tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12498544557562421152024-03-14T09:53:08.226+04:00in company with sparkles.'a thing of beauty is a joy forever.'Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.comBlogger263125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-41858831790167444942011-01-11T09:06:00.004+04:002011-01-11T10:04:03.248+04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSvmV-gQyyI/AAAAAAAAC7A/2QwDzxdsO70/s1600/ourhousedecember2010%2B%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSvmV-gQyyI/AAAAAAAAC7A/2QwDzxdsO70/s400/ourhousedecember2010%2B%25284%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560791430148967202" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">With a young year and a young marriage, it seemed like a good time to begin a new blog.<br />It will explain a little bit more at<br /><br /><a href="http://www.whatkadydid.blogspot.com"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;font-size:180%;" >What Kady Did </span></a><br /><br />Enjoy! Thank you for reading and I love you all :)<br />I'm glad to have friends in person and over the screen who are welcoming and read this.<br />Keep in touch!<br /><br />Love,<br />Cait</span><br /></div>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-80774687782704288762011-01-04T14:45:00.000+04:002011-01-04T14:45:00.499+04:00we got married 'last year'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGhFAEFmyI/AAAAAAAAC6U/rJ_olXOc7eo/s1600/christmasshoppingdubaimall2010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGhFAEFmyI/AAAAAAAAC6U/rJ_olXOc7eo/s400/christmasshoppingdubaimall2010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557900522440465186" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The day before Christmas Eve, Joel and I went to the Dubai Mall (one of my favorites - here there are so many malls that you have to have a favorite) to our favorite restaurant (Vapiano). Many of our gifts were stuck in America with a friend because of the backed up flights through England, and Joel wanted to</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> do some Christmas shopping. I hid in the enormous bookstore while he ran his errands. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">We jumped at the sight of a beautiful old perfume boutique called Penhaligon, an English company from the 1870s. Since becoming interested in the scent industry and knowing more about it, it was fun to look at the beautiful old style bottles and smell half their products.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGcr0FSLgI/AAAAAAAAC5c/NeyYyZc3ivw/s1600/christmaseve2010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGcr0FSLgI/AAAAAAAAC5c/NeyYyZc3ivw/s400/christmaseve2010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557895691681017346" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGcrvWsD2I/AAAAAAAAC5U/qF4BoGdQCTk/s1600/christmaseve2010%2B%25281%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGcrvWsD2I/AAAAAAAAC5U/qF4BoGdQCTk/s400/christmaseve2010%2B%25281%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557895690411839330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">On Christmas Eve our newlywed friends came over for lunch after church. Chris and Nicky were a blessing at our wedding and we were able to do the music at theirs in November. Since becoming engaged in the same week, we've made better and better friends.<br />Joel and I had a quiet Christmas Eve dinner by ourselves.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGcsH2U8oI/AAAAAAAAC5k/sE99wdyNCRI/s1600/firstchristmas2010%2B%25281%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGcsH2U8oI/AAAAAAAAC5k/sE99wdyNCRI/s400/firstchristmas2010%2B%25281%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557895696986993282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The morning was slow and relaxed and lovely, an absolutely perfect first Christmas together. And lo and behold, there was my favorite Penhaligon scent from two days before! The night before I'd put together a chocolate-laden breakfast cake, a tradition in my mom's family; and let it rise and bake in the morning. </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGhE35ANyI/AAAAAAAAC6M/bVj_fSwAsfw/s1600/firstchristmas2010%2B%25286%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGhE35ANyI/AAAAAAAAC6M/bVj_fSwAsfw/s400/firstchristmas2010%2B%25286%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557900520246490914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGcsRW0BhI/AAAAAAAAC5s/Q1c9VXacF40/s1600/firstchristmas2010%2B%25287%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGcsRW0BhI/AAAAAAAAC5s/Q1c9VXacF40/s400/firstchristmas2010%2B%25287%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557895699539166738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">In the afternoon we drove over to my family's house, bearing gifts and prepared for fondu. My parents thoroughly spoiled us with a coffee machine and grinder (I cracked our French press and it's not very practical for company). </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGcshxaI2I/AAAAAAAAC50/2pjxRqFLUhs/s1600/firstchristmas2010%2B%252813%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGcshxaI2I/AAAAAAAAC50/2pjxRqFLUhs/s400/firstchristmas2010%2B%252813%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557895703945683810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">My youngest sister, Candace, got to pick out a hamster, and when we arrived we heard the tale of buying Duffy, who was discovered on the ride home to only have three legs! They decided to keep him after realizing how hilarious his habits were, and he is completely healthy. Candace is enamored, of course. </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGvFBatRGI/AAAAAAAAC6w/4IXNRPrn0g4/s1600/firstchristmas2010%2B%252818%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSGvFBatRGI/AAAAAAAAC6w/4IXNRPrn0g4/s400/firstchristmas2010%2B%252818%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557915915966563426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Happy New Year to all :)<br />Joel and I have been so blessed in the past year, as you can see in the previous post. It's an exciting (though always unexpected) prospect to see what else will have grown and changed by next Christmas. You can probably guess one of our wishes, but we're treasuring every day at a time :)<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">In the next week we have a little surprise for you!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />love,<br />Cait</span><br /></div>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-24269481643824561512010-12-30T09:04:00.003+04:002011-01-02T16:33:32.124+04:00two thousand ten<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSBtmy5Yz6I/AAAAAAAAC5M/8X4SGBhWYyY/s1600/joels22birthdaydecember7%2B%25285%2529.JPG"><span></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Since 2010 was the biggest and most eventful year of my life so far, it makes sense to look back on it thoughtfully, though I haven't done so very concretely yet. It was very, very full, as every year is, with most blessed events added in.<br /> It began happily, already in a courtship with Joel and him being there for Christmas and New Years. We saw the midnight fireworks from a friend's rooftop, and later cooked a fancy dinner together for two well-loved visiting couples.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSAIVFC2W7I/AAAAAAAAC48/MU-2dTzx2Ew/s1600/dinnerforthecouples%2B%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSAIVFC2W7I/AAAAAAAAC48/MU-2dTzx2Ew/s400/dinnerforthecouples%2B%25283%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557451098399595442" border="0" /></a>In March my family traveled to see dear, old friends in Lebanon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwYRNEEaII/AAAAAAAAC38/Es6HyLKSTwQ/s1600/LebanonSwiftsMarch2010%2BTyre%2B%252849%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwYRNEEaII/AAAAAAAAC38/Es6HyLKSTwQ/s400/LebanonSwiftsMarch2010%2BTyre%2B%252849%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556342724111919234" border="0" /></a>April 19th Joel took me on the SeaWings flight and we were engaged. Oh happy day!