Thank You, Lord, For My 3rd Grader!

May 21, 2013 By Kate Leave a Comment

It’s 2:31 am, and I have not been able to go to sleep due to the tornadoes in Oklahoma.  My little brother and his family live in Oklahoma City, and the tornado was headed straight for their house.  The path of the tornado is seen in the picture below, and my brother’s house is where the yellow dot is.

The horrible, devastating, destructive, mighty force was headed straight towards my sister-in-law Kelly, and my beautiful baby niece, Brinley!  Praise the Lord it dissipated right as it neared the lake by Taylor’s house.  Praise the Lord that Kelly’s parents have a concrete storm room in which she and Brinley ran to for shelter.

However, not everyone has been so fortunate.

I simply can not imagine what the people of Moore are experiencing, and I pray I never have to!  I just can’t help but be thankful for my third grader tonight!

You know, when the tragedy at Sandy Hook happened, all I could think about was Preston.  What would I do if something happened to my baby?  Any of my babies…but Preston is the only one in “school.”

When the Boston Marathon bombing took place, a little boy Preston’s age was killed.  Again, I just thanked the Lord for my son and prayed over him that night, thanking the Lord for him and begging for protection for he and his sisters.

Tonight, as I watch the footage of this horrible storm, already emotional because of how close it was to my brother, I can’t help but cry and thank God for my third grader!  So many parents tonight are longing to hold their babies, praying for hope, and devastated by so much loss.  I couldn’t help but stand over my baby boy, my firstborn, and thank the Lord above for him!

The picture is blurry because I was trying to take it in the dark, but I am so thankful for that baby boy!  He still sleeps with his blanket, though tattered and torn, and his dog, Rover, beside him in the bed.

I love him!

So innocent and yet so wild.  So big, and yet so young.  So smart, and yet still acts like a fool…but I am pretty sure that is part of the make-up of a 9 year old boy!

What would I do without him?

Today, I am thankful that he is peacefully sleeping in his bed.

Today, I am thankful that he got to play with his buddies in our front yard.

Today, I am thankful that he let LK “pitch” to him.

Today, I am thankful that he kissed me goodbye this morning with a smile on his face.

Today, I am thankful that I got to see him play baseball and pitch a great game!

Today, I am thankful for all his quirks and his little boy-ness.

Today, I am thankful for my third grader.

Lord, thank you for protecting Taylor, Kelly, Brinley, Linnie and Pat.  Thank you for stopping the tornado before any more destruction occurred.  Please, Lord, somehow, bring something positive from this horrific event.  I pray that your mighty hand would be at work through the hearts of all those affected.  Please help the people of Oklahoma seek you and find you.  Lord, please give these poor families who have lost loved ones an indescribable peace.

Also, Lord, thank you for Preston.  Please help me to love on him and show him how much I love him.  Please protect him physically, emotionally, and mentally.  Thank you for all these wild ones you have blessed us with.  Please, Lord, help me to protect them and love them the best I can, but I pray that you protect them from harm and danger.

Thank you, Lord!

-kate

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My Little Graduate

May 20, 2013 By Kate Leave a Comment

I am sure this is not the post in which I should express all of my opinions regarding Kindergarten Graduation, Elementary School Graduation, Middle School Graduation, and T-ball trophies!  But let me be the parent that shouts loud and clear that I am not a fan of any of the above.  I firmly believe that Graduation is an honor that should be reserved for those that have completed 13 full years of school (K-12) and for students completing college, or higher education…and that trophies should be earned and deserved, not given to every player that put on a uniform.

Can I get an AMEN?

And if any of you would like to start a petition to get this back to the way it was when we were kids, I am happy to jump on the bandwagon!

HOWEVER…

Despite my little rant above, my baby girl did have a graduation ceremony last week, and I am proud of her for doing so well in kindergarten, and I will so greatly miss LK being at her pre-school, and we have pics from the sweet little ceremony, and I would be a mean mom if I didn’t show up and allow my child to participate in the celebration (No, I am not that cold hearted), and soooooo…

Here is my post. :)

Lilly Katherine’s Kindergarten Graduation.

She had a precious class of sweet kids.  The teachers are the best Kindergarten teachers in the world, and they were Brad’s teachers when he was young.  I remind them often that they have to teach at least 5 more years…so all of my kids can have the wonderful foundation that Mrs. Mays and Mrs. Dean provide!

