A wonderful surprise

We celebrated moms 60th birthday last weekend with a big ole shin-dig. (i'll share that on a later post)

Jake, Jamie and Beau were here for the whole week! (i'll share that on a later post)

But, Josh wasn't going to make it in from California (or so mom thought....hehe)

On Friday, we were all outside enjoying the beautiful weather when dad came home early from work.

Mom looked, excited to see dad home early.

But, wait! he had a passenger. 

What?!?!?!

She froze

Then she covered her face and couldn't even look.

What is Josh doing here?

He's working. and in school. in Malibu.

Why is he in dads truck? at my house? in West Monroe?

He's not supposed to be here.

She couldn't fight 'em.

Those tears starting flowing.

and the questions.

after lots of hugs

"you rascal!"

"Kate, did you know?"

"Jake, Jamie, Randy...did you know?"

"How did this happen?"

"What's going on?"

"How long has this been planned?"
"How did I not know this?"
"Wait."

"You're here!"

"Are you hungry?"

Josh took the red-eye in from LAX thursday night.

His flight was delayed 5 hours in Atlanta (Los Angeles to Atlanta to Monroe? don't ask)

He arrived around 3pm on Friday.

With 1 hour of sleep.

Just for the weekend.

For his moms birthday.

He's a good brother. 

Whoa unto us kids. The things we do for our parents. It's tough, but somebody's gotta do it. 

Someday, they'll pay us back. I reckon.

Kate

Around the house: the parentals new pad

Ok, not a reeeeal pad. just yet.

but, a dirt pad. 

Which means...we're gonna have new neighbors!

Mom and Dad have begun the work on their new house. 

Right behind our house. How perfect?!

A few weeks ago the bulldozer man came out with some HUGE machinery dozing equipment.

HUGE.

Within a few days, the whole landscape had changed into this beautiful home site.

If you're like me, you have a hard time picturing a house here.

All I know is that i'm gonna spend a ridiculous amount of time on their back porch just staring at those trees.

just sittin' and starin'.

ain't it jus bout the purtee-ist thang ya ever did see?

Dad and GT had to "walk it over" and get a feel for the place. 

See where things are going to go and what not.

Of course, the daring duo of Woodrow and Trig weren't far behind.

They had to make sure that the red clay was the good kind. 

You know, the kind that doesn't come out of jeans and carpet.

I can't wait for the workers to get in there and start building away.

We'll have y'all over for dinner once mom gets her kitchen built.

Just kidding.

but seriously.

Happy Friday lovely friends,

Kate

the perfect sleep

Have you ever woken up and immediately longed about your next sleep?

It happens daily for me.

I sleep well in our bed. Honestly, i sleep well anywhere.

But, i think my perfect sleep is during the day, outside with just enough sunlight hitting my body.

Just enough warmth to only need a little cover. 

This bed is perfect.

The sunlight is creeping in.

It's suspended like a hammock.

But taking naps outside in Louisiana is risky. The bugs. 

So, this beautiful drape is ideal.

I could sleep here for a long time.

This article in Anthology had me dreaming..zzzzzzzzzzzz

All of the beds are surreal and obviously not in Louisiana.

day-dreaming of night-dreaming,

Kate

Instagram overload

To make up for my extreme lack of blogging, I thought i'd utilize one of my fave iPhone apps.

good ole Instagram.

Thanks to this lovely, i have documented what we've been up to for the past week.

premier party for Duck Dynasty with cousins

this little guy, who's up to something, was here for the week!!!

starting on mom and dads house

Chick-fil-a, duh

some tractor driving

climbing on dirt mounds

some bball

Josh came in town!!!

pool-time

the weather has been dreeeeeeeamy

Johnny's, a must

Beau wasn't sure about uncle Josh leaving:(

mamaw Jos killer salad, i crave it as we speak

Moms 60th birthday extravaganza! It was lovely and bright

the sibs minus GT with mom and dad at her party

playing with a ole' faithful at mamaw Lous

cool cat

meanwhile, my man was teaching welding in Haiti

he's home now and i am thrilled 

what a guy, eh?