<br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwUs2ZvoBI/AAAAAAAAC3U/HR-E7MDKT-k/s1600/theengagementflight19thApril2010%2B%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwUs2ZvoBI/AAAAAAAAC3U/HR-E7MDKT-k/s400/theengagementflight19thApril2010%2B%25283%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556338801018642450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwUs7HggXI/AAAAAAAAC3c/uGq1zXEASP0/s1600/Copy%2Bof%2Btheengagementflight19thApril2010%2B%252845%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwUs7HggXI/AAAAAAAAC3c/uGq1zXEASP0/s400/Copy%2Bof%2Btheengagementflight19thApril2010%2B%252845%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556338802284331378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwUtPymHUI/AAAAAAAAC3k/LYC9Y0La_Og/s1600/Copy%2Bof%2BDSC_0261_colour.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwUtPymHUI/AAAAAAAAC3k/LYC9Y0La_Og/s400/Copy%2Bof%2BDSC_0261_colour.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556338807833763138" border="0" /></a><br />In the summer I went on one more layover with my dad, to Prague in the Czech Republic. We stood on Charles Bridge and a watercolor of the skyline hangs above me now.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwYRahqRBI/AAAAAAAAC4E/ab3cX4zjTk0/s1600/praguelayoverjuly2010Czech%2B%2528160%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwYRahqRBI/AAAAAAAAC4E/ab3cX4zjTk0/s400/praguelayoverjuly2010Czech%2B%2528160%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556342727725696018" border="0" /></a>Life began a whirlwind of wedding planning, preparation, making, organizing, deciding. I saw my dream gown unfold and we did premarital counseling with our pastor.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwUtoyyCDI/AAAAAAAAC30/53KgUh1HVCw/s1600/august2010enumclaw%2B%252817%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwUtoyyCDI/AAAAAAAAC30/53KgUh1HVCw/s400/august2010enumclaw%2B%252817%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556338814545430578" border="0" /></a><br />My family traveled to the US for August, and Joel unexpectedly was unable to travel so we were separated for 6 weeks. Lovely showers were given in Michigan and Washington, with family time, errands, and visiting.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwYReb_EfI/AAAAAAAAC4M/n3PRsq_I80c/s1600/IMG_0616.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwYReb_EfI/AAAAAAAAC4M/n3PRsq_I80c/s400/IMG_0616.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556342728775635442" border="0" /></a>September was far too busy and fast and simultaneously dragged on forever until the 25th. Arielle stayed for three weeks and was a joy and a help, along with Kyleigh. Family arrived and we rehearsed.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwUtA02ExI/AAAAAAAAC3s/bpsK9MYLwUI/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwUtA02ExI/AAAAAAAAC3s/bpsK9MYLwUI/s400/IMG_1393.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556338803816665874" border="0" /></a><br />The day of our wedding, the beginning of all the rest. I couldn't say enough.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwYSG-aO6I/AAAAAAAAC4c/bJkdMkEHftI/s1600/IMG_1392.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwYSG-aO6I/AAAAAAAAC4c/bJkdMkEHftI/s400/IMG_1392.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556342739657440162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwYRp0tWjI/AAAAAAAAC4U/t6k-foFqm6w/s1600/IMG_1399.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRwYRp0tWjI/AAAAAAAAC4U/t6k-foFqm6w/s400/IMG_1399.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556342731832121906" border="0" /></a><br />Honeymoon to (surprise!) St. Petersburg, Russia.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSACNK_MX3I/AAAAAAAAC40/xsTb46IUs6s/s1600/firstthanksgivingathome%2B%25283%2529.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSACMujBisI/AAAAAAAAC4s/XDTeZyAlfzs/s1600/HoneymoonSt.PetersburgSep27-Oct5th2010%2B%252828%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSACMujBisI/AAAAAAAAC4s/XDTeZyAlfzs/s400/HoneymoonSt.PetersburgSep27-Oct5th2010%2B%252828%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557444357851810498" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSACMVTUuNI/AAAAAAAAC4k/_DN0nwa5X9k/s1600/HoneymoonSt.PetersburgSep27-Oct5th2010%2B%252852%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSACMVTUuNI/AAAAAAAAC4k/_DN0nwa5X9k/s400/HoneymoonSt.PetersburgSep27-Oct5th2010%2B%252852%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557444351075072210" border="0" /></a>Hosting our first Thanksgiving in our own home :)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSACNK_MX3I/AAAAAAAAC40/xsTb46IUs6s/s1600/firstthanksgivingathome%2B%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSACNK_MX3I/AAAAAAAAC40/xsTb46IUs6s/s400/firstthanksgivingathome%2B%25283%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557444365486153586" border="0" /></a>Joel's 22nd birthday :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSBtmy5Yz6I/AAAAAAAAC5M/8X4SGBhWYyY/s1600/joels22birthdaydecember7%2B%25285%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSBtmy5Yz6I/AAAAAAAAC5M/8X4SGBhWYyY/s400/joels22birthdaydecember7%2B%25285%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557562453440122786" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our very first Christmas together!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSBtmtamwmI/AAAAAAAAC5E/D-27A6bsbEo/s1600/firstchristmas2010%2B%25286%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TSBtmtamwmI/AAAAAAAAC5E/D-27A6bsbEo/s400/firstchristmas2010%2B%25286%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557562451968836194" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a lovely New Year's Eve with the same couples we cooked for last January, this time in our own home and with a new addition and with one of the couples engaged. Yay! It was lovely. We experienced one of my very favorite parts about living in Dubai - standing on the beach at midnight and watching beautiful fireworks by the <a href="http://imgpe.trivago.com/uploadimages/40/15/4015171_l.jpeg"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Burj al Arab</span></a>.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> God bless you, and happy January :)<br /><br />much love,<br />Cait<br /></div>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-24989823790005241732010-12-27T08:53:00.002+04:002010-12-27T09:13:26.739+04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRge51EHs3I/AAAAAAAAC3M/JsAuCHnLGL8/s1600/ornamentsthankyougifts%2B%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRge51EHs3I/AAAAAAAAC3M/JsAuCHnLGL8/s400/ornamentsthankyougifts%2B%25284%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555224119207244658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">These ornaments were part of an attempt to fill our tree and to have extra gifts for people. I wish I'd brought more foam balls back from the US this summer!<br />Joel and I had the most perfect first Christmas, and a lovely afternoon with my family and my sister's new three legged hamster. </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRge5kj6VmI/AAAAAAAAC3E/dB9WVluq2PU/s1600/ornamentsthankyougifts%2B%25281%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TRge5kj6VmI/AAAAAAAAC3E/dB9WVluq2PU/s400/ornamentsthankyougifts%2B%25281%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555224114777183842" border="0" /></a><br />Christmas day was also three months to the day since our wedding.<br /><a href="http://drumofadifferentbeat.wordpress.com/2010/12/25/remembering/">Look at my sister's blog</a> for a peek :)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love,<br />Cait<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-56986196285469761202010-12-19T08:38:00.002+04:002010-12-19T08:51:54.486+04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TQ2NgYvxd_I/AAAAAAAAC2o/WIvTdQRUMpk/s1600/IMG_2860.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TQ2NgYvxd_I/AAAAAAAAC2o/WIvTdQRUMpk/s400/IMG_2860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552249503155845106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I want to share some real little peeks into our flat soon, but these pictures were taken by my sister Kyleigh on my family's first dinner with us. I love our house so much :) we are very thankful to have such a comfortable place! (Though I was telling my friend Hannah last night, if we ever live in another apartment again I want to be as <span style="font-style: italic;">close </span>to the ground floor as possible, even though we'd forgo the pretty city lights at night. That's a story for another day!) By the way, that beautiful crocheted afghan was a wedding gift from Kyleigh that we found when we returned from St. Petersburg. Everyone would have been amazed if she'd unveiled it at the shower, but she quietly put it on our couch. We use it every day! </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TQ2Ng-S_miI/AAAAAAAAC24/BUGtR4G4jmI/s1600/IMG_2848.