My First Halloween

Here it is! Better late than never... Halloween from the eyes of little Miss b.

p.s. I resolve to blog again...more often... hehe :)

Blakely and Oliver's first trip to the Pumpkin Patch :)

Albino Pumpkins! Crazy!

This how she rolled for most of our little trip...

First family pumpkin pic :)

Blakely, you don't even know how strange it is to wear sunglasses and slippas to the patch...

My jack o' lantern stuffed bell peppers!

Pumpkin carving at Aunty Linday and Uncle Chris' Place

Ah, friends, pumpkins, and excellent spaghetti!

Thanks to some help from Gina and Charlie, Tim and I have the little honu family of pumpkins on the right side!

Cowgirl and Captain America!!

Trick or Treat!!

A Bride and Her Photographer

 Happy Monday Ohana,

I started this simple post a few times over the weekend, but never caught a moment long enough to finish and post. I'm sure you know how that can go... I hope you all had lovely, blessed weekends.

To get in your Monday groove, check out the photos below...because who can't use a touch of whimsy and romance when starting the work week!

A couple of weeks ago, I flew to Seattle to be the matron of honor in Michelle's wedding. I was honored to stand by the side of my longest, sweetest friend. Her wedding was phenomenal and full of "Chellie Bean" moments. Here are just a few:

• Chellie and I jammed through Pike's Place Market on the wedding morning to buy gorgeous, FRESH flowers!
• Chellie invited her two puggles to be a part of some (perfect) pre-ceremony pictures at Sodo Park.
• The second half of Chellie and Brian's vows were written by Dr. Seuss; playful and adorable.
• Food was served "family style" -- and it was scrumptious!
• The First Dance was a waltz to the song from Disney's Cinderella--played by a live quartet.
• The DJ was instructed not to play any songs on the Top 40. ("Yeah, yeah, yeah... the bride told us that Fergie is a-okay" ;)).
• Chellie's extraordinarily talented photographer is a dear friend of both of ours--Yasmin Khajavi.

While I exhausted my point and shoot taking pics of everything...I just wanted to share a minuscule part of the photo shoot through the eyes of the photographer (ykvision.com). What an incredible blessing for me to watch my dearest friends in their roles as bride and photographer. The day could not have been better. Thank you, God, for my most amazing, precious blessings! *For the real photographs of Michelle's wedding, check Yasmin's blog. There is a sneak peek up right now, but more to come!

Ohana & Boots

On our last night in Texas, we raced home from BBQ to catch a little Austin sunset in Mikey and Luciena's lovely backyard. I put some of these photos on Facebook, but I wanted to share a few (and some different ones) here on my blog.

We bought Blakely these darling red cowgirl boots at Justin's Boots on South Congress. They are definitely several sizes too big on purpose. A girl doesn't wanna grow out of her boots too quickly. I predict she'll be walking around Waikiki in lil' red boots in no time... :)

Happy almost weekend, my family & friends! xoxo



Welcome, Sawyer

I wish I could tell you that I took these photos of this most amazing baby boy, but unfortunately I have yet to make it to Spokane since his birth ten days ago (that dang Pacific Ocean).

This is my one and only nephew, Sawyer Andrew. Isn't he lovely? He was born to my brother, Andy and his wife Alicia right on time. He was one of the few babies to actually arrive on that arbitrary day known as a due date! And to make it even cooler--his birthday is 10/10/10.

Also, today is my brother's birthday! Happy Birthday Andy--enjoy your sweet baby boy!

Papa and Sawyer

The gorgeous new mom and her sweet baby

Sawyer napping with Grammy

This was unplanned...but I did it. (yikes--it's also a long post!!)

Back in 2003, on Valentine's Day, my college roomie and I decided to go Bible shopping and gift each other neat little leather Bibles. Both of us had been carrying around giant, heavy Bibles until that time and we figured it'd be the perfect gift to use and treasure.