Brad’s mom (Nana) taught for years, and since she retired she has taught science every Friday to these kindergarteners, and they LOVE it!  She handed out their diplomas.

The class sang a few songs.

This was the picture in Lilly Katherine’s journal about graduation.  She is such a little artist.

This is our failed attempt at a family picture.

Most of them looked more like this!

Lilly Katherine with her sweet friends (twins) Isabella and Sophie.

The class was full of goof-balls.  They loved making silly faces, so they wanted a silly face picture.

We gave each one of them a framed picture of the class and they all signed it.

The kids were so excited about their picture.  LK has looked at hers over and over.

Lilly Katherine and Samuel.  We will miss being in school with them!  These two love each other like brother and sister.

Congrats my little kindergarten graduate!  I love you, and I am so proud of you.  I am sad that you will be going to school all day next year!  AnnaLeigh, Georgia and I will miss you!  However, you will love it, and you will do such a wonderful job!  I love you, baby girl!

-kate

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Church Artwork

May 19, 2013 By Kate 2 Comments

I love my children’s precious artwork.  I love it when they trace their hands.  I love it when they draw cute stick people that have legs coming from their heads and big circles for hands.  I love when they sign their name with big awkward letters.

…and I love it when my child comes home from church with a drawing like this.

AnnaLeigh knows how to make me so proud!

-kate

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Red Lobster’s Biscuit Recipe

I am passing one of my most favorite recipes along to you.  This is one of my Dad’s recipes, and it’s for the unbelievably yummy Red Lobster’s Biscuits! This is such a quick, delicious addition to any meal!  The recipe is posted below, but I just had to include a few pictures from yesterday. First… [Continue Reading]

Honeysuckles for my Honeys!

Lilly Katherine LOVES spring!  She loves the flowers, but she especially loves the HONEYSUCKLES! About 2 weeks ago, I was running with my friend, Andria.  We both caught a whiff of that unmistakeably sweet aroma, and our heads whipped around to find a huge honeysuckle plant.  As grown women, we couldn’t help but stop and… [Continue Reading]

The Balance

This weekend, my brother and his family came in for a short visit.  It was quick, but wonderful.  My girls love Uncle Taylor and Aunt Kelly, but they are especially excited to see BRINLEY! AnnaLeigh wanted to hold sweet Brinley all weekend.  LK fixed everyone’s hair (she is working on Uncle Taylor’s hair in the… [Continue Reading]

Sent From Above

Lilly Katherine had a dance recital this past weekend.  The theme was Remember When…and her dance was “Remember When…You were born,” with the song “Sent From Above.” It was the sweetest little dance with 20 precious angels on stage.  My baby girl was absolutely beautiful…if I do say so myself. She is a graceful little… [Continue Reading]

Rodeo Roundup

Last week Lilly Katherine and AnnaLeigh had Rodeo Roundup at school.  They didn’t have it on the same day, of course…that would be too easy. :) They have been looking forward to Rodeo Roundup!  However, this little maniac has renamed it “Cowboy day!” The girl loves to perform!  She would be headed straight to Hollywood… [Continue Reading]

Fishing and Fun

My wonderful husband is an extremely hard working Real Estate man!  He works almost every Saturday and Sunday, and for that we are thankful!  While we love that he is busy and keeps us all fed and clothed, we love the occasional break so that we can have some family fun. Saturday morning, Preston had… [Continue Reading]

Photo Dump!

I have all these random pictures from the last month that I have never posted…so I am just going to do a massive photo dump in one big, obnoxious post with a million pictures of my maniacs! The boy loves his baby sister…and she loves him. Fun at the Dallas Arboretum on our way home… [Continue Reading]

Mickey Mouse Pops

I promised that I would post the instructions for the Mickey Mouse Pops from AnnaLeigh and Truett’s Mickey Mouse Train Birthday party.  Well, this may be 2 weeks late, but I am finally posting. Also 2.5 weeks late would be our family Easter picture.  I would love to post all the pics of my maniacs… [Continue Reading]

Mickey Mouse Train Birthday Party

Hello!  My name is Kate, and this is my blog.  I do exist, but the more I want to put on the old blog, the more I have going on, and the less likely it is that I will actually post anything.  I feel like I just can’t catch up!  Sooooo, instead of doing the… [Continue Reading]

