This past Sunday family and friends gathered to celebrate Katie Britt. We completely copied this idea from one of our dearest friends last year, and as we left her party... we knew we wanted to do the same thing!
Just before the party started, a terrible storm came... but it was over quickly and we were able to go outside to eat, play corn hole, and swim.
Katie Britt shares a birthday with a very special lady who took all of her t-shirts from high school and made her this quilt. She will never know just how much I love this!
I tried to have at least one picture on these boards with everyone at the party... if they didn't make the boards.... they were in the videos.
I knew the folks coming from Lincolnton would be hungry... aren't we always? They had a few snacks before we ate.
James came up a day early to spend some time with Ben... they have missed each other. Ben didn't think he needed to dress for the party... he just wore his swimsuit...
I love this picture of Ms. Brenda and KB.... she gave KB some really great compliments that day and is so genuine.
We tried to get a picture with each family present... This is Matt's family... so special to me... even before we moved back this time! I had fun teaching Sloane twice... and Mitchell was our school resource officer when we would go to Washington, DC with the 8th grade.... it's good to be with someone who packs heat all the time! :)
Katie Britt's first neighborhood friend... Emma... the hours and hours these two spent together as little ones can't even be counted... Mark and Rob have spent just as many together over the card table though... no matter how long it's been since we've seen them... we pick right back up! Heather took KB's senior pictures and did a great job! She also taught me to smock... once! She has so much patience with my non-crafty self!
I can't say enough sweet things about these four! Staci is my rock... she keeps me grounded... knows when I need a little help (or a lot)... and always puts my needs before anyone else's! Her boys have been lifesavers for Ben, and I have had my prayers answered with them by our side! Rocky's not too bad either... he keeps me laughing and sometimes crying from laughing!
Sweet, sweeter, and sweetest... love this crew here... Emily has been watching KB grow since birth! She loves a beauty pageant as much as me... and will always be there when we need a "costume" change... Ollie Beeeeellllllleeeee is special to us too! She cheered with KB and we love her and her spirit! Sweet Heb keeps us straight... and Bengy is as good as they come... besides... he lives with these three girls... he has to be! Ms. Brenda is too sweet to KB and always has a kind word about her!
Mayonnaise and VeVe.... I can't say enough about how special they are to us... they can never be repaid for the things they do for her and us! Having a fake uncle and fake aunt is the best ever! And they all three "think they see a snack in there"!
Our family photo of the day.... none of us matching... Ben in a bathing suit... and Mark has a goofy grin... it's us... just us!
Bobbie and Gail came up to see us and have been such an important part of my life that they have influenced KB too! I appreciated them taking time to drive so far for a few hours when they have so much going on at home!
Jefferson and Tatum.... they have been with us from the beginning... their girls are lucky to have them as parents, but we are luckier to have them as friends... I could write an entire blog about Jefferson's advice he gave her in the wisdom box! I still have the little album KB got from Tatum the first day of school... it made me cry... her thoughtfulness is what makes her so special!
Molly Grayson was KB's first friend... from the time she was six weeks old she was with Molly Grayson.... they have finished their senior year together... and I think MG is more like me than KB... she loves to call and ask about her outfits... and she even let me work on her makeup for prom! When we decided to move back, I remember my phone ringing and Scott was calling to tell me he knew of a job... I called it a little angel who was guiding me in the right direction... Wendie and I share this past year of losing a parent together... we cried together... and talked things out to make us smile... we know they are watching over us and would be so proud of the girls.
Maddie Grace played basketball with KB this year and they became good friends! She is sweet, kind-hearted, and hard-working.... it also helps that Luke and Ben are in the same class at school... and Mary teaches them! :) We get to be a part of this village of friends and we love it!
The Lees are new friends to us.... who doesn't love Clemson grads and children who like the same things we do! Cooper and Ben play golf together and Amber deals with Ben on a daily basis as his teacher... We became friends and have been blessed to become part of the village of this crowd who has allowed us to hang out with them!