And use it I did. Not as faithfully as I would have liked, but there have been many seasons in the past almost 8 years of life-changing use. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time "parting" with such a sacred and sentimental binding. My previously exhausted Bible was my confirmation Bible given to me when I was in the 6th grade. Granted, I didn't rely on that dusty rose (that was the color I chose) book until the start of high school, but it was good to me for almost a decade before I was willing to let a new slim fitting Bible into my life and heart.

Before my dusty rose study Bible, I wore out a paperback Teen Study Bible. Still a fabulous Bible that I'd recommend for any teen...or adult! :)

This post isn't sounding the way I want it to quite yet. If you're reading, hang with me. I don't mean to say that I'm at the top of my game with my Bible reading and quiet times... In fact, it's quite the opposite really (more on that in a minute). I've only journeyed through three Bibles in pretty much my whole life. Of course, every person is different and treats a Bible differently. My hubby, for example, didn't grow up highlighting his Bible pages until they were raw or doodling hearts, crosses, and names throughout the margins. I think I memorialized every verse about a broken heart and/or a nagging wife...for very different reasons, but all which bring me right back to 1999. I suppose his (Tim's) engineer brain and amazing Catholic upbringing prompted him to protect his pearly white pages and make most of his notes elsewhere. So, I believe, to each their own. My feelings about attacking one's Bible with pens and markers are totally neutral. Do what works for you. I did...

So, I addictively highlight, scribble, underline, date, and even draw throughout my pages. Occasionally, I look back through my two old, beloved Bibles and get lost in a very inner, private, and wonderful place. Today, I added a third Bible to my retired Bible's club. My Valentine's Bible from Anna. I certainly wasn't planning to do that this morning. In fact, I've been resisting this day for a couple years.

Just after we were married, Tim bought me a gorgeous mid-sized Bible with my "new" name on it. I loved it from the start. I tried to assimilate it into my reading (when I read--like I said, I'm not doing as hot as I'd like with my QTs) and I tried to take to church and mark it up. I tried. And I failed. I really resisted my new Bible. Not cause I didn't love it or love that it came from my hubby. That meant the world. It's just that I was so entangled with my "college Bible." -- Yikes! I'm already almost 7 years out of college. Time to move on, Katie.

As you may be able to tell from my rough Bible timeline--I have not been pursuing the scriptures like I meant to or wanted to. Intentions are only so good...for so long (and by so long I mean not that long). I definitely found myself relying on my old underlines, highlights, and notes. I threw in a little fresh ink here and there, but I wasn't satisfied with me--my effort. God was and is just as present in each Bible. It all comes down to me and the time I put in.

You've probably quit reading by now. This is lengthy for a blog post--and probably not that interesting. But, here I am, confessing to--really--anybody--my major shortcomings.

I love Jesus with my whole heart. I live to serve Him. My husband and I strive to glorify Him in all we do. Now we are honored to raise His child (our daughter) to know Him and love Him. So it's not that I've turned away from God in these past 7 years since college. It's just that I've been less fired up about literally studying His word.

So, today is my day. It was unplanned. But it happened. I moved my cherished, but crutch-like slim, leather goodness to my Faithfulness Jar (that's for another post). And I broke out, again, my still-new, beautiful, unbent Bible which reads Kathleen Nicole Case in the bottom right. It's time.

To my Jesus, today, I begin anew...again. My promise to you, Jesus, and to myself, (and anyone still reading...haha!) --is that I will always be willing to begin anew. Thank you for your mercies, which are new every single morning. I need them--every single morning!!

Love and many blessings to you all.

 



It's been a good run... :)





Into the Faithfulness Jar









Welcome, my "new" Bible!





Have I mentioned??? I'm an AUNTIE!!! And I'm so stinkin' happy about that!

Almost seven months ago, little B was born! She was the first grandchild on both sides. Tim and I secretly, or maybe not-so-secretly, hope for some cousins for B and our own little niece and/or nephew to love and spoil.

Guess what? We now have both!! For the first time ever on my blog, let me introduce my newest joys...