Baylor Basketball at it’s Finest

Saturday night Brad and I took Preston to Waco for the Baylor vs. Kansas basketball game.  We were excited to spend time with P, because we realized that the last time we really had one on one time with him was when we took him to a Cowboy’s game in December 2010!!! That was over… [Continue Reading]

Roasted Green Beans

All I can say is that it’s been a LONG 2 weeks!  We got the world’s worst stomach bug, and I have changed more vomit sheets and poopy pants (and washed my hands) more times than I can count!  Let’s just say it was NOT a 24 hour bug, and it was vicious!  It lasted… [Continue Reading]

I’ll Love You Forever

My sweet baby girl has felt pretty puny all week.  I think she has the stomach bug on top of an ear infection.  The ONLY good thing that comes out of having a sick baby is that I get to snuggle with her all the time. I wish Georgia was a cuddly baby, but she… [Continue Reading]

Salmon with Jalapeno Caesar Pasta Salad

I have not posted a recipe in FOREVER!  So, it’s time to post one! But first… My dear, precious husband knows how to make me happy, happy, happy!  Brad is truly the best husband in the world, and one of the sweet gifts he got me for Valentine’s Day was this coffee cup…probably hoping that… [Continue Reading]

Beep Beep!

Last year at Lilly Katherine’s Build-A-Bear party, AnnaLeigh loved playing with this little red Build-A-Bear car. Because she had so much fun with it at the party, my mother-in-law gave the red car to AnnaLeigh for Christmas last year.  The kids have used it for their bears several times. HOWEVER, this week it has become… [Continue Reading]

Remembering MamaSara

Sunday morning, Brad woke me up with a phone in his hand and he said, “Kate, your mom wants to talk to you.”  I tried to open my eyes, and I groggily stumbled out of my bed to go sit in the floor of the closet, so I could talk on the phone and not… [Continue Reading]

Last Week

I have tons of random things floating around in my head, so I am just going to dump them in a post. Happenings of last week…. Friday I was at home trying to get ready for Georgia’s birthday party.  I was doing laundry and baking cakes and making dresses and there was evidence of all… [Continue Reading]

My Little Monkey is ONE!

Saturday we celebrated my baby girl’s first birthday. This is little Miss Georgia Sarullo at 12 days old, and Georgia at one year. How is that the same kid?  How is that big baby girl my little newborn? CRAZY! I’m telling you, I know I say this over and over, but I truly can’t believe… [Continue Reading]

Um…Yeah! I Worked Out!

A while back, my dear friend blogged about how she was tired of everyone always “slumming it” everywhere, and she decided that she was going to actually get dressed and put make-up on to leave the house. A foreign concept to me! I started thinking about it, and it really is a great idea.  I… [Continue Reading]

Caught Up!

I’m still catching up on December… Christmas! Christmas at Brad’s parents’ house. My beautiful niece, Tayler, with my little peach. Georgia opening a little bunny from Aunt Kara and Uncle Andy. Christmas Morning. There is no way the maniacs could come out of their room and not see all of their goodies, so we have… [Continue Reading]

I Am Going To Catch Up!

  With all the lovely birthdays of last week, I have not yet posted anything from December.  In December I was too busy posting Thanksgiving.  I am SO behind, but I am going to post as much as I can right now so that I can be “caught up” on the old blog! Wish me… [Continue Reading]

She Said She Wouldn’t Grow Up!

My maniacs are all precious and I love them all so much.  As a mother, each one holds a special place in my heart. I love Preston, my firstborn.  He had my heart first.  Not only is he my firstborn, but he is my only baby boy. I love Lilly Katherine, my firstborn daughter, for… [Continue Reading]

I’m Alive

I am alive, and this is the longest hiatus I have ever had from the blogging world.  I know I am not alone when I say that Christmas time is crazy and somewhat overwhelming, and I love every second of it!  I can’t get enough good food, family time, and fun with friends. But at… [Continue Reading]

Mississippi-Last Thanksgiving Post, Whew!

Yes, I’m still posting Thanksgiving.  My life is NUTS and I am SLOW and I am TIRED and this is as fast as I can go right now.  I had all these great Christmas ideas to share.  I’ll try to remember to share them before December 14th…next year. We went to Mississippi for Thanksgiving, to… [Continue Reading]

Thanksgiving Day-Yes, I am Behind!

