Thank you, Milwaukee.

 For bringing us Jenny...

and precious time spent celebrating bdays,

drinking good ol' WI brews, exploring vintage markets, and eating donuts.

I love WI even more because of it.

Back to School Blues

Me in Kindergarten. Remembering what it was like...

The transition from summer to school is always a bit rough... I think I have an unhealthy attachment to the precious three months of not working. I can't help it... I love the sun, lake, city during the summer too much!

They're never too young to learn the meaning of vintage.

On Tuesday, I have 9 little Kindergarteners entering my class. I've been setting up my classroom and praying for each of their hearts and spirits to come alive this year. A story is being written with each of their lives... how lucky that I get to be a part of it.

A Word Wall in construction.

CO bound and back.

Well-equipped with road snacks, games, and playlists, Daniel and I survived the 400 mile cornfield & cow stretch in Nebraska as we headed out to CO to meet up with Mikey on Tuesday...

We came prepared to both couchsurf and camp... but due to my mother's concerns of bears attacking our tent, we were spared the grounds on Day 2 of our trip and put up in the local Mountain Lodge in Estes Park. Rags to riches, thank you mom :)

on the road again...

So although some plans fell through, the most important plans were put into play: many meals of chic-fil-a, camper flannel, road beers, scenic lookouts, cam action, roadtrip games, truck stops... life memories.

hiked a peak, watched a sunset, played in the mountains.

How special that we are all in a stage of life to make this happen. The more we spend time together, the more I see our life dreams and desires lining up in a radical way... My brothers are truly the best.

beauty.

Twenty-Five. So Alive.

This birthday is in close competition for Best Birthday Yet... running close behind is my 10th Birthday - a scavenger hunt at the mall ending with getting my ears pierced at Claire's. 

(Don't judge. It was 1996 and it was a Big Deal.)

From birthday signs, to sweet cards, to mail from my best friends...

to balloons, beach, and burlap... 

to cinnamon roles and adventures on Armitage with Bets...

to a backyard birthday badminton bash... 

yummy treats and candles and sweet friends...

I have never felt so celebrated and loved. 

Thank you to my sweetest friends and family who build me up so well, who encourage me to be the best version of myself, and to welcome in my 25 with laughs and cheers.

It's going to be a good one. This is just the beginning.

birthday wishes + my mom's homemade coconut cake. does it get better?!
*photo: Aimee Mazzenga

Gratitude.

Genesis 12:7

"Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said: 

To your offspring I will give this land. 

So he built there an altar to the Lord, 

who had appeared to him."

Abram built an altar of gratitude to bring him back to God's faithfulness, reminding him to stand upon what had been spoken.

Since 2002, I have had this photo tucked away in my Bible as my altar of gratitude.

2002: Ensenada, MX

It was on this trip that the course of my life took a different direction. In this photo I see closest friendships formed, a heart opening to God, and a life that steers in a new and beautifully different direction than I had planned.

2011: Kate's Bridal Brunch

I want to remember and recognize God in every moment, decision, & direction of my days. 

He is so good... life always comes back to this simple truth.

Very very thankful.