Kayty...THE BEST BIG SISTER IN THE WORLD (posted by a sister)

Kayty I wanted to be able to tell you somehow how much you mean to me. This seems like one of the best ways.
Let's start with a you as a little kid. You were always there to play with me and be the big mean stepmother :D, or be the best rider in the rodeo shows we put on, or be the wagon train leader for our Oregon Trail expeditions in our back yard. You were so much fun to play with and had a great imagination.















Once we got to our teenage years we got even closer.


















Through these years you became one of my role models. Your godly outlook and fearless witness were two of the things I really admired in you. I can always count on you to be there to comfort, laugh, or tease me.





















You've become one of the biggest inspirations for my music. Always encouraging me and telling me that I can do what I think is impossible. Somehow you never lose faith.

















One of the coolest things about you is your attitude of "no one should be left out". No matter who the person is you're always including them and making them feel wanted.
All this to say " Kayty keep on loving and serving God. Don't let the burdens of life get you down. God has something soooooooooooooooo amazing planned for you. Luv ya! and I'll miss you"


P.S. I was going to add more pix of the four of us but they wouldn't upload :D.

my heart's home

I took all of these pictures before I left and wanted to post some final memories as I move on in my new church. My dad was called to this church in 1990. My mom, as a pastor's wife, had never dreamed of returning "home" to minister as "that just doesn't happen;" this church had very strong ties for my mom as her parents had been one of five families who had planted the church some 40 years ago. Growing up this has been the only church I've known, and I had the same awesome youth pastor my entire teen years. I've seen so many miracles take place under this roof. It was because of a temper tantrum on the mat inside the front door that I realized I needed to be saved, and numerous friends have been saved at Bible school or AWANA or teen activities hosted by my church.

- Home -

- My first view every Sunday morning. -

- The auditorium is not usually decorated like a circus tent, but I took this picture the week before Vacation Bible School was kicked off.

- The back side of the church. I have lots of memories of hanging out with friends or playing games back here.

- Our teen room ! Just last summer, headed up by Jodi O., we revamped our teen room. People have donated couches, chairs, and a pool table to make it a much more welcoming place.

- This statement is very true! -

- Memory board of Junior-Senior -

- Our sand volleyball court. I have wonderful memories of many games of normal and hillbilly (northern style) volleyball played here.

a little snippet

I just wanted to write a little snippet about how a day in my life usually goes here. Some part of the day is always dedicated to unpacking and organizing. The unpacking can range from working in my room late at night or organizing all of my grandparents' boxes that were sporadically stacked in our garage. At some point or another I usually help Uncle Gary and sometimes others on the work in the basement. Today we were moving some duct work, framing another wall, and working on some plumbing that had to be moved. We always take time for a break, and today's happened to be at an incredible ice cream place and is only five minutes away from our home! :-)

- working in the garage -

- rearranging boxes and furniture -

- extending the duct work -

- working with Uncle Gary . . . its a full time job keeping him and Mr. Grover in line! :-) Jjk. -

- Ice cream place! I was there, but I was behind the camera! -

reunited

It's a red letter day! For the first time since July 2, 2006 my entire family was finally together. Papa had to deliver an RV to Alabama, and he brought the younger girls, and Nanny with him. We all met in a Wal-Mart parking lot, and Dad dropped Peach and me off at the Wal-Mart entrance to get the girls some "Welcome Home" presents (see picture below!). As we were walking to the back of the Wal-Mart parking lot, the door of the RV opened, and the girls came charging at. After hugs, the stories of old home and new home started flying. Dinner at a Southern chicken place felt perfect because we were all there together. Mom and Dad had to keep asking us to be a little quieter because we were laughing and talking and having such a wonderful time being a foursome again. The ride home was great. None of us even noticed the traffic.

- "sisters, sisters, there were never such delightful sisters!" -

- lunch -

As we pulled into our neighborhood, the car became quiet. The anticipation of the younger girls and Nanny to see our new home was high. We drove by our house once, and then drove around the cul-de-sac and drove back by so that they could get the full view. We took them in the front door (I ran inside first to get pictures of their first impressions.), and then gave them the grand tour of our new house. Beane was so excited to see his girl; his tail would not stop wagging.

The girls love their rooms, and I think that they are even ready to get some more unpacking done. I am so glad to have all of my family together again, and that Nanny and Papa get to stay until next Tuesday!

- welcome home girls! -

- come on upstairs!!! -

- peach's room -

-the beach room -

- welcome to your room! -

- our green and pink room! -