This has been a fun week!  Georgia has a double ear infection and the medicine has caused something horrible to happen inside of her little body.  Yesterday, we had the MOTHER OF ALL BLOWOUTS (and this ain’t my first rodeo!)  It was HORRIBLE!  I was in a new store, by myself with the girls, and… [Continue Reading]

My Little Recessive Gene

I have 452,000 Thanksgiving pictures I want to post, but I am so distracted by this little beauty. Her look is so different from the rest of us.  Everything about her is unique. Everything except her volume. I birth loud people!  All of them…LOUD! I am positive they get that from their very loud and… [Continue Reading]

The Newest Addition

We had such a wonderful, busy Thanksgiving.  It would take me a month to post all of the pics, so I am going to have to be selective, or I will be posting Thanksgiving pics until Christmas.  We spent a great deal of time traveling, but we got to see so much family. Our first… [Continue Reading]

Pumpkin Cobbler

I have no idea how it’s Thanksgiving already!  I’m still wondering where August went!  I feel so behind on life, and can’t seem to catch up with how quickly time is flying by!  However, I LOVE Thanksgiving, so I am happy to have this season upon us. We have enjoyed many batches of Pumpkin Spice… [Continue Reading]

Baylor Homecoming

Last weekend, Brad and I loaded up the kids and drove to Baylor for Homecoming.  We planned on leaving our house at 7…HA!  Yeah, those that know me, know how laughable that is.  We left at 8:30, and managed to completely miss the parade.  We drove in the second it ended.  However, we got to… [Continue Reading]

BOO!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Yesterday I took all four of my maniacs to go vote.  I wanted them to see how it worked and explain how fortunate we are to live in the United States of America where our opinion matters.  I want them to know the importance of voting.  All the sweet little ladies there were… [Continue Reading]

LK’s Rose Parade Princess Party

Lilly Katherine’s 6th birthday was August 26th, the day before school started.  Lilly Katherine has daily asked when her party would be, but in typical Kate fashion, I didn’t decide to do anything until last week.  If you have read this blog for any length of time at all, you will recognize a pattern here! … [Continue Reading]

God’s Faithful Provision

There were several things that happened this summer that I never got around to blogging about, because we were so busy enjoying summer.  However, this is something that I kept thinking I would post and I have put it off WAY too long! When I first started this fun little blog, I posted about having… [Continue Reading]

S’mores in the Backyard

We had our first little cool snap this weekend.  I am a summer girl!  I like sun and heat, and I do not like any temp lower than 70!  Thankfully in East Texas, warm weather bounces in and out of November and December.  I just don’t like to be cold…but I do like S’MORES and… [Continue Reading]

Septmeber Randoms

Brad took 2 of our kids to church and I am home with the 2 that didn’t need to go spread green snot and throw-up kooties to everyone.  You’re welcome! I have all these random pics on my phone from September, and while I should be working on my BSF lesson, I think I will… [Continue Reading]

PMS Brownies and our busy lives

So I am pretty sure that I have NEVER been away from my computer or neglected my email or my blog this long.  I am still here, but just like all of us, life is crazy! The week before last, my time was devoted to the CCC Sale. Last week I was consumed with making… [Continue Reading]

Griswold Style

In August, we went on our third annual “Griswold” Family Vacation with my parents, my sister and her family, and my brother and his wife.  We had a blast!  With the ages of our kids, we have found the easiest thing to do is rent a big ol’ house and just hang out together.  We… [Continue Reading]

Tough Lesson Learned

For all of you parents who are hating the attitudes and the meltdowns that the first few weeks of school bring, please just know that you are not alone!  Just as I mentioned in this post last year, starting school has always been hard for Preston and now we have added Lilly Katherine to the… [Continue Reading]

In a FLASH!

This summer was absolutely wonderful!  We didn’t do too much.  We just had fun together doing things the kids wanted to do.  We did not go to the gym and my jiggly thighs are proof.  We did not go to the grocery store as often as we should have.  We did not clean the house… [Continue Reading]

Learning to Ride

This post is a month old at this point, but it’s such a milestone for my babies that I must post it. I have this little boy.  He is 8.5.  He is wild and he is ALL BOY!  He is rough and athletic and busy and completely scared of everything!  He is so cautious, analytical,… [Continue Reading]

Ice Cream in a Zip-Lock Baggie

Last year the kids and I made a “Summer Bucket List” and we did very few things on the list because I was so yucky feeling.  Thank you pregnancy nausea!  Last year we just survived!  This year, we are actually doing the things we said we wanted to do, and this was one left from… [Continue Reading]