Olivia Isabelle
and
Sawyer Andrew

We were just in Texas so that we could spend some time with Tim's brother, Mikey and his wife Luciena. And the hugest bonus, of course, was not that they lived in Texas (although that was fabulous in itself), but that they are the beautiful parents of our 2 month old niece, Olivia. So, everyone won! Blakes met her cousin. We met our niece. And Mikey and Luciena met their niece. It was a joyful family trip!

I want to share some pictures of our blessed time together. And...then....tomorrow....I want to introduce the latest member of the clan: my brother and his wife's little baby boy: Sawyer, just 8 days old. :)

So I think Olivia is a perfect, sweet little size for an almost-two-month old. Blakely on the other hand, well, she's sorta a mega baby...haha...but in a good way. More chub to love...

First-ever cousin play date. Many more to come...for the rest of their lives!

Sweet Olivia wasn't quite as into the photo shoot as us impulsive parents were. She was a trooper. And isn't she gorgeous?

Hi cousin, I love you!

Blakely, please stop touching your cousin's face. I don't think she likes it as much as you do!

I have a niece! I have a niece! She's so pretty! Thank you Jesus!

Olivia's beautiful mommy, Luciena.

Is it weird that it already seems like another lifetime that Blakely was this small and would just sleep right on my shoulder?

To Mikey, Luciena, and Olivia: If you read this, please know that Tim, Blakely, and I are so grateful that you welcomed us into your beautiful Texas home. We loved spending time with you guys. We can't wait for many more years of family time with cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc... what a blessing! 

Keep Austin Weird

Aloha...Howdy...y'all!! I'm back--to my home and to my blog! Tim, Blakely and I just zipped around the NW and South for about a week and a half. We spent time in Seattle, Portland, and mostly Austin, Texas.

To my dearest Portland buddies, I so wanted to see you all. We barely had our feet on Oregon soil though. Next time, we'll be home longer. Let's kick it. ;)

As you may know, I have always had this thing for Texas. I'm not quite sure where it came from, but I've always been dying to go. Unfortunately, as life would have it, I never had a reason or a chance. That is until Tim's brother, Mikey, and his lovely wife, Luciena, moved to Austin.

More on our time with them (and my most beautiful baby niece) later.

Since I only have a minute and there's no time like the present to jump back into a blog, I'm gonna share some pics from South Congress Street in Austin.

Tim and I were on the hunt for some big hair, Southern drawl, and boots with the spurs... :) While Austin feels like a lot of things, it doesn't feel like the Texas from the movies. It was pretty darn incredible though. South Congress felt a little like NW 23rd on crack and in the dessert! In a really fun way...if that makes sense... 

Here are a few pics that I took slyly on my iPhone while cruising the shops... who knew I'd find such random, crazy things on South Congress.

Love that there was a stack of Bibles on display at this shop!!



Check out all these crosses!




Not really sure how this deer fit into the rest of this shop...but, hey, it's Texas!



Not really sure what's going on here either. And why is she holding a shotgun?

This was a super fun costume shop. Even my sleeping baby wore a hat for this quick pic. The lady working the shop kept trying to sell me costumes. She was convinced that I should buy their "sexy Pocahontas" costume. I'm not sure what about me gave off the vibe that I might be interested in a sexy anything costume... maybe the baby sleeping on my chest? Or my husband trailing behind? hmmm....riiiiiiight.....

A whole rack of Aloha Shirts!!! Fun!

If ya wanna know what these are, look closer. Or maybe don't... I just took the pic cause I thought it was pretty random. Mostly because the top left is the state of Texas....okay.

Now, this wasn't on South Congress, but it was down the street from Mikey and Luciena's house. I suppose the Mainland may be getting these, but us Oahu folk have not seen something this big before. :)

Alright, I gotta jam. I overheard the phrase, Keep Austin Weird, which I found very endearing as my home city of roses also claims that term, and rightfully so.

Has anyone else spent time on South Congress? Recognize these shops?