Happy Birthday Kenneth! (part two)

I stayed home from school sick.  Even though I was feeling better, I wasn't well enough to return to work.  This meant that I could actually plan a little for Ken's birthday - not lots, but a little!  Kate and I drove up to Alliston to buy cards, cake, flowers, and dinner stuff.  It wasn't an exciting birthday, but it was a lovely birthday.

Birthday Family Self-Portrait

The cake, the candle, the birthday boy.

The amazing decorations... I mean the flowers and cards!

Happy Birthday Kenneth!

Happy Birthday to the longest reigning king of napping while in the seated position.  I love you!!

Cuteness

I love picking out which dress Kate will wear every Sunday.  I love that because of Suzanne I have so many fun choices!  Here are the last two outfits.  I just love my cute girl.

The third picture sort of ties in... as in church related but not an exclusively Sunday activity.  Lately when we tell Kate it's prayer time and to fold her arms, this is what she does...

More Birthday Fun and Work

When I walked out the doors on December 19, 2008, part of me believed I'd never walk in them again - not as a teacher on staff anyway.  I thought something would happen, there would be someway for me to stay at home.  As January 4, 2010 got closer and closer I couldn't believe that my year was done and I was going to have to leave Kate.  Leading up to the 4th I had two blessings from Ken.  I was promised that I'd have the capacity to do everything I needed to do, and I was given the assurance that Kate would be blessed.  I knew going back to work would be hard on me, I just couldn't bear the thought of it being hard on Kate.  I was worried that she wouldn't be the happy little girl that she is.  I was worried that instead she would be clingy and sad. 

This picture was taken on the Thursday night of the first week.  And as you can plainly see my little girl is all smiles.  I still want more than anything to be home with her full time, but I know that can't be.  The blessing is that we're making the best of a less than ideal situation.  My daycare provider Antoinette is an angel.  She is so sweet, so loving and so kind.  When I picked up Kate today I asked about how well she napped.  Antoinette told me that they were sitting on the couch and Kate climbed into her lap then climbed up and put her head on Antoinette's shoulder and fell asleep.  Antoinette told me that she just let her sleep there for an hour and a half because she enjoyed the snuggle. 

My sweet little girl is still my sweet little girl.  And now for the rest of the birthday festivities!!

Antoinette gave Kate a present.

Mom and Dad gave Kate a present.

We took pictures in front of the birthday banner.

Kate enjoyed her favourite dinner, homemade mac and cheese.

Ken made banana bread, which is really more like cake.  He put cream cheese, whipped cream icing on it.

Kate loved her banana cake.

The next day Grandma and Grandpa Bacon came by to wish the birthday girl well.

It has been an eventful two and a half weeks, filled with lots of ups and downs.  I'm happy to report that I only cried every night during the first week and I don't think I've cried this week at all.  And just in case you were wondering, there are only 38 days until March Break.

Gratitude

I'm so grateful that when my tire blew on the 400 yesterday morning on the way to work, that I was safely able to pull over and off the highway - being right by an exit helped.  I'm so grateful that upon discovering my cell phone wasn't in my coat pocket that a kind woman stopped and let me use her phone.  I'm grateful that my mom pays for CAA plus so I was able to get towed to Alliston.  I'm grateful that I was able to get two new tires because I got paid yesterday.  I'm grateful that I could go on a breakfast date with my husband while my car was being fixed.  I'm grateful that Ken's car lasted as long as it did, we can replace it now that I'm back at work.  I'm grateful that Antoinette's battery died so she was still home and not at the doctor's so I could pick up Kate early. 

I'm so thankful for all of my many blessings.  I'm especially thankful for my sweet husband that comes home from work every night and makes dinner so I can play with our daughter.

Happy First Birthday to Kate

What a week... back to work, Kate to daycare and her first birthday. Today will be the family celebration, complete with presents and banana bread with a candle.  We love our little girl so much and we are so happy that she is a part of our family.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Lucky Number Seven

It feels like seven years and it doesn't.  When we were first married I would look at Ken and think, where did you come from?  Who are you that you are my perfect match in every way?  How is it that I haven't always known you?  How is it that you are everything I ever wanted but didn't think I would ever get?  I still catch myself - every now and then - glancing at Ken and thinking, where did you come from?  I'm just so thankful that I have my sweet Ken at my side, always and forever.  Happy Anniversary my love.

Vaseline fail

This is why small children should never be left unattended with vaseline...

...change that. Never leave Anna sitting on the couch beside her Mom while she's watching television.  (Reason #467 why it's a good thing that Suzanne canceled the cable.)