my relationship with the Lord. Being a mom is not easy. In fact, it's the hardest thing I've ever loved. For sure. It's stressful and challenging every single day, but I wouldn't have it any other way. The Lord continues to reveal Himself to me through Kate and through the daily challenges of staying home. It's not easy, but so rewarding. I'm so proud of Kate, but her being as good as she is has nothing to do with me. She'd be crazy if it was me! The Lord gives me patience, wisdom, and strength to care for her the way that He has called me to. I've really enjoyed staying home with Kate for these past 16 months. For those of you that don't know, before I had Kate I taught 3 year olds at the preschool at our church. I was a teacher one year and assistant for 2. Aside from being a Mom, it's my favorite job in the world. I love my 3 year olds and co-workers and have missed being there so much. Since being pregnant with Kate our intentions were for me to go back and take Kate with me. So after a long wait, it's finally time to begin preparations for going back! I'm so excited about it and I can't wait for Kate to learn to love this place and women like I do. It's going to be so great for her to be able to be there and learn to interact with other kids and anything else that her magnificent teachers will teach her. I absolutely cannot wait to be back! I've missed it so much. Have I mentioned I love it there and I've missed it? AGH! So in September Kate will be a Butterfly and I will be some other animal. :) I don't care what, but I just know it's going to be GREAT!
Well, I've talked enough. I'll post some pics from the past few months.

14 months

16 months

First hair cut (15 months old)

Ear infection

First balloon

Favorite spot

First pig tails

Kate's "lovie"

Springtime!

matching toes :)

Easter basket from Joy

building with Mama and Dada