A Journey to Purity

Summing Up The Summer

2010-08-06T12:10:00.001-05:00

My summer has flown by so fast this year, like every other year. I was able to get a lot done this summer. Most of it including, cleaning out rooms, closets and organizing. I have also been able to read, tan, swim and read some more!

The middle of July my sisters and I went to a dance camp at Oak Hills for the week!

Getting ready before the performance

(Gangsters) the oldest girls, got the hip-hop dance

Friends... :)

Courtney and me

A bunch of girls... :P

The Performances

July 3rd we went to the Rodeo with some freinds! =) It was awesome!!!

They blow off some pretty awesome fireworks after the rodeo

Graham and I even did some dancing afterwords.
They had live music and a dance floor

July 4th, we went over to the Lee's house with Ryan!
Group picture of us older kids

The Beach! =) I went to the beach last week with freinds and spent the whole day there!

Lord willing we are going to Rockport right before school starts.

Much love,
Kathryn~

Personal: No School+Shopping=Summer Fun!

2010-06-07T21:02:00.002-05:00

Because I was working I was not able to get Grace a gift for her birthday, so instead I took her shopping! Grace's and I favorite place to go shopping is La Cantera! It it is an outdoor shopping mall, you can walk to all you favorite stores and get a tan all at the same time! =) We went to all our favorite stores, including Barnes and Noble. For Grace's birthday, she got a gift card and we got coffee instead of books! lol

We did not take the whole day to go shopping as planned, we had a late starting and then we ran off to see a movie with our parents after words. I had a fantastic day shopping with my sister! =) We found some cute dresses and tops for the summer! Looking forward to doing it again!

Sitting down at a little table under a tree, drinking our coffee we split =)

A few days earlier for Grace's birthday, she got her ears pieced! Our family rule is when you turn 13 you can get your ears pieced if you wish.

Truman still thinks when he turns 13, he is going to get his pieced... Poor Truman, it's just not going to happen buddy!

My kind of drink!!

With Love,

Kathryn

I Feel like a Roller Coaster

2010-05-17T13:30:00.002-05:00

   I feel like a roller coaster, riding up, down and back up again until finally it comes racing back down the tracks. Sometimes it feels like the roller coaster is never going to stop.

   I feel like that Roller Coaster, never stopping for a breath, still screaming and raising my hands high in the air, yelling, STOP! I want to get off this crazy roller coaster ride! (I really don't like' em) all I can handle is a ferris wheel. :)

   This past week I have been working on finishing up school for the year, I still have a test and a power point I need to finish. Besides that I am done with school. I need to take this moment in, YES!!! I am finally done! I love school and learning new things I never knew before, but I am now ready for a nice Summer break. I am hoping to make it to the beach a couple times this Summer. I love going to the beach with my family or friends.

My thoughts, wishes and prayers
Kathryn~

Personal: Happy Birthday Grace!

2010-05-14T21:02:00.002-05:00

Today, ladies and gentlemen, is my sister's 13th birthday!

Grace and I are almost 3 years apart. We are sister's by birth and best freinds by choose! Grace is my best friend and will be forever. Even through there is a little age difference between us, we get along like nobody you have ever seen. (most of the time) :) Grace, you are my best friend and will be forever! I love you!

My thoughts, wishes and prayers

Kathryn~

Personal: Freinds+Horses+Swimming=Camp-out

2010-05-13T15:03:00.000-05:00

Last Friday and Saturday, I convinced my parents to take us kids to the co-op camp-out. It was not easy to convince my dad to leave his nice bed at home, but they finally broke and we were ready to camp-out at Rockin B' Ranch. Our co-op has a camp-out every year but we did not have one last year because of the Texas drought. :(

Friday night we had a pock-luck dinner with everyone. After eating, we all set up our tents in the dark. There were a few smart people that set up before dinner, but it was not us... :P My parents shared a tent with Truman and Joelle that had air mattress (not fair) and Grace and I were off with our freinds. Sadly us older girls, were not too smart and set up our tent at the very end next to a huge field. Tying to sleep that's what I kept thinking about, snakes, spiders you know all the scary animals in the wild. But it was so awesome all the same! I wish I could tell you, that I got sleep that night, but I would be lying. But it was still so much fun, I had a blast with all my freinds that night. Laying down and looking up at the pitch black sky at all the millions of stars was so relaxing.

The next morning I woke up to voices outside our tent. Yes, that means I did get some sleep! That day, I was able to ride horses on the tail, which was so amazing! I love horses, they are amazing animals! There was also a river, where a bunch of people were swimming, boating and fishing.

I was not able to take as many pictures as I wanted to, but I took a few of Pistol Packin' Paula. http://www.pistolpackinpaula.com/allaboutpaula.asp

This lady was crazy with her tricks

Something not to do at home children...

She was crazy good with her bull whip...

Hows the weather up there?

My thoughts, Wishes and Prayers
Kathryn~

School+Cleaning+Organizing=Work

2010-05-10T18:18:00.002-05:00

Only a little longer...

I keep telling myself I need to post for you all. Then I don't do it... I have been trying to focus on school and homework. You know, the normal every day to-do list. Only one week left!!! Yes, I am so happy, I have already started my to-do list for the Summer. It says things like, finish painting desk, shorten skirt, finish reading one book that is not on the school list and all the other projects I wanted to start during school. I know Summer always goes so fast: it's like you blink your eye and you're back to school.

