Daddy Time

David and Kate had some very special time together for the past few days, while I was on a reunion trip with my college roommates.

They shared trips to the zoo, play time outside in the park and in our back yard, rides on the bus (Kate's new favorite thing), and even a princess birthday party! David gets some major points for dressing Kate for church (with bow in hair) on his own and taking her to a princess party. ha!

When I got back, they were both giggling as they told me all they had been doing together. There are very few things, if any, that make my heart smile more than seeing them love each other so deeply. I am very blessed to have a husband who adores our baby girl and delights in time with her.

They played with Chase & Jackson (our neighbors) in the back yard.

They laughed...a lot.

They spent time exploring Central Park...

...some time swinging......some time posing for pictures (David calls this her Tri-Delta composite picture - LOL!)...
...some time learning her letters on the park signs...
...and some rest time. I'm not sure if this was David's or Kate's idea.

I think it's safe to say ... they had a GREAT time this weekend.

Thank you, Sweetheart, for allowing me some time away. It made it that much better knowing you and Kate enjoyed the time together. We love you!

Rupert Everett Segment

If you didn't believe me, here is proof that we were on the RR show, on the front row, and ON TV. ;) You have to look quickly and you really will see the back of our heads more than the front, but here you go! I am on the inside aisle in a teal shirt, Ginger is in the coral shirt to my right, then Katy and then Sarah (on the other end).

These pictures are from the Rupert Everett segment and the one where she is at the wax museum.

There will be two other shows...so stay tuned!

3 Celebrities, 30 Minute Meals, and a 6 Hour Show

It has been an eventful day. A very fun, New York, friend-filled, eventful day.

It all started a month ago when a friend received information about possible Rachael Ray tickets, but she could not attend. So, I took over selecting the random show time and day and luckily we were able to get 4 tickets to the show taping this morning!

All was going as expected. I received the confirmation email. All plans were set. Then, I received a call from the segment coordinator at The Rachael Ray Show yesterday afternoon. That is an odd phone call to receive, by the way. She wanted to know if I was interested in participating in one of the segments of the show. It is a segment where a celebrity comes on and discusses controversial current events with Rachael and a few members of the studio audience. Well, they have no idea who they called, and so I answer yes with a controlled level of excitement and a slight, "bring it on!". I had to read these two articles and report back my thoughts on them in 3 bullet points, each.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jan/09010812.html

http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2006-08-23-cactus-or-finger_x.htm

Yea. That was my reaction as well. I can let you guess which one I was more passionate about and I will refrain from stating my points here, but would love to hear your thoughts.

After freaking out and praying and taking deep breaths at the thought of speaking on national TV over these controversial subjects (God - you DO have a sense of humor, don't you!?), they decided not to use this segment for tomorrow's show, but will contact me if they address them or something similar in future segments. Sounds great to me! I got to attend the show as a regular audience member. Sigh of relief. Question of what lesson was in this for me. Let's move on.

Three of my sweet girlfriends went with me to the show: Sarah, Katy, and Ginger.

We got in line close to 9am and the show started taping around noon. The best part for us was being selected to sit on the FRONT ROW! It was amazingly fun. In 6 hours, we were able to be apart of these 5 different segments that will air on 3 different shows over the next few weeks:

1. Kevin McKidd - the new doctor on Grey's Anatomy

2. Nancy Grace - on to discuss the new issue of 'sexting' among teens. Really sad.

3. Rachael making a 9 layer casserole - think 7 layer dip goes full meal. Yum.

4. Meeting the new family with 12 kids that will replace 'Jon and Kate Plus 8' on TLC

5. Rupert Everett - discussing his role on broadway right now and how much plastic surgery he has gotten since we all saw him on My Best Friends Wedding.

OK, so Rupert didn't talk about the plastic surgery, but it was uh - pretty darn obvious. I would not even recognize him in a crowd, but still love him and think he is hilarious.

There are so many stories to tell, but it's just not possible on the blog. The most fun thing is that Ginger might be selected to be on another show for Rachel Ray re: "germs" and how to keep them at bay living in the City with children. Interesting and super fun.

