The Zoo
May 28, 2008
We went to the zoo a week or so ago and I have been meaning to post just a few pictures. It was kinda surreal to be there with my son. I am still coming to the realization that I am a Mom. I know it has been 18 months but they have been the fast 18 months of my life.Those giraffes were showing me there butts. I don't think they wanted their picture taken.
I don't know if it is just me, but seeing these 2 together melts my heart. They are so much fun to be around. That was the look on Kai's face when he finally got to see the Elephants. He was pretty excited.
I guess I am a rechargeable battery...
May 27, 2008
It was much needed, more than I realized. I needed to recharge my batteries. I guess it is good to know that at least I am rechargeable, because a few days ago I would have told you that I just need to get new batteries all together. But a few days without all the busy-iness, to put the fast paced I-N-G living down for a little bit. No running, no stressing, no go go going! Instead the I-N-G's were relaxing, sleeping, just being (together), and lov-ING it! I didn't know how tired I was...until I woke up from a LONG nap. When I asked Trav how long I had been asleep, he said "A Few Hours!" Wow! It has been a while since I did that. So it was a restFULL weekend and I really did enjoy it.Being that it was Memorial Day weekend, I had the privildege to spend time with a few of my favorite people that serve time in the Air Force. We got to spend time with our good friends the Walters. It was really nice to have sometime to let the boys run crazy and enjoy the sunshine. They just recently added Christian to the family, so I am impressed with how much they have been doing. They make kid #2 look do-able. Hmmmmmm I am just saying that it looks possible, I am not saying any more than that :)
Look who I got to see ALL weekend! It was GREAT to get to spend that much time with my sweet husband. He did so much and was such a HUGE helper but I have to say one of the sweetest moments was when Trav went to get him out of his crib in the morning and Kai said, "Hi Daddy, Daddy Home!! Yeah!!" It made me smile and cry at the same time... Kai LOVES his Daddy! and I don't blame him!
Here are a few shots of Kai playing around the house :)
Here are the adults playing on the slackline at the Park:
It is kinda like a tight rope and it is pretty hard.
We hung out while the boys played.
Max is just 24 (or so) hours older than Kai. We were all in the hospital together when the boys were born. And watching the boys grow and play together has been pretty incredible. Now it is just fun to watch them to see what they might get into.
Then a few pictures of the Walter Crew
and a final parting shot of Max! He is SO Fun!
A Man in Uniform
May 22, 2008
He's just so cute in his fancy uniform, that I want to share a few pictures. But, before I share them I have to say that I LOVE my husband! He has been working so hard and I am really proud of him. He has been working non-stop around the clock and he has had a good attitude about it. I just think that he is brilliant and he looks pretty hot in his uniform. I am very fortunate and gr8phul that he is my husband and such a GREAT Dad. Travis has a heart of gold, and I learn more from him every day.Oh, I guess I should explain why I keep talking about him in his uniform. We had a "Dining Out" for his GPS division from work. It was held on the Queen Mary Ship down in Long Beach and was a formal event. It was a nice dinner and dancing with all the people he serves with. I met some interesting people and I walked away feeling very patriotic and wanting to support our troops. It is amazing the sacrifices that they make. I applaud them!
This picture was taken by Trav's Boss Colonel David Hoff and he knows his way around a camera. He clearly was a man of many talents.
20 months total
May 17, 2008
It has been my pleasure to document the beginning stages of life of Ryan and Sophie, they are 10 months old. Their parents Erin and Pete are friends of ours and we have been able to follow the birth, growth and development of both of the twins. I remember when they were still in the hospital NICU needing to gain weight before they could come home. Now a days they are happy, healthy and active little children. Erin and Pete wanted to do some more pictures before they were crawling, but by the time the date came Ryan had already learned the skills. They keep there parents busy, but also happy. Erin just beams when she is holding them, you can see and feel the joy. 
Newest Inductee
May 16, 2008
As of today I have been inducted into a club that I never wanted to be in. If you were at Whole Foods an hour ago, you would have seen my child throw a tantrum like none other. If I were to name the Club right now I might drop a few explitives, so the club shall remain nameless. I was that woman who was trying desperately to hang in there and use my best kindergarten teacher voice to naviagate the experience. It wasn't easy, mind you. He was kicking, screaming, hitting, crying, and hanging limp (so that it made it harder to pick him up). So, in order to not make threats and not follow thru, I had to cut my shopping trip short. Which means that it is not off my To Do list and I will have to journey back there (show my face again) next week. Ugggghhhhh, I think I just earned Mother's Day for next year. I could hang it up for the next 300 and some days and I would still deserve every bit of Mother's Day 2009.I now know what it feels like to be in that position. It was even harder than it looked. I felt more vunerable than I would have ever thought. I felt like every person that saw Kai's "display" was judging my reaction. What a crazy experience. But, Motherhood is my job and I take it very seriously, so hopefully I learned some skill that will better prepare me for the next time, because undoubtly there will be a next time. O Joy!
Well here are a few pictures of a woman that I think of in trying moments like what I experienced today. My friend Annie is a poster child for Motherhood. She wears a smile no matter the situation and she can always find the positive in it all. She has 3 girls and she works non-stop, with a smile. She has encouraged me to my core and it has meant the world to me. I will be calling her soon to get advice about how to handle tantrums :)
Here she is with her 2nd little girl Jacqueline.
