For those of you that know me well, you know that the picture above features some of my most cherished and simple pleasures. Some sentimental, some sweet and some I confess could possibly be considered a little sinful. The roses have become a precious and sweet symbol of my Anna…they make me so happy. The diet coke, the only drink that can truly satisfy (St. Pete…are ya with me Raeg?) The cookie dough, an absolute obsession and the only right way to really indulge, and the magazines…well it’s the way I can keep up with my Hollywood friends that I don’t get to see as much as I’d like. Okay, so I read so I can know how to pray. That was a joke, but as I wrote it, I decided it seriously sounds like a good idea. Along with a couple of great cards filled with all the right words and a couple of fun gifts, my kitchen table is the threshold of my favorite pleasures provided by my husband and my sister by 8:30 a.m. on June 6th, my 29th birthday!!!

The greatest gift I received that day was something I have been wanting for a long time and have been deprived of for 7 months! Sweet Chris slept on the sofa with Ben’s monitor by his ear and away from mine so I could sleep ALL NIGHT LONG! 8 hours of bliss was the first and most precious gift I received from Chris. Friday was a good day and a day I really needed for it was proceeded by many very hard days. Let’s just say hand/foot and mouth disease followed by an ear infection for John, bronchitis and mastitis for me and an infected toe and bad rash and eczema for Benny, left 3 of the Kelty’s feeling pretty puny! I have paid close to $150.00 in the past 10 days in co-pays and medications. I woke up on Friday feeling somewhat refreshed and ready for a good day! At about 8:30 a.m. Kristen showed up with my neices with the roses, cookie dough, diet coke, a balloon and some of my favorite magazines….the makings for a perfect”Kate”day!!! She came back over for lunch with some delicious Jimmy John’s. By noon I had my kids asleep and headed to my room with my birthday treats. I even got an hour nap in. What a great day so far!

At 3:30 I met up with my fam ( Chris stayed at home with John) and we drove to Roanoke for a suprise going away party for my brother thrown by his Young Life committee and his sweet wife! For the past 6 years Dave has labored in love for the kids of Lord Bourtetourt High School. I listened as kids and families shared about how their lives had been changed because David had introduced them to a relationship with Jesus. I have never felt prouder and luckier to to be his sister. In August, they will pack up and move to Blacksburg ( VA Tech) where they will continue their ministry together! After Dave’s party we went back to Mr. and Mrs. Sloop’s house where they had a little party for me. Thanks for the delicious cake Missa.

On Saturday, mom and Kristen and I went to lunch and a movie and shopping, something we always love to do, but rarely get to do. What a great time we had! That night we had a family birthday Party at My Mom and Dad’s house. We ate delicious chinese food and had more cake (YES!) followed by more gifts (DOUBLE YES!) Chris made a little game of “Blue’s Clue’s” for me (John’s new favorite video) to help me guess John’s gifts! Actually, I already knew what John’s gifts were because he told me that morning that he wasn’t going to tell me that he got me sunglasses and a bracelet! The following are some fun pictures from our great evening.

John wearing my presents!
Ben had to go to bed early, but he got in a couple cute pics before he went to bed! He is sitting up now!

To top off an already great birthday weekend, Chris took me out on a date tonight to one of my favorite restaurants, Clementine’s. Thank you Kristen and Mike for babysiting our boys!!! Thank you dear friends for your phone calls, cards, and messages!! Could I feel anymore loved? I am leaving you with a video of John John that I think will make you smile!!!