Reading in black and white

I love stealing ideas from the Pottery Barn catalog. They have so many great ideas about organizing and decorating, even though I can not afford to buy from them unless I shop at the San Marcos outlet. I still love getting ideas from them.

More, more and more... You can never stop cleaning and organizing your life.

The new CAbi room. Before and after cleaning it out. :)

Sorry for the delay in updating these pictures.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Cleaning and organizing in my room

Cleaning out the beads...

The bins that were in the CAbi room were moved into Grace's and my room/closet. I got rid of at least twelve bead boxes.

Kept my school books, note books, beads, and scissors on the top shelf to keep handy.

Camera, shoes, purses, nail polish, books, Grace's school books etc on the bins below

I have been thinking over this verse.. Ephesians 2:8-9

What I found on the roof -

DUCKS!!

I was watching a movie with my family. I grabbed a bag of chips to eat and found this heart sharped chip! I was so excited that I had to take a picture. :)

Who's ready for a game of Scrabble?

Planting flowers

My thoughts, wishes and prayers
Kathryn~

The Phantom of the Opera+Music of the Night=Prom 2010

2010-04-28T19:46:00.002-05:00

This year, the prom theme was "The Phantom of the Opera, Music of the Night 2010!"

Every year the Friday co-op hosts a prom for the Junior and Senior home-schoolers. My brothers have gone in the past years and invited me to join them this year. If you are not a Junior or a Senior you need to be asked to the prom as a guest. They will also allow you to come back after graduation.

This year, I had a bunch of freinds who joined us. I went with Graham and Rachel and Kayla went with Joseph. I was not able to get any pictures of Joseph and Kayla because they left early.

After coming home from school (co-op) Friday, Rachel and I started getting ready. Remember it's the hair that takes forever for these things, especially if you are putting it up as we did. Rachel rocks at curling her own hair and was curling away as my mom was curling, twisting, straightening, and putting lots of hair spray in mine. My mother rocks at doing hair! She is really amazing. She has always been so good at cutting, coloring hair and up-dos! My head of hair is the not easiest hair to work with because it is so long and thick, but it all worked out in the end.

Of course the guys did not start getting ready until 20 minutes before we left, which they loved rubbing in to the girls. After our hair was done we throw some make-up on and slipped on the dress and heels and were ready to take some pictures. We took some pictures with my camera before we left and I brought my moms camera with us.

My family surprised me with getting me flowers, a very beautiful corsage! It was so pretty, and I was very happy and thankful.

Dad putting it on me:

Graham and Rachel

Rachel, you looked so beautiful! You did a marvelous job on your dress, hair and jewelry! Everything looked *fantastic* :)

We left a little early to grab some dinner on the way even through they do have a very nice dinner there...The first stop we to pick up Rachel's flowers which she did not know about... I did not tell her, I promise! ;)

Graham parked into the Whole Foods parking lot and Rachel and I look at each other like there is no way we are going into the store all dressed up like this right after I said it would be so much fun to do something random in a prom dress like go bowling, golfing or something. :) Even swimming, of course if you went swimming you would need to go after the prom so you do not ruin everything. But, in the end we all went in any way. The first person we saw was an old lady, I have seen a lot of things in my life, but I have never seen an old ladies teeth about to fall out.

This one lady came up to us and said,"Now that's what I call dressing up to go shopping!" Haha When Graham mentioned to the lady which one do you think is prettier? I just about smacked Graham, of course Rachel! But the lady came back with a very nice reply. When we got into the car and drove across the way, or other there yonder, how my cousins like to say it, to J. Alexanders which is one of our favorite places to eat but never get to go. Normally we go as a family and have to wait at least 45 minutes but this time the three of us walked right in and got a table. We all split a steak and potatoes. It was so amazing, as I do not even have words to describe.

When we arrived we found Ryan and Courtney sitting at one of the tables and joined them. Joseph, Kayla and a bunch of our freinds from co-op were late because they all went out to dinner together and got lost or something... But they made it in time for the dancing! :)

Ryan and Joseph (Best freinds) My brothers

Joseph and Kayla
Yeah, as you can see us girls were having problems pinning the flowers on the guys... But we fixed Joseph's at the end of the night with more bobby pins they had in the bathroom. (Thanks to Rachel)

Joseph and Kayla dancing

We went outside to get some air mid way through the night

Nissi and I

Bella and Alex

Kayla and I

Beautiful red roses on the table

Think of Me

We stayed stayed until they played the last song, "Boom Boom Pow." We left at abour 1am and it started to rain right when we got into the car, it was perfect timing. The rain waited until after prom but it was great because it cooled us down after being so hot from dancing all night. The Lord has amazing timing!

On the drive home we stopped at Whataburger to get a shake and fries. :)

All I remember when we got home was:

Home-Wash Face-Bed- Sleep-ZZzzzzz

My thoughts, wishes and prayers
Kathryn~

Rain+Dresses+Phone Dying=Real Life

2010-04-19T00:52:00.004-05:00

Rain, rain, rain and more rain...

