I know, I know...

I'm a horrible Blogger. A disgrace to the community. I'm so very sorry.

So, there are thousands of things that I wanted to fill you all in on, butI don't ever seem to do it.

So, I'll start with the most recent thing.
I get to see The Nutcracker tomorrow! With my wonderful sister, and gorgeous mother! I'm so excited. I know, it probably seems like a silly thing to be SO excited about, but it makes it feel like Christmas is official! (I know, I know.. "it's just now hitting you Kaitlynn?") So, a whole 5 days before Christmas is actually here, I feel like it is official. Haha.

So tomorrow, I will get all dressed up, and then go to lunch with my mom and sister, then head off to the Ballet!!!


Second on my list of "excitements" is... of course... CHRISTmas! My very first real, white, Christmas! I'm pretty bummed that my big bubba (Tristan) won't be here for the actual day, but I'm stoked he'll be back only a week later to celebrate with all of us!

Christmas will be fantastic this year, I am so excited!

THIRD on my list! AMY is coming to VISIT me on the 6th of January!!! FOR A WHOLE WEEK!!!!!! I'm soooooooo excited! It will be sooo cold, and white, and just perfect timing for her to see Byron Center, in all it's glory! Then (and 4th on my list) on the 13th Amy, and I will both leave from the Grand Rapids Airport and arrive in San Diego! I'm sooooooo excited to see everyone there!!! I feel like it's been so long, and I can't wait to hug them all!

I will be in California for 2 weeks. And, the timing worked out just right for me to be there for Brandon's Birthday, My Grandad's birthday, and Michael H.'s birthday! Which is going to be so fun!!! We have already planned a trip to Disneyland! And, the group for that trip keeps growing! I think it's going to be a lot of fun! I can hardly wait!

So, that is what is going on in MY life right now! I have so many pictures I need to post.

I also just got back from a trip to Chicago with my aunt, and I saw soo many cool things there! I'll post pictures of all of it soon!

I love you all, and will leave you with one picture...

Please welcome the newest addition to the Broadbooks' Family:
Miss Panda-Lu

I love her sooooo very much!!!! She's great, and my perfect little pal. =]

I am SOOOO dreaming of a White Christmas!!!

When Bre posted a comment on my last blog, I remembered! I've been talking -practically constantly- about the snow, but never REALLY thinking about it. I'm so excited to be where I am, with my family!!! Christmas is going to be a blast! White and beautiful! I know there will be issues with the weather, but whatever! People travel all over the place to have a white Christmas! And, I get to have one right in my home.

Thank you Bre, for being my -devoted- sister and telling me how much I was going to love it out here! I really, really do.

Those who've seen us, know that not a thing can come between us! (No distance, even!)

All kinds of weather we stick together (That's for sure!)

Two different faces, but in tight places, we think and we act as ONE! (like twins!)


I love you sister!

It's Peppermint Mocha time!

Happy Fall!!

I can't believe how this weather, and this season is making me feel. I love it so much.

Every room I go into I light some sort of holiday scented candle, and have been listening to nothing but Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra (they put me in the holiday spirit). I also have been taking some pictures the past few days of all the changing colors. I know that Bre has shared some with you already, but I'll show you some of my favorites!

I call this the "gradient" tree, it fades so perfectly from green, to yellow, to red! I LOVE IT!

And the "Michigan Leaf" it's shaped just like the state!! I don't know which tree makes these, but there were a lot of them. The heart represents Byron Center! My home!

So, I've been having lots of fun, decorating, and getting into the season! The outside of the house makes me smile, every time I see it

And it -unknowingly at the time- seconds as a studio!

My next project is to see if Tristan will let me take some of him! The Silas pictures happened by accident, but I liked them so much, that I want to take more! I technically have 2 out of the 3 boys photographed if you count the one in the tummy, still! So hopefully there are more to come!

But, I am simply on cloud nine, right now. Fall was already my favorite season, but I feel like I am truly experiencing it for the first time, which makes me love it more. And I'm with my favorite people in the world.