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TQ2Ng-S_miI/AAAAAAAAC24/BUGtR4G4jmI/s400/IMG_2848.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552249513235683874" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TQ2NgcialzI/AAAAAAAAC2w/18Nvrffl-_Y/s1600/IMG_2869.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TQ2NgcialzI/AAAAAAAAC2w/18Nvrffl-_Y/s400/IMG_2869.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552249504173561650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /> Six days until Christmas, and I hope to find the last of Joel's gifts before grocery shopping today, apart from perhaps some homemade ones :) For two days this week we will stay with my siblings in my old house (it always feels strange to say 'my family's house' and not 'our house') while my mom flies with dad. I'm looking forward to the special time with my siblings, and maybe we will make ice cream (another soon-post!). </span><br /><br /> Do you have any advent traditions?<br /><br />Love,<br />CaitCait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-36847840281729296272010-12-16T08:39:00.003+04:002011-01-03T15:12:33.366+04:00our first thanksgiving<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TQmasLAHErI/AAAAAAAAC2g/lGfbgzILwUs/s1600/firstthanksgivingathome%2B%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TQmasLAHErI/AAAAAAAAC2g/lGfbgzILwUs/s400/firstthanksgivingathome%2B%25283%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551138099369022130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> The Saturday after Thanksgiving Joel and I hosted our very own first Thanksgiving. I loved the busy day in the kitchen, and it didn't seem hard to get everything together. We invited some good friends from Russia with their new baby Bogdan (the star, see above ;) and new Kazakh friends. They seemed to enjoy all the dishes and had never had a thanksgiving before so if something had gone wrong, no one would have guessed! I said it before, but this really made our house feel cozy and homelike. It already was to the two of us, but that feeling simply quadrupled with a full room.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TQmasOnzW8I/AAAAAAAAC2Y/Bl-YZNSFork/s1600/firstthanksgivingathome%2B%25281%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TQmasOnzW8I/AAAAAAAAC2Y/Bl-YZNSFork/s400/firstthanksgivingathome%2B%25281%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551138100340808642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">We learned about Russian New Year salad, Kazakh food and horse meat (they promised to invite us over but I might have to play sick), Grandpa Frost, and other traditions, as well as exchanging stories and reading together.<br />We had our Christmas tree up, and Yelena made the lights flash to entertain Bogdan.<br />Joel and I were so happy.<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Love,<br />Cait<br /></div>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-30022621486344766392010-12-12T10:57:00.002+04:002010-12-12T12:18:56.948+04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TQR11lDn1ZI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/6vf3xSG_Fgo/s1600/IMG_4502.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TQR11lDn1ZI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/6vf3xSG_Fgo/s400/IMG_4502.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549690204168115602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">this is my husband (I love saying that), singing me a silly song off the top of his head and being the rockstar that he is. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />we can't believe Christmas is so soon! I still need some more ideas for Joel - it's hard; and he just had a birthday too!</span><br /><br />How are you choosing, buying, making, and wrapping gifts this year?<br /><br /></div>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-23228779952630680422010-11-28T10:57:00.002+04:002010-11-28T11:30:18.555+04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TPH-vgxCb4I/AAAAAAAAC2A/D_uVXBpQS-c/s1600/1stweekhome%2B%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TPH-vgxCb4I/AAAAAAAAC2A/D_uVXBpQS-c/s400/1stweekhome%2B%25284%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544492708472713090" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">It is difficult to pick up where you left off, or to write an emailed reply, when there has been a gap of time or life has moved and changes considerably. I'm been content not to be on here (and regrettably neglecting emails) and so much has happened.<br /> Little special days - one month of marriage, one year since our courtship (november 12th), two years since our meeting (november 21st), two months of marriage. We bought a table, hung pictures, bought a Christmas tree (and put it up).<br />We had our first married Thanksgiving with my parents, and last night had our first Thanksgiving in our <span style="font-style: italic;">own </span>home. Denis, Zhanara, Marat, Yelena, and baby Bogdan came over for <span style="font-style: italic;">their </span>first Thanksgiving <span style="font-style: italic;">ever</span>. I had a lovely time making everything! (Though two little chickens substituted the turkey, since one wouldn't fit in our tiny, pretty oven) We've had guests before but it was amazing to see our table almost full, and to feel our house homey and warm. And one told me, "I like your house, I feel comfortable here." That is what we want, and what its goal is. Warm, comfortable, inviting, something that says home (and is also very colorful). And lots of talking (which also happened).<br /> I love grocery shopping. And cooking, baking, making ice cream, curtains, keeping the cat happy. We got fish (tentatively named Miss Scarlet and Mrs. Peacock) and they need protecting.<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TPH-wME_8SI/AAAAAAAAC2I/oOgWJx0jE04/s1600/1stweekhome%2B%25285%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TPH-wME_8SI/AAAAAAAAC2I/oOgWJx0jE04/s400/1stweekhome%2B%25285%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544492720099160354" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TPH-vko_b7I/AAAAAAAAC14/oESkDYQ1zQo/s1600/1stweekhome%2B%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TPH-vko_b7I/AAAAAAAAC14/oESkDYQ1zQo/s400/1stweekhome%2B%25282%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544492709512703922" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">These pictures are from our first morning in our apartment, after coming home from Russia. Boxes for tables and boxes everywhere :) It was very happy. And then reading cards a few days later, after going to my family's house (with it not being my home) for the first time to open gifts.<br /><br />Have a lovely day; I'm going to get to the Thanksgiving dishes. See you sooner again!<br />Love,<br />Cait<br /></span>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-41268325146750148592010-10-18T09:24:00.004+04:002010-10-20T10:50:46.186+04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TL6RFRF6hsI/AAAAAAAAC1s/AkhPCRYNuTw/s1600/IMG_4473.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TL6RFRF6hsI/AAAAAAAAC1s/AkhPCRYNuTw/s400/IMG_4473.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530016912131131074" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">dear friends,<br /><br />we have been happily married for over three weeks, and home from St. Petersburg for nearly two.<br /><br />Russia (Joel told me in the taxi on the way to the airport) was beautiful, and we loved it.<br />We saw the Kirov do <span style="font-style: italic;">Swan Lake </span>at their Marinsky theatre, and it was Joel's first ballet (perfectly fitting that it would be the best company and ballet in the world, and on our honeymoon :).<br />The food was delicious, the air cold; love blissful.<br /><br /> Our eight days there were marvelous, but it was thrilling to come back to <span style="font-style: italic;">our </span>home, and life here has been peaceful and joyous. (We've declared the year our honeymoon, even though Joel is back at work)<br /><br /> The wedding was perfect, and we were amazed. All thanks to God who ordained it, and the myriads of loving, skillful people who ran it!<br /><br />More soon; love,<br />Cait Kady :) :) :)</span>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-57698211376162816072010-09-22T15:44:00.007+04:002010-09-22T23:55:12.336+04:00would you like to watch our wedding?