Mark telling everyone how thankful we are that they helped us raise KB... to become who she is ... and mostly... help us through our mistakes we have made as parents... and help to support our decisions! We truly couldn't have raised her with everyone's help.
Baby Thom... Jamesy.... Hunka Guille and Auntie Christie made the trip and were in just about every picture because of the time we spent with them in the early years! They love KB like their own... and at one time I think she would have moved in with them if they had asked.
Catalina, Harry, and Fran came to see us too! KB was Caroline's first real baby doll... she would come stay with us when we would visit Mama and hold, feed, and diaper KB.... we think it's time we head back to NYC! Fran and I have two sweet baby girls...
Mae Mae.... words can't express how special she is to our entire family. She diapered just about every single person from LC in these pictures... and stayed with me the week KB was born... we love her so much!
You know some people like to be in more than one picture so they jump in and smile... Cole Baby says he is going to fly up here and land right behind our house soon.... I think I'm excited... but I'm not sure who will be flying with him because I'm a little nervous about it!
KB and her Jane.... she has her wrapped around her finger... She loves to shop, get her toes done, and bake anything she asks for with KB.... she misses her the most of anyone in Lincolnton... she provided the ice cream!
Oh my goodness... what can I say about the Mitchells! KB would have never been named Katherine if I hadn't loved Kathryn so much... she was my friend when I had no one else up here... she knows me well... and fed me well during my pregnancy with KB... those apple pies, chocolate milkshakes, and cheeseburgers from McDonalds were the best! Mike is my daddy reincarnated... and Kathryn is Jane... I think Ellie loves her daddy just as much as I loved mine too!
HUN... or Nonna and Ken.... they are too sweet to our family and we love their hugs and kisses whenever we see them.... they have let us become a part of their family! We are blessed to know them!
This picture is so fitting... her eyes are closed... and it makes me laugh because this is the better one of the three that were taken.... she loves to talk about how her eyes do funny things in pictures and I believe she did this on purpose.... but maybe not! Mark got his picture taking faces from her! KB's Mimi loves her and leaves her sweet notes, has great advice, and doesn't mind riding for hours to find her a car!
Ms. Brown... DDB... Denise.... she gave me my first job in Woodruff, she saw me through two babies, leaving Woodruff... and then she let me come back.... she has been an angel in disguise for me. She and KB share birthdays.... and she is too kind to her... the quilt is one of my favorite gifts!
Julianne and Janice must have been late... ha.... the last pictures taken... it's funny to me that KB passed her clothes to Ju as a baby... then a few years ago they started swapping, and the last time we went home... we actually got hand me downs back and started wearing them again! It's great to have a cousin around the same age!
Two brothers and Mae Mae.... the love we have is beyond anything that can be written. I've learned to be honest, to be truthful, and to sit back and let life happen.... I have strong pillars that created my foundation.... Jim looks more and more like Daddy every day.... I often try to get sad about Daddy not being here, but when I see this picture I know that we are right where we need to be...
One of the last things Daddy told KB is she would make it to Clemson and probably not have to pay a dime... well, we are getting closer... she was awarded the Palmetto Fellows and Coca Cola Scholarships today... later in the afternoon, when the yearbooks came out, her classmates elected her Most Likely to Succeed, and she was chosen by the faculty and staff for the Senior Hall of Fame. I'm proud of her... I'm proud of her good and bad decisions.... I'm proud that she gets knocked down and gets back up... I'm proud that she knows what she wants and she goes after it!
Katie Britt,
This next week will fly by... but just like the picture.... you have the entire world in your hands to do anything you want! I love you the best... I just don't want to hug and hold your hand! ;).... you bring me happiness, joy, pride, and even make me grounded in some situations. I hope your last days before graduation will be fun, exciting, and memorable. Keep looking to God for direction... and keep your eyes to the Son...
Love,
Mama