I woke up yesterday to lightening, thunder, the house shaking and the power out. Besides the part about the house shaking it was nice not having power for a few hours. I was able to get some reading in, family time, homework and was thankful when the power was back.

You do not think about it, but when you don't have these things (internet, phones, basically the power) you are so thankful when you do have it.

Did I mention I was going to prom this year?

Well, I am! :)

      This past month I have been shopping, looking and looking for the perfect dress and shoes, that will not brake my bank.

     I was finally able to find a dress that fits my personalty with the help of my family.
Yes, I did say my family. I am one of those people who needs second, thirds, fourths... Basically my whole family to help me make up my mind.
I would go shopping, try on the dresses I liked then take pictures of them with the handy dandy camera phone and send them to my brothers to make sure they liked it. Which was also my mother's phone since my camera phone is dead...

     Yes, if you have tired calling me in the last couple months, I am sorry but my phone decided to die on me and will only text... But I can live with that, for now.

     Anyway back to dresses

     This past week I was able to pick the dress back up from having it shortened. Yes, as you know I am short, and the dress was too long for me, even in heels! Crazy right?
I have to say, I am so excited to see all my girl freinds pretty dresses this weekend for prom. I know they all will look so beautiful... :)

What Truman and I made the other day!

Kathryn~

Spring Cleaning+Organizing

2010-04-14T15:02:00.001-05:00

     I know, I am delayed in my 2010 new year cleaning and organizing, but I am finally posting.

Of course, I am always cleaning out and changing things around in my room and closet through out the year. I started really cleaning out my closet and room in Feb, you know the whole new year (clean out) cleanse. But I guess now you could call it my spring cleaning!

     I was so thankful when we moved into our house about seven years ago to get a walk-in closet. I liked it than but as I grow older I have learned to love it and thank the Lord for it. I do not know what I would do without it, I am blessed. I have been doing a bunch of organizing so I can't post everything but I will start with the closet.

     A few weeks ago Hobby Lobby http://www.hobbylobby.com was having one of their many sales on photo boxes 50% which got me thinking...

As most of you know I have a lot of hats, scarves and belts. I bought a bunch of photo boxes labeled them and slid them on my shelve in my closet.

This is what I ended up with:

I have loved them, my closet has been so much more organized and easier to keep clean now that the belts and hats are up in box's.

The best part is, it's so easy to find what your looking for, with the labels.

This is our nightstand...

Kathryn~

Part three+Last stop before home+Cousins=The Best Part!

2010-04-06T22:20:00.001-05:00

On the way home we stopped at the Glassman's house (our cousins) to spend the night and play a game of gulf. When we arrived and after I took a little nap we took a very refreshing walk to the park with Mrs. Glassman and Tyler. We went out to dinner together and drove home ready to play a good game a cards and eat M&Ms. =) We missed Eryn since she was out of town, so she owes us a trip down to Texas! :P

Yes, there is a story behind Joseph wearing a bib.... :P

I eat all the brown ones, than I start eating the red.
After that I am lost...

Jared (trying) to keep score...

I love this picture!!!!

Kathryn~

Part two+Chicago+Shopping+Uno's Pizza=Happiness

2010-04-01T16:08:00.004-06:00

Part two, shopping in Chicago: We planned one day out of the week to have fun as a family and drive down town in Chicago, mainly to eat at the famous Uno's Pizza where we ate pizza before we moved to Texas. Our parents remind us regularly that, "It is the best pizza you will ever eat!" When we visited Michigan before we were never able to go down town Chicago to eat the famous pizza, so this trip we made sure we had a day to go. Mother stayed behind with her brothers and the rest of us jumped in the car on St Patrick's day to drive down town. We listened to Irish music the whole way there and the way back, which was fantastic! I love Irish music, it's the best!

When we arrived, trying to find a parking space which by the way is (not easy in a suburban) in Chicago.
We all laughed when Joseph pointed out a white Ford Truck, when dad cut in saying "that's a work truck! Haha we all laughed... Yes, it's very hard to find a Truck in Chicago...

We finally found a big red sign that said, "PARKING $5" when dad went up to pay, the men asked how long we were staying, my dad replied immediately saying, "all day" "that will be $20," My dad looking up, "your sign said $5, he started to laugh and asked where are you all from?
(I guess the big suburban full of kids in the middle on the city gave something away.) My dad said: We have lived in Texas for 8 years but I lived here all my life. The man laughed and said if you found anything here for $5 you tell me about it, it's $5 for the first half hour...

I was not able to get a picture of the big red sign but here it another one I found that's green with all in info on it.

When we finally piled out of the car/truck we starting walking down the streets and noticed a lot of people dyed their hair green and couples wearing matching sweatshirts and scarfs. That was fun to see, I was kicking myself for not bringing my green silk scarf I got from my dad for Christmas. I had it packed, but needed to take it out for more room in my bag. :(

The girls and dad were all excited to go shopping, though guys were not so excited about that, even though I have taught them to go shopping with me they don't last long and don't enjoy it that much. The guys were ready to eat when we arrived, and it was still before noon. We stopped in a few shops on the way such as the Apple store for the guys and a few others for my dad then off to Uno's pizza!