<span style="font-size:85%;">We've been talking about this for awhile (ever since<a href="http://srloomis.com/"> this couple</a> did it), and are very pleased to actually be able to live-stream the wedding for our family and dear friends across the world.<br /><br />Our church administrator is going to do it on his<span style="font-style: italic;"> iPhone</span>, and you can view it from right here (on the right panel)!! On Saturday the 25th, you can come to my blog and watch the ceremony. The video is located in the sidebar to the right. The official invitation time is 3:45pm, and we certainly intend to start before 4 pm. Dubai local time is GMT+4. So plan to join us at 7:45 am EDT (Michigan!), 4:45 am PDT (Seattle!) or whatever your local time works out to be! </span><br /><br /> <span style="font-size:85%;">If this video does not work (realize it won't start until the wedding does), you can go to <a href="http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kady-wedding-dubai">this link</a> [</span><a href="http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kady-wedding-dubai">http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kady-wedding-dubai</a><span style="font-size:85%;">]<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span> <span style="font-style: italic;">once </span>the wedding has begun, and watch from there.<br /><br /> We hope this is a blessing to the family and friends far away :)<br /><br />Much love,<br />Cait</span><br />P.S. Three days!Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-1251931424494972112010-09-18T13:45:00.003+04:002010-09-18T23:47:56.341+04:00seven tiny days until wifehood<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TJSmrZSaEXI/AAAAAAAAC1k/z7oziTM4ZgM/s1600/DSC_0099_blackandwhite.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TJSmrZSaEXI/AAAAAAAAC1k/z7oziTM4ZgM/s400/DSC_0099_blackandwhite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518218707888378226" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Only a week left, and all the planning and preparation and work will be over. It will be such a relief to just be <span style="font-style: italic;">married</span>, to each other, and able to rest. We are so ready, and looking forward also to having a settled home and no more long drives to each other or talking about details.<br />I want to seize quiet this week, and time with my family that has trickled away unknowingly.<br /><br />We are so happy, and thankful, but it is easy to get overwhelmed and I need consistent dependence on God, and joy (which is bubbling up inside but needs help coming out!).<br /><br />Much love,<br />Cait</span><br /></div>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-2829521788887584682010-08-24T09:03:00.004+04:002010-08-24T09:37:34.360+04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/THNXidKjd3I/AAAAAAAAC1U/joGqQSiEiTs/s1600/michiganaugust2010+%2816%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/THNXidKjd3I/AAAAAAAAC1U/joGqQSiEiTs/s400/michiganaugust2010+%2816%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508843018660312946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">We are back in Enumclaw after a big-family weekend in Seabrook, and seeing an old friend in Sequim on the way home. More about the lovely Pacific Beach soon, but here are two more Michigan snippets - Aubrey's amazing cat, the fat and friendly Fezzik - and my kindred spirit Sara, with bubbly, cheery Raya. The two had never met before but after a sweet shower that Sara had for me, we got to spend some time with Raya, the first female (Christian!) piper to join Cabar Feidh after I did :) We hadn't seen each other since I moved four years ago, so it was good to catch up.<br />I could never say enough about the blessing that dear friends have been in these past few weeks, especially in their celebrating with Joel and I (even though they haven't met him yet). It's been overwhelming!<br /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/THNXhbLiD1I/AAAAAAAAC1M/myNXXvbsOTk/s1600/IMG_0395.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/THNXhbLiD1I/AAAAAAAAC1M/myNXXvbsOTk/s400/IMG_0395.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508843000947674962" border="0" /></a><br />Love, Cait<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">P.S. the counters are safely replaced, but here is more of the sharpie spree:<br />(I'm making it sound like a big deal but really it was just something silly to keep all the cousins excitedly occupied during one of our big barbeques at Grandma's)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/THNXgBHFgLI/AAAAAAAAC1E/4cIE2n-m8cA/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/THNXgBHFgLI/AAAAAAAAC1E/4cIE2n-m8cA/s400/IMG_0289.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508842976769835186" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/THNXfdnLjnI/AAAAAAAAC08/SsrSSO3VBJ8/s1600/IMG_0311.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 206px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/THNXfdnLjnI/AAAAAAAAC08/SsrSSO3VBJ8/s400/IMG_0311.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508842967240773234" border="0" /></a>P.P.S. I finally bought <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Nz_TkgRYc">this </a>song on iTunes :)<br />P.P.P.S. Five weeks gone and one more until I see Joel again!Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-73822413813023966282010-08-19T09:14:00.003+04:002010-08-19T09:55:20.066+04:00these are some goings-on<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TGzBFb8Pe9I/AAAAAAAAC0c/T-SJhqdGbVQ/s1600/lavenderdrying.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TGzBFb8Pe9I/AAAAAAAAC0c/T-SJhqdGbVQ/s400/lavenderdrying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506988743511210962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Local lavender has been dried for shower-favor sachets. It smelled <span style="font-style: italic;">beautiful </span>through the window.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TGzBGbqhwbI/AAAAAAAAC0s/FQXH8i65wZY/s1600/august2010enumclaw+%284%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TGzBGbqhwbI/AAAAAAAAC0s/FQXH8i65wZY/s400/august2010enumclaw+%284%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506988760616780210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">My fantastic cousin Hannah. I wish you could all meet her, really.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TGzBG38qMPI/AAAAAAAAC00/NELWF5SVGVw/s1600/august2010enumclaw+%287%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TGzBG38qMPI/AAAAAAAAC00/NELWF5SVGVw/s400/august2010enumclaw+%287%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506988768209023218" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Said amazing cousin suggested that we color our grandparents' counter with sharpies since they were getting it torn out (it's now a gorgeous granite). They agreed and the little cousins enthusiastically obliged!<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TGzBF-1XlvI/AAAAAAAAC0k/byHfTkXV19k/s1600/august2010enumclaw+%2831%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TGzBF-1XlvI/AAAAAAAAC0k/byHfTkXV19k/s400/august2010enumclaw+%2831%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506988752877623026" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Sister.</span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">We just returned from a full, too-busy time in Michigan. It was <span style="font-style: italic;">lovely </span>to see old friends again, and I was so blessed by them. It was simply a little too hectic. I will write more about the lovely parts soon :)<br /><br />How is your August so far? It feels like it's flying by in some ways and dragging on in others!</span><br /><br />love, Cait<br /></div>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-15358484379746134532010-08-12T10:10:00.000+04:002010-08-12T10:10:00.254+04:00a traditional stack<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TGI-MLCZ7_I/AAAAAAAAC0U/u3pWPnJ09Tk/s1600/august2010enumclaw+%2826%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TGI-MLCZ7_I/AAAAAAAAC0U/u3pWPnJ09Tk/s400/august2010enumclaw+%2826%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504030073442398194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">finally - this big stack of state-side invitations addressed, filled, stamped, sealed, and ready to mail. And I even have a couple blisters to show for the sealing :) It was a fun job and I was amazed at how fast everything went, especially writing all the addresses and return addresses out. