Mama Bear

Dear Mom,
I was hoping that by now I would've diligently kept up with my Thirty Days and Thirty Thanks posts, but sadly, I am a procrastinator and I've fallen behind (no, I know, I did NOT inherit such a trait from you).
Here's the thing...
I'm really really thankful for so many things. I'm truly thankful for all that I have, and even things I don't have but maybe dream of having. You taught me to be that way. A thankful dreamer.
In fact, you've taught me the most about gratitude, which is why I wanted to save you for last.
You're a strong mama, Mama (hehe). No but really. You have been a constant light in my life, always there to teach me, through your example, to embrace all that I have and "create my own happiness". Even in your darkest hours, you never cursed the heavens for what you didn't have, you've always turned to them to strengthen you and remind you of the blessings that you do have.
You are my greatest example of achievement and have shown me that through hard work and dedication, you CAN have the good things in life that you want, while still remaining a person who lovingly gives and gives.


I'm so thankful for you.
I'm thankful that you've always taught me the importance of gratitude and the words, "Thank you".
I'm thankful that you're thankful for your 'smile wrinkles' (which I promise, no one notices, it's just that you always talk about how you like them). It's nice to have a mama who's always smiling.
I'm thankful that you showed me how to dream. Dream books/boards are still my fave.
I'm thankful for the memories we've made 'giving back'. I really think it feels best to be on the 'giving' side of things... not that the 'receiving' side is too bad either.
I'm thankful for your strength. Strength to overcome, strength to move forward, strength to stay positive and strength to believe... the list could go on and on.
I'm just really so thankful for you. Not to mention, you're the one who gave me life. I'm pretty thankful for that too.


I love you, Mom. You continue to amaze me each day just by being you. Thanks for that.


Forever Yours,
Kaitlyn Marie

i heart snuggle sundays

ON THE TWENTIETH DAY OF NOVEMBER
Some people go to church, some people go on drives and some people cook up pot roast and potatoes on Sunday.
We snuggle.
We've been snugglin' all weekend though. It's been very low-key. I like it that way and so does he. Figures.
Hope you got some good snugglin' in this weekend too.


xo,
Kait

Moabland

I love Utah. Love it. Like really, really, love it.

Honey, myself and some bff's spent this weekend in Moab, Utah. We planned to have an awesome weekend, but awesome doesn't even begin to describe how it really was. We spent an entire Saturday lounging on rocks at Arches National Park and giving thanks to Mother Earth for the incredible beauty we were surrounded by. Seriously, man makes some pretty amazing architectural structures, but nothing compares to the structures created by nature. It was so nice to be reminded of the beautiful place I live in and to reconnect with myself in a way that the big city (that I also love) doesn't often allow.

Lens overload....

BTW, anyone who hates on planking, has obviously never tried it. Ha.

To finish off our grand weekend adventure, we rafted down the Colorado River. As if the weekend couldn't get better, I belted out tunes such as, Just Around the Riverbend, and Colors of the Wind, while I paddled to my heart's content and enjoyed the beauty that surrounded us.

Weekends like this make returning home to real life so difficult, but they also make planning the next adventure so exciting!

Happily, 

Kait

Happy Birthday, Mama!

We celebrated Mama's 53rd (I mean, 23rd) birthday this week. Oh, how they grow up so quickly!

I love my Mom. Words can't express how wonderful she is. I'm one lucky girl to have her as my own.

And she's one lucky Mom because I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning baking these bad boys just for her...

Nutella cupcakes with vanilla cream cheese, almond buttercream and nutella cream cheese frostings.

I know, right?!? 

We spent the day scoping out the finest local garage sales and I must say, I should've become a frequent "garage saler" long ago. Then we spent the evening together as a family barbecuing and hanging out. Mom loves being with her kids and we love being with her. How freaking cute is she?!

Happy Birthday, Mama!!

Always,

Kaitlyn Marie

Home Sweet Oakley

I spent the Fourth of July weekend at Nana's home in sweet Oakley, Idaho with my mom, sisters and brother-in-law. We did what we always do in Oakley, wandered around looking for great photo ops, and it was as charming as usual. We even hit up the local pool, and although Lyndsey was the only one there in a bikini (Shelbs and I are smart), we still had fun playing "tea party" and dunking each other amid all the stares from the local families.

Mama got lost in Nana's yard, a task that Nana was always so good at and loved dearly. It was good for her to have time to garden, and great for us too. I worked hard trimming down the hedges and basking in the sun. Sweetie even came along to help!



We've been lucky to be able to spend so much time in Oakley. It truly is one of my very favorite places. The Oakley home was built in 1896 by my Great-Great-Grandfather, Hector Caleb Haight, and it is among many historical sites in Oakley's historical town. Nana did such a beautiful job with this house. She truly turned it into a home. Decorating the walls are pictures of our ancestors and the home really is filled with the sweetest feeling.



It was a wonderful weekend spent together remembering our sweet Nana and feeling close to  she and our ancestors. I reflected on my life and the lives of those who have come before me and I am striving to live a good life spent with the people I love dearly. I'm grateful for such a strong family history and for the great individuals who have made our family so wonderful. Being the Fourth of July weekend, I also had time to feel grateful for the place that I live and the beauty that surrounds me. Lucky me!

Lovingly,

Kaites



California Love

Jacks, Lou and I spent the weekend in sunny southern California. We acted like fools, rocked to reggae, bronzed on the beach, rode a ferris wheel over the ocean and held hands with stars… you know, we did the things you’re supposed to do on vaycay and we had way too much fun doing all of it. I nurtured my inner Kiwi and spoke with a New Zealand accent for the majority of the weekend and in true fashion, I even put some love into the air while the ocean waves lapped against my feet. *sigh*

For the record, San Diego kicks Los Angeles’ butt and I still despise the Lakers, which made it really awesome to be in L.A. while the Mavs ousted them from the Playoffs (woohoo!!).

…picture overload…

From 'Terminator' to 'Inseminator'...

Laura's hands are so excited to meet Johnny Depp.

By the way, I won $100 on the penny slots.

All in all, we had fun and our souls got a good dose of the things we all seem to be made up of: music, sand and sunshine. I'm just grateful for incredible friends that I get to share every part of life with (oh, and for Dirk Nowitzki for sweeping Kobe).

Kindly,

Kaites