Preston’s Baylor Birthday Party

Preston’s birthday was in January and we had a little family celebration then.  However, in typical Kate fashion, we had his party this past Thursday!  I was 9 months pregnant in January and miserable and he wanted a swim party, so we decided to celebrate his HALF birthday this year!  It was wonderful! The party… [Continue Reading]

Mississippi Part 3-Comparisons

First of all, I would like to state that it’s 10:38 on Saturday night, and I have spent the last 3 hours trying to convince myself I did not need to bake a cake for myself!  I WANT WHITE CAKE WITH BUTTERCREAM ICING! I have rummaged through my cabinets and refrigerator no less than 43… [Continue Reading]

Mississippi Part 2 – Oxford

All I can say is there is NEVER enough time!  I need a few extra hours in my day…everyday!  Here are more Mississippi pics.  They will bore you to death, but I want them for my memories and my kids memories, so skip them if you would like.  You won’t even hurt my feelings! The… [Continue Reading]

Mississippi Trip-Jackson and Grenada

We went to Mississippi last week to visit my grandparents and cousins.  It was a wonderful trip, except that my sweet MamaSara is not doing well.  The very long drive was as smooth as we could have ever imagined.  The kids did so well, and I think Georgia only cried about 5 minutes total!  It… [Continue Reading]

Catch Up with iPhone Pics

I have never gotten this behind on my blog, but I have been so busy that I have had absolutely no time at all for blogging!  We have had crazy weeks with swimming, baseball camp, spending time in Mississippi, enjoying families that have come to visit us in Texas, hosting parties, and all the fun… [Continue Reading]

Who Does She Look Like?

Every single day someone says to me, “Where did those blue eyes come from?”  or “Who does this baby look like?” or “She just doesn’t look like y’all!” I call my sweet Georgia Peach my little recessive gene.  We don’t know where her sweet blue eyes came from, or why she as white as snow,… [Continue Reading]

Last Weekend…

Hello world!  It’s been a busy summer, which means not much time on the ol’ computer!  I (as always) have so many things to post, and I am going to do my best to get to them up in the next few days. We just finished Vacation Bible School at church.  Let me be perfectly… [Continue Reading]

The Maniacs…

We are LOVING summer!  I cannot tell you how much I love spending time with friends all day, hanging out at the pool, eating lunch outside, and having absolutely NO SCHEDULE!  I am a SUMMER GIRL, and we have had a great start to this summer.  Here are a few things that we’ve done over… [Continue Reading]

Splash Day!

My crazy son lives for specific days on the calendar.  Splash Day would be one of the days he anticipates from the first day of school until it happens the last week of school.  He loves it!  I’m a little behind posting…since school is finally OUT, but here are pics from Preston’s Splash Day. The… [Continue Reading]

Let’s Play Ball!

First of all, happy Memorial day! I ended last year’s Memorial Day post with this statement, but I feel I should say it first this year. We are so blessed to be able to spend time regularly with our family.  We are so blessed to be able to enjoy freedom, to live in this great… [Continue Reading]

Abracadabra

When I think of toys from my childhood… I think of my treasured Cabbage Patch Kids, I think of my very fancy keyboard, I think of board games like Operation and Mall Madness, and I think of my Fisher Price Magic Show! My girls love to play with my old Magic Show…especially Lilly Katherine, of… [Continue Reading]

Saying Goodbye

I have mentioned my sweet friend Dominique a million times.  She is a precious woman, a wonderful mother, an inspiration, a wise woman of God, an encourager, a cooking/baking machine, and a dear friend.  I am so sad that she and her family are moving to Clinton, Mississippi, but I’m so thankful they will be… [Continue Reading]

Grammy’s Chocolate Sauce

This is a family recipe that has been passed from generation to generation.  I don’t remember my grandmother making it, but I remember my mom making it, and it’s always been called Grammy’s Chocolate Sauce!  Yesterday I taught Lilly Katherine how to make it.  I was telling her what I remember about my Grammy. Grammy… [Continue Reading]

Where have I been?