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">I love the seal; we used it on top of the wrapped baker's twine for the invitations to be handed out, and on the back of the mailed envelopes. It was a natural black resin I found on ebay, and we used a beautiful tree seal that belonged to my great-grandmother. The resin didn't have a wick running through it, so I had to use a flame lighter to melt and drip it. </span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TGI-LvRC1zI/AAAAAAAAC0M/gM0ao4iFynA/s1600/august2010enumclaw+%2818%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TGI-LvRC1zI/AAAAAAAAC0M/gM0ao4iFynA/s400/august2010enumclaw+%2818%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504030065987606322" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TGI-LDMxwSI/AAAAAAAAC0E/wPHrmxWv2NM/s1600/august2010enumclaw+%2813%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TGI-LDMxwSI/AAAAAAAAC0E/wPHrmxWv2NM/s400/august2010enumclaw+%2813%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504030054158549282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />I would have more pictures of finishing them up but Kyleigh took them while I was singing along to an opera song, so they aren't too attractive ;) </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">love,<br />Cait<br /></div>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-58498084922315042142010-08-07T03:40:00.001+04:002010-08-11T10:31:15.123+04:00Rainier<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TFyeQFhTqlI/AAAAAAAACz8/6O8SknbXpbY/s1600/washingtonaugust2010ParadiseSkylineHike+%2828%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TFyeQFhTqlI/AAAAAAAACz8/6O8SknbXpbY/s400/washingtonaugust2010ParadiseSkylineHike+%2828%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502446843936877138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Last week I went on the longest hike I've ever been on, with Joel's adorable sister, sweet mom, and younger brother and brother's girlfriend Heather. It was near Mount Rainier, and we encountered a lot of wet and slippery snow-covered paths! We saw plenteous birds, gophers (up close! I wanted to cuddle them), elk, deer, and even a mother bear with her cubs, from a distance! </span> <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TFyePzgW1NI/AAAAAAAACz0/9j_vs9JtmZA/s1600/washingtonaugust2010ParadiseSkylineHike+%2899%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TFyePzgW1NI/AAAAAAAACz0/9j_vs9JtmZA/s400/washingtonaugust2010ParadiseSkylineHike+%2899%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502446839101052114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">It was fantastic, and I couldn't believe how close to the mountain we were, but made me miss Joel <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>bad. </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TFyePSvILyI/AAAAAAAACzs/8oHIGO9uFu0/s1600/washingtonaugust2010ParadiseSkylineHike+%2890%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TFyePSvILyI/AAAAAAAACzs/8oHIGO9uFu0/s400/washingtonaugust2010ParadiseSkylineHike+%2890%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502446830304636706" border="0" /></a><br />IloveWashingtonbutnotwhenJoel'snothere,<br />Cait<br /></div>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-57325263302641089062010-08-07T02:46:00.003+04:002010-08-07T03:40:03.915+04:00twenty-four and forty-nine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TFyZPum_z1I/AAAAAAAACzk/Yn1cnEpuRNI/s1600/washingtonaugust2010.JPG"><span><span></span></span></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TFyYnTPGuaI/AAAAAAAACzc/KX-HdAsDyqc/s1600/washingtonaugust2010+%282%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TFyYnTPGuaI/AAAAAAAACzc/KX-HdAsDyqc/s400/washingtonaugust2010+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502440645685852578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">It has been a very bittersweet trip, these last two weeks. It was bittersweet, already, because I was going to be away from Joel for over a week. But now that week is turning into six. Stand-by flights failed us and we are across the world from each other for over a month, longer than it will be from when I get back until our wedding day (that is the good part).<br />That was very, very hard to realize, having not bargained for that long away. It's helped me know how <span style="font-style: italic;">blessed</span> we are to live in the same city, unlike some courting or betrothed couples. God has very wise purposes we don't know in this, and it is a unique reminder that Christ is my true bridegroom, and that seeking Him first is important even when Joel and I <span style="font-style: italic;">are </span>together. Joel reminds me that if we knew all that God knew right now, we would choose the same things. Painful to think about but true!<br /><br />Those numbers up there are how many days until I'm home again, and the number of days until September 25th :)<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">And after a weekend of attempts, all this was found out on my birthday. That was so sad! We still had a very sweet evening at dinner with Joel's family, who are so kind and lovely to me. But it was difficult to think that I was supposed to be meeting all his relatives with him, and then when all my family came on Wednesday, he was supposed to be getting to know them all for the first time. Also, I've never gotten to see him on my birthday! What is neat is that when all of this <span style="font-style: italic;">does </span>happen someday, it will be as husband and wife, for real.</span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TFyZPum_z1I/AAAAAAAACzk/Yn1cnEpuRNI/s1600/washingtonaugust2010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TFyZPum_z1I/AAAAAAAACzk/Yn1cnEpuRNI/s400/washingtonaugust2010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502441340228587346" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">love,<br />Cait<br /></div>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-53358481198062907322010-07-24T03:25:00.002+04:002010-07-24T03:36:54.623+04:00things that have made me smile this week<span style="font-size:85%;"> - my sweet friend Arielle saying yes to this question:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TEolWaBSm4I/AAAAAAAACzM/MG7jcP5vS44/s1600/Arielle.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TEolWaBSm4I/AAAAAAAACzM/MG7jcP5vS44/s400/Arielle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497247362031197058" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /> - the two huge boxes of silk flowers awaiting me at my grandparents' house, and how beautiful and richly colored and <span style="font-style: italic;">perfect </span>they were.<br /><br /> - my cousin Hannah and her shennanigans.<br /><br /> - teenagers walking into the Starbucks I'm sitting at and fanning themselves desperately, exclaiming "I'm hot!" in this 70-degree Enumclaw weather. <span style="font-style: italic;">Hot!?</span> (though I have to admit, I'm not used to being <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">outside </span>in warm weather. But coming from 118 this is very, <span style="font-style: italic;">very </span>nice.)<br /><br /> - the find of an exquisite thrifted 50's dress.<br /><br /> - that this the wedding day of a dear friend! (2 months and 2 days for us)<br /><br /> - surprises for Joel =)<br /><br /> - American coffee shops, atmosphere included.<br /><br /> - shopping for pretty things I've never had to go shopping for before.<br /><br /> - seeing Mount Rainier from my window :)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">what does not make me smile today: </span><br /><br />being halfway around the world from Joel and having to settle for Skype (but I am very thankful for Skype).</span><br /><br />I'm going to go join my grandpa outside now. What has made you smile/laugh/cry this week?<br /><br />much love;<br />CaitCait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-26459854765319521882010-07-15T11:30:00.002+04:002010-07-15T12:40:10.990+04:00i here refrain from a pun on 'Czech'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TD7F8HlY8EI/AAAAAAAACzE/xsTnQ1iNBXI/s1600/praguelayoverjuly2010Czech+%2899%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TD7F8HlY8EI/AAAAAAAACzE/xsTnQ1iNBXI/s400/praguelayoverjuly2010Czech+%2899%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494046232057278530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /> My dad flew to Prague last week and I went on the layover with him. The only other time I've been on one of his layovers was to <a href="http://incompanywithsparkles.blogspot.com/2008/04/venezia.html">Venice</a>, two years ago (I'm still in love with that place). We had 24 hours in the beautiful city and it was a wonderful time with him as I get ready to go back to the states.