6 Little Known Facts About KATIE

OK Julie here you go.....

1. I don't like to swim in ANY body of water alone (including swimming pools) for fear of a shark or alligator attack.

I guess growing up in Florida where they tell you that an alligator can hide in 2 feet of water helped to produce that fear. I would ALWAYS check Grandmommy and Granddaddy's pool quite thoroughly before actually diving in and if there were no sharks or gators then I would get in.

2. I hate when people have belt loops on their pants and don't wear a belt.

I think you can classify this as an OCD problem. I don't know why but it really bothers me when people don't wear belts. Its not even a fashion issue for me. It just really bugs me. I HATED not being able to wear a belt when I was pregnant.

3. I have never had a Big Mac

I don't know why. I guess 2 all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun just never sounded appealing to me. However, at this point in my life I refuse to eat one just for the sake of saying I've never had one.

4. The first theatrical production I was in was The Three Little Pigs.

And I have loved the theatre ever since. I was the mother pig in my Kindergarden play and even had a solo that I had to sing. That was the first of 14 stage productions I have been in. Thanks to my mom and dad for my appreciation of the theatre.

5. I have been to 31 of the 50 US States. (And D.C.)

My family always drove if we were going somewhere because with 9 people driving is cheaper. I LOVED all of our family roadtrips. We always got to see so many cool things. My favorite was the roadtrip Kimmy and I took and we made a stop in Palmyra. It was such an awesome experience. Ohio is the only state that I've only been in the airport for a layover. (but I still count it.)

6. Mary Poppins is one of my ALL TIME favorite movies.

I have loved Mary Poppins since I was little. I remember, before I was old enough to go to school, my dad was home with me during the day and we would watch Mary Poppins together. Sometimes I would try and snap my fingers to see if my toys would put themselves away. I would also stand with my feet just like hers and talk to the end of my umbrella. Strange I know, but at least I had a good imagination.

Now that I have finished this, it took me FOREVER to think of 6 things, I challenge anyone who has the time to think of 6 things about them and post it. Its kinda fun if you have the time.

Hope everyone is well! ~LOVE YA~

Thoughts on Parenting

This is in response to Jess' question in her "One day at a time" blog...

Being a parent is such a wonderful thing but it sure is scary at times. I haven't been a parent very long but one of my biggest fears is that I won't teach Cayden enough. The other night he was upset and I was singing "Love is Spoken Here" to him. As I was singing I started crying because I want him to be able to hear that song and think "my home really is just like that." Along with what we teach him I want him to know that, most importantly, he is loved. I am most grateful to have such a wonderful husband who honors his priesthood so that we can have it in our home. I never want Cayden to feel he needs to question the things that we teach him.

I'm thankful that I have parents who taught me all they knew so that I can go on and share that knowledge with my kids. What a blessing it is to be able to take someone so small and start teaching him, now, the things that I know. I don't know how much he understands but I don't want to miss any opportunities to teach and talk to him.

I feel so blessed to be able to be a mom. (especially the mom of such a cutie)

BRRRRRRR!!!!!

We have been freezing our tails off these past few days with below zero wind chill. But we have been doing our best to stay warm. With nice hot soup and lots of hot chocolate we have done pretty well.

Cayden was even able to use his super warm jumpsuit. Its still a little big.

Lots of naps keep us warm too. He thinks he's a Charlie's Angel. I think he's just a little angel.

Cayden and Spencer (his cousin) are already becoming the best of friends. Aren't they CUTE?!?!?!?!?!

Granddaddy loves playing with Cayden (even when he is cranky)

Six weeks old and just as happy as ever. Cayden is growing big and strong. He is enjoying his days with his Grandmommy and always smiles at me when I get off work and pick him up. Its still hard for me to leave him but at least I know he is with someone who loves him and will take good care of him.

We hope everyone is doing well!!! LOVE TO ALL!!!

Cayden's Blessing

We had a wonderful weekend. On Sunday we had the opportunity to bless Cayden at church. Jared gave him such a beautiful blessing and the spirit was so strong throughout the whole meeting. I won't give all the details because I'm sure you all have already read Julie's blog and she took care of giving every detail of the whole weekend. So, I'll just post some pics from our weekend and won't bore you with telling you again.

Proud Daddy!

Proud Mommy!
Me, Mom, and Daddy

"Are they twins?" (Grandma B.)

"Is that a doll?" (Grandma B.)

Cayden did get pretty sleepy but...

he had a GREAT day!!!

Jared and I are still doing great. Jared started back to school today and I went back to work. I was supposed to go back yesterday but called in sick. I just couldn't leave Cayden. Then I cried all the way to work this morning and fought off tears all day. I just wanted to be home with him. I don't understand women who look forward to returning to work. Anyway, We hope all is well with everyone. Special thanks to mom and Jess and Jayson for being here to share the weekend with us. We wish everyone could have come but we understand reasons for not being able to make it.

Hope everyone has a GREAT week!!!!

LOVE TO ALL!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I just can't get over how fast time goes by. It seems like just yesterday I was packing my bag to go to the hospital and now almost 4 weeks have passed.

I want to start by wishing everyone a very Happy New Year. I hope 2008 brings many new adventures and exciting times. I also hope it is a year of many rich blessings and lots of love.

Jared, Cayden and I are doing GREAT! Jared and I love to just sit and watch Cayden. Its so much fun being a parent. Jared has been an AMAZING help to me. He is making sure I get enough sleep and takes Cayden for me when I' m not. We tag team in the middle if the night when Cayden wakes up every 2 hours. Hopefully he will start sleeping for longer periods of time.

Since all Cayden really does is sleep we thought it would be fun to post some of his favorite sleeping positions....

Our Christmas was wonderful! We spent the morning, just the 3 of us, at home. Jared and I combined our traditional Christmas breakfasts and had scrambled eggs, cinnamon rolls, and oatmeal. It was quite the filling breakfast. After opening our gifts and stockings we went to my mom and dad's house for more presents and then dinner. It was the perfect Christmas day.

We spent New Year's eve at my parents house as well. Just hanging out and playing games was the plan for the evening. We had a great time and even stayed awake enough to watch the ball drop. We got home about 12:30 and then Jared left to go and clean up after the youth dance. I couldn't believe that he was asked to just go out and clean up. Especially because the building it was at is about 30 mins. from home. But Jared being the great person that he is did it without complaining. He made it home safely so I was grateful for that.

Jared has actually had time off of work which is SO nice. We have enjoyed spending the last week together. It has been spent sleeping, shopping and just hanging out. Jared's boss is very generous when it comes to giving a Christmas bonus and this year we were able to buy a washer and dryer as well as a dining table. It finally feels like we are living in an actual home rather than a broke newly wed home.

Sadly Jared must return to work tomorrow so our fun is over. But you can't live if you don't work so it's back to the grinding stone for both of us. I have to go back to work on the 7th which will be hard but with Jared still in school I have no other option. Thankfully my mom has offered to watch Cayden for us during the day. It will be hard to leave him but at least he will be with someone who loves him and someone we trust.

Well, we hope everyone has enjoyed their holidays. Good luck in the new year! We love you all!!

Here's to a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!