Here I Am, A Homeowner!

Well, its official!
We are homeowners!!

We closed this morning at nine and were headed on our way to the house with keys in hand by 10:15!

We walked into the house and immediately went to work taping the walls so when Steve and Kathy (my inlaws) arrived they could start painting. They have been so sweet to come into town just to help us paint and get settled!!

Shane's cousin, Clay, came over and the three of us headed back to our old place to load up boxes into a U-Haul trailer Shane had rented this morning before the closing.

We loaded it up as well as my car and Derek's truck that we're borrowing for the weekend and set off for the new house.

We unloaded all the boxes, admired Steve and Kathy's hard work, picked up and enjoyed fajitas for dinner, shuffled boxes around to make room for all the other boxes and furniture that still needs to be brought over then headed out to return the U-Haul and finish packing up the old place.

We're worn out, but so ready to be settled in the new house!

Here I Am With My Brother's Graduation!

Our life has been a little crazy lately, so I'm sorry I'm just now posting this but last Friday was a whirlwind!

4:45- Alarm sounds
5:15- Leave for Airport
5:35- Drop Shane off at airport, you'll have to see here why he left early, but if you know my husband at all, I bet you can guess the reason...
6:10- Return home, get ready for school
7:00- Shane's flight departs
7:10- Stop by Starbucks
7:20- Arrive at school and set up for Splash Day (crazy fun day where kids wear their swimsuits to school and we have slip and slides, kiddie pools, shaving cream, and bubbles for them to play with all morning!)
8:05- Kids arrive for their fun day
12:00- Kids leave happy and worn out and I leave for airport!
1:45- My flight departs
3:13- My flight lands in Denver
4:30- Shane meets me at airport and we take shuttle to the hotel

We hung out at the hotel until Mom, Dad, and Eddie returned from buying Eddie a new car for graduation!!

He got a Subaru Outback, which is great for the mountains as its four wheel drive, low center of gravity, and still can hold a whole lot!

We hung out that night and went to Bar Louie for dinner. It was great to catch up with everyone, and our new "friend" Chuck, a random lonely guy at the bar who decided to join us. Very entertaining...

Then we woke up early Saturday morning and drove over to Johnson and Wales campus for the graduation.

We feared there would be rain at the outdoor ceremony, but it turned out to be a cool, partly cloudy morning and really pleasant!

The ceremony was held out on a lawn in between all of the beautiful, old buildings...

As the ceremony started all the graduates walked through a gate as part of a standing tradition at the school where the gate is only opened twice a year. In the Fall for the incoming freshman to step through and then for the graduates procession as they leave the school.

A little Where's Waldo type picture, see if you can find Eddie walking through...

Then the procession walked right by us!
I caught this shot of Eddie just as he stepped by...

Eddie's school was a little different in that it is both a culinary and business school. The speaker was a head chef from Illinois and gave a great speech.

Then time for the fun as they announced each graduate as they crossed the stage...
Thats Eddie just in between the two center heads...

After the ceremony, Eddie found us on the lawn and it was picture time...

The Graduate

With Mom and Dad




All four of us

Mom loved the beautiful flowers on the campus... her favorite colors!

Then Eddie gave us a tour of the Business building, where he spent most of his time...

And here he is with his sweet friend, Menta, who graduated from the culinary school at Johnson and Wales last year. She is now a personal chef for a CEO in Denver. I love how she can put Eddie in his place, and she is so articulate, and independent girl. It was so fun to finally meet her as I've heard about her for years now.

After the ceremony, we went to the Brown Palace Hotel to their Ship Tavern for a fantastic lunch!

The rest of our trip we relaxed, and just had fun hanging out.

Because Eddie got the Outback, Mom and Dad canceled their return plane tickets, and drove the Durango back to Amarillo so they can have it out at the cabin this summer. So, we had to say our goodbyes in a parking lot before they left and before Eddie took us to the airport...

And so here it was that we finally got a whole group shot...

Eddie, I'm so proud of you!
So glad we could all be together to celebrate!

Here I Am Asking...

..for prayer!

** See updates below!**

If you're reading this on Wednesday,
please say a quick prayer for our house!

We were set to close tomorrow at 2 pm
until yesterday
when the bank said that it will take longer....
time that we don't have!

They were trying to set the close date for June 1st.
That doesn't work for us as our lease is up
Sunday, May 31st!
Yikes!!

We (well Shane for us) have talked to all we can
and are anxiously waiting for new this afternoon to know if we'll be able to close tomorrow or even Friday
so we can move this weekend!

I know we'll figure it out regardless of what happens,
but ah...
since we have to move this weekend,
it would be so nice to be able to move into our house!!

Keep you updated when I hear something.