Thankful for a week of family, great weather and no work (i created a spring break for myself).

happy tuesday,

kate

a blast from the past

So, we got Apple TV.

Hello, endless hours of browsing.

Browsing whatever you want.

Seriously!

Via Netflix (which is new to us) you can watch, basically, an-eee-thing.

I mean gagillions of options.

So, what did we watch on our first night of ownership?

(images from google image search)

GT could not get over it.

He was pumped that he could watch the cartoons that he loved as a wee tike in the early 80's. 

I, on the other hand, was less than impressed and was eager to find the tv-documentary "Lock-up". 

to each his own....

i reckon.

Happy Tuesday friends,
Kate

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Thank you for showing me how to be beautiful by how you treat others and shine for Jesus.

Thank you for showing me how to love my husband by loving my dad with your whole heart every single day. I know it was hard...you two have STRONG personalities, i know. But, you love each other something fierce and completely selflessly. Thank you for showing me how.

Thank you for showing me how to have fun.

Seriously, some people don't know how to do that.

and love the beach. you taught me that.

and to wear sunscreen

Thank you for showing me how to be girly when all I wanted to do was be like my brothers.

and, thanks for always knowing what i need before i knew it myself

Mostly, I want to say thank you for being more concerned with being my mom than my friend.

Some people don't understand that. 

You wanted what was best for me, even if i really, really, reeeeeeeeeeally hated it.

You were my mom first and foremost, never trying to be the "cool mom". 

thank you for doing that.

now, we are great friends because of that.

thank you for instilling in me the love of horses.

Thank you for showing me how to have a passion for God and living a godly life, no matter what

you are out loud and on purpose for what you believe and make zero excuses.

that's tough, but you do it with such elegance and poise

but, really you are the best at being "Honey" to Beau.

you spoil him somethin' awful and love him beyond measure.

i'm so blessed to have you to raise spoil my kids someday

i should probably thank Mamaw Jo for teaching you how to do all of these things

i'm thankful for the shoes I have to fill

they are big and overwhelming, but they are great shoes

i've decided that i have to start really taking care of myself.

if mamaw jo looks this awesome at 80 and you look amazing at 60, i have no excuse if i look anything less. 

Happy 60th mom.

You are absolutely stunning.

Around the house: crawfish in the barn

Ty, GT's bro, came in for a little visit last Saturday.

What a guy, eh?

We usually play it pretty low key at our house and spend lots of time outside.
So, we picked up some crawfish and enjoyed some time around the fire pit in the barn. 

It was a bit chilly, but we had a grand ole time anywho.

mom was welcoming Ty with a hug

while GT and dad tend to the starting of the fire

"oooohhhh, flames" says every man (me, too)

a couple sacks-o-crawfish does a body good

this is my favorite restaurant

mostly because I can wear my Carhartt coat, Crocks and wet hair and nobody judges me.

and my dogs are welcomed dinner guests

after dinner mingling

"solitude" is the name of this piece

Woodrow wanted to be left alone

i wonder what he was thinking about?

i'm pumped that crawfish season is upon us.

i have partook in it numerous times already and plan to enjoy the tasty little critters a lot more.

We also loved having Ty with us!

happy weekend fraands,

Kate

Sunday Portrait Series: Heart to Home

So, i've mentioned Heart to Home before.

Mom started this ministry a few or so years back and it has touched so many women. 

It is a wonderful way to connect with women who you mostly likely would not have met otherwise.
We gather in one of our "heart moms" home once a month, share a meal, devotional, and usually a game or craft. We also share our hearts and learn to grow in our relationship with God and each other. We learn how to be better women of God, wives, friends, daughters, etc. I'm so thankful for this ministry and the opportunity to be with other women who want to be better women and establish long lasting relationships.

I, personally, look forward to it each month (although, i've missed the last two, oops!)

Last Sunday, we wore our shirts and took a group photo.

There are lots of women that aren't in the picture, but this is a pretty good representation.

Seriously, if you'd like to learn more about this...please let me know or click on the link above!

Mom would love to share it with your church or group. 

Highly recommended.

from a heart sister,
Kate