These pictures of the Apple store do not do it justice... It was an incredible sight, as they have their own mini theater up the glass stairs for their ads and a glass window shaped like an apple.

Undo's Pizza

Good thing we brought cards to keep us busy while waiting for our pizza.
When you order they start cooking, one of the best things about it! =)

Go FISH!! =)

YUM! The pizza was so delicious! I crave it all the time now.

Back on the streets

Joelle was dying to stop in American Girl, so we stopped in and were there longer than we wanted but it was fun seeing the new store they moved into and how they changed it. It's amazing to me how much money American Girl can make by selling dolls. I was very impressed. They had a little town in the inside including the Bakery, Doll care and more.

At American Girl waiting for Joelle....

After American Girl Grace and I finally made it into the Mall where the guys were shopping or more like just walking around... :)

We stopped in Betsey Johnson! =)

And Hollister, my brothers favorite!
I love it, they don't have a sign above their store, it's really neat!

Can't forget about Forever 21
Forever 21 was two floors, very large rooms too! I don't think Grace and Joelle liked that very much since they were shopping with me, but I still loved looking around.

My favorite part of forever 21 is their accessories, they are cute and cheap!

Wow, a whole room full of just shoes, and mostly high heels too....
Love it! :P

After shopping, we got a little thirsty and really starting wanting a nice Dr. Pepper...I walked over to the cold drinks and found .... no Dr. Pepper... Oh well, water is perfect for me!!! =)

The building where my mom worked and my dad starting dating her... <3

The Cheesecake Factory!

All eight of us walking in, and ordered two chocolate cakes to split!

With whip CREAM on top!

There are no words to delight!!!

Before long it was gone...

Before long the guys got very tired of shopping, so we left a little earlier then planned but it was still fun. I gave them a hard time because I was waiting for Truman and Joelle to get tired way before us older kids did but it was opposite...

God Bless

Kathryn~

Part one+Michgian+Funeral

2010-03-29T20:33:00.003-06:00

     Part one from Michigan: Leaving at 3am in the morning I quickly fell asleep from a long day, I woke up around 6-7am when the sun was rising through the car windows. I was so thrilled when I woke up and found that I slept the whole night without waking up from being uncomfortable!

     Before we left: I had already put away my winter/fall clothing, I needed to get out my coat and scarfs getting ready for cooler weather up north. I was laughing because while I was packing it was a beautiful Spring day in Texas and I was wearing shorts, so it was a little strange to pack my warmer cloths. Thankfully it was beautiful weather in Michigan (most of the time)

     We arrived in Michigan around 1am and of course everyone was sleeping besides my cousin Grant, who visited us in Texas not too long ago in the Summer. He came down right before we went up for the summer. We all got are things to our rooms or were we were sleeping and got settled in and went to bed. (My favorite part) =) The next morning I woke up a little later then everyone else, but was up for breakfast. The children being my mom, David, Steve and Rusty were all getting ready making plans for the funeral.

H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

That night:
Aunt Ann, Aunt Mary and Aunt Julie cooking in the kitchen! =)

Rachel came to visit us while we were up there and came for dinner that night. =)

Grace and Jennifer
(Cousins)

Andrew, Mom and Joseph

Cooking in the kitchen. Aunt Ann is an amazing cook and did most of the cooking with help of the cousins and aunts!

Grant, Graham and Rachel

(Eating dinner) We set up three tables, one big one for the adults that "have had kids and are married" and the cousins ate at the other two tables.

I just had to get a picture of Andrew and Joseph doing the dishes in the kitchen. I was pretty amazed, and they did a fantastic job too. Joseph has always been so good at cleaning the kitchen and doing the dishes (his wife will love that)

After dinner we started playing a game of gulf which is our favorite card game!
Andrew giving me the "look"

The next day: The Funeral

Joelle, Laura, Steve in the back :P, Grace and Emily

Emily and Grace
(Cousins)

Joelle and Emily
(cousins)

Jared, Jyden, Mary and David

Granny's sister

My dads older brother and his wife
(My uncle and aunt)

The cousins went outside so we could take some pictures
Micheal, Joelle and Truman
(Cousins)

Grace, Courtney and Joseph

Courtney and Joseph <3

Grace and Courtney

Courtney and Emily

Sadly, Eryn could not make the funeral because she was in FL for soft ball! She is an amazing soft ball player, The BEST! We missed you so much Eryn! Hope you come down to Texas soon! =) We would love it!

The guy cousins
Grant, Jared, Graham, Andrew, Tyler, Joseph, Micheal, Truman and Micheal

I took this picture looking right through the sun but it was so cute of Courtney, I just loved it.

Mother passed the roses around...

After the funeral
Mom, and her old girl freinds

Laura and I wearing purple, because purple is the best! :)
I love you Laura!!! I really hope you all come down to visit us soon! =)

After much talking and meeting people, some of us cousins charged and walked down to the beach, it was a beautiful sight. The sun was setting directly behind the city of Chicago, it was BEAUTIFUL! I only wish that I could have brought my camera to get a picture of it... :(

Us cousins already changed in comfortable clothing... =)
I am so short compared to my guy cousins or pretty much all my cousins. :p

Misses Granny, we love you! I will always remember all the good times we had together and all the memories we have had. Love you Granny!

