tara's visit!

sweet tara came down to give david and i some good old fashioned cheer! we went to universal studios and ate at the largest hard rock cafe. we celebrated "extreme easter" here together at our church Gulf Gate, went to the beach, played frisbee and had a lot of fun! it was so good to see a familiar face. i didn't realize how much i missed having a true heart to heart with another woman, a friend who knows me so well. it was so sad seeing her go :( its funny though because now i see how couples can get into their little routines together. david and i have one already. and we go to bed so much sooner! haha never thought i'd be going to bed at 10:30 every night! but its great. we want more people to visit. its so fun showing off beautiful sarasota. on a different note david and i attended our first community group on sunday. it was really fun. there is one married couple who leads the group and then three other single people. they all seemed really cool and laid back. its nice to find some christian people our age here! and life is moving so quickly! i only have about a month until i go China! i leave on the 15th of May! i feel like i've only been here in florida for a month but its already been three. too strange...

Thoughts...

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is enewed like the eagle. The LORD performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed."
Psalm 103:1-6
These are the words that are in my heart, yet only King David can put it in the right words. I feel so sheepish...so doubtful. I always am brought back to this point. A point where my soul sings aloud of His praises...right after my series of doubts, complaints, crying, feeling sorry about myself. And here I am, on the other side of the bridge looking back. I wish I were like Job who priased the Lord throughout his trials (ok, I think he complained a little). I just feel like I always fall short. I praise the Lord now because it all makes sense- the job, China, school, marriage. His process makes sense now. And yet I cannot deny that singing my priases has come a little too late. Now, I am a guilt ridden person by nature, always beating myself up. But I just want to come to a point where I get it. Where I actually remember the Word when it counts, when things suck and life seems a little bleak. I guess that just takes time, perhaps maturity. I feel so blessed. What does it take to live the life I know He wants me to lead? I was reading in I think John the other day and read about when Jesus named Simon- Peter. Meaning "the rock". And I feel like I can identify with Peter, he's impulsive, impatient, passionate yet folds easily under pressure. Its like Jesus named him something that meant exactly opposite of his personality. But its not that Jesus named him for who he was- but for who he would be. He saw through it. I hope the same is for myself, that Christ is constantly molding me, like Peter, to be the woman he created me to be.

as of today...

I'm totally annoyed that I can't find a decent job! How is it that I am so unappealing to employers? Its like I nearly have a college degree but because I am lacking 3 credits its as if I never went to school. Really makes school seem more pointless than ever. And my skill sets...which are well, working with youth, languages, serving at restaurants and limited computer skills...so lets see where that puts Katy. How 'bout nowhere! Unless I work at a foriegn restaurant serving children....haha. Ok, its not that bad. I am not just writing to complain, really I'm just annoyed because I tried to upload some new pictures twice and for some reason its not posting them. Today I just interview at Horizon's Christian Academy for a teacher's assistant job. It looked like it would be really fun. I get to work with 9 kids under the age of 5. Basically, I get to play all day at the different learning stations. And since I'm still a kid at heart I find this exciting...playing with playdough? drawing? puzzles? and reading books all day? sounds like a formula for F-U-N! haha
But for those of you who I do not talk to daily about my life I am really enjoying Florida. I am still taking it all in, the fact that I have palm trees in my front yard, the overwhelming amount of old people, and oh- the white sand beaches only 10 minutes away. And I never saw myself as a beach person but its really growing on me and YES I'm still scared of sharks but slowly getting over that fear. I am loving David more everyday. To see his daily discipline at work I mean the man is crazy! He works now from 7:15 am to 6:30 pm and usually doesn't get home at 7! And he loves it. He's always blabbering on in excitment about all the projects he's working on. And I find myself jealous that he's found his niche (sp?) where I still feel uncertain about my career future. Its mostly jealousy mixed with admiration. He worked hard to be here. I mean, married women, when do you get to a point where you don't feel competitive with your husbands? I am competitive by nature. "Release Katy, Release!" my mom would say. Therefore, I will. I will release it all to God. This time is definately trying my patience and growing my trust in the Lord. Trust always.

"correct" cake sharing and drinking champagne

Chaotic garter toss

Throwing the bouquet!!!

Cutting the cake!

bachelorette party: Toast!

The new Schmidt's!

Before the Ceremony, our last "single" picture! Our church was buried in snow...

Our church, "O Be Joyful"

Our pastor, Jim Kunes, was amazing!

reciting my vows...tearfully

our horse drawn carriage that took us to Les Bostque after the ceremony!!!

count down...

well guys, its true...its almost time for me to be married. i have exactly5 days until I'm married!! I can't believe it. It seems so surreal. I'm so excited I don't even know how to express it!!! Soon I'll be a married woman, and then I always will be. A strange, permanent thought. Anyways, I'm so excited...its coming soon! aaaahhhh

mas picturas

Here's David and I's tattoo engagement rings! I actually "designed" the ring, David wanted the red color. We're getting real rings later but we wanted one we could always keep on :)

Thanksgiving 2007 with the Nelson's & Schmidt's!

food for thought...

Did you know that every product pictured here is owned by Phillip Morris, the world's largest cigarette company? Chances are that you've been helping to promote Marlboro cigarettes without even knowing it. You can withdraw that support by personally boycotting these products. It's like giving money to a health organization that is working to find a cure for cancer - but in this case you are taking money from a corporation that causes it. So next time you go buy food- try it. You'll like it.

My life...

4 generations of family!









ahh the best mom ever





My newest best friend Summie bear!







Summit is already trying to walk, he doesn't like to lay on his stomach so crawling may be out of the picture...

He wasn't so happy above left, but is happier laying on my tummy so that he can get a good look at me




























Summie really loves his mommie

My goddaughter Dorothy Jo Holland and her mom below Shelby

Crazy godmomma...

David and I's last trip to Florida together

This was a difficult trip for me because David was moving there and I was staying in Arkansas. He was so excited though because he was starting a new job in a new place...so I couldn't help but be excited too!