<br /><br /> This is going to make me sound like a spoiled brat (which I <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">am </span>when it comes to traveling! That's what comes of having a pilot father and living overseas. We've been so blessed!), but really, once you've been to the major European cities....<span style="font-style: italic;">they all start to look the same</span>.<br /><br /> This was no exception, but the unique thing about Prague is the cause of its well-earned title, <span style="font-style: italic;">City of Spires. </span>Along the skyline and everywhere you look are the delicate, high-flying steeples and peaks of town halls, cathedrals, castles, and clock towers. Hauntingly fog-covered in photographs (how I wish I'd had a polaroid!), and starkly rising in streetside watercolor print shops, the <a href="http://praguehotel.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/charles_bridge.jpg">Charles Bridge</a> had the best few and was crowded with artists.<br /> Photos to come soon, I hope! There is much to do in the THREE days before I leave, and tonight I'm cooking a big dinner for my dad and Joel and some others (but that's fun and relaxing :).<br /><br />much love,<br />Cait<br /><br />P.S. What says <span style="font-style: italic;">'processional music</span>' (think 'entrance of the bride or bridesmaids') to you? I'm stuck on music!<br /></span>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-80690240653937713612010-07-05T20:05:00.001+04:002010-07-05T20:05:00.767+04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TDDmy6nRCqI/AAAAAAAACy0/cNL0EZk5_M0/s1600/invitations+%286%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TDDmy6nRCqI/AAAAAAAACy0/cNL0EZk5_M0/s400/invitations+%286%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490141708166433442" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I am officially on a blog break.<br />This means if I comment on your blog, scold me.<br /><span style="font-size:100%;">This does <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">not </span>mean that if there are a bunch of things to share and a bunch of free time (not happening) then I won't write something</span>, but I do want to seize the time.<br />I spend much more time browsing than writing (evident by my irregular posting!), so that is where I need the declared break. This is because I <span style="font-style: italic;">enjoy </span>your blogs, not because I <span style="font-style: italic;">want </span>to absent myself from them! ;)<br /><br /> There is so much to do in the next two weeks before I leave for the states, and just a little more before our marriage, and using time well is something I struggle with constantly. Enjoying blogs isn't wrong, but maybe sometimes some people can do things that I cannot, if I want to be trained better in diligence and faithfulness for the future.<br /> Especially now, and probably increasingly as I get older, I want to look back with no regrets of wasting days.<br /><br /> I'd really like to keep a blog after Joel and I are married, as long as I can use computer time <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>well. We've talked about the benefits of that; all the ways that <span style="font-style: italic;">I've </span>been encouraged by other blogs, especially of those a step ahead of me in life. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />So, maybe it's a blog <span style="font-style: italic;">reading </span>break, but don't expect me around too much.<br />Maybe I'll post a <span style="font-style: italic;">lot </span>through the summer<br />Maybe the next thing you'll see is wedding pictures (!!!)<br />Maybe the next thing will be a new Kady blog address. (!!!!!!!!)<br /><br /> You ladies are just too inspiring. So much so that I need to hide for a couple weeks ;)<br /><br />with love,<br />Cait<br /><br />p.s. we looked at an <span style="font-style: italic;">apartment </span>yesterday!! :)<br /></span>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-59187496888756293662010-07-01T18:23:00.004+04:002010-07-03T23:05:36.688+04:00he's twelve<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCznF63x-KI/AAAAAAAACys/BfOkrLjOb1U/s1600/dinerwithNate+%283%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCznF63x-KI/AAAAAAAACys/BfOkrLjOb1U/s400/dinerwithNate+%283%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489016134746372258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Joel and I promised Nate and Candace awhile ago that we'd take them each out with us sometime, because they (Candace) would be sad when we weren't home in the evenings. It was Nate's turn this week, and like Candace, he only had one word - <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">burger!</span></span> (Candace's was '<span style="font-style: italic;">Starbucks!</span>') All he wanted was a giant burger somewhere. We found an empty table in a World-Cup-crazed Dubai Mall diner, and Nate happily ate and tried to catch glimpses of Germany winning. He is a bottomless pit right now (and would tell you that he has one dinner stomach, one spaghetti stomach, and two dessert stomachs), a growing boy. I love my little brother and I've always looked forward to being the watchful big sister when he's tall and handsome (it's getting close!). </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> I still remember his chubby toddler cheeks and the sour faces he made when he tried yogurt for the first time.</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCznFd6QayI/AAAAAAAACyk/M8S6NDBUizM/s1600/dinerwithNate+%2811%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCznFd6QayI/AAAAAAAACyk/M8S6NDBUizM/s400/dinerwithNate+%2811%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489016126972128034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCznExskZvI/AAAAAAAACyc/IolI9EvGgyc/s1600/dinerwithNate.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCznExskZvI/AAAAAAAACyc/IolI9EvGgyc/s400/dinerwithNate.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489016115103557362" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Joel had heard about the 'best milkshakes in Dubai' and we got those after exclaiming with glee over the new Hershey's store in the mall. It was very sweet, because Joel knows my constant irrational cravings for milkshakes. These were so good. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />Nate was so wound up, and I look forward to many more times of making him feel extra special (preferably with quality time <span style="font-style: italic;">daily </span>until our wedding). My dad and I are the only ones left of our family now; all have departed for music camp or Grandma's house in Washington. I follow on July 19th, and he in August - it's the yearly Dubai exodus. Time is so precious and short. I'm happy that it's short because oh my GOODNESS in eighty-four days we'll be married, but at the same time I want to freeze the months and invest in people and plan details. Enjoy those siblings while you're in the same house.<br /><br />much love,<br />Cait</span><br /><br />p.s. thank you for all of your lovely, sweet comments. :)<br /></div>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-91130878308547044812010-06-29T14:59:00.001+04:002010-07-02T00:03:07.163+04:00Engagement Pictures [Nicky Rivett]<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCzTPTWD-oI/AAAAAAAACyU/mjQqUw7IqAY/s1600/DSC_0352_ps.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCzTPTWD-oI/AAAAAAAACyU/mjQqUw7IqAY/s400/DSC_0352_ps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488994305702099586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCzTO9VHrEI/AAAAAAAACyM/g48Xe2-2H58/s1600/DSC_0329_blackandwhite.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCyuk6jMDPI/AAAAAAAACx0/ju_aLTrM6Ng/s1600/DSC_0232_colour.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCyuk6jMDPI/AAAAAAAACx0/ju_aLTrM6Ng/s400/DSC_0232_colour.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488953995073162482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCzBNOFxI_I/AAAAAAAACyE/93-w_TCMV3I/s1600/DSC_0293_sepia.