Part two is coming soon. I am sorry for the delay update...

Kathryn~

Life

2010-03-20T20:24:00.000-06:00

Last week, our family found out that our Grandma on my mom's side had died while food shopping with my aunt. She had just dropped to the floor in the store...

      When we heard the news we started planning to make the trip up to Michigan for the funeral. We left Sunday morning at 3am. A few of us were not able to get any sleep before we left, but thankfully the drivers all got sleep before we left. My dad started driving the first million hours (All night.) I was so tired from a very long day Saturday that I slept the whole night which normally is very hard for me to sleep in the car. I normally just stay up and keep the driver up in the middle of the night, but, Thank you Lord I was able to sleep!

     We just made it home today, but on the way home I was not able to get any sleep so I was so glad to get home early, even though I still have not gone to bed I have been too busy unpacking the car, unpacking my bags, and cleaning out my mother's ebay room. I took pictures that I will upload later, I am too tired to upload them now. But while I was organizing and cleaning I did fall asleep many times on the floor. =)

      On the drive home, I was using my brother's iPhone to check email, I also tired to blog for you all, but I was not able to without making a whole new blog which I really did not want to do. But if I figure it out later I will be able to do mobile updates.

     I will update for you all later with more details on the funeral, our trip and post many photos! My favorite part was going down town to Chicago and to my cousins house! If I had to choose it would be with my cousins! =) Okay, I am going to log off for now, I will update again soon with pictures and more information.

Here is a picture that was taken last summer of us kids with Granny. You can tell it was in the summer because we are all tan!

Kathryn~

Skating to the Phantom of the Opera

2010-02-23T10:54:00.002-06:00

Meryl Davis and Charlie White skating to the Phantom of the Opera was my favorite figure skating last night! It was fantastic! They both were perfect for the roll and pulled it off! Their outfits were also marvelous! This video sometimes cuts their feet off and can't keep up with them but it's the best one I could find...

Kathryn~

My first Sadie Hawkins Dance!

2010-02-21T16:23:00.002-06:00

My brothers and I went to the Sadie Hawkins Dance last night with our freinds and co-op! It was the first time I have been to a Sadie Hawkins Dance so I had a blast! If some of you don't know what the Sadie Hawkins is, it's a dance where the girl gets a change to ask the "guy" out or to dance! You can either dress up or dress down! But, as you know I always love to dress up!!! I asked my brother, Graham, to the dance and Kayla, asked Joseph so we all went together and met our freinds there. When we picked Kayla up, we took some pictures outside for memories.

Group picture and Kayla's younger sister! :)

Kayla did not get the memo (Black and White) lol :P
I LOVED YOUR DRESS KAYLA!!!!

Us girls
(Kayla and I)

Me and my DATE!!! A.K.A. My brother.... lol

I did not bring my camera inside the dance because I know I wanted to be dancing the whole time, as I did! :) I think all of us girls had fun asking the guys to dance instead of waiting forever and a day for them to ask you... lol :)

Kathryn~

Sweet-tooth

2010-02-16T19:32:00.002-06:00

Do you ever have a sweet tooth in the middle of the day while home or out shopping? I have a solution for it! Eat anything with chocolate in it! Stop at H-E-B for a big chocolate bar or if you are at home bake something!

Today, Grace and I both had sweet tooth's for chocolate so we grabbed some "Baker's unsweetened chocolate" and some "Jet-Puff".

This is what went on in the kitchen:

Grab some unsweetened baking chocolate squares

Some Jet-Puff
You also need sugar and butter... But grace had that in the pan before I could get a snap shot of it. :)

On the back of the jar there is a recipe (fantasy Fudge)

We did not have enough chocolate, so we got out our chocolate chips to add into it.

Cut the chocolate squares into small pieces (the smaller the better)

Add it into the butter and sugar...

When you are not paying attention, this is what happens... :P

Add the chocolate in the pan and put in the fridge to cool and harden.
The best part is you only need a little bit because it is so sweet....

I gave the left overs to Joelle and Truman and they ate the rest of the Jet-Puff....

I always love glass bottles, they are just fantastic! You can use them for so many different things. I took the glass jar washed it inside and out and let it dry. I normally take the labels off but this one I did not. (It's optional)

I am always looking for something to hang my earrings on, I normally use a candle but I noticed that the earrings started to get candle wax on them. (not good)

~finished product~

God Bless

Kathryn~

A Four Letter Word

2010-02-10T10:13:00.090-06:00

L-o-v-e?

"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in."
Author Unknown~

1-2-3-4 four letter word

     "What is love? Love is when one person knows all of your secrets... Your deepest, darkest, most dreadful secrets of which no one else in the world knows... and yet in the end, that one person does not think any less of you; even if the rest of the world does."
Author Unknown~

     What is love? Well, I am no expert... But us Americans we use the word so very lightly these days... What is love? I opened up Firefox, and typed a four letter word into Google, L-O-V-E. I wanted the definition of a four lettered word, love. It is sad to think of what people think love means today. Love is a very strong word we use very lightly its not a word you use on the whim.

I know I use the word "Love" all the time, about everything... I love my parents, brothers, sisters, freinds...I love the Lord with all my Heart!

My dad always sends his Valentine's letters to us in the mail...