Praise God that he has put so MANY Awesome Mom's in my path, to draw strength, advice and wisdom... and to have a glass of wine with, once the little one's go to bed :)
Just Because...
May 14, 2008
New Blog, New Hair, so New Pictures!
May 12, 2008
A few months ago, I cut off 12 inches of hair and every time that I saw a picture with my "old hair" I mourned the loss over again. It sounds silly, but I had that hair style (or lack-there-of) for almost 10 years. So the new hair is a drastic change for me. But I didn't want to turn into a frumpy Mommy, so out came the scissors. Sorry, enough about my hair, time to move on.Well, my friend, an amazing photographer, Molly of Luminaire Images helped me get comfortable with my new look. We enjoyed a fun afternoon down in Long Beach and afterwards she took some pictures of me :) Thanks Molly! Whenever Molly and I get together, it means that we are going to do a lot of laughing; I think the pictures reflect that.
Happy Mother's Day
May 7, 2008
I never really got it before. The importance of Mother's Day. Don't get me wrong, I knew to say thanks and be gr8phul for ALL that my Mom has done for me, BUT I didn't know exactly what I was saying thank you for. The !CRAZY! years that we don't even remember...the "little person years"So this Mother's Day I want to specificly Thank My Mom, for every diaper change, sleepless nights, patience during all the temper tantums, wiping my runny nose, washing all my dishes, dealing with the laundry, cleaning up my messes, kissing and covering every boo boo, coming up with new and creative ways to entertain me, thinking of me before thinking of herself. And after ALL that, still WANTING to do more.
My Mom is not perfect, no Mom is, but that is part of her charm. She taught me through her mistakes and tough days, she has taught me when her grace was under fire, she has taught me when she didn't know that I was paying attention. My Mom has grown to be one of my sweetest and dearest friends and I love her to pieces. My eyes well up with tears when I think of how much I love her, how impressed with her I am. My Mom has ALWAYS stood beside me, even when I was being a brat. That is Love.
So, to My Mom and all the other women to give life to the word Mother. I hope you have a special day! Moms rock!
Today marks a Year
Today gives me so many more reasons to be gr8phul, but also to be sad. Today is the 1st Anniversary of Alese Coco's passing. She fought a long and hard battle with Hodgkin's disease. Alese used her life in such a powerful way, that a year after her death, she is still able to motivate, encourage and inspire. She and her family have touched people in such a deep way, that you feel the touch of God through them I really mean that). They have started the Fight 2 Win Organization, to help raise money and awareness for Hodgkin's Lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin's disease. They have worked so hard to put this organization together and I have never heard them complain about it. Here is the website, www.fight2win.org/private.
Cathy Coco is one of the most remarkable women that I have known in my lifetime. When I first met her I knew that she had just lost her daughter and my heart ached for her, for her family, and for their loss. I have loved and lost someone, but I can't imagine loosing a child. Everytime that I have had the priviledge to talk with Cathy, I walk away so encouraged and lifted up. Cathy and her family are so gr8phul, even in the face of such a huge loss. Gr8phul! They exude gr8phulness and that amazes me. Not fakey grattitude, but deep and sincere grattitude. That is a hard choice for a heart to make when hurting so bad.
If you have a moment today, please pray for them. Pray for the Fight 2 Win organization and God's plan and purpose through it all. Also, please treat yourself to Alese's Blog/Journal. She fought her battle bravely and with intense faith, and honesty, I for one, am humbled by her amazing spirit and I have such hope that God's purpose will be fullfilled.
Philip and Kelly's Big Event
May 5, 2008
Philip and Kelly are perfectly matched, but then again, God is a pretty AWESOME match maker. Kelly has been all around the world, literally, but she meet her prince back on her home turf. He is a helicopter pilot for the Air Force and she has been an International Missionary for years.
They had a beautiful and regal wedding at the Air Force Academy Chapel, along with sabor bearers and military dress, the whole 9 yards. She looked like a princess straight out of a fairy tale. Her dress was designed by her talented sister Abi Ferrin.
They were surrounded by so many that love them as they took that FAITH-full step, to pledge their forevers to one another. They are moving to Japan in a few months to serve our country oversea, I can't think of people that would be better suited to represent our country.
Thank you Kelly and Philip for allowing me to spend such a special day with you. I wish you ALL of God's blessing on your lives and on your marriage!
I have to say that watching Gene Ferrin love on his little girl, turns my heart to mush. Somehow Kelly is able to be a woman that he respects dearly and still ,somehow, she is still his little princess of days gone by. He was so heart felt and emotional the whole day, I was blessed and touched by a man who loved his daughter more than he loves himself.
A Day in Zion
May 3, 2008
So, Tom and Erica have returned form there AWESOME honeymoon to Costa Rica, that Tom surprised Erica with :) I have been thinking about them a lot and looking at them a bunch, while working thru their pictures, and I decided to share a few more from their memorable day.
They are such a perfectly matched pair. They are going to have so much fun together in this life. Who knows what adventures they have ahead of them.
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.