This is probably as close to perfection as it gets. All I need are some very important people from California, and I'd be set for life. I miss you guys!!! You should consider moving here. The only thing it lacks is Y-O-U!

Lots of Love,
Katie

Examples

Through my whole life, I've been blessed with these amazing people to look up to. These remarkable examples.

Of course, if I were to tell these people this, they most likely would think I was being silly, or tell me I'm wrong, and brush it off (Humble, too!).

My parents are two that should automatically go to the top of the list. I have never met two people who set a better example of an individual, or a unit.

Then there are my friends. I have no idea how I deserved to meet so many amazing people. I can't even begin to list all of them. They, hopefully, know who they are. And, know how much they mean to me.

My Grandparents, who again are amazing on their own, but have an uncanny ability to work together, and to set an example to all of their family. Nothing is easy, and they have had their fair share of trials, but they have shown me, and I know several other people, that nothing should be given up. Everything is worth fighting for.

Then there is my sister -my best friend. I'm so silly, because even typing this I get all "glassy eyed". I have had friends, and even now I have best friends, that I know will always be there for me, but Bre has always been there for me. There was never a moment where she seemed unavailable, or unconcerned with my life. In fact, she was always the opposite. She always asks questions, and encourages me, and wants me to talk to her. She's interested. Do you know how long you can go through life looking for a friend that listens? That doesn't tune you out after they've heard all the good stuff? She's never tuned me out, in fact she joins in my craziness, most of the time. I've never had more fun with someone in my whole life, than I have with her. We fight, of course. Who doesn't? But, even our fights don't go unresolved. We don't brush them off, and forget them; even when we seem to. We learn something new about each other every time, we adjust. TRUE FRIENDSHIP! Even now, I don't quite understand how she even has the time of day for me. She has been constantly, since we set foot inside our new home in Michigan, looking for a job. Calling people, getting things organized. Having morning sickness, afternoon sickness, and evening sickness, not to mention just being pregnant-period. She's been tired, but ignores it, to chase around her one-year-old, to do homework with her eight-year-old, to get coffee, and shop with her sister, and laugh our heads off all day long, then to spend evenings -after the boys go to bed- with her hubby. How does she do it?
She sets an example that I know I'll never be able to live up to, but I can always try.
She lets me say whatever I want, and corrects me gently when I'm wrong. She knows my sense of humor, and gets my jokes. She is incredibly intelligent, and I don't think I tell her that enough. She has amazing insight. When we talk about things: movies, music, politics, religion- I always find whatever she has to say so interesting, and usually find myself quoting her later to my friends, when we bring up the same issues. I always feel so much smarter after I talk to her, she's caused my brain -don't laugh- to grow a lot, to make me see and think differently than I ever would have, had I not had her as my sister.
Her and Paul (the latest edition to my Examples list), are -like my Grandparents, and Parents- such an amazing unit. Nothing, and I mean nothing, not one single thing has been easy for them, their entire married life, but aside from the normal, and sometimes silly 'arguments' they don't show it. They laugh, and joke. They love each other, they play with their kids, and talk about the future. They set goals, and help and encourage each other to reach them. They take the time to show an interest in my life. I have no idea why. They ask me to hang out, and include me in so much. They are so selfless. I don't know if I would be able to act how they do after going through what they have.

So, if you read this, please know that I notice what you guys do. And, how much you've gone through, and I notice how you handle it.

Thank you for being such amazing examples in my life.

All of you!

-Katie

Hey Bloggers,

Welcome to my Blog!

I avoided it for a long time out of stubborness, but -honestly- my sister (Bre), made it look pretty fun. So, I'm caving in.
Proud of me, Sister? =]

It'll be nice to have a place to go crazy, and keep in touch will all you lovelies.

I'll 'blog' again soon (don't I sound cool?), to report to everyone all the amazingness from Byron Center, Michigan! My new home!

Miss you all,
Katie