This was mine for 2010

A few days ago, I was shopping with my dad in whole foods and I found a big heart shaped cookie. Oh, there are words to delight! :)

Me: "Dad! Come here, I found it, that's what I want for Valentine's day! It's perfect!" I also might have been jumping up and down but I don't remember... :P haha

Every year my dad always does something special for us girls on Valentine's day, and a few years ago he gave us cookies from whole foods (Their cookies are amazing!)

Dad, took us girls and Truman, to a Valentine's breakfast Saturday morning at a little place behind Whole Foods called the Sugar Bakers, It was so cute! My dad rarely takes us to the same place twice unless we ask him too. :) Whenever I go out for breakfast I always order eggs with hash browns! (Which is very rare) Grace and Joelle ordered silver dollar pancakes!

Quick group picture of us

But wait, that's not the best part!

After taking a stop at Starbucks, (even though I didn't get anything, mother shared with me) we went home. Sitting on the table was my big heart shaped cookie sitting at my place at the table. You can just imagine my delight in seeing that!!! :) I was still full from breakfast, so I saved the cookie for later but it was so good! Dad, had one for each of the girls and mother sitting on the table. He had it all planed even before I said I wanted it. :) Great minds think alike.

I hope you all had a fantastic Valentine's day with your family and loved one like I had!

My big heart shaped cookie I got from my dad for Valentine's day! I had to take a picture of it for memory shake. I loved it! :) It was so GOOD! Thanks Daddy!! I Love you!!!!

Later that day, my friend stopped by and brought us yummy cookies, which are gone by the way, :P and a slice of cheese cake! Yummy! I only had a bite or two because I was so full. She put little hearts on the brownie cookies. It looked really cute. Later that night us older kids watched "Love Happens"! We wanted to watch something that had to do with love or romance and love happens seemed like a pretty perfect movie to watch.

The Dewells are BACK!
If you are not jumping up and down like I am you should be. :P Last Wednesday, The Dewells moved back to Texas for 6 months. They stayed at our house a couple of days before they found a place to stay. They found one, pretty quick and moved in Friday or Saturday. I have not yet seen where they live because I was working when my family moved them in. We are all thrilled to have them back even though its just for a little while.

Sunday, Valentine's day, after church the Dewells came over to our house to eat, hang out and talk. Mom and Mrs. Dewell were in the kitchen making fish. Mother also had a chocolate cake ready for us after dinner which was amazing by the way. :) (They are both amazing cooks)

~Take the time to count how many times I used the word love... Granted it was the topic of the post, but it is still amazing to me how much we use that four letter word...

With love,

Kathryn's Photography

A morning well done!

2010-01-26T12:40:00.001-06:00

Waking up in the morning, ready to do school, but before you start your lovely homework you need *Food* and you just happen to have to best sister in the world that makes waffles every morning! :) This amazing sister is Grace! Yes, she is pretty fantastic! I am not a waffle person even though I love them, so I made an Omelet for myself. It was really good!

Kathryn~

Who wants cake?

2010-01-18T15:47:00.003-06:00

Who wants cake?

Last night, my dad and Joseph came home with a chocolate cake after watching the Vikings kill the Cowboys on TV. We only watched the very end, which was the best part because the Vikings won!

The cake my dad and Joseph brought home

Kathryn Joy~

Picking up my purple pen...

2010-01-14T13:38:00.005-06:00

Get cozy and comfortable. Make some hot chocolate or hot tea, lay back, relax and enjoy the ride.

Since I am back to picking up my pen and writing papers, studying, and working I am not sure how much I will be posting...Gasp!!! But no fear, keep stopping in from time to time and I might have a post for you now and than. But I have to give homework :( my full attention, but no worries I will still be posting from time to time. Just wanted to let my blogger freinds know why I am not posting much.

Kathryn~

Back to School

2010-01-07T20:10:00.000-06:00

We went back to school Monday morning. Yay!!! We had two weeks off, one for Christmas and one for New Years! Saturday was out last day of play time! :P My brothers, Kayla and I went shopping and went to the river after words. I don't think one of us bought anything when we were out shopping besides food but we all had a good time hanging out on our last day of no school! =)

All the leaves have fallen off of the trees at the river.

Joseph, telling us that he can jump to the other side of the rock....
Sure Joseph.....

Graham and Joseph

Well, he made the jump but he did not make it back, so he had to roll up his jeans and walked across the VERY cold water.

He was holding his socks in his hands when he slipped and put them in the water... lol
It cracked us all up!

He finally made it across to the other side. =)

Kayla and I

Kayla and I were in the back seat of Joseph's truck and when your in the back seat you can't get OUT of the truck! So, Joseph and Graham thought it would be funny if we just sit in the parking lot and do nothing. They learned very fast that girls can't just sit and do nothing! It was funny!

Kayla wearing Grahams new hat that he got from Joseph for Christmas.
Well, the hat Joseph got him was too big to he returned it for this one! :P We all decided that we love to wear Grahams hat! :)

Kathryn~

2010 is Here!

2010-01-02T12:54:00.001-06:00

My first 2010 blogging post!