I have so many things I want to blog about.  I have lists in my head of events that have occurred lately and stories to tell,  but I am in between computers, and my blogging has been put on hold.  I ran out of memory space on my old computer, and it sits 5 feet… [Continue Reading]

Oatmeal in a Muffin Cup

I have mentioned many times that I LOATHE mornings.  I am a night person!  For example, it’s 12:44 on Sunday night and I’m eating a muffin and starting a blog post while washing loads and loads of laundry.  I go to bed LATE, and I love it…until the next morning.  Because of my bad night-owl… [Continue Reading]

Lilly Katherine’s First Dance Recital

I SWORE I would not be “that mom!”  I was not going to be the mom that had a 5-year old in dance class.  Then I had this little girl who came into the world spinning and twirling and begging to take dance.  I finally gave in this year, and I am so glad I… [Continue Reading]

Delightful Dinner

The weather has been so absolutely gorgeous lately that we have been outside soaking up God’s gift of nature and SPRING as much as possible…before his gift of summer and mosquitoes arrive.  Last week we decided to walk to dinner in order to enjoy as much of this season as possible.  It truly was a… [Continue Reading]

First FRIGID Swim

I love to walk or jog, even with all my maniacs, but lately I look like a side show when I do it.  I am usually pushing Lilly Katherine and AnnaLeigh in our double jogger with Preston running beside me and Georgia in a sling around my body!  I know that people do double-takes as… [Continue Reading]

Easter…Finally

This is so late that I am just going to post a few pics.  I did not have my camera, so all of these pics are from my phone!  Pitiful! We enjoyed a beautiful Easter with our family.  The weather was gorgeous and it was truly a perfect day celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord… [Continue Reading]

Open Wide

It’s been a busy week around here.  One day I will get to posting Easter and a recipe, but for now I thought I would share this… Trips to the dentist are always fun. I have actually said to my kind dentist that I would rather give birth than get a filling. It’s the truth!… [Continue Reading]

Eggstravaganza!

We had our annual church Easter Egg Hunt and Potluck Lunch this past weekend…always a fav for my fam!  It was so much fun!  My sister and I decided to stick around and take a few family pics after the festivities were over. What do you get when you have 7 tired children who have… [Continue Reading]

Opening Day and Sic ‘em Bears!

This Saturday was Opening Day at the Ballpark, and my little calendar (Preston) has been counting down the days!  He LOVES baseball and was so excited to get the season started.  This is his second year of 5-pitch and I thought I had everything ready for him… Black shirt-check Black socks-check Black belt-check Black hat-check… [Continue Reading]

Family Fishing

Every Sunday night we have “family dinner” at my parents’ house with our family, my sisters family, my parents, and my mom’s mother, Memama.  It is a fun, crazy time with 7 wild maniacs acting like they haven’t seen each other in months.  It is often very loud and very out of control. My dad… [Continue Reading]

Easter Ideas

I simply cannot believe that Easter is only 2 weeks away!  I should have posted this sooner, but you still have time to get your Resurrection Eggs together.  If you’re like me, you will wait until Tuesday night to do it anyway. :) Last year I made Resurrection Eggs for my kids. They are a… [Continue Reading]

Georgia meets MamaSara

My little Georgia Sarullo is named after two very special people…Brad’s dad and my wonderful Italian grandmother, MamaSara, whose maiden name is Sarullo. This picture was taken 5 months ago when MamaSara was recognized for faithfully serving the Lord as the church organist for SIXTY-SEVEN years. (I love that Papa is ready for cake with… [Continue Reading]

My Weight Loss Tactic

Somehow Georgia is 8 weeks old today!  Somehow she has eyes that are this blue!!!  I know this isn’t a great pic, but it’s one of the few that shows her eye color. Somehow I have 3 girls!!!  Somehow they all ended up in my bed this morning. :) Somehow I have FOUR children… And… [Continue Reading]

Veggie Quiche

Life has been so busy around here!  We have had screaming babies, sick babies, spring break, birthdays, trips to Mississippi, and more! I’ll keep from posting the sick pics, but I need to post about all the other things!  All of these pictures are all from my phone, so the quality is marginal at best…. [Continue Reading]

The Tale of the Gray Tooth

There once was a beautiful little princess that had a smile as bright as the sun, eyes that sparkled and danced like the stars, and a dimple that could light up a room.  Everywhere she went she smiled, and the world smiled back.  She was a joyful little princess.  She loved to sing and dance… [Continue Reading]

More babies!!!

