Happy Birthday, Kate!

I can't believe Kate has turned 1!  She has been such a blessing to our family on so many levels.  We named her Katelyn Grace for all the graces we have received since we learned she'd be joining our family.  Kate was planned by God, not us.  Several months before we found out I was pregnant, Danny received a promotion at work.  It came with a really good raise and I remember praying that God would help us to use the money how He wanted us to.  I looked into working part-time and that wasn't feasible.  We put an offer on another house.  That didn't work out.  So, God made it clear to us.  It was July 1, 2008 when I came home at lunch and took a pregnancy test and learned she was on the way.  We started saving up so I could quit working after she was born.  It was August, 2008 when we started working with ECI for Josh.  There was no doubt I needed to quit working by the time Kate was born.  She's my buddy on the run all the time.  She spends hours in the car with me, waits in therapy waiting rooms and loves to grocery shop.  She gives me reason to smile throughout the day when it's just the two of us and I'd be lonely without her.

Kate has a sweet demeanor about her, yet she's very insistent on exploring and pursuing what is on her mind.  She is an observer, then tries out what she watches without looking back.  Of the three kids, she is definitely the most verbal, which says a lot after Emma.  Kate says all of our names, is very quick to say no when I offer food she doesn't want, and loves to be in the middle of whatever Emma and Josh are doing.  She keeps my days interesting and when she is quiet for too long, I better find out what she's doing quickly!  (See below.)

Thank you, God, for our precious baby girl.  You are all good and we are thankful for the graces received through our sweet Katelyn Grace.  Amen.