Happy New Years Guys! Hope you all had an amazing New Years and are still having a Happy New Years! Last New Years Eve we had our Cousins over to the house from NB. Well, this year we did the same thing!!! :) We love them so much, and we have not gotten to spent much time with them this Christmas break.

Food!

You have not tasted food until you have tasted my mom's spinach squares! They are so amazing!

Goal cheese dip!
YUMM!!!!

Eat your veggies!

Truman eating
Haha this picture cracks me up

Group picture of us the Cousins!!

Funny picture!
I never knew how long my tongue was until I saw this picture... lol

Quinny and I

What's better than starting the year with swing dancing?
Swing dancing!!

Reading Christmas letter's aloud

DAD!!!

Awww

Kathryn~

Happy New Years!!!

2009-12-29T11:18:00.003-06:00

Happy News years from the Jaroski family! :) We took our family pictures in November with the help of a friend! :) All the credit goes to Tim Pursell getting us to smile and laugh. Tim, was taking pictures for my mother with her camera, but those pictures disappeared some how... :P I had my tripod up with my camera and we had few good shots with the help of Tim making the kids, (guys) smile! :)

Our family picture

This last one we were looking right into the sun so some of us are blind...

Kathryn~

Happy 8th Birthday Joelle!

2009-12-22T17:43:00.002-06:00

Joelle is eight years old! Joelle was born Dec 6th 2001!

Sorry a little late in posting but better than never. =) I can't believe Joelle is 8 years old! No more seven, when I was seven years old we had just moved to Texas, and trust me I thought I was one big girl than. Ready to take on the world, I was wrong by the way.. :P When I turned eight we were just moving into the house we live in now.

Happy Birthday Joelle!

Singing Happy Birthday to Joelle!

Joelle opening her gifts

Group Picture!

Thank you all so much for coming to Joelle's birthday party!

Kathryn~

September/October

2009-10-15T14:32:00.004-05:00

I am BACK! I am sorry I have not posted in forever... I know I always say that but this time it has really been awhile... Here's a little post on whats going on in my life right now.

My breakfast one Saturday morning =) It was so GoOoD
Shhhh don't tell anyone! =)

I took some pictures of Kayla Webb and posted them on my Photography Blog. =)
http://kathryns-photography.blogspot.com

I have been crocheting! Getting ready for Fall and Winter!!! =)

I also have been doing some reading, besides the reading I already have to do for school. It seems I never have time to read... :( But I got some done these past months. =)

We had a Lord Of the Rings all-nigher! =) It was so much fun! My parents were happy that they were the last ones up watching, since they slept though them ALL! So sad... lol =) Grace dropped the bowl of popcorn only THREE times!!! The third time we just had to take a picture of her work! Fun memories! =) I tired so hard to stay up through them all but I fell asleep at the very last battle. But I was not the only one, all my brothers did not even last through the Two Towers...

<3 Grace and I started dance back up and are loving it!!!! <3

Kathryn~

The End...

2009-09-01T10:31:00.005-05:00

The kids with Granny

Group picture of the family

We left we Michigan and went to see family on my dad's side.
Here is a group picture of us all. We are stilling missing but everyone that was there is in it.

Uncle Bruce and Joseph

We went out to dinner before we headed off to the Glassmans house!!!! =)

My Uncle pushed ME!!!
You can tell right away he is my dads brother! hehe

The old house

The house burned down and they rebuild it so it was totally different. I wish I had old pictures of it. :(

The best barn EvEr!

The three that were born in the old house!

The Lake/Park!

The Menadier's old house. Our old neighbors!

Uncle Jack and the boys!

The Girls!!!

Grace and Me!!!

Well, this is were my mom's water broke for ME!
RighT tHerE!! They were all making jokes, because it had just rained so there was this big puddle...

Who do I look more like? Dad's side or Mom's side?

OUR FAVORITE PLACE TO GO!!! =)
Where my mom's water broke... Thankfully she was eating outside! =)

WALKER BROTHERS =)

Courtney and Grace!!!
Best Cousins!!!

Laura and Taylor!!
& The Bird! =)

Awww kissing the bird

Truman playing the drums...

Courtney and Joseph
Cousins!

The last place we stopped before getting home!!!

Kathryn~

Bethany Beach!

2009-08-24T16:29:00.006-05:00

Dinner with our cousins down at the beach

For more pictures of our photo shoot on the beach go to http://kathryns-photography.blogspot.com
I will have more up on that site soon.

As you can see Taylor's hat made it around the Texans! Love your hat Taylor! =)

Don't shoot me I have the CAMERA!!!
Haha I love that one!

Grace, Rachel and Graham

QUINNY!!! =) Truman's nickname for Quinn

Eryn and Graham

I love these black and whites of Eryn

Group picture of all the kids

Everyone!

The Girls =)

Us girls on the lifeguard chair

Oh yeah Eryn and me jumping!

Eryn took these pictures for us! Thanks Eryn your the BEST!

Graham, Me, Joseph and Grace

Graham and Michael

Eryn and Joseph

Kathryn~

My Birthday

2009-08-24T12:00:00.003-05:00

My Birthday in Michigan =)

I just have to say that I have the coolest cousins in the whole wide world! Y'all are the BEST!

70's roller skatting night!

Rachel, Graham and me!

Quinn and me

Family

Granny, Mom, and me. Do we all look a like?
I think I got my dad's looks.. ?