Hoping for good news! ~Kaki


**well just heard that they didn't get to ours today, pray for closing on Friday!!!!!! **


***Update as of Thursday 7 AM...
Well, we're still praying that we're able to close on Friday, turns out all the delay is due to a tax form that we turned into them dated April 27th, and they lost it, misplaced it, or something because they had us resubmit the form and said it would take eight days to review the form. I think that's crazy and feel if the closing has to be set after the weekend, we're being punished for some one else's mistake. So, we're hoping and praying for good news today, that we'll be able to close tomorrow, and move all weekend!!! (in other news... yea for the last day of school today!!!!)***

****Update Thursday, 11 am...

God is soo good!

And to all you prayer warriors, thank you!!

We have great news, as our prayers have been answered!

This morning our loan was approved, and

our closing has been set for 9 am tomorrow morning!

That means in addition to closing, we'll still have time tomorrow to move boxes over before the movers come for the furniture on Saturday!! Such a blessing!!!

We are thrilled that in spite of this emotional rollar coaster, we will be moving into our house this weekend!!****

Here I Am With Our Quick Fishing Trip!

Tuesday night, we needed to get out of the house.

Carter, Shane's cousin had been fishing while down in Galveston at the beach house with Shane's grandparents. He had stayed up fishing from 9pm - 3am because the fishing was just that good.

You see despite it being the end of May and already having a week of regular summertime humidity under our belts, we're experiencing a strange weather pattern and have actually been able to enjoy a cool front at the end of May! With the weather change, all the fish have come into the canals from the bay and are churning the waters in search of food, making the fishing very, very easy right now!

That captured Shane's attention and before I knew it, we were loaded up and headed down there for a little fishing for the evening!

We stopped for dinner at the best Sonic location, right on the sea wall with a view of the gulf!

Putter enjoyed the view...



When we arrived, it was great to catch up with Grandma (Doris) and Grandpa (Glenn). Carter loaded up his car and he, Shane, Putter, and I all headed out for some fishing fun!

Carter had figured out the night before if you drive around and check out all the underwater lights, they attract the small fish, which attract the larger fish, ie there are fish slapping the top of the water there are so many swimming around.

Carter would bait the pole with a single shrimp, cast only a couple of times before something was caught and we took turns of who would reel the fish in!

I got to go first and I caught a 17 in speckled trout in a matter of minutes!



Then we went on and Shane caught a 21 in Red Fish.



Then Carter, the fisherman, couldn't have us beating him and he caught a 23 in Red fish!



Putter thought it was great fun, until we tried to see which was longer, the fish or Putter!



We couldn't stay in the same place because once you got a fish on the line, it scared all the others to another light. So, we'd leave that light, pack up and move on to another, fish it, then eventually come back to see if the fish were back yet.

All in all, it was such a fun night, and a welcomed trip out of the house.

Thanks Carter for showing us how it's done and for letting us join in on your fun!

**Sorry for the terrible pictures, but all I had was the camera on my phone, oops!**

Here I Am Proud Of My Brother!

Hats off to my brother, Eddie, who is graduating from Johnson and Wales University in Denver, Colorado this weekend!

On Wednesday, I was on the receiving end of an ecstatic phone call from him as he had just turned in his last final project and was walking out of his very last final!!

He has worked hard, played hard, and done so much to make sure this big event happens! I'm just glad I get to be there to see him walk the stage!

Eddie, I am so proud of you and can't wait to see what your next adventure holds, you're always up to something fun! Love you! ~Kaki

Here I Am Thanking You

Word can not express how grateful we are for all of your support. We feel the same overwhelmingly loved feeling we felt at our wedding. That kind of feeling you get when everyone in a room is cheering you on.

Thank you for your phone calls, sweet comments, flowers, and your encouragement and support.
We have been so blessed by your thoughtful words and acts of kindness.

To those who have opened up and shared their similar stories with us, thank you! You have no idea how comforting it is to know that we are not alone nor are we the only ones who have faced this hurdle before.

So, for now we're moving on as best we can with hopeful hearts for the future.

Once again, thank you for you sympathy and support.

Love,
Kaki and Shane

Here I Am.

Here I am and I'm not sure what to say.
There's no easy way to say it, feel it, acknowledge it...
or anything to do with it.

I first want to apologize to family and friends who hear this news on here.
I wish I could call each of you to tell you, but I can't.
I'm having a hard enough time typing it on here. And I'm only doing so because right now, we need your prayers.

As of yesterday, I was about six weeks pregnant.
When Shane and I found out we were thrilled! I was feeling pretty good, and we were enjoying the excitement of expanding our family. Last week, I started having some issues, and spoke with my doctor who told me to monitor it. I woke up Saturday, and it was much, much worse. So much so that they told me to go straight to the ER.

Nervous and worried, we raced to the ER at St. Lukes. They took great care of me. After taking blood and doing an ultrasound, they came to the conclusion that I had indeed miscarried. I hate that word.

We were sad to call our parents who didn't know anything as we were hoping to share our good news with them in person over the Memorial Day weekend. That wasn't' to be so.

We are doing ok. Our hearts are saddened, but we are thankful for our sovereign Lord who has a great plan for us. We trust that He is holding our little one until we can get to Heaven to meet them.

Right now we covet your prayers, and are grateful for your support.