My sweet baby Georgia is now 5 weeks old!  Where oh where does the time go? Lilly Katherine loves her and wants to hold her all the time.  I have prayed for the bond that these two will have.  I pray that they will love each other and support each other and really have a… [Continue Reading]

Because I like to Procrastinate

Things have been rocking along around here, but we are in the newborn fog a little because sweet Georgia has had a cold for about two weeks.  She can’t breathe, so she can’t eat, and she can’t sleep, so I don’t get to sleep too much.  My poor baby.  It’s so hard when they are… [Continue Reading]

Random Pics from our Exciting Lives

Lately, we haven’t done much of anything.  We have worn pj’s a LOT!  We have not fixed our hair.  We have barely ventured out of the house and I have worn my new house shoes almost every day.  I live a very exciting life. Here are a few random pics. The big girls have played… [Continue Reading]

BFFs 4 Ever!

First of all, I am a MOM.  I have had more bodily fluids on me in the last 24 hours than any person should.  Between my lactating self, a baby who squirts poo-poo and tee-tee on me, then spits up all over me, to a 3-year old who has decided she should pee all over… [Continue Reading]

Blessings from Friends-Unique Baby Gifts

My sweet baby girl is 12 days old already, and I love her even more today! She is so sweet, and rarely cries…except when I’m ready to go to bed.  Some of that is due to the fact that I simply can’t put her down.  I hold her 99% of the time.  Brad asked me… [Continue Reading]

Birthin’ Babies Ain’t for Sissies!

It has been a few days since my last post, because I’ve been holding this sweet little peanut! And kissing this sweet little body! And loving on this sweet face!  (See that little dimple?!) And managing to figure out life with these FOUR maniacs! I’m trying to soak up every second…kissing on that little neck,… [Continue Reading]

It’s A…

It’s a GIRL!!! Can we say SHOCKED?!?!?! I am still in shock that the Lord has blessed our family with a perfectly tiny little PINK bundle of JOY! Meet Little Miss Georgia Sarullo… Georgia was born Tuesday afternoon, weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces.  She is perfectly precious and we love her so very much.  I… [Continue Reading]

Keeping My Mind Off of the Induction – Zucchini Bread

How’s that for a title?  I am trying to not let my nerves get the best of me, so I decided to post a recipe that I promised MONTHS ago! First, let me tell you that I went to the doctor today and decided to schedule an induction.  I have very mixed emotions about the… [Continue Reading]

It’s a GIRL…Niece!

Today was a long, exciting day!  Yesterday morning my sister, Ashley, and I went walking, both determined to get these babies out of our bellies!  Last night we were both timing contractions starting at about 9 pm.  Mine were 10-15 minutes apart and hers were getting a little closer.  At 2 am she texted me… [Continue Reading]

Stuffed Artichokes

I have been having contractions for about 24 hours.  Some strong and some not.  I am getting VERY anxious.  So much so that I tried to take a brief nap today and my heart just kept racing, my contractions were strong, and I was feeling that this baby would be making it’s appearance sometime in… [Continue Reading]

Fun Family Day

Soon and very soon I will be bound to the house with a little bundle of joy, so I wanted to get my people out of the house today to enjoy the sunshine.  Brad was working, so my mom and I took the maniacs to the zoo.  They loved it and I was hoping to… [Continue Reading]

Already a MANIAC

I am excited and so anxious to meet baby #4!  This baby has already earned the title of MANIAC!  Glad he/she will fit in with the other 3 maniacs that I am raising! Warning #1:  If bare pregnant bellies freak you out, do not watch the video. Warning #2:  If the Linea Negra (dark line… [Continue Reading]

Homemade Reading Pillow

I’ve mentioned before that getting Preston to do his homework is often the hardest part of my day.  He is so smart, but he just doesn’t like to sit still long enough to read.  I needed something to motivate him and a Reading Pillow sounded like a good idea.  A few months ago I ran… [Continue Reading]

Dump Truck & Hello Kitty Birthday Party

Right before Christmas, my sister and I realized that we needed to have Truett and AnnaLeigh’s birthday parties asap, because both of us are due in January.  Truett’s birthday is February 11, and last year we did a joint Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday Party, and it worked out beautifully.  We have the same guest list,… [Continue Reading]

Happy Birthday, AnnaLeigh!

Thursday my little baby girl turned 3!  She promised me she wouldn’t.  She told me she would stay 2 foh-evah, but she lied.  She’s growing up just like the rest of them and she turned 3 years old this week! I love this little maniac more today than ever!  I love her smile and her… [Continue Reading]

Happy Birthday-New Year!