Want to see us? I'll keep you posted when they air, but I know the Rupert Everett segment will be on this Thursday, March 24th. Check here for the schedule and future segments as they get posted. Should be fun to watch them back and see how much "air time" we all get on the front row. I'm kind of nervous. Was I making that weird face or wrinkling my nose? Did it catch me whispering something to Ginger next to me? Oh well.

I must say, while Rachael's voice can be a bit annoying on TV, I am a fan of some of her recipes and I really liked her personality in person. She started out the morning a bit cold, but I chalked it up to just getting back from SXSW in Austin. As the day went on, she became really relaxed and funny and just, well, entertaining.

I have been to Regis and Kelly, Martha Stewart, and Rachael Ray now and I think Rachel gets my vote for the best "talk show audience experience" award.

It's days like today that I think, I can't believe I live in this City. It's really so fun and yet my day-to-day world is just so different than the New York that everyone sees on national TV. Sometimes when those worlds collide, it makes me smile and then...well, it's time to get back to the real world with these real and amazing girlfriends!

Here's to another memory made.

Miss Kate

Oh, miss Kate! I am always torn between smiling the biggest smile across my face with eyes of pride and just weeping on my knees with gratitude and joy at the mention of her name. Oh, that my God and Savior, who knows all things and works all things for the good of his children would bless me - Shawna, with a gift that has brought so much depth and love and joy to my life. How undeserving am I. It is truly indescribable.

This time with Kate, over the last few difficult months, has been one for the journals. It has been intentional. It has been a time of growth. It has been filled with prayer and scripture memory together and individually. It has been filled with fun activities and quiet moments lying on the couch together watching a movie and eating popcorn. It has represented such a redemptive time for me, personally, as I see a full-circle moment just about every day with her. It has been a time of bonding that I could not have ever imagined would happen. She is my best friend at moments and yet my tender little lamb that God is teaching me how to shepherd. Oh, how I treasure her. She is Kate. She is my Kate. Oh - but she is His first and foremost. What a blessing. What a reminder of God's goodness and a reminder that has kept me going these past few months.

As a 19 and 20 month old...

We have played in the snow.

We have cooked together.

We have gone to see Sesame Street Live. She loved every minute and waved and yelled "hi" at every character on stage.

We have done artwork and crafts. She loves drawing circles and painting and even made her own valentines this year.

We have had dates at Starbucks together. She loves reading her books there.

We have played with play-doh every day. Not kidding.

We have started eating at our "big girl" table rather than our high chair.

We have played dress up and LOVE to put on any piece of jewelry and mommy's shoes.

We have been lazy.

We visited Mia and Papaw, Auntie, Auntie Barbara, and cousin Taylor in Colorado.

We have gone to the Children's Museum about every other week in NY and in CO.

We have learned to go potty in the "big girl" potty with several successful attempts, and of course, a lollipop as a reward.

We have learned how to EAT a lollipop.

We have learned a memory verse together. She can say and do the motions (that I made up, of course) to: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

I'll work on getting a video of this one, I promise.

She has learned to count to 15 now. (She learned to count to 10 around 18-19 mos)

We have focused as she learned her ABC's. (still tends to skip a few in the middle)

We have laughed and laughed as she says "lotion" and it comes out more like horse sh*t. Not kidding. I'm trying to get this one on video as well.

We have hugged and kissed more as I hear "love you, Mommy" in the most spontaneous moments. It melts me.

We have realized that mommy's kisses make any "boo boo" feel "betta".

Most importantly, we have learned to be joyful together and to give thanks to our Creator...together. There is nothing more beautiful than that.

Oh, Miss Kate!

Gratitude

Gratitude by Nichole Nordeman

Send some rain, would You send some rain?

'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again

And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade

Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?

Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down

Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid

But maybe not, not today

Maybe You'll provide in other ways

And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

For lessons learned in how to thirst for You

How to bless the very sun that warms our face

If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread

Bless our bodies, keep our children fed

Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight

Wrap us up and warm us through

Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs

Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time

Or maybe not, not today

Maybe You'll provide in other ways

And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

A lesson learned to hunger after You

That a starry sky offers a better view

If no roof is overhead

And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between

Everything we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace

Move our hearts to hear a single beat

Between alibis and enemies tonight

Or maybe not, not today

Peace might be another world away

And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

For lessons learned in how to trust in You

That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream

In abundance or in need

And if You never grant us peace ...

But, Jesus, would You please ...