~Kaki and Shane

Here I Am Loving This Trio

With our ship wheel, distressed oars, and many nautical maps for some of our house decor, I think this trio of candles would fit right in. They remind me of fishing nets, and I love the simple and nautical feel to them...
maybe there will be a place for them in the new house
...hmmm...

In case you're curious, I found them here.

Here I Am With Art Work & A Little Play

Well, here's what my classroom has looked like for the last couple weeks.

That was until I took it all down on Monday and put up my Ocean unit, the last of the school year!


In case you can't tell, each child made a frog using painted paper bowls with crinkle folded arms and legs, turtles made from half paper plates, and cut out lily pads with frog stickers.


Each student painted a paper plate to make our class caterpillar and the butterflies are made with coffee filters that the kids drew on with markers then using eye droppers, dripped water on the colored filters to make the colors bleed.

Squirt the turtle, is doing good. The two goldfish that are in the middle of the top shelf in another aquarium (that makes a grand total of 3 for my classroom!) were in Squirts home, but one was getting beat up on, so I took the goldfish out for now...
My classroom is quickly becoming a zoo!


And here's a little fun from Sunday...
we went down to Galveston for the day and enjoyed the good weather and sun. Shane had a lot of fun with Funyuns and the seagulls...

Publish Post

It was amazing how quickly they arrived and how close they would get... they're definitely well trained!

**I apologize for the quality of these photos but they were taken with my phone.**

Here I Am Wishing Our Moms A...

Very Happy Mother's Day!

We are so blessed to have Moms who are so
kind
considerate
loving
thoughtful
encouraging
intelligent
supportive
and
who love the Lord
and
who love to laugh!

Though we weren't with you today,
know that we were thinking of you
and love you both!

love, Kaki and Shane

**PS... we need to take updated pictures with both of you!! :)**

Here I Am With Crazy 8's!

Wow, almost a whole week without a post...
I'm sorry my little blog has been neglected!

We're in the midst of...
packing the house,
finishing the school year,
prepping and researching projects for the new house
as well as
living our everyday busy life.

So for now,
I'm afraid the blog will have to be put on the back burner,
but come June, we'll be working getting settled in the new house, and I hope to have pictures to show for each step along the way.

But for now, here's a little quiz I've completed for a little fun... enjoy!

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:
1) closing on the house!
2) moving into and getting settled in said house!
3) my brother's graduation in Denver!
4) my parent's visit to Houston!
5) summer!
6) painting furniture!
7) our 4 year wedding anniversary!
8) my morning cup of coffee!

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1) enjoyed my 15 three four year olds at school, they're getting so big!
2) ate lunch with in-laws!
3) ignored my messy house
4) laughed
5) packed the study
6) nice Thai dinner with sweet husband
7) played with Putter
8) shopped online

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1) be unpacking our house instead of packing it up
2) travel the world
3) keep flowers alive in my gardens (at home and school)
4) have time to learn more about photography (hopefully this summer!)
5) have my students' end of the year books already put together
6) create recipes instead of just follow them
7) add twitpics to my twitter
8) worry less about what others think

8 Shows I Watch:
1) Big Bang Theory
2) Gossip Girl
3) American Idol
4) Grey's Anatomy
5) Private Practice
6) The Office
7) The Hills/The City
8) How I Met Your Mother

Here I Am With A Birthday/Weekend Recap...

Well, the weekend went mostly to plan! Shane played in the golf tournament, and his team...
WON! (and not just cause it was his birthday!) They won first and then he also won one of the long drive contests!

His Winning Golf Outfit

After the tournament, he hopped in the car and headed back to Houston. He got here
a little later than expected so Hilary and Ashley and RJ were already here but he hopped in the shower, and we headed out to The Woodlands to meet Shannon and Derek at Chuys for dinner.

We had a great meal then went over to the pavilion, found a place out on the lawn and enjoyed the rest of the Avett Brother's performance, and then waited for Dave to come on stage!!

I didn't take my camera with me as they don't allow them at the venue, but Chris did take some with his camera phone...

Me and The Birthday Boy

Hilary, Ashley, Brittani


The Girls with Dave in the background
Hilary, Brittani, Me, Ashley, Shannon


Dave Matthew's Band


Chris and Shane
(they took a picture and Shane's eyes were closed in it so they tried again, and we got this...
all or nothing I suppose)

The birthday was complete after a late night stop at What-a-burger!

All in all a great day &
hopefully a great birthday for Shane!

Here I Am Wishing...

my husband
a
very
very
very



Appropriately,
Shane is out playing golf today!
Shane's dad managed to give him not only a round of golf, but a whole tournament to play in on his birthday!
(Shane is up playing in the Waco Chamber of Commerce tournament.)

The plan is after the morning round he'll then drive back down to Houston,
be home for about fifteen minutes
before we leave for dinner
and the Dave Matthew's Band concert tonight
with a bunch of friends!

A busy birthday, but hopefully a great one!

Happy 28th, Shane!

143!