Today my first born, my baby boy, turned 8! 8 years old! He’s not a baby, or a toddler, or a little boy anymore.  He’s 8! I remember being 8!  It wasn’t that long ago.  Ok, so it was.  But still, I REMEMBER being 8! And now I HAVE an 8 year old.  A pretty… [Continue Reading]

Welcoming the New Year

Every New Year’s Eve we hang out with my sister’s in-laws (Alan’s parents) and we ring in the new year at their house.  We’ve gone there since I was pregnant with Preston.  This year, we will be attending a wonderful wedding for a precious, fun, and very deserving woman, Morgan…YAY! :) Since New Year’s Day… [Continue Reading]

Baylor WINS the Alamo Bowl

B-A-Y-L-O-R BAYLOR BEARS FIGHT! Tonight we had such a fun family time watching the Baylor Bears WIN the Alamo Bowl!  I think Preston was more excited about the coming of this game and RGIII than Christmas and Santa Clause!  This was a big deal to my little man!  He got football pads for Christmas, and… [Continue Reading]

Christmas with the Maniacs

I love Christmas! We have MANY family traditions at Christmas time, and I love every one of them!  I wish I had pics of them all, but I don’t!  Here are a few fun moments from last week. For years we’ve decorated gingerbread houses with the Chilek girls.  It’s always a treat for the kids… [Continue Reading]

Happy, Happy Birth-day Bay-be!

To the love of my life, Happy Birthday!  You’re an old, old man, and I still love you more today than I did yesterday!  I’m sorry you don’t have many gifts from me this year.  May this lovely, elaborate tribute on my blog make up for it.  jk. I love you! Happy Birthday! -kate

Homemade Headband Holder

One of Lilly Katherine’s best friends, Sara, had a birthday party this weekend.  (LK is 4 months OLDER.) I asked LK what Sara would like and she said headbands and books.  Who knows if Sara actually likes these things, but that’s what we got her for her birthday!  (Elicia, sorry if those gifts were SO… [Continue Reading]

Catching Up and How to Make a Fleece Blanket

It’s been just NUTS around here!  I can barely catch my breath, and I’ve decided this has to be the busiest week of the year.  I love it!  I love the food, the fellowship, the friends, and the lack of sleep, but I think it’s catching up with me.  I keep telling myself, “If I… [Continue Reading]

Eagle Brand Caramel Pie

As soon as the maniacs are asleep on Halloween, I rummage through their candy bags, “checking to make sure everything’s safe to eat” and possibly stealing a few items to hide for myself.  Among the little treasures, I like to look for those little individually wrapped caramel cubes.  I love them! I have always loved… [Continue Reading]

Christmas Traditions

Christmas time is my most favorite time of year (minus the cold weather…I’m a warm weather girl!) I love the red and green, the Christmas music, the food, the decor, the traditions, the family stories, the Bible stories, the smells, the lights.  I’ve learned you can put Christmas lights on just about anything and it… [Continue Reading]

A Meaningful Christmas

Last year a friend of mine from Baylor, Brittney Poe, (who has an absolutely amazing blog) had an Advent ornament exchange party for Christmas.  You can see her party here.  Meredith and I thought it was a wonderful idea and we wanted to copy her. :) Well, Brittney made it very easy, because she did… [Continue Reading]

Thanksgiving in Mississippi

It’s been a busy week, and after weeding through the 400 pictures I took over Thanksgiving, I have found the 100 I would like to share.  :)  Not really 100, but almost. I’m from Greenville, Mississippi and for years most of the family remained there.  Slowly my family has moved away, and last month my… [Continue Reading]

LK’s Build-A-Bear Party…Finally

Lilly Katherine’s 5th birthday was August 26th, and we had a family party for her, but she wanted a Build-A-Bear party with her friends.  I’ve been promising for MONTHS that we would do it.  Last week she asked, “Mama, do you think we’ll have my birthday party before April?”  Even though I knew she had… [Continue Reading]

The American Girl Store

Yesterday we celebrated sweet Paige’s 4th birthday at the American Girl Store.  She is right in between my girls in age.  LK is 15 months older than Paige, and AnnaLeigh is 14 months younger. Paige let AnnaLeigh and Lilly Katherine tag along to wish her happy birthday, and the girls had a blast!  It’s such… [Continue Reading]