Joelle roller skating

Andrew and Joseph

Andrew, Eryn and Joseph

Eryn and Joseph

Andrew and Quinn

Taylor dressed up as The Jackson 5
I don't have a picture of all of them.. :(

Graham and me

Granny and me

Guys

Cousin, Andrew

Eryn and Me!!!!!!!!

Aunt Anne made me an amazing Chocolate Cake with pink candles!!! Loved it!!!

Emily and Grace
Cousins

Singing Happy Birthday

Thanks Graham for taking pictures for me!

Group picture
Everyone was not there yet... So we are missing a bunch of people

Aww Joseph and Courtney...
Cousins

One thing I wanted to do on my birthday...
DANCING

The girls made a really cute dance together

Me and Margret
Cousins

Russian Dancing

Haha My Cousin Taylor and Laura!

Graham and Eryn dancing

Joseph and Laura dancing

Joseph and Barbara

Andrew and Laura

Andrew made the night... He never stopped dancing... It was so cool watching him and the boys dancing!!! lol

We danced til' 3:00 AM
It was crazy fun!
Thanks you guys for making it so much fun!

I learned to dance to Soulja Boy!

Kathryn~

Trip 2009

2009-08-23T21:22:00.004-05:00

I am FINALLY posting!!! Sorry it took me so long to post these pictures, I hope you enjoy them!

Wednesday the 29th at midnight, Mom, Graham, Joseph, Grace, Joelle, Truman, me, and Quinn our cousin headed out for Michigan. We stopped to see family along the way. We had the BEST time with family and Cousins! Love you GUYS!!!

A picture of a beautiful sunset
It's amazing how flat the land is compared to Texas

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Crazy clouds that I have not seen in Texas for a little while now

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On the way we spent the night at my Aunt and Uncle's house on my dad's side.
We had a great time hanging out!

Picture of us kids with our cousin, Michael

We went to the Brookfleed Zoo =)

Grace eating an ice cream cookie!

Quinny texting....

The Monkeys
Hehehe

Quinn and the bear she was just about to buy....=)

IN MICHGAIN =)
At the park waiting for the Brass Kings to play.
Jazz music

Graham and I

Aunt Anne and Uncle Rusty

My eyes just look creepy in this picture
But I was really cold so I was cuddling with Graham

Joelle and Michael

Joseph drinking a Root Beer.
The one thing about being up north is when you go out to eat they don't have any Dr. Pepper, only root beer. It's kinda sad... Good thing I LOVE root beer!

Quinn and I at the park outside of The Well

Grace, Taylor, and Taylor...

Grace and Taylor =)

Grace, Michael, Taylor, Joelle, Taylor

Graham, me, Jadyen, Caroline, and Joseph.
Cousins!

Quinny texting and playing chess

Walking to the Glassman's house to play golf!!!
=) =) =) =) =) =)

Cousins, M&M's, and Cards!!!
Oh Yeah Bebe

Joseph, Eryn, and Andrew
Cousins =)

THE BEACH

Eryn and Joseph =)

MY TEXAS COUSIN!!!
Haha not really but we both live in Texas and have known each other forever so we call each other Texas Cousins! =)

=) Laura, me, Emily, Peggie, Aunt Anne and Mom.

More pictures will be coming soon

Kathryn~

2009-08-18T11:54:00.004-05:00

Hey Blog Readers,

I am back from Michigan. I guess I have been back for almost a week now, wow does time go fast or what? I have been crazy busy ever since I got back, I started school this week and have co-op on Friday. When I have a minute, I am editing my pictures I took from the trip so Lord willing I will have them up next week for y'all! I am so sorry it is taking so long... :(

A Day at the Beach

2009-07-27T00:10:00.019-05:00

A Day at the Beach with Friends

I spent the day at the Port A. beach with the Prescott's and Welch's! We drove up early in the morning around seven and got back late that night.

I had a fantastic time playing with the kids in the water, jumping in the waves and playing in the sand at the beach! The beach is one of my favorite places to be! I love the beach so much and I just had an excellent time with y'all! =) I brought my camera and took it out time to time to get some shots of the kids! I did not have time to put the picture in order so they are everywhere! I normally fix them but I just did not have the time I am sorry. :(

I will not be posting again for a little awhile. I am guessing a few weeks...:( We are going up north to visit family. When we come back we are starting up school so I can't promise any updates anytime soon but I will try my best to post a few pictures from the trip!

Aww I love Brighton =)
She is so much fun to snap pictures at.

Love the Baby's <3

Grace Macias playing with the kids in the waves.

Christian building a sandcastle

Aww I love this Mommy and Daughter shot!!!

Pretty Morgan =)

Playing in the sand

The boys playing in the waves

Haha Little Brighton was so cute on the beach! I got some funny pictures of her. =)

Beautiful Tiffany!!!
I love this picture of her!

Aww the little girls hanging out together. <3

THE BOYZ

Awwwwww

Another one of my favorites of Tiffany

MoRe Pictures of the Boys

Mrs. Welch was kind enough to take some pictures of Grace and I. =)
Here's what we got. Thank you for the pictures!!!

Taken by Mrs. Welch

Haha =)

Kathryn Joy~