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCzBNOFxI_I/AAAAAAAACyE/93-w_TCMV3I/s400/DSC_0293_sepia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488974478722540530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCy2xuuhZmI/AAAAAAAACx8/DLEQru3B0wQ/s1600/DSC_0269_blackandwhite.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCzTO9VHrEI/AAAAAAAACyM/g48Xe2-2H58/s1600/DSC_0329_blackandwhite.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCzTO9VHrEI/AAAAAAAACyM/g48Xe2-2H58/s400/DSC_0329_blackandwhite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488994299792567362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCysfunNixI/AAAAAAAACxs/w5i5jqjCfg8/s1600/DSC_0230_blackandwhite.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCysfunNixI/AAAAAAAACxs/w5i5jqjCfg8/s400/DSC_0230_blackandwhite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488951706946210578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCymp-JxVMI/AAAAAAAACxc/fuctpV3Bo0Q/s1600/DSC_0131_blackandwhite.jpg"><span><span></span></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCyqdjJTxaI/AAAAAAAACxk/jc1MlufwZ-k/s1600/DSC_0150_colour.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCyqdjJTxaI/AAAAAAAACxk/jc1MlufwZ-k/s400/DSC_0150_colour.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488949470485005730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCykQ_irv9I/AAAAAAAACxU/NRgLCa-6dCo/s1600/DSC_0099_blackandwhite.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCykQ_irv9I/AAAAAAAACxU/NRgLCa-6dCo/s400/DSC_0099_blackandwhite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488942657699561426" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCssL66t-KI/AAAAAAAACwk/9hBkqyfLOrc/s1600/DSC_0014_blackandwhite.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCssL66t-KI/AAAAAAAACwk/9hBkqyfLOrc/s400/DSC_0014_blackandwhite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488529154186803362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCyiyOgYBdI/AAAAAAAACxM/PidIm-QbTMo/s1600/DSC_0076_colour.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 461px; height: 209px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCyiyOgYBdI/AAAAAAAACxM/PidIm-QbTMo/s400/DSC_0076_colour.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488941029628839378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCygWk8CaGI/AAAAAAAACxE/g-lso0oq4LQ/s1600/DSC_0069_sepia.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCygWk8CaGI/AAAAAAAACxE/g-lso0oq4LQ/s400/DSC_0069_sepia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488938355590850658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCxuO1TME1I/AAAAAAAACw0/R_DU4sYcH4w/s1600/DSC_0027_black+and+white.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCxuO1TME1I/AAAAAAAACw0/R_DU4sYcH4w/s400/DSC_0027_black+and+white.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488883246962578258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCyZfMo-DMI/AAAAAAAACw8/7aDwUP52Shg/s1600/DSC_0061_colour.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCyZfMo-DMI/AAAAAAAACw8/7aDwUP52Shg/s400/DSC_0061_colour.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488930807105850562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCssMu7LirI/AAAAAAAACws/q35RwWsfHtk/s1600/DSC_0025_blackandwhite.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCssMu7LirI/AAAAAAAACws/q35RwWsfHtk/s400/DSC_0025_blackandwhite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488529168147385010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCssL66t-KI/AAAAAAAACwk/9hBkqyfLOrc/s1600/DSC_0014_blackandwhite.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCy2xuuhZmI/AAAAAAAACx8/DLEQru3B0wQ/s1600/DSC_0269_blackandwhite.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCy2xuuhZmI/AAAAAAAACx8/DLEQru3B0wQ/s400/DSC_0269_blackandwhite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488963011330795106" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> Our friend Nicky did a lovely job with these, and was creative and professional and relaxed. I love looking at these photos. It was a special day together and such a fun time with Nicky and her fiance (they're getting married two months later!).<br /> I hope you enjoyed them! (I've saved just a few for later!)<br /><br />Love,<br />Cait<br />P.S. I love the ones with the guitar because I guarantee you have never heard anybody in person play like Joel can.<br />P.P.S. <a href="http://www.joyfullyathomeblog.com/2010/06/they-cant-take-their-eyes-off.html#more">This </a>very encouraging post articulated much of what I'm thinking and experiencing and trying to live out, re. several posts down. Thank you Jasmine!<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Listen --I'm so excited right now, because I'm thinking of the next generation of Christian young people, marrying and raising their children with a view towards multigenerational faithfulness and a biblical purpose -I'm thinking of houses brimming with God-fearing families, burgeoning with cultural impact -and I'm thinking of revival, of the gospel of Christ dispersing through the means of these godly families. I'm thinking it starts here -with </span><i style="font-style: italic;">you</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> choosing to invest in your family; it starts here, with me doing the same. It starts with us </span><i style="font-style: italic;">loving every second of it</i><span style="font-style: italic;">.</span></span>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-91351728203561034262010-06-27T16:31:00.006+04:002010-07-05T00:06:58.395+04:00ninety days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCdFfG7n1KI/AAAAAAAACwc/PBqB1IEypkQ/s1600/IMG_3603.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCdFfG7n1KI/AAAAAAAACwc/PBqB1IEypkQ/s400/IMG_3603.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487431071713186978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">in case you were curious, here's where we're at :)<br /><br />. (almost) everything planned, organized, and designed<br />. found a caterer<br />. decided on silk flowers and found where to order them from<br />. picked a song to be performed during the signing<br />. favors half finished<br />. dress designed and underway<br />. supplies for bridesmaid headpieces bought<br />. discovered that the seamstress will make my veil for free<br />. was given a lovely shower with the older ladies who have impacted and influenced me<br />. registry finished (<a href="http://www.freegiftregistry.com/joelandcait">here</a>, if you have recommendations or see any gaping holes!)<br />. bought COUCHES (okay, not <span style="font-style: italic;">directly </span>wedding related but it's super exciting!)<br />. was offered the bridal package as a wedding gift from friends starting a salon (hello saving 2000dhs)<br />. stored a couple hundred jars and emailed ladies to save their used ones<br />. bought 244 yards of ribbon<br />. have no idea where Joel is taking me afterward :)<br />. invitations printed and assembled (so pretty!)<br />. had our first premarital counseling session</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Before leaving to the US for a month on July 19th, I need to find shoes, order flowers, organize teams of helpers, locate a little arbor somewhere to buy or rent, finish invitations, and work on favors, garlands, and other little handwork things. It's not too overwhelming and much can be finished in September, when <span style="font-style: italic;">planning </span>is done and my sweet friend Arielle is here. These are all little things to be progressed in, and I'm so happy we get to do so many creative things ourselves, it's so much fun and when it's all mapped out I can be at peace about having time. </span><br /><br />What are you up to these June days?<br />love,<br />Cait<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">P.S. I <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>need a new header. It's shameful.</span>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-2538395807111008912010-06-24T12:50:00.000+04:002010-06-26T00:20:10.095+04:00young we are<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCO4xdxzrAI/AAAAAAAACwU/oURw4G16seM/s1600/7june2010girlfriends.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCO4xdxzrAI/AAAAAAAACwU/oURw4G16seM/s400/7june2010girlfriends.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486431931014032386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >this picture has nothing to do with this post; I'm just happy the three of us are in the same country for a few weeks. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Have you ever been lectured?<br />I know we all have, but a few weeks ago I got a good taste of what I <span style="font-style: italic;">could </span>expect from a lot of people but which has been gratefully restrained.<br />[You should expect things like this when you do anything atypical.]<br />We were at a church where my father was guest-preaching, and I'd arrived late because of a Requiem dress rehearsal (it was a lovely experience, by the way). A man whom my family knows and respects, but whom I myself had never met, interrupted my conversation with my sister with a blank stare.<br />When we noticed he was standing near us, we paused and looked over, and he asked if I was the one getting married. I answered and he exclaimed "Too young! Too young! <span style="font-style: italic;">Too young!</span>"<br />followed by another disbelieving stare.<br /><br />What I want to say is that in the course of the following ten minute lecture from someone I didn't know, many things ran through my mind. True, it wasn't his business, and true, it was a false cultural presumption, and true, I wasn't at all interested in chasing other ambitions - I need none higher.<br />But I couldn't argue, because he was as convinced as I was, and I didn't want to disrespect him. Thus I could do nothing more than smile and try to express my joy and conviction (while next to me, my dear sister broiled inside) and thank him for his concern. My business is to, hopefully, represent myself and Joel and God's word as best as possible, and leave it at that. I can't argue, even if I wanted to, and the desire was gone.<br /><br />I can laugh about it because it didn't upset me and was so bizarre an event. I'm grateful that it hasn't occurred more frequently - we've been blessed with the rejoicing of our friends at church. I do wish, for his sake, that he knew that there are more far-reaching things than independence and individualism and 'experience' before you settle down.<br /><br /><br />When relating the story to friends later, one father said "Why is it that today people can stare and accuse and ask you to your face why your wife didn't have a career first, or why you would ever consider homeschooling, or why you were so irresponsible as to have that many kids, and it would be seen as completely appalling for us to ask 'How were you so <span style="font-style: italic;">selfish </span>to wait so long to have children?' and the myriad of other questions that would be biblically grounded?"<br /><br />It is frustrating to be minorities sometimes, but what I want far more is for people to see truth and to obey, and to experience the same <span style="font-style: italic;">blessings</span> that they miss out on - <span style="font-style: italic;">not </span>for them to be just like us.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">love,<br />Cait<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />p.s. expect an indefinite but finite hiatus sometime soon, announced or unannounced. I need a blog-free timezone in order to be super productive!</span><span style="font-size:78%;"> (not that I'm the world's most regular or engaging poster anyway)</span><br /></div>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-38094137860690040882010-06-20T15:57:00.000+04:002010-06-23T18:12:22.679+04:00Father's week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCIS3XDBBUI/AAAAAAAACwM/KIHq1uGIRq4/s1600/kygradparty29may2010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TCIS3XDBBUI/AAAAAAAACwM/KIHq1uGIRq4/s400/kygradparty29may2010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485968038379455810" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Because this week was Father's Day, and my last in my father's house, and because my father deserves it, I wanted to write about him, however incomprehensive.<br /><br /> Let me start by saying two things:<br /><br />Because of Daddy, I was blessed by staying home after graduating.<br />Because of Daddy, I am getting married.<br /><br /> My three younger siblings and I have been homeschooled our whole lives, by parents intent on training us in the home and with a Biblical worldview. My dad would tell people that he'd never have given the privilege of teaching us away. He was the 'principal' of the Fox Home Academy, and when it came to high school, he directed, compiled, and even wrote much of our curriculum, in order to give us an informed, Scriptural understanding of culture and history, and teach us that 'ideas have consequences,' as Dr. Grant says.<br /> He took me to a Vision Forum Father-Daughter retreat the summer before I turned twelve, and then I told him that I was going to stay with him until I got married, and that he had my heart, and left behind the mental journey to professional ballet.<br /> We moved to Dubai and I was the foolish teenager guinea pig, but they figured things out, even if it was the long way. God has transformed our family over the past two years, using friends and convictions to turn us to obedience and reform. Daddy teaches us. He always has, but now he is a visible beacon to other fathers of discipling their families. He is an elder, and I couldn't be happier because <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=titus%201:5-9&version=ESV">he is qualified</a>.<br /> Because the Lord gave my father vision, I was blessed to remain in his home to prepare for my own family, was encouraged to be obedient to Scripture uniquely as a woman.<br /><br /><br /> When I was little I always told him I wanted to marry someone exactly like him. As I grew up, I understood his qualities better and grew more thankful, and he taught me things that I would need in a husband that I might not realize. When we were very young we were prepared for what to expect leading up to marriage, under Daddy's guidance and protection. He guarded me from harm and waste (even though I have my own mistakes) and he helped me with a 'list.'<br /> Then he excitedly spent months talking to Joel, as he saw all of these things, and more, in him. I didn't know, of course =) but he was doing exactly what he had always told us he would, and what it was his job to do. My father's time with Joel gave me complete peace that the man I respected most loved and approved of Joel. Daddy is thrilled (even though it's harder for my family to think about than me) and my parents are as thankful as I am (well, almost ;) for God's generosity in bringing us together. I love Joel because he is <span style="font-style: italic;">Joel</span>, but, like I thought of when I was a little girl, there are many similarities. They are both noble, purposeful men who fear the Lord, and courageously follow Scripture.<br /> Daddy took seriously his biblical responsibility for the transfer of his authority to my future husband, which will take place in 94 days. God willing, generations will thank him for it.<br /><br /><br /> He is a man who stands, often alone with little likeminded fellowship or encouragement from other men, and who is unashamedly counter-cultural. He fears God rather than man, and I am grateful, privileged, praising God that I am <span style="font-style: italic;">his </span>daughter and was raised and loved in his house.<br /><br /><br />love,<br />Cait<br /><br /> (I write this because I love him, and if it makes you discontent with the father God has placed you under, that was not my intent! We've been blessed by the grace of God, and don't deserve it. You have been planted there purposefully, and all of our dads are imperfect. We will be <span style="font-style: italic;">far </span>happier if we serve joyfully rather than wishing we had a model man for a father, or despairing that he is not all that he could be. Obey and pray hard for contentment, and try to bless him as he is.)</span>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249854455756242115.post-12531712501097229022010-06-16T12:48:00.002+04:002010-06-17T16:21:16.663+04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TBiXbmbDjXI/AAAAAAAACwE/gkV0ASLYIvE/s1600/DSC_0261_colour.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Peo6yVpncIM/TBiXbmbDjXI/AAAAAAAACwE/gkV0ASLYIvE/s400/DSC_0261_colour.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483299046749867378" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">we are super excited about the engagement pictures Nicky took for us, but this is just a peek for today :)</span><br /></div>Cait http://www.blogger.com/profile/13978265743415465731noreply@blogger.com12